The Star Train's Journey Through the Heavens

Chapter 103: Waste Disposal on the Stars, the Development and Expansion of the Star Train

"Boss Bai is back!"

"The number of people is the same as when we left, not a single one is missing, that's great."

"Boss Bai, did it work?"

"..."

As soon as they returned to Dragon Bone Village, most of the villagers surrounded them, asking a barrage of questions.

Bai Yuekui looked around and nodded heavily amidst the expectant gazes of the villagers.

"Oh! That's great!"

The villagers cheered.

"Quiet down for a moment and listen to me." Bai Yuekui waited a moment to let the villagers vent their emotions before speaking.

"Although our Dragon Bone Village contributed to this operation, it was the nameless individuals like March 7th, Xing, Meng Huaifeng, and Ji Zi who truly resolved the Mana ecological crisis. Everyone must remember their names..."

"hero!"

"hero!"

"hero!"

"..."

Xing stood tall and accepted the villagers' praise.

"No need to exaggerate, everyone contributed," said March 7th somewhat shyly.

Meng Huaifeng was slightly stunned, a strong sense of accomplishment and satisfaction lingering in his chest. Is this what it feels like to become a savior?
Unlike in Belleburg where I was suppressed by the Silver Wolf and remained a bystander, this time the feeling was so clear and real.

No wonder the nameless beings left behind legends of extraterrestrial visitors saving the world in countless worlds.

Isn't this much better than those masked fools looking for amusement everywhere?

"Haha, this is also a kind of joy, little one."

A voice rang in Meng Huaifeng's ear, startling him.

"Who?!"

"What's wrong, Huaifeng?" Ji Zi asked with concern, seeing Meng Huaifeng suddenly become wary.

"It's nothing." Meng Huaifeng smiled wryly. Good heavens, they've really gotten on their nerves.

Since they can't do anything about Him anyway, they might as well pretend He doesn't exist.

"Let's have a banquet in the center of the village tonight to celebrate, and all the villagers should attend!" Bai Yuekui decided.

"I'm going to slaughter the pig I raised."

"I'm going to the field to pick some vegetables."

"I'll go and build up the stove."

"I still have some old-world wines hidden away; it's time to bring them out!"

"..."

"Everyone, do what you can afford. We still have to live our lives after today!" Meng Huaifeng shouted to the villagers.

"Haha, thank you for your concern, hero! We understand!" the villagers replied.

"I still have a lot of snacks in my storage space, I'll contribute those too," March 7th said, somewhat reluctantly.

I need to replenish my stock when I get back. Let me calculate how many days I have left before I go back... Hmm, maybe I should leave some behind?

"I think I still have a few soul beast meats in my space," Xing suddenly remembered.

"Why do you put everything into your spatial storage?" March 7th asked.

"What if we need it sometime?" Xing said matter-of-factly, "Look, it's useful right now, isn't it?"

"I can't even imagine how messy Xing's space must be," Meng Huaifeng thought of the things Xing had picked up from the trash can.

"Ew~" March 7th moved a few steps away from Xing and suddenly felt disgusted with Xing once again.

Xing said, feeling wronged, "My space is not messy at all."

"First, take out the soul beast meat and give it to the chef. We'll find a place for you to take everything out, and we'll tidy it up for you," Meng Huaifeng said.

The group arrived at the village square, where everyone in the pioneer team took out some food and supplies from their ticket storage to enrich the evening's feast.

On March 7th, Meng Huaifeng, Xing, and Zhu Zhuqing arrived at an empty house. Xing waved his hand, and a bunch of messy things appeared in the room.

"A fully automatic sweeper, broken? You didn't pick it up from the trash can, did you? Throw it away." March 7th picked up a broken sweeper first.

"Don't throw it away! I finally found it! It's only slightly damaged; it can be fixed and used again," Xing hurriedly stopped her.

"Then fix it."

"Do not have time."

"Let's just throw it away."

"Don't throw it away!"

"A stack of unsigned letters, are they addressed to you?" Meng Huaifeng asked.

"I took it from Belloberg's mailbox..."

"Why are you taking this out? It wasn't sent to you, just throw it away."

"No! Although I have never met the person who sent the letter, I have already considered him a close friend. His letter is full of philosophical insights."

"You even understand philosophy?"

"Understood."

No matter what Meng Huaifeng and San Yueqi took out, Xing could always give a reason why they couldn't throw it away.

"And what about this? It's a complete bag of garbage, surely we can throw this away?" March 7th glared at Star aggressively.

“We can’t throw this away either!” Xing objected.

"Reason!" March 7th asked through gritted teeth.

"It's not your average piece of trash."

