533: Besieging Wei to Rescue Zhao

In just half an hour, this brutal annihilation came to an end.

When the last insect ship turned to ash under the bombardment of the universe class main cannon, the star curtain of Subspace was completely filled with the wreckage of the insect race.

Dark green bodily fluids congealed into viscous clouds in the Void Realm, shattered carapaces and tentacles floated like reefs, and occasionally, unextinguished insect ship wreckage still burned, emitting crackling sounds.

The hulls of the Empire starships were also covered with traces of war, their matte coatings corroded and mottled, with residual insect race limbs and acid-burned scorch marks.

Li Yang watched the enemy signals on the light screen gradually return to zero, slowly exhaling a turbid breath.

"Count the casualties, repair the damaged starships."

His voice carried a hint of fatigue, yet it was exceptionally firm.

"Rest for an hour, then continue exploring and advancing."

After all, in Li Yang's view, even if this wave of insect race was so numerous, reaching trillions, it was definitely not the insect race's entire strength.

"Reporting, Division Commander! The swarm has been cleared, the Nineteenth Division's combat assessment is complete. Two super star class starships were lost, and five other super star class hulls sustained severe damage, requiring emergency repairs before they can re-engage."

He Dong's voice came through the communicator, hoarse from battle but unable to conceal a hint of excitement. This casualty number was far lower than pre-battle estimates.

Immediately after, the general responsible for the Guard Division's deployment also sent a report.

"Reporting, Chairman, the Guard Division has completed its count. Seven stellar class starships were lost, three super star class starships were lost, and an additional twenty-five starships of various types have shield failures and damaged weapon Systems, requiring rear-area repairs. Personnel casualties have been tallied, and medical rescue is being organized."

Li Yang stood before the viewport, looking out at the Void Realm where insect swarm wreckage floated. On the holographic screen, casualty data continuously refreshed, but the core universe class and galaxy-class main battleships suffered no damage; all damaged vessels were auxiliary ships below galaxy-class.

"Not bad at all."

He murmured, his tone carrying a hint of approval.

It should be noted that the opposing side was also a fifth-level civilization, and in that annihilation, the number of insect swarms was in the trillions. To completely wipe them out at the cost of less than a hundred starships was an immense victory.

Especially the Guard Division's troops, most of whom were auxiliary forces responsible for public order and defense. To withstand the pressure and control losses in the face of a far larger than expected insect tide demonstrated their excellent training.

He turned to the communicator, his voice steady and powerful.

"Order the repair units to prioritize repairing super star class starships. Stellar class ships with minor damage should be repaired on-site. Casualties will receive preferential treatment according to wartime regulations. Ensure the subsequent combat strength is maintained."

"Yes!"

After the order was relayed, the starship fleet immediately became busy.

Repair ships, like silver worker bees, shuttled between the damaged starships, blue light from energy conduits repairing the hulls.

After the rest period, the repair units marked the coordinates of several stellar class starships that had completely lost combat capability, and they were escorted by frigates through the spatial tunnel to return.

The remaining starships reorganized their formation, with universe class and galaxy-class main battleships in front, and the repaired super star class ships arrayed on both flanks, continuing to advance deeper into Subspace.

Searchlights pierced the dark purple Void Realm, and the muzzles of every starship's cannons remained charged.

In Li Yang's view, that previous wave of insect swarms was merely an appetizer. Since they had delved deep into the nest, they had to uproot the lurking threats completely, leaving no future troubles.

The starship fleet explored for another ten minutes. Aside from the floating insect corpses, the entire Subspace remained unusually silent.

Li Yang was staring at the holographic star map, analyzing the possible location of the mother nest, when a sudden urgent call came through the communication channel, breaking the tranquility of the bridge.

"Urgent report! Chairman, an anomaly has suddenly occurred in the Huanlong Galaxy!"

The communicator's voice carried clear panic.

"Multiple Subspace rifts have appeared within the Galaxy, numbering over three hundred! Countless insect races are pouring out of the rifts and have begun attacking planets! Defense forces are requesting support!"

The holographic screen instantly switched, and on the star map of the Huanlong Galaxy, dense red dots sprouted like mushrooms after rain. Each red dot was connected to a flickering rift, and green dots representing the insect race were frantically pouring out of the rifts, spreading towards the surrounding planets.

The defense shields of several habitable planets were already glowing red, clearly under fierce attack.

Li Yang's expression instantly darkened, and his fingertips pressed heavily on the edge of the table.

He knew the insect race's tricks too well: if they couldn't gain an advantage on the front line, they would turn to attack the soft underbelly in the rear, hoping to force him to withdraw his troops to reinforce by threatening the safety of the rear Galaxy.

"These insects actually have some brains."

He snorted coldly, his gaze sweeping over the continuously expanding disaster on the screen, but there was no wavering in his eyes.

"Want to force me back? Not so easy."

The starship fleet in Subspace continued to advance steadily, but in the flagship's communication channel, Li Yang's calm and decisive orders had already begun to sound.

They had to stabilize the defense line of the Huanlong Galaxy, and even more, they had to take advantage of the insect race's divided forces to completely destroy their old nest.

Since this battle had already begun, there was no reason to retreat midway.

However, the situation in the Huanlong Galaxy was getting worse, and news of planetary shields being breached had already emerged.

"Division Commander, what should we do now?"

He Dong couldn't help but ask.

On the light screen, the defense distribution map of the Huanlong Galaxy was turning red at an alarming rate, and the green dots representing the insect race were engulfing the defensive positions like a tide.

"We've almost drained our rear forces this time. The remaining troops in the Huanlong Galaxy can barely manage conventional defense; they can't possibly stop such a dense insect tide..."

Pal also stepped forward, the light of the holographic projection reflecting on his anxious face.

Li Yang's fingers rapidly slid across the tactical sandbox, the troop deployment lines on the star map torn to shreds by his gestures.

He closed his eyes briefly, and when he opened them again, the hesitation in his eyes had been replaced by determination.

"Issue my command."

His voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable penetrative power.

"Have the Nineteenth Division dispatch another two regiments to the Huanlong Galaxy to take over defensive command there. Additionally, send a message to the Huanlong Galaxy Chairman, announcing, in my capacity as Chairman of the Longlan Star Cluster, that the Huanlong Galaxy has officially entered a state of war, and all Imperial Citizens must actively cooperate with the troops in eradicating the insect race."

"Division Commander!"

He Dong suddenly looked up, veins bulging on his forehead.

"The Nineteenth Division's remaining troops are the last forces on the border; transferring them is against regulations. It's clearly stated that border garrison strength must not fall below the minimum garrison conditions. This could lead to a court-martial!"

Pal also stamped his foot anxiously.

"Once a state of war is declared, it means all civilian agencies cease operations, and resources are fully militarized for allocation. If anyone has ill intentions, the consequences are immeasurable!"