Xiao Yu’s fleet had already decreased from the original 2.5 million ships at the start of the campaign to 1.9 million. Meanwhile, the Molian Civilization’s fleet had dropped from over two million to around 1.3 million. This was the result of over a month of continuous warfare, and the changes in strength on both sides reflected that.
Overall, the Molian Civilization had suffered greater losses than Xiao Yu. These numbers were split into two areas. On the battlefield of Star System Number Five, due to the existence of the Molian Civilization’s star system’s defense system, Xiao Yu’s casualties were far higher. However, in the starspace interception battlefield, where both sides were on equal footing, the Molian Civilization’s losses far exceeded Xiao Yu’s. Taken together, over the course of this month, Xiao Yu had destroyed more than 700,000 Molian ships at the cost of 600,000 of his own.
The brutality of this month’s combat was evident. A fully developed Level 5 Civilization with a complete societal structure would not possess more than five million ships in total. That meant, in just this one month, a force equivalent to over one-fifth of a Level 5 Civilization’s total strength had been reduced to ashes.
“Fifteen Province-Class ships lost. Over three hundred City-Class ships lost… No Nation-Class ship casualties.” Inside the conference room aboard Heaven’s Kingdom, Xiao Yu issued the latest damage report for the fleet up to this point.
“In the next phase of battle, since we’ll be launching an assault on a star system, we can expect our casualties to increase. If it becomes necessary, we should consider redeploying forces from the four star systems we’ve already captured.” one committee member suggested.
“I disagree with that proposal. Our current transport fleet is being escorted by those forces. If we keep pulling ships away, what happens to those four star systems? Are we just going to abandon them? And what if we lose? If those four star systems fall again, we won’t even have a fallback position.” Another committee member firmly voiced opposition. “Besides, in Star System Number Five, we still hold the advantage. In my view, we have a good chance of taking it.”
“Before the final outcome is decided, no one should rush to conclusions.” Xiao Yu said. “After being pursued by us all the way here, these reinforcement fleets have finally arrived. The current situation is this, both our fleets and the Molian Civilization’s fleets have each split into two separate formations, spaced apart. In other words, both our fleet and part of the Molian fleet are caught in a situation where they’re being attacked from both front and rear. The next phase of battle will be even more brutal. Let’s take a look at the battlefield situation.”
“Mm, as you can all see, the next phase of combat has already begun. The battlefield is now in total chaos. Even with my control capabilities, I can’t maintain formation integrity anymore. It’s an all-out melee now.” Xiao Yu said with some resignation.
The battlefield was now completely disordered. The innermost layer consisted of the Molian Civilization’s ship cluster. Outside of that was Xiao Yu’s encircling fleet, with the ships the China and the United States located here. Beyond them was the Molian Civilization’s reinforcement fleet. On the outermost perimeter was the ship Russia. Four concentric layers were interpenetrating and attacking one another.
The situation had reached peak chaos. The starspace was filled with ships and cannon fire. The tide of war had swept everything on the battlefield into its torrent, pushing it toward an unknown future under an unseen, inevitable momentum.The members of the Military Committee hadn’t slept in three days, and the hundreds of subordinate planning teams had also gone without rest. The toll on their stamina was tremendous. Under normal circumstances, Xiao Yu would never have allowed this. But now, there was no choice. The campaign had entered its most critical phase, and the battlefield situation was changing by the second. Xiao Yu needed them.
The Military Committee members and all subordinate planning teams had entered Xiao Yu’s specially designed nutrient pods, their bodies placed into deep sleep. Xiao Yu connected to their consciousnesses via specialized equipment, allowing them to think clearly even in a dormant state. In this way, the highest-level meeting room was still active, with Military Committee members participating via virtual projections.
“Sector a3 has fallen into crisis again. We can’t lose this position. I’m preparing to redeploy the Province-Class ships Guangxi and Ningxia to provide reinforcements. Hopefully, sector s7 can hold out a while longer, at least maintain the current situation for another thirty minutes.” Xiao Yu’s expression remained unchanged, his tone perfectly steady.
“No, I do not agree with this course of action.” one committee member said. “The defensive situation in sector s7 is far from optimistic. If the Ningxia is redeployed, it will be nearly impossible for us to hold sector s7. I suggest we redeploy the Gansu ship from sector g2 to support sector a3. Considering the overall situation, sector g2 does not hold the same level of importance. Even if it’s ultimately lost, it would still be within our acceptable range.”
