Starsea Fleet: Age of the Lord

At this moment, the retreating fleet of the Tianqi Alliance found themselves surrounded by the swarm of drones and fighters launched from the T6 Lu Shu-class carrier. Despite their intention to retreat, they would need Feng Mo's approval if they wanted a safe withdrawal. Knowing this, veteran commander Zhong An organized four fleets to cover their exit, understanding well the necessity of sacrifices.

Although the Tianqi Alliance was in full retreat, their weapons systems remained active. Under Zhong An's command, they launched a barrage of firepower against Feng Mo's drones, engaging in a saturation attack aimed at the smaller aircraft.

The remaining 2,000 starships unleashed a full barrage of Stellar Annihilation Cannons and secondary batteries. The drones, equipped only with micro-shields—an inferior version of standard energy shields—were unable to withstand such an assault, suffering 70% losses from this one round of attacks. Remaining calm, Ai Er issued her command:

"Pull back the fighters; all other drones, proceed with self-destructive attacks!"

While the drones launched their missiles in kamikaze fashion, the streaks of inbound missiles from the Storm Alliance fleet blazed across space toward their target.

Caught between the self-destructing drones and the incoming storm of missiles, the four fleets left behind to cover the retreat were quickly reduced to nothing but blazing explosions in the void, leaving behind fiery remnants of starships drifting through space.

In this single battle, the Storm Alliance had taken out twelve fleets of the Tianqi Alliance. Of the remaining eight fleets, most were severely damaged, with even the quasi-T6 fleets suffering the loss of two units—effectively crippling their forces. It would be nearly impossible for the Si family to rally enough strength to counter the Storm Alliance again.

Adding to the Alliance's troubles, some internal factions were beginning to falter. Feng Mo was confident that the Tianqi Alliance would be mired in turmoil. Rather than pursue the retreating ships, he decided to seize the opportunity to expand his gains and secure total control over the entire Tianjin Empire, aiming to unite the west and south under a single banner.

Feng Mo uploaded the footage of the battle to the Star Network, using his influence to pin it to the top of trending news. The network's AI, governed by a strict code of neutrality, did not allow interference from any faction or government—even Tianqi could not override this rule. Attempts to remove Feng Mo's post were futile, and the video quickly gained traction, causing a huge surge in support from people across the star systems. Nobles and power-seeking factions now openly aligned themselves with the Storm Alliance.

Feng Mo had instructed Ai Er to welcome these factions into the Storm Alliance with open arms. He knew they could be useful in the short term—an army of "fattened pigs" ready for slaughter when needed.

Simultaneously, the two northern empires, Yunshan and Yinxing, officially announced their withdrawal from the Tianqi Alliance, pledging their loyalty to the Storm Alliance. The announcement came from Yunshan's Speaker, Nuo Li, who coordinated the decision through a video conference with leaders from the Xueyu and Rosedale Empires. Using his influence and subtle hints of what resistance could cost, Nuo Li successfully swayed them back to the fold, prompting them to issue a formal statement on the Star Network.

With this, the northern war zone was fully stabilized. The Storm Alliance now controlled the entire western, northern, and southern regions, leaving only the central zone and the southeastern territories under the Anti-Human Alliance still outside its grasp.

The anticipation of the rewards tied to the unification drove Feng Mo forward. With all fleets refueled and repaired, he issued orders to continue the northern campaign.

Inside the bridge of the Zhu Yan, Feng Mo sat confidently in the captain's chair, surrounded by holographic displays showing communication windows from over twenty commanders.

"Deploy the fleets of the Interstellar Giants, Mingye, Yunshan, and Huiyao, and continue northward with the Storm Fleet. The remaining forces will hold position in the southern sector to prevent a possible invasion from the Mech Alliance."

"Yes, Commander!"

Feng Mo's growing presence exuded a formidable authority that allowed no room for dissent. Only a few trusted individuals, like Ai Er and his close advisors, occasionally offered him reminders. The dangers of solitary rule were known to Feng Mo, and he consciously relied on his confidantes to keep his ambition tempered.

The Storm Alliance's northern advance became public knowledge across the Federation, garnering overwhelming support from the public, who longed for a reunified Federation and saw Feng Mo as its champion.

The Storm Alliance fleet did not go straight to the Tianqi system but first docked in the Huiyao system, where the Huiyao Empire's new ruler, Feng Mo, was welcomed. The Chu and Hua families were unwavering in their allegiance to him, and other high-ranking departments—Military, Intelligence, Starship Design, and Civil Affairs—were equally supportive of his rule.

Power and mutual benefit secured loyalty. With his strength and ability to reward, Feng Mo commanded the unwavering allegiance of many.

The Storm Alliance's position in Huiyao brought immense pressure upon the Tianqi Empire. The Tianqi Alliance was on the verge of collapse; with the northern empires defecting and the southern ones conquered by Feng Mo, they were isolated. The Anti-Human Alliance was licking its wounds from repeated defeats and would need years to rebuild.

Feng Mo's strategy was to let the tension within the Tianqi Empire simmer. Public opinion within their ranks grew volatile, with a majority of factions favoring surrender, leaving only the diehard resistance led by the Si family standing firm. Internal conflicts escalated into full-scale arguments, then to personal attacks, and, ultimately, even to violence.

Before Feng Mo could even make a move, Si family hardliners declared open war against the capitulation faction led by the Yue and Qiao families. The situation entertained Feng Mo, who received a live feed of the conflict from the Qiao family itself, as they sought to share the moment with him. Feng Mo, pleased with their initiative, sent ten T5 Fleet Steeds, five T5 Pegasus-class ships, and the Lu Shu carrier under Ai Er's command to support the Qiao family's resistance.

As Feng Mo watched the broadcast, he enjoyed the company of his assistant, Xing Shuwen, who served him fresh fruit. She saw Feng Mo as the man who would help her restore her home and was wholly devoted to him. In her time as his secretary, she had come to admire him deeply, viewing him as a man worthy of her loyalty and affection.

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