Star Hunter.

Chapter 260 I Want to Participate

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Xilin was indeed somewhat tempted by Flake's proposal, but he also understood that in terms of true flying car design, he was far inferior to Flake. At most, he could only modify some assembly processes to make it more perfect. As for how the overall design could better adapt the flying car to racing, Xilin was well aware of his limitations.

To design a racing car, one needs not only a thorough understanding of flying vehicles but also appropriate experience. Xilin had never actually designed a racing car; he had only tinkered with some small parts in Mo Heng's workshop, which could only be considered partial projects. He had no experience with overall engineering projects.

Xilin doesn't know much about racing. Even though he has heard a lot from them and seen a lot of related information, only by truly experiencing it can he design a better racing car. Different weather conditions, different geographical environments, and different driver habits all have different standards.

After Flake showed some documents to Sirin, Sirin realized even more clearly that he was not suited to design flying cars at the moment.

The "Wind of Freedom" racing competition takes place in various terrains and weather conditions, including rainforests, gushing muddy swamps, howling glaciers and snowfields, vast deserts, and winding mountain roads.

Moreover, apart from the complex weather and geographical environment, unlike the racing competitions Xilin had experienced before, this kind of competition usually has two people on each car.

  

Each race car carries a driver and a navigator, each with their own specific role. The driver simply needs to focus on driving and showcase their exceptional driving skills. The navigator, on the other hand, is responsible for managing various tasks during the race and providing the driver with accurate directions and routes for each segment, as well as timely and reliable road information. This collaborative approach undoubtedly reduces the burden on the driver during this long-distance race.

Almost all participants are paired up, as this competition demands exceptional skill and involves numerous unforeseen circumstances. A single driver must not only ensure the car's safe flight under such dangerous conditions but also be mindful of constantly changing external factors; not everyone has the mental capacity of a machine. Therefore, a pairing is the best and safest option.

It's not easy for a racing team to cultivate an excellent driver, nor is it easy to modify a racing car. While aiming for the championship, they certainly don't want to take on big risks.

If a two-person car is to gain more advantages in a race, its design will definitely differ from that of a car that carries one person.

Fleka had been trying to persuade Sirin to join him in designing and modifying the flying car. After all, he had finally come across this opportunity and Fleka wasn't going to let it go easily.

For a long time after being forcibly brought back by his own son, whenever Flake assembled a flying car, the image of Shirin assembling parts would flash through his mind. Looking at the others assembling their vehicles, Flake could only sigh, sigh, and sigh again. You see, after witnessing better methods, one's standards naturally rise. Therefore, Flake's emotions were very unstable during that period. Besides sighing, the dissatisfaction and regret in Flake's eyes when looking at those who usually considered themselves excellent assemblers was chilling.

Regarding Fleka's perseverance, everyone present except for Peter looked surprised and suspicious. Naimi, in particular, winked at Yuan Xingming and the others after seeing his fat uncle's reaction, meaning: I didn't expect you to actually invite an expert over!

Yuan Xingming expressed his innocence, saying that although he had heard some things from Peter, he never imagined that Xilin could be persuaded by the renowned Fleka through persistent pleading.

Xilin looked at the information about the competition in his hand, as well as some champion cars from previous years. Many of these cars could no longer be called cars; they had all sorts of shapes and were completely different from ordinary cars. Crescent-shaped and dagger-shaped cars were considered relatively normal.

Seeing that Xilin remained silent, Fleka stopped talking, picked up his cup to moisten his throat. Judging from Xilin's appearance, he was probably thinking carefully. If he put in a little more effort, he would definitely be able to change the kid's mind!

Just as Flake put down his cup, preparing to continue speaking, Sirin suddenly asked, "How can one qualify for the competition?"

"You want to participate in the race?!" Flecka completely forgot what he had just prepared. After all, he only knew that Xilin was very skilled at assembly, but he had never seen Xilin race. Judging from Xilin's past achievements, racing shouldn't be something Xilin would do, right?

It wasn't that Fleka looked down on Xilin; it was mainly because the environment Xilin was in was really terrible. After all, racing requires a lot of money, and Fleka always felt that at Xilin's age, how could a racer have time to hone his assembly skills? In addition, Xilin's first impression was that he didn't seem to have much in common with the racing kids Fleka had seen around the same age.

Not only was Flake surprised, but Yuan Xingming and Peter were also surprised. Before Xilin got involved with the Yuan family, he shouldn't have been able to participate in large-scale competitions like the "Free Wind" racing competition, right? Moreover, Yuan Xingming and the others had never heard of Xilin in some of the smaller competitions. Could it be that Xilin participated in those small, unknown competitions?

"Xilin, we need to think this through carefully! This competition is very dangerous!" Yuan Xingming said solemnly.

