Game: Civilization Paradise

「The next morning.」

Long Ming stretched as he walked down the stairs.

"Good morning, Long Ming. Come have some breakfast."

Xiaoqi called out to Long Ming as he came down.

"Okay!"

Long Ming nodded and walked over.

Everyone was gathered around the counter, where breakfast foods like fried dough sticks, steamed buns, and congee were laid out.

On the large screen in front of the counter, a show about the most popular space explorations was playing.

Long Ming went over to Xiaoqi's side, picked up a steamed bun, and started eating.

"Long Ming, how about we all go to the barbecue place next door tonight to celebrate?"

Xiaoqi suggested to Long Ming with a cheerful grin.

"Sure, you can arrange it."

Long Ming replied while chewing on his bun, his eyes still fixed on the screen.

"Yay!"

The group cheered happily in agreement.

A moment later, Long Ming finished his breakfast and left the Star Wish Cafe.

He lifted his wristband and sent a message to Ma Ti, then headed for the star rail train.

「Over an hour later.」

Long Ming appeared at the entrance of the Superb Modification Club.

Ma Ti immediately rushed over to greet him enthusiastically.

"Mr. Long Ming, you're here. I've already booked an appointment with Master Kaduwa for you."

"Mm, take me to him."

Long Ming replied with a slight nod.

"This way, please."

Ma Ti respectfully led Long Ming into the club.

Soon, they arrived at Master Kaduwa's repair bay.

"Mr. Long Ming, which Mechanical God are you having repaired this time?"

Master Kaduwa asked with a smile as Long Ming walked in.

"The same one, the Gale."

Long Ming walked up to the maintenance platform and tapped his wristband a few times.

SWOOSH!

The Gale materialized on the maintenance platform.

Kaduwa immediately went forward to inspect it, his brow instantly furrowing.

"Mr. Long Ming, it looks like you've been through a rather intense battle. This Gale has taken some serious damage. Many of its internal components are damaged and have come loose."

"Mm, can you fix it?"

"I can, but it will take longer this time. I estimate it won't be ready until around four in the afternoon."

"No problem. What's the cost?"

"Although the Mechanical God didn't suffer any critical damage, the cost for a full overhaul isn't low. It'll be about 500,000 Star Coins."

"No problem, go ahead and fix it."

Long Ming found the price acceptable.

"Alright!"

Kaduwa promptly wrote up a repair order for Long Ming.

Long Ming took the repair order and went with Ma Ti back to the lobby's payment counter, where he paid the repair fee.

"Mr. Long Ming, shall I show you to the lounge?"

Ma Ti asked respectfully.

"No need. I have something else to do. I'll be back this afternoon."

"Then shall I see you out?"

"No, that's alright."

Long Ming then left the club.

...

「Not long after.」

Long Ming arrived at the Sky Dome Training Ground. He found Miss Windsor and greeted her with a smile.

"Miss Windsor."

"Oh, Mr. Long Ming, you're here. What are you planning to practice today?"

Windsor replied to Long Ming with great enthusiasm.

"Sorry, I'm not here for a lesson today. I wanted to ask about getting my Mechanical God certification."

"You want to get certified?"

"That's right. Is there a problem?"

Long Ming looked at Windsor, confused.

"With your skills, there's no issue. It's just that no one's ever done it this quickly."

"My apologies, I've only taken one lesson."

"It's fine."

The smile on Windsor's face was a bit stiff.

'Honestly, if she hadn't been the one to personally instruct Long Ming, she would have suspected he was here to hustle them.'

'Besides, if everyone could get certified after just one lesson like Long Ming, they'd all be out of a job.'

"So, how do I sign up?"

Long Ming immediately asked.

"Mr. Long Ming, there are slow and fast tracks for certification."

"What's the difference? Could you explain it to me in detail?"

"The slow track is the standard application process. After you register, if all goes well, you'll receive an invitation for the written exam in about three months. Once you pass the written exam, you can take the practical assessment within the next six months. After passing that, you just have to wait for the certificate to be issued. If everything goes smoothly, you should have your certificate within a year."

Windsor explained in detail to Long Ming.

"That long?"

"Yes!"

"And the fast track?"

"The fast track is divided into three tiers. The first tier is 10,000 Star Coins, the second is 50,000 Star Coins, and the third is 100,000 Star Coins!"

"How fast is the third tier?"

"You can take the test tomorrow and get your certificate."

"That fast? Won't there be any problems?"

Long Ming was taken aback.

"Don't worry. It's a guaranteed pass."

Windsor said to Long Ming with a smile.

For a moment, Long Ming didn't know what to say. 'In the Star Alliance, it really seems money can buy anything.' Nevertheless, he said to Windsor,

"I'll take the third tier for 100,000. Should I transfer the money to you?"

"Yes."

Windsor nodded.

"It's sent."

Long Ming lifted his wristband and transferred 100,000 to Windsor.

"I'll wait for you here tomorrow morning and take you to the exam."

Windsor said to Long Ming.

"Miss Windsor, isn't the first part a written exam?"

"It is, yes?"

"Isn't there a textbook or something I should look at?"

"That won't be necessary."

"Are you sure?"

Long Ming felt a little uncertain.

"If you're worried, I can get you a theory book."

Windsor tapped her wristband, materialized a ten-centimeter-thick Mechanical God theory book, and handed it to Long Ming.

"It's this thick?"

Long Ming took it, stunned.

"Yes. Mr. Long Ming, you can flip through it if you'd like. I have other matters to attend to, so I'll be going. See you tomorrow!"

Windsor politely bid Long Ming farewell.

"Alright!"

Long Ming nodded.

Windsor then turned and left.

Just then, Qian Lan saw Long Ming and ran over excitedly.

"Long Ming!"

"Miss Qian Lan."

Long Ming replied politely upon seeing Qian Lan.

"Long Ming, are you free later?"

Qian Lan looked at Long Ming, her face full of anticipation.

"Sorry, I have plans tonight."

"What about tomorrow?"

"I'm taking my certification test tomorrow, so I probably won't be coming to the training ground anymore."

Long Ming replied to Qian Lan with a smile.

"Ah, you're getting certified so soon?"

Hearing Long Ming's words, a look of disappointment instantly crossed Qian Lan's face.

"Yes. I should get going."

"Okay."

"Goodbye."

Long Ming said his goodbyes to Qian Lan and turned to leave.

Qian Lan watched Long Ming's retreating back, feeling utterly dejected.

'She was just so unlucky. The guys she wasn't interested in buzzed around her every day like flies.'

'But she couldn't even make a dent with the one she actually liked. She had originally thought they could practice with the Mechanical Gods at the training ground together, giving her more chances to get closer to him, but now he was off to get certified.'

"Tsk, tsk. That didn't go so well, did it?"

Just then, Joey saw Qian Lan get shot down and walked over, chuckling.

"Hmph, mind your own business."

Qian Lan snorted and stormed off, fuming.

...

「Nightfall.」

Ma Ti personally drove Long Ming back to Star Island.

"Pull over to the right on the street ahead."

Long Ming said to Ma Ti.

"Understood."

Ma Ti immediately did as Long Ming instructed and pulled over to the side of the street.

He hurriedly got out of the car, walked over to the passenger side, and opened the door.

"Thanks."

Long Ming said as he got out of the car.

"It's my honor. Please let me know if you need anything in the future."

Ma Ti replied respectfully.

"Mm."

Long Ming gave a slight nod and headed toward the barbecue restaurant in the distance.