Zi Ye immediately piloted the mag-lev vehicle onto the campus-exclusive track, heading straight for Space Station Kaga ①.

Clearly, they had left Ling Si to avoid being swamped by fans, yet here they were, waiting for her at Kaga, practically signaling they expected her. Could she really refuse? Tang Wen was her teacher, and Bran had instructed her for so long...

She also desperately wanted to thank Xebent and Li Chunyu, but compared to Tang Wen, thanking them could wait; a slight delay wouldn't matter much.

After a moment's thought, she dialed Xebent's hyper-com. "Thank you all three for training with me for so long. It’s a pity I'm with my teacher now and can't celebrate with you immediately, but I’ll contact you later to grab a meal."

Xebent expressed understanding, waved goodbye to Li Chunyu, and headed back to school with Spente.

During the time they spent teaching Zi Ye mecha combat, they too had gained a lot much, and they felt immense gratitude toward Zi Ye. As the two ambled down the path, one on each side, Spente suddenly voiced a thought: "Aike, do you think the pilot of that Platinum Tycoon in the video could be Tang Wen?"

Aike froze. They had sparred with Bran that morning and understood his fighting style, but Zi Ye’s combat methods clearly mirrored the Platinum Tycoon's in several key areas.

Zi Ye had only recently started serious mecha training. Besides Bran, the only other person she had extensively trained with was Tang Wen.

If it was him, Tang Wen was unbelievably formidable!

Aike glanced beside him; there was a coffee shop. He immediately pulled Spente inside, ordered two cups of coffee, sat down, and brought up the Platinum Tycoon's video, scrutinizing every frame.

The more Spente watched, the more convinced he became it was Tang Wen. He whispered, "Brother, maybe we should forward the video to Legion HQ and have them investigate?"

Aike shook his head. "Zi Ye specifically said not to leak the video." He weighed the options in his mind, and ultimately, caution won out. "If Zi Ye finds out we leaked the video to anyone else, her trust in us will plummet. We aren't enemies with Tang Wen; there’s no need to risk it. We can explore it later if we get the chance."

Spente pouted in disappointment.

However, he understood the ramifications. He promptly wiped the video clean, erasing every trace.

The base was still in chaos. The students from the spectator stands flooded the lounge, eager to see Zi Ye, only to find she had vanished.

Ling Yin, sharp-eyed, spotted the Twins standing discreetly in an obscure corner. She hurried through the crowd, squeezing up to them. "Weren't you responsible for protecting Zi Ye? Where is she?"

The Twins replied coolly, "She went to find her teacher."

Ling Yin sighed in disappointment, but her expression brightened almost instantly. "Heh heh, we're definitely going to fleece her tomorrow! A girl who ditches friends for a handsome guy! But, her mentor is truly gorgeous!"

The Twins offered a flat "Mm," and added, "Let's go out."

Zi Ye emerged from the docking bay of Space Station Kaga ① to find Tang Wen and Bran seated in the adjacent VIP lounge, positioned prominently, clearly waiting specifically for her.

She rushed over, adopting a posture of deep deference. "Hello, Teacher. Hello, Bran."

Tang Wen shot her a sidelong glance, wanting to say something, but held back. Bran, keenly aware of Tang Wen’s thoughts, couldn't help a slight smile. "Don't be so formal; quickly, have a seat."

They sat facing each other.

Zi Ye didn't hesitate, choosing to sit right next to Bran.

Bran felt a pang of inner misery; Zi Ye was clearly cornering him!

What Tang Wen, this young man, was thinking might escape others, but Bran, having navigated the Star Federation alongside him for four years, instantly recognized the depth of his frustration.

Tang Wen was her teacher, not Bran’s, so why was Zi Ye gravitating toward Bran?

Despite his gloom, Tang Wen kept his thoughts internal.

Bran saw it and chuckled inwardly.

Tang Wen clearly no longer wished to speak.

Bran was forced to step in again: "Zi Ye, why don't we go out tonight, all three of us?"

Zi Ye agreed without a second thought. "Sure!" The pressure of the recent period had been immense; finally liberated, she wanted to unwind. However, what exactly could they do with these two? She instantly regretted agreeing so quickly!

Bran offered a mysterious smile and stood up. "Let's go."

Tang Wen walked ahead, instructing her to follow, while he trailed behind.

Zi Ye deliberately lagged a few steps to walk alongside Bran. "Bran, thank you for teaching me so much during this time."

Bran gestured toward Tang Wen. "He’s your mentor; I'm just his assistant. It's my job to teach you." He paused, then added, "You should thank him too. He taught you quite a bit as well."

Zi Ye hadn't overthought it, assuming he meant the hand-drawn schematic Tang Wen had sketched that last morning. Nodding, she quickly trotted up to Tang Wen and murmured softly, "Teacher, thank you."

Tang Wen, ahead of her, had overheard her interaction with Bran. He turned, his face cold. "Thank me for what?"

Zi Ye’s heart skipped a beat. "Thank you for teaching me, Teacher."

Whether it was because Tang Wen had been idolized too highly or because his aura was too aloof, Zi Ye always felt he was difficult to approach. Speaking to him made her feel insecure, unlike the easy rapport she shared with Bran.

It was probably just the innate caution students felt toward their teachers.

