Game: Civilization Paradise

"Ah, do I have to wear this? Can I skip it?"

Long Ming asked, looking at the tight-fitting training suit.

"The effect won’t be as good if you don’t. This training suit is also called a Neuron-Link Suit; it assists with neural connection. If you really don’t want to wear it, that’s fine too. You can just do it naked."

Windsor explained to Long Ming.

"Never mind. I’ll wear it."

Hearing this, Long Ming decisively gave in.

"I’ll wait for you outside, then."

Windsor walked out.

「A few minutes later.」

Long Ming emerged, having changed into the tight training suit.

Windsor looked at Long Ming’s muscular physique and said with a smile.

"Mr. Long Ming, you have a great figure!"

"Ahem. It’s average."

"How does it feel? Are you getting used to it?"

"It’s a little awkward, but it’s okay!"

"That’s good. Follow me. We’re going to the mech operations area. I’ll teach you some precautions for getting into the mech, as well as some warm-up techniques. Later, I’ll make adjustments based on your learning progress."

Windsor told Long Ming with great professionalism.

Long Ming was very satisfied after hearing Windsor’s plan. ’One-on-one really is the best. No need to wait in line for training.’

Soon, Windsor led Long Ming to the training grounds.

He was greeted by the sight of fifty metal platforms, each holding a V3 Standard Mechanical God: Destroyer.

"The Destroyer?"

Long Ming was slightly surprised.

"That’s right. Basically all training grounds use the Destroyer for training. It’s mainly because this Mechanical God’s performance is relatively balanced. While it has no outstanding strengths, it has no real weaknesses either."

Windsor patiently explained to Long Ming.

"Oh."

Long Ming nodded slightly.

...

「Meanwhile, in the spacious lounge area.」

A stunningly beautiful girl with a slim, oval face, slightly flushed skin, and curly pink hair was chatting with a few other female trainees. She was wearing a silver, tight-fitting training suit.

"Joey, where did you get your hair done? It looks so pretty."

"Of course. I spent a full 2,000 Star Coins on this hair."

"WOW."

...

The male trainees nearby would sneak glances at Joey from time to time.

Just then, Qian Lan walked in, wearing a form-fitting training suit.

Instantly, everyone in the lounge, including the waiting trainees, fixed their eyes on Qian Lan. The tight training suit perfectly outlined her incredible figure.

"Qian Lan, you’re here."

A slightly chubby young man with a round, wealthy-looking face said with a cheerful smile.

Qian Lan glanced at Kasi and replied calmly.

"Mhm."

"Are you free after training? I’d like to treat you to a meal. I heard a new restaurant opened on Moonlight Street that’s really good."

Kasi invited eagerly.

"No, thank you."

Qian Lan refused him outright.

Seeing everyone’s attention drawn to Qian Lan, Joey was fuming.

She had been the most popular trainee in this group, but ever since Qian Lan arrived, her spotlight had been completely stolen.

She reached down and pulled the zipper on her chest down a little, revealing more of her cleavage.

’It might not compare to Qian Lan’s, but it’s not bad either.’

She walked over to Qian Lan’s side with a big smile and said enthusiastically.

"Qian Lan, you’re here."

"Mhm."

"Want to try getting in a mech together later?"

"No, I can’t. My physical fitness isn’t up to par yet, so I can’t operate a mech."

Qian Lan replied, shaking her head.

"It’s fine. My boyfriend will be here soon. I can have him give you some pointers. His skills are amazing."

Joey said to Qian Lan with great magnanimity.

Hearing Joey’s words, Qian Lan’s expression became a little unnatural. She was just about to say something.

Just then, a roguish-looking young man with a small ponytail and a floral shirt walked over.

When Joey saw the young man, she waved happily.

"Vid Fen!"

"Hey, babe!"

Seeing Joey wave, Vid Fen walked over with a wide grin.

Joey pulled Vid Fen over and introduced him to Qian Lan.

"This is my boyfriend, Vid Fen. He’s an executive at the Iron Curtain Guild, and he even has his own V3 Mechanical God."

"WOW, isn’t the Iron Curtain Guild a Tier-3 guild?"

"And he has his own V3 Mechanical God!"

"That’s so amazing."

...

The people present discussed among themselves with envy.

Although everyone present was a ’seed’ cultivated by their families and would likely have their own V3 Mechanical God in the future, there was still a big difference between ’might have’ and ’already has’.

"Mhm."

Qian Lan replied noncommittally.

"Vid Fen, this is Miss Qian Lan. Give her some pointers later."

Joey immediately said to Vid Fen.

At that moment, Vid Fen’s eyes lit up as he gazed at Qian Lan. His eyes remained fixed on her chest as he said with a broad smile.

"No problem. Piece of cake!"

"No, thank you. My physical fitness isn’t up to standard yet. I’m going to go train!"

Annoyed that Vid Fen was staring at her chest, Qian Lan pulled her zipper up a bit and turned to leave.

’These people are insane, coming here just to show off in front of me.’

’All I want is to quietly learn how to operate a Mechanical God.’

As Vid Fen watched Qian Lan’s departing figure, a smile of relish spread across his face.

Seeing Qian Lan walk away dejectedly, Joey’s face filled with a triumphant expression,

But when she saw that Vid Fen was completely mesmerized, she kicked him in a fit of anger.

"Still looking!"

"OW, OW, OW!"

...

「A moment later.」

Qian Lan walked towards the training area, her spirits low. Ever since Mountain City Mountain had joined the Star Alliance.

Her situation had truly plummeted. Not only did she face setbacks everywhere, but she was also constantly harassed and targeted.

The problem was that her grandfather and father had explicitly warned her never to stir up trouble within the Star Alliance and to avoid conflict as much as possible. Otherwise, with her old temper, she would have retorted long ago.

And just then, Qian Lan inadvertently saw a familiar figure ahead of her, stretching and limbering up.

Qian Lan froze on the spot, murmuring to herself.

"Long Ming?"

Qian Lan quickly rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn’t seeing things.

She looked again and again. The more she looked, the more certain she felt, but she still couldn’t be positive. ’What if it’s just someone who looks similar?’

With a nervous heart, Qian Lan walked forward and tentatively called out.

"Long Ming?"

"Qian Lan?"

Hearing someone call his name, Long Ming turned his head and replied with some surprise.

"It really is you! You’re not dead!"

Qian Lan replied, overjoyed.

"Er, no, I’m not dead."

An awkward expression appeared on Long Ming’s face.

"This is truly unbelievable. If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I wouldn’t have believed it."

"Haha!"

"Long Ming, since we’ve finally met again, let’s find a place to talk, okay?"

Qian Lan replied excitedly.

"Sure!"

Long Ming nodded.

"Wait for me a second."

Qian Lan quickly ran over to a nearby vending machine.

Long Ming smiled as he watched her back. ’I can’t believe I ran into her here.’

「A few minutes later.」

Long Ming and Qian Lan were sitting on a lounge bench.

Qian Lan handed a drink to Long Ming.

"Here!"

"Thanks."

Long Ming opened the drink and took a sip.