If the competition weren't so dangerous, Yuan Xingming and the others would have been willing to throw their tempers and participate despite their families' objections. However, precisely because they knew the risks of the competition, and even when their families increased the obstacles, they were wise enough not to risk their lives.

This kind of exciting yet extremely risky competition is best viewed from the sidelines; just watching it gives you a sense of the passion and thrill. If you were actually on the field, many people would feel their legs go weak. Besides, if something really happened to Xilin, how would he explain it to his second grandfather?

"You really want to participate? Seriously?" Fleka asked seriously.

Xilin nodded. "Don't worry, I know what I'm doing."

Yuan Xingming had a miserable look on his face; how could anyone be at ease!

To avoid putting Yuan Xingming in a difficult position, Xilin contacted Yuan Ye. To Yuan Xingming's surprise, Yuan Ye only asked Xili if he really wanted to participate. After confirming, he added, "Be careful and have fun."

Yuan Xingming felt that his second grandfather was being far too lenient with Xilin. Little did he know that Yuan Ye had agreed precisely because he understood Xilin's personality; objecting would have been futile. Moreover, Yuan Ye felt that Xilin needed something to vent her pent-up frustration. After all, Xilin had too many stories to tell. Suddenly arriving in this unfamiliar star system, she didn't even know if she could return to her original system. Furthermore, after Yuan Ye woke up, Xilin would often unconsciously touch the bone crystal hanging around her neck. Yuan Ye knew all this, but there was nothing he could do. Yuan Ye was in a state of suspended animation, while the child was truly gone.

Since Yuan Ye had already agreed, Yuan Xingming didn't say anything more. At the same time, after their initial worry, Yuan Xingming and his friends suddenly felt a surge of excitement. Xi Lin was going to participate—this was a true buddy of theirs participating, which was far more exciting than watching anyone else compete. Yuan Xingming already imagined himself pointing at the speeding car during the race and shouting, "Look, that's my buddy!"

It would be impossible for anyone else to suddenly participate under these circumstances, but with Freka's help, it's not entirely impossible for Xilin.

The competition slots had already been allocated and announced, and each participating party had a copy of the list. Forcing Xilin into the competition now would be troublesome, but since Xilin really wanted to participate, Flake would definitely handle it. After all, he was the vice-chairman of the organizing committee, and as long as Flake intervened, the "Free Wind" racing competition organizing committee would surely give him face. Flake thought, he could just put up with those people's attitude.

"However, if Xilin wins a prize in the competition, those teams will probably be extremely frustrated," Corancie laughed.

"But at the same time, it will also harm the interests of some people in their transactions." Peter and his team knew more or less about some of the under-the-table deals, such as betting.

Xilin shook his head. "I just want to participate. As for whether I'm on the official list, I don't care. I don't care if I win an award or not. I'm not interested in awards."

Seeing how diligent Xilin was, Fleka understood Xilin's purpose: to experience it firsthand in preparation for designing a flying car. Only by truly participating in it could one gain a stronger understanding and vision. Fleka had done the same thing when he was young.

"Alright, I get it, kid. Leave it to me!"

As he spoke, Fleck went into the room to contact the person to complete some formalities. A short while later, Fleck came out and said that he had already spoken with several decision-makers on the competition organizing committee. What Xilin needed to do now was to design a flying car according to his own preferences.

"I have some prototypes of flying cars that aren't finished yet, but you can take a look and choose one to participate in the competition," Flecka said.

Fleka's main workplace is not on this planet belonging to the Szel family, so all matters related to the "Wind of Freedom" racing competition are conducted on the host venue, which is also named "Whirlwind".

Since the decision had already been made, and since Flake was going to continue working there anyway, he called Xilin and Yuan Xingming to go together. With Flake's guidance, the group entered the planet without needing to verify their identities.

To better prepare for the "Wind of Freedom" racing competition, the entire planet is under semi-closed management, with only relevant personnel allowed to enter. Teams, maintenance staff, and organizers are eligible to enter, while those who have booked tickets to watch the competition have not yet been allowed to enter.

Upon entering the "Whirlwind" competition planet, Yuan Xingming and his companions were clearly restless. Every time they arrived here, they would recall the frenzy they felt when they came here four years ago to watch the competition. The atmosphere was filled with an overabundance of adrenaline, excitement, and screams that seemed to burst out of their lungs.

This is the influence that the "Whirlwind" planet has on every visitor. Anyone who has watched a competition here once will be deeply impressed, especially racing enthusiasts and young people like Yuan Xingming, whose emotions are the easiest to stir.

The first thing Flake needs to do now is not to take Xilin and the others to his workshop to see the cars, but to take Xilin to the race organizing committee to get the documents and certificates. Without these certificates, Xilin cannot enter the track at all.

