Chapter 843: The Rapidly Growing Monster

Xiuluo Holy Star · Ninth Defense Zone · Star Alliance General Command.

Yingzhou stood before the massive panoramic observation window; outside, the Ninth Defense Zone was gradually returning to a scene of bustle.

His gaze was cast toward the battlefield outside Xiuluo Holy Star where the flames of war had just subsided.

A faint smile appeared on his face, but it vanished quickly.

The initial battle was a success; the fleet sent by the Feng Qi Xing Alliance was nearly wiped out, and the commander of the main capital ship was captured. Although their own losses were not small, they remained within an acceptable range.

For the nascent Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance, this was undoubtedly a shot in the arm, proving they possessed the strength to gain a foothold in the cruel galaxy.

But Yingzhou knew very well that this victory was largely due to the information gap, the surprise use of the Psionic Barrier, and the extraordinary performance of the Primarchs and the Space Marines.

The Feng Qi Xing Alliance had suffered a major loss and would certainly not let it go.

The next time they came, it would likely be a true storm.

"Selina."

Yingzhou spoke softly.

Almost the moment his voice fell, a holographic projection of a woman wearing the Star Alliance's standard administrative uniform, with a perfect but ripple-less face, appeared silently at his side.

"Your Majesty, I am here."

Selina's voice was calm and pleasant, yet devoid of any emotional fluctuation.

"Comprehensively collect and organize all data from this 'Feng Qi Xing Alliance fleet encounter'."

Yingzhou ordered, his gaze still fixed outside the window.

"From the initial activation of the barrier to the combat logs of every ship, energy consumption, damage reports, tactical execution efficiency, and finally the performance evaluation of every soldier—especially the engagement data against the enemy's new equipment and tactics. I want every detail."

"Command received. Data stream is connecting, analysis process has started. Preliminary tactical report and summary of analysis are expected to be generated in 3.7 standard hours."

The data stream in Selina's eyes flickered rapidly, her voice without the slightest pause.

"Very good."

Yingzhou nodded, only then slowly turning around to look at Selina's projection.

"Additionally, notify Sanguinius. Have him bring the captured enemy fleet commander back to Xiuluo Holy Star. I want to see him personally."

"Message has been encrypted and sent to the 'Angel'."

Yingzhou pondered for a moment and continued to issue instructions.

"In my name, notify all Primarch brothers currently on missions: Angron, Horus, Guilliman, Vulkan, Lion, Mortarion, Luojia, Magnus, Corax, Jaghatai..."

As he read out each name, a corresponding confirmation signal flashed in Selina's eyes.

"... tell them that the first phase of defensive operations has concluded. After properly completing the current battlefield cleanup, prisoner processing, and fleet reorganization, report immediately to the Ninth Defense Zone headquarters on Xiuluo Holy Star. We have a new 'gift' sent by our 'guests' that requires joint analysis."

The "gift" he referred to was naturally Major General Jialuo and the vast amount of intelligence that could potentially be obtained from the "Qingsuanzhe Hao".

This first-hand information was crucial for understanding this powerful opponent and formulating subsequent strategies.

Gathering all the Primarchs was not only for analyzing intelligence but also to take this opportunity to summarize the lessons of the first battle and plan the path forward.

"All messages have been sent via the Highest Priority encrypted channel, and confirmation receipts have been received," Selina reported.

Yingzhou nodded slightly and said.

"Mm, that will be all."

Xiuluo Holy Star · Ninth Defense Zone · Star Alliance Command Center.

The transport craft landed steadily on the dedicated landing platform.

The hatch slid open, and Sanguinius's tall figure stepped out first. The pure white wings behind him had retracted most of their radiance, yet they still exuded a reassuring majesty.

In his hand, he restrained the person behind him—Major General Jialuo—with an invisible force field.

At this moment, Major General Jialuo had long since lost the majesty he possessed on the bridge of the "Qingsuanzhe Hao".

