Mecha Era: Ascending to Godhood Alone

As Li Yi and Miao Wanwan exchanged brief words, the other seven recruits in their group began mingling and introducing themselves.

They made no effort to exclude Li Yi, allowing him to overhear their names and backgrounds.

Among them, three were scions of the Quanzu from Base 11, their demeanor markedly different from the others. Several non-Quanzu recruits clung to them, eagerly currying favor.

At one point, perhaps prompted by something the three Quanzu said, a muscular man aligned with them approached Li Yi and Miao Wanwan with a friendly smile.

"Greetings, fellow recruits. My name is Tan Jiantong, from the Merchant Class of Base 11. May I ask your names?"

"Miao Wanwan, Worker Class, Base 31."

"Li Yi, Impoverished Class, Base 31."

Li Yi answered candidly. Backgrounds weren't something he could—or needed to—hide.

Still, he found it curious that Ding Xu, a Quanzu scion, had a cousin and fiancée from the Worker Class.

Tan Jiantong chuckled. "Brother Li, an Impoverished Class recruit being selected as a mecha pilot for the Deep Space Fleet? You must have extraordinary talent."

Li Yi smiled faintly. "Anyone who gets recruited by the Deep Space Fleet has some unique skill or another."

"Well said, Brother Li."

Tan Jiantong's gaze alternated between Li Yi and Miao Wanwan before he sighed dramatically.

"Still, getting into the fleet is just the first step of a long journey. The waters here run deep. Every year, various mainships like the Yaochi travel to human-inhabited planets to recruit thousands of newcomers. Yet, those who qualify to pilot Divine Mechas number fewer than fifty annually.

"Our Yaochi has only ten slots this year. Most recruits will end up piloting standard mechas, spending their lives as cannon-fodder mecha pilots. My family elders were once young, ambitious recruits like us, full of spirit when they joined the fleet. But none of them ever qualified to pilot a Divine Mecha.

"They aged rapidly, their dreams crushed, and passed away by their sixties, mere shadows of their former selves. Achieving human evolution through piloting a Divine Mecha? It's an impossibly steep climb."

Tan Jiantong's lamentations were almost theatrical, his expression as compelling as that of a seasoned actor.

For someone with little life experience, it might have been convincing.

But Li Yi, accustomed to absorbing vast amounts of parallel memory fragments, was hardly moved by such transparent performance.

Still, he didn't call it out. Instead, he asked, "So, Brother Tan, do you have a plan?"

"You've hit the nail on the head, Brother Li."

Tan Jiantong leaned closer, gesturing subtly toward the three Quanzu recruits.

"Truth is, the Deep Space Fleet has existed for nearly a century. Its internal factions are deeply entrenched. On the Yaochi, many of the high-ranking authorities hail from the Quanzu of Base 11.

"Even the Yaochi's main AI, the Immortal Lady Yaochi Series, was developed and controlled by Base 11."

Li Yi stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Are you saying that aligning with these Quanzu from Base 11 could help secure a Divine Mecha?"

"Brother Li, simply aligning with them won't be enough. You'd need to contribute something valuable."

"Such as?" Li Yi prompted, playing along.

"For example, during the tournament, you could assist these noble Quanzu individuals in securing spots in the top ten."

"By helping them succeed, you'd earn their favor. That's a far safer bet than relying solely on your own performance, don't you think?"

Tan Jiantong beamed confidently. "As it happens, I have a small connection with those noble scions. If you're willing, I can recommend you to them. With your talent, Brother Li, I'm sure they'll accept your help. What do you say?"

Li Yi's smile deepened, but he remained silent.

So this Tan Jiantong, who seemed earnest and upright, is just here to play matchmaker for the Quanzu.

Li Yi wasn't inherently opposed to the Quanzu.

But he was confident in his own ability to secure a top-ten spot. Why rely on others who might not even deliver?

If the Quanzu from Base 11 truly had an easy path to Divine Mechas, they wouldn't need to recruit other mecha trainees.

"Brother Li, your silence speaks volumes. Do you look down on me for ingratiating myself to the Quanzu?"

Tan Jiantong feigned anger.

Li Yi shook his head. "Not at all. Everyone has their own path. I just think that even if you managed to secure a Divine Mecha through these means, it might not work out.

"I've heard that Divine Mechas are inherently proud."

Tan Jiantong's face flushed, a mix of irritation and embarrassment.

His initial anger had been an act, but now it was genuine. Part of him knew Li Yi had touched on an uncomfortable truth.

When his family elders had advised him to latch onto the Quanzu, he'd harbored similar doubts.

Even if he succeeded in piloting a Divine Mecha, would it truly respond to him? Could it awaken its divinity and enable human evolution?

The thought was terrifying, so he avoided it.

Suppressing his frustration, Tan Jiantong forced a smile. "Brother Li, it seems we walk different paths. Farewell!"

With that, he turned and strode back to the group of Base 11 Quanzu recruits.

"Li Yi, I think you're right."

Miao Wanwan's voice was soft yet firm.

She had been silent throughout Tan Jiantong's conversation, but now, with him gone, her expression shifted, as though she couldn't hold back any longer.

"I've felt it before. Even standard mechas contain a faint trace of divinity… how should I put it? They're very particular about their pilots.

"People who are too eager to compromise likely won't resonate with Divine Mechas.

"If someone relies solely on manipulation to gain access to a Divine Mecha, I doubt they'll be able to truly pilot it."

Li Yi turned to Miao Wanwan, studying her serious expression.

Her eyes conveyed sincerity and conviction.

"Thanks for sharing."

In his heart, his determination to claim first place only grew stronger.

"Interesting. That Impoverished recruit refused?"

Liang Xing raised an eyebrow in mild surprise.

"Apologies," Tan Jiantong said awkwardly. "Li Yi is a proud man with confidence in his abilities. I couldn't convince him."

"What about the pretty girl? What's her stance?"

"I've heard she's Ding Xu's fiancée from Base 31, so…"

"Forget her then. The Ding family has significant influence aboard the Yaochi. Better not provoke her."

"As for that Impoverished recruit, if we encounter him during the virtual simulations, we'll give him a lesson. For now, we're still in the same squad. No need to embarrass the instructor and risk affecting our evaluations."

"Exactly. Let him settle into the fleet. Sooner or later, he'll re

alize what a good opportunity he squandered."

Suppressing a flicker of disdain for the Quanzu, Tan Jiantong nodded and agreed.