The attack by the hovering fighter jets was so sudden that the Japanese "Kyūjū Fleet" below barely registered a reaction.

For a moment, the sea surface was alight with the intense glare and shockwaves from high-explosive shell detonations. The Japanese "Kyūjū Fleet" itself was torn to shreds amidst the violent explosions, rapidly sinking into the waves. The two carrier-borne helicopters overhead became massive fireballs, plunging into the ocean before being swallowed by the depths. Not a single Japanese soldier from the entire "Kyūjū Fleet" escaped, much less managed to send out a distress signal. Having neutralized the surface fleet, the two hovering fighters angled their electromagnetic cannon barrels downward. Aided by satellite positioning, they instantly locked onto the two Japanese submarines lurking beneath the waves.

Japan had deployed not only a "Kyūjū Fleet" but also a Yūshio-class submarine and a Harushio-class submarine. For secrecy, they had maintained a submerged profile. Yet, even this caution was insufficient; their movements had been discovered by Starry Sky Group satellites.

The two submarines below the surface suddenly registered the violent explosions occurring above them. Before they could even ascertain the cause, their hulls shuddered violently, followed by catastrophic internal explosions as seawater erupted inward.

It turned out the hovering fighters from the "City of the Stars" overhead were launching specialized electromagnetic cannon shells. Having precisely locked their targets, the fighters easily struck the two Japanese submarines.

In an instant, the two Japanese subs endured a saturation attack of over twenty specialized shells. Their hulls were ripped apart by the concussions, allowing the ocean’s crushing pressure to surge inward. In less than thirty seconds, both vessels vanished into the deep sea, with no chance of escape for anyone aboard.

After confirming the complete annihilation of the Japanese naval contingent, the two hovering fighters rapidly ascended, silently dissolving into the boundless darkness. If not for the debris floating on the surface, no one would ever know a formidable fleet had existed there moments before.

Back at the rear command center, high-ranking officials of the Starry Sky Group watched the total destruction of the Japanese "Kyūjū Fleet" and its submarines unfold on the massive wall screens.

The sheer, overwhelming firepower and the irresistible nature of the Starry Sky Group's attack filled the executives with elation. A long-held frustration, a pent-up grievance, was finally vented, bringing a sense of long-missed satisfaction. From this moment forward, their perspective fundamentally shifted; they no longer viewed the Starry Sky Group merely as a corporation, but as a vast organization capable of standing toe-to-toe with the world's superpowers.

Precisely one minute after the devastating assault on the Japanese "Kyūjū Fleet," two more hovering fighters silently approached the location of the American warships. They hovered three kilometers above the sea, positioning themselves to strike the two US missile destroyers nearest to the "City of the Stars."

Although the US fleet had heightened its alert status, the attack method of the Starry Sky Group's hovering fighters was too bizarre; no instrument could detect them. Thus, when the two fighters launched their electromagnetic cannon shells at the American destroyers, critically damaging both vessels instantly, the US sailors remained completely unaware of the origin of the attack.

Following Liu Hui’s explicit orders, the two hovering fighters each fired only twenty electromagnetic shells—just enough to severely cripple the two American missile destroyers. Crucially, the ships were not sunk immediately, granting their crews time to attempt evacuation.

In another direction, the Russian navy endured an electromagnetic barrage originating from beneath the waves. Before they could comprehend what was happening, their destroyer and frigate closest to the "City of the Stars" erupted in violent explosions, with both vessels eventually sinking to the seabed half an hour later.

The "City of the Stars's" super-submarines executed their electromagnetic attack from below the surface, swiftly neutralizing the two Russian warships, and then rapidly retreated beneath the "City of the Stars" before the Russian fleet could mount any coordinated response.

With the "City of the Stars" striking decisively, the encirclement attempt by the four navies shattered. The Filipino and Japanese fleets were wiped out entirely. The American and Russian navies, reeling from the sudden, untraceable attacks, retreated in disarray, pulling their remaining vessels far away from the "City of the Stars." Only the Chinese navy remained oblivious, continuing its patrol just outside the "City of the Stars’s" perimeter.

Liu Hui’s actions provided immense vindication for the Starry Sky Group's executives, yet a subtle anxiety lingered concerning how to manage the resulting geopolitical fallout.

