Meng Huai felt her gaze and returned it, nodding to the senior as a greeting.
Jing Yuancheng snatched the saber away, his expression filled with admiration. He said to Meng Huai, "Junior Meng, your craftsmanship is improving remarkably! This is even better than the Wuji Saber!"
The others in the training room looked over at the two of them upon hearing Jing Yuancheng's words.
Teacher Wang, also quite surprised, asked, "You two know each other?"
Jing Yuancheng explained to everyone, "Earlier, junior sister bought a saber when she was at a street stall, and then she bought some other weapons."
Teacher Wang asked Meng Huai with surprise, "You even set up a stall?"
Hui Xingxiu, however, thought of something and excitedly pointed at Jing Yuancheng, saying, "Oh, the Wuji Saber, that's your prized saber, isn't it! I asked you where you bought it, and you wouldn't tell me!"
Jing Yuancheng, hearing his teammate's questioning, showed no sign of embarrassment. Instead, he replied, "You don't use sabers, so why do you need to know so much?"
"Even if I don't use sabers, I can buy other things! You didn't just buy sabers, you're quite cunning, afraid I'd buy it and you wouldn't have yours anymore, right?!"
Jing Yuancheng, knowing he was in the wrong, didn't engage with Hui Xingxiu's retort. He directly looked at the Wuji Saber he had taken from the spatial ring and said to Meng Huai, "Shall we spar? Junior Meng."
"Sure!"
Meng Huai also wanted to test the power of this saber, so Jing Yuancheng's suggestion was exactly what she wanted.
Teacher Wang was pleased with how things were progressing and had everyone move aside, leaving Meng Huai and Jing Yuancheng in the center of the room.
Both of them held only a saber and did not engage in combat using mechs. Practicing these moves was also very important; otherwise, no matter how advanced the mech's functions were, one couldn't defeat enemies without sufficient skill.
It was important to remember that the students participating in the Military School League were the strongest ones from their respective schools, a different situation from the freshman assessment.
After a few rounds, the onlookers were all very surprised. They knew Meng Huai was skilled, but they hadn't expected her to match Jing Yuancheng for so many moves.
However, what they didn't know was that Meng Huai was still holding back and hadn't even used her spiritual energy.
The clash between the Wuji Saber and Meng Huai's new weapon resounded frequently within the training room. This back-and-forth battle lasted for half an hour and still hadn't concluded.
Initially, the spectators watched with keen interest, but eventually, some became bored and started picking at their nails. Finally, Teacher Wang spoke up, "Let's stop here for now."
Hearing Teacher Wang's voice, both of them simultaneously withdrew their hands. Jing Yuancheng said to Meng Huai, "Junior Meng, this new weapon is truly remarkable, much more durable and sharper than the Wuji Saber. And, I always feel a chilling aura from this saber!"
Finally, Jing Yuancheng couldn't help but ask, "Junior Meng, are you selling this saber?"
Meng Huai rubbed her forehead, thinking her senior was truly unreserved.
"Senior Jing, this saber is not for sale! It's precisely because I sold you my best saber that mine broke. You have to leave me a suitable weapon to participate in the league, right!"
Hearing this, Teacher Wang quickly added, "Yes, leave her a weapon!"
Jing Yuancheng was still not giving up. He said, "Junior, I see you're also very good with a gun! The battle against the Class 3S star beast last time was spectacular! How about you make another gun for yourself!"
Zheng Yiran listened to their conversation and asked, "Uh, junior sister, you don't have a mech yet, do you? Are you planning to fight like in the freshman assessment, just carrying a saber?"
Teacher Wang, upon hearing Zheng Yiran's words, realized he had been led by the nose by these two. He couldn't help but sigh at how much the commander thought ahead, but how could he have forgotten something so simple!
"That's right! This matter is for you, Rong student, to handle. And Meng Huai, you and Rong student should communicate more."
Meng Huai nodded, "Okay. But Teacher Wang, I won't have to pay for this mech myself, will I?"
Teacher Wang knew Meng Huai's temperament well. If he told her she had to pay for it herself now, Meng Huai would absolutely not participate in the competition with a mech. Or, she might bring her Class A mech!
However, the school would indeed cover this expense. Rong Feiwen answered for Meng Huai, "The cost of this mech will be borne by the school, and you can also use materials from the school's warehouse. Our school's warehouse has a lot of rare materials!"
Meng Huai, upon hearing Rong Feiwen's words, was clearly very interested in the warehouse.
"Oh, then if Rong student has time, you can show me around! I can also offer some suggestions, as I've recently read some books on Class 3S mech construction."
Rong Feiwen hadn't expected that Meng Huai not only forged weapons but also dabbled in mechs.
"Oh? Since Meng student is interested, then we can communicate more."
After all, it was for Meng Huai's mech, and if she had her own ideas, the mech might be more suitable for her use. Of course, he hoped her ideas wouldn't be too impractical.
However, after a few days of discussion, Rong Feiwen gained a new understanding of Meng Huai. Some of her ideas were truly novel, and when implemented, they produced unexpected results.
Over these days, as Meng Huai interacted more with these people, they became more familiar. Both the sparring sessions with the two solo combatants and the discussions about mechs with Rong Feiwen gave these individuals more confidence for the upcoming competition.
"With junior sister joining us, we have to get first place in this league!"
The one speaking was Hui Xingxiu, but his excited mood was immediately dampened by a slap from Teacher Wang!
"Be humble, be humble. There are plenty of talented people. Don't be too arrogant, lest you get thrashed on the battlefield!"
Hui Xingxiu was clearly not happy. He felt as if his enthusiasm had been doused by a bucket of cold water from Teacher Wang!
"Teacher Wang, can't you say something positive!"
Teacher Wang, however, said, "If I keep praising you, and you arrogantly claim first place, you'll be eliminated as soon as you step onto the field? Have you forgotten what happened last year?"
"Fine."
Upon mentioning last year, Hui Xingxiu's excitement vanished completely. Recalling how they were brutally defeated by teams from other military schools last year was still vivid in their minds. The training room instantly fell into silence, with no one speaking.
Finally, Hui Xingxiu rallied his spirits and shouted, "I feel really good this year! We must win a championship! Absolutely!"
His enthusiasm reignited the others in the training room, and several of them echoed, "Absolutely!"
"First place!"
"Championship!"
To blend in, Meng Huai finally added, "Oh, championship."
However, could her tone have been any less enthusiastic!
Never mind. After a few days, these people had all gotten to know Meng Huai. In an instant, they looked at each other, and everyone burst out laughing.