Chapter Sixty-Five: Custom-Made Exoskeletal Armor

"I don't know, there's too little information. But I do agree with one point in your guess: calling you here for support is likely just a cover. In reality, it's probably to protect you. Which means, in Miss Liu's eyes, the place we're headed should be safe. No one on the List of Famous Generals is simple; until the very end, no one can see through their full designs. You're just a rookie right now, so do what rookies should do. Don't waste time speculating—it won't help. Once you've fought enough battles, you'll understand. In the future, I doubt you'll ever lack for fights." The Slacker shook his head, indicating he didn't really know the current state of the war.

"My comrades are all in the Milan System. There's been major conflict there, and the two folding points connecting to the Newton System have already been abandoned. The situation in Milan is far from optimistic, but we don't know the details of the battle reports. As for what's really happening inside the Knock System, only Captain Wayne would know."

"Why do I feel like compared to them, we're actually the more advanced side?" Chen Ming complained. At least back on Bluewater Star, the information blackout wasn't nearly this intense during warfare.

"It's perfectly normal. The Daoran World is far too vast, and there's no way to transmit information faster than light. Of course, their communications are hindered—that's only logical. We're talking about cross-system transmission here. How long do you think it would take us to send information out of the Solar System? Truth be told, we basically have no way to transmit messages across star systems at all. Our networks are limited to a single planet. Compared to them, we're still far behind.

Besides, such military secrets aren't disclosed to every soldier. Even on Bluewater Star, it's the same; you might know where a local war broke out, but the casualties, the targets—ordinary people would never know the specifics," David explained.

"Brother Slacker, how do we transmit information?" Li Daoran asked.

"The SkyNet. But SkyNet usually only covers a single planet. Between starships, it's signal lights or encrypted radio. You're not cleared for our encrypted channels yet. As for interstellar communication, it's only possible through relay stations. For important information, a starship delivers it to a space station, and from there it's transmitted layer by layer, each time encrypted, to foil enemy decryption. That's a crucial method in wartime," the Slacker said.

"So, the state of war is not much different from Bluewater Star during World War II—just with a bigger map," one of the Bluewater Star analysts immediately concluded. Once you mapped it onto WWII radio operations, it became much easier to understand. Bluewater Star had seen too many wars; no matter how warfare evolved, there were always parallels to be found.

After the three finished their meal, the Slacker and Xu Xingxing couldn't help but notice something odd about Li Daoran. He seemed ignorant of many basic facts, almost like someone who'd emerged from a discarded junk world. But they quickly brushed the thought aside. It didn't matter—if Li Daoran was here and had earned Liu Meng's trust, his past couldn't be an issue.

The three left the mess hall and glanced at one another. The Slacker asked, "So, what are you planning to do?"

"I want to get used to the exoskeleton armor. Brother Slacker, why don't you teach me?" Li Daoran suggested.

"I've got nothing to do. Let's go together. I haven't tried it myself," Xu Xingxing said after a moment's thought. Whether on Silver Serpent Star or aboard the starship, their training had always depended on their own initiative. No one forced them, no one cared; those who weren't up to standard would simply be eliminated.

The Slacker nodded. "Alright, but with exoskeleton armor, it's best to have a set custom-made to fit you. Come on, I'll take you to see Wang Mo—let him take a look and find out which type suits you best."

So Li Daoran and Xu Xingxing followed the Slacker to the logistics division. A burly, bare-chested, bald man greeted the Slacker—that was Wang Mo.

The Slacker pulled a whole pack of cigarettes from his pocket and tossed it to Wang Mo. "Old Wang, check these two rookies—see what kind of exoskeleton armor suits them."

Wang Mo accepted the cigarettes, tucked them into his pocket, and grinned. "That's a rare treat. Only you would dare to openly hand out contraband like this. Alright, for this pack of cigarettes, leave it to me."

The Slacker nodded and nudged the two in front of Wang Mo.

"You two are both rookies?" Wang Mo asked.

"Isn't it obvious?" the Slacker rolled his eyes.

"Heh, rookies can't even apply for custom exoskeleton armor yet," Wang Mo said.

"Why else would I come to you? These two, I think they've got potential. With war coming, it'd be a waste of their talent to train with those leftover, battered armors. If they actually need to deploy, there won't be enough time to adapt. So I'm asking you for a favor," the Slacker said.

That made Wang Mo glance at the pair with new interest. If the Slacker rated them so highly, they must be something special.

"You two, come in with me," Wang Mo said, turning to open a door and beckoning them inside.

Inside, it was a whole different world. For the first time, Li Daoran found himself in a place straight out of a sci-fi movie: massive experimental machines, over a hundred light screens streaming data, looking just like a laboratory from the films. In a small glass cubicle, Wang Mo motioned for Li Daoran to enter. Then, Wang Mo began attaching sensors all over his body. It took more than an hour—over a thousand tiny probes were placed on him.

Afterward, Wang Mo left and closed the door.

Speaking into the microphone, he asked Li Daoran, "Ready?"

Li Daoran nodded. On the monitor, a life-sized avatar of himself also nodded.

"If you can't keep going, just say so. We're starting. First, do some basic movements—punching, jumping, whatever you like. Loosen up. We want to collect data on your usual range and angles of motion and the force you use. That's important; just relax and move normally, don't overthink it," Wang Mo instructed.

Li Daoran followed the directions and moved his body casually. Then, to the astonishment of Xu Xingxing and the Slacker, he performed a set of yoga and Brazilian jiu-jitsu moves. At Chen Ming's suggestion, he then demonstrated military boxing and tai chi—he nearly broke out into a full calisthenics routine.

This time, Wang Mo truly noticed how different Li Daoran was. Most people in the Daoran World focused on raw, forceful body training—none had Li Daoran's all-around development. His flexibility, skeletal development, and body fat ratio were near-perfect. This wasn't just the result of Li Daoran's own hard work; the mysterious genetic serum played an even greater role.

Wang Mo exclaimed, "Perfect! My god, is this even human?"

His hands flew over the controls. "Next, 2g acceleration and 1.5 times gravity adaptation training. You'll need to repeat those movements under these conditions."