The Strongest Brain in the Interstellar

It had to be said, Jiang Hui’s earlier concerns were indeed warranted.

Before leaving, they had hurriedly filled in the trenches. Shortly after, R256’s team moved in, seemingly mistaking these inconspicuous marks for traps. They dug along the inner line of the trenches, extending outward into the surrounding area, leaving behind unevenly dug marks, making the ground look like it had been gnawed on by a dog.

Fortunately, Huo Qi and his team didn’t know what they were dealing with. After realizing it was just a random patch of dug-up soil, they ignored it. Too lazy to fill it back in, they left the area as it was. Now, this worked out perfectly for Jiang Hui’s group, saving them considerable effort.

The three exchanged a glance. Without needing commands or much discussion, they immediately got to work, continuing to deepen and extend the trenches left by R256. They intended to create a connected trench defense line before the enemy arrived.

“Let those guys come… and let them feel what it’s like to be encircled by just three of us,” one of them muttered confidently.

Huan Xian and Clarens focused on digging deeper and extending the trenches, while Zhou Xiuwen dumped bullets, tools, and firearms from their supply cache into the trench. This way, the bottom of the entire trench would be stocked and ready for easy access during the battle.

If nothing unexpected happens, they would be staying in this trench for quite some time—either until they eliminated the group outside or were eliminated themselves.

Zhou Xiuwen wasn’t afraid in the slightest. With Huan Xian, Clarens, and an abundance of firearms and ammunition on their side, they could handle not just ten opponents but even double that number without breaking a sweat.

His only concern was for Xierman and Jiang Hui, who had split off to act separately. Jiang Hui’s leg injury was a significant handicap. No matter how formidable her shooting skills were, she would inevitably be limited. Xierman, despite his excellent ability to stay hidden, also had to carry Jiang Hui on his back. No matter how Zhou Xiuwen looked at it, the situation was worrisome.

What he feared most was Xierman overexerting himself and attempting some risky, over-the-top maneuver. If Jiang Hui’s leg suffered even more damage, would it ever recover?

Thinking about this made Zhou Xiuwen feel a surge of anger. His father—once a towering and powerful figure—had lost his former glory due to the complete loss of his legs. How could he stand by and watch his close friend go down the same path?

This time, even though Zhou Xiuwen wasn’t particularly invested in the competition, he was determined to give his all. He resolved to help his two teammates eliminate the group besieging them outside as quickly as possible. Only then could they go back and ensure Jiang Hui and Xierman’s safety.

—

“Captain, doesn’t this place look a little familiar?” Xiao Li glanced around, trying to suppress his curiosity before finally blurting out his question.

“This training ground all looks the same, doesn’t it? We’ve been wandering around here for over thirty star hours, and I haven’t seen anything special. I think you’re just imagining things after being here for so long,” Mu Kun said with a laugh, instinctively taking another jab at her long-time rival.

This guy, seriously. He never thinks for himself, just keeps yelling “Captain, Captain.” Can’t he say something else for once?

“But really…” Xiao Li frowned, ignoring Mu Kun’s words as he continued to mull over the issue.

Fortunately, Huo Qi had a bit more patience for the person who had been following him since childhood. He responded calmly, “This is the direction to L11.”

Mu Kun: …So the guy actually guessed right.

Wait, how did you—well, how did the Captain know this direction leads to L11? The terrain here is so flat and featureless; recognizing it is just absurd.

“Did R186’s group deliberately head back to L11?” Are they just passing through, or—

This time, Huo Qi didn’t answer. By nature, he was a man of few words and a bit aloof, and he wouldn’t waste attention on topics he found uninteresting.

But his current silence didn’t seem to stem from indifference. He paused in place, sensing the chaotic magnetic field of mental energy lingering nearby. After a moment, he said to the others, “We’re moving too.”

So, they’re heading there too?

Having grown accustomed to the lack of responses, Mu Kun no longer felt the irritation of being ignored. In the past, her anger at being overlooked would fester, but she realized that even her frustration didn’t seem to register with Huo Qi. So, rather than sulking, she decided it was easier to act like nothing happened and just follow his lead.

After all, even though he didn’t like explaining himself, his directions always cut straight to the point.

Mu Kun wasn’t one to overthink things. She figured following Huo Qi’s orders was a pretty good deal.

—

“They’ve stopped,” Nancy said with a frown.

Lin Maowu nodded slightly, barely perceptibly. He, too, could sense that the enemies they had been tracking had inexplicably come to a halt.

“This is a bit strange… They had us chasing them the whole way, and now they suddenly stopped. Have they finally given up running, or are they planning to face us head-on?” Nancy frowned as she voiced her doubts.

Lin Maowu, however, said nothing. The idea of that person running away was laughable. Based on his understanding, the sudden halt was likely part of a calculated plan.

Though he still harbored a deep respect for the opponent’s abilities, Lin Maowu yearned for victory even more. In fact, defeating ‘that’ terrifying individual meant more to him than winning the competition itself.

If he could triumph over Han Xian in this battle, the satisfaction would undoubtedly surpass any joy he might feel from claiming the championship title.

He desperately wanted to crush that lofty, seemingly untouchable figure, to wash away the humiliation he’d suffered at the start of the school year.

While Lin Maowu was lost in his thoughts, Nancy grew slightly annoyed. She couldn’t stand the oppressive atmosphere of Team R87.

Say what you will, but the vibe of this team was suffocating. Everyone acted like wooden dolls, emotionless and mechanical.

As annoying as Jaidy had been back in her original team, at least he brought some liveliness to discussions and decision-making. In contrast, Team R87’s captain, Lin Maowu, was the polar opposite—calculating and secretive, rarely explaining his plans or thoughts.

Since being transferred to Team R87, Nancy had spent most of her time following Lin Maowu’s orders without a clear understanding of what he was aiming for. It was nerve-wracking and disorienting, to say the least.

But there wasn’t much she could do about it. Captain Tader, the leader of her original team, couldn’t be reassigned since she was vital to its operations. The other three core members were integral to the team’s overall strength, and separating them would weaken their unit. That left Nancy as the only viable option for reassignment.

This particular battle was also unusually critical, requiring careful coordination and consideration of both prior and future scenarios.

If they could eliminate Team R186 in this round, it would remove a significant threat. With Huo Qi and his team no longer a major concern, their special joint team’s mission would also be nearly complete. This was a pivotal moment, demanding her personal involvement.

—

Jiang Hui (thinking): Don’t act like you’re not going for first place just because you don’t feel like it. Go ahead and try. Even Huo Qi from the other team would cry tears of envy.

Lin Maowu: …Hey! I was just trying to emphasize how terrifying that guy is. Don’t take it so seriously, okay?

Han Xian: Honestly, I don’t really remember the people in our class… None of them ever welcomed me, anyway.