Chapter 1162: The Battle of Fengkao Shield (1)

The flagship *Xiuluosheng Glory*, Guilliman's Command Center.

Guilliman stood before the tactical holographic table, calmly watching the red light dots representing the Kalivento fleet.

Those light dots were deploying into attack formation in the orbit of Fengkaodunxing, and energy readings indicated the main batteries were charging.

"They have taken the bait."

Ultramarines First Company Commander Xikasi stood at his side.

"Four hours earlier than expected. Kalivento is too eager to earn merit."

"Impatience is a common flaw in young commanders."

Guilliman pulled up the full deployment of the encirclement.

"The positions of the Third and Fifth sub-fleets?"

"The Third sub-fleet will arrive at the designated blockade position in two hours. The Fifth sub-fleet... encountered navigation interference and will need three hours."

Xikasi reported.

Guilliman nodded, his fingers sweeping across the holographic star map.

"Order: The hidden fleet is to maintain silence and must not be exposed prematurely. Do not intervene during the orbital bombardment phase, and do not intervene during the airborne assault phase. Wait until the Fengqi ground forces are fully committed and the fleet's attention is diverted... then we shall tighten the pocket."

"The defenders of Fengkao Shield will be under immense pressure."

Xikasi reminded him.

"According to Colonel Sitelake's last report, they estimate the survival rate of the first line of defense after the orbital bombardment will not exceed 30%."

"The Kriegers know their duty."

Guilliman pulled up the ground defense deployment map of Fengkao Shield.

Seven hundred and fifty thousand Astra Militarum, of which five hundred thousand are the Death Korps of Krieg.

"Six hours."

Guilliman said.

"They only need to hold for six hours. Then, our fleet will descend from the sky and crush Kalivento's fleet in orbit."

"Six hours..."

Xikasi repeated.

"Facing orbital bombardment from forty warships and an airborne assault of at least two million ground troops."

"That is why I say their positioning is critical."

Guilliman turned and walked toward the observation window.

"Notify all companies: prepare for battle. Once the battle order is issued, I want the Ultramarines to complete this annihilation battle at maximum speed."

"Yes!"

Guilliman did not respond.

Fengkaodunxing, Eternal Wound Rift underground Command Center.

When the first orbital strike landed, Colonel Sitelake was checking the final communication lines.

The entire underground structure began to vibrate violently, dust fell in rustles from the ceiling, and the lights flickered unsteadily.

"Orbital bombardment has begun."

The technical officer's voice remained steady amidst the shaking.

"First round, Rift entrance area. Energy readings... at least eight capital ships firing simultaneously."

On the tactical holographic table, the green light dots representing the first trench line began to rapidly turn red and extinguish.

Every second, dozens, hundreds of light dots vanished, each dot representing the life of a platoon, a company, or a Krieg soldier.

123-1 stood on the other side of the tactical table, the goggles of the gas mask reflecting those extinguished light dots.

"Estimated losses for the first line of defense..."

Sitelake pulled up the real-time data.

"37%. Within the expected range."

The second round of bombardment followed immediately.

This time the strike range was wider, covering the entire first half of the Rift.

The speed at which the light dots on the tactical table extinguished accelerated.

"Modian First Artillery Position has been hit!"

The observation officer reported.

"Camouflage failed, enemy ships concentrating fire... Positions C-3, C-7, and D-2 have lost signal."

Sitelake's heart tightened.

In those artillery positions were his compatriots, the excellent gunners of Modian.

"Order the remaining artillery positions to relocate. Follow the pre-planned protocol and enter the reserve positions."

"Yes!"

The tremors continued.

The third round, the fourth round... the orbital bombardment smashed into the Rift again and again.

The surface fortifications, those trenches the Kriegers had spent eighteen hours digging, the barbed wire they had laid, the mines they had buried.

Were turned into powder under the orbital firepower.

Rocks were melted, soil was evaporated, and the entire area turned into a cratered landscape resembling the surface of the moon.

But underground, the defenses remained intact.

What the Kriegers dug were not just trenches, but a network of underground bunkers reaching thirty meters deep.

Orbital bombardment could destroy everything on the surface, but it was difficult to penetrate the fortifications beneath the thick rock layers.

The soldiers waited in Silence amidst the tremors.

Waiting for the bombardment to end.

Waiting for the enemy to descend.

Waiting for the moment of death.

In orbit, on the Bridge of the Enterprise.

Kalivento watched the surface images transmitted back by the sensors.

The rift region of Fengkaodunxing was unrecognizable; the original clear topographical features had been leveled by the bombardment, leaving only continuous craters and molten rock.

"Orbital strike completion: 92%."

The weapons control officer reported.

"Underground cavity structures detected, but energy penetration is insufficient to completely destroy them."

"As expected."

Kalivento was not surprised.

"Any Commander with a brain would prepare underground fortifications. But underground fortifications have a problem..."

He pulled up the thermal imaging scan.

"Look, the soldiers are underground, but their equipment, supplies, and command systems... all need to connect to the surface. Entrances, vents, observation points... these must be exposed on the surface."

On the holographic image, dozens of tiny heat signals appeared in the rift region: hidden exits, camouflaged ventilation pipes, and gaps for observation points.

"Order: The fleet is to adjust its angle and use precision-guided weapons to strike these nodes.

At the same time, the Airborne Troops are to begin deployment. I want them to find and seal all underground exits while the ground forces clear out the remaining resistance."

The order was transmitted.

Behind the fleet, tens of thousands of landing craft detached from the bellies of the Transport Ships and flew toward the planet's surface.

Each landing craft carried Guardian Super Soldiers, regular infantry, as well as light vehicles and support weapons.

"How many troops are being deployed in total?"

Deputy Commander Craig asked.

"Five hundred thousand in the first wave."

Kalivento replied.

"If strong resistance is encountered, add another five hundred thousand. That will be enough. According to the scans, there are at most seven or eight hundred thousand life signals underground, and their equipment is inferior. Fifty thousand Guardians plus four hundred and fifty thousand auxiliary troops are enough to crush them."

The landing craft entered the atmosphere, and anti-aircraft fire began to retaliate from the areas on both sides of the rift that had not been bombed, from fixed gun emplacements camouflaged as rocks, and from deep-buried Missile silos.

"Hidden anti-aircraft systems detected! The number... is high! They preserved their strength during the bombardment!"

"Shoot them down!"

Kalivento ordered.

"Frigates, move forward and provide point-defense support!"

In the void, the Fengqi Frigate began to Intercept Missiles and Rune Bullets with its Close-in Weapon System.

Some landing craft were hit, exploding into Fireballs in the air.

But more broke through the fire net and landed on the ground.

The hatches blew open, and the Fengqi soldiers poured out.