Feng Mo had become adept at interpreting the missions assigned by the Spark System's task panel. Generally, the lower the reward, the lower the threat, making these tasks more straightforward. This time, the mission reward was only ten thousand points, indicating that the New Humanity Church was, yet again, sending themselves into a trap. However, Feng Mo was deeply intrigued by the mention of the "Lihuang Sector" in the task description.
It was likely that the New Humanity Church's headquarters was located there. Feng Mo, being one to eliminate threats at the root, preferred a decisive approach. The Church's repeated attempts to invade were becoming increasingly tiresome, and it was time to crush them once and for all.
With Ai Er and Kylan dispatched to retrieve Yang Bo and his people, Feng Mo boarded the Storm God and led the Storm Fleet to station in the Beast Roar System.
As the fleet exited the star gate of the Beast Roar System, Feng Mo issued his battle command:
"Deploy five T5 Mystic Birds to recon the surrounding star systems. The Storm Fleet will fortify its defenses at Beast Roar Spaceport, initiating a level-one combat readiness in the Beast Roar System. Commanders, remember: hold back on the assault, leave as many survivors as possible."
"Understood, my lord!"
Feng Mo's interest in taking prisoners stemmed from his need to gather intelligence on the Lihuang Sector, a region beyond the reach of the Federation's central intelligence archives. As Feng Mo lacked clearance to view classified data on neighboring sectors, capturing key figures from the New Humanity Church was his next best option.
Until now, Feng Mo's knowledge of neighboring territories was sparse. Apart from the Star Empire in the Tianque Star Sector, other regions remained a mystery. What little he did know came from Star Shuwen, who herself was captured by the Insectoid race on the Star Empire's borders. The lack of information presented a significant hindrance; without a clearer picture, destroying the New Humanity Church was a challenge.
Over the next three days, the five T5 Mystic Birds scouted the surrounding star systems, finding no trace of the New Humanity Church's fleet. Feng Mo ordered them to install cosmic surveillance devices, a technology sourced from the archives of the Glorious Empire.
With the surveillance devices in place, a continuous flow of data streamed into the Storm God's command center. Feng Mo instructed the T5 Mystic Birds to continue their patrols. Finally, on the fourth day, one of the Mystic Birds transmitted a video and radar scan data to the Storm God's central intelligence.
Upon inspection, Feng Mo noted that the radar had detected three combined fleets forming a single joint force, including fourteen hundred T5 ships, along with three quasi-T6 flagships.
Seeing the scale of the New Humanity Church's fleet, Feng Mo relaxed. Without a true T6 starship, no fleet could stand against the Storm Fleet.
"Mello, as per protocol, have the five T5 Mystic Birds trail the New Humanity Church's fleet from a safe distance. Locate the optimal strike point and await my command."
"Yes, Commander!"
While Feng Mo set up the battle strategy, the Storm God Fleet, which had arrived through the star gate into the Xianyun System, encountered resistance.
"Commander Ai Er, may I ask why your fleet has crossed into a military-restricted zone? According to Federation regulations, the Storm God Fleet must immediately return. Any damage caused by your fleet will be held accountable by the Federation."
Inside the control room of the Vermilion Ape, Ai Er sat in the captain's chair, her cold gaze fixed on the T4 fleet commander on the other end of the screen.
"Oh? Since when was the Xianyun System declared a military zone? Xianyun Prime is territory of the Feng family. Why are our forces restricted? Care to explain?"
"Xianyun System was designated a temporary military zone a month ago due to the presence of star pirates. No fleet may enter, including the Yunshan Empire's."
The T4 fleet commander spoke with feigned confidence, though Ai Er's striking appearance made it difficult for him to hold his composure. As the leading general and first commander of the Storm Empire, Ai Er's name was synonymous with ruthlessness. Feng Mo's orders for executions were often carried out by her hand.
"If I insist on entering, what will you do? Declare war between the Federation and the Storm Alliance? Do you dare?"
Ai Er's authority was indisputable. With ten T6 Armored Dragons constructed under Alisa's supervision and the third T5 fleet re-equipped, the Storm Empire's strength was unmatched. Ai Er understood Feng Mo's hesitation—he was reluctant to spark a direct conflict that would result in mutual loss. But that didn't mean she would show weakness.
Even if she obliterated the T4 fleet today, the Federation wouldn't dare seek retribution. Who would try to discipline Feng Mo's right hand? Hardly a realistic threat.
The Federation commander also realized this. The Federation had ordered him to block the Storm Empire's fleet, but how? Sacrifice his life? He had no choice but to yield, though he attempted to make one last show of defiance.
"If you choose to disregard Federation law, I won't be able to stop you, but I will report this. The Federation will surely hold you accountable."
"Let them. The Storm God Fleet is here to face whatever they bring—if they dare!"
Ai Er ended the call, issuing a command with cold precision:
"Orca, release drones. Launch a single round of bombardment and return."
Her intention was simple. If a T4 fleet dared provoke the Storm Empire and retreated unscathed, then what respect did the Empire's power command? Ai Er would not allow such insolence to go unpunished, even if it risked hostilities. Everyone assumed the Storm Empire would avoid initiating conflict, but Ai Er had no qualms about proving them wrong.
At her order, seven hundred drones were launched from the Orca, positioning themselves above the T4 fleet's left flank. With missiles and laser cannons firing in an uninterrupted stream, the empty void filled with bursts of light as the Federation's T4 fleet was engulfed in a wave of fiery destruction.
Watching the radar feed, Ai Er muttered calmly, "Blame your commander for your fate."
At this moment, Feng Mo was unaware of the confrontation, but even if he knew, he would have praised Ai Er's decisiveness. He had no interest in repercussions.
His attention was fully on the radar feed as the New Humanity Church's joint fleet of over a thousand T5 starships entered the interstellar space bordering the Beast Roar System, where the Storm Fleet lay in wait.
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