Back aboard the T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser, Zhao Chen called Charlotte and Lilith before him for a brief meeting.
He instructed them to select a group of outstanding, capable, and talented crew members from the existing personnel to serve as the first backbone of the Fierce Dragon Fleet, nurturing them for future leadership roles.
After all, as the starship count increased and the Fierce Dragon Fleet continued to grow, the leadership structure had to expand accordingly. It couldn't remain just the three of them forever.
Once these matters were settled, Zhao Chen ordered the T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser to return to the North Star Starship Military Academy.
Now that they were back in the North Star System and had caused such a stir in the Azure Star System, it was only fitting to make an appearance at the Academy.
After a period of warp navigation, the T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser appeared for the second time in the starport of the North Star Starship Military Academy.
The moment the starship arrived, every vantage point within the Academy overlooking the starport was crowded with people, all eager to catch a glimpse of the famous T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser.
"Wow, it's really beautiful! Is this that legendary starship?"
"This is nothing! You should've seen it the first time it came to the North Star Starship Military Academy. Back then, its hull didn't have so many battle scars—it was even more stunning!"
A student who had been fortunate enough to witness the T3 Blizzard's glory during its first visit to the Academy spoke with pride.
A young man beside him, however, gazed at the T3 Blizzard with fascination. "No! I actually think the T3 Blizzard looks even more impressive now. Even though it bears those unrepaired battle scars, it's precisely these marks of combat that have truly given this starship its soul!"
The surrounding students nodded, some understanding, others not quite.
"I heard that the captain of this starship, Senior Zhao Chen, charged alone into a Zerg desperate situation and fought for three days and three nights to rescue the faculty and students of the two academies!" a lower-year female student said admiringly, having picked up some gossip from somewhere.
"It wasn't that simple! I heard that while rescuing them, Senior Zhao Chen fought the Zerg bare-handed. When he was hungry, he grabbed a Zerg and ate its flesh; when he was thirsty, he drank its blood!" a male student added with reverence.
"These are all unconfirmed stories. What's certain is that after Senior Zhao Chen returned, the Royal Fleet personally came to bestow honors upon him. The Royal Fleet itself! Do you know what that means? Senior Zhao Chen was directly promoted from an Imperial Baron to an Imperial Viscount! Even though it's just a viscountcy now, his future is absolutely extraordinary!"
"What you're saying is nothing. Do you know Governor Chu He? Do you know the Chu Family? Senior Zhao Chen is now recognized by Governor Chu as his future grandson-in-law. And what status does Governor Chu's granddaughter hold? She's the granddaughter of Governor Chu He and the maternal granddaughter of the Governor of the North Wind Star Domain! This is truly soaring to great heights!"
In recent days, various rumors about Zhao Chen had been spreading like wildfire within the North Star Starship Military Academy, with all sorts of strange and exaggerated versions circulating.
And among them, some mentioned a minor incident: that there was once a fiancée of Senior Zhao Chen who actually "abandoned" Senior Zhao Chen.
"Look, that's Jiang Shasha, the one who 'abandoned' Senior Zhao Chen. Tsk tsk tsk... She really has no taste. How could she not appreciate such a wonderful person like Senior Zhao Chen?"
"Hmph, that kind of woman just doesn't know how good she has it! If I had such a heroic fiancé, I'd slap myself first before even thinking about arguing with him. Pah! She doesn't know what's good for her!"
Jiang Shasha, pointed at by many, stood in a corner, gazing at the T3 Blizzard slowly docking into the starport. Her emotions were incredibly complex.
Outside the berth where the T3 Blizzard was docking, many teachers from the academy, along with the dean and numerous vice deans, had all gathered to welcome and await the appearance of that man.
Such treatment was something very few in the entire Stellar Glory Empire could ever receive.
Jiang Shasha clenched her fists. If she hadn't given up on Zhao Chen back then... would she now be the one others envied?
"Shasha, don't think about it anymore. Those are all things of the past. I'm here with you now, and I'll protect you!" A male student stood beside Jiang Shasha, his hand moving to rest on her shoulder.
But Jiang Shasha dodged it, whispering, "Senior, I know what you mean. But I don't have any other thoughts right now."
The next moment, a bottle of water was splashed onto Jiang Shasha's face.
"You're thinking about that Zhao Chen, aren't you? Regretting it now? What were you doing earlier! A noblewoman like you, who doesn't even have a nobility title—it's your good fortune that I took a liking to you. Don't be ungrateful! Now, you're not even worthy of polishing Zhao Chen's shoes. Pah." The senior completely abandoned his earlier gentleness, openly despising Jiang Shasha before turning and walking away without looking back.
Jiang Shasha froze for a moment, then burst into wild laughter. As she laughed, she began to cry, but no one around pitied this woman.
Academy Starport
Zhao Chen and Zhao Wan'er stepped down. The scene before them was similar to the one at the Lantian Star System starport, complete with various welcoming and celebratory ceremonies.
Unlike before, this time there were academy reporters filming Zhao Chen, documenting him and the legendary starship behind him.
Clearly, this would become a legendary tale at the North Star Starship Military Academy.
"Senior Zhao Chen!"
"Senior Zhao Chen!"
A group of female students swarmed forward, presenting gifts to Zhao Chen and pushing Zhao Wan'er, who had been beside him, several meters away.
By the time Zhao Wan'er realized what had happened, she was surprised to find herself in this position.
Finally, a few female students, seeing no chance to crowd around Senior Zhao Chen, noticed Zhao Wan'er.
They immediately surrounded her with smiles, offering gifts as well.
"Wan'er, this is a gift for your brother. Please pass it on to him for me."
"Wan'er, I'm from the class next to yours. We once ate at the same table in the academy cafeteria. I wanted to ask if your brother has any social media accounts."
"Sister, senior has always been paying attention to you. You have good talent. If you encounter any difficulties in the future, just tell your sister-in-law... I mean, senior! Senior can tutor you, and if Zhao Chen has anything he doesn't understand, I can tutor him too."
Zhao Wan'er glared darkly at these smiling girls, some of whom even stuffed a few love letters into her hands.
However, Zhao Wan'er didn't give any of these love letters to Zhao Chen. After leaving the area, she unceremoniously threw them all into the shredder.
Zhao Wan'er looked at Zhao Chen, who had only managed to escape the perilous situation—like a Zerg Swarm—with the help of the Academy teachers.
Her expression grew even darker.
Zhao Chen's face, neck, arms, and even his clothes were covered in lipstick marks, with several buttons missing from his shirt.
His hands were also filled with various items, and even in his pockets were some indescribable things.
At that moment, Zhao Chen, having narrowly escaped with his life, had only one thought in his mind.
My goodness... these women are even more terrifying than the Zerg!
For a moment, he almost thought he was going to be devoured!