The First Analyst of the Interstellar Era

Chapter 73 : White Sand Sky Pillar Sea Domain

As First Ring Fourth Academy entered the forest, they sensed the quiet atmosphere, and all five became alert.

Having been tricked by Zhu Jing Fu before, they instinctively looked toward their analyst.

Chang Haiqi sensed the surrounding fluctuations, and upon detecting spiritual body auras, he sighed in relief, suddenly realizing his back was drenched in sweat.

The energy shielding effect on the sea surface had left an extremely deep shadow in his mind.

What Chang Haiqi didn't say aloud was that internally, he also suspected it was Zhu Jing Fu's analyst who had created the energy shield.

But the pride nurtured by years of flattery wouldn't allow him to believe this.

Now finding the shielding gone, he reassured himself comfortably: perhaps earlier, it really was just a problem with his spiritual perception.

Fortunately, everything was normal now.

Chang Haiqi marked the position of the spiritual fluctuations: "Their analyst is here."

On the team channel, the five moved toward the position. Xu He was somewhat arrogant by nature, but after realizing Zhu Jing Fu's two teams were working together, he remained very cautious. The electric spider's shadow followed closely at his side.

As lightning flashed, thinking of the strange shield umbrella at the edge of the island, he turned to warn the strong attacker: "Bai Yu, keep the single combat unit occupied later. Don't let that shield get near me."

Bai Yu was stunned for a moment. "That shield umbrella, it rebounds your energy attacks?"

Xu He's face darkened further, his tone not much better: "How would I know? That weapon is bizarre. Knock down the shield, I'll directly eliminate their analyst, then come help you all."

Though arrogant, he wasn't stupid. He knew that to eliminate Zhu Jing Fu, it was best to take out the analyst first. Without an analyst to detect spiritual body weaknesses, eliminating Zhu Jing Fu's outputs would only be a matter of time, regardless of their level differences.

How long could an A-level analyst last?

"You can hold out, right?" Xu He impatiently asked.

Gu Lingke tilted her chin up. "Of course."

Bai Yu silently shook his head. He couldn't really—after using the repair device, his damage level was still at 52%. And besides...

Thinking of the several encounters at the seaside, Bai Yu felt Zhu Jing Fu wasn't so simple.

But his teammates were blinded by battle intent, so he could only nod: "I'll try my best."

Xu He glanced at him from the corner of his eye, showing some impatience.

As the group entered the narrow passage between the broad, dense forest—

High above, Zhu Jing Fu's guns were aimed below from both left and right.

"Are Zhou Chen and the others here yet?"

Chang Sheng asked over the team channel.

Xie Chunshi looked at Chen Sui's coordinates. "Still seven hundred meters away. We can start."

As he finished speaking, Gu Qinxue on the opposite side fired at those below without hesitation.

Energy bullets, wrapped in a layer of flames, descended from the sky like meteors, with waves of intense heat rolling forth.

First Ring Fourth Academy suddenly felt a wave of heat from behind.

Before they could turn around, the five stopped in their tracks. Xu He reacted first, grabbing Chang Haiqi and pulling the analyst sharply aside.

Gu Lingke was pulled out by the single combat unit, with Bai Yu close behind. The five scattered to both sides.

A racing fireball swept past them, and the ground shook violently several times.

"Boom!"

A large crater was blasted open by the energy cannon. Flames instantly burned along the energy trajectory, rocks scattered, and dust flew.

The fire distorted even the air with its heat.

In the chaotic dust, First Ring Fourth Academy members waved away the dust before them, shaking off their disheveled state, and looked toward the direction of the bombardment. Xu He's face was ashen: "F*ck, so Zhu Jing Fu wants to play this game with me?"

"Liu Star," he coldly shouted. The twilight of dusk was obscured by black clouds, and darkness fell a step early.

The sea island was immediately surrounded by massive thunder clouds.

Chen Sui and her two companions, rushing toward the scene, looked up at the sky. Zhou Chen immediately rolled his eyes: "The fight has started."

"Zhou's door making thunder, simply ridiculous," he said without humor, as calmly as if stating a fact.

Chen Sui didn't retort this time, but nodded in agreement: "Indeed, when it comes to lightning attributes, it has to be Black Arrow Hawk."

Zhou Chen momentarily earned her approval and was overjoyed. The weight of seeing enemies lightened considerably.

After experiencing spiritual healing and being comforted by teammates, at this moment, even if he saw Gu Haichuan, he could slap him resoundingly and loudly announce his name.

The whole person couldn't be more satisfied.

