Upon acquiring the combat mecha, Tang Li directly piloted it in its mobile form towards the mercenary guild.
To count this combat mecha as part of the team's combat strength, formal procedures needed to be completed at the guild.
Song Pinxuan followed in his car.
After a week of integration, the cooperation among the various combat groups within the "United Squad" had become quite seamless.
The individual squads that formed the "United Squad" were originally the elite performers within their respective tiers.
Now, combined, even with fewer than 100 members, their combat strength surpassed 31,000, ranking them first in the 100-person team tier of the combat strength rankings and third in the overall combat strength rankings.
In addition, they secured the first, second, sixth, and ninth positions in the individual combat strength rankings, as well as the first position in the combat group strength rankings.
It could be said that, apart from the overall combat strength rankings, the "United Squad" dominated the first place in every other category.
While this was partly due to the "United Squad's" consistently high average strength, the most crucial factor was Tang Li's presence.
Now, with Tang Li obtaining the combat mecha, the "United Squad's" strength was poised to ascend further.
After completing the mecha's paperwork, Song Pinxuan, under the name of his independent research lab, designated the "United Squad" as a cooperating team. This allowed for the upgrading of each member's exoskeletons and the addition of weapons.
Subsequently, Tang Li left the combat mecha at the mercenary guild and followed Song Pinxuan to the Military Research Institute to retrieve her own vehicle.
After returning home for lunch, she went back to the mercenary guild. Clad in the combat mecha, she underwent various assessments again.
With the aid of the team's mecha, Tang Li's combat group's strength saw another increase of 1,000. The team's overall strength, including bonuses, improved even more significantly, directly surpassing the team ranked first in combat strength.
Although that team comprised 280 members, the mercenary guild's highest tier was capped at 200 people.
Any team exceeding 100 members would be placed in the 200-person tier.
Therefore, they held the top spot in both the overall combat strength rankings and the 200-person tier of the combat strength rankings.
With the "United Squad" now outranking them in the overall standings, their position in the combat strength ranking tiers was also naturally surpassed.
Consequently, the 59 members of the "Xi 2 Squad" were no longer independent, merging directly into the "United Squad."
Two combat groups, being well-trained and capable of forming battle formations, were integrated as combat forces, while the remaining 41 members were assigned to logistical support.
The "United Squad's" membership instantly grew to 157.
The team that was originally ranked first had their total combat strength artificially inflated by sheer numbers, and they barely managed to stay together by claiming the first-place rewards.
Upon losing their top ranking, they quickly fell apart, with their internal combat groups forming new smaller teams or joining other squads that ranked higher in the tiered rankings.
Among these, several core combat groups sought to join the "United Squad."
The collaboration with Song Pinxuan's research lab further increased the number of applicants wanting to join the "United Squad."
Not only were there combat groups from larger teams, but some smaller teams also expressed interest in joining.
At this point, the "United Squad" no longer feared a decline in rankings due to increased membership.
Following discussions among Zhong Heng, Peng Yue, Bai Xunyang, Lin Xi, and Tang Li, they decided to selectively accept powerful combat groups from those wishing to join, thereby further enhancing the "United Squad's" strength.
However, those who joined solely for ranking rewards, to offload tasks without contributing, or for the upgraded exoskeletons were rejected.
These newly joined combat groups, unless their character proved trustworthy, would not be considered core members of the team. They would not participate in missions together, and they could leave at any time without detriment to the squad.
With the addition of these smaller teams and combat groups, the "United Squad's" nominal membership rapidly exceeded 200, making it the largest team within the mercenary guild.
Due to Tang Li's sudden surge in combat power, the five-person combat group that originated from the "Bai Shi Squad" was no longer essential for securing the first position in the combat group strength rankings.
Therefore, Tang Li, Zhong Heng, Peng Yue, Bai Xunyang, and Lin Xi departed from their former combat group to form a new one.
Captains or leaders of combat groups whose character had been vetted would be absorbed into this new formation.
This new combat group would essentially serve as the cabinet, the command center for the entire "United Squad."
On this particular day, everyone in the "United Squad" was busy.
Considering that the following day marked the first collective mission for the initial 12 (now 13) combat groups of the "United Squad," they did not work too late.
The significant stir within the mercenary guild naturally attracted the attention of some individuals.