Quarterly Mission: Possess three different models of t3 level-level Starships or above (1/3).

Select one auxiliary Starship model and acquire 5 units (0/5).

With the arrival of April, Zhao Chen's new quarterly mission appeared.

He scanned the mission content; the first condition was easy to achieve.

As for the second, he would just expand the T2 Iron Hammer to five units at that time.

Anyway, future fleet expansion would require a large number of Interstellar Industrial Ships.

Beep, beep, beep.

A video communication request came in; it was Teacher Qin on the other end.

"Student Zhao Chen, I discussed it with the teachers from the Two Academies and the high-ranking Imperial Army officers who rescued us. We plan to depart for the Lantian Galaxy tomorrow."

"Your Starship's damage will also be repaired at the Starport in the Lantian Galaxy."

"Do you have any problems with that?" Teacher Qin inquired.

Zhao Chen replied with a smile, "I have no problems. Just notify me when you're departing."

"Alright then, we'll set the departure time for tomorrow. I'm truly grateful to Student Zhao Chen for this incident. Although before... when we disembarked, we didn't have time to express our gratitude formally to you."

"But when we return to North Star Academy, I will apply to the academy to hold a celebration banquet for you," Teacher Qin said enthusiastically. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Zhao Chen repeatedly waved his hand, "A celebration banquet [N O V E L I G H T] is unnecessary."

Still expecting gratitude from the teachers and students of the Two Academies? More than half of the students would be doing well if they didn't hate him.

During the few days they spent on his Starship, which one of them didn't spend all their 'pocket money' in their account?

After ending the communication with Teacher Qin, Zhao Chen notified Charlotte and Lilith to prepare for departure tomorrow.

A portion of the T3 Blizzard's damaged hull had been repaired, but some parts could not be fixed here in the Water Lily Galaxy; they either had to return to North Star Academy or go to the Lantian Galaxy.

However, the ammunition had been fully resupplied.

The part that could not be repaired temporarily did not affect the T3 Blizzard's normal navigation and combat.

"Lantian Galaxy... I wonder what awaits me there." Zhao Chen gave a self-deprecating smile.

A good show was probably about to begin, and he was the protagonist.

...

Several days later.

A Starport in the Lantian Galaxy.

This day, the Starport was somewhat special. Several berths were cleared, and many Imperial Army Starfleets were waiting nearby.

Additionally, in the waiting area closest to those Starship berths, many people could be seen standing and waiting.

Finally, several Starships appeared in everyone's line of sight.

Immediately, everyone's gaze focused on the blue and white Interstellar Battlecruiser. This was the legendary Starship that, by itself, had rushed into the area of the Water Lily Galaxy overrun by the Zerg and rescued the teachers and students of the Two Academies.

Many signs of battle could still be seen on this legendary Starship.

From the mouths of the teachers and students of the Two Academies, they also learned about the course of that battle.

Destroying one t3 level Zerg Hive Starship with a single Interstellar Warship, severely damaging another t3 level Zerg Hive Starship, and finally escaping from the Zerg swarm fleet.

It was simply the stuff of legend!

This also caused Zhao Chen to become a legendary existence.

T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser, Bridge.

Zhao Chen sat in the captain's chair, with Charlotte and Lilith working on either side of him.

His younger sister, Zhao Wan'er, and Miss Chu, Chu Xuan, were also on the Bridge.

Su Lan and others were riding in the Imperial Army's Interstellar Warship next to them with Teacher Qin. As for the teachers and students of the Two Academies, they certainly wouldn't take Zhao Chen's Starship; they wouldn't even if you beat them to death!

"Brother, look! So many people! And an honor guard too! It looks like they're going to treat you like a hero!" Before the Starship had finished docking, Zhao Wan'er saw the crowds gathered around the berth.

A hero?

Zhao Chen gave a self-deprecating smile. Those people were probably treating him like fish on their chopping block.

And a very fragrant kind at that.

"This time, Zhao Chen, you've really made a splash." Chu Xuan was also happy for Zhao Chen from the side.

Zhao Chen smiled but said nothing.

Soon, the T3 Blizzard finished docking.

At this moment, a video call request popped up.

On the other side was a middle-aged man: "Student Zhao Chen, I am the Governor of Azure Starfield; regarding this Zerg disaster that occurred in our Lantian Galaxy, you were able to bravely rescue the teachers and students of the Two Academies.

"I express my deepest respect. I have prepared a celebration banquet here, and I hope Student Zhao Chen will not refuse." The Governor of Azure Starfield appeared, it seemed his appeal was truly significant.

As for whether to disembark, it was no longer up to Zhao Chen.

"Governor, you flatter me. This is what we, as citizens of the Starlight Empire, should do. Honestly, a celebration banquet is truly unnecessary," Zhao Chen said with a smile.

"What are you saying? You've done such a great thing! Let alone a small celebration banquet, even giving you an award wouldn't be too much!

"Moreover, there are many family members of the teachers and students from the Two Academies here who want to express their gratitude to you!" The Governor of Azure Starfield said enthusiastically.

"Since that is the case, then I will respectfully comply," Zhao Chen agreed to disembark.

"Then we await our young hero here," the Governor of Azure Starfield said with a smile, ending the communication.

"It seems you've caused quite a stir this time, young hero," Chu Xuan teased Zhao Chen.

But she quickly noticed that Zhao Chen's expression was very serious.

"Wan'er, you stay on the Starship. You are not allowed to disembark without my permission!" Zhao Chen looked at Zhao Wan'er sternly.

"Why... I want to go down and see too..." Zhao Wan'er didn't understand Zhao Chen's arrangement.

"Listen to me!" Zhao Chen said in an unquestionable tone.

Zhao Wan'er looked at Zhao Chen; it was the first time she had seen such a serious expression on her brother's face. She finally nodded, "Alright then... I'll stay on the Starship."

"Miss Chu, I'd like to trouble you with something; you also need to stay on the Starship."

"During the time I am disembarked, if anyone tries to board the T3 Blizzard for any reason, I hope you can stop them in your capacity as Miss Chu." Zhao Chen looked at Chu Xuan.

Although Chu Xuan didn't know why Zhao Chen would make such an arrangement at this time, she still nodded seriously: "I already owed you from back in the Arctic Fox Star System; don't worry, I will do as you ask."

Zhao Chen looked at Charlotte and Lilith beside him, saying nothing.

He turned and walked out of the Bridge.

Charlotte and Lilith's eyes, however, were filled with worry. Before they even set sail, Commander Zhao Chen had spoken with them.

He had given them an order.

After entering the Starport, the T3 Blizzard was to maintain a Level 1 combat readiness! All crew members were not allowed to leave their combat posts!

Once they received his command, they were to execute it immediately!

This gave them a feeling that something big was about to happen.

In the T3 Blizzard's disembarkation passage, he saw crowds of people on the other side, and also the teachers and students of the Two Academies disembarking from the Imperial Army's Interstellar Warship next to them.

Many of these people were watching Zhao Chen with eyes like hawks, as if Zhao Chen were a treasure.

Zhao Chen smiled, waved to those people, and slowly walked forward.

In his heart, however, he had made a decision.

If you really force me, I'll just leave the Starlight Empire with the Xiaolong Fleet!

Although it would be difficult to abandon the Xiaolong Galaxy, he would return one day, and by then... he would reclaim everything that was his, at several times the cost!

That was the worst outcome, but I, Zhao Chen, am fearless!