The Interstellar Queen of Scavengers

Chapter 177: Chapter 177: Grueling Training

”Nice going!”

”How are your teeth structured?”

”Even metal spoons can be bitten through?”

Suddenly, everyone became curious. Lance’s curiosity was stronger. He grabbed the broken spoon, took a serious look, and said, ”Confirmed, it’s an iron spoon.”

Everyone instantly turned their faces towards Yue Qiyuan.

Yue Qiyuan: ”...”

Taking a deep breath, Yue Qiyuan picked up his tray, raised his head, puffed out his chest, and walked straight ahead.

Just that—

If his steps were a bit more calm, a bit steadier, he wouldn’t seem so hurried...

Everyone: ”???”

Chu Jiaojiao wondered, ”Speaking of which, this guy is kinda weird, so quiet all morning. If you didn’t know better, you’d think he was mute.”

Lou asked, ”Yue Qiguang, don’t you want to ask what’s up with your brother? He’s been looking constipated all morning; hope he’s not too down about something.”

After all, these two are brothers.

Yue Qiguang said indifferently, ”Why bother! This guy’s always weird, and it’s not just for a day or two. Just ignore him. He’ll be fine after a few days.”

Since their own sibling said so, everyone relaxed in an instant.

Shen Changqing said, ”I’m full, how about you guys?”

With a simple shrug, Yue Qiguang said, ”Let’s go! Time for class.”

Lou, Lance, and others also stood up. Only Chu Jiaojiao was hesitating to get up, her face filled with eagerness as she stared at Ji You. Ji You felt goosebumps and pushed her head away, saying, ”I can’t eat with you staring at me like that.”

She was still two bites away from finishing her pancake.

Really—

Wasting food is a sin.

Thinking of the harsh Physical Strength training class that morning, and fearing her face might not be spared, Chu Jiaojiao said earnestly, ”Ji You, promise me, take good care of your face this morning, okay?”

Ji You: ”...”

Chu Jiaojiao stared intently at her, as if she wouldn’t let go until she agreed.

In a moment of impulse, Ji You grabbed the handle of the broken spoon, pointed it at her face, and glared at Chu Jiaojiao, ”If you keep staring, I’ll disfigure myself.”

Chu Jiaojiao: ”...”

At a loss for words, Chu Jiaojiao sighed, ”Ah... it’s always so capricious for someone good-looking.”

With that, Chu Jiaojiao followed the rest of the group with a look of disappointment.

Ji You: ”...”

Just ignore her.

But Ji You thought of something and hurried to catch up, asking Shen Changqing and others seriously, ”Hey! Big guys, are you sure you’re not going to take me with you to the competition?”

Shen Changqing: ”...”

Lou and Lance also wisely chose to remain silent.

Yue Qiguang said bluntly, ”Dream on, weakling.”

Chu Jiaojiao: ”Stop messing around! Be good~”

Ji You glanced at them, shook her head, and huffed loudly, ”Blind to Mount Lu’s true face, you’ll regret this.”

Everyone: ”???”

Ji You said proudly, ”Don’t come crying to me later.”

Everyone: ”???”

Where did this confidence come from all of a sudden?

Why does it feel like she’s been unnaturally buoyant lately?

Of course—

That wasn’t everyone’s focus anymore, as class time was approaching—

Then—

Everyone rushed to the Combat Training Ground. Mu Jianling arrived just after them, glanced around the ground, noticed no one was missing, and nodded with satisfaction, ”Let’s start the class.”

Mu Jianling’s style was straightforward, no beating around the bush, she got right to the point, ”Today we continue with basic Physical fitness training. Now—everyone warm up in advance, the circuit run around the ground starts in 10 minutes.”

Hmm?

Running circuits around the ground?

Is it that simple?

Hearing this, everyone was a bit disappointed. Even sparring with each other was more interesting than the tedious training of running circuits.

But Mu Jianling did not explain.

Explain what?

Every battle, if you set technique aside, is a test of physical endurance.

Boring?

Monotonous?

Uninteresting?

The day you set foot on a true interstellar battlefield, you’ll find that often, this is the real face of combat—not constantly on the frontline, fighting furiously... What you do might be the monotonous training day after day, always on alert—

Tell me, will the enemy politely notify you before they try to kill you, allowing you to prepare in advance?

No.

So?

These kids, if they want to become qualified warriors, if they want to live to a natural old age, they need to learn to adapt from now on.

A few showed disappointed expressions, but most obeyed the orders and started methodically.

Ji You had a virtue, being extremely dedicated and serious in whatever she does. Either she doesn’t do it, or she pushes herself to the limit. Hence, she meticulously completed every warming-up exercise.

minutes later—

Mu Jianling said: ”Everyone—start running 10 laps around the field.”

No one spoke up in opposition; everyone was prepared.

Suddenly—

Mu Jianling said: ”Number 4444, Ji You, run 15 laps.”

What?

Ji You’s leg, which she had just stretched out, almost retracted. She couldn’t help but turn her head to look at Teacher Mu Jianling, only to notice that Teacher Mu Jianling’s expression was quite calm, showing no sign of malice or vendetta.

Hmm?

So?

Forget it, forget it—

It’s just 5 more laps.

Ji You’s face was twisted in bitterness as she started running.

One lap.

Two laps.

Three laps.

...

The training ground was enormous. It took the fastest person 10 minutes to complete a lap, and Ji You, whose physical fitness was much worse than theirs, took 20 minutes. But Ji You still gritted her teeth and persevered...

Initially, Mu Jianling hadn’t constantly fixated on Ji You, but after a few incidental glances at her, Mu Jianling paused, then a small smile appeared: [She’s a smart kid.]

Unlike others, even in areas where she was deficient, whether it was physical fitness or stamina, she couldn’t match the others. It was impossible for Ji You to complete the 15 laps quickly. Therefore, she patiently paced herself. Every step she took, her stride, the distance of her run, the rhythm of her breathing... were all maintained with a very consistent frequency. Calm and unhurried, like a precision machine, she kept up her running motion, which greatly contributed to preserving her stamina.

Mu Jianling was very pleased.

This kid, although lacking in talent, was sufficiently diligent.

Nine laps.

Ten laps.

...

Fifteen laps.

Ji You slowly stopped, feeling as though her legs were no longer her own. But—she had finally completed the task.

It took 5 hours.

When Ji You finished, the other students had already moved on to practicing other movements. Ji You approached, wanting to catch up with her classmates, but then she heard Mu Jianling say: ”Number 4444, come here.”

Upon hearing that, Ji You immediately ran to Mu Jianling’s side, stammering: ”Teacher Mu...”

Could it be—

Was she going to secretly give her Candy Beans?

Was that it?

Mu Jianling glanced at her, immediately guessing what she was thinking, and said: ”Find the door yourself and walk in.”

Ji You: ”???”

Mu Jianling calmly intimidated her: ”I suspect something abnormal about you; you need an examination.”

Ji You: ”...”