Above the Galaxy
Chapter 304 - 199, Crushing Defeat!

Chapter 304: Chapter 199, Crushing Defeat!

The grand final of the mechanical competition.

Phoenix Empire’s Giant Panda vs. Aus Empire’s Hydra.

The Giant Panda, robust and endearing, had been unstoppable on its path, pushing through opponents with an overwhelming force manifesting in its iron fists that defeated all comers.

The Hydra, on the other hand, was cunning and elusive. Its nine heads, either acting in concert or attacking individually, provided an unavoidable and indefensible threat.

Ultimately, it was ripped to shreds by the Hydra’s nine heads and was defeated.

Originally, Tang Fei’s Golden Armored Qilin had also made it to the grand finals; however, due to severe damage from an explosion, it was still under repairs, leaving its participation uncertain.

Both the Giant Panda and the Hydra were favorites to win the championship, and the match drew countless spectators, filling the arena to capacity.

Even Shen Xinglan, who had not shown herself until now, appeared, sitting in the back rows of the spectator stands, eager to see which side would secure the final victory.

Zhong Tianque, sitting in the VIP seats, turned to look at Phoenix next to him and asked softly, "Has Tang Fei sorted it out yet?"

He knew Phoenix had been to the repair room and why she went, so he directly inquired about the situation there.

"What? Big brother, do you not have confidence in the Giant Panda?" Phoenix asked.

"I just feel it’s a bit risky," Zhong Tianque didn’t hide his own feelings, speaking gravely, "That Hydra is something else, I’m afraid the Giant Panda is no match for it..."

"This is the last match, and if the Giant Panda is defeated, we would be beaten by the Aus Empire in the mechanical competition... That’s something I cannot accept, and I wouldn’t know how to explain it to our father."

"Now you see the ill intentions of the Aus Empire, right? If Tang Fei’s Golden Armored Qilin hadn’t been blown up, we would have had a two-on-one advantage, a sure win. There’s no way we would have let them take the championship."

"So, I want to know the progress on Tang Fei’s side... to have some contingency in mind..."

"Do you have any contingency plans? Don’t tell me you have a trump card yet to be played?" Phoenix asked in surprise.

"..."

Zhong Tianque didn’t want to answer that question anymore.

His contingency plan was about how to explain to his father and to his subjects if they lost...

It wasn’t about having another trump card.

All competitive mechanical beasts had fought, and you’re suggesting I have one more to field...

Who operates like that?

You add one, I add one. Phoenix Empire adds one, Aus Empire also adds one.

If it continues like this, will this competition ever end?

It might go from the beginning to the end of the year, with no victor ever determined.

Phoenix naturally understood what her big brother was worried about, and spoke up, "Tang Fei is still pushing repairs to the limit, but the mechanical beast has been too heavily damaged, and even he can’t be sure if it can join the competition... but he will do his utmost. If it can join, that would be another layer of security for us."

"Let’s hope so," Zhong Tianque nodded and said.

Si Yinchuan was also deeply concerned, looking at Phoenix and saying, "Dean was very optimistic about Tang Fei, saying that since he entered, he aimed for the championship..."

"Now look, he just barely reached the finals, just a step away from the championship, and then someone sabotaged it..."

"If the Giant Panda loses and the championship goes to the Aus Empire, I don’t know how I’m going to explain it to the Dean... We’re being bullied right to our doorstep."

Phoenix understood Si Yinchuan’s feelings and the pressure he was under.

He was the Vice Dean of the White Crane Academy and the person in charge of this Heavenly Dao conference.

Although Xuanyuan Mingjing was the actual Dean, no one dared to hold him accountable...

If the Phoenix Empire truly lost this match, he, as Vice Dean, would have to take the blame.

If the blame came down from the top, it was uncertain whether he could continue in his role as Vice Dean.

Phoenix held Si Yinchuan in high regard because he, like her, had consistently spoken up for Tang Fei.

Thus, she looked at Si Yinchuan and said, "Dean Si, don’t worry, I believe we will definitely secure the final victory."

Si Yinchuan’s eyes instantly lit up, his face a picture of surprise as he looked at Phoenix and asked, "Has there been a result from Tang Fei’s end? Can his Golden Armored Qilin still join the fight?"

Phoenix didn’t answer his question, merely playfully winked at him.

Si Yinchuan burst into laughter, saying, "It’s you young people who have the ideas and the drive."

The match officially began, and the two mechanical beasts started a fierce battle as soon as they faced each other.

The Giant Panda’s iron fists were like mountains, its roar like thunder, as it hammered punch after punch at the Hydra’s nine heads.

