Defeat

The ground battlefield on Thunderflame Star...

{Bull-Armored Scorpions} and {Qi Mantises} led the charge, with {Fox Monkeys} providing ranged support and {Giant Scarabs} delivering devastating strikes against enemy defenses from extreme range.

As the aerial force, {Poison Thorns} were responsible for protecting the {Giant Scarabs}.

The Li'erwala Insect Tribe had few unit types, but their numbers were immense. They had also optimized the new energy source known as "qi," making their combat strength every bit the equal of the Nagang People's.

{Bull-Armored Scorpions} slammed into the Nagang People's heavy steel shields, sending visibly rippling shock waves out from the points of impact.

Taking advantage of their speed, the {Qi Mantises} surged into the Nasteel ranks immediately after the {Bull-Armored Scorpions} collided with the heavy steel shields.

The Nasteel Guard Robots immediately engaged them. Although the {Qi Mantises} were weaker than the Guard Robots, the Insect Race had never relied on strength, but on numbers!

A single Guard Robot often had to face several, or even dozens of {Qi Mantises} capable of easily slicing through its armor, while also defending against the "Qi Blast Bombs" that periodically rained down from above!

Supported by the {Qi Spiders}, the {Fox Monkeys} could release "Qi Blast Bombs" almost without limit. Thousands of "Qi Blast Bombs" exploded at once, shaking the entire ground.

The {Giant Scarabs} mercilessly bombarded the Nagang People's fortifications. In less than an hour, the defensive installations on Thunderflame Planet had almost completely crumbled.

Aboard the Dragon Emperor-class command ship, Yata suddenly felt short of breath, her chest tight with an indescribable sense of oppression. She looked at King Pamir and saw that he looked just as distressed.

"What is this? It fills me with instinctive terror. I can feel the threat of death."

King Pamir shook his head. Suddenly, Zhang Fan's and Hu Baili's voices rang out in both their minds.

The two shouted in unison, "Get out of there!"

For Yata, who placed the Overlord's will above everything else, there was no question. She immediately ordered every member of the Insect Race within the threat radius to withdraw at full speed.

Still bewildered, King Pamir asked, "What exactly happened?"

Zhang Fan roared, "If you don't want your fleet wiped out, retreat now! Stop wasting time with questions!"

A slender beam of light suddenly shot out from Thunderflame Planet. Every member of the Insect Race or Lilvara warship in its path instantly vaporized, without even a scream.

When the beam reached its maximum range, it began rapidly expanding in all directions. Everything touched by the endlessly expanding beam vanished in an instant.

Yata cried out, "All {Rebeccas}, warp! Warp!"

Individual members of the Insect Race reacted countless times faster than the Liruwara People's warships. Vast numbers of the Insect Race escaped successfully, and only the few that were too close vanished.

Lilvara, on the other hand, suffered devastating losses. Fewer than sixty percent of its warships survived. Tens of thousands of warships and millions of Liruwara People disappeared without leaving even a speck of dust.

King Pamir sank to one knee. "They... actually have a weapon this powerful!"

Zhang Fan shook his head and said, "Have all your people withdraw!"

"Overlord, there are still vast numbers of Insect Race warriors on Thunderflame Planet. Are you going to abandon them?"

In response to Hu Baili's question, Zhang Fan said calmly, "They will die, but not in vain. I've already ordered every member of the Insect Race on Thunderflame Star to destroy that immensely powerful weapon at any cost."

"How can you be so cold-blooded? Aren't they your own people?" King Pamir roared at Zhang Fan...

Zhang Fan found it laughable. "Do you want to sacrifice even more lives to save them? If escape is impossible, they might as well fight to the death."

"You could have them surrender. The Nagang People need slaves. They won't kill troops who surrender."

Zhang Fan gave only a cold reply. "The Insect Race never surrenders!"

He severed his mental link with King Pamir. Hu Baili immediately said to Zhang Fan, "Please forgive him, Overlord. Our king is young and has yet to understand the cruelty of war."

"You should find yourselves another king. A cowardly king will only lead you to destruction."

"For millions of years, Pamir has been our only king. That is beyond question!"

"I don't want to interfere in your internal affairs. Your losses this time were devastating, and it's clear that we underestimated the Nagang People's strength. Bring the Lilvara people home. My Insect Race will continue harassing them on the outskirts."

Their first battle against the Nagang People ended in defeat. Upon returning to the palace, King Pamir shut himself in his bedchamber and ordered that no one be admitted.

Millions of Liruwara People had failed to return. The entire Myriad Demon Star was steeped in grief. No laughter could be heard in the streets anymore, and the whole imperial capital lay deathly silent.

Meanwhile, in the Insect Race's territory, Yata was helping Zhang Fan hatch a smaller insect that would be easier to conceal.

Hu Baili arrived at the Insect Race's territory with a troubled expression. The moment he stepped onto the creep, Zhang Fan appeared beside him.

"You don't look well, High Priest."

"King Pamir has kept himself shut in his bedchamber these past few days. Morale across Myriad Demon Star has hit rock bottom. How could I possibly look well?"

Zhang Fan smiled. "We urgently need a victory, and King Pamir has to be the one commanding it."

Hu Baili shook his head. "Our king refuses to come out..."

"None of you can persuade him? If nothing else works, drag him out."

"How could we do that? He's the king!"

Zhang Fan said with a trace of anger, "We're at war. Surely you don't expect me to keep tiptoeing around his feelings, High Priest."

"It was just one defeat. If he can't handle failure, then perhaps... you should take over, High Priest."

Seeing Hu Baili hesitate, Zhang Fan immediately continued, "The insects have already destroyed that immensely powerful cannon."

"Then we can attack again?" Hu Baili had finally heard some good news.

"Attack... What worries me now is that they'll counterattack us. High Priest, since King Pamir is afraid-or unwilling-to step forward, I'm leaving the defense of Myriad Demon Star to you."

Just as Hu Baili was about to refuse, Zhang Fan whispered, "I've already found a way to infiltrate Huo Planet."

Hu Baili stared at Zhang Fan in astonishment and asked eagerly, "How?"

"It's fairly simple. I heard the Nagang People's cannons aren't very smart, so..."

The two exchanged whispers, then smiled at each other. After a moment's thought, Hu Baili said, "All right. I'll secure command of the army."

Seven days later, the Insect Race and Lilvara fleets set out once more...

King Pamir stood at the window, watching the fleets depart, his heart a tangle of conflicting emotions. Several times, he wanted to rush out of his room, jump into a fighter, and catch up with them, but each time, he retreated after barely taking two steps.

"Are you that afraid of failure?"

Zhang Fan's voice suddenly entered his mind. Zhang Fan himself was strolling leisurely through the garden below the bedchamber, as though the warriors heading to battle in the sky had nothing to do with him.

"I..."

Zhang Fan gestured for him to come down to the garden. As soon as King Pamir arrived, Zhang Fan asked with a smile, "Your Majesty, would you care to take a stroll on Huo Planet with me?"

"Go to Huo Planet? Are you insane?"

"Doing something dangerous without preparation is insanity. Going prepared is courage. Well? Do you intend to cower in the royal capital, King Pamir, or be a brave man?"

King Pamir shot Zhang Fan a glance. "If I go with you, you won't abandon me, will you?"

Zhang Fan laughed heartily. "I can't guarantee that!"