"What kind of trash is that?"

"It's golden trash."

"Whoosh!" With a flick of his wrist, March 7 sent the golden trash flying out of the window.

"do not want!"

The next moment, Xing also flew out of the window.

Meng Huaifeng said to Zhu Zhuqing, "Zhuqing, go and stall Axing."

Meng Huaifeng and Sanyueqi exchanged a glance, then collected all of Xing's miscellaneous belongings. By the time Xing came looking for them, the two had already handed these items over to the old goods repair shop in Longgu Village.

"That's my treasure, give it back to me!" Xing pleaded pitifully with the owner of the secondhand repair shop.

"Ah? This, hero..." the boss hesitated.

Meng Huaifeng and March 7 hurriedly pulled Xing away.

“Ah Xing, think about it. Those things will never be of any use to you. But if you give them to Dragon Bone Village, they can continue to shine and contribute after they are repaired. That’s much more meaningful than having them with you,” Meng Huaifeng said earnestly.

"But……"

“I believe they also hope to be of use, rather than becoming someone’s collection, right, Ah Xing? If you really care about them, don’t hold them back,” March 7th advised.

"I……"

“Ah Xing, haven’t you always said they’re useful? Now that they’re really useful and have found a home, shouldn’t you be happy for them? Is your affection just lip service?” Meng Huaifeng continued.

"Don't say anymore! I understand." Xing's expression hardened, and she turned to the owner of the used goods repair shop, saying loudly, "Boss, you must treat them well and fix them properly! Next time I come, I'll go to the place where they were used to check on them!"

The boss stared blankly at Xing; this hero seemed a little off.

Behind Xing, Meng Huaifeng and Sanyueqi gave each other a high five.

"Let's go." Xing turned around reluctantly.

"Here, this is for you." Meng Huaifeng handed a silver trash can pendant to Xing.

His star-gold pupils visibly brightened.

"Really?" Xing asked in surprise.

“Of course, I modeled it myself and spent three months sculpting it,” Meng Huaifeng said.

"I never imagined that my first handicraft would be a trash can," March 7th complained.

"Thank you! I love it!"

……

As night fell, the square in the center of Longgu Village became more lively than ever before.

A huge bonfire was lit, illuminating the entire Dragonbone Village.

The pioneer team and the villagers of Longgu Village held hands, circled around the bonfire, and danced.

Then a burly man started singing songs from before the catastrophe, wailing and howling like ghosts, before the girls chased him away, and then Boss Bai took the stage to sing himself.

One dish after another was served on dozens of tables. With such abundant ingredients, the chefs of Longgu Village brought out their best culinary skills, creating dishes that were perfect in color, aroma, and taste.

After eating and drinking his fill, Xing stood on a table and vividly recounted his experiences in the Ape Vortex Space. Dozens of villagers surrounded him, occasionally letting out a gasp, providing Xing with emotional support.

On March 7th, amidst much persuasion from the crowd, he picked up the microphone and experienced what it's like to be a singer.

Xing and March 7th had become quite familiar with the people of Longgu Village, which is why the villagers were making such a fuss.

Meng Huaifeng, however, was engrossed in his studies and rarely appeared, making him seem aloof and unapproachable. Although people respected and were friendly to him, no one dared to tease him.

Meng Huaifeng was happy to have some peace and quiet, listening to the March 7th songs while enjoying the girls' casual dancing.

"Shall we chat?" Bai Yuekui asked, sitting down next to Meng Huaifeng.

"What does Boss Bai want to talk about?" Meng Huaifeng asked.

“Tell me about the situation in the universe,” Bai Yuekui said.

"Did you guess it?"

“I’m not an idiot. You didn’t say it outright, but you didn’t deliberately hide it either.” Bai Yuekui rolled her eyes. Putting everything else aside, some of the food and supplies they brought out tonight were things that didn’t exist on this planet, and the writing on the packaging was not any known language. “If you want to hear it, then I’ll tell you.” Meng Huaifeng introduced the basic situation of the Bengtie Universe to Bai Yuekui.

Sooner or later, the two universes will be connected, so it's good for her to know in advance and be mentally prepared.

“Intelligence… I always thought I was a genius, but I didn’t expect that I wasn’t. I haven’t even embarked on my destiny.” Bai Yuekui was somewhat discouraged.

"Haha." Meng Huaifeng couldn't help but laugh.

"What are you laughing at?" Bai Yuekui asked, somewhat displeased.

"There's no doubt you're a genius; it's just that your intellectual destiny hasn't extended this far yet," Meng Huaifeng said.

"Isn't the destiny you're talking about pervading the universe?" Bai Yuekui asked, somewhat puzzled.

