191: Chapter 191 Chen Fan Occupies the Empire's Border! His Power Surpasses the Empire!
In the year 3728 of the Star Calendar, the landscape of the Human Star Domain was completely rewritten following a thunderous cannon blast and a full-scale retreat.
The remnants of the Canglan Empire's Eastern Expedition Fleet, like stray dogs, retreated in disarray into the gravity defense zone of the empire's heartland. The wreckage of warships, damaged mecha, and scattered supplies abandoned along the way carpeted billions of miles of starry space, becoming the finest spoils of war for the Dawn Empire. The blockade line that once spanned the border, symbolizing the hegemony of Cang Lan, had completely collapsed, replaced by an impregnable new border constructed by the silver-blue banners of the Dawn Empire.
Before the smoke of battle had even dissipated, the takeover and administration work of the Dawn Empire, under the precise coordination of the seven great commanders and the mothership AI Xing Xi, was unfolding in an orderly fashion. There was no chaos, no looting, no internal friction; there was only a disciplined and orderly army of victors, spreading the majesty and order of the newborn empire to every piece of newly recovered territory.
Inside the command cabin of the flagship dawn of light, the holographic star map had been completely updated.
The territory of the Dawn Empire, which had previously occupied only a corner of the Human Star Domain, was now like a waking galactic beast, expanding crazily—seventeen resource planets, thirty-one space fortresses, forty-seven interstellar mines, and twelve cosmic star ports were embedded in the star map like brilliant stars, directly expanding the Dawn Empire's territory by 4.7 times.
Silver-blue light covered the former golden territory of Cang Lan, firmly grasping the entire border star domain in its hands.
Commander Su Qingyue tapped her fingertips lightly, and massive amounts of data flowed across the light screen like a waterfall of starlight, with every set of numbers proclaiming the comprehensive rise of the Dawn Empire. Dressed in the uniform of a research officer, her temperament was cold and wise, and her voice was steady and powerful as she bowed to report to Emperor Chen Fan:
"Emperor, the occupation of the Cang Lan border star domain is 100% complete, and all resistance forces have been cleared or incorporated. According to a comprehensive survey by the Research Center, within the newly added territory, there are thirteen stellar-level mineral veins, four habitable terraformed planets, two ancient energy ruins, and seven interstellar route hubs. The strategic value is immeasurable!"
Aila stood to the side, the alien energy crystal emitting a soft glow. The statistical report from the Alien Affairs Department had been fully organized, and her gentle voice carried undisguised excitement:
"Emperor, the Grey Race, Stone Armor Race, Winged Race, and other affiliated alien races have all moved into the newly occupied territory, responsible for resource inventory, mineral vein sealing, and logistics hub construction. Currently, all mines are operating at full capacity. The daily production of warship energy, mecha ammunition, and military supplies has increased three-fold. Frontline supply is completely secure, and our army possesses all the foundations for long-term warfare and unlimited expansion!"
Zero stood before the central AI control console, the electronically synthesized voice calm and precise. The virtual image of Xing Xi appeared in mid-air, her golden hair and silver-blue combat armor reflecting each other. The super AI, who had awakened an independent personality, had already become the core strategic brain of the empire:
"Emperor, the empire's total combat power statistics are complete. Nine Dawn-class Star Destroyers, 1,300 main warships, 8,000 landing ships, 60,000 Dawn Mecha, 5 million Ground Legion troops, and 3 million interstellar marines. The Cang Lan surrender forces have been reorganized, adding 1.2 million elite soldiers and 400 warships. The empire's total troop strength has exceeded the ten-million mark!"
Commander Ling Shuang, clad in god-of-war armor, shone with brilliant light. The resonance frequency of the Mecha Legion echoed within the cabin, and the fighting spirit of the 60,000 Dawn Mecha reached the command cabin through their mental link. She placed a single fist against her chest, her fighting spirit soaring:
"Emperor, the Mecha Legion has completed the deployment in the border star domain. All planetary air defense systems, fortress main guns, and interstellar gun turrets have been fully taken over. Any enemy who dares to invade will be instantly crushed! The border defense line is as solid as a rock!"
