The urgency of the situation left the central neural systems with no time for deliberation. They immediately issued the highest-level commands, rallying reinforcements from various cities to protect the core.
Meanwhile, on the battlefield, the contrast between the two sides couldn't have been starker. Bai Ze's forces advanced steadily and methodically, exploiting the mechanical planet's loss of one-fifth of its troops. Along the way, apart from encountering a few scattered enemy units, they faced little resistance, making their progress smooth and swift.
The celestial roc clan, known for their unmatched speed, struck like lightning, annihilating Tianxu City near the planet's center. The city's central neural system went silent, severing communications.
From an external view, the mechanical planet's defenses were visibly breached. A triangular wedge formed by Bai Ze's forces tore through the outer and eastern cities, creating a pathway straight to the core. The advancing army was unstoppable.
"Make haste! Before nightfall, have the meteorite insect swarm and roc clan lead the charge toward the remaining central neural systems and destroy them all!" Bai Ze issued his divine decree.
The creatures, already familiar with the locations of the neural systems from the last simulation, didn't waste time on detours. They charged directly at their targets in a coordinated night raid.
As darkness descended, the mechanical planet burned brightly, its fiery glow illuminating the night sky. Even the clouds above were stained red by the flames.
The mighty Taotie devoured clusters of mechanical creatures with ease, while Gatanothor's petrification beam provided exceptional support. One by one, massive war machines turned into lifeless stone statues.
In quick succession, multiple central neural systems fell under the assault. This crippled the mechanical planet, leaving it in chaos. The remaining neural systems, with their diminished computational power, were ill-prepared for the unexpected total annihilation of the 20,000 reinforcements.
They had failed to mobilize additional troops in time, leaving themselves defenseless.
Outside the simulation, the number of students still participating in the interdimensional battle dwindled, with more and more being eliminated and sent to the spectator room.
Those who watched Bai Ze's strategy unfold on the large screen were left speechless.
"How is Bai Ze doing this? It's like he has some kind of foresight!"
"Not just him. Even his creatures seem to know exactly where all ten central neural systems are located. They're not even pretending to scout they're heading straight there to dismantle everything!"
"Could it be... Bai Ze is secretly some wealthy heir who had insider knowledge about this year's exam content?!"
The idea sent chills through many students, who now regarded Bai Ze with a mix of fear and awe. If their suspicions were correct, it explained everything.
While it wasn't uncommon for the wealthy to use high-grade items during the freshman tests, most were capped at B-grade. The devastating item Bai Ze used, on the other hand, rivaled A-grade power, the kind only accessible to the richest elites.
"Damn it… How does this guy seem to know everything? How is this even possible..." muttered a silver-haired youth in the crowd, his face contorted with frustration.
Wei Chi, the scion of a major financial group, knew for a fact that Bai Ze wasn't some undercover rich kid. He was an ordinary student from a humble background.
But that only deepened the mystery of how could a regular person possess such overwhelming resources and knowledge.
"Could it be... he stumbled upon some incredible opportunity that let him uncover the secrets of the mechanical planet?"
As Wei Chi struggled with his thoughts, Bai Ze's forces surged forward, dismantling cities and neutralizing central neural systems one after another.
At one site, the system lay riddled with arrows, its glow fading into darkness. Another was half-petrified, while the remaining section bore deep claw marks, surrounded by lifeless mechanical puppets reduced to rubble.
At the final stronghold, the neural system thrashed its electric tendrils in a last-ditch effort to resist. But its efforts were futile. The meteorite insects smashed it to pieces, while the cosmic insect emperor single-handedly crushed three colossal mechanical puppets in a fierce battle.
"It's finally over," Bai Ze exhaled deeply, then commanded with a steely voice, "Finish it off with the final strike!"
The towering Hyper Zetton roared in acknowledgment. Its massive pincers clamped down on the neural system's tendrils, effortlessly withstanding the surging electric shocks. From its chest, a blazing yellow beam erupted, striking the system's core with pinpoint accuracy, carving a massive hole through it.
The crimson glow of the neural system flickered weakly before fading completely, signaling the end of all life on the mechanical planet.
Thud, thud, thud
The sound of collapsing machinery echoed across the battlefield. Anyone could tell that the neural systems were utterly destroyed.
[Ding! The spiritual energy on the mother planet has surged to 5,000 times the normal level. All creatures are now in peak condition and ready for sustained combat!]
With all ten central neural systems obliterated, the mechanical planet plunged into eerie silence. Bai Ze, however, remained vigilant he knew the real challenge was just beginning.
Fortunately, his meticulous strategy had minimized casualties among his forces to just one-fourth. This time, he felt confident about overcoming the mechanical Godzilla!
Back at the simulation entrance, several students exited the test, looking dejected.
"Sigh... I barely made it to the final stage, only to be obliterated by that mechanical Godzilla. I'm so bad at this."
"Same here. That thing's terrifying. I didn't even scratch it..."
Meanwhile, the massive display in the spectator room showed a startling number: 2.
Only two students remained in the simulation.
The room fell into a hushed tension as all eyes fixated on the screen.
Across the province, no student had ever cleared this simulation before. The highest score so far was an A+.
Now, it all came down to Tang Qingcheng, commanding the order dragon of the Su Lin Academy, and Bai Ze, with his unparalleled strategy and vast army from Tianzhou Academy.
This was no longer just a personal battle between two students. It was the ultimate showdown between the province's top two academies!
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