The advantage of having the six teams together was that everyone could take turns keeping watch while resting.
Fu Xingyuan from the First Military Academy volunteered to take the first watch. Another safety instructor said he would come over to relieve him in two hours, and then told everyone else to go back to sleep.
The area where they camped had already been cleared by the soldiers of the Third Military Region and was covered with a special-grade protective shield.
Fu Xingyuan kept patrolling the perimeter, afraid that some star beasts might break through the shield and disturb everyone's rest.
It was impossible to say they weren't tired; going all out with full firepower for an entire night was an intensity unmatched even during the competition!
But ever since they agreed to stay on Planet Kashile to participate in this star beast eradication operation, everyone felt an added layer of responsibility and a sense of mission.
It was as if yesterday they were still competing rivals, and today they had become comrades-in-arms... They had to grow up a little faster.
While Jian Jingyu was on a video call with his parents, he was wriggling around in his sleeping bag to stretch his muscles. Huang Yan pushed his head aside with one hand while replying to messages on his optical computer with the other.
After just one night, Chief Judge Jian, who in the eyes of outsiders always remained calm no matter what happened, had grown a large blister on his lip. When speaking to his son, his tone didn't show much anxiety, but his eyes revealed uncontrollable worry.
Rest assured, Dad, I am doing great over here!
Go get some rest. How come you look more haggard than me, someone who has been competing for six days?
Mom, stop hiding! You too!
Yes, I know. With your teammates around, I feel relieved... Did you eat enough today? That is good.
Currently, the starships cannot pass through the M19 black hole to pick you up. Do not worry, just stay put on Planet Kashile.
Help the soldiers out as much as you can, but also know your limits...
Jian Jingyu's mother chimed in from time to time from the side,
Really? Tianwei still has grilled fish seasoning in her spatial button? If I had known, I would have prepared more for you before you went to Planet Tianshu. That child is so reliable...
Hearing this, Huang Yan paused his hand that was replying to messages, suddenly recalling Wang Tianwei's complaints against him from two days ago.
He had just criticized her for bringing too many miscellaneous things, and right after that, all six military academies got trapped on Planet Kashile?
If his aunt had not mentioned it, he would have forgotten how smug she looked today when she pulled out the nutrient fluids.
Sigh...
Jian Jingyu finally finished reporting his safety to his parents. As soon as he hung up the call, he heard Huang Yan sighing beside him.
What is wrong, Sir Huang? Do not worry, we can definitely handle this!
I am not worried about that. I was just thinking about Sister Zebra's hoarding... Does she actually have a point?
Hahaha, Sister Zebra is the most forward-planning person I have ever met!
...Coincidence. It must be a coincidence.
After Wang Tianwei finished talking to the teachers, she immediately started a video call with her parents. Beside her, Little Bear was also talking to her family.
The two video screens were enlarged side-by-side, allowing both sets of parents to see each other.
The four adults looked exhausted and worried, but they tried not to show it in front of the kids...
It is going to be fine, Tianwei! The organizing committee said that as soon as the star beast tide passes, they will immediately send someone to bring you back!
Zhang Lyra's parents should not worry too much either. Did the kids not say they are only responsible for clearing out some star beasts left behind on the frontlines of Planet Kashile?
...They have been in school for so long, just treat it as a live combat drill!
Cheng Yin and Wang Yi were panicking at first, but facing Zhang Lyra's parents and sister, they actually started comforting them instead!
Young Shirley Zhang kept swaying back and forth in front of the camera.
The adults had not told her the detailed reasons why her sister was stranded on Planet Kashile. She only knew that her sister was temporarily staying in a place she was not supposed to be, so she tried to find ways to make them both happy.
Sister, I recorded all of you fighting the star beasts! And also the scenes of Sister Wang, Brother Huang, and Brother Goldfish dancing!
I heard you say you would buy me delicious food when you come back. Do not forget!
Hearing this, Zhang Lyra smiled dotingly,
Do not worry, I will not forget.
Wang Tianwei heard this and turned her head to ask,
Hahaha, thank you, little Shirley, did I dance well?
Extremely well! Mom said Brother Huang Yan got embarrassed at the end.
Sister, are you guys going to dance again for Brother Goldfish's birthday? Can you record it for me? I want to learn too!
Absolutely! You are the reserve member of our squad...
Seeing that the children were all safe and their moods were unaffected, both sets of parents finally felt a bit relieved.
Actually, their biggest fear was losing contact. Now that they could talk, their anxiety lessened significantly.
There was nothing they could do right now, but the organizing committee promised to keep a close eye on the students' situation at all times... There was never an absolutely safe place in the Federation, and this was already the most responsible answer they could give.
The next step was just to adjust their mindset and wait for the children to return.
Seeing that the two kids could barely keep their eyes open as they talked, the parents on both sides finally hung up the video call with reluctance.
Wang Tianwei and Zhang Lyra ended up falling dead asleep without even taking off their clothes...
The same scene played out in every tent.
The next day, Valk was assigned to team up with Qilin.
Wu Fangyu finally realized what that ring of serrations on the outside of Huang Yan's energy core was... Wang Tianwei had directly taken parts from the sandworm to make protective gear!
No, not just protective gear... That weapon in her hand, which looked like an impact drill, seemed to be made from the sandworm's serrated teeth as well!
Combined with her mecha and movement techniques, every drill strike hit its mark flawlessly! It was just a bit overly gory, but it saved a massive amount of materials!
The best way to grow is through practical experience.
Valk had personally experienced the feeling of running out of energy and exhausting all firepower, so now he was willing to try alternative methods.
After a whole day, the once arrogant mecha master Wu Fangyu, who used to look down on everything and everyone, was now following behind Wang Tianwei, picking up whatever she picked up...
Starbeast teeth? Great material for offensive weapons. Scales? Top-tier defensive gear!
In the past, Wu Fangyu absolutely hated using natural materials. He always believed that when it came to mecha materials, the higher the grade, the better.
But right now, he was not in his exclusive mecha workshop, nor did he have an infinite supply of materials to choose from.
Aside from sourcing materials on the spot, every single item required him to submit a formal request to the military zone soldiers and safety instructors.
After submitting so many reports, even he began to feel a bit embarrassed...
In comparison, Wang Tianwei's team hadn't asked for anything, barely even requesting energy supplies!
They were all military academy students, yet Valk's mecha master acted like a giant baby in actual combat... Who could stomach such a massive disparity?
It was much better to put their knowledge into practice. Even though the things they crafted were a bit ugly, their effectiveness was quite impressive!
As a result, Wu Fangyu later ended up exclusively hunting down one specific type of starbeast... His teammates even thought he had a personal vendetta against that ironclad starbeast!
