Traveling from KQ-03 to the asteroid belt mining district, using the Mine Boss Type II's high-power engine, takes around thirteen hours.
The route is well-maintained and regularly inspected.
Wang Dong doesn't need to manually pilot the entire journey.
Once it enters autopilot mode, the ship's onboard AI can handle everything.
Setting the Mining District Zone 2 entrance as the destination, Wang Dong leaves the control console.
He systematically performs a series of stretching exercises, followed by core activation routines and upper body advanced muscle training.
The workout is quite intense, lasting a full hour.
Wang Dong works up a sweat.
“A body that hasn't undergone Tempering Arts training is still quite weak.”
He shakes his head, dissatisfied, muttering to himself.
“Unfortunately, the privileged class controls the entry requirements for Tempering Arts training. In this backwater region of the Mining District Starfield, it's incredibly difficult.”
From ancient times to the present, the existence of class distinctions in human civilization has been unavoidable.
Even in the interstellar era, where theoretical productivity far exceeds actual needs, it's no different.
Compared to the Planetary Era, the privileged class in the Interstellar Era, relying on the advanced resources they control, or rather monopolize, has further solidified their status.
The absolute gap between classes in the Interstellar Era is far greater than in the Planetary Era.
But Wang Dong isn't worried about this.
Today is the 1st of June, Star Calendar 10103, only ten days away from that turning point in his past life.
If everything goes smoothly, Wang Dong will be able to touch that class in ten days.
Wang Dong is accustomed to using the Star Calendar, instead of some local timekeeping system.
Each planet's orbital and rotational periods differ. The definition of a 24-hour day (rotation period) and a 365-day year (orbital period) applies only to humanity's home, Earth.
Therefore, strictly speaking, every planet has its own calendar system based on its specific conditions.
But for those who live in space for long periods or frequently travel between planets, a fixed calendar system is needed as a standard, making time calculations easier.
The Star Calendar fulfills this purpose.
It's based on a 24-hour day and a 365-day year, establishing a timekeeping system applicable throughout human civilization.
The thirteen hours pass quickly.
While organizing the flow of thoughts in his mind, the Mine Boss Type II has already reached its destination.
“Arriving at the Asteroid Belt Mining District Zone 2 entrance. Autopilot is about to end. Please switch to manual mode promptly.”
The onboard AI's voice prompt is monotonous, dry, and boring.
This Mine Boss Type II near-space mining ship is not only old, but it's also a low-configuration model. It doesn't even have a personalized voice prompt feature.
Old Niu, the one responsible for procurement, is truly a miser.
Wang Dong had already taken his seat at the control console. After hearing the prompt, he pulls the control lever, switching to manual control.
Using autopilot in the asteroid belt's complex airspace is like asking the Mine Boss Type II's "486"-level AI to do something beyond its capabilities.
It's genuinely not up to the task.
The asteroid belt mining district in space isn't like a mining district on a planet, with a fixed location.
It's always in motion. Just like planets are always orbiting their stars, the asteroid belt is constantly in motion.
Both in relation to the outside and within the asteroid belt itself, everything is constantly moving.
Therefore, the so-called Zone 2 entrance doesn't refer to a specific "entrance" in the asteroid belt.
It's because the mining company has established a relatively fixed miniature outpost in this airspace near the asteroid belt.
This helps miners accurately pinpoint their location and receive a certain level of logistical support.
Controlling the Mine Boss Type II, Wang Dong effortlessly docks the ship at the Zone 2 outpost.
It's a spindle-shaped steel structure, black and sturdy.
Regularly flashing lights adorn its surface, like a beacon of warmth in a desolate wasteland.
It's a lighthouse for interstellar miners.
“How's the situation?”
Connecting to the local area network short-range communication with the outpost as the node, Wang Dong asks the outpost observer, while activating the Mine Boss Type II's detector to observe the nearby asteroid belt.
“Flow rate is normal. The next time window should open within an hour. Dong Ge, welcome back.”
A warm and lively female voice responds.
Wang Dong is momentarily stunned and blinks.
“Liya, is it your shift today?”
“It's the first week of the month, of course it's my shift. Dong Ge, you actually forgot when the cutest little Liya is on duty, it's so heartbreaking.”
The enthusiastic voice pretends to be sad but is clearly feigned.
It's her, it's her, it's her, the blonde, blue-eyed, big-faced, 180-cm tall, 180-kg weight guardian angel of all interstellar miners – Little Liya.
Wang Dong involuntarily recalls the catchy melody in his mind.
She's a warm and outgoing woman who always infects others with her cheerfulness.
Feeling this warmth in the dead silence of space is a kind of happiness.
After all, it's been over ten years since they last saw each other, forgetting her shift schedule is normal.
And now, right after his rebirth, Wang Dong doesn't pay attention to whether this behavior is unusual or not.
Occasionally forgetting the shift schedule of the outpost personnel isn't a big deal.
Besides Liya, the outgoing woman, there aren't many outpost personnel that miners would care about.
Laughing, Wang Dong ignores the woman's teasing and chats with her briefly, mainly focusing on the recent asteroid belt movements and whether there are any unusual changes.
Although his past life experience indicated that this asteroid belt mining district was generally stable, it's always best to be cautious when it comes to matters of life and death.
This is a habit shared by all interstellar miners.
Your life is your own. If you don't value it, who else will?
“Oh right, Lao Shi also chose Zone 2 this time, keep an eye out for him.”
Liya warns Wang Dong at the end.
“Lao Shi?”
Wang Dong thinks for a moment, piecing together his familiar surroundings and finally dredging up the distant memories from his mind.
After transmigration, Wang Dong has always been able to pick the best condition ship among all the mining vessels, aided by his cheat code.
Moreover, with the help of the cheat code, Wang Dong can monitor the specific condition of his own ship in real-time.
This allows him to fully utilize the limit performance of the ship when necessary.
As a result, Wang Dong, with his "capital", often manages to venture deep into the mining district, bringing back more loot than other miners.
While Wang Dong has hidden his cheat code's existence well, the outcome is undeniable, inevitably making some people envious.
Lao Shi is one of them.