Zhao Chen walked out of the berth of the T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser and into the Stellar Port Corridor outside, where dazzling fireworks immediately lit up the sky.
These fireworks were not physical but light effects.
Yet they looked exactly like the real thing.
At the same time, Imperial Army soldiers standing at attention with their weapons raised their right fists to their chests in unison at an officer's command, all facing Zhao Chen.
"Salute!"
These Imperial Army soldiers cleared a path for Zhao Chen.
But some young women who had been waiting eagerly stepped forward with flowers, embracing Zhao Chen. One even took the opportunity to kiss him on the cheek, leaving a note in his pocket.
Zhao Chen... he was being teased, wasn't he? Should he report this to the authorities? Or should he report it?
"Student Zhao Chen! Seeing you in the communication video didn't do you justice—meeting you in person truly reveals your extraordinary presence!
No wonder you're the Young Hero of this Rescue Operation!" The Governor of Azure Star Domain warmly stepped forward and shook Zhao Chen's hand.
"You flatter me, Governor," Zhao Chen said humbly, holding the flowers in his left hand. The Star Sector Governor before him appeared much more prosperous and amiable.
He was nothing like the imposing aura of Governor Chu.
"Logically, Student Zhao Chen, having just returned from the Water Lily Star System, I should let you rest first.
But I've specially prepared a banquet here to welcome you and wash away the dust of your journey.
I can only ask you to endure a little more effort, as everyone is eager to see your heroic visage!" The Governor of Azure Star Domain smiled kindly.
Zhao Chen smiled in return. "Then I'll gladly accept your hospitality."
Let's see what kind of show you've prepared for me.
Compared to the treatment Zhao Chen received after disembarking, the commotion around the Faculty and Students of the Two Academies was much quieter.
"Don't you think Student Zhao Chen has changed a lot compared to when we first met half a year ago?
Facing a Star Sector Governor, his presence doesn't falter at all!" Xue Xiaoxiao gazed from another spot at the welcoming scene for Zhao Chen, occasionally standing on tiptoe to get a better view.
"He has changed a great deal, but... something feels a bit off..." Senior Su Lan frowned slightly beside her.
Xue Xiaoxiao asked, puzzled, "What's off about it? Student Zhao Chen saved the Faculty and Students of the Two Academies. Even though... his subsequent actions were a bit confusing... saving them is an undeniable fact.
Calling him a hero and giving him this kind of treatment is perfectly reasonable, isn't it?"
"What you say is true, but haven't you noticed? There isn't a single reporter among the crowd welcoming Zhao Chen!" Senior Su Lan voiced her suspicion.
"Normally, in a situation like this, the emergence of a Young Hero would definitely attract a lot of attention. How could the Empire's media groups miss such a big story?
But I've looked around, and there's not a single reporter—not even anyone recording the event."
Hearing Senior Su Lan's words, Xue Xiaoxiao looked over again, scanning the area carefully.
Indeed, there was no one present who appeared to be a reporter. This was highly unusual.
Not to mention incidents that shake the two major academies of the Stellar Glory Empire, even the recent Zerg crisis in the Water Lily Star System has drawn the attention of numerous reporters daily, monitoring every development and spreading any hot topics online.
Currently, the Zerg crisis in the Water Lily Star System is undoubtedly one of the hottest topics across the entire Stellar Glory Empire's network. Among these, the story of the prodigious student Zhao Chen, who single-handedly saved the faculty and students of the two academies, stands out as a major highlight.
"Sister Su Lan, now that you mention it, it really is strange," Xue Xiaoxiao muttered.
At this moment, Senior Su Lan raised her hand and summoned a virtual screen, searching for information about Zhao Chen. To her surprise, she found that Zhao Chen's name had already disappeared from the trending topics list on the Stellar Glory Empire's network.
The only related piece of information was that the faculty and students of the two academies had left the Water Lily Star System under the escort of the Imperial Fleet.
