We agreed on mecha combat, so what the hell is this about your physical body exploding into a planet

"What's there to be afraid of?" Chen Tianhao sneered. "A poor student with no connections, nobody cares if he dies."

He paused, a cold glint flashing in his eyes.

"Moreover, even if he manages to pass the test by sheer luck, I have ways to ensure he never gets his mech pilot license."

"In this city, it's easier for the Chen family to make someone disappear than to crush an ant."

The attendant no longer hesitated, bowed his head, and left.

Su Wanqing heard these words and the corners of her mouth turned up slightly.

"What are you planning to do?" she asked softly.

"Let him take the test first."

Chen Tianhao said.

"After he finishes his exams, no matter what the results are, I will let him know what despair is."

His gaze returned to Ye Yan, a cruel smile curling at the corner of his lips.

"I'll make sure he can never recover from this."

These words were spoken in a very low voice.

But several other test takers nearby still heard it.

Their expressions changed.

The Chen family.

The Chen family of Qing Shi City is more than just "rich".

The patriarch of the Chen family is a member of the Federal Parliament. The Chen family's businesses are spread throughout the entire Seventh War Zone. The Chen family has some intricate connections in the military, political, and business circles.

Offending the Chen family in Qing Shi City is tantamount to courting death.

The way those examinees looked at Ye Yan changed from initial mockery to pity.

"Sigh, that kid's finished."

"Yes, no matter how powerful his mecha is, if he offends the Chen family..."

"I heard that Chen Tianhao stole his design drawings, and he didn't dare utter a sound. Now he dares to participate in the assessment? Isn't he courting death?"

"Look at his mech, with that configuration, he probably won't even pass the standard test. If he fails, and Chen Tianhao kicks him while he's down, his life will be completely ruined."

"What a pity, I heard he was a real genius..."

Whispers spread through the crowd.

Those who had once fawned over Ye Yan were now distancing themselves from him, afraid of being remembered by Chen Tianhao.

Those who didn't know Ye Yan at all didn't think highly of him either.

In their eyes, Ye Yan was already a dead man.

It's not a physical death, but a death of one's future.

In this world, offending the Chen family is tantamount to a death sentence—a death sentence for a mecha pilot's life.

Su Wanqing's lips curled up even higher.

She watched Ye Yan's retreating figure, a cold smile playing on her lips: You think you can turn things around just by participating in the assessment? How naive. This world has never been one where hard work alone guarantees victory.

So what if you have talent? So what if you have skills?

You have no background, no connections, and no money.

What do you have to fight the Chen family with?

Although that's what she thought, Su Wanqing quickly regained her composure.

"Ye Yan".

She spoke first, her voice as gentle as if she were greeting an old friend.

"You really came. I thought you were joking yesterday."

Ye Yan stopped and looked at her.

Looking at the woman who had been mocking him with the most vicious language in the lab just last night, he uttered only one word.

"roll!"

"ha?"

Su Wanqing paused, her heart filled with rage. How dare this loser treat her like this!

If it weren't for his talent in designing mechs, she wouldn't have become his girlfriend.

But Su Wanqing did not show any dissatisfaction. Her gaze swept over the mecha behind him, and the corners of her mouth curled up slightly.

"Is this the mech you used for the assessment?"

She tilted her head and said with a mischievous smile:

"Ye Yan, are you perhaps a little unclear about the assessment rules? The minimum requirement for a mecha is C-rank. Yours..."

She paused, then said in a regretful tone:

"It doesn't even qualify as an F-rank, does it?"

Since she had already offended the other party, Su Wanqing didn't mind kicking him when he was down.

The crowd, recovering from their shock at the strange mecha, couldn't help but chuckle softly.

Such a mech would be useless, let alone pass an assessment.

I'm afraid it won't even last a few minutes before it overheats and becomes overloaded, and it'll fall apart if a gust of wind blows on it.

Ye Yan wasn't angry; he simply looked calmly at Su Wanqing, his gaze falling on the mecha next to Chen Tianhao.

"That S-class mech, it used my design blueprints, didn't it?"

The hall fell silent instantly.

All eyes were on Chen Tianhao.

"Your design drawings?"

Chen Tianhao's expression changed for a moment, but he quickly regained his smile.

"Ye Yan, you're a piece of trash without even a license, how could you design an S-class mecha? You should take a good look at yourself in the mirror."

"that is."

Su Wanqing continued the conversation.

"Ye Yan, I know you're upset, but you can't just make baseless accusations, can you? Tianhao's mecha was built by a top designer at great expense by the Chen family. What does it have to do with you?"

She sighed and looked at Ye Yan with a look that said, "I'm very disappointed."

"I know you've been having a tough time lately, but you can't just give up on yourself like this. Are you trying to make a fool of yourself by bringing this junk to the assessment?"

"Sister Su is right."

One of the test takers chimed in.

"You should go back. This kind of mech is difficult to even start, let alone pass the test."

"Exactly, don't embarrass yourself."

"Let's go quickly, don't waste our time."

Mockery came from all directions.

Ye Yan stood still, motionless.

His gaze swept over the mocking faces.

Some he knew, some he didn't. Some had been his sworn brothers, and some had sought his advice on complex mecha design problems.

Until tomorrow, he will still be the genius these people talk about, the object of their flattery.

But now, they are all laughing.

They mocked him for now having nothing.

They all sided with Chen Tianhao.

"Are you done talking?"

Ye Yan spoke, but his voice was not loud.

But the entire hall fell silent.

He looked at Su Wanqing, at Chen Tianhao, and at those who were mocking him.

"Now that you've finished speaking, I'll prepare your graves properly."

"ha?"

Hearing Ye Yan's arrogant words, everyone was furious.

"What do you mean?!"

Before anyone could vent their anger, Ye Yan turned around and headed towards the maintenance area.

Behind her, Su Wanqing's smile finally crumbled.

"Ye Yan!" she raised her voice, "Don't you understand? You're finished! No blueprints, no mecha, nothing! What do you have to compete with me, what do you have to compare with Tian Hao?!"

Su Wanqing knew that with Ye Yan's talent, given time, he would definitely be able to design other mechs.

That's why she mocked and ridiculed him at this moment.

Destroy his confidence.

However, Ye Yan did not reveal the angry, resentful, and ferocious expression that Su Wanqing had expected.

ignore.

They didn't stop walking, and they weren't even bothered to say a word.

Nothing is more damaging than this kind of disregard.

Ye Yan felt no emotion towards these people; his heart was filled with anticipation for piloting the mecha.

after all.

Mecha, that's a romance unique to men!

Of course, if the other party wanted to do something, he wouldn't mind sending these people down.

. . .