The player is playing like a god, and has already advanced to Space Marine level at the start.

Outside the planet Lieyang, space is distorted due to gravitational fluctuations.

The bow of the Imperial Blade crashed into the meteorite debris blocking its path and broke free from the subspace route.

Behind them, thousands of capital ships of the great expeditionary fleet lined up in succession. The golden double-headed eagle emblems on the sides of the warships reflected the light.

"Energy characteristics detected in the Sunfire Zone," the adjutant said, staring at the monitoring screen.

Lu Xiao fastened the neck latch on his power armor. "Where is the Ultramarines Chapter located?"

"We are launching a frontal assault, and our casualty rate is rising."

Lu Xiao issued the order: "All ships accelerate and enter the main battlefield."

The Blazing Sun Defense Zone was now a ruin. The energy defense zone flickered at a high frequency in the vacuum environment. The four guardians of Blazing Sun commanded their fighter squadrons to infiltrate and intercept the Ultra Warriors' lines.

Lu Xiao stood in the command hall. Outside the viewing window, a blue torrent of steel was engaged in close-quarters combat with the Defenders of the Blazing Sun. That was the Ultramarines Legion.

"Connect the communications with the Calgar battle group commander," Lu Xiao ordered.

A holographic projection illuminated the center of the command console. Marius Calgar, clad in Terminator power armor and wielding the Otlamar Fist on both hands, was visible. The armor was covered in charred marks from the explosion.

Beside Calgar stood Company Commander Titus. Pale golden energy lingered on the serrated edge of his chainsaw.

"Lu Xiao, you've arrived earlier than expected," Calga's voice came through the loudspeaker, accompanied by noticeable electromagnetic interference.

"The Regent has asked us to shorten the war," Lu Xiao looked at him, "How is the situation?"

Calga pointed to the damaged shoulder armor, "Their firepower exceeded the reconnaissance reports."

Titus added, "Conventional bombs cannot penetrate that thermal shield."

Lu Xiao slammed his right fist onto his breastplate, producing a dull metallic clang. "By order of the Regent, the Burning Heaven Battle Group joins the battle."

Lu Xiao said calmly, "The Lieyang Civilization rejected the Empire's ultimatum, and now they need to face military elimination."

Calga nodded and drew a simple tactical diagram. "The attack is stalled; the pace of the advance is slower than expected."

"What's the specific reason?" Lu Xiao asked.

"The Sunborn have constructed a high-strength energy shield using Starlock technology," Calgar replied. "Long-range light spear shots will be deflected."

"What about its close-combat performance?"

"Their flare bombardment would be devastating to the landing craft," Titus said.

Lu Xiao stared at the planetary fortresses on the holographic star map. These structures blocked the passage to the home planet, Lieyang.

"I need to get more detailed defense parameters," Lu Xiao said, turning around.

"You want to lead the team yourself?" Calga asked.

"Data analysis cannot completely replace real-world feedback," Lu Xiao responded. "Tomorrow, the entire army will launch a general offensive."

"The risk is very high," Titus warned.

Lu Xiao activated the power armor's psionic amplifier. "I will find a crack in this shell."

Calgar thought for a moment, "Alright, the Ultramarines will cooperate with your actions."

The next day, this star field was covered by dense flames.

"Full fleet, charge main guns!" Lu Xiao stood in front of the command seat. His voice was transmitted to every warship through the communication system.

"Burning Sky Battle Group, execute airdrop procedure!"

Tens of thousands of airdrop pods were ejected from the bottom of the warship. These blue metallic pods cut through the darkness, generating heat due to high-speed friction, and crashed into the Sunfire Fortress.

The Imperial Blade's main cannons began firing in unison. Super-heavy light spears unleashed beams of energy, striking the Sun's shield directly. A continuous energy collapse occurred throughout the universe.

"All squads, report your status!" Lu Xiao shouted amidst the vibrations.

"A small team has locked onto the landing point of Chiwu Fortress!" Lei Zhan's voice came through.

"Second squad, power system normal, prepare for assault!"

Lu Xiao gripped the power sword tightly. "All personnel disembark and eliminate the target."

Lu Xiao led his elite squad aboard assault boats towards the central fortress, Chiwu. On the fortress's surface, Lieyang's defensive artillery provided a barrage of fire. Golden energy beams formed a dense network of attack.

"For the Emperor!" Lu Xiao jumped out of the assault boat's hatch.

He donned the Terminator armor, and his power sword instantly activated. A blue disintegration field surged around the blade.

Two of the intercepting Sun Guardians were severed by the power sword. The armor lost its protective function in the face of the disintegration field.

"Left flank cover!" Lu Xiao gave the order.

"Roger that, bomb gun ready!" Lei Zhan pulled the trigger.

