Sometimes the affairs of the world are just such coincidences. Xiao Yu’s prior move of detaching these five million ships and, under the lead of the Asia, choosing to hide in this star system was entirely unintentional, yet he had not expected that it would be precisely these ships that discovered the Pegasus Civilization’s fleets coming to launch a sneak attack.

Because they had carried out a thorough concealment mission and made no changes whatsoever to the natural environment of this star system, the five million ships Xiao Yu had hidden here were not detected by the seven million warships that passed by.

“My precaution of leaving these five million warships in reserve looks like it is going to pay off.” Xiao Yu thought with a touch of emotion.

He was not exactly angry now, only disappointed, extremely disappointed. Xiao Yu told himself that he had treated the Pegasus Civilization with sincerity. Although he had held some things back, that was a necessary means of concealment when two unfamiliar civilizations made contact. Xiao Yu could guarantee that he had no intention whatsoever of proactively launching an attack on the Pegasus Civilization.

Yet the Pegasus Civilization’s response to Xiao Yu was conspiracy, deceit, and a sneak attack. This state of affairs could not help but make Xiao Yu wonder whether he had truly been wrong. To complete the task of collecting unique technologies, was violent plunder the only way, to attack directly upon encountering a civilization, slaughter its people, and destroy its planets. Otherwise, why was it that nearly every time he chose peaceful trade, he encountered betrayal or even plots from the other side?

Xiao Yu was deeply disappointed. And once Xiao Yu was disappointed, the consequences were grave. He was confident that the combat power of a single one of his ships surpassed that of the Pegasus Civilization’s. Moreover, he had a full ten million ships here, and there were still five million in a concealed state, undiscovered by the Pegasus Civilization’s raiding fleet.

If not for these raiding fleets, Xiao Yu truly could not be sure what would become of the five million ships remaining in the star system. The most likely outcome, under a ruthless surprise attack, would be disastrous losses, leaving him incapable of launching a large-scale counterattack against the Pegasus Civilization. As for the one million ships he had left within the Pegasus domain, at least five hundred thousand would be captured. Five hundred thousand ships would be more than enough for the Pegasus Civilization to analyze all of Xiao Yu’s technologies, including space weapons. Xiao Yu’s ships were not Guardian Civilization ships; his inability to decipher the Guardians’ ships was due to the enormous disparity in technological level. There was no such huge gap between Xiao Yu and the Pegasus Civilization.

It could be said that without these five million ships Xiao Yu had hidden in advance, the course of events would have been entirely different. Even if Xiao Yu escaped, he would be left with a scattering of defeated remnants. Worse, his technologies would have been plundered by the Pegasus Civilization while he obtained none of theirs, which meant the technological gap between him and the Pegasus Civilization would only widen. Unless he had another stroke of extraordinary fortune, there would never be a day to catch up, and he would forever lose any chance at vengeance.

“Perhaps this is the law of the universe.” Xiao Yu mused, still without feeling anger. “The decision made by the leader of the Pegasus Civilization is highly beneficial to the development of their civilization. That is to say, the people of the Pegasus Civilization could only support such a decision, not oppose it. Then, who is to look after my interests? So be it. In the universe there is no such thing as moral axioms. Anything that benefits one’s own civilization is correct. Looked at this way, the Pegasus Civilization’s actions are not without reason. Only, since you have done this, then to annihilate your invading fleet and then destroy your homeland should likewise be reasonable.”

Xiao Yu thought quietly and issued many orders in secret. These included ordering the fleet stationed in Star System Number 1 to maintain an outward appearance of laxity while secretly going on emergency alert, and at the same time to begin large-scale deployment of components for a concealed star system’s defense system. After these arrangements, negotiations with the Pegasus Civilization continued. Xiao Yu already knew there was no point in continuing, but in order not to reveal that he had discovered the Pegasus Civilization’s invasion fleet, he still had to keep up the act.

After the Pegasus Civilization’s raiding fleet had left Star System Number 2 for a certain distance, Xiao Yu quietly launched the Asia, and, together with the Blood Blade Squad and more than five million other ships of various types, he silently followed behind this enormous raiding fleet. The one million ships that had penetrated deep into the Pegasus domain also prepared to break out at any time.

While the Pegasus Civilization had not yet launched its attack or completed its final encirclement, breaking out with the performance of the Divine Ark Civilization’s ships was not difficult. Even if he lost tens of thousands of ships, to Xiao Yu that was not a major matter.