Dark shadows surged around Commander Ling Ye, and the infiltration reports from the Shadow Fleet were all transmitted back. His cold voice carried not a hint of emotion:
"Emperor, the intelligence network on the outskirts of the Cang Lan heartland has been fully established. The deployment of remaining enemy forces, the construction of fortifications, the defense of the Imperial Capital Planet, and the movements of the royal family are all under our surveillance. After Emperor Cang Lan Hao retreated to the Canglan Divine Capital, he has not stepped outside. The empire's high-level officials are disheartened, and the great noble families are secretly colluding with others, seeking only to save themselves."
Commander Lei Meng, clad in gilded heavy armor, had completed the full blockade of the border routes with the Main Fleet. His voice was like a booming bell, shaking the cabin:
"Emperor! All routes, space stations, and strategic strongholds in the Dead Zone have been completely blockaded. The remaining Cang Lan troops dare not cross the line! Our army can march east at any time, strike directly at the Cang Lan heartland, and flatten the enemy capital! Please issue the order, Emperor, for the entire Main Fleet to attack and wipe out Cang Lan in one fell swoop!"
Old Hu clenched his fist with a clang. The occupation work of the Ground Legion had entered its final stage, and his rough voice carried an unstoppable momentum:
"Emperor! Five million Ground Legion soldiers have been stationed on all newly occupied planets, clearing out remaining enemies, pacifying the public, and establishing order. Every inch of land is now Dawn! The former Cang Lan troops who surrendered are living and working in peace, while those who resisted have been executed. The hearts of the people in the border star domain have been settled, and all belong to the Dawn!"
The seven great commanders performed their respective duties, and reports of victory poured in. Throughout the command cabin, fighting spirit and joy intertwined, and the momentum rushed straight into the galaxy.
Emperor Chen Fan stood with his hands behind his back at the bow of the ship, his black robes fluttering, his star-like eyes deep as an abyss, overlooking the brand-new star map before him.
From a fledgling force occupying a mere corner to a star domain hegemon now possessing vast territories, millions of elite troops, and endless resources, he had achieved this in just a few short years.
One shot destroyed the divine weapon, one battle secured the border.
Today's Dawn Empire was no longer the weak regime that needed to survive in the cracks of the Canglan Empire, but the number one powerful nation in the Human Star Domain in the true sense.
The hegemony that the Canglan Empire had spent three hundred years building was, before him, fragile and vulnerable.
"Very good."
Emperor Chen Fan spoke, his voice calm yet carrying the majesty of one who holds the world in his hands. His gaze swept over his subordinates, and everyone felt awe and bowed in obedience.
"Occupation is just the beginning; control is the foundation. Pass the order: in the newly occupied territories, fully implement the laws of the Dawn. Abolish the oppressive colonial system of the Canglan Empire, liberate all mineral slaves, laborers, and alien servants. All who submit to the Dawn shall be treated equally and share in the glory of the empire."
"As you command!" the generals replied in unison.
"Commander Su Qingyue."
"I am here!" Commander Su Qingyue bowed.
"The Research Center shall immediately initiate the technological integration of the border star domain, extract the thousand-year technological heritage of Cang Lan, integrate it into the Dawn-class Star Destroyer technology, and accelerate the development of the next generation of star-domain-level weapons. At the same time, conduct a comprehensive exploration of the ancient ruins to unlock higher levels of power for the Star Warrior."
"I obey the order!"
"Aila."
"I am here!"
"The Alien Affairs Department shall pacify the ten thousand races, absorb the alien races that have submitted within the Cang Lan territory, expand the empire's population, and enrich the frontier to ensure that within the territory, all people are of one mind and all races submit."
"I obey the order!"
"Commander Ling Ye."
"I am here!"
"The Shadow Fleet shall increase infiltration into the Cang Lan heartland, incite middle-level generals to defect, disrupt enemy command, and collect defense data on the Imperial Capital Planet to prepare for the next step of the total offensive."
"I obey the order!"
"Commander Lei Meng, Old Hu, Commander Ling Shuang, Zero."
"We are here!"
"The Main Fleet shall garrison the border and remain battle-ready; the Ground Legion shall consolidate the occupied areas and build permanent fortresses; the Mecha Legion shall patrol and deploy, deterring remaining enemies; Xing Xi shall fully control the empire's communications, navigation, and defense systems, building a flawless defense network for the border star domain."
"Our army does not take the initiative to attack, but we will not yield an inch! Whoever dares to covet the Dawn territory, kill without mercy!"
"As you command!!!"
One decree after another was issued, like the laws of the heavens, landing precisely and completely forging the newly occupied border star domain into an impregnable forward base for the Dawn Empire.