Xiao Yu hesitated briefly, ran a few strategic simulations, then nodded. “Alright. The Guangxi and Gansu ships will head to sector a3 for support.”
In the void, the massive Province-Class ship Guangxi, after shaking off entanglement from a Molian Civilization Province-Class ship, began to move toward the rear, attempting to enter the range of sector a3. Unexpectedly, another Molian Province-Class ship surged in from sector a5, joining the previous one in launching a joint assault on the Guangxi.
“The situation has changed. The Guangxi ship is under siege. Mm… original plan amended. I’ve decided the Guangxi will hold its ground and defend in place. Deploy the Russia ship to sector a3 for support. The Nation-Class ship currently engaging with Russia will be handled personally by the China ship.”
Xiao Yu spoke with a stern expression.
“Master… shall we consider using spatial weapons?” one committee member asked.
“No, it’s not the time yet.” Xiao Yu shook his head and said, “Supplies are still insufficient. A Nation-Class ship can only use spatial weapons three times before full resupply. I need to save those three uses for even more critical moments. Even relying solely on conventional firepower, the China ship, equipped with a Four-Dimensional Shield, has far superior survivability compared to the enemy.”
Seeing Xiao Yu’s firm stance, the committee member said no more.
Under Xiao Yu’s command, a series of deployment orders were issued.
The Guangxi Province-Class ship remained in place. Under the cover of several City-Class ships, it stood alone against the assault from two Province-Class ships. While fending off the siege, it also had to stay alert to attacks from distant negative matter cannon fortresses. The situation was difficult, but it could hold out for a while longer. In sector a3, however, the Sichuan ship was in a far more perilous situation. Although it faced no Province-Class ships, the sheer number of star system defense weapons in sector a3, particularly the interstellar mine clusters, posed enormous trouble for the Sichuan.
At the most critical moment, the Gansu ship finally arrived for support. With its assistance, the pressure on the Sichuan was slightly eased, though the outlook remained grim.
At that moment, the Russia ship launched into action. No matter where it appeared on the battlefield, a Nation-Class ship was always a dazzling presence. The Russia was one of the three strongest Nation-Class ships, its power ranking just below the China and the United States. This ranking excluded the use of spatial weapons.
The Russia ship was an invincible force here. If the intense battlefield had once resembled a calm pond, then the Russia was undoubtedly a giant fish that stirred up a storm wherever it swam, boiling the waters wherever it went.
“Russia ship has reached sector s5, enemy Province-Class ship has fled.”
“Russia ship has reached sector g7, two enemy City-Class ships destroyed, sector g7 is now stable.”
That’s the power of a Nation-Class ship. Wherever it goes, the situation transforms. Before reaching sector a3, the Russia passed through thirteen sub-sectors, and all thirteen immediately turned into areas where Xiao Yu’s forces held the advantage.
With the Russia’s arrival, the situation in sector a3 rapidly shifted. The interstellar mine clusters that had given Xiao Yu such a headache were swiftly cleared out. However, this movement also triggered a response from the Molian Civilization. Xiao Yu noticed that six Province-Class ships, leading over fifty City-Class ships, were converging on the Russia ship.
“Another grand battle begins.” Xiao Yu thought to himself, issuing commands to the Russia and preparing for combat. At the same time, the China ship moved to engage the Molian Nation-Class ship.
This was the China ship’s first time in actual combat. Despite being the most powerful vessel, Xiao Yu had always avoided deploying it unless absolutely necessary. But now, the escalating battle over Star System Number Five forced Xiao Yu to set aside such concerns.
“Even without using spatial weapons, you’re still no match for me.” Staring at the jet-black behemoth before him, Xiao Yu’s heart was filled with disdain.
Neither side made any unnecessary moves, they plunged straight into fierce combat. Tactical evasions, artillery strikes, auxiliary distractions, all manner of battle tactics were executed with seamless expertise by Xiao Yu.
“Luka Two, prepare to launch a surprise attack on the Molian Civilization’s capital star system.” Commanding the massive fleet, Xiao Yu simultaneously issued an order to Luka Two in the meeting room aboard Heaven’s Kingdom. “According to the latest intel, possibly due to the worsening situation in Star System Number Five, I’ve detected a newly formed support fleet. Around 400,000 ships have departed from Star Systems Nine, Fifteen, and the capital, heading to reinforce Number Five. Since they’ve pulled so many ships from their already strained forces, their rear is bound to be exposed. That’s where your 500,000 warships will come into play.”