Chapter 12 Train Release Task

 [The train has docked into the stellar orbit and is preparing to extract energy.] 

 [The exploration vessel has been dispatched and will transmit information about the life-bearing planet within ten minutes.] 

 The train's radar system is not advanced; it can only detect the type of planet and basic details. To determine whether the planet has minerals, unique life forms, or surface civilizations, the exploration vessel must approach, release robots, and conduct up-close exploration after landing. 

 Thirty minutes later, a flood of information is transmitted back to the train. 

 [Planetary basic information acquired. Generating list...]

 [Name]: None 

 [Designation]: S360E 

 [Classification]: Planet 

 [Mass]: \(7.1154 \times 10^{24}\) kg 

 [Diameter]: Not specified 

 [Surface Temperature]: 28°C 

 [Rotation Period]: 18 hours, 25 minutes, 39 seconds 

 [Intelligent Life]: None 

 [The planet is suitable for human landing. Star beasts detected, level: Barren Tier One.] 

 "Wait, you haven't told me the star beast levels yet." 

 [Star beasts and transcendents are categorized similarly: Barren Tier, Dominion Tier, Celestial Tier, Imperial Tier, etc. Each tier has nine subdivisions, strictly defined by countless transcendent civilizations. You need not question this.] 

 "When did I question it? Is there a Second Tier transcendent on this planet?" 

 [None have been discovered so far.] 

 "Lack of discovery means possibility. Package the data and list it on the market for one star coin. Do this for every similar planet encountered." 

 [Master is indeed clever.] 

 Damian couldn't discern whether this was praise or sarcasm. 

 As various guilds rented ships and awaited the train's bay doors to open, the train announced that the planet's data was now available on the market. The guilds rushed to purchase the information, which appeared as a handheld-device-like tool for on-demand queries. 

 Lilith linked her identity and unlocked the device with her fingerprint. A palm-sized holographic screen appeared, displaying answers to her questions. 

 "Are there aliens on the planet?" She asked via voice command. 

 The screen immediately showed: No aliens detected. 

 Wilson eagerly followed up: "Are there monsters?" 

 As questions were answered, anticipation grew for the upcoming planet. Ten minutes later, the train issued a task reminder. 

 [Train tasks posted. Guild masters please collect assignments.] 

 Lilith and other masters hurried to the task board, where a giant screen listed dozens of tasks: 

 [Task 1: Hunt star beasts. Deliver at least fifty intact brains. Reward: 5 star coins. Unlimited repeats.] 

 [Task 2: Gather one ton of supernatural-energy-containing materials, including minerals. Reward: 5 star coins. Unlimited repeats.] 

 [Task 3: Collect three unique bio-gene samples. Reward: 10 star coins. Submissions become invalid if others claim the same samples first.] 

 [Task 4: Harvest one ton of edible plants. Reward: 3 star coins. Unlimited repeats.]

… 

 Overall, the tasks favored specific strengths. Some guilds could focus on combat, others on gathering—each found its niche. Lilith claimed all tasks. 

 Lilith ignored the alerts, mesmerized by the view outside. The train towered like a colossal skyscrath, its kilometer-scale bulk now fully visible. Behind it stretched a blazing inferno—the star's energy-bleeding corona. 

 "Collecting one ton of plants earns three star coins. My ship has a fifty-ton cargo capacity. Won't one round trip fetch me a hundred and fifty star coins? She was overjoyed, but soon realized the flaw in her plan. "We'll need to identify edible plants first, then spend hours gathering them manually. Fifty tons would keep us busy all day—it's hardly worth it. Hunting star beasts seems better. Fifty brains for five star coins... five hundred brains would net fifty. Hmm, either way, it's not easy. The train captain sure doesn't want to eat any losses." 

 Lilith muttered her complaints under her breath. 

 After ten minutes of preparation, the hangar bay doors finally opened. All the guilds rushed to board their ships for final checks. Most rented small vessels, with the Science Guild's ship positioned closest to the front. 

 The crew climbed aboard via a retractable ladder. The interior mirrored the train's landing craft—a minimalist silver design with no excess decoration. 

 "Cargo hold and passenger quarters up front. Only the captain can enter the cockpit. Wilson, inspect the cargo bay. Ziying, check the cocoon chambers in the passenger section," Lilith ordered. 

 The "cocoon chambers" were honeycomb-like sleep pods. Idle workers pressed against the portholes, staring at the hangar bay. 

 Lilith entered the cockpit alone, her scalp prickling at the sight of endless dials and flashing lights. Thankfully, the ship had basic AI; she only needed to issue commands. After activating the scanners—a range of just 500,000 kilometers, but sufficient—she set the coordinates for Planet S360E. 

 "Initiating launch sequence. Target: Planet S360E." 

 The ship glided along magnetic rails toward the train's exit. 

 Chime! The outer hatch sealed, and searing light flooded through portholes—the glow of a red supergiant star. 

 [Craft departing train. Initiating staged energy boost. Full thrust achieved in five seconds.] 

 [En route at maximum velocity. Arrival in Planet S360E's atmosphere in 24 minutes, 36 seconds.] 

 Lilith ignored the alerts, mesmerized by the view outside. The train towered like a colossal skyscrath, its kilometer-scale bulk now fully visible. Behind it stretched a blazing inferno—the star's energy-bleeding corona. 

 She turned to the void. Stars glittered like frozen fireflies against endless darkness, a sight that left her breathless. Reluctantly, she returned to the passenger deck. The others gaped even wider, chattering or frozen in awe. The infinite void's eerie stillness sent shivers down spines. 

 "Meeting!" 

 At her call, the group gathered. These were early awakened transcendents—prolific talents who'd form the guild's backbone. Lilith treated them seriously. 

 "I spent a hundred star coins registering the guild, five hundred renting this ship. The first hundred's on me, but the rest falls on our union. If anything goes wrong, we'll split the loss." 

 "No one knows if we'll find enough resources, but make no mistake—this isn't a joyride. We're here to survive, to claw our way out. Look at that endless sky. If we want the train to spare us, we better act sharp. Now, how do we explore this unknown world? I want suggestions." 

 Ideas flowed. 

 "Stick to the quests. If we finish all tasks, we'll net seven hundred+ star coins today. Subtract rental costs, and we're in profit." 

 "But factor in weapon wear-and-tear? It's barely scraps. First run's about adapting. Future's brighter, though." 

 "Lilith, your thoughts?" 

 Lilith unsheathed her blade, idly polishing the edge. "Nothing to say. Just get it done."