The Hydra, however, was exceptionally cunning, avoiding direct confrontation and instead constantly using its heads to harass, either biting on the Giant Panda’s arm or tearing a piece of flesh from its back.

The barrage from the Giant Panda did not injure the Hydra; instead, it found gaps to tear several large bites from the Giant Panda.

Enraged, the Giant Panda emitted a vibrating roar.

Its body leapt high, then from a high position, it bombarded towards the Hydra.

The Hydra’s nine heads clicked together, amalgamating into one, forming a giant head.

That huge head opened its massive maw and ferociously bit towards the body of the Giant Panda.

Hiss...

The Giant Panda’s arm was torn off.

The long serpent’s body quickly writhed, enveloping the Giant Panda’s massive frame layer by layer.

Constricting, then constricting again.

The Giant Panda let out a painful roar.

It grasped the long snake’s mouth with both hands, trying to split it in two with its brute strength.

One wanted to sever the other’s body in two, while the other aimed to tear its opponent in half.

Both exerted force at the same time, victory was not a matter of a mere thought.

Crack!

The Giant Panda’s body was the first to fail to withstand the heavy blow, breaking apart in the middle.

Crack...

Its upper body fell to the ground, while its lower half was still entangled in the serpent’s body.

Hiss...

From the ruptured section, sparks flew, and countless circuits made faulty contact noises.

Whoosh!

Every member of the Aus Empire delegation jumped up.

"We won, we won."

"Long live the Aus Empire!"

"Our Hydra won, we are the champions...."

-----

They cheered and jumped for joy, celebrating their victory at the mechanical competition.

On the side of the Phoenix Empire, everyone was filled with grief, uttering lamenting and regretful sounds.

"How could we lose? We’ve won three consecutive years, how could we lose this year?"

"Exactly, did the higher-ups not prepare seriously? Based on the mechanical standards, those Barbarians are unworthy to even carry our shoes..."

"The Aus people are disgusting, they actually had their competitors blow up the Mechanical Beasts to win the competition..."

"If Tang Fei were still here... Tang Fei would definitely have won the match..."

"Where is Tang Fei? Isn’t his Golden Armored Qilin fixed yet?"

-------

After celebrating with his teammates, Prince Philip walked straight up to Zhong Tianque, smiled and said, "Tian Que, thanks for the concession, we were also fortunate to win this match..."

"It hasn’t been easy, after losing to you for three years, our Aus Empire finally claimed this long-awaited championship."

Zhong Tianque felt extreme resentment but could only maintain the importance of the general situation, spreading the spirit of enthusiastic hospitality as the host, he said, "Congratulations Prince Philip, and congratulations to the Aus Empire. I believe we will definitely take back first place at the next Celestial Meet."

"Ha ha...I believe our players will not easily relinquish this first place. They will do everything in their power to defend our honor and dignity."

"Prince Philip, if your players hadn’t engaged in misconduct, hadn’t used despicable means to damage our Mechanical Beasts, I believe the outcome of this match would have been different," said Phoenix bitterly.

"Your Highness, the player’s personal misconduct has already been duly punished. However, this is a competition, and each match is held publicly, I trust you will also ensure fairness and justice in the competition..."

"Our Aus Empire won this championship through strength and creativity; I trust you will reward and bless our warriors as we have blessed you before..."

"If you think we won the match through foul means, I’m sorry, we cannot accept such slander and insult..."

"If you have any players who haven’t participated yet, they can continue to compete...but you don’t...If Her Highness admits publicly that she hates to lose, we can return the championship title and will no longer participate in any future Celestial Meets..."

This was a threat.

If you do not accept this result, then we can hand back that first place and will not participate in any future Celestial Meets.

Phoenix’s eyes were slightly sharp, a cold smile on her lips as she said, "Does Prince Philip think he has already won the match?"

"Of course," Prince Philip shrugged and said, "If you are unwilling to accept this result...then let’s dissolve the Celestial Meet here, there’s no need to continue anymore..."

"For a country and nation that cannot accept loss, all such honors are hypocritical... Such reputations are better left unclaimed."

"Prince Philip, don’t forget... We still have one player who hasn’t competed yet..."

"Tang Fei?" Prince Philip’s mouth twisted into a mocking smile as he said, "I believe, if his Mechanical Beast could still compete, he should have stepped forward by now, shouldn’t he?"

"Prince Philip, believe that miracles can happen in this world."

As soon as Phoenix finished speaking, the competitor’s passage in the arena opened up, and a glinting Golden Armored Qilin clanked into view.

On its robust, sturdy back sat a young man with a delicate and handsome face, wearing a radiant smile.

"Tang Fei..."

In the stands, the applause thundered like thunder.