"High-energy reaction detected on the right side!"

Lu Xiao parried with his sword, "Give me the psionic barrier, keep charging!"

The Burning Sky Legion advanced inside the fortress. Heavy bomb guns fired continuously, blasting the Sun's defenses to shreds. The high-temperature jets from plasma incineration rifles melted through the alloy walls.

The defensive lines of the Sunbringers began to crumble. The stellar energy attack struck the psionic barrier erected by Lu Xiao, producing violent fluctuations but failing to penetrate it.

"The central door lock has been destroyed!" Lei Zhan slammed his fist into the electronic gate.

"Chapter Commander, control of the fortress has been transferred!"

Lu Xiao sheathed his power sword and stood on the tower to observe the battlefield.

In the distance, two more Sunfire Fortresses collapsed under the concentrated fire of the Imperial fleet. The Sunfire Fleet abandoned a large amount of wreckage and retreated towards the inner defense zone.

Lu Xiao did not order a pursuit. He stood amidst the ruins, closed his eyes, and sensed the residual energy flow in the air. His psionic energy spread outwards, permeating the structure of the fortress.

"The technical approach is quite unique," Lu Xiao muttered to himself.

"What do you mean?" Lei Zhan walked over and cleaned the dust off the armor.

"They have deeply locked the fortress to the star's gravitational field," Lu Xiao said, pointing to the energy pipes below.

"No wonder we couldn't break through," Lei Zhan frowned. "It's like they have unlimited energy."

Lu Xiao snorted coldly, "As long as the gravitational nodes are severed, this system will overload and self-destruct."

The blazing sun, the celestial court in the clouds.

The oppressive atmosphere in the hall made the air feel heavy. Pan Zhen sat below the throne, his face grim. A bloodstained general knelt on the ground, his body trembling.

"General...the three fortresses of Chiwu, Tianji, and Zhennan have fallen," the general reported in a low voice.

Pan Zhen suddenly stood up. "Reason?"

"The enemy's weapons can directly melt the Divine River Alloy, and our shields are ineffective," the leader said, lowering his head even further. "The commander is Lu Xiao."

Pan Zhen stared at the general, his eyes revealing a clear killing intent.

"Lu Xiao? That guy who's causing trouble on Earth?"

"Yes, his battle group is called Burning Heaven, and its combat power is extremely strong."

"Where is our Star Lock?"

"Three gaps have been forcibly torn open, and the Imperial Fleet has entered the inner ring orbit."

Pan Zhen slammed his hand on the handrail. The stone handrail shattered into powder.

"Lu Xiao... I underestimated his ambition," Pan Zhen stood up, his armor gleaming coldly. "Activate the frog-leap defense plan."

"What about the outer guards?" the general asked.

"Bring everything back," Pan Zhen ordered. "Set up the final defense line outside the atmosphere of Lieyang Star."

He felt the pressure of survival. The war had become a death struggle between civilizations.

Empire Blade, Strategic Studies Room.

Lu Xiao stood before the holographic star map. Before him lay the newly collected data for the Fiery Sun Defense Zone. Calga and Titanus stood to his side.

"I have figured out how their energy works," Lu Xiao said, pointing to the star at the center of the star map.

"Are these fortresses energy transfer stations?" Calga asked.

"Yes, but capturing the fortress is only the first step. The energy supply chain remains intact," Lu Xiao pointed to several coordinates.

"What are these?" Titus asked.

"Gravity anchor," Lu Xiao explained, "is the key hardware that maintains the stability of Lieyang Star and its defensive field."

Lu Xiao drew an arc on the star map.

"Pan Zhen believes we will clear out the fortresses one by one," Lu Xiao sneered.

"We won't do that?" Calga raised an eyebrow.

"Too slow. The Empire needs efficiency," Lu Xiao said, looking at Calgar. "I need Ultramarines to launch large-scale feints on the front lines."

"To attract their main force?"

"That's right, the bigger the commotion, the better, so they think we're going to take on the inner defense line head-on."

Calga nodded. "So you'll be in charge of the flanking attack?"

"No, I will lead the Burning Sky Battle Group on a short-distance space jump," Lu Xiao pointed to the gravity anchor point, "We will destroy these base stations directly."

"Once the anchor point breaks, the energy shield of the Sun Star will explode due to loss of balance."

"The entire defense zone will become a giant energy trap."

Calga said in a deep voice, "If the calculation is slightly off, you will be torn apart by the gravitational turbulence."

Lu Xiao gripped the hilt of his sword. "For the sake of victory, this risk is within acceptable limits."

"Pan Zhen wants to rely on the sun," Lu Xiao stared at the star map, "Then I'll make him watch the sun go out with his own eyes."

"The project will be codenamed Operation Sunset."