"Boss, the commanders of the US and Russian fleets are requesting a communication link," the communications officer reported.

Liu Hui smiled. "Connect their calls. I will speak with them personally this time..."

The officer immediately established a three-way conference call.

Liu Hui spoke first: "I am Liu Hui of the Starry Sky Group. Who are you?"

As soon as Liu Hui identified himself, a wave of panicked voices erupted over the line. Then, the American commander responded: "Esteemed Mr. Liu Hui, greetings. I am Brigadier General Wallace, commander of the US Thirteenth Fleet."

The Russian commander quickly followed: "Esteemed Mr. Liu Hui, greetings. I am Colonel Shardin, commander of the Russian Second Far East Fleet."

Liu Hui asked, "What business do you have contacting me?"

Wallace of the United States stated, "Mr. Liu Hui, I must inquire why your 'City of the Stars' attacked our US warships. Furthermore, we have lost contact with the Filipino and Japanese fleets; were they also attacked by your 'City of the Stars'?"

Shardin of Russia echoed, "Mr. Liu Hui, why did you attack our Russian warships? Are you unafraid of incurring the wrath of Russia?"

Liu Hui laughed lightly. "I might as well ask you, what business did you have gathering near our 'City of the Stars'? Not only did you surround us, but you also issued us an ultimatum."

Wallace replied, "Mr. Liu Hui, I believe this might be a misunderstanding. Several nations were conducting a joint operation to eradicate a major pirate organization. This pirate group possesses extremely heavy firepower, and if they are not eliminated, they pose a significant threat to this shipping lane. Someone reported seeing them board your 'City of the Stars,' which is why, for the mutual safety of all parties, we issued the ultimatum."

Shardin confirmed, "Yes, that is precisely how it happened."

Liu Hui chuckled. "Is that so! We did indeed apprehend a group of unidentified individuals suspected of being pirates a few days ago. Perhaps you can confirm if these are the same people?"

Liu Hui transmitted photographs of the martial artists captured by Zhou Tengyun while they infiltrated the "City of the Stars" to both Wallace and Shardin.

Wallace examined the photos and found personnel from his own nation among the captured individuals. Just as he was about to speak, Liu Hui continued, "The strength of these pirates was indeed considerable. Unfortunately, we failed to capture all of them; a portion managed to escape. As they fled, they vowed revenge and swore to bomb our ships. You mentioned just now that your warships were attacked—could they have mistaken your vessels for ours and attacked them in error?"

Shardin also identified personnel from his country. Seeing Liu Hui successfully pinning the blame for the attack on the supposed "pirates," he angrily retorted, "Mr. Liu Hui, how could these pirates possibly attack our warships? Are they insane? This incident is certainly connected to you."

Liu Hui laughed. "How could we possibly be involved? You were attempting to wipe out those pirates, meaning you wished them dead. Naturally, they wouldn't allow your scheme to succeed, so they lashed out and attacked your fleet. This explanation is logical and consistent! Furthermore, instead of wasting time arguing with us, shouldn't you be pursuing the remnants of those pirates? Who knows, perhaps another warship will be sunk while we talk."

Wallace countered, "Mr. Liu Hui, do not press this issue too far. Do you truly believe you can simultaneously contend with both the United States and Russia?"

Liu Hui laughed again. "Have I pressed too far? You have merely lost some vessels. Japan and the Philippines, however, were annihilated—not a single soul survived. Allow me to clarify: the territorial waters surrounding our 'City of the Stars' do not extend one hundred kilometers in radius, but two hundred kilometers. If you do not immediately withdraw beyond our territorial boundary, those pirates may reappear. If they mistake your vessels for ours again, I assure you the next encounter will not be as gentle as the last."

Shardin roared in anger, "You..." But he immediately recalled Liu Hui’s warning and suppressed his fury, preparing to terminate the communication and withdraw his fleet beyond the two-hundred-kilometer mark.

At that moment, Liu Hui interjected, "By the way, General Wallace and Colonel Shardin, please pass a message along to the relevant departments back home. In Tokyo, near latitude N, near Tokyo, latitude N—it seems two warships are currently advancing toward our position. If they do not immediately halt their advance and return the way they came, those pirates are certain to appear in their vicinity. If any incident occurs to them then, do not blame me for failing to issue a prior warning."