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Kepler-22b

With the unexpected surprise of Li Hao, Zhou Naiyi's "team" was finally on the rise. Besides their own squad, Gao Yunfeng's team remained popular, and although their previous performance was subpar, it was still a benchmark for the Tianjing Military Academy. There was a general consensus that, having experienced failure, they had also gained valuable experience.

Of course, given Principal Long's personality, he would never put all his eggs in one basket.

In the morning, there was an interstellar geography class. Li Hao stifled yawns, having already escaped from three overly curious classmates; men certainly have their share of troubles.

Before long, Ma Long arrived, plopping down beside Li Hao. "Brother Hao, let's continue our deep discussion from yesterday. I tell you, your opportunity has arrived—Yato clearly has feelings for you!"

"Don't say such nonsense. We've known each other for a long time; it's just an excited reunion among old friends."

"Why explain? Just be grateful you have a brother like me. Do you think I don't know what you're dreaming about? That little bit of affection is all you need. The real issue is that your past actions left her with a fantastic impression. Girls, especially beauties, remember only what matters to them; otherwise, it doesn't matter if it's a fake brother or a real one. In life, there are four brothers—don't say I didn't warn you. If you don't make a move, a beauty like her will be gone in less than a month."

Li Hao shook his head.

Ma Long was growing anxious. "You, Musashi, and Zuo Xiaotang are all tough cases. Musashi is passive, suited for mature women; Zuo Xiaotang is an anime enthusiast. Only you, even I, a master, can't gauge your dynamics. No matter what, Yato is the pinnacle for you; marrying into the Nangong and Ye families would be incredible. I'll be counting on you to support me!"

Li Hao covered Ma Long's mouth; his incessant chatter was truly relentless. Zuo Xiaotang and Musashi found it amusing. Regardless, whether Li Hao spoke or not, Ma Long would still act as a matchmaker—his talent for conversation was simply being wasted.

Once free from Ma Long's clutches, Li Hao began to doze off. After being harassed by Ma Long the previous day, he was thoroughly exhausted. Today was Dr. Yan Nan's class, and she never called names, her temper being the gentlest.

"...Currently, the overall economic scale and technological level of the NUP have reached the forefront of the Solar Alliance. However, we in the USE still hold significant influence in various domains, especially in space navigation rights and the development rights of several exoplanets. These are what the Lunar Federation will fiercely compete for next. Historically, such situations are often accompanied by war. The current positive note is that the ROM's stance is ambiguous, but they aren't acting for Earth; rather, they simply wish to prevent the Moon from becoming too dominant. In recent years, not only the NUP, but ROM's development is also impressive. Their strong foundation makes me lean towards ROM due to its advantageous geographical position and abundant mineral resources. Of course, their population remains a flaw…" Dr. Yan Nan took a sip of water.

"Li Hao!"

"Yes!" Li Hao sprang to his feet as if jolted awake, eliciting laughter from the entire classroom. It was a rare sight to see someone doze off during Dr. Yan's lecture.

"Do you think there's a possibility of civil war within the Solar Alliance?" Yan Nan asked, recognizing the student who frequently attended class, albeit often in a sleepy state. This time, she found it difficult to ignore.

"Professor Yan, in truth, whether or not we fight amongst ourselves isn't as critical. Our primary enemy lies beyond," Li Hao replied.

Yan Nan paused momentarily. "Elaborate."

"We have successfully explored Kepler 22b, reaping substantial rewards, but we have also encountered an alien biological attack for the first time. Those creatures came unexpectedly; I sense a conspiracy. Humanity's presence on Kepler 22b is akin to opening Pandora's box; our greatest threat now stems from external forces."

Li Hao continued, describing Kepler 22b as humanity's most significant interstellar achievement. Before the Moon was even developed, many had eyed this lush Earth-like planet, and now, having finally claimed it, it was even better than anticipated. However, shortly after landing, the advance party nearly faced annihilation from an inexplicable swarm of silicon-based giant insects.

In a class of over two hundred students, laughter erupted as soon as he finished speaking, particularly at Li Hao's earnest expression.

