CHAPTER 402: CHAPTER 402: REAL PAUPER

Ji You fell silent for a moment and said, "Recently, I’ve been trying to contact Brother Ryan every day, but I haven’t received any response."

As soon as Ji You said this, a visible disappointment flashed through Xie Lingzhi’s eyes on the opposite side of the holographic screen. Ji You immediately added, "Sister Lingzhi, don’t overthink it. Brother Ryan is a retired soldier with strong capabilities. He had seriously said before leaving that he was leaving to accomplish something, and might not be able to keep in touch all the time. Therefore, there must be a special reason why Brother Ryan hasn’t responded to our messages."

Xie Lingzhi replied, "What is it that takes several months to do without contacting the outside world?"

When dialing Ryan’s contact number, it showed it was out of the service area.

It is known that there are a total of six star systems in the Alliance, and the coverage of the Star Network also extends over all territories of the Alliance. Moreover, the Star Network is also connected with regions like the Galaxy Empire, Blue Light United States, etc. It can be said that the communication networks are interconnected among the eight star systems currently occupied by humans.

Yet, Ryan is out of the service area, there are only three possibilities: either, Ryan has canceled his Star Network account. Or, something happened to Ryan, perhaps he died, and the Star Network system automatically canceled his personal information based on his life signs. Other than these two, there is a third possibility, that Ryan is in a location truly uncovered by the network or is blocked.

If the signal cannot cover, it means that the person has left the range of the eight major star systems occupied by humans.

What about the signal being blocked? Important military fortresses, strategic bases, and places related to national defense of the Alliance, to avoid the leakage of important military information, will actively block signals. For example, Taoyuan Space Station where Ji You previously stayed is such a place, because of its unique location, it was unable to connect with the Star Network and could only connect to the base’s internal network.

...

Which of the above situations does Ryan belong to?

In a fleeting thought, Xie Lingzhi had pondered a lot, and her facial expression became more and more solemn.

Ji You quickly said, "Sister Lingzhi, anyway, let’s not overthink it. You know how strong Brother Ryan is; I don’t believe he would run into trouble. He must be unable to get on the Star Network, which is why he hasn’t contacted us."

However, Ji You and Xie Lingzhi both knew that over three months had passed, but trying to contact Ryan all this time felt like casting stones into the ocean. It was simply impossible not to worry.

After hearing this, Xie Lingzhi rubbed her forehead, saying, "I hope so."

Ji You chuckled and reassured, "Look at what you’re saying, we have to have faith in Brother Ryan! Remember how he slaughtered a level 4 Star Beast without even blinking an eye, effortlessly. It was only after I entered school, joined the Combat Department, and personally operated a Mecha that I truly realized Ryan’s strength. When I went to Taoyuan Space Station for special training with my classmates, we encountered a lone level 4 Star Beast. Along with my nine top-performing classmates, including Chu Jiaojiao, Shen Changqing, and Yue Qiguang, we collaborated and barely managed to kill this level 4 beast. But Brother Ryan? His demeanor and composure when facing a level 4 Star Beast, I’ve only seen it from our Combat Department’s teacher, Mu Jianling."

After a slight pause, Ji You continued, "Not only is Brother Ryan powerful, but we also know his character, how he conducts himself – he’s not some reckless youngster. He’ll definitely be careful on his own."

Xie Lingzhi raised her hand, stroked her forehead again, and softly said, "Mmm."

Seeing her exhausted appearance, Ji You quickly advised, "Sister Lingzhi, if you keep rubbing your forehead, you’ll rub it flat. You should go rest a bit, we can talk more after you’ve had some sleep."

Xie Lingzhi gave her a sideways glance and retorted, "...Your forehead will be flat, not just your forehead but your whole head is flat."

Ji You touched her own round head and grinned, "...Not flat."

Xie Lingzhi: "..."

Xie Lingzhi waved her hand and said, "All right, I’m hanging up."

After the call ended, Ji You was also very tired. She had spent a huge amount of money purchasing the Body Building Technique from Teacher Mu Jianling, and it took a huge toll on both body and mind, rendering Ji You unable to do anything but honestly go to sleep.

A dreamless night.

The next day.

Ji You woke up an hour early and went for a run. She ran in her usual rhythm, but for some reason, she felt lighter than before today.

A subtle change, not noticeable at first so Ji You didn’t realize it initially, but after she finished one loop and checked the timer, she found that her speed was five minutes faster than before.

Don’t underestimate these five minutes. Ji You needed an hour to run four laps, and no matter how many times she tried, she never managed to reduce the time.

Unexpectedly, today she easily shaved off five minutes without even trying.

Ji You quietly noted this in her heart and then started on her second lap.

During the second lap, due to the consumption of physical strength and energy, she only managed to be three minutes faster.

The third lap was faster by one minute.

By the fourth lap, Ji You’s speed did not improve further, it was just the usual.

Thus, over four laps, Ji You was faster by a total of nine minutes.

Nine minutes might not seem much, but it was enough to surprise Ji You, and it wasn’t just about the speed boost; normally after running four laps, Ji You would be panting and barely able to stand...

But this time, she only felt a bit out of breath and did not experience that awful discomfort.

What does this mean?

It means her physical strength has improved.

Ji You was so delighted she almost jumped for joy, when suddenly Sheng Qingyan appeared beside her, currently running his fourth lap but looking sloppy and laid-back as if boneless, not serious at all.

However, the distance Ji You covered in one hour, Sheng Qingyan finished in just 28 minutes, effortlessly looking so effortless.

Ji You’s joy vanished instantly.

Some people exhaust all their efforts to achieve something, but others just need to lift a finger to effortlessly get it—it’s just so unfair.

People can really kill your vibe.

After finishing, Sheng Qingyan came over to Ji You while yawning, urging her: "Hey, you moneyless creature, be my witness, huh? I haven’t received today’s allowance yet, if it’s delayed even by a second, old man Sheng will find an excuse to dock my allowance again. Hurry up, that old man is really unreasonable."

Ji You: "..."

Ji You retorted: "Unworthy descendant."

Sheng Qingyan urged: "Hurry up, don’t dawdle."

Considering he was her free chauffeur, Ji You didn’t make it hard for him and quickly provided the proof.

Sheng Qingyan immediately submitted the proof to Grandpa Sheng, and in less than a few seconds, the allowance from Grandpa Sheng was transferred over. Ji You curiously peeked and saw that it was only 1500 credit points.

Ji You chuckled and said, "Poor creature!"

Being a self-funded student, 1500 credit points were only enough for one day’s meals of natural food. It’s truly—pitifully poor.