Chen Sui sensed his emotional change and lowered her eyes, reining in her smile.

When she looked up again, her gaze toward the sky was unfriendly.

After Zhu Jing Fu fired one shot, Gu Qinxue was charging energy when Xie Chunshi stopped her.

The Commander's tone was light and calm: "Don't be impulsive."

Gu Qinxue's movements hesitated, with slight confusion between her brows.

Then she heard him say in an extremely indifferent tone, as if the opponent were an ant that could be crushed with one foot: "If the mecha damage gets too high, it will trigger the protection mechanism."

As he spoke, he put away his quantum gun.

A flash of surprise crossed Gu Qinxue's eyes; she hadn't expected Xie Chunshi would do such a thing.

"We..."

Xie Chunshi's cold gaze fell downward, watching the giant spider crawl out from behind Xu He. "He Lan said, Xu He shattered Cheng Wei's spiritual body. To make him surrender, the enemy analyst's energy invaded Cheng Wei's mental threshold."

Hearing this, Gu Qinxue clenched her fist in restraint. She bit her lip, her fair face showing anger.

"They truly deserve to die!"

"Mecha damage elimination is too lenient for them."

Gu Qinxue, furious with red eyes, put away her guns and drew out her thorny fire whip.

Xie Chunshi clearly had the same idea.

The analyst's energy invading the mental threshold had severely damaged the division's single combat unit's core crystal—70% depletion.

The Competition Committee had issued strict warnings.

But stern warnings were useless.

Xie Chunshi's eyes, filled with coldness, looked down at First Ring Fourth Academy as they released their spiritual bodies.

Only returning like for like would make them truly realize their mistake.

First Ring Fourth Academy mechas pushed forward. Agile attacker Xu He was the first to lose patience. The fluffy silhouette of the electric spider jumped among the giant trees of the dense forest.

Purple spider silk spurted from pores on its tail, spreading throughout the forest as it moved.

As Xu He drove forward, the spider made a leap and attached to the back of his mecha. As he swung his light sword, a bolt of lightning accompanied the sword wind, striking down toward Zhu Jing Fu's position.

On both sides, Chang Sheng protected Tong Wei, while He Lanxi set up his cannon at a high position. Xie Chunshi and Gu Qinxue leaped down from above. The original spot was split open by thunder, revealing the black mountain body within.

The two members of Zhu Jing Fu's school team propelled their mechas, confronting Xu He in mid-air.

Gu Qinxue's fire whip lashed out, and flames spiraled upward along her swinging trail, following the fire whip and devouring outward.

The electric spider opened its mouth organs, silently calling out, with sound waves pulsating. Its pedipalps swept to both sides.

Lightning ran upward along the transparent spider silk in the forest, raising a lightning net several meters high all around.

The lightning wall intercepted the flames. Behind the lightning net, electric light flowed like a stream.

Seizing the opportunity, Gu Lingke's green energy swung, and a blue-green figure descended from mid-air.

The Jade Bird spread its wings and let out a crisp cry.

Wood-attribute energy, like sharp thorns, rushed straight at Gu Qinxue, who was constrained by lightning.

[Ahhh, Commander Xie! Your teammate is in danger]

[Why isn't Zhu Jing Fu's division moving!]

[Their damage is too high; best not to be eliminated]

[Zhu Jing Fu is at a disadvantage, two against five. Haven't Chen Sui and the others arrived yet?!!]

[They're on their way, they're on their way! I'm so anxious anxious anxious]

[So many people are coming this way. Help! I was wondering why they needed to surround the island! Now I understand—everyone from the base station is coming!]

[The other two supply points were taken by Golden Tower and Ink Hills. Now there are many teams lacking energy. Seeing the Sky Pillar, they're all coming here]

[Damn, First Ring Seventh Academy is here too. Another Gu family lapdog]

[It's okay, they can be blocked around the sea island. I'm very nervous now. I'm really sick of the faces of those few from First Ring Fourth Academy. Disgusting!]

[Damn it! They're the most disgusting in the entire elimination tournament]

[Xie Chunshi!! Beautiful!!]

As the wooden thorns were about to pierce Gu Qinxue, a barely audible low murmur sounded.

"Mist."

The water vapor in the surrounding air gathered, and the air flow slowed. In front of the wooden thorns, a blue light dimly lit up, flowing toward the thorns like water droplets.

The seemingly dazzling wooden thorns, when touched by the blue light, shattered like broken crystals, the energy instantly breaking apart.

