The moment when the enemy fleet broke through the defense line in an instant and approached the flagship at the cost of heavy losses.

Chen Ming did not hesitate. The twelve spaceships that remained with him immediately maneuvered and blocked the enemy fleet's firing trajectory.

Relying on the thirty times radiation energy dissipation in the simulation settings and the ability to forcibly dissipate hard radiation energy without shutting down shields and weapons, it can withstand the concentrated fire on the flagship.

However, the nearly ten-fold difference in numbers and the lack of any other interference in the attack made it difficult for Chen Ming's spaceship to completely absorb all the firepower even with various enhancements.

The losses soon occurred.

Even if Chen Ming's spaceship could be reshaped into a new one after the loss, it would be difficult to completely block the opponent's desperate firepower that seized the last chance.

In an instant, all the spaceships guarding Chen Ming's flagship were destroyed, and the flagship's own shield was instantly attacked to the point of crumbling.

And then in the next moment.

Another spaceship blocked the flagship again.

Chen Ming's dozen or so spaceships, strengthened by psychic power, successfully delayed the enemy's firepower until the fleet in front of the front line turned around and returned.

At the same time, part of the diverted fleet bit the tail of Cheng Xinghai's fleet from the other side and completely besieged it.

The casualties of Cheng Xinghai's fleet were already completely disastrous during the forced breakthrough just now.

When Chen Ming successfully delays time and is not killed by Cheng Xinghai's plan, her fleet will inevitably be destroyed.

The outcome has been decided.

Chen Ming's originally tense heart finally settled down.

He quickly took note of Cheng Xinghai's plan that almost succeeded in overturning his car by surprise. He would never overturn his car again under similar circumstances in the future.

Afterwards, Chen Ming also roughly estimated the actual mental energy consumption required to do those things that required psychic energy in the simulated battle just now.

If it exceeds the limit of his mental strength, he will consciously admit defeat.

Cheating is pointless.

However, Chen Ming could basically confirm with a quick calculation that his mental energy consumption was almost zero.

After all, there is not a single cruiser-level spacecraft in this simulation, and the consumption of frigates and destroyers can only be said to be a drop in the bucket.

So in the end, Chen Ming lost a total of 53 of his 300 spaceships, including 12 destroyers.

The opponent was completely destroyed. Now that they were surrounded by Chen Ming's fleet, with the protection of Chen Ming's psychic power, the opponent had no chance of destroying any of their ships.

However, Chen Ming did not get any hint of victory.

Therefore, the fleet continued to rely on the enemy fleet's tail to continuously strangle the remaining spacecraft.

By the way, capture the escape pods launched from the spacecraft that are present in the simulation.

Then he took some time to carefully recall the last scene again.

Looking back now, Chen Ming discovered that he could have anticipated in advance that there was a problem with the position of his flagship, and a slight adjustment would not give the opponent any chance.

He could even use the position of his own flagship as a second trap to completely defeat his opponent.

Chen Ming shook his head slightly, there was nothing to say.

It turns out that he is still a wimp.

At this time, at the headquarters of the 14th Legion.

Cheng Xinghai had completely given up struggling. He took off the instrument on his head that was full of wires and called Bai Quan.

While waiting for the call to be connected, her eyes gradually began to become tearful.

And at the moment of connection.

"Uncle Bai——"

Bai Quan hung up the phone immediately.

After a while, Bai Quan called again and said, "Is it done?"

When he called this time, Cheng Xinghai had returned to normal, at least that's how it seemed.

"Well, is Chen Ming's psychic power really that strong?"

"Fake."

"Then he..."

"He is even stronger. This is because I told him to hold back a bit and not just use his psychic energy to kill you."

“…”

Cheng Xinghai hung up the phone.

He huddled in the equipment with his head down, hugged his knees, and did not move.

Bai Quan looked at the terminal with a busy tone and could probably guess that Cheng Xinghai was autistic.

Cheng Xinghai and Cheng Xinghe, the two siblings, had fought with each other many times in the past.

He had seen countless times the scene of two people talking big before a fight and remaining silent after it ended, and he had also seen countless times when the loser would go back to his room and shut himself in.

He used to worry that they might become autistic and get into trouble, but later he discovered that the two of them went back to their room purely to reflect on their own problems.

Once you have reflected enough, your confidence in fighting with others will return.

I'm very familiar with Baiquan after so many years, so it's not a big deal.

Moreover, Cheng Xinghai's performance just now was actually quite good. At least he was able to counterattack quickly when he had almost no understanding of Chen Ming's psychic powers, and he was indeed just one step away from winning despite being in a completely disadvantageous situation.

