Li Wei followed Zhao Chen through the interior corridors of Blizzard Zero.
The further they walked, the more Li Wei's initial excitement faded.
The passages were narrow. The walls were old. Weld marks and replacement plates were visible everywhere. Compared to the sleek interiors of modern starships, Blizzard Zero felt cramped and crude.
"You…" Li Wei hesitated, glancing around. "I thought it would be a little more—"
"Luxurious?" Zhao Chen finished for him calmly. "These components came from three starships nearly a century old. Of course it can't compare to new builds.
"Function over comfort."
After walking for more than ten minutes, they exited the ship.
Li Wei took a deep breath, visibly relieved. "It's much better looking from the outside.
"But Old Zhao… why are all your crew half-orc women? I didn't know you were into this kind of thing.
"I'm not judging—just saying starship combat isn't a joke."
Zhao Chen rolled his eyes. "Your mind really is filthy.
"I recruited them for a reason. They were professional crew members before they were enslaved.
"And you saw the duel. Do you really think a group of vases could pull that off?"
Li Wei thought about the footage and nodded. "Fair point."
Then he remembered something. "You said you needed my help. What is it?"
Zhao Chen's expression turned serious.
"Your Li family expanded into the starship arms trade in recent years," he said. "Unsuccessfully.
"I happen to have a T1 starship design that I developed myself. I want you to pass the technical drawings to your family and see if they're interested.
"But this has to be done quietly. My identity must remain hidden.
"Even if your father asks—don't say it came from me."
Li Wei stared at him. "You… developed a starship?
"Independently?"
He paused, then laughed weakly. "Actually… after seeing Blizzard Zero, I guess I shouldn't be surprised."
He grew more cautious. "I can't guarantee anything. I don't control that part of the business.
"My sister proposed entering the arms market. She's the one in charge now.
"But to be honest—this division has been losing money for four straight years.
"Even this year's T1 model hasn't been finalized. Shareholders are pressuring her to shut it down."
Zhao Chen patted his shoulder and handed him a thumb-sized data crystal.
"That's fine.
"You don't need to promise me results. Just make sure they see it.
"Encrypt it and send it directly to your sister. If she asks where it came from—make something up."
Li Wei weighed the crystal in his hand. "This really contains the full T1 starship technical drawings?
"You're that confident?"
"Yes." Zhao Chen replied without hesitation.
Li Wei frowned. "Normally, designs like this are delivered in person. Network transmission carries risks.
"I'm heading home during the break anyway. I can take it with me and deliver it directly."
"That's fine," Zhao Chen said. "I've already layered the encryption. When you send it, notify me. I'll unlock it remotely.
"I'm in a hurry."
Li Wei nodded slowly. "Alright. I'll try.
"But don't expect too much. My sister doesn't care about family ties when it comes to business."
"That's exactly why she'll understand its value," Zhao Chen said with a faint smile.
They parted ways soon after.
Li Wei returned to his dormitory and sent the encrypted data crystal to his sister as requested, along with a brief message.
Interstellar transmission would take nearly a full day.
Whether this gamble paid off would depend on her judgment.
Zhao Chen returned to his own dormitory.
Although Blizzard Zero had a captain's quarters, many of his belongings were still here. With the semester ending, it was time to move everything aboard.
Sitting on the narrow single bed, he opened the system interface.
[System Mall Upgrade Conditions — T1 → T2]
✓ Exchange one T1-level product (Completed)
✓ Complete one D-rank system task (Completed)
✓ Consume 100 system points (Available)
Without hesitation, Zhao Chen selected the option.
'Confirm.'
[System Mall Upgrade Successful]
T1 Mall → T2 Mall
Remaining system points: 250
A new notification followed immediately.
[Special Privilege Unlocked]
Upon first opening the T2 Mall, the host may exchange one T2 product without consuming mission points.
Zhao Chen's eyes widened.
He hadn't expected that.
Originally, exchanging T2 products required three mission points—a threshold that would have taken him months to reach.
Now, the door was open.
He quickly skimmed the requirements to unlock the T3 mall.
Two C-rank tasks. Two T2 exchanges. Two thousand system points.
Far beyond his current reach.
Zhao Chen dismissed the thought.
For now—
He needed a real ship.
Not an assembled compromise.
He focused on the T2 catalog, reading each entry carefully.
Destroyers.
Cruisers.
Battleships.
Then his gaze stopped.
T2 Aircraft Carrier–class Starship.
Zhao Chen's heartbeat quickened.
"That's it," he murmured.
His first true system starship.
And the foundation of a fleet.