I love how they handled Chenlin. In his first life, he was an extremely talented mecha pilot with no intention of retiring at the time when his genetic illness was discovered, but he had to retire 2 years after discovery because he had to resort to amputating his arm and both legs. He then spent 10 years putting all his effort into learning how to be a mechanic and handle/improve parts because he refused to give up on mechas. When he died and regressed, his 10 years mechanics experience culminated into him being able to become KID's mechanic earlier and "repay" them for everything they did for him in his past life. They also realistically handled his skill with piloting mechas. He could still pilot, but not to the degree that he could before because it had been 10 years since he could. I think of it as driving a car: You haven't driven for ten years, so you still know how to drive and can drive, but it's very likely that you won't have the same skill as you did 10 years prior. They didn't make him the "all-powerful MC" trope or the "I was useless in my past life, but the moment I was given a second chance and actually tried, I could do absolutely anything I tried to do." They made him skilled, yes, but the only innate skill he had was piloting mechs, and he had that in his past life too. He worked for his skill and knowledge for being a mecha mechanic and handling parts, and he's still learning from Uncle Gu in this life. He also still retained not too much knowledge on parts design/manipulation, because that wasn't something that he studied. They realistically handled what he does and doesn't know. They also didn't have him magically not have the genetic illness, it was just less-bad than before, and he nipped it in the bud early before it could worsen. (I have a theory regarding this). I hope to see a potential reason for his regression (like an anomolous ability or something) in the future~

What if his regression was caused by the Pollutant that caused his mother's, and later his, genetic illness? Hear me out lol

My theory, when it comes to regressions, is that the soul of this person winds up transported to another/new timeline while the other continues on past their death (this is just my understanding of it).

I think that in the first timeline, after Chenlin's mother was infected by the pollutant and developed the genetic disease, she refused to have Chenlin removed from her womb and then incubated externally (I might be forgetting something that would automatically disprove this though). I think this because Chenlin's condition was worse when he suffered genetic disease and because his mother did live past the day Chenlin was officially born.

I think that when she died, she came back the day she was diagnosed with her genetic illness (just like Chenlin was) but, at that point, she couldn't really do anything that could've altered the timeline, besides change her decision on how Chenlin was born. For some reason, this time around she chose to have him incubated instead of carrying him in her womb and having him exposed to the genetic illness for a long period of time.

When Chenlin regressed, he regressed into the body of the "Chenlin" that his mother had chosen to have incubated instead, as in, the same timeline that his mother had regressed to after she died. Because he was incubated this time around, and not developed within her womb, he was exposed to the genetic illness for a shorter amount of time, and thus, didn't have as severe of a genetic illness condition as he did in the first timeline (where he was developed in the womb and exposed to the illness for a longer period of time).

It would actually be very interesting if this is true, or even close to it. I like when reincarnation, regression, transmigration, etc. stories actually have a reason behind them okay.... lol TwT

Anyways, I love the main character, Ying Chenlin a lot. Although I personally wish he went through more challenges and underwent more confrontations that can break his steadfast and confident demeanor (emphasis on "break his steadfast and confident demeanor" because although he had setbacks including amputating his arm and replacing it with a mechanical one, he is never limited or bound by it. While you can interpret this to be motivational, I think it would make his journey to the top more satisfying to read if he was actually challenged physically and mentally.), this is a pretty good power fantasy to read if you're into this!

But the main reason why I continued this, despite perhaps criticizing other novels for similar reasons (I'm such a hypocrite omg!!!) is because of the pacing.

Firstly, Ying Chenlin is equal parts pro-active and reactive from my perspective. He leverages the information he knows and the skills he has to create an opportunity, rather than wait for the book to throw one at him. However, it's not to the point of being those isekai MC's who steal everyone's opportunities away from them lolololll. Although I think he is overpowered, it's definitely much more fair comparatively.

Secondly, action scenes with mechas and pollutants and other antagonists are frequent and guaranteed, without the novel skimping on the development of secondary characters and the uncovering of the main plot of the novel. It's a very delicate balance which I appreciate. I'm not bored at all reading this, because the novel has this repeated pattern of subplots. To quickly summarize: Mecha fighting -> You Su -> Mecha fighting -> Yuan -> Ying Chenlin -> repeat. Does that make sense? Or maybe I'm looking into it too much because idk how I can read this w/o getting bored (ADHD!!!) . Anyways, structure of sub-plots mixed with the main plot really show that the author thought this out from beginning to end, resulting in a book that is not too slow or too rushed, establishing a smooth and satisfying flow to read.