Within the empire's territory, the frenzy of victory had already swept through every planet, every settlement, and the hearts of every citizen.
In the central square of Odin Planet, giant light screens played the good news of the border occupation 24 hours a day. The images of the Dawn flag being raised on seventeen planets brought tears to the eyes of countless citizens, and the cheers never ceased day or night.
"Long live the Emperor! Dawn is invincible!"
"We have occupied the Cang Lan border! The empire's territory has expanded fivefold!"
"The number one powerful nation in the Human Star Domain! We are number one!!"
In streets and alleys, taverns and barracks, factories and mines, everyone was talking about this epic victory and the invincible Emperor who settled the world with one shot.
Neutral planets, free star domains, and alien city-states that had previously held a wait-and-see attitude toward the Dawn Empire, upon learning that the Dawn Empire had completely occupied the Cang Lan border and that its power had fully surpassed that of Cang Lan, scrambled to send envoys to Odin Planet to request submission, alliance, and homage.
In the interstellar communication channels, requests for submission, letters of homage, and national documents of surrender flooded toward the center of the Dawn Empire like snowflakes, leaving the officials in charge of reception overwhelmed.
They all knew that the sky of the Human Star Domain had changed.
The era of the Canglan Empire had completely ended.
The era of Emperor Chen Fan and the Dawn Empire had officially arrived.
In stark contrast to this was the despair and chaos in the heartland of the Canglan Empire.
Canglan Divine Capital, Imperial Palace.
The Lingxiao Hall, once golden and magnificent with ten thousand officials paying homage, was now dead and silent, the air seemingly frozen.
Emperor Cang Lan Hao sat high on the dragon throne. The black-gold combat armor had long been removed, replaced by black imperial robes, yet it could not cover the decadence and despair surrounding him. The starry crown was thrown to the side. His eyes, once as sharp as a hawk's, now held only emptiness and dead silence. The imperial blood remaining at the corner of his mouth had long dried, leaving a glaring mark.
Below the hall, the civil and military officials were lined up on both sides, but no one dared to speak. Everyone's face was pale, and they were trembling all over, fear gnawing at their minds like a poisonous snake.
The Sky-Dome Giant Cannon had been destroyed, the Eastern Expedition Army had been wiped out, and the entire border had been lost...
A series of blows, like heavy hammers, had smashed the three-hundred-year foundation of the Canglan Empire to pieces.
"Your Majesty... the border... the border is completely gone..."
An old official stepped out tremblingly, kneeling on the ground, his voice filled with sobs: "Seventeen planets, thirty-one fortresses, all have fallen into the hands of the Dawn Empire! Emperor Chen Fan's army has already arrived at the border and may march south at any time, pointing directly at the Divine Capital!"
"Your Majesty! The great noble families have already begun to transfer assets and hide warships. Many are secretly contacting the Dawn Empire, preparing to surrender the cities! If we don't think of a way, the empire will perish!"
"Your Majesty! The national treasury is empty, the source of soldiers is exhausted, and technology is damaged. We... we no longer have the ability to compete with the Dawn Empire!"
"Your Majesty, surrender... for the sake of the thousands of people of Cang Lan, for the sake of the empire's remaining foundation, surrender to Emperor Chen Fan!"
"Surrender?"
Emperor Cang Lan Hao suddenly raised his head, his eyes bloodshot, the remaining imperial energy around him raging wildly, and he let out a shrill and crazy roar:
"I am the thirty-second generation Emperor of the Canglan Empire, having ruled the Human Star Domain for three hundred years. How can I kneel and surrender to a mere child, to a newborn regime!"
"The border is lost, I can retake it! The army is gone, I can recruit again! Emperor Chen Fan destroyed my divine weapon, wiped out my army, and occupied my territory. This hatred is irreconcilable! Even if I die, I will drag him down to be buried with me!"
"Pass the order: the entire empire enters a wartime state. All men between the ages of twelve and sixty are to be conscripted! All planets, all mines, all factories are to produce warships and mecha at full capacity! Fortify all defense lines in the heartland and defend the Divine Capital to the death!"
"I want to fight Emperor Chen Fan to the death!"
But his roar only brought about an even more desperate silence from the officials.
Fight to the death?
With what?
The divine weapon is destroyed, the army is crushed, the border is lost, the hearts of the people are scattered, and resources are lost...
The Canglan Empire was left with only an empty shell, gasping for its last breath.
