[Prompt Master, the train has met all the conditions for upgrading stars.]
1. All passengers have awakened as transcendents, with over 100,000 second-ascension individuals.
2. The train has participated in a civilization war and achieved victory.
3. The train's war capability rating is first-class.
[In conclusion, the train is about to upgrade to Bronze 1-Star.]
Damian, who had been waiting for some time, asked, "How should I operate this?"
[Master may rest assured. The train will auto-upgrade; no one may enter or exit during the process.]
Though unable to leave, Damian could monitor progress through the train's sensors. The train plunged into a massive nebula, hiding itself before deploying its lower levels. Fifty escort ships scattered across the area, while mining drones aboard various craft harvested rare minerals. Most shocking—mechanical arms extended from the train's base defense layer, retrofitting the vehicle.
"What aspects are being modified?"
[The train will add carriages, enhance defenses, and upgrade propulsion systems.]
"Won't the original carriages be modified?"
[Original carriages will only receive basic defense upgrades. For expansions like enlargement, further star upgrades are required; insufficient data exists currently.]
Damian halted his questions. Whatever clarity remained would come post-upgrade. Over the next day, he focused on cultivation, occasionally checking the cockpit. Carriage 11, 12... new sections seamlessly integrated with the original. Damian sensed a peculiar celestial energy accelerating the retrofit, drastically shortening the timeline.
By the end of the day (February 8th), the train reached 1-Star. Externally unchanged except for added heft, new roof/side-mounted equipment, and ten rear carriages, its status read:
[Train] Cherish (AI)
[ID] D1314
[Rank] Bronze (1 star); 0.4-Level
[Owner] Damian (Transcendent)
[Capacity] 2,000,000
[Current] 967,520 (excluding Conductor)
[Defense] Lvl 1
[Firepower] Lvl 1
[Propulsion] Lvl 1
[Energy] 15% Remaining
[Status] 100% (Perfect)
...
[Train defense now Lvl 1: fully blocks supra-biological scans.]
[Firepower Lvl 1: 2,000 hull lasers + 200 railguns on the roof.]
[Propulsion Lvl 1: 30% speed increase.]
[Energy reserve doubled; requires more to sustain consumption.]
[Ten new carriages added; increased passenger capacity.]
[Radar range extended to 2 billion km.]
Damian took time to absorb these changes. "But the train can traverse stars freely—why does its defense seem weak?"
[Such are the rules.]
"So it *can* be breached?"
[Yes. By cosmic beasts, dominant civilizations, or higher-ranked trains. Strive to strengthen the train further. Multiply passengers to form armies protecting it.]
Damian grasped the symbiosis: passengers shielded the train as the train sheltered them.
"Can the turrets be used freely?"
[Energy permitting, yes.]
"But why only 15% energy? Upgrading costs so much?"
[Energy percentage dropped due to increased reserve capacity.]
"Makes sense. Prioritize finding a star. New carriage renovations later."
The train announced the upgrade to all passengers. Celebratory chaos erupted:
"Stronger train safer us!"
"New living quarters behind Carriage 10! But access is sealed..."
"New carriages mean we can apply to move?"
"Why expand if population hasn't grown?"
"Idiot! More carriages more passengers. The train will keep growing—millions, then tens of millions..."
"Earlier passengers like us Purple Star get first dibs on perks. Later arrivals start behind."
In Carriage 10, Lilith's group explored the sealed-off zone of Carriage 11. Kairo thrilled: "This'll link to the commons! No more long walks!" But access remained restricted. Wilson Yang-Yuan joked, "Solo landing pads soon—no more fighting!"
Five hours after launch, the train docked with a star to recharge.
"Why still four hours?"
[New carriages have pipelines; energy efficiency doubled.]
"Does storage capacity increase? We could build more factories."
[Affirmative. Factory construction comes next.]
"First, finish setting up living zones in Carriages 11-20. Incoming passengers need move-in ready."
After refueling, Damian issued strict edicts against premature migration to new carriages. Four hours later, energy-full, the train departed. Carriage 11's commons opened, drawing throngs of eager neighbors. Though identical to other zones, proximity thrilled.
Twelve days later (February 20th), the train detected a habitable world. Docking near its star, Cherish deployed scouts. Passengers roared—a blue planet glimmered outside, promising civilization.