Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high! Chapter 1061 - 724: Desperate Rose (Part 2)

The Faceless's formidable mecha, once the crowning jewel of the Shadow Kingdom's younger generation, suddenly buckled at the knees as if its very core had been shattered, its former brilliance extinguished.

From the instant Bai E's will permeated the machine to the moment two Ghost Walker team members met their 'defeat,' a mere three seconds had elapsed.

An absolute hush fell upon the spectators.

This silence was then shattered by an eruption of incredulous sound!

The astonishment was palpable, both at the physical venue in Star City and across the vast expanse of the Star Network, light-years away!

"By the stars! What in the universe just transpired?!"

"Another unexpected turn of events?! And again, right at the precipice of defeat?!"

"What form of technique was that? How on earth did Rose manage to execute it?!"

"Are all the participants from this New Bauhinia team some kind of extraordinary beings?! Each one capable of unleashing such power in dire straits?!"

"This match is far too intense! It's becoming unwatchable in its extremity!"

The referee's voice finally cut through the din, announcing, "Remaining operational units on the 'Hunter' team: 1. All units on the 'Escapee' team have been rendered incapable of combat. The match is concluded. The victor is the New Bauhinia Republic."

Seated within the cockpit, Rose felt Bai E's will recede like a powerful tide, leaving her utterly spent, profoundly shocked, and touched by an almost transcendent realization, as if she had brushed against a higher plane of existence.

A sudden grin spread across her face, followed by a cascade of laughter, growing in intensity even as her body screamed with exhaustion.

Even without direct intervention, Bai E remained the unchallenged sovereign of New Bauhinia!

...

This ultimate comeback in the Silent Graveyard battle plunged the audience and expert analysts of the Star Alliance Finals into a fresh wave of bewildered contemplation and fervent debate.

"Rose's final sequence of actions... It demonstrably surpassed the peak capabilities of any human mech pilot's reaction time!"

"Engaging five opponents solo, incapacitating one, severely wounding another, and then executing such a decisive counter-attack against the Faceless? What kind of extraordinary physical resilience does this imply?"

"I'm beginning to suspect that the 'New Bauhinia' contingent might have undergone some form of genetic enhancement or perhaps a 'Qi' cultivation awakening. This 'defiance of death' capability is too unnatural, too far beyond the established order!"

"Could it be a latent function within their mecha, the 'Dawn's Edge,' that activates automatically when the pilot's mental resolve reaches a specific critical threshold?"

"Whatever the explanation, Rose has achieved a legendary status in this engagement! Even the elite pilots among the 'Seven Sons of the Empire' would struggle to gain an advantage against her current performance! This display eclipses even Xiliu's previous feats in ferocity!"

Questions lingered regarding Bai E's decision to abstain from direct participation, but the prevailing sentiment had undeniably shifted.

"Bai E's absence from the battlefield doesn't appear to stem from arrogance; this team possesses genuine strength..."

"Alternatively, it could be his method of training his team, subjecting them to the most grueling elimination matches to forge their skills. Observe Rose's transformation following this encounter; she has clearly evolved."

"Regardless, New Bauhinia has secured another victory! And under the most disadvantageous circumstances, they vanquished the ace pilot from the Shadow Kingdom, a force renowned in this arena! Who would dare to claim they 'lack fundamental strength' now?"

"Two of the esteemed 'Seven Sons of the Empire' have already fallen before them! First 'Child of Destiny,' then the 'Faceless'... Who shall be the next to face their might?"

The cheers of New Bauhinia's supporters and neutral observers swelled, while the team's reputation and popularity surged exponentially. Labels such as "Dark Horse," "Miracle Team," and "Empire Challenger" became firmly associated with them.

Yet, for a select few, a creeping sense of unease only intensified.

Within a secluded, darkened chamber, Astra replayed the battle footage of Rose's final miraculous turnaround repeatedly, his brow furrowed in deep concentration.