I love how this novel has an explanation for Chenlin's rebirth cause it is really rare for novels to have explanations. We all have to just accept that fact, but here, there is a solid reason, and the male lead doesn't take lightly the reason behind his rebirth.

Another thing is I love how diverse the descriptions of mecha weapons here are. Maybe it's because I haven't really read that much of mecha-related novels, so I won't speculate about how other novels write about it but I really have to praise the author's vast imaginations and countless possibilities stemming from the pollutant's supernatural crystals. I was really in awe of these weapons of different styles for different bases, along with different battle tactics. They were truly a feast.

Maybe because this novel focuses on battles and combats, romance dont play such a big role here. But I loved the dynamics of Chenlin and You su. Romance not really starts before chapt 200 or 300 and they dont get together early in the novel but this way is more natural I have to say, because they are really busy with their competitions, and alliance missions. But I really loved their love. I giggled way too much in extra chapters too hehe.

All the group members of Kid, and other bases included, have unique features and characters of their own. I sometimes have to laugh out loud in some chapters because of the "ji qingfeng+ lin yao+ zhao lijies" dynamics. Also "jiang simiao+ shen xingtang+ boss zhao" OMG I love love love all the characters involved.

like the grandpa situation

The romance part is hinted throughout the novel in a kind of subtle way and only confirmed near the end. Honestly, I like the way the author writes the romance part. Seeing the hints of romance just somehow makes me happy.

One of my favorite part is when Ji Qingfengs "daughter" made a comeback in the end. It brings the humor and circles back to previous plot to make it more complete.

Another favorite thing worth mentioning is Zhao Lijies friendship with KID (mostly Ji Qinfeng). It's funny how he gets dragged into KIDs mess and joins their shenanigans in the end.

KID being thrifty and money-grubbing people is a nice add to comedy. It's constantly portrayed in the whole novel (not to much that it's annoying). Them destroying biomes but heyy they solverld the alliances problems anyways.

One theory that another reviewer stated and I agree is that Chenglins time travel has something to do with kronos. I feel that the author kind of hinted on it (or I'm just delusional). It make sense with how much resonance he has with kronos. He is poluted by kronos. Also another nice touch they wrote is how the other pollutant Chenglin got (regeneration one, forgot what it's called) fights the kronos so it doesn't spread. Details like this are what makes the book amazing. If I need to be nitpicky, I would say that I wish Chenglin told his regression at least to ML (I don't remember everything so sorry if he did). Nobody really ask MC on why he could be good at everything. Either they respect MC too much, couldn't be bothered to ask, or they're too intimidated to ask. We as readers know why but the rest of characters (other than MC obviously) just accepted it.

Also I did MTL this so correct me if I'm wrong (I cruise some parts because I didn't want to think to much), kronos is a bioproduct or experiment that's gone wrong of a group of researchers who Chenglins granpa works for. Granpa died and Shi Xuejun carries relevent information and died because of kronos. You Su's mother also died trying to kill kronos. So, I love dhow it goes to a full circle with Chenglin, You Su, and Father Lin being the main power in killing kronos (with A LOT of help from the entire galaxy of course).

Extras are divided into three parts. First, the aftermath which is obviously wanted (and needed). Second, an au where no parents died and MC+ML grows up normally without the traumas. A nice exra touch that heals heart and satisfy readers imagination. And the very last chapter takes a glimpse to the future of KID, reassuring that everything went well. It shows how well KID is doing as a base. Also shows Mr. Qiu post retirement as KIDs pollutant expert (it was actually hinted in earlier chapter where Mr. Qiu wonders if KID has maintenance technician vacancies/if not mistaken) and Shi something (forgot his name, can't be bothered to scroll chapters again for the uncle's name) part timing as an energy core specialist (?). Also writes that Mr. Qiu's other colleagues pushing to work in KID after retirement due to seeing Mr. Qiu's posts about retirement in KID. The Lin family martial arts school is also still mentioned. Lastly, Jiang Yi (?) who appeared in Qiujin and is Sink's major fan, transfers to KID and meating his idol. They used Jiang Yi as a way to tour guide along KIDs base future life. And again, it's a nice detail to include Jiang Yi again rather than not mentioning him again. Basically no characters got forgotten till the end.