66: Chapter 66 Rich Woman
After the clamor subsided, the crowd gradually dispersed.
Returning to the familiar dorm, the warm lamplight dispelled the external noise and the residual hostility from the battles.
Li Yuan let out a long, deep sigh, throwing his whole body into the soft, spacious sofa in the living room. A satisfied groan escaped him: "Hah—so comfortable... After a day of life-and-death fighting, nothing beats just collapsing into your own nest."
However, soon after, the doorbell to the dormitory chimed crisply, "Ding-dong."
Who could it be at this hour?
The three of them exchanged glances, quickly straightening their slightly disheveled attire and composing themselves.
"I'll get it," Elia said, rising and walking towards the entrance hall, resuming her usual cool and collected demeanor.
The door opened, and the figure standing outside surprised all three of them.
It was actually Teacher Yimoku.
She was still wearing her iconic researcher uniform with its many functional pockets. Her petite frame carried an aura that was impossible to ignore.
A faint trace of weariness showed on her face, but her intelligent eyes shone brightly. They bypassed Elia, who had answered the door, and fixed directly on Li Yuan in the living room.
"Sorry to disturb you so late," Yimoku's voice was clear and direct, getting straight to the point. "Li Yuan, I just ran into Sai Wei. She said you're planning to sign up for the Visiting Season?"
Li Yuan's heart stirred. He stood up to greet her. "Teacher Yimoku, your information network is impressive. Please, come in."
Yimoku entered the living room. Her gaze swiftly swept over the room's furnishings, then to Elia and Laya present, giving a slight nod of acknowledgment before returning to Li Yuan. Her expression was open and straightforward:
"I was wondering if there are still any open slots on the team? If so... could you take me along?"
This request made Li Yuan and the two girls pause. Yimoku was a teacher, a researcher. Although close in age, her status and responsibilities seemed at odds with a student combat team.
Yimoku seemed to sense their confusion and proactively explained, "I watched your battle today. With your combat strength, taking along one little burden like me shouldn't be a problem."
That's right, that observant person was Teacher Yimoku, the foremost of the three titans of the Ozaki...
Ah... pah, wrong channel. She was the exceptionally admitted outstanding student of the Weapons Research Institute, the instructor for Introduction to Weapons Systems.
"I'm already in my third year. During the last Visiting Season, I was in the critical phase of a key research project for the Academy and couldn't get away at all, so I missed it. This year, by convention, I'd have to give up my spot to a newly recruited junior. But I really, really want to see the Holy Alliance. I heard they have planet-level Primarch research projects there."
Teacher Yimoku blinked her large, adorable eyes—the first move in asking for a favor: playing pitiful.
"But, we already have four people at Tier 3. With so many seniors at Tier 4, our chances probably aren't great," Li Yuan said, somewhat troubled. In reality, they only had three at Tier 3.
Li Yuan himself was only Tier 2. Advancing to Tier 3, Lord of Light, required 1,000,000 Essence. From leaving Edge 7 plus his current cultivation gains, he had less than 800,000 Essence total (over 400,000 initial + 100,000 from the queen + 230,000 from cultivation). He was still quite far off.
How could they take on a burden?
"The more talented students in the Academy have mostly gone for military district internships. Those left, aside from a few second-years, are mostly fourth-tiers who just advanced due to poor aptitude. They won't be your match. The only one you really need to watch out for is the second-year, Chen Yao. I have a way to counter her."
"Moreover, my talent, Sourceweaver, grants me limitless stamina, limitless endurance, and rapid recovery. The perfect 24/7 workhorse... ah, pah, I mean a natural-born tank. You don't need to worry about me. Plus, I can help upgrade your equipment—full-spectrum enhancements from materials to energy sources."
"How about it? Li... Yuan... big... brother..."
Yimoku clasped her hands together in a pleading gesture, her ample chest straining slightly against her uniform—the second move in asking for a favor: flaunting assets and feigning admiration.
Given her young age, it wasn't entirely incongruous.
Li Yuan waved his hands awkwardly. "Teacher Yimoku, there's no need for that, really. Besides, I'm not into lolis."
As he spoke, he glanced meaningfully at Laya and Elia beside him, indicating his preferences.
"As for equipment, we don't have the points to buy any, so there's nothing to upgrade." A single miniature ion cannon cost 500 points. He'd only managed to scrape together a little over 1,000 points so far.
"No money? I have it!" Yimoku whipped out her student card. 43 million trial points flashed, nearly blinding the trio. They instantly felt like kneeling before her.
"Sugar Mama, please take care of us!"
The third move in asking for a favor: money makes the world go round.
Fifth team member, Yimoku, joined.
...
Dawn had yet to pierce the horizon; only a sliver of pale light in the east barely dispelled the deep night's gloom. The dormitory area was utterly silent, most students still immersed in dreams.
"Knock knock knock!"
A somewhat urgent knocking shattered the quiet. Li Yuan stood outside Elia and Laya's door, his face showing no trace of fatigue, only a barely contained excitement.
The door was pulled open. Elia was already dressed neatly, her silver hair impeccable, as if she had anticipated his arrival. Only a hint of drowsiness from her disturbed sleep lingered in her eyes.
Behind her, Laya rubbed her bleary eyes, leaning crookedly against the doorframe in an adorable rabbit-themed pajama set, mumbling indistinctly, "Li Yuan brother... it's not even light out yet..."
"No time for rest," Li Yuan's voice brimmed with inexpressible excitement. "The arena matches are tomorrow. Our equipment needs an immediate upgrade! Let's go. Teacher Yimoku said she'd take us shopping."
The three of them made their way by the faint morning light to the 24-hour open advanced training ground's affiliated armory.
Teacher Yimoku was already waiting there, and she had brought Chen Jingyi along for the impending equipment upgrades.
Recently, Chen Jingyi seemed very busy, constantly dealing with equipment damaged by a certain someone. Dark circles were starting to form under her eyes.
On the massive metal shelves, various standard-issue weapons, armor, and energy cells gleamed enticingly under the cool lights.
The suddenly abundant budget left Li Yuan feeling a bit bewildered.
Who knew that Teacher Yimoku, as the benefactor, would be so different?
With a grand wave of her hand—she booked the entire place!!
Li Yuan, Laya, and Elia were stunned on the spot. Only then did they understand what the world of the wealthy was like. If they can't beat you, they'll bury you in money...
Not only the conventional weapons, but Teacher Yimoku also pulled some strings to acquire a few limited-edition pieces: micro-wormhole storage bracelets. They could store items in a subspace, retrieving them directly via micro-wormhole translocation technology—exceptionally convenient.
...
Weapons Research Institute, Yimoku's private advanced laboratory.
This place was less a laboratory and more a hybrid of a small-scale cutting-edge factory and a precision machining center.
Various unnameable instruments emitted low hums. Dozens of light screens displaying complex structural diagrams and energy flow spectra floated in mid-air. The air carried a faint scent of ozone and the distinct smell of heated metal.
By the time Li Yuan and the two girls arrived with their purchased gear, Sai Wei was already there. He was watching his severely damaged, extensively scorched thunder god battle armor, with flickering arcs of electricity, being secured by robotic arms on the central maintenance platform, his face a picture of heartache.
Yimoku walked to the main control console. Her petite figure, set against the backdrop of massive equipment and shimmering data streams, seemed like a different person, exuding an air of unquestionable authority.
First, the upgrades...