"What shall we do then?" Linglong asked. "Even though they've lost more than half their strength, we still can't defeat what remains."

"We absolutely cannot engage them head-on," I replied. "Direct all our warships to surround Moon Base Two and use the massive turrets stationed there to strike them."

Ximen Yun issued the orders as I directed. The White Shark and Tiger Shark fleets, scattered by the shockwave, began to converge around Moon Base Two. Slowly, they formed a protective perimeter, and within that circle lay the energy shield of the Moon Base itself. We had stockpiled vast quantities of energy crystals on the Moon Base, and after spotting the U-Star fleet, we had further reinforced our reserves. Every extracted crystal had been shipped over from the Twin Stars. If the U-Stars intended to fight a war of attrition, it was impossible for them; especially with many of their supply ships destroyed. If we could hold out for just two more days, perhaps the U-Stars would retreat on their own.

As the White Shark and Tiger Shark fleets assembled, the invincible fleet of the Sgaji Empire was also beginning to regroup its battered forces. Shortly after, communications were re-established in our system. Simugu, whose face resembled that of a Pekingese dog, was contorted with fury. "You pack of scum! Don't think this little stunt means you've defeated the invincible fleet of the Sgaji Empire! Whatever strange weapons you used, you cannot defeat us! This time, I will tear you limb from limb and eliminate any future threat!"

I responded coldly to Simugu, "Don't boast when the battle isn't over. If you have the nerve, let's settle this beneath our blades."

Simugu roared back, "Fine! Don't think I fear you! We've only lost some maintenance ships and light frigates; our core combat strength remains intact. You are no match for us! Just you wait! I will slaughter every living thing on this planet. The energy crystals will forever belong only to the glorious Leader Galida!"

Words led nowhere, and the communication line snapped. The U-Star invincible fleet quickly reformed its battle lines, encircling both Moon Bases. Leading the charge were several medium frigates, armed not only with automated turrets but also with a type of plasma projectile. This plasma round was highly corrosive and capable of short-circuiting an entire warship's systems, possessing immense destructive power, but its effective range was limited to close combat. With animosity now at a boiling point, the fighting commenced without preamble.

I instructed Ximen Yun, "Notify all warships to avoid direct confrontation as much as possible. Lure them toward our large-caliber cannon emplacements. Leave the finishing blow to those behemoths."

One turret seized the first opportunity. A massive energy shell fired, striking a U-Star medium frigate that had been preoccupied chasing down a White Shark light warship. The thick iron armor offered no defense against the five-meter-diameter projectile; with a deafening boom, the warship split in two and exploded.

Immediately, multiple turrets opened fire. Five-meter-wide pillars of laser light pierced straight through the medium frigates. Simugu, aboard his flagship, was incandescent with rage. He immediately ordered a full assault on both moons. Originally, these moons had been constructed by their ancestors for their own use, but now they had become tools of slaughter for others.

Several heavy warships clustered outside the satellites and began bombarding them. A continuous barrage from those massive turrets would overwhelm even an immortal being. Yet, the shells were all stopped two hundred meters shy of the satellites. It was then the U-Stars realized the enemy also possessed energy shields—and theirs were remarkably powerful. Even if they mustered ten thousand warships and fired simultaneously, shaking this planetary-class fortress would be difficult, especially with over ten thousand light warships harassing their perimeter, preventing any unified salvo. Simugu was forced to order a temporary halt to the futile attack on the Moon Bases, prioritizing the annihilation of the enemy's light warships.

Seeing the U-Star vessels recklessly hunting the White Sharks and Tiger Sharks, I had no choice but to order a retreat into the Moon Base defenses. After all, that was the entirety of our mobile force. If we expended them all, we would have nothing left for maneuverability; we couldn't risk a desperate final stand unless absolutely necessary.

The Moon Base's energy shield was sustained by hundreds of generators operating in concert. Our own forces could slip through a temporary gap when one generator cycled down. Simugu dispatched frigates to pursue, only to be driven back by a few well-aimed shots from the Moon Base's heavy cannons.

A dense swarm of warships encircled the two moons. Despite trying every method, they could not breach the massive energy shield. And every time they tried to concentrate their fire, the Moon Base cannons would timely intercede, scattering them. After a full day and night of fruitless effort, Simugu finally ordered a turn toward the Twin Stars.

Everyone watching was shocked by this move. Although most key personnel were stationed in these two space bases, a significant civilian population still resided on the Twin Stars. These aliens were actually abandoning the assault on the Moon Base to seize the Twin Stars first.

Ximen Yun asked, "Zhao Qian, we shouldn't commit our forces now. What should we do?"

