Sky-cracking Rider

``` When I followed Minante, a "Sky Falcon" pilot from Cangqiong Star, to the hangar, the battle between "Gale Team" and their opponents had just ended. As soon as we stepped inside the gate, the sudden burst of enthusiastic cheers hit us. "Congratulations!" Chen Fei nodded to Minante, who had led him inside. If he wasn't mistaken, it must be that "Gale Team" had won the fight. "Minante, you're back? Are you hurt?" "It's good that you're unharmed!" "You really scared me just now." "Eh? Who is this?" The ground crew of "Gale Team" hurried over to greet us, and when they saw Chen Fei, they collectively paused in surprise. "This is my new friend, Chen Fei, his flight call sign is 'Rookie,' and he's a fellow pilot!" Minante quickly introduced the person beside him to his teammates. "Hello everyone, I'm Chen Fei." Chen Fei nodded in greeting to everyone inside the hangar. A dozen young men and women, all young people. These Cangqiong Star People risked their lives to participate in the "Abyssal Gladiatorial" not just for the substantial prize money, but also to gain the prestige they desired. According to Minante, a record in the "Abyssal Gladiatorial" could earn additional points for passing the selection examination for the active Sky Cavalry Group of the Slan Dynasty. These Cangqiong Star People took pride in serving the Royal Family and were even more reckless than Blue Star People. "'Rookie'? Chen Fei? That name sounds familiar." An inexplicable sense of familiarity made the Cangqiong Star People look at each other in confusion. Suddenly someone slapped their forehead and exclaimed. "I remember now, in the opening battle, wasn't there a pilot from 'Zhēnxiāng Team' with that name and call sign?" After someone pointed it out, the others also had a dawning realization. "Eh? Eh? Eh? Eh? Is it really you? Chen Fei!" Minante finally caught on as well. The opening battle of this edition of the "Abyssal Gladiatorial" wasn't originally a deathmatch between "Zhēnxiāng Team" and "Hanuman Team." The teams were added at the last minute, but the fierce tactics of the winning "Zhēnxiāng Team" left a deep impression on all the spectators and were indeed among the leading Combat Flight Squadrons in the military contractor circle. "Uh, yes, it's me!" Chen Fei naturally nodded in acknowledgment. "Ahh! That's so amazing!" Minante was shouting excitedly, as he was someone who got easily thrilled. That was a very formidable team! Chen Fei modestly said, "Just average, I was just lucky, it's nothing special." The reason he was able to win the opening battle was largely thanks to the supportive missile from Uncle, otherwise, it would have been quite a struggle. Wings buzzed closer and closer, and the large doors of the hangar darkened as three "Sky Falcons" slowly floated in, one after the other. After landing, the Light Wings that served as the main propulsion components gradually lost the glow of Elemental Energy circulation and slowly retracted. The Constructed Aircraft of Cangqiong Star had a higher degree of biomimicry and exceptional maneuverability. "The captain and the rest are back!" ``` The ground logistics personnel of "Gale Team" gathered around one after another. A pilot staggered out of the "Sky Falcon," collapsing on the ground as the smell of blood began to waft through the air. Lying there weakly, he groaned, "Ouch, ouch, ouch, I can't believe I'm injured, I'm almost numb all over." "Midun is hurt, quick, call a healer!" An exclamation rang out, causing a commotion in the hangar. It had been thought that all members of the "Gale Team" had returned safely, but to everyone's surprise, there were still injuries, and they looked severe. Light Element began to converge as someone skilled in Light-based Spells started to administer aid to the wounded. Compared to Blue Star, Cangqiong Star has more active Elemental Energy, which is why Ability Users make up a relatively higher proportion of the population. Thanks to the Halo guarded by the digital intelligence Cybertrom, which continuously spills over vibrant Elemental Energy to Blue Star, some native Ability Users have gradually emerged there, with Special Ability being the most common. "Minante, who is this?" Distracted from the injured teammate, the captain of "Gale Team" approached Minante and Chen Fei, eyeing the latter curiously. "Captain Hammu, this is a pilot from the opening battle, 'Zhēnxiāng Team,' Chen Fei, call sign 'Rookie'!" Since both parties were from the same