As they were nearing the finish line, many were gathered in the Imperial Military Academy's live broadcast room, ready to witness this historic moment.
"This is probably the least suspenseful championship league ever, right?"
"Oh dear, oh dear. I didn't expect this league to end so quickly. It feels like it just began!"
"This season has been full of surprises, especially Meng Huai. He alone has brought so many pleasant shocks!"
The audience was discussing amongst themselves. Meanwhile, Meng Huai and his team were advancing at full speed, eager to reach the finish line.
However, simultaneously, other routes were also seeing military academies about to arrive.
Yet, the audience watching the final match also had other pressing matters on their minds. For instance: "Who will be performing at this year's closing ceremony?"
"Meng Marshal appeared at the opening ceremony, so the closing ceremony likely won't feature anyone insignificant."
"I don't know, we'll just have to wait and see."
The closing ceremony was far more significant than the opening. The opening ceremony was merely a series of speeches. But the closing ceremony was for awarding the championship, and it wouldn't be appropriate for just anyone to preside over such an occasion.
While the audience was speculating about the guests for the closing ceremony, Xie You, who had been waiting outside the competition venue to present the awards, suddenly received a communication.
Xie You wouldn't normally have attended such an event. But when he proposed to come, the organizers cautiously inquired if he would be willing to present the awards to the champion team. To their surprise, Xie You actually agreed!
This greatly surprised the organizers, but having Xie You present the awards would surely be met with great popularity!
However, as the competition was nearing its conclusion, Xie You suddenly received a communication.
Seeing that it was a communication from Ge Xingchen, Xie You answered it directly. As soon as he connected, his expression changed. Frowning, he reconfirmed the matter Ge Xingchen was reporting.
Then he said, "I understand."
Xie You briefly informed the organizers and left. The staff members watching Xie You's hurried departure were at a loss.
They quickly notified their superiors: "His Highness the Crown Prince has left in a hurry and said to find someone else to be the award presenter!"
"What!"
A roar came from the other end of the communication, followed by a barrage of exclamations before they finally accepted this reality.
"Fine, I understand."
The award presenter was changed on the spot, while Xie You piloted his aircraft away from the scene.
This was because Ge Xingchen had informed him that riots had broken out in multiple locations across the capital star, requiring his presence to control the situation.
After Xie You set his aircraft to its fastest speed towards the capital star, he again contacted Ge Xingchen.
"What's the specific situation?"
Ge Xingchen, seeing the background of an aircraft on Xie You's end, knew that Xie You was already en route back and felt a sense of relief.
With His Highness the Crown Prince present, it would provide a great deal of psychological reassurance.
Ge Xingchen described the situation on the capital star in detail to Xie You: "Suddenly, there was a riot in the First Military District. Many individual soldiers started harming their comrades, resulting in numerous casualties. After these rioting soldiers were subdued, it was discovered that their consciousness was unclear."
As Ge Xingchen spoke, he observed Xie You's expression, then continued, "This is just one aspect. Currently, whether it's in residential areas, bustling marketplaces, or even campuses, many people are attacking others indiscriminately. The situation across the entire capital star is very dire."
This was not all. Ge Xingchen went on to say, "Furthermore, there are many star beasts attacking the outer perimeter blockade of the capital star. It's unclear where they came from, but if this continues, it's uncertain how long that blockade line can hold."
The defenses around the capital star were naturally the best, and almost no star beasts appeared there. Even if a few stray ones showed up, they were quickly dealt with. But now, where had so many star beasts come from?
Ge Xingchen quickly explained the situation there and then said, "Your Highness, I need to go and attend to my duties now!"
"Go ahead."
Xie You wanted to ask about Xie Yelie and the others, but Ge Xingchen's description and demeanor indicated that the situation there was dire. Therefore, saving lives was paramount, and he wouldn't ask for further details. The problems were not confined to the capital star; similar issues to those described by Ge Xingchen were occurring in almost every location.
To varying degrees, areas with larger populations were experiencing greater unrest. Even areas with fewer people were not spared. When facing swarms of star beasts, places with fewer personnel might not be able to defend themselves at all.
Meanwhile, on Lan Hai Star, star beasts had arrived once again.
The sudden attack by the star beasts caught Xie Xue and the others off guard. However, Xie Xue quickly activated the formation that Meng Huai had previously set up, which provided some defense.
Xie Xue issued orders, leading most of the people out to hunt the star beasts, while a smaller portion remained to defend the central city.
After all, even that formation couldn't withstand attacks indefinitely.
For some reason, the military academy league was unaffected. The cadets were still striving for the final victory.
Although they might not win the overall championship this time, they wouldn't give up.
Several military academies arrived at the finish line almost simultaneously. Zheng Yiran said to the three individual soldiers, "You three go ahead."
At this point, Zheng Yiran and Rong Feiwen's safety no longer required their protection. Zheng Yiran's perceptual barrier could sustain them for a bit longer.
If there was danger, they would come to their rescue.
Therefore, Meng Huai and the other two rushed towards the finish line. Seeing these three moving in unison, the commanders of other military academies also issued orders for their individual soldiers to charge towards the finish platform.
The scene became somewhat chaotic. As long as the individual soldiers saw someone not from their own military academy, they would immediately attack. After all, it was about allowing their own side to pull the flag and preventing others from doing so.
The other military academies no longer paid attention to the three from the Imperial Military Academy. Everyone had a clear grasp of the situation. The Imperial Military Academy would be first place whether they pulled the flag or not, so they might as well expend their energy on pulling flags. Dealing with the Imperial Military Academy would be a waste of effort.
So, when Meng Huai and the other two rushed towards the finish platform, expecting a fierce battle, everyone else made way and avoided conflict upon seeing them.
As a result, they easily reached the finish platform and pulled down the flag without any obstruction.
"The Imperial Military Academy has secured first place, receiving twenty thousand bonus points."
Despite being the final match, the broadcast announcement after the flag was pulled was as routine as ever.