If four or five more spaceships could be retained, Chen Ming’s previous flagship would definitely not be able to withstand the final wave of firepower output.

It’s a pity that there is no if.

But Baiquan changed his mind.

In the past, Cheng Xinghe fought against Chen Ming, who had not developed his psychic powers at all and had only a shabby fleet.

In the end, the game ended in a draw, but external interference led to Cheng Xinghe being captured.

Now, Cheng Xinghai is fighting against Chen Ming, whose psychic power has been developed to a very high level but is only partially restricted, and the starting fleet strength of both sides is fixed.

Therefore, if Cheng Xinghe fought with Chen Ming again now, he would probably be beaten by Chen Ming.

After all, Chen Ming's psychic power progress is much faster than Cheng Xinghe's command technology progress, not to mention that Cheng Xinghe had been frozen in the escape pod for two months and did nothing.

If Cheng Xinghai had the chance to do it again, the result might be different.

Bai Quan sent a message to Cheng Xinghai with similar ideas in his mind to comfort her.

It just so happened that at this time Chen Ming had already cleaned up the battlefield and completely ended the battle, and his consciousness was ejected from the simulation device.

When Chen Ming noticed that Bai Quan seemed to be waiting in the corner of the equipment room, he said, "It's over."

"I see."

Baiquan walked closer to the equipment, turned off the equipment next to it and said, "It can be seen that your command skills have indeed improved during this period. The small-scale bait is placed very well."

"Something went wrong at the end. When you set up another bait, you exposed the location of your flagship."

Chen Ming felt a little regretful when he heard Bai Quan's words again. He really didn't expect at the beginning that the opponent could turn around instantly and break through to the side and rear of his fleet.

And because of the simulation, he himself is not in danger, so the psychic effect of danger perception cannot be exerted.

Otherwise, when the enemy fleet broke through the defense line and attacked the support fleet he had prepared, he should have sensed the danger and started dispatching in advance.

But at this time Chen Ming felt that he seemed to rely too much on danger perception.

Although it was fine for him, a psychic, to rely on psychic powers, but psychic powers might become ineffective at any time, just like when he first tried to control the mechanical race in the colony.

If he were hit like that at the critical moment, he wouldn't have a second chance.

Many times he has to discover the dangers himself even if he can discover them by himself.

It is better to use psychic power as a last resort.

So when Baiquan pointed this out, he didn't hesitate and admitted, "Indeed, this is my problem. I will definitely remember it."

Bai Quan was very satisfied with Chen Ming's learning attitude and said, "You actually have some minor problems in other aspects of your overall combat effectiveness, but the flaws do not outweigh the merits."

"Your opponent has completed all the basic courses in our 14th Legion Military Academy and has already started to complete his graduation project on the actual battlefield."

"It's normal that she surpasses you in command knowledge and ability. As long as you win in the end, there will be no problem."

Chen Ming said modestly: "It's mainly relying on psychic power. Without psychic power, I definitely can't beat him."

"You don't have to worry about this, because the opponent also used psychic energy."

Chen Ming was stunned and asked, "Isn't Cheng Xinghe a psychic?"

"The person opposite is not Cheng Xinghe."

“I feel a lot like it.”

Bai Quan nodded and said, "Indeed, they look alike, because I taught both of them. She is his sister, Cheng Xinghai."

"Oh? I remember you said before that Cheng Xinghe was beaten badly by someone close to him and came out to relax. He wanted to fight Yu Hui, but he happened to run into the star zone military looking for trouble with me. That person..."

"Yes, that's his sister."

"happy."

Chen Ming saw that Bai Quan's expression seemed to be mixed with a hint of worry, as if he was worried that he still had hostility towards Cheng Xinghe.

So he took the initiative to add: "Don't worry, you have already apologized on his behalf. I won't care about him, and I won't take my anger out on other people."

"That's good."

After repeating his attitude, Chen Ming asked Bai Quan: "What is Cheng Xinghai's spiritual power?"

Baiquan pointed to his head but didn't say anything.

Chen Ming felt that it was probably a spiritual power similar to Shao Yang's that enhanced his thinking ability. After all, in the previous battle, the feeling that almost all of his arrangements were seen through was really scary.

Cheng Xinghai's psychic power should be in this area.

While Chen Ming was thinking, Bai Quan glanced at the time on the terminal and said to Chen Ming, "It's almost time. Let's stop here for today. I'll go watch the video again later."

"We will officially resume teaching tomorrow. I will help you review the problems you encountered throughout the game. I will also tell you one more thing during class tomorrow."

