"Wait a moment," Lu Wanqing couldn't help but interject.
The super 3s mechas were indeed powerful, but this was Zhong Li Feiyu. Lu Wanqing felt it was unfair. Furthermore, Phoenix was a glass cannon mecha, designed not for solo combat. For Zhong Li Feiyu to challenge a glass cannon in a one-on-one fight was simply unreasonable!
"Can the giant panda protect Phoenix?"
"A fragile mage, no, what I mean is, Phoenix has very weak defenses. From a design perspective, its combat mode inherently requires a tank... I mean, someone to protect it."
"Someone needs to help her block enemies and absorb some of the damage, then she can unleash her full output. A fragile attacker with room to output is an excellent attacker!"
Lu Wanqing quickly spoke up. The contestants on stage were ordinary people, so Lu Wanqing dared not voice such an opinion. However, if it was Zhong Li Feiyu facing the Phoenix, she felt her request was not unreasonable.
Everyone present was stunned, looking at Lu Wanqing in surprise.
"Yes," Zhong Li Feiyu was the first to react, nodding in agreement.
Lu Wanqing breathed a sigh of relief, her face immediately breaking into a smile. Or rather, she was somewhat happy. This was the true intended use of the Phoenix. She hoped the Phoenix could showcase its strengths, earning the approval of both Zhong Li Feiyu and Mu Sijie.
Mu Sijie also snapped back to reality, glancing at Lu Wanqing, then at Zhong Li Feiyu.
"Let's try," Mu Sijie said.
The protective barrier of the stage opened again. Lu Wanqing stepped inside, but upon reaching the interior, she suddenly remembered that she had already given the giant panda mecha to Xiao Yi. The mecha was currently with Xiao Yi. 138 Reading Network.
Lu Wanqing turned to look at Xiao Yi.
Little Zhong Li Yi looked nervous, clutching the spatial button in his hand, and then looked at his father... Don't ask, if you ask, he was scared too.
Everyone else knew, but he knew even better. His father was so powerful, what if he accidentally destroyed his giant panda?
This was a mecha Mommy had given him, and he loved it dearly. He didn't want the giant panda to be damaged so soon, even if the person wanting to damage it was his father!
"Xiao Yi," Zhong Li Feiyu said.
Little Zhong Li Yi inexplicably took a step back, guarded, even tucking the hand holding the spatial button behind his back.
Lu Wanqing and Mu Sijie also realized the situation. They froze for a moment, then simultaneously chuckled.
Lu Wanqing said with amusement, "Xiao Yi, don't be afraid, it won't be broken. Even if..."
"Even if it gets broken, don't be afraid. Mommy can make you a new one," Lu Wanqing said.
Little Zhong Li Yi frowned, reluctant. "But a new one won't be this one."
He had already fallen in love with this giant panda mecha, and he only liked this one, not any other.
Lu Wanqing: "..."
Mu Sijie: "..."
No one had expected that Xiao Yi would grow so attached to this mecha in such a short time.
"I won't break yours," Zhong Li Feiyu said.
Little Zhong Li Yi looked at Zhong Li Feiyu, his eyes filled with suspicion.
Zhong Li Feiyu's expression was serious as he repeated, "Besides, mechas are meant for combat. A mecha that dares not go into battle, are you sure that's your fighting spirit?"
The hand holding the mecha tightened visibly. "I..."
"Uncle Zhong Li, you can use my mecha," Little Mu Lan suddenly said.
Little Mu Lan looked at them, his eyes shining brightly. "My Bai Ze is very powerful! It can protect Phoenix like the giant panda!"
Lu Wanqing looked at Little Lan Lan, her eyes curving slightly.
Little Mu Lan instantly became very happy. Mommy was looking at him.
"Mommy, I'm not scared. I believe in Bai Ze, it won't be broken!" Little Mu Lan said to his mother with trust.
As he spoke, Little Mu Lan trotted over to the battlefield, took out his mecha's spatial button, and released his Bai Ze mecha.
This was the first time Zhong Li Feiyu had seen Bai Ze. Lu Wanqing could build super 3s mechas, and the giant panda and Phoenix she made for Xiao Yi and Cui Cui were both super 3s. Zhong Li Feiyu, without asking, already had a good idea that this Bai Ze was most likely also a super 3s mecha!
"Is Bai Ze also a super 3s mecha?" Although he knew, Zhong Li Feiyu still asked, out of curiosity.
"Yes, yes, Mommy made it for me. Mommy said Bai Ze is a mythical beast from ancient Earth legends. It knows everything in the world and only assists wise rulers. It's very, very powerful!" Little Mu Lan eagerly answered when Zhong Li Feiyu inquired about Bai Ze, overflowing with pride.
Bai Ze, an ancient Earth mythical beast, knowing all the world's affairs, only assisting wise rulers?
Hearing these explanations, Zhong Li Feiyu couldn't help but glance at Lu Wanqing, feeling surprised. The mecha she built for Mu Lan was this kind of mythical beast? The symbolism... was also very profound.
The Mu family almost monopolized the federal mecha industry. The seven great legions fought fiercely, yet everyone had to defer to the Mu family because only they could provide the most excellent mechas.
Given the Mu family's peculiar position, it was inherently dangerous. If they harbored any ulterior motives, the entire federation would be affected.
Not only in educating Mu Lan, but the symbolism of Bai Ze was also a form of protection for Mu Lan and the Mu family.
The Mu family's special status, though unspoken, led others to harbor suspicions and fear. This was especially true after Lu Wanqing's appearance...
Due to the relationships between the children, Lu Wanqing often acted as a bridge, leading to inevitable entanglements between the families. This in turn could lead to speculation from other legions, with everyone fearing an alliance between the Mu family and the Seventh Legion, and consequently targeting other legions.
However, neither the Seventh Legion nor the Mu family had ever harbored such intentions. This was precisely why they had tried to prevent the children from becoming too close, as their proximity could lead to endless speculation from the other legions.
In the worst-case scenario, the other six legions, fearing them, would unite against the Seventh Legion, leading to its downfall. After all, no matter how powerful the Seventh Legion was, it was still only one legion and could not contend against six.
In a more optimistic view, if the other six legions did not agree to unite against the Seventh Legion, but the Seventh Legion and the Mu family might ally, they could not rest easy. The consequence would be unrest among the major legions, widespread anxiety, and a breeding ground for trouble. They might engage in many clandestine activities, which could very well shatter the peace the federation had painstakingly maintained for centuries, plunging it into civil war.
What the Seventh Legion sought to protect was the peace of the federation, hoping its citizens would live in peaceful, happy times.
The Mu family, born and raised in the federation, also desired peace. Causing widespread conflict was not their wish either.
The Mu family, the Zhong Li family, the Yu family, and the Wei family all understood this principle. Therefore, none of them agreed to Lu Wanqing's suggestion of letting the children grow up together. Even though they knew that raising them separately would leave gaps in their childhoods, compared to the peace of the entire federation, the children's happiness was not as paramount.