Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!-Chapter 1044 - 716: Challenge Match

"Barely winning against a few 'Sons of the Empire' second-tier teams, and now they're getting cocky? The real aces haven't made a move yet!"

"These suddenly emerging teams love to pull a 'surprise win', but really it's just a flash in the pan. Once studied thoroughly, they'll show their true colors. It's not like we haven't seen teams like these before, looking fierce at first but ending up in a miserable defeat."

"Their tactics are too simplistic, relying entirely on individual capability. Against truly tactical and skilled teams, they'll be taught a lesson in no time."

"I've heard even the tech audit for their mechs had issues; they might have gotten through by exploiting loopholes. Maybe their combat data is fabricated too?"

"Just waiting for a strong team to come tomorrow and prove them wrong! Their arrogance is irritating!"

Some "professional" analysis posts are constantly surfacing, with titles like "The Hidden Dangers Behind New Bauhinia's Five Consecutive Wins: The Fatal Flaw of Individualism and Team Disconnect", "Deep Dive: The Limits of 'Dawn's Edge' Mecha and Possible Safety Issues", "On the Traditional Dilemmas of Edge Star Domain Teams in the Galaxy Center Tournament—Case Study on New Bauhinia", and so on.

These posts seem like objective analyses but in fact, they keep emphasizing New Bauhinia's "luck", "immaturity", and "lack of foundation", suggesting their glory is unsustainable.

Some even directly target Bai E, who has yet to compete.

"That captain named Bai E, always hiding in the back letting his teammates fight on the frontline. Is he not confident in his skills?"

"Could it be he knows he's not good enough and is afraid of being embarrassed? After all, with teammates this strong, the pressure on him as captain must be immense."

"I bet he still won't dare to step up tomorrow! It's just a points match, no need to take risks." 𝓯𝓻𝓮𝙚𝙬𝓮𝙗𝒏𝙤𝒗𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝒐𝓶

"Maybe he's just a figurehead with connections, while the real key players are Catherine or Rose?"

With the help of those with ulterior motives, these comments rapidly spread, forming a prevalent online atmosphere of skepticism towards New Bauhinia, particularly questioning Bai E's personal capabilities.

Many unaware spectators are misled, starting to feel that this team indeed seems a bit "arrogant" and needs to be "put in their place".

Even after "traveling through the universe", Kuang Xin couldn't resist browsing forums. Seeing these chaotic comments, he jumped out of bed in anger, calling his good team buddies to retaliate online.

Gong Yan, in charge of public relations matters, immediately reported the situation to Bai E, although Bai E had anticipated such developments.

"It's fine, it's merely setting the stage for the potential challenges tomorrow."

A new day begins, and the points matches continue.

However, before today's official matches commenced, an announcement issued through the Star Alliance's official tournament channel instantly captured everyone's attention, thrusting New Bauhinia back into the spotlight.

[Special Challenge Announcement]

After deliberation by the tournament committee, the application for a cross-team challenge from the 'Brilliant Star' representative of the Golden Federation, Astra, has been accepted.

Challenge Mode: Single Combat Duel Mode.

Challenge Target: New Bauhinia Republic representative team captain, Bai E.

Challenge Reason: Testing strength, making friends through combat. Having heard of New Bauhinia's captain being extraordinarily skilled, I long to witness his high-level abilities with the sword in hand.

Match Time: To be held during today's third round of points matches, at the number one main arena in 'Honor Combat World'.

This challenge complies with relevant Star Alliance tournament regulations. Upon mutual agreement (the challenged party has a 24-hour consideration period, which the New Bauhinia representative team has already confirmed acceptance), thus announced.

"Destiny's Child" Astra!

This name dropped like a boulder into an already boiling sea of opinions, stirring up monstrous waves!

"Astra! The legendary 'Destiny's Child' of the Golden Federation? He actually initiated a challenge?"

"My god! This is the monster-level player considered a favorite to win the championship this year! It's said his Spiritual Energy has touched the 'Destiny' realm, able to predict and even mildly affect opponents' actions!"

"He's actually challenging Bai E? That captain who hasn't even competed yet?"

"Isn't it obvious? New Bauhinia has become too prominent, and the Golden Federation wants to intervene directly! Using their strongest ace, directly targeting the opposing leader!"

"Bai E is done for... Astra's strength is rumored to be close or even on par with those veteran galactic elites, leading the young generation by a significant margin."

"Why did New Bauhinia accept? Isn't this courting disaster? Could it be that Bai E is really a hidden gem?"

"Hidden gem? Can anyone hide from 'Destiny's Child'? I think they're stuck in a tough spot, forced to accept by public opinion and the opponent's reputation!"

"Place your bets, place your bets! Astra wins, odds are 1.1 to 1, Bai E wins, odds are 9.5 to 1! The gap is huge!"

The online discussions are almost exclusively one-sided.

Although supporters of New Bauhinia defend Bai E, against Astra's skyrocketing reputation and the overwhelming prestige of the Golden Federation, these voices appear weak and powerless.

The vast majority of people believe this is an uneven battle, with New Bauhinia's dark horse journey likely coming to an abrupt end today at the hands of the Golden Federation's 'Destiny's Child'.

Some even maliciously speculate:

"Maybe New Bauhinia internally already knows Bai E is inadequate, but they're forced to push him forward, and now there's no turning back."

"Winning is a major profit, losing is no loss? After all, beating Astra would immortalize him, losing is still just losing to 'Destiny's Child', it's no shame? Clever calculation!"

"Just waiting for the show! Let's see how that captain who's been hiding all along embarrasses himself!"