A sharp pain pierced Gu Lingke's mind. She gasped slightly, amazed as she looked at Xie Chunshi, who had barely raised his hand. He hadn't even fully gathered his energy, leaving Gu Lingke only astonished: "How is this possible?!"

"Isn't his energy crystal damaged?"

This level of resonance and energy control didn't look damaged at all.

However, her astonishment had barely risen when the scene before her completely changed her expression.

The rushing flames were half-intercepted by Xu He's lightning net, with the two energies clashing.

But after a brief stalemate, the flames gradually condensed into a majestic beast's head in mid-air.

The huge dragon body twisted and turned. The giant beast opened its mouth and silently roared forward.

The fire wave's energy suddenly increased.

The dragon's head penetrated the lightning net.

Huge thunderbolts struck the fire dragon's body, but were burned along with the flames, the energy being crushed inch by inch.

Xu He's expression changed, and as he instinctively tried to withdraw his energy, the fire dragon instantly coiled around. The thorny fire whip swung violently, the long whip cracking through the air, swaying downward.

The fire dragon passed through the lightning net, and flames followed the lightning, burning out a wall of fire.

The raging fire, more magnificent than the setting sun.

First Ring Fourth Academy felt a blazing flame coming straight at them. Before they could dodge, the rushing speed and the majestic appearance of the fire dragon were already before their eyes.

It charged directly at Gu Lingke.

The Jade Bird hurriedly fluttered about, with thin vines weaving in front of it.

Before the vine net could form, the fire dragon passed directly through the center of the green energy.

It pounced fiercely toward Gu Lingke!

Feeling the flames in her face, Gu Lingke panicked inside, unable even to wonder how Gu Qinxue could mobilize such enormous energy.

Her damaged energy crystal should not have been sufficient to support this.

At this moment, her mind went blank, only able to feel the surging energy rushing toward her.

Before the fire dragon arrived, its scorching presence was already at hand, causing Gu Lingke's face to change.

Bai Yu at the side, quick-eyed and nimble-handed, waved a wall of fire, sending out a linear advance to raise a firewall in front of Gu Lingke.

However, before the fire dragon could hit the firewall, Gu Qinxue suddenly swung her fire whip again.

The fire dragon stopped directly in mid-air, and the uncontrolled fierce wind it had generated blew forward, kicking up dust from the ground and scattering it over the mechas of the people opposite.

Gu Lingke's heart pounded like a drum, blood rushing violently in her ears. She realized she was actually panting.

Across a wall of fire, Gu Lingke opened her eyes and found herself face-to-face with the dragon's head formed from flames.

This scene seemed somewhat familiar.

In White Day Paradise, when Gu Qinxue and Zhou Chen fought their way out, she had forcibly summoned her spiritual body, ignoring the surrounding micro-energy field.

It was also such a fire dragon, heading straight for the Gu family head's face, but before it could get close, she had fainted due to core crystal depletion.

Gu Qinxue swung her whip, and the fire dragon instantly vanished.

Gu Lingke uncontrollably leaned back, supported by the single combat unit's shield. His warning voice had just emerged: "Commander, be careful!"

Gu Lingke reacted for only a second, instinctively mobilizing energy for defense, but the thorny fire whip swung toward the Jade Bird in mid-air.

Scorching heat waves coiled around. The fluttering Jade Bird was struck by a lash on its wings. A screech sounded, and the crisp cry was met with another whip. The energy surrounding the Jade Bird was scattered by a lash, and the spiritual body was surrounded by thorny whips, layer upon layer.

"This is wrong!"

"This is impossible!"

Gu Lingke felt the scorching energy coming through her mental threshold, her face full of disbelief.

"You clearly..."

"I saw it with my own eyes!"

With her mental control, the Jade Bird frantically crashed in all directions, green energy rippling outward in circles.

Gu Qinxue stood poised in mid-air, one hand holding the thorny fire whip, the long whip stretched out, with flames coiling layer upon layer.

Chen Sui rushed from the forest, stopping among the layers of spider webs. Looking up, she could only see Gu Qinxue's mecha, not her expression, but Gu Qinxue's voice came from the mecha, cold and contemptuous.

"You saw with your own eyes?"

"What kind of thing are you anyway?"

"A good dog of the Gu family. You think what you know is the truth?"

As she spoke, her wrist exerted force. The thorny fire whip was pulled by gravity, and the thorns above and below rubbed against each other, causing an unusual burst of fire.

Gu Lingke hadn't yet understood the meaning of her words.

She just saw a sudden explosion in mid-air.

"BOOM------"

The exploding sparks spread across half the sky, and the huge blast covered all surrounding noises.