The pitch-black, freezing universe began to turn lively. But this bustle was undetectable. At least within the scope of a Level 5 Civilization’s technological capabilities, it was still impossible to intercept or eavesdrop on the contents of Superluminal communication. Thus, in the dark cold universe, messages belonging to Xiao Yu and to the Pegasus Civilization continued to pass back and forth.

“Our raiding fleet has already been discovered by the Divine Ark Civilization. We have observed a certain degree of confusion in the Divine Ark Civilization’s fleet within the star system. They are quickly forming defensive formations. We have not detected a perfected star system’s defense system within our detection range. Hmm, the Divine Ark Civilization’s fleet has not rushed out of the system. It appears they plan to rely on the star system to conduct a defense. Over.”

“Very good. Continue advancing. Border Army, begin encircling and suppressing that one million ships. There is no need to maintain a cordial face any longer.” The leader of the Pegasus Civilization received this message and coolly issued the order. Yet although the command was given, he received no reply from the Border Army. Feeling puzzled, he began to inquire, “Border Army, what has happened?”

“Reporting to the Leader, three minutes ago that one million ships suddenly launched a fierce attack on our defensive forces. It looks like they are attempting a breakout,” came a slightly anxious voice. “Moreover, the Divine Ark Civilization’s ships are stronger than we anticipated.”

The leader of the Pegasus Civilization was momentarily startled by this message, but he immediately calmed down. “Report detailed combat power information on the Divine Ark Civilization at once. Hmm, tell me directly. Can two million ships achieve the predetermined strategic objective?”

“I am afraid… I am afraid not.” came a somewhat bitter reply. “The Divine Ark Civilization’s ships are extraordinarily powerful, especially the medium and large ships. They seem to possess a shield technology whose principles we do not yet understand. This shield system is exceptionally tough. Its performance exceeds our multi-layer shield system by at least fifty percent. Leader, here is the detailed combat strength information on the Divine Ark Civilization’s ships.”

With just a glance, the leader’s expression changed.

“Damn it, how many hidden technologies does this Divine Ark Civilization still have. Why are their ships so powerful. Order the Expeditionary Army to abandon the mission to attack the Divine Ark Civilization’s garrisoned fleet and return at once. The Third and Fifth Military Districts are to immediately dispatch fleets to support the Border Army. The raid mission is canceled. As for that one million ships, they must be held.”

Upon receiving the latest intelligence, the leader made a snap decision and immediately issued new orders.

But it seemed to be a little late. Indeed, the one who fired the first shot of the war was not the Pegasus Civilization, but Xiao Yu. When the timing was right and he had calculated that the Pegasus Civilization was about to launch an attack on him, Xiao Yu’s one million ships preemptively struck.

In rapid maneuvers, Xiao Yu’s ships, under his formidable control, quickly formed battle arrays. The first target he destroyed was the reception ship in front of him.

Aboard that reception ship, Xiao Yu’s robots and the Pegasus Civilization’s robots, representing their respective civilizations, had reached tens of thousands of agreements and exchanged tens of thousands of technologies. But with the outbreak of war, it immediately became worthless. A City-Class ship under Xiao Yu launched an antimatter missile and destroyed it in one stroke. After all, it was not a combat vessel and did not possess such formidable fighting power.

The destruction of the reception ship signaled the formal outbreak of war. Xiao Yu’s one million ships did not retreat as the Pegasus Civilization had expected, but charged forward. Ahead, five hundred thousand ships were waiting for Xiao Yu. Xiao Yu felt no fear. With the America as the vanguard, the vast fleet surged forth like a torrential flood, smashing through the somewhat unprepared defensive line at once.

“In this situation, I cannot become entangled with the enemy. This is, after all, their territory. Their ships can receive endless reinforcement here. I am different. If my fleet becomes bogged down and loses mobility, the outcome will be certain death. Then split the force.” Xiao Yu’s thoughts raced. After breaking through one defensive line of the Pegasus Civilization, he quickly detached several hundred thousand ships to tie down the enemy while the remaining ships began a desperate dash for escape.

“Abandoning the car to save the commander. At the very least, the intelligent beings I have brought, and the America, must not meet with mishap because of my mistake.” This was Xiao Yu’s thinking.

At the edge of Star System Number 1, the Expeditionary Army that had received the retreat order quickly abandoned its attack and prepared to withdraw. But at some point, another enormous fleet, entirely outside their expectations, had already appeared behind them.