“That was true before, but now it’s where our destiny extends, wherever we expand.” Meng Huaifeng couldn’t help but feel a little proud as he said this.

Bai Yuekui pondered, realizing that the Star Train might be even more powerful than he had imagined.

"Who do you think is behind Mana Ecology?" Bai Yuekui asked again.

"I really don't know. We're not from your universe, so we don't know how many civilizations or which forces exist there," Meng Huaifeng said, shrugging.

Bai Yuekui asked many questions, and Meng Huaifeng did not hide anything, speaking frankly and openly.

After a night of revelry, reality must still be faced.

With the Mana ecological solution resolved, Meng Huaifeng no longer stayed up all night studying technology and began to maintain a normal routine.

I spend half of my day studying and the other half running around with other people.

The pioneering team and the Awakeners collected supplies together several times and experienced what it's like to explore ruins.

The detectors in Longgu Village have detected a steady and continuous decrease in scarlet pigment in the outside air. It is estimated that in a few years, the outside ecosystem will be able to recover to the point where plants can grow.

The pioneering team also visited the other known settlements to inform Mana about the ecological resolution and the beginning of ecological recovery, including the lighthouse.

The three survival rules of the lighthouse were established for its continued existence. Now that the Mana ecosystem has been resolved, it is unknown how many more years it can be sustained, but it is foreseeable that it will be broken in the near future.

That person might be Mark, who experienced the Red Hair incident, or it might be someone else, but that doesn't matter.

More than ten days later, a train appeared out of nowhere and stopped outside Longgu Village.

The entire Longgu Village community came out to see the pioneering team off.

"The signal tower has been erected. If the mastermind attacks you again, you can contact us at any time, and we will come to help you solve the problem," Himeko said to Bai Yuekui.

Bai Yuekui held the phone that Ji Zi had given her; it already had all the members of the pioneering team as friends on it.

"Thank you. I will contact you if I can't handle it," Bai Yuekui said gratefully.

Himeko turned her gaze to Red Hair and Dawn: "So, are you going to stay in Dragonbone Village, or leave with us?"

Hongkou and Poxiao glanced at Bai Yuekui, took a deep breath, and said, "Miss Himeko, we hope to leave with you."

The two initially wanted to stay in Dragonbone Village and contribute to the world's recovery, but their conversation with Bai Yuekui changed their minds.

After the banquet that day, Bai Yuekui approached them.

"What is your relationship with the Starry Sky Train now?" Bai Yuekui asked bluntly.

“The Starry Sky Train has taken us in temporarily, saying that we can choose to get off at any time once we reach a safe place,” Hongkou said.

“If the train allows you to stay, I hope you can stay on the train,” Bai Yuekui said. Although Meng Huaifeng had told her that the train would not refuse anyone, she still found it hard to believe.

Is it really possible to join such a powerful force just because you want to?

"Why?" Hongkou asked, somewhat puzzled.

"Solving the Mana ecosystem problem is not the end. Behind it, there is still a mastermind, perhaps another more advanced civilization, or perhaps... a higher-dimensional being. Our world is not truly free from threats," Bai Yuekui said gravely.

"Does Boss Bai want us to desert our post?" Hongkou raised her eyebrows.

“No.” Bai Yuekui shook his head: “The Star Train is a good thing. It is a righteous and benevolent force. I believe that if we are in crisis, they will still be willing to lend a helping hand.”

"But that's not enough. What if they can't get away? What if there are other worlds that also need their help? What if they don't receive our distress call?"

"A relationship where one party gives cannot last forever. We can ask them for help once or twice, but can we ask them for help nine or ten times?"

"Therefore, I hope you can follow the train, see the vast world, and constantly become stronger. You are both our bond with the train and our strong support."

“I don’t want to keep bothering them, but I can keep in touch with you. I don’t know how many people are on the Star Train, or whether everyone is as kind to us as they are, but I’m sure you will come back to help when we are in crisis.”

“Go, not for you, not for me, but for our world.” Bai Yuekui gazed intently at the two of them.

Hongkou and Poxiao were deeply shaken.

"Why don't you go yourself?" Hongkou asked.

“Because I don’t trust this world. If I’m not here, and the mastermind behind the scenes intervenes again, can we hold out until the rescue?” Bai Yuekui said.

Perhaps she won't be able to hold on either, but if even she can't, then no one can.

“We understand,” Hongkou and Poxiao said.

……

"Oh? Can you tell me why?" Himeko asked, somewhat surprised.

Hongkou and Poxiao are not the kind of people who are eager to explore the unknown or look forward to and enjoy adventure.

