Night falls.
Waves churned upon the East China Sea, as if a storm was about to descend.
Murong Feiyue stood within the command bridge of the Xuanwu-class battleship, her brow furrowed as she watched the information from the fleet flash by. At this moment, not only were there multiple multi-functional submarines beneath the sea, but also a considerable number of surface vessels. Surrounding the flagship within a radius of tens of miles were three cruisers and five frigates. Furthermore, there were no less than 20 land-based cruise fighters in the air, and even a Chi You-class medium warship.
"Ding-dong—"
Suddenly, amidst the sonar scans of the ships on the fleet's periphery, an anomaly sounded. A large bright spot appeared on the scanning screen, heading directly towards the flagship.
"It's here!"
Ning Yu slightly knitted her brows and stepped forward to drag and enlarge the sonar scan, saying, "The individual is massive, over 500 meters in length, and moving at extreme speed. It seems to be coming straight for us."
"Launch torpedoes for interception."
Murong Feiyue rose, calmly stating, "Target the flagship's heavy railgun. Data link transmission commencing, lock onto the mother beast's coordinates."
"Yes!"
Everything proceeded in an orderly fashion. Soon after, a roar echoed from the depths of the sea – the sound of torpedoes hitting the Kui Jia Mother Beast. Immediately, water droplets condensed on the sea's surface, continuously bouncing. After a round of torpedo attacks, the Kui Jia Mother Beast's speed showed no decrease as it continued to charge towards the flagship.
At this moment, the sonar imaging screen continuously displayed numerous small blood-red dots, growing in number.
"The sea beast tide has appeared along with the mother beast."
Ning Yu gazed at the dense small dots on the screen, saying, "A single sea beast tide will consist of at least over 5,000 sea beasts."
"Ignore those sea beasts."
Murong Feiyue clenched her fist and said coolly, "Order the aerial fighters to lock onto the target and deploy deep-sea bombs. Force the mother beast to the surface. The torpedoes' power is insufficient to breach the mother beast's armor energy, so we'll have to rely on the Xuanwu-class battleship's heavy main cannons."
"Yes!"
Ning Yu glanced ahead. A heavy railgun was charging. This railgun was the sharpest fang of the battleship, this colossal behemoth. As Murong Feiyue said, ordinary attacks lacked penetration; even the aerial Chi You-class medium railgun wouldn't suffice. Only the flagship's main cannon might be able to heavily damage that monstrous Kui Jia Mother Beast.
In the air, streaks of missile radiance streaked across. A batch of cruisers and frigates launched missile assaults. Missiles, tracing extremely large arcs in the sky, plunged into the sea and then erupted with skyward light.
With the roar of powerful engines, land-based bombers flew back and forth, dropping rows of cluster-patterned depth charges from the air. Instantly, the entire sea area thundered, and colossal waves continuously battered the flagship.
"Roar—"
From afar, a soul-piercing roar finally echoed. Following that, the head of a colossal entity slowly emerged from the water. Giant scythe-like pincers spanned across, and a pair of blood-red eyes stared intently at the flagship.
"It's out! Attack immediately after the main cannon locks on!"
Murong Feiyue was somewhat excited.
"Yes, General!"
The gunners took their positions. The moment the lock was complete, the entire flagship vibrated with a hum. Following that, the numerous instruments in the command bridge flickered. The instant the railgun attack was executed, almost all of the ship's power was diverted. The electromagnetic cannon, enveloped in a deep blue radiance, traced a massive arc, descending towards the opposite direction of the mother beast.
In the distance, another roar sounded. The mother beast instantly submerged, and the terrifying power of the railgun blast missed its mark, exploding in the waters behind the mother beast, sending up a shower of spray.
"Confirmed, it was not hit."
The observer frowned. "The mother beast is still approaching rapidly."
"Continue attacking from the air and surface!"
Murong Feiyue calmly said, "Prepare to deploy the second round of deep-sea bombs. The flagship's main cannon will continue charging for a second shot! Order the No. 3 cruiser to close in and use its main cannon to lure the mother beast, drawing her to the surface. If absolutely necessary, consider sacrificing the No. 3 ship!"
"Yes!"
The captain of the No. 3 ship's voice rang out with firm resolve.
Murong Feiyue knitted her brows. The generals she led were always prepared to face death. Otherwise, how could her 7th Corps have held the East Coast for a decade without a single defeat?
"All vessels at the edge of the battle zone, intercept the approaching sea beast tide."
Murong Feiyue looked at the large screen, her brow furrowed. "Aerial forces, deploy underwater jamming rounds to intimidate the sea beast tide and buy as much time as possible."
Everyone followed their orders, the overall tactical command proceeding in an orderly fashion.
In the air, flares continuously illuminated the sea battlefield, turning the entire night into what seemed like daylight. The Chi You-class medium cruiser had its bow lowered, overlooking the sea. The four medium railguns at the bow pointed directly at the deep sea. With continuous "bang bang bang" attacks, coupled with the impact of depth charges, they attempted to force the mother beast out.
However, the Kui Jia Mother Beast seemed to have learned from its previous encounter and, enduring the attacks from the deep sea, refused to surface.
"No. 3 ship, move in and intercept it!"
"Yes!"
