Chapitre 3: Chapter 3: The Third Planet
"No, I'm not hungry. I'll head back to rest," Su Ming replied, fighting the cravings gnawing at him. He turned away from the table and headed upstairs.
Back in his room, Su Ming threw himself onto the bed, gazing at the ceiling as his thoughts raced.
He still couldn't understand why he'd ended up in this world. Even his previous life's memories felt hazy, like fleeting fragments of a dream.
After absorbing the original Su Ming's memories, he began to feel a strange sense of disorientation. It was as if he hadn't transmigrated at all, as though he really was Su Ming, with his past experiences vividly etched in his mind—blurring the line between illusion and reality.
After a long while, Su Ming sighed helplessly.
"Well, since I'm here, I might as well make the best of it."
Resigned to his fate, he sat up and looked down at his body, muttering under his breath.
"So, what now? This body is way too overweight. At 175 cm tall and weighing 185 pounds, my body fat must be around 30%. To get a healthy, ideal physique, I'd need to drop to 135 pounds—that's 50 pounds to lose. If I want to do it safely, it'll take at least 120 days, which means—"
Before he could finish his calculations, exhaustion crept in, and he drifted off to sleep, his thoughts fading into the void.
---
The Next Morning
In the grand living room, Zhao Ning was instructing Chen Hui.
"Keep an eye on the kitchen and make sure the ingredients are fresh when they arrive," she said.
"Yes, madam," Chen Hui replied respectfully.
At that moment, Su Ming walked by, dressed in loose athletic wear.
"Mother," he greeted her casually.
"Son? You're up? Where are you off to so early?" Zhao Ning asked, surprised. In her memory, Su Ming had never been an early riser.
"Running," Su Ming replied simply, jogging out the door.
He stepped outside, passing through the lush garden before reaching the paved concrete road.
Turning back for a moment, he took in the sight of his home—a standalone villa that, even in a wealthy neighborhood, was exceptionally luxurious.
With a faint smile, Su Ming turned and began jogging forward.
---
Su Ming's current location was in the Old Galaxy, under the jurisdiction of the Old Federation, on the Third Planet, within District 13.
The Third Planet was the Old Federation's central hub, home to three colossal cities and sixteen administrative districts.
The "three cities" referred to three massive surface megacities, while the "sixteen districts" were sprawling underground zones.
As a Class-5 Habitable Planet (for reference, Earth is a Class-6 Habitable Planet), the Third Planet's environment was harsh and unpredictable. Surface temperatures soared to 60°C (140°F) or higher during heat waves, while winters plunged to as low as -70°C (-94°F). The surface had long ceased to be suitable for permanent habitation, forcing most of the population to live underground.
Jogging out of the gated community, Su Ming passed a group of gossiping socialites who immediately began whispering.
"Isn't that the Su family's little fatty?"
"It is. I heard he tried to hang himself recently. The whole thing caused quite the scandal."
"Honestly, what a disgrace. Zhao Ning is so smart and capable—how did she end up with a son like that?"
"Who knows."
Ignoring their judgmental gazes, Su Ming maintained his steady pace.
---
He jogged past towering steel skyscrapers and bustling plazas, all the while reflecting on this world.
Despite its flaws, this civilization was incredibly advanced. Beyond the Third Planet, the Old Federation governed numerous other directly-controlled planets and mining colonies.
But the Old Federation wasn't alone. Two other major powers dominated the galaxy: the Empire of Dark Star in the First New Galaxy (Belonka) and the Theocracy of Saint Rox in the Second New Galaxy (Apocalypse).
Both civilizations were stronger than the Old Federation, leaving it in a precarious position.
However, they weren't the greatest threat. That title belonged to two alien species: the silicon-based Mechanoids and the undead Chilamis.
According to the original Su Ming's memories and the information he'd found, the Old Federation had spent centuries fending off these two alien forces, struggling to survive. It wouldn't be surprising if they were wiped out someday.
Fortunately, the Empire of Dark Star and the Theocracy of Saint Rox faced similar challenges. The relentless alien threats had forced the three powers into a fragile, temporary truce.
---
Panting heavily, Su Ming finally reached a towering skybridge. Leaning against the railing, he caught his breath and looked out over the city.
The view was breathtaking. Towering skyscrapers pierced the artificial sky, their tops fading into hazy projections. Scattered among them were smaller structures, with wide roads winding through the city like ribbons. Elevated walkways connected various zones, while anti-gravity vehicles zipped through the air like shooting stars.
A bright smile spread across Su Ming's face as his eyes sparkled with excitement.
Looking up, he saw a clear blue sky and a radiant sun overhead.
Of course, Su Ming knew better. District 13 was an enormous underground city. The sky above was nothing more than a projected simulation, and the sun was an artificial light source.
District 13 was divided into two layers: the Upper Zone and the Lower Zone.
The Upper Zone, where Su Ming lived, was home to the affluent and privileged, giving an illusion of prosperity and comfort.
The Lower Zone, however, painted a starkly different picture.
---
The Old Federation's total population was 32 billion, with 5.2 billion residing on the Third Planet. District 13 housed 2.1 billion people, but only 10 million lived in the Upper Zone. The rest were crammed into the Lower Zone and scattered outlying areas.
The Lower Zone was overcrowded, with decaying infrastructure and scarce resources. Its residents struggled daily just to survive.
It was worth noting that the Old Federation was governed by a Parliament, along with three city lords and sixteen district administrators.
While Parliament handled the Federation's major policies, it didn't directly oversee the cities or districts. Each region operated autonomously, with its prosperity largely dependent on its administrator's capabilities.
---
An hour later, drenched in sweat, Su Ming returned home.
Seeing him, Zhao Ning rushed over, concern evident in her expression.
"My dear, are you tired?"
"Not too bad," Su Ming replied, though he felt utterly spent. This body was in terrible shape. He had originally planned to run for two hours, but after barely managing one, he was already exhausted.
Still, he had no choice but to start slow and gradually increase his stamina.
"You must be hungry after all that exercise! Breakfast is ready, and I even made sure to include the vegetables you asked for," Zhao Ning said, guiding him to the dining table.
Sitting down, Su Ming found a small plate of glistening green vegetables in front of him—just seven or eight stalks.
Picking one up with his chopsticks, he tasted it. The flavor was unremarkable, and after his strenuous workout, he had little appetite. After eating a few stalks, he set his chopsticks down.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone