Mike breathed a small sigh of relief. He had been genuinely worried Bao Mu would attack immediately. If a battle broke out now, his fleet would undoubtedly be the cannon fodder at the front.
"Captain, we’ve spotted an unknown fleet. Based on their profiles, it should be the Xi’an Base’s forces, along with the aircraft carrier fleet we attacked before!"
Upon receiving the report, Long Zhan’s voice was grim. "So, they have two aircraft carriers?"
"Yes! Detailed intel photos have been sent. Please review them!"
"Understood," Long Zhan nodded, then immediately gave the order. "All ships, set course for these coordinates, now!"
Without a moment’s hesitation, he set a course for the Xi’an Base fleet’s location, informing Wang Jun and Ji Yizhi at the same time.
Ji Yizhi immediately said, "As expected. The Aircraft Carrier Base is just a feint. Their real target must be Peach Blossom Base!"
"Looks like we’ll have to ask Master to move the base," Wang Jun sighed helplessly.
’Trying to fight four carrier fleets with just one... it’s completely impossible!’
Ji Yizhi nodded in agreement. "If that’s the case, we should notify Master as soon as possible!"
Wang Jun immediately sent a message to Lu Jiamei, explaining the current situation.
Lu Jiamei frowned slightly. "Are you certain they’ve breached our defenses?"
Wang Jun was taken aback for a moment, then shook his head. "Not yet, but they’re definitely waiting for the other aircraft carriers to arrive. Once they rendezvous, I’m afraid we won’t be able to stop them!"
Lu Jiamei replied, "The Leader mentioned this before he went into seclusion. If the enemy hasn’t invaded the Seventh-level Sea Region, we are not to disturb him yet."
Wang Jun’s brow furrowed. "By the time the enemy invades the Seventh-level Sea Region, won’t it be too late?"
"We don’t want to abandon Peach Blossom Base until the last possible moment," Lu Jiamei replied. "Once they enter the Seventh-level Sea Region, it will still take them at least an hour to reach our base. We’ll still have time to evacuate."
Wang Jun was stunned. The implication of Lu Jiamei’s words was obvious. ’Peach Blossom Base can’t be moved? If the Xi’an Base fleet attacks, they’ll just have to abandon it?’
He couldn’t help but confirm again, "Minister Lu, are you saying that Peach Blossom Base is immobile?"
Lu Jiamei nodded slightly. "You could say that. As for the specifics, you’ll understand when the Leader invites you over."
Wang Jun didn’t dwell on the issue. He continued to ask, "But is there any point in insisting on staying at the base? When the Xi’an Base gathers more aircraft carrier fleets, can Peach Blossom Base really hold them off?"
"That, I don’t know," Lu Jiamei shook her head. "But I trust the Leader. Since he told me to do this, he must have his reasons."
Wang Jun was taken aback again but could only nod. "Alright. I’ll keep a close eye on the Xi’an Base fleet’s movements. If they breach the Seventh-level Wind Sea Region, I’ll let you know immediately."
"Then many thanks, Captain Wang," Lu Jiamei replied.
Wang Jun waved his hand. "The Aircraft Carrier Base and Dawn Base only survived because of Master. If thanks are in order, it should be all the survivors from our two bases thanking Master and Peach Blossom Base."
Lu Jiamei smiled. "Let’s not be so formal with each other. I believe the Leader will lead us through this crisis."
"Right. Keep in touch," Wang Jun said, ending the conversation.
He fell into thought for a moment, then immediately relayed Ren Yuanyang’s instructions to Long Zhan and Ji Yizhi.
Ji Yizhi was also taken aback. "Peach Blossom Base can’t move? Why?"
He couldn’t comprehend how Peach Blossom Base could be immobile.
’Peach Blossom Base has plenty of fuel, so it’s not a power issue. It has sufficient energy but can’t move... Don’t tell me they actually found a patch of dry land in this world of water?’
"Minister Lu didn’t elaborate. She just said that we’ll understand when we go there and see it for ourselves in the future," Wang Jun said, a note of resignation in his voice.
"Master is really keeping us in suspense!" Long Zhan said with a laugh.
Wang Jun nodded, then added with a frown, "Old Long, you need to be extra careful. Deploy more patrol boats. We have to guarantee we spot their carriers before they breach the Seventh-level Wind Sea Region!"
"Consider it done," Long Zhan replied, his expression serious.
Ji Yizhi immediately arranged for more speedboats to patrol the area around the Seventh-level Wind Sea Region.
Aircraft carriers are massive, obvious targets, so the existing patrol boats would certainly have spotted them. However, to ensure the earliest possible detection and response, they deployed even more.
The aircraft carrier Liaoyuan arrived in the vicinity of the Xi’an Base fleet.
Bao Mu immediately issued an order: "All hands on high alert! We’re pulling back!"
The Xi’an Base fleet immediately began a slow retreat.
Seeing this, Long Zhan narrowed his eyes and commanded, "Full speed ahead! The moment we’re in range, open fire!"
"Aye!"
The Liaoyuan’s carrier fleet suddenly accelerated, rapidly closing in on the Xi’an Base fleet.
"Report! The enemy has suddenly increased speed!" the reporting soldier announced, a hint of panic in his voice.
Bao Mu frowned. "What’s the panic? Increase our speed as well. Watch for their attack!"
"Yes, sir!"
Just then, the cannons of the Liaoyuan’s carrier fleet roared to life.
"Fuck! Is the Aircraft Carrier Base’s crew insane?" Bao Mu cursed, stunned for a moment. "Counterattack! Counterattack immediately!"
The Xi’an Base’s forces fought as they retreated. Because their nuclear-powered aircraft carriers were slightly faster, they slowly managed to increase the distance between the fleets.
Seeing the enemy pull away, Long Zhan immediately ceased the attack and returned to a position near the edge of the Seventh-level Wind Sea Region.
The two sides had only exchanged fire from a distance. A few ships sustained minor damage, but there were no casualties.
Even so, Bao Mu and Mike were startled. They were genuinely afraid the Aircraft Carrier Base’s forces would charge straight at them.
It wasn’t that they would lose, but a direct confrontation like that would have left them severely weakened.
Bao Mu naturally wanted to win the battle at the lowest possible cost.
The Aircraft Carrier Base’s forces were no longer in pursuit, but Bao Mu still ordered a continued retreat to maintain a safe distance.
At the same time, the joint fleet that had been driven back several hundred kilometers once again approached the Aircraft Carrier Base at Bao Mu’s request.
To allay the fears of the joint fleet’s members, Bao Mu promised them a large supply of fuel.
’As long as the joint fleet can keep the Aircraft Carrier Base’s other two carriers occupied, taking Peach Blossom Base will be a sure thing!’
Previously, Bao Mu had considered the possibility that Peach Blossom Base might simply choose to relocate. Now, however, he was convinced that it must be unable to move for some reason.
’Otherwise, they would have already moved when General Mike approached the Seventh-level Wind Sea Region, rather than sending the Liaoyuan to drive us away.’
’Since it can’t move, Peach Blossom Base is as good as mine!’
And so, time slowly passed in a tense standoff between the two sides.
「Three days later.」
Two more aircraft carrier fleets sailed in slowly from the west—it was the other two carriers from Sea Eagle Country, finally arriving.
Dawn Base’s patrol boats were the first to spot them and immediately reported it up the chain of command.
"Captain, we’ve spotted two additional aircraft carriers approaching the Xi’an Base fleet!"
Hearing this, Long Zhan’s heart sank. He replied, "Stay safe, and continue to monitor their movements."
"Yes, sir!"
"They’re here," Long Zhan said with resignation. "Two more carrier fleets are approaching. Four carriers in total. This fight is unwinnable."
"Four nuclear-powered aircraft carriers? They certainly are giving Peach Blossom Base a lot of credit," Ji Yizhi remarked. Then he suggested, "We should tell Master and his people to evacuate immediately."
Wang Jun nodded. "Yes, I’ll contact Minister Lu right now and have her wake Master from his seclusion."
Receiving Wang Jun’s message, Lu Jiamei sighed helplessly. "It seems we’re out of time after all. I’ll wake the Leader now."
With that, she got up and walked toward the office where Ren Yuanyang was in seclusion.
When she reached the office door, a violent wave of Mental Energy passed straight through the door, blocking her path.
’It seems the Leader doesn’t want me to go in and disturb him,’ Lu Jiamei thought, her brow tightly furrowed and her face filled with worry. ’But the Xi’an Base fleet is already on the attack!’
At that moment, to the west of the Seventh-level Wind Sea Region where Peach Blossom Base was located, the four aircraft carrier fleets had rendezvoused.
Bao Mu was already bursting with impatience. He immediately gave the order: "All fleets, follow me! Charge into the Seventh-level Wind Sea Region and take Peach Blossom Base!"
"Yes, sir!" Mike and the others replied in unison.

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