General Xu Wants to See You

Mother and brother had done many things wrong, so it was only natural that Xu Lingqu wouldn't want to go back. Still, the thought of being apart for a few days left Xu Xiqin feeling a bit regretful.

"Then we'll meet after the holidays?" Xu Lingqu waved at them. "I'll just stroll around the school a bit."

"What's there to see in school?" Jin was puzzled.

"The infirmary's worth a look." Training still had to be done—coming to school didn't mean stopping. The infirmary here definitely had better facilities than that shabby training base, and she couldn't wait to check it out.

Xu Lingqu's obsession with the infirmary was truly something.

"Oh, right. The students eliminated today are leaving, and a few of them want to see you," Jin recalled, remembering he still had a message to deliver. He quickly added.

"See me?" Xu Lingqu raised an eyebrow.

Since she was heading to the infirmary anyway, she might as well meet them. She led Liu Ming downstairs, where a few eliminated students approached, both male and female.

"Um... Commander Xu." The one in the lead had a red face and stammered, "We're all from non-combat specialties."

Xu Lingqu nodded. "What's the matter?"

"You're—you're really amazing. The rest of us, we almost couldn't take it halfway through the trial period, but seeing how persistent you were, we stuck it out too." The leader was getting emotional. "Even though we were ultimately eliminated—maybe we really don't have much talent—but... we might not be good at analysis or command, but we do know a thing or two about trash-talking!"

The people behind her chimed in: "Exactly! If you don't get named Best Commander for this year's military academy league, we'll make sure the organizers know what it means to be forum trolls on the Sky Network!"

"That's right, Commander. I once held my own 1v10 on the Sky Network forums—you can check my record. For this league, just go ahead and have fun toying with the other schools!"

Xu Lingqu: "...Thanks, everyone."

Once they were gone, Xu Lingqu led Liu Ming towards the infirmary. Liu Ming was a bit taken aback: "Are these all fans you've gathered out there?"

"...I didn't gather them." Xu Lingqu glanced at the infirmary. The one at the school was much larger, with far more sophisticated equipment. Doctor Li had probably left for the holidays, though—she didn't see her, or she might have said hello.

Having seen what she wanted, Xu Lingqu led Liu Ming back. Xu Xiqin, who was about to leave, was helping her adjust the cocoon pod for connecting to the Sky Network.

"Sister, all you need to do is connect your smart device to this interface to verify your info, or just go in and authenticate directly. Sit in it, fill the slot with nutrient solution, and you'll be linked to the Sky Network."

She had promised to help Xu Lingqu set this up, but unfortunately she couldn't accompany her for her first time entering the Sky Network.

"Also, I transferred some star coins to your smart device account—don't forget to accept them." Xu Xiqin reminded her. "You must accept them; this is... what's rightfully yours."

"Xiqin, thank you." Xu Lingqu looked at the girl bustling around and said solemnly.

"No need to thank me; it's what I should do." Xu Xiqin stood up and grabbed her luggage. The people sent by the Xu family were already waiting at the door to pick her up.

Xu Lingqu checked her smart device—Xu Xiqin had transferred 100,000 star coins. That was a considerable amount given the Interstellar Empire's prices.

Although Lady Catherine and Xu Youwen doted on Xu Xiqin, they didn't allow her to spend lavishly, since they had arranged for the best things and given them directly to her. She had little disposable income; she might have given it all to Xu Lingqu.

Just then, the door opened again, and Xu Xiqin came back.

"Sister, can I have a hug?" She was rarely shy, her ears turning slightly red.

Xu Lingqu nodded. "Sure."

—

After the hug, Xu Xiqin bounced away cheerfully. Liu Ming, who had already perched on top of the Sky Network cocoon pod, urged, "Master Lingqu, hurry up and try connecting!"

"Why are you so eager?" Xu Lingqu raised an eyebrow.

"Just try it—you'll see!"

Urged by Liu Ming, Xu Lingqu initiated her first connection to the interstellar Sky Network. Following the instructions, she used her smart device to verify her identity and sat inside the pod. A sensation akin to an out-of-body experience washed over her.

Her consciousness plunged into darkness for a moment, then rapidly dropped into a dim blue space.

[Please set your appearance.]

White text floated before Xu Lingqu's eyes. She reached out a hand to touch it, and the line quickly dissolved, revealing behind it three massive closets lined with various outfits. A mere point of her finger would make the clothes automatically drift onto her body.

She could also adjust her facial features by pinching and pulling with her hands.

If she didn't want to bother, there were two skip options:

1. Use default appearance.

2. Use verified appearance from smart device.

Xu Lingqu decisively chose 1. Her whole body lifted into the air, a beam of white light flew into her palm, and then she plummeted until her feet touched a street.

This was the interstellar Sky Network—even more fantastical, grand, and splendid than reality.

Xu Lingqu stared at the bizarre architecture around her, the flying vehicles that careened recklessly, and the humans who could be knocked flying 100 meters without harm, and fell silent.

The default appearance was the most ordinary, generic face.

A small youth with striking white hair suddenly appeared beside Xu Lingqu. "You don't look good like that."

Xu Lingqu turned her head. "?"

"I'm Liu Ming!" Liu Ming laughed. "What do you think? Didn't expect I could be human, did you?"

"So that's why you urged me to connect?" Xu Lingqu looked at Liu Ming, who had gained human limbs but walked with complete awkwardness.

"The essence of us three SSS-class mechs is nothing but three supercomputers assembled together," Liu Ming said. "Following you, I can change forms freely on the Sky Network." As he spoke, he quickly transformed into a white dot of light that landed on Xu Lingqu's hand and turned into a ring.

He could switch back and forth a hundred times without getting bored.

"So what's your situation outside? Is your Samoyed life-form also in a state of out-of-body?" Xu Lingqu asked.

"Mm-hmm, pretty much. It's like a puppy stopping breathing, because I can't control it anymore. Once you go out and take me with you, it'll be fine," Liu Ming changed back into the silver-haired youth. "Anyway, there's no one else in your dorm now, so don't worry—no one will mistake you for having killed a puppy."

Xu Lingqu found it both speechless and amusing, but she let it go. At least now she could experience this interstellar Sky Network.

But sometimes, whether human or dog, master or servant, one shouldn't tempt fate so casually.

The smart device connected to the dormitory's door security system sent her a notification via the Sky Network that someone was ringing the doorbell.

Xu Lingqu had to exit the Sky Network, opened the door, and found a person she hadn't seen in a long time.

Lady Gina looked grim. "General Xu wants to see you."