Chen Ming had originally planned to do this, but if he reviewed it himself there would always be mistakes and omissions. It would be great if Bai Quan could help.

"But can't we talk about it now?"

Bai Quan liked Chen Ming's serious attitude towards learning, but in response to Chen Ming's question, Bai Quan explained: "Let's talk about it formally tomorrow."

"But I can reveal a little bit to you in advance. This is a very important thing that I only learned after I was promoted to lieutenant general when I returned this time."

"Is it about me?"

"The first half of the matter is indeed related to you, and the second half of the matter can be related to you."

Chen Ming subconsciously began to think about the meaning of Bai Quan's words, but what Bai Quan said was not enough for him to guess what Bai Quan was going to say tomorrow.

Baiquan didn't say much.

Just before hanging up the phone, he asked Chen Ming one last question: "Would you like to meet Cheng Xinghai?"

"Her command level is close to Cheng Xinghe's. After taking into account her psychic power, her overall level should be similar to yours without fully activating your psychic power. She is a very good sparring partner."

"I have opened my equipment to you. You can use it yourself. She must want to play with you a few more times after she lost to you."

Chen Ming said without thinking: "Okay."

He felt the importance of command skills in the battle just now.

At least if he were Cheng Xinghai, he would definitely not be able to do all that he did before, and would only be crushed by his own rogue fighting style.

Moreover, he could truly feel that when engaged in a battle of almost equal strength, the training of command skills was real.

Although fighting on simulated equipment is different from actual combat, it never hurts to practice a few more times.

What's more, apart from Bai Quan and Cheng Xinghai, whom Bai Quan recommended now, he really couldn't find anyone to practice with.

But Bai Quan is busy enough just to take time out to teach every day, and Chen Ming really doesn't have the slightest confidence that he can win the simulated battle against Bai Quan, who has been promoted to lieutenant general on the battlefield.

So he only had one choice left.

Bai Quan's mouth curled up slightly, and he said, "Then I'll send you her communication code."

the next day.

Chen Ming and Bai Quan returned to their previous rhythm and started normal teaching in the morning.

But unlike usual, Bai Quan came up and asked Chen Ming a question: "Did you contact Cheng Xinghai after yesterday?"

Chen Ming's mind flashed back to what happened last night, and he said, "Yes, but she contacted me."

Baiquan immediately explained: "After I gave you her communication code, I also gave her yours."

"I know."

"She contacted me and I chatted with her for a few words, and then she said she wanted to play with me again, but I didn't agree because I had something else to do. I told her we could talk about it later, and there was nothing else to say."

"I feel like she's a little bit unlike a girl in the army."

"Why not?"

"A little... too lively, quite outgoing. I feel that girls in the military should be more stable."

"Um……"

Baiquan pushed his glasses and said nothing.

People who have just met Cheng Xinghai would never imagine how competitive and...lively she is.

Seeing Bai Quan didn't speak, Chen Ming asked in confusion, "What's wrong?"

"It's okay. You'll understand her personality after getting to know her more. I was a little worried that you would have a conflict with her, but now it seems okay."

Chen Ming heard this and emphasized again: "I said it yesterday, I won't vent my anger on anyone, even Cheng Xinghe's sister, don't worry."

"Okay then, we'll start today as normal."

"Before we start, I need to tell you about what happened yesterday."

"Come on, sign a confidentiality agreement first, at least go through the process."

Bai Quan quickly sent an agreement to Chen Ming. After Chen Ming read it and confirmed that there was no problem, he signed it directly.

Baiquan also cleared his throat and formally said: "It's about the Galo Star Region."

"I mentioned before that our Fourteenth Legion will increase its investment in the Galo Star Region branch to expand its influence."

"That is to say, we have to take action outside. Let's start from here and deal with the foreign enemies that are blocking our way outward."

Chen Ming asked in confusion: "I know, didn't you tell me? Do we need to sign a confidentiality agreement?"

"Do you think the Fourteenth Legion's branch is capable of taking care of the entire Afterglow Star Region outside?"

"No."

Chen Ming answered decisively: "It's ok for the fleet here to fight guerrilla warfare to annoy Yu Hui, but it's impossible to really attack Yu Hui."

"Yes, I think so too, but the Empire doesn't think so."

"Soon, the Empire will open up a new battlefield in the Galo star field and start a full-scale war with foreign enemies."

"Total war... why?"

“Because there are benefits.”

"You should be most aware of the benefits of Yuhui. The Yuhui core has excellent computing power and can communicate with itself. In addition, there is a replica of the Kletka supercomputer. These are all benefits."

Kletka, Chen Ming almost forgot about this thing.

