“There’s no need to make such a big fuss. I’m just here to take a look,” Commander Zhao Chen said, looking at the Half-Beastman captain and dean of the goddess academy-class starship who was following him.

She had a pair of small, round ears on top of her head, black fur around her eyes, and the rest of her skin was fair until it turned black again at her neck, with a small tuft of white tail peeking out from her buttocks.

Her lower body was covered by a hip-hugging skirt, and beneath the skirt were naturally formed ‘black stockings.’

Note, these ‘black stockings’ were not actual stockings, but rather Dean Xiong Xiangxiang’s own black fur, which from a distance truly resembled ‘black stockings.’

As for whether other parts were white or black, although Commander Zhao Chen was very curious, he couldn't see them.

This dean, named Xiong Xiangxiang, was from the Half-Beastman Panda tribe.

According to Charlotte, this was a very ancient tribe with extensive knowledge reserves and a great aptitude for learning, known as the academic elite among the Half-Beastmans!

Therefore, she was arranged by Commander Zhao Chen to serve as both the captain and dean of the Goddess Academy.

The scene just now was a welcome ceremony specially prepared by Dean Xiong Xiangxiang for Commander Zhao Chen.

But to be honest, it really startled Commander Zhao Chen.

Being stared at by one, two, or even a dozen girls, Commander Zhao Chen might feel quite good.

However, imagine being stared at by thousands of women; that was truly uncomfortable.

He always felt like prey being eyed by a hunter.

Commander Zhao Chen even noticed many times that some female students were secretly taking pictures of him. As for what those secretly taken pictures were used for, only they themselves knew.

But it was said that a few days later,

Someone in the academy started selling so-called ‘Commander’s private photos’...

The problem was, the sales were quite good!

“The main reason is that the students unanimously requested it. The students truly admire you,” Dean Xiong Xiangxiang explained, looking at Commander Zhao Chen.

“I can understand, but learning should still be the priority. First, take me to see the situation inside the academy, and tell me about it, as well as if you’ve encountered any problems,” Commander Zhao Chen said.

“Alright.”

Commander Zhao Chen followed Dean Xiong Xiangxiang and toured the academy.

Although it was called an academy, Commander Zhao Chen felt it was more like an academic city.

Because everything was available there, and living facilities were complete.

But what was truly astonishing were the teaching facilities.

At this moment, Commander Zhao Chen was in a simulated Starship combat room.

Here, students could engage in simulated Starship combat training, which included all the Interstellar Warship currently in service with the Owl Dragon Fleet.

This ensured that after graduation, students could quickly integrate into their Starship positions upon enlistment.

“This is pretty much the situation at our Goddess Academy.

To date, Goddess Academy has been operating for over a month.

Because the Owl Dragon Fleet is not currently short of personnel, our training standard requires students to reach the advanced Interstellar Crewman standard before graduation.

So far, this batch will allow us to supply three thousand advanced Interstellar Crewmen to the Owl Dragon Fleet, whose capabilities are equivalent to Imperial Army veterans with ten years of service.

The only thing lacking might be actual combat experience. Although the simulated Starship courses can conduct multiple space combat training sessions, it’s still not comparable to real combat.

But I believe that as long as they experience one true combat situation,

They will be able to transform and grow!” Dean Xiong Xiangxiang said with unwavering conviction.

“I also believe in you,” Commander Zhao Chen praised.

He noticed that the recruits studying here had a certain light in their eyes—a kind of belief, a kind of hope.

Students at North Star Academy were not without it, but they were rare.

Only a small handful of students like Shen Bing had this kind of aura.

Beep, beep, beep, beep.

Just then, Commander Zhao Chen’s handheld terminal flashed.

“Excuse me, I need to handle some matters,” Commander Zhao Chen said, looking at Dean Xiong Xiangxiang.

“Please do,” Dean Xiong Xiangxiang said, then tactfully walked away.

Commander Zhao Chen tapped his handheld terminal, and a video communication request window popped up.

(Your private friend ‘Li Yaqi’ is requesting a video call with you. Do you accept?)

Li Yaqi contacting him at this time?

It must be something very important, because he had told her that unless it was important, she should not contact him normally.

Commander Zhao Chen clicked accept.

A video window quickly appeared.

“Commander, please save Scarlet Eye!” Li Yaqi looked at Commander Zhao Chen anxiously.

Scarlet Eye?

Commander Zhao Chen asked, “What happened to Scarlet Eye? Don’t worry, speak slowly!”

It seemed that the Bloody Mary Mercenary Group’s ‘delay’ this time truly meant they had encountered something.

“It’s like this, Scarlet Eye just sent me a distress signal...” Li Yaqi began to recount the events.

Originally, the Bloody Mary Mercenary Group had successfully procured the last batch of raw materials and was on its way to the Owl Dragon Star System.

And in this transport fleet, Scarlet Eye had also smuggled a batch of ‘private goods.’

Scarlet Eye’s Bloody Mary Mercenary Group had carried out a ‘black-on-black’ operation, intercepting an Interstellar Transport Ship fleet involved in intergalactic slave trading.

Then, she hid all those slaves on her own Interstellar Warship, originally planning to deliver Commander Zhao Chen’s cargo and then, on her return journey, smoothly take this batch of slaves out of Starlight Empire territory.

However, unexpectedly, for some unknown reason, the enemy managed to pinpoint the Bloody Mary Mercenary Group’s location, and a fleet several times larger than the Bloody Mary Mercenary Group’s launched a pursuit and blockade.

Left with no choice, Scarlet Eye could only send this communication to Li Yaqi. In fact, she didn’t even want to ask for help.

Instead, she wanted to inform Li Yaqi about this matter and ask Li Yaqi to convey her apologies to Commander Zhao Chen, stating that she might have to default on this last batch of goods.

“Scarlet Eye detests slave trading, so she occasionally raids Starfleet involved in slave trading to rescue those slaves.

Over time, some Interstellar Forces specializing in slave trading have targeted Scarlet Eye.

But Scarlet Eye, relying on her familiarity with the Interstellar border space, had always been successful.

She never expected this time to... to be entangled by the enemy.

The fact that she sent this message... indicates that her current situation is so dire that even she believes escape is hopeless.

I... I really don’t know what to do... I know you and Scarlet Eye are just business partners... there’s no need to risk yourself for her...

But... but I really don’t know what to do anymore... she’s one of my few friends...” Li Yaqi said, her voice choked with sobs and her eyes red and swollen.

She had completely lost the image of a strong woman she presented to the outside world.

“Alright, don’t cry.

This teary-eyed look is not like President Li.

I understand this matter, and I will find a way to deal with it.

Do you have the coordinates of the Bloody Mary Mercenary Group when they sent you the message?” Commander Zhao Chen asked.

“I... I do! I’ll send them to you right away...” Li Yaqi said repeatedly.

“Then you just wait for my news,” Commander Zhao Chen interrupted the communication and walked towards Dean Xiong Xiangxiang in the distance: “Dean, I’m sorry, I have to leave for a bit to handle something.”

“Alright, please go ahead,” Dean Xiong Xiangxiang said.

Commander Zhao Chen returned to his shuttle and immediately went back to the T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser.

At this moment, Commander Zhao Chen also received the information sent by Li Yaqi.

The coordinates of Scarlet Eye’s last communication were actually right in the North Wind Star Sector.

However, it was located in a border area of Interstellar space.

Commander Zhao Chen immediately contacted Lilith: “Lilith, immediately prepare the T3 Blizzard for combat. We have an operation.

Someone dared to touch something belonging to our Owl Dragon Fleet!”