The precise, elegant, and distinctively

The Sons of the Empire faced a severe blow to their prestige and combat spirit following successive defeats at the hands of both the 'Child of Destiny' and 'Faceless,' particularly the latter's unexpected downfall in their most favorable battleground.

An emergency summit, exclusively for their seven paramount leaders, convened with an atmosphere heavier than any previous occasion.

"We cannot sustain these losses!" exclaimed the representative from the Shadow Kingdom, their voice a strained hiss, layered with restrained fury and palpable dread.

"The 'Faceless' report explicitly detailed a 'qualitative advancement' in Rose's combat capabilities during the final moments. When coupled with Xiliu's prior exceptional performance... this is undoubtedly not mere chance! This 'Bauhinia' must wield some clandestine, formidable power that enables their team members to achieve astonishing breakthroughs under dire circumstances!"

A priest representing the Holy Silver Church Country wore a grim visage. "Our intelligence corroborates these suspicions. If this hypothesis holds true, then the significance of Bai E personally piloting a mech becomes secondary. Each member of his contingent could potentially possess similar desperate surge abilities. Consequently, our elite fighters might encounter an unfathomable reversal precisely when victory seems assured."

The Golden Federation's advisor massaged his temples. "The critical unknown is the extent and cost associated with such a phenomenon. Observing Xiliu and Rose's post-match states, they appear largely unharmed, suggesting a potential for frequent or even repeated utilization of these potent abilities. This factor demands significant consideration in our future strategic planning."

A Steel Alliance delegate sharply rapped his knuckles on the table. "This then presents a critical question: should any of our teams be paired against 'New Bauhinia' in the upcoming quarter-final draw, do we commit our ace units to a grueling engagement, banking on their superior endurance against the opponent's final offensive surge?"

"The most pivotal juncture... will be the final match of the second round, where the enigmatic Bai E is guaranteed to make an appearance."

A heavy silence descended upon the gathering.

The Flame Republic's representative offered a cold snort, though the customary arrogance was noticeably absent. "Our 'War Dogs' are certainly eager for a true test against Rose or Bai E... However, considering this is merely the second round of the elimination stages, a more prudent approach might be advisable."

The United Cast World's delegate offered a somber sigh. "More importantly, we must consider the inherent risks. In the quarter-finals, a loss signifies complete elimination, forfeiting any chance of securing third or fourth place. Having already lost the 'Faceless,' we cannot afford additional early departures of our most valuable assets. Such outcomes would severely undermine our long-term strategic deterrence capabilities."

At long last, an observer from an ancient, reclusive faction, who had remained reticent until this point, began to speak slowly. "Esteemed colleagues, we may be ensnared in a cognitive bias. Our focus has been solely on devising methods to 'defeat' Bai E and his squad. However, at this critical elimination stage, particularly entering the quarter-finals, the strategic imperative of risk mitigation and ensuring the progression of our remaining forces into subsequent rounds is a paramount strategic consideration."

The Holy Silver Church Country's priest narrowed his eyes. "Are you suggesting..."

"In the subsequent draw, consider a strategic concession..." The observer's voice was unwavering and calm. "We shall avoid them."

"What? Avoidance? Am I to concede before their prowess?" The Shadow Kingdom's representative reacted instinctively, but his protest faltered midway as a flicker of doubt crossed his features.

While admitting defeat carried inherent humiliation, if framed as a meticulously planned 'strategic retreat,' allowing for the preservation of ace units and trump cards to contend for higher rankings later... could it not be deemed somewhat justifiable?

It certainly presented a preferable alternative to deploying top-tier combatants only to suffer an inexplicable reversal and face complete elimination.

"Alas, this appears to be the only viable path..."

Upon receiving intelligence of the decision sanctioned by the Seven Sons' coalition, Astra, concealed within the shadowy confines of his chamber, allowed a sneer to twist his lips.

"A gathering of utter poltroons..."