In the 7504th year of the Federation, on March 7, Feng Mo, now thirty-four, set forth on his first expedition.
For this campaign, Feng Mo's Storm Fleet did not carry an overwhelming number of combat vessels. Instead, he assembled a considerable logistical fleet, including a hundred interstellar transport ships, a hundred supply ships, and fifty industrial ships, primarily T4-class with a few T5.
The reason for so many logistical vessels was Feng Mo's plan to establish his own star gates in the Lihuang System. Star gates function much like security locks, recording daily vessel traffic. The data often routes to a central intelligence database, and lower-level civilizations sometimes contract high-level ones to construct these gates. This raised concerns about data interception, or even the possibility that the existing star gates were built by a higher civilization that could monitor his movements.
Thus, Feng Mo brought enough materials, spread across one hundred transport ships, to construct twenty star gates if necessary.
He also kept a reasonable number of combat ships at home for defense, leaving the Storm Empire under Ai Er's vigilant watch. Feng Mo himself commanded a modest force, including the Vermilion Ape, Fleet Steed, five T6 Mystic Birds, ten T6 Armadillos, five T5 Pegasus, five T5 Mystic Birds, twenty T5 Sword Dragons, and ten T5 Wolf Kings.
The T5 Battle Planet, Paladin, Storm God, Orca, along with five additional T5 Mystic Birds, twenty T5 Sword Dragons, and ten T5 Wolf Kings, remained with Ai Er, forming a defensive mini-fleet to guard the Yue Shuang System alongside the Storm God and Hurricane Fleets.
Meanwhile, the Beast Roar, Gale, and Celestial Crystal Fleets were on standby in the Storm Star System, ready to deploy if needed. The Storm Fleet was merely the vanguard; the main forces would follow if conditions warranted it.
With sixteen T6 warships, forty-one T5 combat ships, and a total of two hundred and fifty logistical vessels, the fleet of three hundred and seven ships officially embarked.
"Coordinates locked. The fleet will enter Level 5 synchronized warp mode. All personnel below Gene Level 2, initiate deep-sea mode!"
Xing Shuwen's voice echoed through the main control rooms across the fleet. This journey would be unlike any other. To reach their target, they had to cross four star systems, including two filled with asteroid fields—a journey estimated to take a day and a half. Feng Mo prepared to enter the Star Network Space for the duration.
Inside the familiar lounge in Star Network Space, five figures were present: Feng Mo, Chu Yunjia, Moxue, Wang Chongsheng, and Elder Gu Jun. Together, they represented the Storm Alliance—Chu Yunjia for the Radiant Empire, Moxue for the Meteor Empire, Gu Jun for the Yunshan Empire, while Wang Chongsheng was simply there as Feng Mo's only true friend and close brother.
Once everyone was seated, Feng Mo spoke up.
"Everyone, this marks our first council meeting as the Four Empires of the Storm Alliance. I propose we purchase an office building in Star Network Space next time. We need a grand council hall, something worthy of our ambitions, not just a small lounge like this."
"Well said, Feng Mo!" Elder Gu Jun replied, his voice ringing with newfound vigor. "If we're doing this, let's do it right. We're here to surpass the Federation, to become the new power in the galaxy."
Feng Mo's gift of three T6 warship designs to the Yunshan Empire had greatly lifted Gu Jun's spirits, offering the prospect of building the empire's first T6 warship.
Feng Mo was generous, yet strategic; these designs, created jointly with Alisa, were slightly modified versions of the Vermilion Ape, T6 Mystic Bird, and T6 Armadillo, slightly less powerful and with unique outward differences, allowing them to be visually distinct from the Storm Fleet.
"Well, if that's the plan, let's put Wang Chongsheng in charge of setting it up," Feng Mo said, nodding toward his friend as he poured tea. Startled, Wang looked at Feng Mo in surprise, unsure why the task had fallen to him.
"Who else but you, Wang?" Feng Mo laughed. "You're famous for your taste. This task is perfect for you."
With everyone's schedule occupied, it made sense for Wang Chongsheng to handle the logistics. He took the responsibility with enthusiasm.
"Alright, Mo, consider it done!" Wang replied eagerly.
"Once Wang has completed the purchase, Chu Yunjia, have the Chu family build a replica on Radiant's main star as our headquarters in reality. Also, take charge of recruitment for both the Star Network and real-world HQs."
"Understood," Chu Yunjia said, his gaze at Feng Mo lingering warmly. While there were others present, he couldn't help his affectionate look.
"Elder Gu Jun, Moxue, the New Humanity Church has repeatedly sent fleets to harass the Storm Empire's rear territories. With the Storm Fleet now embarking on this mission to eliminate them, we'll need you to keep watch at home. Though we have five T5 fleets, your support would be invaluable," Feng Mo said sincerely.
"Count on us, Feng Mo," Moxue replied, nodding. "The Feather Fleet and Yunshan Fleet are at the ready to reinforce the Yue Shuang System if needed. Take on the frontier—we'll cover home."
After their discussions, including council representation and Feng Mo's role as Speaker, the group spent three hours drafting the alliance framework before parting ways. Feng Mo stayed with Chu Yunjia for a while, enjoying a rare moment together before returning to the fleet.
At that time, the fleet had just entered the second asteroid belt system, only a few hours from their destination. Feng Mo refocused, ready for the mission ahead.
Their target was a medium-sized system belonging to the New Humanity Church, their headquarters—the New Humanity System. Once conquered, Feng Mo already had plans to rename it.
According to Li Wen's intel, the New Humanity Church's home system was defended by a quasi-T6 fleet and three T5 fleets. Feng Mo, however, had a unique and daring strategy in mind.
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