Before Yan Nan could respond, someone stood up. "Li Hao, you must be half-asleep! Humanity's current technological level is unparalleled in the galaxy; it's merely a matter of time before we dominate it entirely. Kepler 22b is a gift to us! As for those bugs, they are no match for us; exterminating them is just a matter of time. You're too timid."

"Exactly! The world belongs to the brave. Out there lie the stars and the sea, alongside infinite opportunities. Why do we strive if not to realize humanity's value?" voices chimed in, a swell of pride resonating through the room.

What do we truly know about extraterrestrial civilizations? Humanity's understanding was still limited, leading to some disappointment. They exhibited some combat capability, but in the face of humanity's aerial and ground assaults, they could only retreat. If we had encountered a top-tier civilization, would we not have seen it by now?

To cower in unwarranted fear would be akin to waiting for death. Li Hao's words ignited enthusiasm among his peers, for this was Tianjing Military Academy, where elite talents congregated.

This mindset reflected the overarching sentiment within the Solar Alliance; humanity felt remarkably confident in their capabilities. Li Hao, however, was not afraid; he endorsed the idea of venturing out, but with caution. A frog in a well should never be complacent.

Yan Nan smiled slightly, signaling for silence. "Li Hao, please stay after class for a moment. Let's continue our discussion. Now, let's reflect on the recent mecha competition. The NUP pushed hard for it, even shouldering most of the costs. From our perspective, they succeeded, but I believe this is a good thing. Instead of concealing problems, we should lay them bare, recognize our shortcomings, and confront challenges head-on…"

"Brother Hao, you're too timid! What awaits us out there are opportunities! My dream of entering the Starship Department is to one day command my own ship and explore the universe, which is every man's aspiration. Right, Xiaotang?" Ma Long whispered. "Who knows, I might carve out a territory on Kepler one day, becoming a lord—how delightful!"

"My dream is to see an Arthas concert, but the tickets…"

"Enough! Look at your paltry aspirations! Musashi, surely we share some commonality?"

Musashi glanced at Li Hao. "Brother Hao, what do you think is amiss with my fighting style? I've pondered over it all night, yet can't seem to unravel it. Is it a flaw in my training methods?"

Li Hao rubbed his nose, unsure of how to respond. Musashi's methods and fundamentals were solid; it was just that his situation was rather unique and not easily comparable. Yet, he couldn't say that.

"Don't get too stuck on it. Everyone has their own training style and approach. Your family specializes in this; it would be better to consult your father."

Musashi nodded. While Li Hao might excel in combat, he lacked the necessary experience and perspective to offer guidance.

Ma Long sighed, thinking both of them were hopelessly clueless. In this technological era, combat skills, while useful, weren't the main focus. Besides, even if one were exceptionally strong, what would it matter in a mobile force?

That's why he enrolled in the Starship Department. While mechas were cool and heroic, they weren't practical. Becoming a captain was far more appealing.

Ah, perhaps he could have Manman as his first mate on a romantic interstellar journey—what a life…

Ding ding ding…

The class bell rang. Amidst shared dreams and enthusiasm, everyone felt a twinge of reluctance to leave. Li Hao, ready to depart, was caught off guard when Professor Yan Nan called out to him. With little choice, he quickly followed her, knowing that the course credits were vital.

In the adjacent instructor's lounge.

Yan Nan polished her glasses and smiled. "You, though young, seem quite mature. I've reviewed some of your papers, and they exude a deep sense of concern. Is there a reason for it?"

Li Hao shrugged. "Professor Yan, Kepler 22b is 2.4 times the diameter of Earth, with a temperature around 21 degrees, featuring seas and forests—essentially a larger, perfect Earth. Moreover, it harbors several rare elements not found on our planet. Even after fully developing our solar system, we had never encountered such an ideal place. Previously, the only limitation was the 600 light-years distance and our nascent wormhole technology. However, with the recent discovery of Kepler's star flares providing coordinates, we managed our first successful wormhole jump. Not only that, Kepler exceeded our expectations, but the appearance of the giant insects is puzzling, as they belong to silicon-based life forms. I can't help but wonder if there's something we've overlooked—perhaps another civilization is casting its line."

Yan Nan nodded. "Have you read my paper from two years ago on 'Interstellar Civilization Barriers'?"

"I have, Professor. I