Exploding God

Those who were already paying attention to the Hibiscus Squad were now staring blankly at Qi Yuan, who was like a role model.

"Why is Qi Yuan standing so straight? Wasn't he just standing silently at the back?"

More people looked toward the location of the Hibiscus Squad, and soon, a sense of absurdity arose in everyone's hearts.

Even though the members of the Hibiscus Squad looked older and more experienced, why did the boy manage to suppress the combined aura of everyone else with just a few gestures?

"Could it be that I masturbated too much yesterday...? Why do I feel like the Hibiscus Squad is like soldiers waiting for inspection?"

"Who is that kid?"

There was a lot of discussion among the crowd.

"He's carrying a book; could he be an observer sent by Shanglan Academy?"

"He's so young! Is he some child prodigy professor from Shanglan University?"

"The entire Hibiscus Squad has left. They really did come all this way to pick up this one person, my goodness. Judging by their posture, they're practically protecting him... and yet that boy still looks completely calm. Even professors don't get this kind of treatment. Could he be... the heir to some wealthy family!?"

Those with discerning eyes around immediately felt as if they had discovered some kind of secret, and their hearts began to pound uncontrollably.

Perhaps they could try to contact this wealthy tycoon. Since he can invest in one Hibiscus Squad, he can definitely invest in several others as well.

Ye Tianming, one of the parties involved, was unaware of the wild ideas of the onlookers around him, and doubts began to rise in his mind as he walked.

Why did we all naturally sideline Lu Ze?

Aren't you even testing the waters with the other person...?

Hmm, that's dangerous.

But then again, it doesn't seem out of place at all.

After Ye Tianming sorted out his thoughts, he suddenly came to a conclusion that was both incredibly absurd and yet perfectly logical.

He suddenly felt a little worried about his own intelligence. Spending all his time with an idiot like Han Zhen, he was already on the path of intellectual derailment.

As the Hibiscus Squad returned to the maintenance area in a standard escort posture, Ye Tianming finally issued the most important order of the day.

"Hibiscus Squad has assembled and is ready for battle!"

A fierce fighting spirit ignited in everyone's eyes at the same time.

"yes!"

……

……

"Hibiscus Squad requests deployment."

"Returning safely and in triumph." The camp guard smiled and made the gesture, and the steel gate slowly opened.

The heavy all-terrain van, like a silent behemoth, drove out of the camp and plunged into the fog without stopping, disappearing completely from sight in less than half a minute.

Compared to when Lu Ze entered the hunting camp, there are now two more people in the all-terrain transport vehicle with the words "Shanglan-Mujin" printed on it, in addition to the members who just appeared.

"Our navigator and driver is Zhou Zhao, a third-year student at Shanglan University."

"Logistics support staff member, Yu Hongyang, a second-year student at Shanglan University."

Upon hearing the captain's introduction, Zhou Zhao, sitting in the front row, made a V-sign with his fingers, while Yu Hongyang, sitting next to Ye Tianming, smiled shyly.

Lu Ze nodded. These seven people, plus the all-terrain transport vehicle, should be the complete composition of the Hibiscus Squad.

Ye Tianming pressed the projection button on the tactical analysis console, and a small 3D map appeared in the carriage.

"Today our target is the Bitter Forest Wetland, located 11.2 kilometers northeast of the hunting camp. Zhou Zhaohui will drive the vehicle to the 10-kilometer mark and stop. Our five combat team members will then launch the attack."

"Besides the thick fog, the Bitter Forest Wetland is also shrouded in miasma year-round. It's home to a wide variety of creatures, and the terrain is complex, making it quite dangerous. In addition, our Hibiscus Squad isn't carrying any observation mechs this time. Just in case, I'll have to trouble you, Zhou Zhao, and Yu Hongyang to stay in the car. Yu Hongyang will release two drones, which you can use for battlefield observation. I hope you understand."

"Okay, thank you." Lu Ze didn't try to take the initiative, but nodded gently and politely.

"Alright, although this is the first time the Hibiscus Squad has hired an advisor since its establishment, Brother Lu's strength is beyond question. If there are any shortcomings in the battle later, please give us your valuable opinions." Ye Tianming felt relieved when he saw that Lu Ze was so easy to talk to, and said with a smile.

