Counterfeit Hero

The electronic countdown was urgently beeping, with red warning lights flashing in sync with the rhythm of the electronic sound. This tactic easily created an extremely tense atmosphere.

The audience in the main hall held their breath, fearing that a single deep breath would cause them to miss a spectacular moment.

From the miraculous rise of the bandit army in Puluo Town, causing major factions to abandon their territories to join them, to the final great battle, this group exuding wild bandit energy has shocked people time and again. This martial arts tournament, without the participation of those renowned factions of the bandit army, would truly be dull.

In the end, they came. Standing on the stage with mystery and questions surrounding them.

No imagined War God, not even a Commander was dispatched, just four young mecha pilots participating under the laughable name of Caihua Sect. The Feiyang people’s previous intention to dismantle the Sect Mutual Aid Alliance seems to have come to an end. The sect masters, hiding somewhere, have their most promising rising stars appearing under the name of Caihua Sect, proving their determination to follow the bandit army to the end.

Dozens of factions competing under the name of one, with their core disciples not using their own banners — such a thing has never been heard of in the millennia-long history of the civilian mecha fighting world!

They are willing to send their disciples into battle, willing to set aside their ancestral names — who knows what great benefits or significant threats the Leray fatty has provided them, or perhaps both! Being figures at the top of the Mars pyramid, unless Fatty could threaten their development or help them soar, would they willingly invest so much?

Moreover, not mentioning the young mecha pilots, those seasoned War Gods, with their casual, smiling expressions, showed no resistance to the name Caihua Sect, as awful as it is. While the sect master’s decision is significant, their own choice is even more crucial. The battle between the bandit army and the Northern Alliance was fought under Fatty’s lead, forging bonds stronger than any that came before — Feiyang might be strong, but how could they compete?

In the previous rounds, the bandit army mecha pilots easily defeated their respective opponents, smoothly entering the top sixteen. Even though their opponents’ levels were about the same as theirs, the ease with which Baz defeated Parkinson, as well as the other three’s relaxed demeanor when facing opponents of the same level, was enough to show that these young mecha pilots were not there to be mere foils.

Not just foils — could it be that these young mecha pilots are capable of defeating the likes of Kirburn and Nakagawa Daiki to seize the championship?!

The thought is utterly insane. Though everyone harbored such speculations deep down, no one dared voice them. The logical conflict left them confused about the real purpose of the bandit army in sending these young mecha pilots.

Amateurs watch the spectacle, while experts watch the intricacies.

While the average audience marveled at Baz’s comeback victory over Parkinson, debating whether Parkinson’s fall was accidental or a trap by Baz, the major factions in the stands were in turmoil.

In past years of tournaments, these young mecha pilots also participated. All the major factions were thoroughly familiar with the four’s strengths, techniques, and even their personalities and control styles.

However, today, all this familiarity has completely turned into unfamiliarity!

Leaving aside Long Tai, the infantry, and Baz, simply looking at the Phantom Stream Young Sect Master Cosmo is enough to explain the situation.

In the previous round, Cosmo faced a Level 1 Mecha Knight from a second-level mecha school. Within three minutes of the match starting, that mecha pilot, unable to keep up with the pace, was caught by Cosmo, who easily took advantage of a flaw. A simple Upper Step Punch destroyed the transmission system hub of the mecha’s abdomen, leading to his unavoidable defeat.

After the match, many sect mecha pilots rushed to the player area for news. According to this mecha pilot himself, he didn’t find Cosmo’s techniques particularly remarkable. They were just a bit faster, the movements slightly more precise, yet no matter how he exerted himself, he couldn’t block them!

”Every move he makes seems to have a kind of magic!” said the mecha pilot.

Such a description being applied to the Phantom Stream, a third-rate sect, initially felt utterly absurd to everyone in that moment.

It’s well known that all Phantom Stream’s techniques have been thoroughly researched by the major factions, even published in the Mechanical Control Standards, lacking any core technique inheritance or progress for centuries. During past competitions, it was recognized as one of the weakest participants. Even their genius mecha pilot Cosmo struggled to earn a Level 1 Mecha Knight qualification. How is it that now his every move seems magical?!

The main hall was dead silent. Tens of thousands listened to the countdown, their heartbeats quickening.

The Feiyang people were completely enraged. Their motive in allowing the four bandit army mecha pilots to enter the top sixteen was to make them pay the price. Three Second-level Mecha Knights and a Level 1 Mecha Knight against an almost legendary Level 1 Mecha War God, two Level 3 Mecha War Gods, and a Level 1 Commander — such an unrestrained matchup is probably something only the Feiyang people would dare to arrange!