Someone below echoed, "Indeed, sending troops out is a suicide mission. We finally managed to stabilize the situation using these two colossal space fortresses. If we dispatch reinforcements to the Twin Stars now, it will likely be a one-way trip."

"But we cannot just watch them die," I insisted. "That would cause the people on the Twin Stars to lose all faith in us. I will personally lead one hundred warships to reinforce the Twin Stars. You must continue to engage them here; do not become complacent and let them enter your range."

Ximen Yun protested, "You are going personally? How can that be? Send someone else. If anything happens to you, what will we do? We need you to deal with the U-Stars; you are our soul—you cannot risk your life like this."

"No, I must meet that fellow Simugu face-to-face. From now on, you remain in command here. Remember my words: hold the line above all else. Do not take risks or venture out until I return."

Linglong and Yunyao anxiously declared, "We'll go with you!"

"I have the Laser Sword; bringing you would only be a burden. Rest assured, if I cannot win, I will return swiftly. That ugly pig U-Star will surely vent his rage on the humans on the Twin Stars, so they need my help. You stay here and wait for me."

Yunyao and Linglong realized they couldn't stop me. They signaled the other women who hadn't made it to the command room, but I left before they arrived, piloting a White Shark vessel. One hundred identical warships followed behind me. As soon as we burst through the energy shield, ten medium frigates swarmed us, unleashing a barrage of fire to forcefully halt our progress. I did not wish to tangle with them; I pushed the ship low, flying beneath their formation, and headed straight for the Twin Stars.

The Twin Stars were an inferno. Simugu was unleashing all his stored fury upon the surface dwellers. Heavy warships rained down ordnance, while medium frigates turned to attack the underground and undersea cities. The scene was similar to the U-Stars' previous assault, but their current strength was amplified by more than a hundred times.

I transmitted a message to the merman leading the vanguard: have him take the hundred warships to reinforce the undersea and underground cities separately, while I would remain in the sky to duel the warships attacking the twin cities. If an opportunity arose, killing Simugu was the priority; without their leader, the enemy fleet would surely have to retreat.

The aerial warships formed a tight guard around an aircraft carrier. The carrier was shaped like a cigar, with two massive automated turrets at the bow and stern. Beneath each turret were two large laser cannons. The ship's flanks were studded with countless light weapon firing ports, reserved for close-quarters fighting.

I surmised this must be Simugu's flagship. I wasn't certain if I could fight my way in, but I had to try. Activating the Netherlight and boosting my energy shield, I charged toward the carrier. Along the way, I pierced the hulls of many medium frigates with my Laser Sword, severing their cannon barrels, sending them scattering in panic. However, when I clashed against a heavy warship protected by a shield, a powerful force collided with my Laser Sword. The massive recoil threw me back several hundred meters, landing me squarely on top of a barracuda-shaped medium frigate.

I realized I probably couldn't breach their energy shield. After all, my size disparity with a heavy warship was enormous. They used the entire ship's power to support their shield; no matter how strong I was, countering that was nearly impossible. Understanding this, I ceased my futile frontal attacks and turned to slaughter the warships lacking shields.

Due to my small size and high maneuverability, Simugu's vessels couldn't touch me. Even the occasional shell that struck my energy shield had little effect, while I used the Laser Sword to hack unprotected ships into shredded ruins. Fortunately, this wasn't open space, or those ships would have exploded instantly. Even so, multiple sections of the ships caught fire, and they lost all will to continue fighting, rushing back to the carrier for maintenance.

The U-Star carrier closed its energy shield to allow the damaged frigates inside for repairs—this presented an opening. I pierced the carrier's shield from an unexpected angle and finally set foot on the vessel. My rage was no less than Simugu's. I set the Laser Sword to its maximum power, plunged it into the hull of the U-Star ship, and then rapidly circled the carrier, round after round. The carrier finally exploded, looking like an apple that had been peeled.

My sudden attack frightened the wounded frigates; they dared not return to the carrier for shelter and fled in disarray. The invincible fleet descended into chaos. However, the remaining heavy warships still refused to cease bombarding the Twin Stars' inhabitants. I was momentarily helpless, forced to watch as those humans were blown apart.

No matter how great one person's power, it cannot contend with vast machinery. Even a superhuman has limits. My lack of a reversed-color uniform doesn't mean I lack ability, but my strength was insignificant against heavy warships whose size was completely disproportionate to my own. Even if I desperately wished to fight Simugu to the death, what means did I have?

I could only try my best to strike the unprotected frigates, hoping Simugu would prioritize their safety and retreat into space. But Simugu seemed entirely unconcerned with their welfare. In moments, he commanded his fleet to reduce half of the twin cities to rubble. I could no longer control myself; gripping the Laser Sword, I charged again toward the heavy warships attacking the cities.