Although Ye Tianming spoke modestly and politely, a hint of arrogance was faintly visible on his face. After all, the Hibiscus Squad's advancement to an A-level squad was not due to luck. Before the battle, he had specifically arranged for the energy limit to be increased from 50% to 60%, also with the idea of ​​showing off in front of Lu Ze.

Lu Ze maintained his gentle expression and nodded slightly, saying, "Okay."

What was originally an ordinary word has now subtly altered everyone's mindset.

Han Zhen and Qi Yuan were already used to it and didn't notice anything amiss.

However, the others, though outwardly showing no abnormality, felt a vague unease in their hearts.

Why aren't you even being polite? The captain was being very polite to you, but you just agreed without any hesitation.

However, since the other party was ultimately there to help Han Zhen and Qi Yuan, they were guests in every sense of the word, and it would be petty for them to overthink it. With that in mind, everyone quickly stopped pursuing the matter further.

A few minutes later, the vehicle slowly slowed down and came to a stop.

Zhou Zhao turned around and said, "We've arrived at the designated location, Captain."

"Today is our first time venturing into the Bitter Forest Wetland. I have only one request: to make the hibiscus shine!"

Ye Tianming emphasized the words "first time" and stood up to head towards the mecha placement area.

The backs of the five mechs open, and after the operator crawls into the mech, the backs of the mechs close, and the internal air pressure is adjusted three times.

The dense, scale-like armor plates tilted upwards, swaying like waves. After the airflow was released and the pressure was released, they suddenly pressed against the body, producing a pleasant metallic clanging sound.

As the mecha masks were removed, the youthful innocence that the five men had previously displayed vanished instantly, replaced by a chilling aura that enveloped their entire bodies.

This is the most mainstream weapon in the world today, the crystallization of human wisdom and technology, and the most effective mobile weapon to fight against the Mist Behemoth—the Construct Mech!

Buzz, buzz—

Five activation light strips lit up in sequence, and five armored mechs, gleaming with metallic luster, stepped off the maintenance platform simultaneously, and the rear door of the vehicle popped open.

A damp, earthy-smelling gust of air suddenly swept into the carriage, and the fresh air instantly invigorated everyone.

With its light purple and silver paint scheme, the elemental mech's left shoulder cape billows sharply, while the right arm's surface features an amplitude device that sways rhythmically like living coral, emitting a faint purple glow. Paired with a helmet and faceplate shaped like compound eyes, this elemental mech, model [Froststorm], can be considered the best-looking of the five constructs.

Ye Tianming spread his arms diagonally, and the engine rings on the back of the [Froststorm] elemental mech lit up one by one. With a hum, a faint, distorted outline appeared around him.

The mecha slowly rose into the air, then leaned forward and burst out of the carriage.

With its black and red paint job, towering 2.8 meters tall, and adorned with a diamond-shaped silver shield on its left arm and a heavy alloy javelin in its right, the [Dragon] Berserker Mech leaped out of the carriage under Lock Strong's control.

The instant it took off, Lu Ze felt the carriage bounce upwards; one could imagine the weight of this behemoth.

Carrying a grenade launcher, fully armed, and holding a semi-automatic rifle, the Ranger Mech [Reconnaissance Soldier] leaped high out of the vehicle after a short running start, its two miniature auxiliary engines on its waist suddenly spewing out white blasts of air.

Qi Yuan and Han Zhen exchanged a glance and nodded.

With a light gray paint job, produced by Beimo Company, the fourth-generation semi-divine archer mech [Arc Light] launches swiftly after a short knee bend.

The fourth-generation fighter mech, the Heron, is entirely orange, with the most slender and delicate appearance, yet its pilot is the most robust, creating a charming contrast. Under Han Zhen's agile waist, it performed a clean forward roll followed by engine thrust, piercing the mist like an arrow.

The carriages closed.

Yu Hongyang focused intently on manipulating the control panel and said, "The drone has taken off and we can begin observations."

Lu Ze nodded, and while Yu Hongyang stared blankly, he pulled out a thin... softcover notebook and a pen.

笔？

Book?

Have I traveled back to the last century?

Yu Hongyang looked down at the futuristic holographic touchscreen in his hand, his expression incredibly interesting.