Wow! The item-dropping rate is really high!-Chapter 1054 - 721: The Second Battle: Shadow Kingdom!

In the cockpit of "Tide," the vast will slowly receded like a tide.

Xi Liu regained full control over his body, with an intense feeling of weakness and enormous mental shock hitting him simultaneously.

He gasped for air, with sweat soaking through his combat suit, but his eyes burned with unprecedented excitement, admiration, and enlightenment.

"We... won." He said in a trembling voice over the communication channel. 𝒇𝒓𝙚𝒆𝔀𝓮𝓫𝒏𝓸𝙫𝓮𝓵.𝓬𝙤𝙢

"The match is over! Control shifted... New Bauhinia Republic. Winner: New Bauhinia Republic!"

The referee's announcement came through the still somewhat noisy underwater communications.

On the live stands, there was already a huge commotion.

Countless spectators and commentators were dumbfounded, watching the reversal process displayed on the light screen.

Online, it was even more chaotic.

The comment sections and discussion areas of major streaming platforms were instantly flooded with a sea of exclamations, questions, and incredulous remarks.

"My god! How can this be turned around?!"

"What was that maneuver at the end? Did Xi Liu hack it?"

"The movements of that 'Tide' mecha in the last few minutes... It was as if someone else was piloting it!"

"Predicting the hot spring eruption accurately, using ocean currents and terrain for an instant assault, cutting the energy link of the command mecha with one stroke... Is this something a human can do?"

"Isn't 'Deep Blue Guardian' supposed to be an underwater expert? Why does it feel like Xi Liu was playing with them like a fish at the end?"

"How many more monsters does the New Bauhinia have?!"

Various analysis posts, slow-motion replays, and technical breakdown videos emerged like mushrooms after the rain.

Most people focused their attention on Xi Liu, this previously unknown young mech pilot who became famous in one battle.

"Xi Liu has over three thousand standard hours of underwater experience, no wonder he adapted so quickly!"

"But while his performance was good in the mid and early stages, it wasn't enough to crush 'Deep Blue Guardian.' That last outburst... was on a completely different level."

"Could it be some kind of trump card explosive skill? Or is there a special underwater mode in the 'Dawn's Edge' mecha?"

"In any case, another formidable character from New Bauhinia needs special attention!"

...

Meanwhile, in the tactical analysis room of the "Sons of the Empire" and related factions, the atmosphere was much heavier.

The representative of the Steel Alliance looked particularly grim.

"Deep Blue Guardian" belongs to the Deep Space Federation, and as everyone knows, the Deep Space Federation has always been considered their subsidiary.

To overturn in the most favorable environment was akin to being publicly embarrassed in front of the whole universe.

"Immediately retrieve the entire battle data, especially the last three minutes of all operations and energy fluctuation curves of 'Tide'!"

The technical representative of the Steel Alliance ordered sternly, "That Xi Liu... needs to be reassessed! His final outburst, whether in terms of personal ability or mecha performance, far exceeds any of our previous intelligence!"

The priest from the Holy Silver Church Country stared at the replay footage, frowning: "Spiritual energy fluctuations in the final phase showed a distinct abnormal enhancement and became unusually concentrated... this trait seems familiar."

He recalled Bai E's pure strike against Astra.

The advisor from the Golden Federation was more focused on the tactical aspect: "He was clearly holding back. Although he showed good underwater adaptability in the early phase, his combat style was relatively conservative until his teammates were in dire straits before he erupted. Is it some kind of explosive ability that requires a great price? Or... deliberately appearing weak to lure opponents in?"

The representative from the Flame Republic grinned: "Who cares if he was hiding something, as long as it's powerful in the end! This Xi Liu, we'll have to be careful next time we meet him, don't get caught by him."

The observer from the Shadow Kingdom silently noted: "Xi Liu, suspected high-intensity short-term explosive capability, possibly triggered by extreme emotions or special environments. Note that his early 'mediocre' performance might be a disguise."

The technical representative from the World Forging Union was more interested in the "Dawn's Edge" mecha: "To support such intense maneuvers and energy explosions at that kind of depth and pressure, the energy core and structural strength of this mecha... is probably stronger than we estimated."

Almost all analysis conclusions listed "Xi Liu" as a new threat that needs focused research.

A mech pilot who could complete such a reversal in extreme underwater conditions holds immeasurable value.

For his early "holding back," it was commonly characterized as "high cost of outburst, unnecessary to use" or "tactical deception."

Only Astra, who had just been defeated by Bai E and had a profound memory of Bai E's spiritual energy traits, upon watching the replay, stared at the final clean, uniquely "rhythmic" cutting action of "Tide," furrowing his brow and feeling a strange sense of familiarity and deeper doubt...

In the seventh district of the International Pavilion, the returning five were welcomed like heroes, but the atmosphere was mixed with a subtle undertone.

Kuang Xin patted Xi Liu's shoulder forcefully: "Well done! You've been hiding your talent! Those final moves were fantastic!"

Rose also rarely showed an approving look: "You timed it very well."

Catherine, Zero, Ares, and others looked at Xi Liu, their eyes complex.

They had personally experienced that hopeless predicament and "felt" that last moment of overwhelming, yet unfathomable will covering the battlefield.

They vaguely guessed something, but seeing Bai E didn't say anything, they tacitly refrained from asking further questions.

As for Xi Liu, his heart was surging with both the relief of surviving a disaster and endless awe of Bai E's incredible abilities.