profession and recognized for their abilities, Minante formally introduced the invited guest to his team captain. "So, you're a friend from 'Zhēnxiāng Team,' what an honor, what an honor. I've seen your performance; it's fantastic. Minandon likes to make new friends, and so do I." The captain of "Gale Team," Hammu, extended his hand to Chen Fei for a handshake, expressing his welcome. "I'm quite interested in the 'Sky Falcon,' and just happened to meet Minandon, so I came to satisfy my curiosity." Chen Fei didn't hide his intent. Compared to the more complexminded Blue Star People, Cangqiong Star People were simpler, and straight talk made it easier to gain understanding. "Welcome, welcome, take a good look. If there's anything you don't understand, you can ask me or anyone else here. We'll tell you everything we know." Captain Hammu was a very straightforward man. Since Chen Fei was upfront, he graciously offered his assistance. As an Assembled Combat Aircraft crafted mainly using Alchemy, merely observing the "Sky Falcon" up close with the naked eye was not enough to steal all its secrets. If such casual espionage could reveal their technological secrets, Cangqiong Star would never allow "Gale Team" and their "Sky Falcons" to be compromised. Due to different civilizations and technological frameworks, Blue Star might not be eager to directly utilize Cangqiong Star's Alchemy and Magic Arrays. "Thank you, I'll just have a look. If you need any help, feel free to ask me. This includes the Second Rank Light Healing Technique, 'Light of Redemption.' I have private channels, which are very convenient." As Chen Fei spoke, he glanced at the still-urgent first aid for the wounded, who might be in need. Deeply moved, Hammu immediately expressed his gratitude, " 'Light of Redemption'? That would be fantastic. If we really need it, I'll come to you." Even in Cangqiong Star, Light System Casters were rare. Most held public or military positions. "Gale Team" was fortunate to recruit a Low-Rank Light Caster, but due to limitations in Elemental Affinity and talent, they could only use the "Light Healing Technique," "Illumination Technique," and Light System Magic Shield. The team's Light System Caster was perspiring profusely while using the "Light Healing Technique" on the injured Midun, buying crucial time for the medical staff. "Come on, I'll take you to see the 'Sky Falcon.' " Seeing that their Light Caster was stabilizing their teammate's condition, Minante's anxiety lessened, and he turned his attention to Chen Fei. The ground logistics personnel of "Gale Team" began inspecting the three returning "Sky Falcons." This presented an excellent opportunity for Chen Fei to get a clear understanding. As a pilot of Constructed Combat Aircraft, Minante was well-versed in every Constructed Part of the "Sky Falcon." His explanations were far more enlightening than Chen Fei trying to figure things out on his own. " ... Like most Constructed Aircraft, the control components aren't just mechanical joysticks; they also include the Magic Array 'Mind Brand,' which is an essential Magic Array and the real core of the control system. However, to resonate and achieve basic control with this Magic Array, you need at least a 5-degree Psychic Power Index. The higher this index, the better, leaving more margin for movement, which can make flight maneuvers more intricate and delicate ... Directly connected to the control system is another Constructed Part, the Light Wing. If the 'Mind Brand' Magic Array is the Aircraft's soul, the Light Wing serves as the bridge for the soul to communicate with the outside world. It's not only the source of thrust and aerodynamic control for the 'Sky Falcon,' but it also attracts and absorbs Elemental Energy from the atmosphere ... " Minante's detailed presentation cleared up many of Chen Fei's longstanding questions. Unlike Blue Star's aircraft, which ordinary people can fly after completing a certain number of study and training hours, Cangqiong Star's Constructed Aircraft have higher requirements for Pilot talent. Just the 'Mind Brand' demand for Psychic Power Index is enough to eliminate most people. Ordinary folks have a Psychic Power Index of only 0.6–1.5, not even qualified to make a Constructed Aircraft budge. Having a Psychic Power Index of 5 is just enough to enter the threshold. Still, it isn't the most suitable baseline for piloting a "Sky Falcon." The active Sky Cavalry Group on Cangqiong Star requires an index above 12.