At that moment, Tang Wen suddenly stopped and raised a hand to gently touch her head.

Zi Ye’s consciousness momentarily froze.

This was...

Tang Wen calmly resumed walking, completely ignoring her stunned, open-mouthed expression. Once she could no longer see his face, the corner of his lips finally curled upward.

Bran, behind them, pinched the bridge of his nose in exasperation. This guy was incorrigible.

The three boarded a shuttlecraft.

Bran took the pilot seat.

Zi Ye desperately wanted to fly herself, just to avoid sitting next to Tang Wen, but Bran refused, citing the excuse, "You don't know the route; I'm more familiar with it."

Zi Ye inwardly grumbled that shuttles had automated navigation systems.

Disastrously, she ended up seated next to Tang Wen.

There was no scenery visible through the viewport. Zi Ye glanced out once, then withdrew her gaze, flickering her eyes between Bran and Tang Wen, feeling unsure where to look.

Tang Wen, who had been silent and composed, suddenly asked, "Are you afraid of me?"

(⊙o⊙) Ah!

She was discovered!

Zi Ye felt overwhelmingly guilty, her face flushed, her ears burning. She awkwardly scratched her head, stammering, "This... I..."

Tang Wen’s face remained stern. He asked again, "Am I that terrifying?"

Zi Ye almost wished for instant death to apologize. "No, no, absolutely not. Teacher, you’ve completely misunderstood."

Tang Wen ignored her, murmuring darkly, "I suppose I don't have much experience as a teacher, not like Bran, so you disdain me?"

Zi Ye nearly turned to stone.

Was that Tang Wen's tone?

Was that the voice of the lofty, god-like Tang Wen who looked down on the masses?

To reach his level, she had persevered relentlessly, fighting hard just to stand among the celestial beings. Couldn't he just avoid showing this unexpectedly human side right now?! It was terrifying!

Seeing her stunned expression, Tang Wen turned away with an air of sullen frustration.

Zi Ye had absolutely no idea how to answer his question. By the time she finally formulated a response, too much time had passed, making it awkward to speak.

She forced the words back down into her gut.

The atmosphere inside the shuttlecraft grew somewhat suffocating.

Tang Wen probably felt the awkwardness too. He casually pulled up the hand-drawn interface on his light-brain and picked up a stylus.

Zi Ye instantly seized the opportunity, fawning, "Teacher, Teacher, teach me how to draw!"

Tang Wen didn't react.

Zi Ye tried again, forcing a topic. "Teacher, your drawing is amazing, how did you learn?"

Tang Wen glanced at her, his voice devoid of emotion: "I am not fit to be your teacher."

Zi Ye was terrified. She grabbed his arm, nearly dropping to her knees. "Teacher, please don't abandon me!"

After the shuttle left the space station, it entered a special trajectory, following a route Zi Ye had never seen before.

Watching the structures flash past at high speed on either side, Zi Ye realized that in space, besides massive installations like space stations, habitat pods, villas, signal towers, and sovereign facilities, there were countless smaller and medium-sized structures, such as entertainment venues.

They were heading to a super-resort.

After exiting the special track, they entered the acceleration track.

One hundred kilometers on either side of the acceleration track were equipped with sentry cannons; a pass was required for entry. Those who forced their way in had only one outcome: being blown into fireworks.

Zi Ye felt a chill run down her spine. What an overwhelmingly powerful entity this place was.

They completely disregarded interstellar law.

Of course, most entertainment venues these days had some kind of powerful backing; otherwise, they wouldn't survive in space.

Passing through the acceleration track, they arrived at the resort entrance and were immediately guided into a docking bay.

Other than being significantly smaller than a space station, the resort looked outwardly much the same, only it was clearly geared toward recreation. The exterior had been specially adorned to appear high-end and stylish (sophisticated and upscale).

Upon entering, there was no clamor. Instead, it felt like stepping into a tranquil, ancient forest: the scent of flowers, birdsong, fountains, flowing water, flowered terraces, pavilions, and arcades...

Zi Ye felt as if she had returned to the surface.

The three strolled forward leisurely. Zi Ye spotted a vast sea of roses in the distance and exclaimed excitedly, "Wow, so many roses!"

A love for flowers is an instinct in women.

The two men paid it no mind, but their expressions subtly shifted when they saw Zi Ye scamper to the flower sea, pluck a yellow rose petal, brush it off with her hand, and pop it into her mouth.

"Ugh—this tastes disgusting! Who planted these?!" Zi Ye frowned, pulling out a tissue and spitting out all the petals. Good heavens, it was bitter, sour, and astringent.

Whoever grew such vile roses deserved execution!

Bran twitched the corner of his eye, about to inform Zi Ye that "roses are ornamental, not edible," when a discreetly placed service robot suddenly spoke up, "Greetings, Miss. Here, damaging more than ten plants will trigger the monitoring system's automatic alarm, and you will be classified as a flower thief."

Zi Ye’s face darkened instantly.

Tang Wen suddenly chuckled. "Flower thief, stay away from us."

Zi Ye glared hard at Tang Wen, who maintained a look of serene indifference. "Let's go eat first. Zi Ye, you stay here and try to pick up the remaining ten plants."

Ahhh!!!

This was blatant revenge!