Of course, this control method had its drawbacks.
Just like the system's previous "Permanent Function One," using it consumed Wang Dong's energy.
This control method wasn't without a cost, either. Wang Dong had to bear it himself.
This kind of high-speed data link also consumed energy.
Maintaining it for a long time wasn't realistic for Wang Dong at his current level.
It was fine to use in combat, but the ordinary mode was more suitable for everyday use.
Aside from "Scanning" and "High-speed Human-Machine Data Interaction," the two permanent functions, the previously unusable "Optional Functions" were no longer grayed out after the Warship Game Auxiliary System activated.
The conditions for using each function had also appeared beside it.
Optional Function One: Spatial Signal Capture (Consumes one Low-grade Energy Crystal per use)
Optional Function Two: Module Growth Value Doubled (Energy Crystal consumption varies according to module quality)
Optional Function Three: Module Trait Self-Selection (Energy Crystal consumption varies according to module quality)
All three optional functions were extraordinary.
But each time he used one, it consumed Energy Crystals.
The remaining "Advanced Functions" had changed as well.
Advanced Function One: Double Source Point Acquisition (Activated with one unit of High-grade Energy Crystal)
Advanced Function Two: Otherworldly Civilization Level Limit Removal (Activated with one unit of High-grade Energy Crystal)
Unlike the "Permanent Functions," which had no usage restrictions, and the "Optional Functions," which consumed Energy Crystals with each use,
the "Advanced Functions" required High-grade Energy Crystals to activate.
High-grade Energy Crystals were rare and expensive.
Fortunately, there was no immediate need to use the "Advanced Functions."
"Check this ship's basic data."
Yuan Shu was still there. To prevent him from noticing the abnormalities caused by the Auxiliary System, Wang Dong switched to voice mode to issue the command.
The shipborne optical computer wasn't truly intelligent, so it showed no sign of finding it strange that its new captain had repeated the command.
As soon as the command was issued, the relevant data appeared on the large screen at the front of the command cabin, while a gentle electronic voice read it aloud at a suitable pace.
The information displayed was identical to what Wang Dong had received earlier.
"Armor damage: 38%."
After a brief pause, Wang Dong raised a hand and tapped the air to open the details of the armor damage.
The data was clear.
The damage to the War Axe's hull armor was concentrated mainly around the stern. Several spots near the engine nozzles in particular were marked as "severely damaged."
They were highlighted in an eye-catching red.
The rest of the ship was mostly green.
It was obviously damage sustained while they were being pursued.
As for the hull damage, that wasn't much of a problem.
At 4%, it was nowhere near the critical threshold and had no effect on the warship's normal operation.
"Activate Silent Navigation. Move slowly to these coordinates."
Wang Dong lightly tapped the patrol radar image on the left and issued the transfer command to the War Axe's shipborne optical computer.
Everything else could wait. Their top priority was a Strategic Retreat.
Wang Dong clearly remembered that, in his previous life, they had wasted too much time in one place and allowed the Jin Family's search fleet to discover their trail.
They had struggled desperately to buy time, and only managed to escape by sheer luck after the ship was badly damaged.
By then, the War Axe's armor damage had reached 85%!
The hull damage had reached 56%!
The ship had been battered and left with barely half its strength.
Wang Dong had risked asking Yuan Shu for help precisely to buy this precious time.
The War Axe's shipborne optical computer was clearly more than a match for the Mine Overlord Type 2.
Even in a region as complex as the Asteroid Belt Mining Zone, it could still navigate automatically.
Wang Dong didn't need to pilot it himself. Once he set the destination, the War Axe adjusted its four directional thrusters on its own, using a light touch of the main engine. The entire warship glided gracefully and gently around larger meteorites and asteroids as it made its way deeper into the mining zone.
Of course, much of that was thanks to the thick armor covering the War Axe's hull. It could simply ignore low-speed collisions with ordinary small meteorites.
That was the beauty of having thick skin.
The ship also had an energy shield, but it consumed too much power, so it was rarely activated outside of combat.
Meanwhile, Wang Dong continued rummaging through the supply list and casually marked the single-use micro-probes listed there.
He deployed them one after another, placing more than ten carefully on nearby asteroids.
Watching Wang Dong work in an orderly fashion, a glimmer flashed in Yuan Shu's one remaining eye.
"Wang Dong, have you operated a warship before?"
Wang Dong turned to Yuan Shu and gave him a slightly bashful smile.
"I'm a devoted fan of the virtual game Star Sea Expedition. I've logged over 2,400 hours in total, fought nearly 1,200 battles in the starter ship, and have a win rate of over fifty percent."
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