The original plan had been simple.
Make a trip to the IPC, represent the project, and negotiate the matter of the Panacea.
The journey to the Xianzhou had only been a spontaneous decision.
It hadn't even been part of the original itinerary.
Even so, if everything had gone smoothly, the trip should have been finished quickly and they would have returned to Celestial Sky City.
Instead—
This journey had become far more complicated than expected.
The gains were great.
But the costs and burdens were equally heavy.
The answers they found had only created more questions.
Lin Yi was eager to return to Celestial Sky City and organize everything he had learned.
He walked over to a lounge chair and collapsed onto it.
At that moment, Dongfang Qiqing approached.
"Sir, there is still one item remaining on the itinerary."
"We were supposed to go to Autran and collect the Stellaron there for research and display."
"Cancel it."
Lin Yi waved his hand.
"Right now I don't want to do anything."
"I just want to go home and lie down."
"If I remember it next time we go out, we'll do it then."
"If I forget—then forget it."
"Besides…"
"Compared to a Stellaron, I'd much rather watch Elio rewrite his scripts."
"That's far more entertaining than studying a boring Stellaron."
"Understood."
Dongfang Qiqing nodded.
But she hesitated slightly.
"Say it."
"If it's not too unreasonable, I'll agree."
"Well…"
"Mr. Lin Yi…"
"Can I accompany you on future trips?"
"No."
Lin Yi shook his head immediately.
"If you leave, who's going to manage all the trivial matters of the space city?"
But then he paused.
Even when she had been working remotely without fully understanding the situation…
Dongfang Qiqing had still handled the administrative work better than both him and Zhuxing combined.
Clearly—
Different people had different strengths.
Professionals should handle professional tasks.
And honestly…
Having a walking wallet along during trips seemed pretty convenient.
Lin Yi changed his answer.
"Well…"
"As long as it doesn't interfere with the affairs of Celestial Sky City…"
"And the trip isn't dangerous…"
"Then you can come along."
"Things like travel, banquets, or casual academic discussions with other geniuses."
"For those, you can follow me like Zhuxing does."
"Really?! That's great!"
Dongfang Qiqing jumped excitedly.
All of her earlier composure vanished instantly.
Lin Yi raised an eyebrow.
"Why are you so excited?"
Dongfang Qiqing replied honestly.
"Because it feels like…"
"All the experiences I had in my previous life combined…"
"Still aren't as incredible as this single trip."
Lin Yi chuckled.
"Well, of course."
What he didn't say was—
Not every trip would involve so many ridiculous incidents.
For once, Lin Yi didn't transfer his consciousness back remotely.
Instead, he stayed aboard the Radiant Ship, quietly watching the brilliant starry sky.
Dongfang Qiqing stood nearby.
After standing for a while, she gave up and pulled over a chair to lie down as well.
Several drinks sat beside them.
The ship's AI automatically adjusted the simulated sunlight.
Gradually—
Lin Yi fell asleep.
...
Time passed slowly.
Eventually—
They arrived at Celestial Sky City.
Lin Yi stretched lazily.
"Huh."
"I actually fell asleep."
"That's rare."
"But… it felt pretty nice."
Dongfang Qiqing jolted awake when she heard movement.
She quickly fixed her sleeping posture and stood up.
Then she unconsciously stretched as well.
Stretching and yawning were contagious.
No one came to greet them.
After all—
This was their own home.
Why would anyone need to welcome them?
Actually…
Someone did come.
Zhuxing.
Lin Yi waved.
"Zhuxing, you're here."
"So?"
"Anything unusual happen?"
Zhuxing had a lollipop in her mouth.
"No."
"Teacher, your fishing plan failed."
"Mm."
Lin Yi began walking into the space city.
While walking, he asked Zhuxing about various matters.
Suddenly, Zhuxing pulled the lollipop out of her mouth.
"Oh right."
"I almost forgot."
"This might count as something unusual."
She opened a holographic screen.
It showed the results of her analysis.
"I found this lollipop in my room."
"I don't know who put it there."
"It's extremely sweet."
"And no matter how much I eat…"
"It never gets smaller."
"So this probably counts as an anomaly?"
Lin Yi flicked her forehead.
"Bonk."
"You knew it was an anomaly and you still ate it?!"
Zhuxing quickly put the lollipop back in her mouth and covered her head.
"Teacher, you're wronging me!"
"I already analyzed it!"
"It's edible and harmless."
"And it's really sweet."
Lin Yi sighed.
"…Fine."
"That counts as an anomaly."
"But harmless or low-risk anomalies like this?"
"Just classify them as Aha's doing."
"You know the anomalies I'm asking about aren't things like prank lollipops."
Zhuxing shook her head.
"Then there are no anomalies."
Lin Yi became serious.
"Have we finished calculating the direct losses from the Light Arrow Incident?"
Zhuxing answered immediately.
"The ring megastructure collapsed due to overload."
"All 27 planetary annihilation cannons mounted on it are completely destroyed."
"The ring itself suffered 37% structural damage, though the core components remain repairable."
"Three autonomous escort ships were affected."
"One disintegrated."
"One detonated."
"One suffered severe damage and is still under repair."
Lin Yi frowned.
"I understand the ring collapsing."
"But why did the escort ships suffer such different levels of damage?"
Zhuxing replied,
"I found scalpel marks on the remaining ship's hull."
Lin Yi thought for a moment.
"Polka?"
"…Probably not."
"If those marks appeared inside the space city, I'd believe it was her."
"But she shouldn't be bored enough to come dismantle my ships for fun."
"Forget it."
"Put it on the task board."
"Reward: 15 points."
"We'll adjust the reward later if necessary."
"Yes, teacher."
Lin Yi continued.
"Purchase more planet-destroying battleships."
"No limit."
Zhuxing nodded.
"Before you returned, I already ordered 3,000 standard models."
"137 have already been delivered."
"They are hidden in phase space to reinforce the city's defenses."
"The remaining ships will arrive within one year."
"Using your words—"
"This is called firepower insufficiency anxiety."
Zhuxing added,
"I also ordered a Limited Collector's Edition Luxury Planet-Destroying Battleship."
"But they said it's out of stock."
"It might take three years before delivery."
She looked disappointed.
But her eyes were clearly begging Lin Yi.
She obviously loved that ship.
Lin Yi tapped her forehead.
"Alright."
"Stop pretending."
"I authorize you to use my name to demand priority delivery."
He paused.
"Wait… where did you get that much money?"
"…Oh."
"Never mind."
Right.
I forgot the walking wallet is already here.
Lin Yi had been about to ask Zhuxing where the money came from.
Then he remembered the person standing next to him—
Dongfang "Wallet" Qiqing.
Lin Yi quickly changed the topic.
"Continue reporting the losses…"
He paused.
"Actually—don't report them to me."
"Give the data to Dongfang Qiqing later."
"Let her compile everything."
He suddenly slapped his forehead.
Right.
They had just recruited Dongfang Qiqing on this trip.
Since they'd already brought her back—
She might as well start working immediately.