The Feng Qi Xing Alliance officer uniform on his body was tattered and covered in stains and dried blue blood.

His hair was disheveled, his face bore bruises and exhaustion, and his eyes were hollow and numb. He could only stagger behind Sanguinius, the invisible force field making it impossible for him to even fall.

Two Blood Angels Space Marines followed closely behind, their armor still bearing the marks of battle, their gazes scanning the surroundings.

Selina's holographic projection, having long since received the notification, appeared silently at the entrance of the corridor and bowed slightly.

"Lord Sanguinius, His Majesty is waiting in the interrogation hall. Please follow me."

"Mm."

At this moment, Jialuo was shocked by the situation before him; he had expected to see ruins, or at best, a crude post-war reconstruction camp.

However, what met his eyes was a vast, well-planned, and militarized area!

Towering, streamlined alloy buildings stood tall, and on the wide roads, various types of military vehicles and engineering machinery moved in an orderly fashion.

In the distance, the outlines of a massive industrial zone were faintly visible, its scale far exceeding his imagination. Huge energy conduits were attached to the outer walls of the buildings, emitting a low hum, demonstrating powerful industrial capacity.

What shocked him even more were the soldiers and workers.

They wore uniform dark green outfits or work clothes, and one could not see the slightest dejection of a defeated person or the ignorance of primitive natives on their faces; instead, they exuded a kind of... high-spirited fighting will and absolute discipline that he found hard to describe.

When they saw Sanguinius, they would immediately stop their work and perform a concise, powerful salute, their eyes filled with near-pious awe and fanaticism.

This kind of cohesion, this kind of spirit—he had only seen it in the core ace legions of the Feng Qi Xing Alliance!

And those defensive facilities.

Jialuo noticed the Anti-Air Cannon turrets deployed at key nodes; their design and energy readings showed they were by no means backward products. The strangely shaped aircraft that occasionally streaked across the distant sky also made him secretly alarmed by their maneuverability.

Patrol Squads walked by on the ground from time to time; the Laser Rifles in the soldiers' hands were extremely well-maintained, and their formations were rigorous, clearly indicating they were well-trained elites.

How could this be a "primitive native planet"?!

This was clearly the core region of a highly developed, tightly organized, industrially robust, and militarily powerful civilization!

Its level of modernization and order even surpassed many fringe worlds under the control of the Feng Qi Xing Alliance!

Jialuo's heart began to beat wildly, and a cold chill replaced his previous numbness.

He realized that Director Fenisi, and even the entire upper echelon of the Feng Qi Xing Alliance, had made a huge mistake.

They had been deceived by that damned Black Domain for three whole years.

During these three years, this so-called "Xiuluo Holy Indigenous" civilization was not merely lingering on the brink of death at all, but was developing frantically at a terrifying speed!

Those warships with excellent performance that appeared in space battles... those well-equipped and tenacious soldiers encountered during boarding actions... it turned out they were not conjured out of thin air!

They had a solid rear foundation!

No wonder... no wonder the Weiguang Fleet was defeated so miserably... they were not bullying primitives; they had slammed headlong into a Steel Fortress disguised as a rock.

Major General Jialuo's spirit completely collapsed.

The fear and shame of having previously been defeated at the hands of Sanguinius were now replaced by a deeper fear, one stemming from the total subversion of his perception.

He had originally harbored a glimmer of hope, believing that the next time the Feng Qi Xing Alliance sent a more powerful fleet, they would surely be able to flatten this place.

But now, he realized in despair that the power and potential hidden by this Xiuluo Holy Star Alliance likely far exceeded anyone's imagination!

They had provoked a monster that was growing at a rapid pace!

Jialuo was led by the power of Sanguinius, walking upon this land filled with a sense of strength and order.

He no longer attempted to struggle or think about escaping, because he understood that on this planet, in the hands of this group of terrifying people, he had no chance whatsoever.

His only "value," he feared, was the intelligence inside his brain.