It's Not Easy To Be a Man 210+

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For context, it should be known that an exceptional mecha engineer could add several layers of protection to a mecha operator's mecha. To be blunt, a mecha engineer would give mecha operators better rates of survival — this was why outstanding mecha engineers were enthusiastically sought after by mecha battle clans, making them hot pursuit targets of all battle clans.
However, everyone was destined to be disappointed. Annoyed by all the attention, Chang Xinyuan simply announced that he was already a fixed member of Lingtian. That meant that unless the battle clan he was in was destroyed, it was impossible for Chang Xinyuan to transfer to a new battle clan.
Tianji's defeat rendered the academy administrators completely speechless, and it also made all the other factions which were already wary of Lingtian even more apprehensive. Lingtian's defeat of Dwotong could still be said to be a confluence of luck and circumstances in Lingtian's favour, but their defeat of Tianji was achieved through a straightforward show of strength. The number of mecha experts within Tianji was just slightly less than that in Leiting — even the number three faction, Wuji, had had no choice but to collaborate with Li Lanfeng and Zhao Jun to compete with Tianji; it was clear to see how deep Tianji's power reserves went.

Yet, it was precisely this kind of mecha clan, one that even Wuji found difficult to deal with, which had lost in such a clear-cut manner to Lingtian. This was absolute proof that Lingtian was not a mecha clan which was surviving by luck; Lingtian had truly risen by its own power.

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Planet Southcrest:

In the Strategic Planning Division of the 23rd Division, He Xuyang, who had secured the position of head adviser to General Ling Xiao, unexpectedly received an invitation letter from his subordinates. When he opened and read it, a slight smile appeared on his face. He did not detain the invitation as he would typically, instead sliding it smoothly into the pile of documents to be sent over to General Ling Xiao for perusal.

This move surprised his deputies. It should be known that there were almost over a dozen of these kinds of invitations every month, but General Ling Xiao had long ago instructed that they should refuse all of them. The workload involved in establishing the 23rd Division was massive — General Ling Xiao just did not have the time and leisurely mood to deal with these sorts of boring gatherings or events.

"This ... will it be okay?" When the second adviser Tong Zhiying saw He Xuyang pick up the stack of documents with the invitation within it, ready to go to General Ling Xiao's office, he could not help but ask and give a cautious reminder. Even though General Ling Xiao was always extremely friendly and affable, Tong Zhiying, as He Xuyang's partner, did not want to see him commit any mistakes that might cause him to be reprimanded by General Ling Xiao.

He Xuyang smiled at Tong Zhiying and explained, "This one is different ..."

Tong Zhiying's heart clenched and he quickly nodded to show he understood. He did not ask any more questions, but turned his gaze back onto the document in his own hands. Those who had managed to climb up so far to get to a position like his were all very cautious and discreet people — they knew not to casually ask about secrets they should not know.

He Xuyang's smile deepened — this was also something he greatly appreciated in Tong Zhiying. In addition, the other was exceptionally skilled. He Xuyang was very happy to be partnered with him. However, regarding matters which concerned Young Master Lan, before General Ling Xiao announced their relationship to the public, He Xuyang decided he had better still keep everything secret.

That's right, this very different invitation had something to do with Young Master Lan. Half a month later, the highly anticipated All-Federation Military Academy Grand Mecha Tournament would begin. On each occasion, the commanders of every army division would receive an invitation card to attend and view the grand tournament. The 23rd Division, as a newly established standing army, had also received an invitation this year.