In the pouring rain, the No. 3 ship, displacing over 8,000 tons, rapidly maneuvered into position, directly in front of the Kui Jia Mother Beast. Then, its mine-laying system rapidly deployed a large number of powerful deep-sea mines, causing the scarlet signal lights in the water to flash and form a contiguous line.
"Mother beast's coordinates are surfacing!" Ning Yu shouted.
Murong Feiyue leaned forward urgently, stating, "No. 3 ship, activate shields. Release all lifeboats, prepare for abandonment. All armored warriors, activate your armor systems. The moment the mother beast attacks you, the flagship's main cannon will lock onto it!"
"Understood!"
The captain of the No. 3 ship said gravely, "Attack with full force. Killing the mother beast is paramount. Don't worry about us!"
Murong Feiyue nodded. At this moment, they could only rely on their own fate.
The next moment, with a deafening roar, the Kui Jia Mother Beast's massive body burst from the water, its impact landing on the No. 3 ship's shield. The entire cruiser was almost lifted out of the water by the collision. Immediately after, the scythe-like pincers beneath the mother beast's head swept down, and the No. 3 ship's hull was continuously cut apart.
"Main cannon locked, attack immediately!"
Murong Feiyue frowned. "Chi You-class, coordinate your attack. We must break through the mother beast's primordial bio-energy shield!"
Instantly, the four medium railguns of the Chi You-class fired almost simultaneously. Amidst the deafening roars, the bio-energy shield on the outer layer of the Kui Jia Mother Beast's armor cracked. Then, a deep blue lightning bolt swept through the raging wind – it was the fierce bombardment from the Xuanwu-class battleship's main cannon.
"Boom—"
The entire sea surface was almost torn in half by the impact of the cannon fire. Following that, the heavy railgun's strike forcibly tore open the Kui Jia Mother Beast's bio-energy shield, piercing through its massive head. With a "bang," white, red, and other bodily fluids erupted. In a single shot, half of the Kui Jia Mother Beast's head was gone.
With a wail of agony, the Kui Jia Mother Beast rapidly sank into the deep sea.
"Is it dead?" Ning Yu frowned. "Submarine division, immediately scan the mother beast's bio-energy."
"Yes!"
Murong Feiyue had already stood up, looking at the No. 3 ship, which was now broken in two. "Rescue teams, immediately proceed to aid the No. 3 ship. Quickly, aerial drones, deploy rescue systems!"
"No!"
Suddenly, a message came from the submarine division: "The mother beast's energy level is still S-class, its bio-energy is still vigorous. Confirmed, it was not killed, not killed!"
"Not good..."
Ning Yu looked up at the sonar imaging, saying, "The Kui Jia Mother Beast is charging towards us!"
For a moment, Murong Feiyue felt a chill run down her spine. Ever since she was modified by Fei'er and became a Star Shepherd, she had never faced such peril. This Kui Jia Mother Beast, rather than charging towards the flagship, seemed to be charging towards Murong Feiyue herself. If not handled properly, they might indeed perish at the bottom of the sea.
"Transmit orders!"
Murong Feiyue lightly tapped her elbow, and instantly donned a Xihe-class combat armor. She stated, "Prepare to abandon the flagship. All remaining fleet vessels will return immediately. Aerial forces will maintain fire suppression to escort the naval forces!"
"Ah? Abandon the flagship?" Ning Yu exclaimed in surprise.
"Do we have any other options?"
Murong Feiyue frowned. "The mother beast's intelligence is too high. There won't be another opportunity to force it to the surface for a main cannon attack. This Xuanwu-class flagship is a nuclear-powered battleship. Ning Yu, have everyone withdraw quickly. If absolutely necessary, we will detonate the flagship's reactor and perish with the mother beast."
"Understood."
Ning Yu frowned. "Unmanned transport aircraft, land on the flagship's aft deck immediately and evacuate as many people as possible. All lifeboats, launch them. Those who can leave, leave. Quickly!"
On the sonar screen, the Kui Jia Mother Beast was moving at extreme speed, soon reaching the depths beneath the Xuanwu-class hull, circling and lurking, seemingly searching for an opportunity to attack. Murong Feiyue, Ning Yu, and the others, clad in Xihe-class armor, along with a group of combat personnel in Yan Di-class armor, rushed onto the deck one by one.
Around the flagship, lifeboats filled with crew members sped away. In the air, transport aircraft, also filled with crew members, rapidly evacuated. In an instant, only Murong Feiyue, Ning Yu, and dozens of special forces members in individual combat armor remained on the deck.
...
"Swish!"
Beneath the sea, a massive vortex suddenly churned. Immediately after, the Xuanwu-class battleship, as massive as a 60,000-ton displacement vessel, began to spin on the sea. A surge of potent biological energy surged upwards from the depths, causing the systems of the individual combat armor to crackle and the visuals to blur, a form of interference akin to an electromagnetic storm.
"It's here!"
Murong Feiyue flicked her right hand, and an arc sword appeared in her grasp. Energy erupted from the leg units of her combat armor, supporting her body briefly in the air. The others followed suit, none wishing to be entombed with the flagship.
Below, as the ocean trembled, the Kui Jia Mother Beast's colossal body emerged from the depths. Its pincers were raised, and it violently clamped onto the sides of the flagship. With the same attack method, the ship's robust armor was quickly severed, revealing water-tight compartments.