A device that can create an Afterglow entity, even a replica, has great value.

It is indeed a good target for the Empire.

But there was a problem. When Chen Ming left Yuhui, he left behind many Yuhui individuals, although most of them were eliminated during Yuhui's internal cleansing.

But to this day, there are still some afterglow individuals controlled by him alive, and they are still expanding.

As long as he is given time, he will be able to control the entire Afterglow Star Region without bloodshed.

If the Empire takes action against Yu Hui, it will not benefit him at all.

At this moment, Chen Ming suddenly thought of what Bai Quan said yesterday, saying that the first half of the matter was related to him, and the relevant part was here.

"And what about the second half?"

Bai Quan immediately said: "I haven't finished the first half of the story yet."

"Because of you, the Empire changed its target and no longer attacked Yuhui. Instead, it chose to attack the Mechanical Star Region next to Yuhui."

"We have already guessed the effect of your psychic power, and we also noticed the large-scale cleansing within Yuhui after you left the Yuhui star field some time ago."

"And the afterglow has also shrunk their colonies, as if they are about to retreat and get out."

"The reason is obvious. You did something over there."

"The Empire has every reason to believe that you have left a backup plan within Yuhui, but Yuhui has carried out an internal cleansing, resulting in strict management, so you haven't shown it yet."

"But your afterglow must have stayed in the afterglow star field and continued to expand. It is estimated that it will take at least three years to control most of the afterglow star field."

"So, after discussion, the top leaders of the empire gave up the attack on the Yuhui Star Region."

"But opportunities don't wait for anyone. The Empire didn't completely give up on this idea. Instead, it changed its target to the mechanical race."

Bai Quan sent Chen Ming the latest complete star map around the Galo star field, which marked the scope of the Yuhui star field and the Mechanical Clan star field.

The galaxy of the mechanical race that Chen Ming visited last time was also specially marked out.

Baiquan continued, "The mechanical race itself does not have much value. Although the Baiyun steel material is good, it is not rare. You have to fight with the mechanical race to obtain it."

"And the chip of the mechanical race has not been deciphered yet. It has no value except to trade with Yuhui or dismantle it into materials."

"But the things left by another civilization in the hands of the Mechanical Clan are very valuable."

"In a sense, it can be equal to what we gained from Yu Hui, or even higher."

Baiquan paused for a moment and said the second half of the sentence: "Of course it could be lower. This is a risk, but because of your existence, the empire is willing to accept this risk."

Chen Ming pursed his lips, not knowing what to say.

Bai Quan didn't wait for Chen Ming to speak, and continued: "Let me ask you a question. You can control the mechanical race, right?"

"right."

Chen Ming could answer this question, and there was no need to hide it. After all, Chen Ming had already controlled those mechanical cruisers in front of the entire pirate space station galaxy and sent them back to his temporary base.

After receiving Chen Ming's affirmative answer, Bai Quan said, "But we did not find a situation similar to Yu Hui's on the side of the Mechanical Clan."

"Your control over the Mechanoids is different from your control over Afterglow. Your psychic energy cannot spread through the Mechanoids."

Chen Ming was quite surprised when Bai Quan said this, and asked back: "What do you mean?"

"In the video footage of you encountering the Phase Beast earlier, it was clear that you were going to attack and plunder the Mechanical Colony."

"But logically speaking, you already have the experience of Yuhui. You can send a machine to infiltrate the heartland of the machine race and gradually control their city."

"Be like a parasite, constantly absorbing more supplies, and when the opportunity arises, take them all away."

"This is definitely the easiest and most effective way."

"But you didn't do that. Instead, you chose the most direct way to plunder the mechanical race's resources. You also summoned the mechanical race's subsequent reinforcements, almost trapping you in the galaxy. This is very telling."

"So we are speculating that it is the hive mind of the mechanical race that is different from Yuhui's that has influenced your psionic power to act on them."

Chen Ming was silent for a moment and replied, "Yes, all the mechanical individuals under my control will be separated from their hive mind and will not be able to help me stay in the original place and spread like Yuhui did."

After Chen Ming finished speaking, he immediately said: "I also have a question. Isn't the Empire already fighting with Yu Hui and the Mechanical Clan on the borders in various directions? Why is there a need to open a new battlefield?"

"Besides, Yuhui and the Mechanical Clan have been blocking the door for many years. Why did they decide to do this only recently?"

Bai Quan said: "Your two questions can be combined into one, which is why the Empire wants to open up a new battlefield in the border star field of the Galo star field at this point in time."

“The answer is actually very simple.”

(End of this chapter)