Chapter 1589: Chapter 1589

As time gradually passed, the surrounding tensions grew increasingly intense. Every day, warships would fly by, broadcasting their presence in a unique way, their sounds echoing across various planets.

This method was commonly used by many, and prior to the outbreak of war, it would often lure in a significant number of traitors.

Du You’s side was no exception, but unfortunately, those who held key secrets were the loyal inhabitants under his command. The traitors had little to offer in terms of valuable information.

The ones controlling the war weapons were likewise his loyal inhabitants, so the war itself was not greatly impacted by the defections.

As localized skirmishes grew increasingly frequent, a full-scale battle ultimately erupted.

At the outset, the conflict began from the rear flank, where an enemy fleet suddenly charged toward one of Du You’s major planets. This fleet consisted of three Tier-6 warships alongside over a hundred Tier-5 warships.

But as soon as they entered the area, fierce combat broke out. They had completely underestimated the intensity of the resistance they would face.

Within the orbiting satellite belt, numerous defensive weapons disguised as asteroids emerged. A barrage of firepower rained down upon them. The Blood-colored Empire’s newly deployed warplanes and mecha were instantly shattered.

Although the firepower was only between Tier-3 to Tier-4 levels, while ineffective against warships, it was more than sufficient against the enemy’s smaller units.

Next, panels on the planet’s surface opened, revealing gun barrels that fired beams of light into the sky.

These radiant glimmers of death carried the powerful striking force of Tier-5 peak-level weapons. The first wave alone crippled over a dozen warships. The fleet was clearly caught off guard by the planet’s decisiveness and unexpectedly strong firepower. Such armament was undoubtedly the result of years of preparation, not a hasty setup.

"Damn it, retaliate! Fire back! Make them pay the price!"

Rather than retreating, the fleet launched an intense counterattack. The three Tier-6 warships at the forefront unleashed devastating strikes, obliterating a vast area and leaving nothing intact on its surface.

However, they failed to anticipate the deployment of Tier-6 weaponry on the planet as well. At some point, a long structure resembling a lance began to aim at them, its tip gathering a shimmering Light Ball.

When the Light Ball reached its peak brightness, the fleet finally noticed the threat.

"This is bad! It’s an Anti-Warship Beam Emitter! Evade! Evade now!"

They were aware this weapon was specifically designed to target warships, particularly Tier-6 ones, as its powerful penetrative capabilities rendered their defenses nearly useless.

If struck, the result would be complete penetration and destruction. The weapon’s only drawback was its slow recharge speed and extended activation time. Unfortunately for them, the emitter had already been charging for some time and was fully operational.

But by then, it was too late for the somewhat sluggish warships to evade.

A dazzling beam erupted forth, piercing directly through one of the Tier-6 warships, which immediately began to detonate from within. Due to the beam’s trajectory, it also grazed the side of another Tier-6 warship.

The defensive layer on the second warship was directly breached, leaving a deep scar on its surface.

"Quickly! That warship’s defenses have been compromised. Move in and show them we’re not to be trifled with!"

The mecha engaged in the battle nearby brightened with intense anticipation upon spotting the weakness. Countless mecha swarmed toward the damaged ship, clashing with the fleet’s onboard combat weaponry over the newly exposed vulnerability.

This sudden battle erupted swiftly, and its outcome was devastatingly brutal.

A significant portion of the planet’s surface was ruined, yet the internal damage remained unknown.

The fleet’s losses, however, were laid bare for all to see. Two of its Tier-6 warships were destroyed outright, and the remaining one heavily damaged and forced to retreat for extensive repairs. That warship would be out of commission for the foreseeable future.

Out of over a hundred Tier-5 warships, fewer than twenty survivors limped away, each bearing heavy damage. Most of the weaponry they brought was left behind on the planet’s surface, unable to be retrieved.

On the surface, the conflict appeared to be a mutually destructive deadlock, but the reality of the situation was less clear.

Both sides now harbored simmering fury, which only intensified as time went on. Nᴇw ɴovel chaptᴇrs are published on 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘦𝘭⚑𝓯𝓲𝓻𝓮⚑𝕟𝕖𝕥

Not long after, yet another confrontation erupted—this time initiated by Du You’s territory.

Or, more accurately, it was a plan orchestrated by Ke Jisi. Spotting a gap in the enemy’s defenses, she discovered an isolated fleet and directed two of her own fleets to encircle and eliminate it.

However, she miscalculated the enemy’s response time, and reinforcements arrived swiftly. A ferocious battle ensued, marked by horrific losses. Only by relying on the planet’s defenses did the remaining fleet manage to escape.

In this clash, Du You’s faction lost over thirty Tier-6 warships. The enemy suffered even greater misfortune, losing over forty Tier-6 warships. As for warships below Tier-6, they were too numerous to count.

With each skirmish escalating further, war finally erupted on an uncontrollable scale.

In the rear lines, several individuals looked visibly displeased. "Damn it! Damn it! What the hell are those Blood-colored Empire bastards doing? Didn’t we already agree? Why are their attacks so fierce? How am I supposed to have anything left after this? Don’t they see Du You is right there? Just target him! Once he’s dead, leave the rest to us—it’s that simple!"

Another person’s expression also darkened. "Warships are meant for fighting, that much is inevitable. But their attacks show no regard whatsoever. The losses sustained on the planets are truly deplorable—those resources were ours!"

In their eyes, Du You’s territory was already theirs, and any losses now equated to their own losses.

But the Blood-colored Empire clearly wasn’t listening to them, leaving them helpless. They had previously opened up defenses to allow the Blood-colored Empire through, but driving them out now wouldn’t be easy.

Should open conflict erupt, with their weakened defenses and overwhelming disparity in strength, it was likely they’d be left with no choice but to flee, a scenario they wished to avoid at all costs.

Between fleeing and retreating, the distinction was critical. Fleeing would leave permanent stains on their reputations, effectively ruining their future prospects.