Chapter 832: Opening the Barrier (2)

Edge of the Bode Star System, Bridge of the Weiguang Fleet battleship "Qingsuanzhe Hao"

The atmosphere inside the bridge was grim.

A cold, ghostly blue light illuminated the control consoles and the main observation window.

All personnel held their breath, focused on their respective control panels.

A holographic star map hovered in the center, clearly displaying the fleet's massive formation—seven main battleships guarding the central battleship "Qingsuanzhe Hao," surrounded by a large number of cruisers, destroyers, and frigates.

The Fleet Commander, a tall Fengqi man wearing the deep purple, silver-trimmed uniform of a Fengqi Star Alliance naval flag officer—Major General Jialuo, stood before the star map with his hands behind his back.

His Adjutant, an equally meticulous officer, was performing final checks on the communications array.

"Major General Jialuo, the coordinates for the abnormal energy fluctuations last transmitted by the 'Hexi' reconnaissance group have been locked. The spatial curvature distortion readings have reached the jump threshold peak! There is a 99.7% probability the target area is the Xiuluosheng Planet!"

The Adjutant's voice was clear and rigid.

Major General Jialuo nodded slightly, his eyes devoid of any ripples.

"Have the fleet coordinates been corrected?"

"Correction complete! All ship engines preheated to critical point! Weapon systems on standby! Shield Generators in the optimal efficiency range!"

The Adjutant replied swiftly.

"Very good."

Major General Jialuo nodded and continued.

"Prepare to establish an encrypted communication with Director Fenisi of the 'Entertainment Plaza'. The fleet is about to enter the final jump sequence. Report to her: target confirmed, the Weiguang Fleet has arrived at the designated attack initiation coordinates, the prey... is about to appear."

"Understood! Establishing encrypted communication link... link establishing... signal stable!"

The Communications Officer reported.

Major General Jialuo straightened his collar and faced the ghostly blue beam of light projected by the communications array.

His expression remained cold and hard, but his tone took on a formality reserved for superiors.

"Director Fenisi, Weiguang Fleet Commander Jialuo reporting.

Coordinates locked, spatial signatures match perfectly. The fleet has completed final assembly, all systems ready.

We are about to tear through that damned black curtain to bring back for you..."

The very moment the words "bring back" left his lips!

Boom!!!

A terrifying energy shockwave originating from the "void" directly in front of the fleet swept over them without warning.

The entire massive battleship "Qingsuanzhe Hao" shook violently! Alarms blared instantly inside the bridge, and red warning lights flashed frantically!

"Alert! A massive energy explosion has occurred in the forward airspace! Intensity... incalculable! The shockwave is sweeping across the fleet!"

"Shields up! Shields up! Energy readings spiking!"

The voices of the Adjutant and the operators were instantly drowned out by the alarms and system warnings!

The massive hull swayed unsteadily in the turbulent energy flow!

Major General Jialuo steadied himself by gripping the control console; for the first time, shock appeared on his cold, hard face.

The image of Fenisi projected by the communications array also fluctuated violently; she seemed to be shouting a question, but her voice was completely masked by the chaos inside the ship.

"What is that?!"

Major General Jialuo barked, his gaze locked onto the main observation window.

He saw that in the "void" region that devoured everything, billions of blinding white energy lightning bolts were frantically exploding and twisting, tearing visible ripples into space!

The chaotic energy storm blew the light frigates at the forefront of the Weiguang Fleet, rendering them unable to advance.

"A barrier! Is the barrier collapsing? Or..."

The Adjutant's voice was filled with disbelief.

The answer was revealed in the next second!

The destructive energy storm did not disperse; instead, it rapidly collapsed and condensed inward! It was as if an invisible giant hand were controlling it!

Zzzzt—!!!!

A deafening sound like the tearing of cosmic fabric erupted, accompanied by a flash of light intense enough to burn the retinas!

The "Black Domain" that had shrouded everything vanished!

After the intense light faded, a planet of earthy yellow and pale blue hung clearly beneath the starry sky.

In low orbit, several fleets with cold, rigid designs and unfamiliar crossed-tool insignias were standing by!

Dead silence!

An absolute dead silence enveloped the bridge of the "Qingsuanzhe Hao," which had just been filled with alarms and chaos.

All the operators froze, staring in stunned silence at the incredible scene outside the observation window.

The Adjutant stood with his mouth agape, not even noticing the data pad slipping from his hand to the floor.

The image of Director Fenisi in the communications array also seemed to freeze, her pale green eyes filled with shock.

Is this the fleet of the Xiuluo Holy Indigenous? How much time has even passed? They have already formed a fleet? Even if the Cyberk failed, it is impossible for the Xiuluo Holy Indigenous to have assembled a fleet in such a short time; however, looking at them, it seems their cruisers are their largest starships.

Even so, the potential displayed by the Xiuluo Holy Indigenous made Fenisi feel terrified.

Major General Jialuo's pupils contracted! The shock on his face was replaced by cold murderous intent!

He slammed his fist onto the control console, the alloy surface emitting a dull, heavy thud that jolted everyone out of their stupor!

"Enemy attack!!!"

Admiral Jia'erwen's roar dispelled all the shock!

This battle-hardened Fleet Commander made the most instinctive and correct response the moment the target appeared in the most unexpected way!

"All fleet! Highest combat alert!!"

His order was broadcast through the fleet, reaching every single warship!

"That is no prey! It is a trap armed to the teeth! Target: the planetary defense fleet and orbital facilities ahead! Deploy combat formation! Unlock all gun ports! Charge ship-borne shields to maximum power! Load missile arrays! Pre-heat fighter catapult channels! Give it to me—crush them!"

As his voice fell, the Weiguang Fleet, which had just been swaying in the energy storm, rapidly began to operate according to the orders of Major General Jialuo.

The engine nozzles of the massive Capital Ship battleship group erupted with dazzling exhaust flames; while inertia had not yet been fully eliminated, they forcibly adjusted their posture by relying on powerful vector thrusters, their thick armor belts reflecting a cold light under the illumination, and the massive main gun turrets slowly rotated as the muzzles began to gather rays of destructive energy.

The cruisers and destroyers quickly spread out from the flanks of the capital ships to form a crossfire network, the Close-in Weapon System arrays rotated at high speed, and the light from the charging Laser Cannons connected into a single sheet across the hulls.

The Frigate groups released decoy flares, while the Torpedo launch tubes they carried opened one after another!

The speed at which the entire fleet transitioned from the chaos of encountering a sudden change to a state of full combat readiness was astonishing!

Alarm sounds were replaced by combat commands, the fingers of the operators on the Bridge tapped rapidly on the Control Console, and reports rose and fell one after another:

"Ship-borne shield charging initiated! Shield intensity at peak!"

"Main guns 90% charged! Target locked on enemy cruiser!"

"Missile arrays loaded! Ready for volley fire at any time!"

"First wave of attack aircraft ready for catapult launch!"

A cold, Steel murderous intent instantly replaced the previous shock and chaos, with the target pointed directly at that reappearing planet and its orbital defenders!

In the communication array, Director Fenisi seemed to have finally found her voice; her image was still fluctuating, but her voice carried a sharp, irrepressible tone mixed with ecstasy and immense unease.

"Jialuo! Take it! At any cost! Bring that damned planet and everything it hides back to me!"

Major General Jialuo did not turn his head; his gaze pierced through the observation window, firmly locking onto those strange warships waiting in battle array on the distant orbit, which bore the insignia of crossed tools.

His hand slowly raised, preparing to drop the command that would declare destruction.

Immeasurable wealth was right before his eyes, but only by tearing apart these obstructive chunks of iron could he touch it!