The organizing committee has been very busy lately, dealing with teams and cars from all over the country every day. However, since it was Flecka who came forward, everyone gave him face. It was the chief of the organizing committee who brought over the competition documents and certificates.

This chief is also an elder of the Szel family, and has been in charge of organizing many "Wind of Freedom" racing competitions. This time, it was because Flake interceded that the chief of the organizing committee had to personally step in, because only he can keep Flake in check now. Although many people on the organizing committee did not say anything to Flake's face, they all had opinions about Flake's behavior this time. There were some things that the chief had to explain to Flake, to give him a heads-up, and to prevent this situation from happening again.

Fleka had anticipated the cold look on the committee chief's face, so when the chief handed them the documents with a stern expression, Fleka could only smile and pretend not to care.

"Everyone made an exception this time because of you, but let's not let this happen again. ... I know there were special circumstances this time, and I'll explain them to you in detail later. I understand the implications, and there won't be a next time." Flake smiled and reached out to take the documents, but the chief of the organizing committee ignored Flake's outstretched hand and instead focused his gaze on Xilin. The meaning was clear: You're the one who wanted to participate this time, and you didn't even have a link to the documents?

Xilin wouldn't make things difficult for Flake. He stepped forward, performed a simple polite greeting, said thank you, and then extended his hand to accept the documents with both hands. After all, he was a senior figure and the chief of the competition organizing committee. Moreover, Flake had helped him with the documents, so the proper etiquette couldn't be omitted.

Seeing Xilin's composure and impeccable manners—extending both hands to receive the documents, unlike those arrogant and spoiled brats—the organizing committee chief's expression softened considerably. However, when he saw the patterns on Xilin's fingers as he received the documents, his pupils contracted. Although there wasn't much outward reaction, Xilin could clearly sense that the atmosphere around the organizing committee chief had eased considerably, and his face was no longer the stern, almost humiliated look it had before.

Fleka was unaware of these things. He hadn't even noticed what kind of tattoo Xilin had on his finger before; after all, young people these days liked to get tattoos on their bodies, so he hadn't paid much attention. However, the fact that the organizing committee chief's tone was noticeably better now still puzzled Fleka, but he didn't delve into it. Old guys of that age were always unpredictable.

After completing the formalities, Fleka took Xilin away to his office. Yuan Xingming and the others waited in the flying car outside the office building and did not go in with them.

After Xilin and Flake left, the chief of the organizing committee immediately contacted the Szel family. Because of his age and experience, he knew much more than Flake and naturally knew what the line on Xilin's finger represented. If the line was real, they would have to re-evaluate Xilin.

Flecka led Sirin into his work area. Unlike the small workshop, this area was quite large, and there were some open-air repair points on the perimeter, which served as a temporary repair station.

Many teams had already arrived early to familiarize themselves with the environment. Drivers and team staff must adapt to the planet's environment and get their bodies into peak condition before the official race. This is no small matter; sometimes, the deciding factor for success or failure may be just a tiny grain of sand.

After Sirin arrived, Flake's mood improved significantly, and he didn't find his work tiring. When working in front of the flying car, he would also tell Sirin some things to pay attention to and what kind of weather and geographical environment each modified part was best suited for.

The competition imposes certain restrictions on the size, weight, displacement, and power of the modified race cars. Within these restrictions, each team and driver is free to make their own choices. So now, Flake is guiding Xilin in a general direction within this area where he can make his own choices, so that Xilin can avoid detours.

Those who had worked under Fleka for a long time, seeing how Fleka treated Sirin, were all speculating about which family's young master this was, especially since even Naimi, who was by his side, was being ignored by Fleka.

At first, Yuan Xingming and the others followed along, ostensibly to enrich their minds and learn some knowledge. However, after two days, they lost patience. Although Peter knew a little about racing, he preferred watching the race cars. So, under the bombardment of professional jargon from Flake, Yuan Xingming and the others retreated and went to watch the drivers' practice sessions.

After all, Flake had a lot of work to instruct, and Xilin couldn't keep taking up Flake's time. So, three days later, Xilin said he would first practice with the maintenance personnel outside the track, so that he could better understand this kind of racing car while doing maintenance.

Fleka didn't object; he was genuinely busy. Nuoqiu updated Xilin's assembly technique immediately, calling it a classic, a classic like a priceless work of art. Afterwards, the staff and supervisors no longer regarded Xilin as a hothead with only a three-minute attention span, and everyone was very enthusiastic in answering Xilin's questions.

That day, Xilin had just finished repairing a flying car and got up to drink some water and rest when a bright red flying car suddenly flew into the repair area.

A girl of about fifteen or sixteen, dressed in racing gear, hurriedly got out of the car, glanced around, and upon seeing Xilin in his work clothes, walked straight towards him.

Shanshan's novel