So good at arguing---are you an Alien Warrior or what?

Provocation?

Rebuttal?

Or just a master at arguing?

You came here just to leech off my fame, right?

Duge glanced at the person who spoke, committing his features to memory, and asked with a smile, "May I have the honor of knowing your name, sir?"

The man looked arrogantly at Duge, even more self-righteously than Duge himself, and said, "I don't change my name, nor my nature, for I am the one who questions the truth. Kill One Every Ten Steps, I'm the type who speaks the hard truths that others don't dare to, and if you want to retaliate, just bring it on.

But let me make this clear, as long as you don't silence me, I'll be watching you every second, ready to expose your hypocrisy, to show everyone on Green Star your true deceitful nature."

After speaking, he even threw a challenging look at Duge.

He doesn't really think the War Net's gone down, does he?

He's trying to step on me to rise higher and take the chance to suppress me too!

You don't even know my keywords, so you just oppose everything I do!

Since Mr. Du hasn't been making moves, more and more warriors seem to be bold enough to jump out.

But you'll only get to question me this once.

Once I'm offline, I'll raid your den...

However.

The appearance of 'Questioning the Truth' did give Duge a wakeup call.

Keywords come in all shapes and sizes, Alien Warriors might not all take the Mecha Pilot path, who knows how many Alien Warriors are boosting their influence in the War Net in all kinds of bizarre ways.

Duge looked at Questioning the Truth with pity and shook his head, "We have no past grudge, why would I retaliate against you. Your skepticism is well-founded, I indeed have spent countless efforts on the mecha route, but it's because of my lack of talent in that area, which is why I had to work harder than most.

However, I dare say that I do have a talent for mecha design, which doesn't require me to put in as much effort to achieve great success."

With that one statement, he offended two groups simultaneously.

Both mecha operators and designers fell silent.

Gu Qingyan looked at Duge and said softly, "Yu Ning, you're right, this guy really isn't for me, he's too arrogant. Going out with him, he'll get us both killed."

"Extreme talent?" Questioning the Truth stared at Duge, momentarily not sure what his keywords even were.

"Right, and I'll prove it to everyone soon," Duge said with a smile, "I've overlooked my own influence on the War Net. I thought about climbing up step by step, getting my senior designer qualification, and then publishing some of my thoughts on improvements for active mechas.

Now that I have enough influence, I might as well post my research on the mid-level designer forum. I hope those present will help spread the word, because it's going to take Green Star's mecha performance to the next level."

Whew!

A chorus of jeers came from nearby.

Clearly, most people didn't believe what Duge was saying.

The pilots from the military groups who came to recruit Duge frowned repeatedly. In their view, a budding ace pilot engrossed in mecha was simply going astray, and they advised him against it in many voices.

But Duge paid them no mind.

Meanwhile, the designers, due to Duge's flattery, saw the little goodwill that had arisen once again plunge to rock bottom. A pilot, with just a few days of casual study, could improve mechas---what were they, the actual designers, needed for?

Talent?

There are many talented people---what makes you stand out?

"Of course, we'll have to promote you, because when you can't deliver results, everyone present will make sure your reputation is well known," Questioning the Truth shouted, "We'll let everyone on Green Star know how despicably low you are."

"Sir, what if my research turns out to be useful?" Duge asked with a grin, looking at the enthusiastically hopping Alien Warrior.

"I'll apologize to you," Questioning the Truth said shamelessly, "but that won't stop me from doubting you. To question everything is to perfect the truth, and to leave no dirt or ugliness hidden. I doubt not only you but also anyone who struts around in War Net under false pretenses."

"Good, I'll be waiting for your apology," Duge said after giving him a look, "Ladies and gentlemen, I don't have enough War Net Coins to buy mechas and parts for hands-on operation on the War Net, so I will publish my ideas in papers on the forum. If there are any senior designers present, feel free to implement and verify them according to my plans."

...

"Old Ghost, do you still want to take him as your disciple?" Ling Jiuxiao asked with a laugh.

"Take him my ass," Old Ghost snorted, "Even if by some fluke he gets the title of a senior designer, I will request the Designer Association to expel him."

Duge was fast.

In just a moment's time,

The first paper, "Several Suggestions for Improving the Energy and Skeletal Systems of Sea Swallow Mecha," was freshly baked.

The paper was priced at one War Net Coin.

As soon as the paper was published, there was a chorus of curses below; they scolded "Kill One Every Ten Steps" for being crazed for money, having written a piece of trash paper, and trying to swindle money with his fame.

Old Ghost glanced at the title and didn't even bother to open it.

On the other hand, Ling Jiuxiao opened the paper with great interest and started reading it with excitement.

It was free for the in-rotation designer at management to review papers within the module.

"I want to see what kind of trash this guy can come up with?" Ling Jiuxiao muttered as he read, but after only getting halfway through, his expression became increasingly serious, "Old Ghost, you better take a look at this paper. This guy might have something..."

Old Ghost opened the paper skeptically and skimmed it from the beginning. In no time, his expression turned much more somber, he swallowed and said, "Old Ling, it seems like it really could be improved this way!"

"Do you have these parts in your War Net storage?" Ling Jiuxiao asked.

"Why bother with the War Net? It has inaccuracies. I'll get offline and make the changes," Old Ghost, being the impatient sort, didn't even bother with pleasantries and rushed offline from the War Net.

"This Old Ghost..." Ling Jiuxiao chuckled, and upon seeing Duge had just published another paper, "Suggestions for Optimizing the Control and Transmission Systems of Blade Mechas," he clicked to open it, glanced through it and then cursed, racing off the War Net as well.