Before Gu Qinxue were raging flames, and behind her were rolling black clouds.

Layer upon layer of fire ran along the thorny fire whip, exploding continuously, like blooming fireworks, extremely gorgeous.

However, Gu Lingke was in no mood to appreciate it.

She remembered the day the family head announced she was the Gu family's young mistress. He had said, "Gu Qinxue is already ruined. The Gu family doesn't need a useless heir. From today onward, you are the Gu family's next successor."

Gu Qinxue was already ruined.

The family head had said so!

The massive explosion of the thorny fire whip directly tore open the Jade Bird's body.

The surrounding green energy fell like scattered fluff, caught by spreading tongues of flame. The fire suddenly intensified, directly exploding outward.

Raging flames burned across the sky.

The spiritual body let out a screech like bleeding, covered by the sound of the explosion.

[Core crystal damage: 53%]

[Number 1401 eliminated]

"AHHH------"

Gu Lingke's scream followed immediately.

The spiritual body being directly killed instantly increased core crystal damage.

With the mental threshold severely injured, the pain in her brain threshold made Gu Lingke fall to her knees, clutching her head and rolling frantically.

The mecha, detecting the driver's abnormal state, immediately lit up with red warning lights.

The cockpit popped open directly.

Seeing this, the faces of First Ring Fourth Academy's remaining members all changed.

Just at the first encounter, Gu Lingke had been eliminated.

"Something's wrong. They don't have any damage at all. We've been deceived!"

Chang Haiqi realized this fact.

Xu He looked at Gu Lingke, who was wailing incessantly. After the cockpit opened and she was ejected, she directly knelt on the ground, head hanging, hair falling down, face pale.

A sense of fear grew in his heart.

"Something's wrong with Zhu Jing Fu! We need to retreat, or we'll all fall here!"

Xu He said coldly on the team channel. He controlled the electric spider, gradually deploying its concealment attribute.

Bai Yu looked at the Commander, his lips trembling, "Then the Commander..."

"What we did earlier to Zhu Jing Fu's outputs, will they..."

Also invade our mental thresholds and increase the damage?

"She's already eliminated!"

Xu He said coldly, "Zhu Jing Fu doing this will get them a warning from the Competition Committee. We can take this opportunity to withdraw."

He spoke these words of abandoning his teammate without any hesitation. Even though Bai Yu knew he was naturally selfish and egocentric, these words still shocked him to the core.

"No..."

Gu Lingke was eliminated.

With core crystal damage triggering the Competition Committee's mechanism, the analyst's soothing energy in the mental threshold quickly calmed her.

But core crystal damage wasn't so easily relieved; she still endured headaches like tearing pain.

At this moment, however, the shock in her heart far exceeded her physical pain.

Gu Lingke's face was full of disbelief, her eyes vacant as she shook her head: "This is impossible. I saw it with my own eyes. The family head said------"

Gu Qinxue looked at her with hatred and pity in her eyes.

"You're truly pathetic."

Her cold voice sounded faintly.

An elimination light pillar lit up around Gu Lingke.

Seeing this, the four remaining members of First Ring Fourth Academy prepared to retreat outside the island.

Xu He saw the light pillar rise, and the electric spider turned and crashed into the spider web, its figure instantly disappearing.

Then his mecha rushed out, leaving almost an afterimage with its speed.

This escape speed was so fast that StarNet viewers couldn't even react.

[Wow, Gu Lingke is eliminated just like that?]

[Who was boasting about the two Gu family young mistresses? This is simply a crushing defeat]

[Gu Qinxue's strength, my god, how was the Gu family willing to let her go]

[First Ring Fourth Academy really is every man for himself in the face of disaster. Not a shred of teammate loyalty. Honestly, with students like this at First Ring Fourth Academy, I think there's a problem with their education]

[I've already reported them to the Education Department. I suggest a thorough investigation of First Ring Fourth Academy]

[Xu He is trying to escape!]

[Holy shit! When did Chen Sui arrive!]

In the forest covered with spider webs, the electric spider's eight legs quickly climbed into the web. A flash of electricity passed over its body, and the lightning-patterned spider's figure instantly dispersed.

Xu He's mecha raced toward the edge of the forest, the energy enhancement of its concealment attribute making his mecha's figure hard to find.

Zhou Chen and Chen Sui were right at the edge of the forest, waiting for him to pass through the trees. Before the remaining three members of First Ring Fourth Academy could act, the ground in the forest suddenly split open, and huge plant root systems emerged.

Not one or two roots.

But throughout the entire forest, everywhere!