In other words, they lacked the spirit of exploration.

Hongkou didn't lie; she told the truth: "To become stronger, and to protect my hometown for the future."

Such a righteous reason made it impossible for the train crew to refuse.

"Even if I die in one of my adventures?" Himeko asked.

“As warriors, we are not afraid to die.” Hongkou and Poxiao exchanged a glance.

“The train never refuses anyone,” Himeko said with a smile. “However, we also need to discuss something.”

The entire train crew gathered.

“Let’s vote,” Himeko said.

If the vote fails, they will just be ordinary passengers; if the vote succeeds, they will become future partners.

“Although I am not familiar with them, I agree with their determination to protect us,” Dan Heng said.

“Passenger Danheng is right, I agree, Pam,” Pam said.

In fact, as long as the person doesn't have a problem with their character, people generally won't refuse.

As for the lack of innovation, is that really a problem?
“We have no objection,” Meng Huaifeng and the other three said in unison.

Walter also voted in favor.

"Welcome to the Starry Sky Train." Himeko walked out and handed two golden tickets to the nervous Red Hair and Dawn.

"Thank you," the two said gratefully.

After bidding farewell to Bai Yuekui and the villagers of Longgu Village, everyone boarded the Starry Sky Train.

The Star Train started and soared into the sky. Hongkou and Poxiao looked out the window at the planet, which was a mix of ochre and sea blue, with a hint of longing and reluctance in their eyes.

"Hi, Sister Hongkou, Brother Poxiao, shall I show you around the train?" March 7th said enthusiastically, breaking their worries.

“Okay, that will be troublesome in March,” Hongkou said with a smile.

"By the way, you can keep these two gravity bodies yourselves." Meng Huaifeng took out two gravity bodies from his spatial storage.

“We can buy two more advanced mechs from the company, so we probably won’t need the gravity body anymore,” March 7th said.

Hongkou stroked the cold outer shell of the gravity body, a product of her hometown: "I'm still more used to gravity bodies."

“Then you must study hard and strive to improve the gravity body to be even stronger, so that you can keep up with your pace,” Walter said.

"So where should we start learning?" Hongkou also hopes that the gravity system of her hometown can continue to accompany her.

"Read these books first, and you'll have mastered the basics." Walter waved his hand, and a pile of books appeared in front of Red Hair.

"Basic Repair of Mechs", "Fundamentals of Power Arm Working Principles", "Fundamentals of Mech Power Systems"...

On March 7th, looking at the pile of books, even though they weren't for me, I still felt a chill run down my spine. It was terrifying!

“We will study hard!” Hongkou and Poxiao said firmly.

Regardless of how well they progress in their studies, at least their attitude towards learning is very positive.

Walter nodded in satisfaction: "You can ask me if you don't understand."

Walter was confident that he was an expert in the field of mecha.

On March 7th, I suddenly realized something.

Dan Heng spends all his time in the think tank, Meng Huaifeng is also currently obsessed with editing, and although Zhu Zhuqing no longer needs to cultivate soul power, the school education in Dragon Bone Village has opened a new door for her. She is either cultivating soul skills or studying textbook knowledge on her own.

The newly joined Sister Hongkou and Brother Poxiao seem to be starting to learn about mechanics as well, while Uncle Yang and Sister Jizi are also very knowledgeable.

broken!

The only two underachievers left are myself and Xing!
What should I do? Should I learn something myself?

What to study?
"March, didn't you say you'd show us around the train? Let's go." Hongkou awkwardly stored the gravity object and books into her ticket space and said to March 7.

"Oh, oh, let's go," March 7 said absentmindedly.

"Sister Hongkou, are you choosing one room or two? Don't choose two, it's a bit of a waste of space," Meng Huaifeng teased.

Facing the gazes of the crowd, Hong Kou blushed slightly, but still declared confidently, "One room!"

Then, they fled in panic, dragging the absent-minded March 7th and the delighted Dawn along with them.

"What's wrong with March?" Danheng asked, looking at March 7's lifeless back.

"I don't know, it just suddenly went limp," Xing said, somewhat puzzled.

"Excuse me, excuse me, Pam." Pam swept the floor to the ground where everyone was standing.

“Ah Xing, I remember you lost ten days of duty.” Meng Huaifeng suddenly said.

"Huh?" Xing was stunned for a moment, then regretted it immensely, "I should have kept that robot vacuum!"

"Train conductor, leave it to me!" Wishful thinking admitted defeat.

“It’s rare for a Star passenger to be so diligent. It would be even better if you could decorate your room soon, Pam.” Pam handed the broom to Star with satisfaction.

　I will restore the Star Train to its former glory!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)