On the Astral Express, Himeko and Welt continued their conversation.
"To connect this world with our original world, we need to lay enough Silver Rails. The more Silver Rails there are, the stronger the connection with the original Silver Rail network will be, making it easier to link up," Himeko said.
Wherever the Astral Express travels, it leaves behind Silver Rails. Only on these Silver Rails can others use the power of The Trailblaze to warp, shortening the distance between stars.
When exploring unknown regions, the Astral Express generally does not warp rashly, because once it warps, it means a section of the Silver Rail is missing.
A missing section of Silver Rail has an impact on the Astral Express, but it's not significant. However, it has a huge impact on spaceships that later use that section of Silver Rail to warp, much like a large bridge suddenly breaking in the middle. It's easy for vehicles to crash and people to die, or if they're lucky, they'll get lost in space and it will take a long time to find their way back.
"Hmm, I've observed roughly that this universe isn't too large. It should take four or five years for the Astral Express to traverse it once," Welt said.
"No need to rush. Didn't Huaifeng say that no matter how long we stay here, only one day will have passed back home? The more Silver Rails, the better," Himeko said.
"With our current power, even if we leave behind countless Silver Rails in this universe, we won't be able to connect to the original Silver Rail network. The distance is simply too vast, unless we spend tens of thousands of years driving the Astral Express all the way back. Tens of thousands of years is too long. To succeed in a short time, our only option is the wormhole Huaifeng opened," Welt said.
"We have wormhole stabilization technology, but we've never used it before because there was no need, so I only know a little about it. Moreover, the wormhole Huaifeng opened existed for too short a time, and the wormhole stabilization technology still needs to be upgraded. In the next few years, I will dedicate all my energy to researching wormhole stabilization technology," Himeko said.
Himeko is an adventurous scientist. In her youth, she stumbled upon a stranded Astral Express. She spent several years repairing this Aeon-created train, allowing the Astral Express to set sail again, returning to people's sight after hundreds of years.
It is said that when the Astral Express set sail again, the Aeon of Erudition, Nous, once glanced at Himeko.
However, compared to science, Himeko preferred the stars and embarked on the journey of The Trailblaze without hesitation.
"Then I'll trouble you, Himeko," Welt said.
"What trouble? You won't have it easy either. I'll leave the laying of Silver Rails to you. This universe should also have many powerful individuals, so be careful," Himeko said with concern.
"Don't worry. Even if I face an Aeon, retreating safely is not an issue," Welt said, pushing up his glasses, full of confidence.
"When do we depart?"
"We'll wait for the children to return, see what they've gained on their first day, and then depart."
On the other side, the group of four also arrived at the village.
After being strengthened by Pathstrider energy, Meng Huaifeng's five senses greatly improved. From a distance, he saw a wooden archway next to the village with a sign for Shrek Academy hanging on it.
It seems this is the period when Tang San is studying at Shrek Academy.
"Shh~"
A whistling sound came.
The four looked in the direction of the sound and saw four people standing at the village entrance. One of them, a red-haired chubby boy, was looking at them with a lewd expression, his gaze constantly wandering over March 7th and Stelle's thighs.
"Two beauties, what are your names? Want to be friends?" Ma Hongjun first called out, then whispered to his companions, "These two beauties are really pretty, with long, fair legs that look like they could take a man's life. It's a shame they're a bit flat, far worse than Zhu Zhuqing."
"You damn fatty, look if you want, but don't compare them to Zhu Zhuqing," Dai Mubai said grumpily, but his eyes were still fixated.
"Do you guys have any ideas? If not, I'm going in!" Ma Hongjun swallowed, his evil fire rising.
"This..." Dai Mubai wavered, still considering Zhu Zhuqing.
"I'm pursuing Rongrong..." Oscar reluctantly gave up.
"One of those two men looks like he's not to be trifled with," Tang San reminded.
"What's there to be afraid of? Our academy is right behind us, with the dean and vice-dean here. How could we be bullied by outsiders?" Ma Hongjun scoffed.
Shrek Academy's motto: those who dare not cause trouble are mediocre.
As geniuses and monsters, they should cause trouble, and cause a lot of it!
The four Pathstriders were not ordinary people, and they heard every word of the Shrek four's comments.
Meng Huaifeng immediately stood in front of March 7th, and Dan Heng also tacitly stood in front of Stelle.
"Their gazes are so disgusting," March 7th said with disgust.
"Put away your disgusting gazes," Dan Heng said, pointing his Jiyun Spear at the Shrek four.
"Hey, your fatty here just likes to look. What are you going to do about it? You two, move aside, don't block my view of the beauties," the chubby boy's attitude was very arrogant, and his three companions also showed no intention of stopping him, instead having a subtle feeling of watching a show.
"Watch your words, or don't blame us for beating you up," Stelle said, summoning her baseball bat and swinging it.
"Beauty, is that your Martial Soul? It won't be that easy to beat me. My name is Ma Hongjun, a Level 27 Battle Soul Master, with the Phoenix Martial Soul. How about we fight? If you lose, you become my girlfriend?" Ma Hongjun proposed.
"You're ugly and your thoughts are quite beautiful, but you're not worthy of Stelle," March 7th retorted.
"Hmph, I'm only twelve this year. With my talent, what am I not worthy of? If you follow me now, you'll be the wives of Titled Douluo in the future." Ma Hongjun was a bit unable to hold back. If it weren't for a beauty speaking, he would have already spat a flame at her.
"Titled Douluo? You're just spouting nonsense. It would be good if you could even become a Soul Sage."
Others didn't know Ma Hongjun's true background, but Meng Huaifeng knew it all too well.
Without the immortal herb given by Tang San, with Ma Hongjun's flawed Martial Soul, he would at most become a Soul Sage. If he risked his life, he might become a Soul Douluo, but he would always be at risk of being consumed by his evil fire.
"You dare to look down on me? I'll show you my power later! Hey, beauty, do you dare to fight me or not? This kid can substitute for you if you want." Ma Hongjun provoked.
"Dare, why wouldn't I dare?" Stelle was about to rush over and hit Ma Hongjun with her bat, but Meng Huaifeng called her back.
"Stelle, I just gained power, so let me do it," Meng Huaifeng said, eager to try.
Dan Heng said that the highest energy level in this world is equivalent to an intermediate Pathstrider, meaning a Titled Douluo is equivalent to an intermediate Pathstrider.
And Welt said he was only one step away from being an intermediate Pathstrider, so he must be equivalent to a Soul Sage or Soul Douluo, right?
Although he didn't have much combat skill, wouldn't it be easy to defeat a little 'earth chicken'?