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The night he received the Star Coins, Qu Tong went to the Underground Fighting Arena alone.

It was already very late, and the Underground Fighting Arena—an expansive open area—didn't close, but it was empty because of the late hour.

This suited Qu Tong just fine.

He went to the place where he had seen the mecha that day. The display case was self-service and still there even when the store was closed.

Inside the display case was a ring-like Space Button with black and silver patterns, simple and unadorned.

The Space Button was secured inside the display case to prevent theft.

Qu Tong extended a finger to gently trace the silver pattern on the surface of the ring, slowly channeling his spiritual power into it, summoning the mecha as he had learned from the virtual warehouse before.

Fifteen minutes passed…

The Space Button showed no response.

Beads of fine sweat appeared on Qu Tong's forehead. He sighed lightly, realizing that he, with his spiritual power not fully restored, had not achieved the strength of an SSS-rank.

Just as Qu Tong was about to withdraw his spiritual power, the Space Button flashed with a streak of silver light.

The next second, the area that had shown a 3D projection was suddenly replaced by a silver, dazzling mecha.

The real mecha was far more stunning than a 3D projection—tall, mighty, with smooth and refined lines. Qu Tong's slender, fair fingertips lightly brushed it, unable to let go.

Whoever designed this mecha must be a genius to have made every part of it so perfect.

Qu Tong paid 10 million Star Coins, deactivating the infrared security of the display case, and the lock on the Space Button was also opened.

He put the mecha back into the Space Button and left the Underground Fighting Arena.

*

The next day, when the shop owner opened for business and made it a habit to check outside the door.

Noticing that the neighboring display case wasn't projecting as usual, he wondered if the Energy Stone had run out.

Already? These machines aren't power-hungry, after all; they should last four or five decades without issues.

Upon closer inspection, it seemed like something was missing.

He rubbed his eyes and looked again. Indeed, something was missing!

Ah! The mecha is gone!

The shop owner, grabbing his head and slapping his thighs in frustration, only belatedly thought to check his account balance.

Tens, hundreds… ten million, ten million.

He patted his chest in relief. So, it wasn't stolen after all, someone had taken it away.

Hmm?

It was taken away! Taken away!!!

After his initial shock, the shop owner quickly activated his light-computer to send a message to Si Yuting, who was far away on Abel Star:

[General, the mecha you left here has been bought!]

Si Yuting, who was at the training ground, saw the message and his pupils flickered slightly as he typed on the virtual keyboard: [Send me the security footage.]

Oh right, the security footage!

The shop owner pulled up the security footage, watched it himself first, and when he saw in the footage that it was the same young girl from the other day, he was somewhat incredulous.

With indescribable feelings, the shop owner extracted that segment of the security video and sent it to Si Yuting.

After watching it, Si Yuting's eyes darkened, as cold as the midnight stars, and he seemed to ponder something important.

It was somewhat surprising, yet it also seemed to make sense.

Not long ago, Gong Yun had told him about Jun Li's situation in the Underground Fighting Arena.

Seeing no reply for a long time, the shop owner couldn't contain his curiosity and asked: "General, do you recognize this girl? When did a genius with an SSS-physique appear on Capital Star?"

"I do," replied Si Yuting, not denying it, then added a warning, "Don't spread this around for now."

*

Qu Tong checked his schedule for the next few days, deciding he needed to return to Luyi Star.

Between the competition and travel time, it had been nearly a month.

The energy plants on the planet are still not large in scale, so they can't be left unattended for long periods of time.

She requested leave from her instructor that very day, and the instructor was very agreeable and didn't deliberately make things difficult for her.

After telling Xu An and the butler, she piloted the flying vehicle back to Luyi Star.

By the time she arrived at Luyi Star, it wasn't dark yet.

Her residence had been rebuilt, and the flying vehicle could be parked directly on the villa's built-in landing pad, which was extremely convenient.

There were three small western-style buildings, the one in the middle had four floors, and the two flanking it had three floors each, under the apple tree in the yard lay an old man.

Old Yuan had a straw hat covering his face, rocking in his recliner leisurely and comfortably.

He didn't stir even with Qu Tong's return, as if he were asleep.

A twitch formed at the corner of Qu Tong's mouth; he really had come here to retire.

Qu Tong approached, removing the hat from Elder Yuan's face.

"Yo! I was sleeping."

Elder Yuan hummed and hawed but didn't open his eyes.

Seeing this, Qu Tong hooked the corner of her mouth and braced against one corner of the chair, giving it a spin.

Immediately, Elder Yuan's trembling screams could be heard.

When Elder Yuan was nearly dizzy, Qu Tong finally stepped on the armrest to stop the chair.

"So, tell me, how did you get in?"

She had asked Xu An to house Elder Yuan in a room next to Xiang Bin, and she didn't authorize him to enter her yard; she had covered the whole yard and the hill behind it with an isolation shield, and without her permission, entry was not allowed.

"My apprentice, my head feels dizzy," Elder Yuan changed the subject, avoiding a direct answer.

Qu Tong raised an eyebrow; he was still pretending.

"Really? Do you want me to throw you out to clear your head?"

"That won't be necessary." Elder Yuan quickly got up from the chair, his smile sycophantic: "Apprentice, the plants you're growing here are extraordinary, staying in this yard makes me feel revitalized in body and mind."

Qu Tong said nothing, just looked at him coolly.

"If you let me live here, I'll tell you the bug in the isolation shield," Elder Yuan offered a deal.

Qu Tong pursed her lips and remained silent.

"No response means consent, you know."

Then Elder Yuan pointed out the flaws in the isolation shield and her security layout, and offered to help reinforce them.

Qu Tong refused, directly contacting Zhongyuan Company's customer service.

Elder Yuan rolled his eyes in anger: "Ungrateful pup."

Qu Tong was utterly unmoved and busied herself with setting permissions on her light computer.

Elder Yuan sneezed, muttering to himself, "Which bastard is talking behind my back again!"

*

At the Lan Family on Capital Star.

Lan Jianghong sat at the head of the table, veins bulging on his forehead, cursing vehemently: "It's actually that old codger Yuan Hewen!"

No wonder there had been repeated conflicts with the Alchemist Association; it turns out he also took in a disciple of no small strength.

"Wasn't Yuan Hewen dealt with by Father..." Lan Yuanhui asked with lingering fear.

Lan Jianghong's face darkened with ruthlessness: "Who knows what fortune that old thing stumbled upon, but even if his spiritual power is restored, so what? Do those two really think they can take on the entire Alchemist Association?"

"Father is right," Lan Yuanhui brown-nosed.

A flash of dissatisfaction crossed Lan Jianghong's eyes; both his sons had mediocre talents, but fortunately, his grandchildren were promising.

"Keep watching them; they dared to harm my son, sooner or later they will pay the price," Lan Jianghong instructed.

Then he said to Lan Xingye, who hadn't been talking much: "Prepare well for the military competition, graduate as soon as possible. If that Qu girl isn't up to it, just switch; she's not the only one with high reproductive value, don't keep failing every damn day."

"Understood, Grandfather." Lan Xingye complied obediently, though he didn't seem to be in a great mood.

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