"Something's wrong! Zhao Chen might be in serious trouble," Senior Su Lan said with a serious expression.
"Serious trouble?" Xue Xiaoxiao tilted her head, looking confused.
Senior Su Lan stared at Zhao Chen's retreating figure as he accompanied the Governor of the Azure Star Domain away. With concern in her voice, she said, "I should have realized it sooner.
Although Zhao Chen saved us this time, he has revealed far too many secrets.
What is the deal with that incredibly powerful T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser? Before this, we had no knowledge of such a starship.
Someone will undoubtedly investigate Zhao Chen thoroughly, and his previous remarkable achievements at our academy will also come under scrutiny.
The T2 Black Rhino-class Interstellar Heavy Assault Frigate! Assembling a starship capable of reaching a speed of one hundred knots stellar speed!
Any one of these labels attached to a person would undoubtedly attract covetous attention.
And when all of these are concentrated in one individual, he becomes the target of all interstellar forces!"
"But even so... would they really dare to do anything to Zhao Chen? He's the hero who saved the faculty and students of the two academies!" Xue Xiaoxiao said naively.
Senior Su Lan shook her head. "A hero? When you're needed, you're a hero.
But when everyone becomes more interested in your secrets, you become prey hunted by many forces.
The current control over the network is meant to diminish Zhao Chen's public influence, minimizing any potential fallout regardless of what happens in the future.
Those who have their eyes on Zhao Chen have already begun to act."
"Those people? Who could they be?" Xue Xiaoxiao began to worry as well.
"This is the Azure Star Domain, and the Governor of the Azure Star Domain has personally intervened! How could His Excellency let such an opportunity slip?" Senior Su Lan bit her lip anxiously and said urgently, "I'll go find Teacher Qin.
We need Teacher Qin to contact the North Star Starship Military Academy and hope they can step in to ensure Zhao Chen's safety!"
While Senior Su Lan and Xue Xiaoxiao worried about Zhao Chen, some of the surrounding faculty and students from the two academies watched with envy, observing the preferential treatment Zhao Chen received.
Others wore complex, uncertain expressions on their faces.
"Hmph! That guy swindled so much money from us! And he still gets to enjoy this kind of treatment!" Feng Xiao Wei said indignantly as he watched Zhao Chen's treatment over there.
A man walked up to Feng Xiao Wei and slapped him on the head.
"How many times have I told you, you can't let your emotions show on your face. Keep your thoughts to yourself. With that kind of shit luck, why didn't you just die in the Swarm? It would save us from the embarrassment of the Hurricane Consortium."
Faced with the scolding and curses from the man before him, Feng Xiao Wei, the young master of the Hurricane Consortium, didn't dare show anger. Instead, he grinned foolishly and said, "Brother... I got it... I'll be more careful next time."
The man Feng Xiao Wei called brother was the eldest young master of the Hurricane Consortium, Feng Dawei.
"Come on, I'll take you to watch a good show," Feng Dawei said calmly.
"A good show? What kind of good show?" Feng Xiao Wei asked curiously.
Feng Dawei stared at the distant figures of Zhao Chen and the Governor of Azure Star Domain leaving and said, "That kid named Zhao Chen has a lot of secrets, especially that T3 Blizzard-class Light Interstellar Battlecruiser!
Don't forget, our Hurricane Consortium has close ties with the Governor of Azure Star Domain.
Before this, our father had already discussed with the Governor that no matter what, we have to make that kid reveal some valuable information."
"But... that kid is at the peak of his popularity right now. It wouldn't be good to mess with him, would it?" Feng Xiao Wei said worriedly.
Feng Dawei snorted coldly and said disdainfully, "At most, he's just a Baron, and this is the Azure Star Domain. How we deal with him depends entirely on the Governor and our Hurricane Consortium."
Hearing this, a gleeful look flashed in Feng Xiao Wei's eyes. "Brother! Let's go quickly. I want to see that kid get humiliated!"
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