Facing the Dawn Empire, which was in its prime and whose power crushed his own, the so-called fight to the death was nothing more than a moth flying into a flame, courting its own destruction.
No one believed that Emperor Cang Lan Hao could turn the tide, and no one believed that the Canglan Empire could rise again.
The right to speak in the Human Star Domain had been completely grasped in the hands of Emperor Chen Fan.
At this moment, in the border starry space, the surrender work of the Dawn Empire was still continuing.
Thousands of Cang Lan warships that had fled stopped their escape, lowered their golden-gold battle flags, actively opened their hatches, and surrendered to the Dawn Fleet; dozens of border strongholds and space fortresses that had not had time to retreat raised white flags one after another, accepting reorganization; countless Cang Lan soldiers, civilians, and miners took off their old imperial uniforms, put on the Dawn insignia, and welcomed a new life.
The Shadow Fleet transmitted the latest intelligence: nineteen medium-sized planets in the heartland of the Canglan Empire had publicly announced their withdrawal from Cang Lan rule, requesting to be incorporated into the Dawn Empire's territory; of the seven border defense legions, three had completely defected, becoming the vanguard of the Dawn Empire.
The virtual image of Xing Xi flickered in the command cabin, and the latest full-domain battle report resounded throughout the hall:
[Beep! Empire full-domain battle report updated!]
[Beep! The Dawn Empire's actual controlled territory has reached 52% of the total area of the Human Star Domain!]
[Beep! The empire's total population has exceeded 100 million, and the number of alien races that have submitted has exceeded one hundred!]
[Beep! The empire's total combat power, resource reserves, technological level, and territory area, all four core indicators have fully surpassed the Canglan Empire, firmly ranking first in the Human Star Domain!]
[Beep! The Canglan Empire's controlled territory has shrunk to 28%, with less than 30% of its peak troop strength, completely losing the ability to compete for hegemony!]
[Beep! 32 planets in the neutral star domain have officially submitted documents of submission, requesting to be included in the Dawn Empire's territory!]
The sets of data, like the loudest anthem, proclaimed the unshakable hegemonic status of the Dawn Empire.
The former hegemon of the Human Star Domain, the Canglan Empire, was now huddled in less than 30% of its territory, with few troops and generals, hearts filled with panic, able only to defend passively, with no ability to fight back.
The Dawn Empire, on the other hand, sat on half of the Human Star Domain, holding millions of elite troops, controlling endless resources, with ten thousand races paying homage and all people's hearts turning to it. Its power was in its prime, and its sharp edge pointed directly at the entire Human Star Domain!
Emperor Chen Fan looked at the silver-blue territory continuously expanding on the star map. In his star-like eyes, there was no satisfaction, only broader ambition and firmer belief.
Occupying the Cang Lan border and surpassing the empire in power was just a milestone on his journey.
His goal was never to be a star domain hegemon.
It was to unify the entire human territory, establish a Star River Empire unprecedented in history, ascend to the pinnacle of the universe, and dominate the destiny of all races!
"Emperor Cang Lan Hao thinks that by retreating to the heartland, he can survive."
"He is wrong."
Emperor Chen Fan said softly, his voice spreading throughout the entire command cabin, carrying an unquestionable dominance:
"The Human Star Domain can only have one voice, one empire, one Emperor."
"Today, I occupy the border and surpass Cang Lan."
"Tomorrow, I will march across the entire territory and reclaim 70% of the territory."
"Another day, I will flatten the Canglan Divine Capital, annihilate the old empire, unify all humanity, and establish the Star River Era that belongs to me!"
As the words fell, the black robes moved without wind, and the power of the Star Warrior swept across the entire starry sky, as if playing a prelude to the coming era of unification.
The seven great commanders knelt on one knee in unison, their voices shaking the galaxy:
"We swear to follow the Emperor to the death, sweep across the star domain, and unify humanity!"
"The Dawn Empire, eternal!"
"Emperor Chen Fan, invincible in the universe!"
Beneath the starry sky, the silver-blue battle flags fluttered in the wind, and billions of miles of territory belonged to the Dawn.
Emperor Chen Fan occupied the entire Cang Lan territory, his power surpassing his former master, and the landscape of the Human Star Domain was completely locked.
The pace of unification could no longer be stopped.
The door to a new era was slowly opening.
And the legend belonging to Emperor Chen Fan had only just reached its climax.
(Chapter 191 End)
🔊 Text To Speech
Listen while reading