Chapter Eighteen

Today at noon, the power went out, but thankfully it was restored by four o’clock—update!!!!!!
****************************************************************
YC is like a treasure trove that never runs dry, always able to surprise people with the unexpected.
Thomas Spin, Arc Step... all basic maneuvers, yet when YC uses them, they become indescribably simple and fluid, powerful and effective. His presence shattered the traditional belief that victory depended solely on the type of mecha, as well as the myth surrounding advanced techniques, bringing basic maneuvers back into focus and respect.
Some enthusiasts even compiled all the basic techniques YC had ever used in any available holographic recordings, creating textbooks of foundational skills.
YC never spoke to anyone; he simply challenged three opponents each day, disappeared after, and no one knew who he was or any detail about him. In the eyes of the public, he was forever an enigma, and this mystery drew countless mecha fans into fervent adoration.
Unlike most, YC didn’t stick to a single mecha, but constantly switched between them, all standard models. The users of standard mechas far outnumber those with custom ones; most are civilian pilots who can’t afford the exorbitant modification fees and must settle for standard units. While standard mechas are clearly disadvantaged compared to custom ones, in YC’s hands, they seemed reborn, every ounce of combat power exploited to its fullest. Triumphing over the strong with the weak became his frequent feat!
Each time YC changed mechas, his fighting style transformed dramatically. His tactics were wild and unpredictable—no one could guess his next move. He was like a supreme master: every blade of grass, every stone in his grasp could become a deadly weapon.
The top-ranked Son of Light once confided to a friend, “If he and I were piloting the same grade of mecha, I wouldn’t be confident of victory!”
On the virtual net, YC’s holographic recordings were always the most sought after, the hottest items.
Though outside, Ye Chong had turned the world upside down, he himself—the subject—remained utterly unconcerned. What did any of it have to do with him? His life wouldn’t change in the slightest because of them. He simply sought to improve his own strength, to increase his odds of survival on this stagnant, trash-laden planet.
Mu Shang, however, watched Ye Chong’s repeated low-angle directional shifts and mused, “Hmm, that’s quite a clever method! Worth considering!”
From then on, Ye Chong’s daily training gained a new component: riding with Mu Shang! This fellow could execute up to twenty low-angle directional changes in three seconds—Mu Shang was terrifying! Ye Chong secretly clicked his tongue in awe!
The first ride was nothing short of traumatic. When Ye Chong stepped out of the cockpit, his face was pale as death, his legs trembled uncontrollably, and he finally couldn’t hold back, vomiting until dizzy and disoriented. Even with Ye Chong’s formidable physique, it took him days to recover!
Damn Mu Shang, he actually turned off the cockpit’s hydraulic buffer system! But the powerless, reclining Ye Chong could only glare bitterly at Mu Shang, who was grinning mischievously nearby.

Mu Shang smirked, “Hmm, looks like the side effects aren’t too severe. Seems there’s room to ramp up the intensity!”
Ye Chong felt as if he’d been struck by a heavy blow, collapsing on the ground!
Sure enough, the next day Mu Shang raised the intensity by a level!
Fortunately, Ye Chong was no ordinary person; his body was so robust it rivaled a mutant ape. After a few days of discomfort, this taxing training became the easiest part of Ye Chong’s day.
Jeben exclaimed, “What? They’ve all lost contact?”
Butler Qiu replied anxiously, “Yes! I don’t know what happened, but the four Grey Domain leaders are simply unreachable, as if they suddenly vanished! I suspect…”
Jeben quickly asked, “Suspect what?”
Butler Qiu glanced furtively at Jeben before continuing, “I suspect… I suspect they’re in real trouble!”
“Trouble? What do you mean?”
“I heard from Chief Steward Luo that if a Grey Domain leader is strong enough, they can damage a person’s brain through the virtual net! I wonder if these four…”
Jeben looked skeptical, “Is that true? I’ve never heard of it! Are you trying to gloss things over for me?”
Butler Qiu hastily put on a fearful expression and replied, “I wouldn’t dare, young master. Every order you give, I personally handle myself—never delegating to others. Serving you, how could I not give my utmost?”
Jeben snorted, “I bet you wouldn’t dare!” He hesitated briefly, “So is this matter simply over?” Growing up in a powerful family, he knew enemies like these were not to be underestimated; the unseen enemy was always the most dangerous!
Butler Qiu was more than happy—if anything went wrong, it would surely be him who suffered. He quietly delivered a flattering remark, “Young master truly knows when to seize and when to let go, broad-minded and wise!”
Jeben was instantly intoxicated by the praise, grinning foolishly!

The Angel had not logged into the virtual net for three days!
Each day was filled with anxiety and fear. Now he was consumed by regret—why had he acted so rashly and accepted that commission? That nightmare gnawed at his soul like a relentless beast.
He was nearly losing his mind! For a Grey Domain leader, being barred from the virtual net was like a bird losing its sky! But he dared not risk it; if the virtual net was his sky, he certainly didn’t want to lose his life for it!
Three days passed, and the Angel curled up in his dim little room, seeking the tiniest shred of safety.
By the fifth day, the former vitality had vanished from his face, replaced by the pallor etched by endless fear and torment.
On the eighth day, the Angel could bear it no longer. Better to perish quickly than to die slowly in fear! His dry, lifeless right hand reached for the virtual helmet in the corner of the room.
He clung to a sliver of hope—maybe the other party hadn’t noticed him at all, maybe he’d only scared himself.
The moment his fingers touched the helmet, the Angel’s expression fluctuated between blue and white, two conflicting thoughts battling in his heart: log in or not? He couldn’t decide!
With a fierce resolve, the Angel donned the helmet and entered the virtual net!
Strolling through the virtual world, watching the hurried crowds pass by, the Angel’s mind gradually calmed.
He wandered for half a day, but the dreaded event didn’t happen. He sighed in relief—perhaps he’d been overthinking it!
His mood lightened, and he felt cheerful again. Humming a tune, he was about to head to a Grey Domain leader’s gathering place to inquire about YC. He was still curious—who was YC? He’d never heard of such a powerful Grey Domain leader and wanted to find out who this YC really was.
Suddenly, an unexpected event occurred!