Claiming the Task Reward.
[Congratulations on obtaining "One High-Quality Interstellar Resource"]
Zhao Chen was taken aback. What kind of strange task reward was this?
Zhao Chen clicked to view the details.
[The system will confirm with the host within 30 minutes the galactic range for the distribution of the task reward. After the range is confirmed, the system will grant "One High-Quality Interstellar Resource" within three days in a manner that will be tacitly accepted by the world.]
It seemed like he was going to be given a mining planet.
Was it going to materialize out of thin air for him?
Zhao Chen was somewhat expectant, but the system didn't offer much of an explanation.
In any case, the system had already stated it would be in a "manner tacitly accepted by the world," so there shouldn't be any problems.
Zhao Chen set the galactic range to his own Qilin Star System.
"Commander, we have collected raw material resources worth three hundred thousand Star Coins from the surrounding planets," Secretary Aili reported from the side.
Only three hundred thousand Star Coins worth of raw materials? That was far too poor.
But it made sense upon reflection.
Stellar powers like this in the Reef Starfield rarely stored large quantities of ready-made resources. They would basically convert these resources into military assets like interstellar warships, stellar ship ammunition, or energy blocks as quickly as possible.
After all, here, strength was the deciding factor in everything.
As long as one had absolute strength, if they lacked resources, they could just go and plunder them.
"Forget it, let's head back," Zhao Chen said, looking at the Fire Salamander Tribe's starport in the distance, which was now devoid of firelight and covered in ruins.
The starship wreckage from that starport and the interstellar warships that had exploded within it should be worth several million, or even tens of millions, of Star Coins after salvage.
But that would require a massive amount of work.
Zhao Chen had no time to waste here. He could consider handing it over to the Snake People Clan later and just collect some ready-made resources for himself.
The Fierce Dragon Fleet, along with a few "borrowed" Interstellar Transport Ships, began its return journey to the Lion King Star System.
By the time they returned to the Lion King Star System, Commander Qing Man's fleet had also finished cleaning up the battlefield. She had no intention of privately keeping any of the starship wreckage from the battlefield.
She had piled it all up in one place, leaving it for Zhao Chen.
"Your Excellency, Commander, our Queen will be in communication with you later," Commander Qing Man said respectfully.
"I understand," Zhao Chen nodded.
Commander Qing Man spoke to Zhao Chen with respect once more, "On behalf of my people, I would also like to express my profound gratitude for the aid you provided to our wounded.
"If not for your interstellar medical ship, our Snake People Clan would have likely suffered at least thirty percent more casualties in this battle!"
Commander Qing Man had already received the Snake People warriors who had been treated and sent back. Some of them had even come from destroyed Snake People Clan interstellar warships.
For various reasons, they had been lucky enough to survive after their starships fell, but without the rescue efforts of Zhao Chen's T3 Andromeda-class Interstellar Medical Ship, there was a ninety percent chance they would have still perished.
It was the T3 Andromeda-class Interstellar Medical Ship that had given them the hope and possibility of survival.
Not only did it save them, but it also healed their injuries.
"As comrades-in-arms in the same battle, this is what we should do," Zhao Chen said calmly.
Commander Qing Man was somewhat moved. She said, "It is an honor to be Your Excellency's comrade-in-arms."
Soon after, a video communication request was sent to Zhao Chen.
On the other end was the Queen of the Snake People Clan, Medusa.
"Your Excellency, Commander, you have truly brought me a great surprise. Defeating one thousand five hundred interstellar warships with zero losses... no, I heard you also destroyed over a thousand interstellar warships at the Fire Salamander Tribe's headquarters.
"That makes it two thousand five hundred interstellar warships.
"Truly a terrifyingly impressive battle record." Queen Medusa's beautiful eyes gazed at Zhao Chen, not holding back her praise in the slightest.
When she learned of the battlefield information from his side, she herself was stunned.
Although the five hundred Snake People Clan interstellar warships she had dispatched had lost two hundred, it was nothing compared to the enemy fleet's losses.
Most importantly, the leaders of three stellar powers had been killed.
Although those stellar powers would elect new clan leaders, their combat capability would be greatly diminished for a short period, leaving them leaderless. This was the perfect opportunity for her to clean up.
Zhao Chen didn't respond to Queen Medusa's words, instead asking, "I wonder how the battle on the Queen's side is going? Is it proceeding smoothly?"
"Very smoothly. I attacked several stellar powers, three interstellar fortresses, defeated several of their main fleets, and seized some important strategic locations.
"After this, I will gradually expand and take full control of these star systems.
"If all goes as planned, within three months.
"I will be able to control the star systems of the Gabo Clan, the Black Boar Tribe, and the Fire Salamander Tribe!" Queen Medusa declared.
Zhao Chen smiled and congratulated her, "Then allow me to congratulate Queen Medusa in advance on her successful revenge and for reaping such great rewards."
"No, these are not my rewards alone.
"These are our rewards.
"According to our prior agreement, we will split the profits from this battle fifty-fifty.
"Of these few star systems, pick whichever one you want." Queen Medusa waved her hand grandly, displaying a map of the Reef Starfield. Several star systems belonging to the Gabo Clan, the Black Boar Tribe, and the Fire Salamander Tribe were specifically marked out.
Anyone else would have been incredibly excited at this moment.
After all, within the Stellar Glory Empire, those who possessed several star systems were all at the level of a Count!
The reason Queen Medusa was being so frank was, in truth, because of the strength of this "Lion King Fleet."
Just as she had said before, only two people of equal strength could be considered partners in a cooperation.
If Zhao Chen's interstellar fleet had not demonstrated its due combat capability in this battle, Queen Medusa's attitude now would be the complete opposite. Perhaps she would have given Zhao Chen his due according to her promise, but it definitely would not have been as much as this.
"Let's forget about the star systems. If Your Majesty the Queen likes them, you are welcome to take them all.
"I only want the raw material resources. Also, regarding the starport at the Fire Salamander Tribe's headquarters, Your Majesty can go and clean it up when you have time. I imagine it's still worth several million Star Coins," Zhao Chen refused Queen Medusa's offer to divide the star systems.
It wasn't that Zhao Chen didn't want to expand his territory.
It was just that having the Fierce Dragon Star System and the Lion King Star System was enough for him right now.
As for the star systems of these few stellar powers, the value of the resources that could be mined in a year, plus tax revenue, would only amount to a few tens of millions of Star Coins!
It would also require a great deal of effort to manage, requiring investment in Interstellar Mining Ships, arranging stationed fleets, and so on.
For the current Zhao Chen, owning these low-value star systems was not worth it.
It was better to directly convert them into ready-made raw material resources.