Staying Alive Cautiously in the Celestial Realm and Becoming the Strongest

"But, but we're still far short of the money for the custom mecha..."

Regarding Wang Chen's suggestion, Ming Mei uncharacteristically didn't agree right away; instead, she frowned.

The custom mecha she referred to was a newly designed combat gear tailored specifically for Wang Chen—the Valkyrie.

A medium-sized mecha equipped with dual PC6600 engines and a 150mm Super Particle Cannon!

Ming Mei studied civilian and military mecha design at the First Military Academy, and she was quite talented in her field, consistently ranking among the top. There was a good chance she could stay at the school for further studies or join a large military enterprise after graduation.

A year ago, Ming Mei designed the Valkyrie for Wang Chen.

But at that time, it was just a three-dimensional rendering and paper parameters. To truly achieve the goal, countless work was still needed.

Without repeated modifications and tests, it would be impossible to produce a blueprint suitable for manufacturing.

Over the past year, Ming Mei also spent a considerable amount of time on this.

Because this mecha carried her feelings for Wang Chen.

Due to its very high cost, Ming Mei volunteered to help Wang Chen trade stocks to fund this plan.

As of now, the Star Currency she earned from the stock market was less than a third of the Valkyrie's cost!

As the plan continued to improve, in the pursuit of perfection, the cost of this exclusive mecha increased.

"No rush."

Wang Chen held his girlfriend tighter, kissed her smooth, fair forehead, and said, "I can earn this money without trading stocks. The stock market is too risky right now; we don't need to take that risk."

To put it bluntly, Ming Mei was just a retail investor. In a big market, she could rely on her intuition and abilities to make a profit.

But once the big players entered the market, even a cheat wouldn't be able to win!

Although Wang Chen didn't know much about the Empire's stock market, the experience from his previous life wouldn't differ much.

Capital, since its inception, is always predatory!

"Alright then."

Ming Mei, feeling somewhat aggrieved, was persuaded by Wang Chen, "I'll sell all the remaining stocks and stop trading."

"That's better."

Wang Chen smiled and said, "Trust me, money really isn't the problem!"

Had it not been for the continuous purchase of high-energy ingredients consuming a lot of funds, the Star Currency for the custom mecha would have been accumulated long ago.

Over the past year, Wang Chen invested heavily in buying Five-Colored Deer meat and other similar-grade ingredients, which astonished the intermediary on Zhao Rongcheng's side, making it seem incredible.

Wang Chen also ensured the other party benefited, paying extra commission for each transaction.

This ensured a long-term stable supply of goods.

Of course, his outlay was inevitably significant.

If Wang Chen hadn't established a reputation as the "Best External Physical Technique Instructor" at the First Military Academy, taking in waves of students, he wouldn't have been able to support such high expenses.

However, after Wang Chen's Heavenly Dragon Vajra Method broke through the sixth tier, he hit a long-term bottleneck.

To be exact, high-energy ingredients like Five-Colored Deer meat no longer provided supplementary benefits.

To break through to the seventh tier, Wang Chen needed to obtain resources of an even higher energy level.

In this way, the intermediary from Zhao Rongcheng's side was powerless—these level resources are not only precious, but they are also strictly controlled by the Empire's upper echelons.

Without heavenly channels, no amount of Star Currency would get you close.

Zhao Rongcheng might be able to procure some due to his status, but at a very high cost.

Wang Chen didn't want to owe him any favors.

So, Wang Chen decided to set aside the progress of the Heavenly Dragon Vajra Method and focus on enhancing his Spiritual Energy.

The substantial funds saved in this manner could be injected into the Valkyrie project!

And Wang Chen, of course, fully supported the mecha meticulously designed by Ming Mei for him.

Because under normal circumstances, a custom-made exclusive mecha can perform 20%-30% more effectively in battles than a general-purpose mecha, and some can do even better.

On the battlefield, any increase, even just 5%, could determine the pilot's victory or defeat and life or death!

"I've already applied for a second enhancement."

Wang Chen caressed Ming Mei's face and said, "After it's complete, I'll apply for the A-level War Professional certification."

Through the learning and practical experience gained over the past two years at the First Military Academy, he fully understood the extent to which a pilot's individual attributes and skills can impact a mecha's capabilities!

Many high-end models of mecha are simply beyond the control of ordinary War Professionals.

Top-tier mecha must be matched with top-tier skilled pilots!

The Heavenly Dragon Vajra Method hit a bottleneck, and without access to higher-energy resources for the time being, Wang Chen decided to take an alternate route and achieve a breakthrough through a second gene enhancement.

Jumping directly to the seventh tier was certainly impossible, but every bit of strength gained was worth the investment!

Because a war is coming.

Wang Chen strongly sensed that his tranquil learning life at the academy was about to be disrupted.

"Really?"

Ming Mei wasn't aware of Wang Chen's internal thoughts but was simply delighted for him, "Brother, you're amazing!"

"I can do even more amazing things."

Listening to his girlfriend's soft, charming voice, Wang Chen couldn't help but feel a thrill, and he turned over to hold her beneath him.

Ming Mei giggled, and the room was immediately filled with a spring-like warmth.

After a night's rest, Wang Chen rose energetically the next morning, kissed his exhausted girlfriend goodbye, and then went alone to the academy's gene center.

The gene center of the First Military Academy provides up to three gene enhancement services. Since Wang Chen booked in advance and paid the hefty second enhancement fee of five million Star Currency, he smoothly entered the operating room.

And Wang Chen's second enhancement process was relatively uneventful. Although the amount of high-energy Nutrient Liquid consumed also exceeded the normal level, it was far less exorbitant than the first time.

When he walked out of the gene center, the Heavenly Dragon Vajra Method successfully broke through.

Unfortunately, the breakthrough wasn't significant, merely advancing Wang Chen into the mid-level of the sixth tier.

Wang Chen was mentally prepared for this, so he didn't feel that he had wasted his money.

At his level, every bit of progress was rare and valuable. After all, the Starry Seas World is a technologically driven world, unlike the mysterious sides of realms like the Haotian Realm, where human limits can be easily broken.

Wang Chen had already considered that after completing at most one more gene enhancement in the future, he would no longer entertain this method of enhancement.

Next, he went once again to the headquarters of the War Professional Association on Taiwu Star, applying for A-level War Professional certification.

For Wang Chen, the young applicant for high-level War Professional status, the staff at the headquarters had a deep impression and immediately notified the upper management.

This time, the assessors for Wang Chen were not War Professionals of one higher tier, but two A-level War Professionals.

Moreover, several high-ranking individuals from the War Professional Association were present to watch the assessment!

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Here's the second update.