Energy consumption was inevitable.
Ranged mechas had weaker defense and were slower than melee types, but their overall energy reserves were far greater. This kind of battle of attrition was exactly what ranged mechas were built for.
At this moment, Gu You's opponent was thinking, 'What kind of freak did I run into? Is he trying to throw the match or what?'
But in Gu You's eyes, the opponent was nothing more than a living target—for testing his spear technique.
Both sides' energy levels were steadily dropping. Gu You's melee mecha stood its ground, not dodging, only blocking with its weapon. Even this consumed far more energy than evading would.
The cockpit lights flashed red. A warning blared—energy had dropped below ten percent.
The opponent's barrage grew even fiercer. He had clearly calculated the energy capacity of Gu You's standard-issue mecha and now pushed to finish the match.
Gu You's mecha finally moved.
With a sudden thrust, it charged forward. Boosters ignited in full force. Even on the brink of depletion, he launched himself at full speed.
He had to win. Only by winning could he continue in the tournament—and refine his mastery of the spear.
Inside the enemy mecha, the pilot sneered. 'Now you want to fight back? Too late.'
He activated his boosters, darting sideways. Though melee mechas were faster, the speed difference wasn't enough to close such a gap in one move.
What baffled him more was that Gu You's spear didn't stop moving—it kept jabbing into the air as he charged. Then, suddenly, his entire mecha shone with a multicolored glow.
"Is he injecting soul power?"
Mechas were powered by soul batteries, but soul masters could also infuse soul power directly. The pilot's eyes lit up. "So he's desperate already?"
He kept his distance, still firing calmly, trying to wear Gu You down.
But he was wrong.
Gu You wasn't using soul power at all—he was using his blood essence.
Blood essence, the living fuel. Once used, results followed.
But then, the pilot suddenly felt something was off. His control lagged. A creeping dread swelled inside him. Even within his massive mecha shell, he couldn't shake it.
'Why can't I move smoothly? What's happening?'
He looked up—and saw it.
That massive spear was no longer stabbing randomly. It split the air in brilliant arcs, stabbing with impossible precision. In that moment, Gu You's spear burst forth in a dazzling blur, as if a hundred spears had been unleashed at once.
The two mechas closed the distance in a flash.
The ranged pilot panicked. He tried to boost again, but it was too late. An unseen pressure crushed his focus, slowing him down by just a fraction.
It was all Gu You needed.
His golden spear crashed forward, golden light exploding. The ranged mecha was overwhelmed, its frame engulfed in a swarm of radiant thrusts.
The pilot never even managed to release his martial soul.
He was thrown out of the Star Battle Net in a burst of white light, still unsure how he lost.
Gu You stared at the shattered remains of the enemy's mecha, and then at the golden spear in his own mecha's hand.
'Path of the King. Heart of the King.'
He repeated the words silently in his heart, and in that moment, something clicked.
That charge hadn't simply been to close the gap—it was to let the will in his heart, his spear intent, burst forth without reservation.
His opponent's power was too weak to resist it. Even shielded by mecha armor, he couldn't suppress the spiritual pressure the spear exuded.
'With intent comes strength. Without it, nothing exists.'
'A king commands all beneath the heavens. He carries all. He bears the burden of will, and his heart is unshakable.'
Gu You logged off the Star Battle Net and immediately summoned his golden dragon spear. Gripping it tightly, he made a choice.
From this day forward, the spear would never leave his side.
Only by feeling it constantly, by living alongside it, could he truly become one with it.
His awakened spear intent had reignited the passion of his youth. He even forgot that he had another divine weapon of his own.
With his spear in hand, he stepped outside and inhaled the crisp, snowy air.
"Yo! Bro, what happened to you? You look like you've been possessed!" a familiar voice called.
The world never ceased to surprise him—he ran right into Jiang Wuyue outside.
Jiang Wuyue stared at the golden spear. "Training again? What's up with the full drama?"
Gu You chuckled. "Just practicing. Carrying the spear around helps me focus."
That was when he noticed Jiang Wuyue's new insignia—he'd been promoted to lieutenant colonel. It seemed the recent Abyss Tide had brought swift advancement to the capable.
"You're already a lieutenant colonel?"
Jiang Wuyue shook his head. "Nothing to brag about. I should be congratulating you instead. You should be at least a captain by now, right? And you're already part of the Blood God Battalion. I haven't even sniffed the threshold yet."
He laughed bitterly. "My martial soul might be dominant now, but Dad says it'll taper off once I hit nine rings. After all, I don't have a true dragon bloodline. That's probably why the Blood God Battalion hasn't picked me."
"You're already one of the strongest among our peers. Why wouldn't they consider you?"
Jiang Wuyue sighed. "There's a rumor. You need to have the potential to become an Ultimate Douluo to even be considered. You obviously qualify. That's why you got in. Do you know how many people in the corps are fighting tooth and nail just to get that one spot? And you—how long have you even been here?"
The two chatted and soon shifted the topic to the Star Battle Net's All-Federation Challenge.
"I just pray I don't run into you before the top thirty-two," Jiang Wuyue said seriously.
"I hope the same. I'd rather not fight anyone I know," Gu You replied, gazing at the sky.
"With your strength, I don't think the top thirty-two will be a problem. But luck matters too. This kind of tournament... well, let's hope the odds are with you. Though... you really seem determined this time."
"Can you blame me? First place wins god-tier metal for a four-word battle armor. If I can take that, I can build my four-word set right away. Saves me a whole lot of hassle later."
"Ambitious. But I gotta say—taking first place won't be easy…"
(End of Chapter)
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