Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high! Chapter 1056 - 722: Assassins in the Shadows

When the draw results and match details were announced, the Star Network was abuzz once more.

The audience supporting New Bauhinia and many neutral viewers were thrilled:

"They're here, they're here! The main force of the Shadow Kingdom in the second round! Exciting!"

"Hunting 'Ghost Walker' in the 'Silent Graveyard'? This script is too thrilling!"

"Witness the dark horse break through, kicking the Seven Sons of the Empire, who've never dropped out of the finals ring, out early! Or see New Bauhinia crash and burn! Either way, it's spectacular!"

"Bet on New Bauhinia winning! They always manage to create miracles!"

The voices of skepticism and doubts were equally loud:

"They're getting carried away! Do they really think they're invincible? Acting as 'hunters' in the Shadow Kingdom's most adept environment? This is suicidal!"

"Probably think they've forgotten what their last name is after beating the Deep Space Federation in the first round."

"Just wait for the Shadow Kingdom to put them in their place! Show them what professionalism is!"

And when the Star Alliance Tournament Committee subsequently announced the roles in the "Hunt and Escape" mode and the preliminary battle lists for both sides, public opinion reached a climax.

A name on the Shadow Kingdom's "Ghost Walker" roster grabbed widespread attention and speculation - "The Faceless One."

Although there was no detailed information, the code name itself was full of mystery and intimidation, widely believed to be the Shadow Kingdom's hidden ace.

The roster announced by New Bauhinia once again stunned everyone: Captain Bai E was still not on the list!

Competing were Rose, Kuang Xin, Gu Lan, and two other previously unknown members.

"Bai E isn't coming again?!"

"My God! He's truly keeping his cool! Not entering against the Shadow Kingdom's ace team?"

"This is too arrogant! Do they really think his subordinates can handle 'The Faceless One' and the entire 'Ghost Walker'?"

"Either he's extremely confident, or... perhaps Bai E really has some restrictions preventing him from entering easily?"

"I think he's scared! Knows 'The Faceless One' is tough, won't enter, letting his team become cannon fodder!"

"New Bauhinia is on a path to destruction! Without Bai E, what do they have to challenge the Shadow Kingdom's experts in the 'Silent Graveyard'?"

The internet was in an uproar, with voices of doubt, ridicule, and confusion overwhelming.

In the eyes of most, facing a formidable opponent like the Shadow Kingdom while their strongest leader stayed backstage watching, seemed like child's play—conceit to the extreme.

Inside Section Seven of the International Pavilion, the atmosphere was relatively calm.

Looking at the overwhelmingly pessimistic comments online, Kuang Xin sneered: "These people know nothing! The captain trusts us!"

Rose wiped the mecha components, eyes sharp: "The Faceless One... perfect, let me see just how strong the ace of the Shadow Kingdom is."

Catherine was more concerned with tactics: "There's too little environmental data on the 'Silent Graveyard', Spiritual Energy interference is severe, and conventional reconnaissance means will be much less effective. We need to devise a more flexible strategy, reliant on the members' individual abilities and on-the-spot reactions."

The two unknown team members also had determined expressions.

They knew that in this game, they must exert their full strength and contribute to the team.

Bai E looked at the battle plan, speaking slowly: "In 'Hunt' mode, the key is information. On the opponent's home ground, we have an innate disadvantage. Therefore, early on, focus on stability, prioritize establishing communication nodes, attempt to map local areas, and avoid taking rash actions. 'The Faceless One' is likely to strike actively, aiming to hunt while we're scattered or unstable. Rose, Kuang Xin, your task is to protect the other two, and Gu Lan, you are our eyes."

He paused, his gaze sweeping across the group: "Remember, our goal is not to rush the 'hunt', but to survive, scout, gradually compress the opponent's space, and find opportunities. 'Ghost Walker' excels at one-hit kills, but their sustained combat and frontal assault capabilities may not be the strongest. Draw the match into our rhythm."

"Understood!" everyone responded in unison.

...

When the five "Dawn's Edge" mechas, specially coated to reduce metal reflection and equipped with simple anti-radiation and Spiritual Energy interference filters, slid from the drop pods into the 'Silent Graveyard', a steel tomb located at the edge of an asteroid belt, an invisible oppression enveloped every mech pilot.

The "Silent Graveyard" wasn't completely silent.

The giant structure of the abandoned space station occasionally groaned with metal fatigue in the microgravity environment, broken pipes hissed as they leaked residual gas or coolant, and further away, small asteroid fragments occasionally made muffled thumps against the outer armor.

Yet all these sounds, under near-absolute darkness and complex structural obstruction, seemed scattered and eerie, instead accentuating a deeper kind of "silence."

"Maintain formation, advance at 30% speed, head first to the C7 area, where there is a relatively intact signal relay station wreckage, attempt to establish a temporary communication node."

Rose's voice resonated in the static-filled communication channel, calmly executing Bai E's pre-match plan.

She was piloting the "Dawn's Edge · Dark Assault" variant, designed specifically for covert operations.

"Received." Kuang Xin piloted the modified "War God," biased towards frontal assault, positioned on the team's flank, vigilantly scanning the surrounding metal beams and shattered chambers, which stood like monstrous ribs.

Gu Lan's "Windsweeper" ghosted further ahead and on the flanks, utilizing its high mobility for initial reconnaissance.