After assembling Mia’s mech and testing its stability and data, Cang’er knocked on the door of Mia’s dormitory.
“Cang’er? Are you done with your work?” Mia asked. She had been sending her messages via the lightbrain since yesterday and hadn’t received any replies. She had wanted to ask how Cang’er planned to act once they reached Moshazi Star.
“Mm, I came to bring you something.” Cang’er entered and walked to the living room. After moving the sofa aside, she gestured with her hand.
A two-meter-tall, clunky mech appeared.
Mia stared at its enormous, awkward frame and touched the rough coating on its surface. At that moment, she finally understood the meaning of “dazzlingly black.” Her mouth dropped open in surprise.
“This is for me?”
“Mm. Time is tight, so this will have to do for now. At least it’s an intermediate mech,” Cang’er replied expressionlessly. She knew it was a bit ugly—but could she be blamed?
After all, she was a 21st-century top-tier fashion designer with exquisite taste. But even the best designer is limited by materials. Without enough auxiliary materials, this was the “prettiest” version she could produce.
“Blood oath to recognize its master,” Cang’er said, pointing to the second mech she had completed.
Mia’s trembling little hand followed the instructions, and then a voice sounded in her mind: “Ah~ beautiful young lady, Mech Pan’an is pleased to serve you.”
She blinked stiffly and gave Cang’er a smile that looked worse than crying.
“Good girl. Get familiar with it quickly. Once your sister becomes successful, I’ll get you a new one,” Cang’er comforted, patting her head.
Two days passed quickly.
Early one morning, Cang’er drank four nutrition liquids in a row, nearly overstuffing herself. Then she urged Mia to drink three, nodding with satisfaction.
From a distance, Master Ji and Karl saw the two of them helping each other walk, while Du Zhong and Jilin, along with the others, stood tall and spirited, exchanging glances of mild disdain.
“What’s going on with you two?” Fu An’an asked softly as they approached.
“Burp~” Mia belched, then quietly explained, “Cang’er said we should eat well before we get stripped of supplies. In a couple of days, there won’t be food.” Her eyes remained fixed on Director Ji passionately giving a speech, as if she hadn’t just been talking.
Jilin and Qi Ming pretended to pay attention but were actually listening to Fu An’an and Mia’s conversation.
Hearing this, they couldn’t let it slide! The three of them instinctively pulled out nutrition liquids to show off.
Du Zhong watched their little antics.
The eternally icy expression finally cracked.
“Alright, now hand over any extra items on you, and step forward one by one to collect your survival supplies. If any unauthorized items are used during the exam, it will be considered a failure,” Ji Feng said, starting the inspection.
Having learned from Cang’er in advance that only the standardized survival pack could be carried, the group handed over their usual snacks and water and obediently stepped forward to collect supplies: three nutrition liquids, a jug of water, a dagger, a signal transmitter, and two tents each.
“Report! Does the mech count as an unauthorized item?” Cang’er suddenly raised her hand and asked loudly.
“The mech does not count. It is part of your strength,” Du Zhong answered.
“Good,” Cang’er said, nodding seriously at Du Zhong, then waved her hand. “Let’s go.”
She led the group onto the aircraft first, and somehow the four others immediately followed her lead—damn her charm.
The aircraft quickly ascended, and half an hour later reached the planetary boundary.
“Attention: T948 will commence wormhole jump in ten minutes. Passengers, please enter the sleep pods promptly. Repeat: T948 will commence wormhole jump in ten minutes. Passengers, please enter the sleep pods promptly. Countdown begins now: 9:59, 9:58…”
This was Cang’er’s first time riding a star-crossing aircraft. She could barely contain her excitement, peering through the small observation window. Except for a few floating rocks, everything around was pitch black, yet she watched intently.
Only in the final minute of the countdown did she, still reluctant to look away, lie down in the sleep pod.