CHAPTER 266: CHAPTER 266: OUTER SPACE

Ji You’s talking-to finally calmed the bustling Spiritual Silks in her Spiritual World.

Then, everyone entered the Mechanical Cabin and connected to the Spiritual Connector, following Teacher Mu Jianling toward Outer Space. Above the Taoyuan Space Station is an artificial atmosphere, and the group quickly passed through the atmosphere and entered Inner Outer Space.

Why is it called Inner Outer Space?

This is because a protective barrier was created around the Taoyuan Space Station using technological strength. The space within this protective barrier is called Inner Outer Space. It is very safe due to the barrier, and is generally not attacked by Star Beasts. Hence, unless the frontline collapses, no accident should occur here at the major rear base of the Space Station.

After entering Inner Outer Space, Mu Jianling led the way in her Mecha, with the students following behind; Sheng Qingyan was the first, Shen Changqing bringing up the rear.

Ji You, piloting her Small Mecha, was in the middle, with an unfamiliar boy in front and Xuzhou behind her.

Entering real space operation is very different from training in the simulation field. In the simulation field, there are various unexpected traps, but Ji You found that when entering real space, the only sensation was silence.

Apart from the silence, the light from the closest star in this starry sky couldn’t reach here due to distance, so aside from a weak light emitted by the Space Station’s artificial ’star,’ everything within view is pitch-black.

Of course, Ji You and her group didn’t leave the range of the Taoyuan Space Station. Aside from the artificial ’star’ above the station, the Alliance had set up several satellite ’lighthouses’ nearby to light the way.

Teacher Mu Jianling’s Mecha at the front had only a little bit of light and shadow left, the boy’s Mecha in front speed up in a flash, Ji You quickly increased her thruster speed and followed...

Suddenly—

Ji You felt something unusual behind her, she immediately turned her head and through the electronic eyes of her Mecha, she saw Xuzhou, who was directly behind her, stagger slightly, failing to keep up in time. Ji You quickly sent a message: "Little Zhouzhou, what’s wrong? Don’t panic, just stick close to me."

The Star Network has very strong signal coverage throughout the Alliance, not only on Garbage Planet #101, but also at the Taoyuan Space Station frontline, which is within the Star Network’s coverage. However, perhaps for security precautions, the Alliance has set up a new cybersecurity firewall here, which normally prevents Ji You and others from accessing the Star Network. As they are now going to Outer Space for a mission, the logistics personnel set up an independent network connection for about fifteen Mechas before departure, allowing everyone to send and receive messages freely and chat with each other.

Before hearing Ji You’s voice, Xuzhou was indeed a bit panicked, since it was his first time piloting a Mecha into space alone, to tell the truth, Xuzhou was a bit nervous. However, it was comforting that the teammates were all following closely; as long as he followed the group, he wouldn’t fall behind. But just moments ago, he realized he could no longer see some teammates ahead, and Ji You had sped up, causing Xuzhou, in his nervousness, to issue a wrong command which almost led to him stumbling.

Xuzhou calmed himself: "No problems."

Ji You chuckled: "Little Zhouzhou, I noticed that you say one thing but feel another. Admitting you’re nervous is no big deal. I was super nervous entering space in this Mecha, but so what, we have the teacher leading and strong teammates like Shen Changqing at our back, there’s nothing to fear. Just focus on piloting your Mecha, and don’t get distracted."

Xuzhou: "..."

He understood all the reasoning, yet—he didn’t want to hear Ji You’s incessant chatter!

Ji You giggled: "...don’t be silent, your silence makes me think you agree! Little Zhouzhou be good~ boldly follow me, I’ve got your back if anything happens!"

Xuzhou felt a twitch in his brow, couldn’t help saying: "Who needs your cover!"

Ji You grinned: "Hehehe..."

Xuzhou: "..."

He was speechless; even in space, he still had to put up with this hassle.

It’s really infuriating!

However—

Xuzhou had to admit, after Ji You’s playful banter, the tension in his heart also vanished in a flash.

How to describe this feeling?

It turns out, the real space environment isn’t much different from the regular training. Moreover, Ji You was right, he had both teachers and classmates around to help, what was there to really fear or worry about?

Absolutely unnecessary.

Having realized this, Xuzhou quickly adjusted his mindset. At that moment, he heard Ji You up front: "Little Zhouzhou, keep up, I’m going to speed up again!"

Xuzhou: "Received."

Just then, all the students received a message from Mu Jianling: "Everyone prepare to gather, we’re entering Outer Space in 1 minute."

Students: "Received."

Teacher Mu Jianling stopped right after the protective barrier switch; a group of warriors stationed there saw Mu Jianling and saluted promptly, saying, "Teacher Mu, the barrier has been opened for you, the time is set to 30 seconds, please lead the students through within the allocated time."

Mu Jianling said: "Thank you for your trouble."

Soon, the students also gathered within the designated time.

Mu Jianling commanded: "Pass through within 20 seconds. Anyone who delays, is late, or fails to make it through, all the special training rewards of academic points will be deducted."

Students: "..."

That’s too overbearing.

Mu Jianling seemed to sense the students’ thoughts, and she snorted coldly, "If you don’t even have the ability to pass through the barrier in 20 seconds, I advise you all not to pilot Mechas anymore, it’s embarrassing."

Students: "..."

This—

Everyone lacked experience.

Even in training, they’ve never trained for this. The teacher was basically forcing everyone to jump in without knowing how to swim! Because protective barriers actually interfere with Mechas and mechanical equipment, especially electromagnetic wave signals, which are shielded inside this barrier, so, it really tests the students’ Mecha operation skills and psychological quality.

But Mu Jianling didn’t give the students time to prepare, she loudly commanded, "Everyone—ready!"