Ma Rui widened his eyes, clearly seeing the appearance of the leading commander coming to support the two thousand pirate ships.

It's exactly...

Captain of the Duorong Federation South Sea Third Army—Kong Huaao.

How could it be?!

How could it be?!

How could Kong Huaao appear here?

Wasn't he supposed to be at Qiyun Port directing the overall layout of the Sea Mine War?

How did he suddenly appear in the waters of Ijima?

Kong Huaao was considered an old rival of Ma Rui, and the two had clashed many times during naval warfare. They had already met face to face, so Ma Rui recognized Kong Huaao's identity at first glance.

At this moment, Ma Rui's heart sank to the bottom, feeling extremely uneasy.

If Kong Huaao is here, it means that those ships following him...

Are not pirate ships at all, but regular naval ships of the Duorong Federation Third Army!

These two thousand pirate ships are actually disguised naval ships of the Duorong Federation Third Army?!

"Kong Huaao, how can you be here? When did you silently enter the waters of Ijima? How come I didn't get any information?!"

Ma Rui exclaimed in shock.

At this moment, Kong Huaao stood on the deck of the command ship, his eyes sharp.

This military leader, who usually seems meticulous and devoid of any bloodthirstiness, was now exuding a powerful aura, transforming from a rather reserved state to a wild and unrestrained demeanor.

The power level within him erupted wantonly, drawing the involuntary gazes of the Blue Star Captains towards Kong Huaao.

Within the range covered by Kong Huaao's power, it seemed as if even the sea breeze had come to a complete standstill. He stood on the deck like a waking lion, his eyes filled with an awe-inspiring sharpness.

Just meeting his gaze for a moment made one's heart skip a beat, unconsciously wanting to look away.

"Ma Rui, it's only natural for you to be surprised. In fact, before little brother Fang Yu set up the plan, even I didn't know I'd appear here."

"But he assured me that in this battle, he would draw you out of Ijima, isolating you on the ocean. So here I am."

"Now it seems, little brother Fang Yu didn't disappoint me!"

Kong Huaao laughed heartily, his gaze disdainful, and ordered the two thousand ships behind him to encircle the two thousand Purification Army ships led by Ma Rui, cutting off Ma Rui's retreat.

Just as Kong Huaao had said, Ma Rui had now left Ijima, heading to what he believed was the outbreak of war.

With no Ijima to defend, and no war weapons to rely on, the Purification Army was completely isolated on the sea.

Realizing this, Ma Rui felt a heavy weight in his heart, his gaze shifting from Kong Huaao to the young man in front of him.

What made him apprehensive was...

The young man's body before him also harbored a potent power level, and if unleashed, it would undoubtedly produce a terrifying force.

This man was by no means a weakling.

"Are you Fang Yu?"

Ma Rui spoke in a low voice, having long heard Fang Yu's name.

The reputation of this man on the side of the Marine Army warlords was well known.

As an Outer Realm Captain, Fang Yu had led an attack in the Lvchun Island battle, taking Zhang Dong by surprise, and subsequently captured a large Sea Ore Island.

It was one of the rare one-sided battles since the confrontation began between the two sides.

One side suffered minimal losses, while the other was completely annihilated.

That battle shocked both sides, not only spreading Fang Yu's fame within the Duorong Federation military but also making him known to the Marine Army warlords.

Upon hearing Kong Huaao's words, Ma Rui fixed his gaze on the young man before him, feeling an absurd sense of disbelief.

Could this very young man before him really be Fang Yu?

Did he plan this entire Ijima battle single-handedly?

"So, you're saying those three Purification Army teams before were also sunk by you..."

"Yes, I sank them all!"

The young man in front of Ma Rui, Fang Yu, slightly nodded and loudly declared.

Then, he revealed a faint smile on his face and, looking at Ma Rui, softly said, "After planning for so long..."

"You've... finally taken the bait!"

From the very beginning, Fang Yu's target was not Ijima.

A large Sea Ore Island had only around 400 to 500 garrison troops.

Even if the entire garrison was wiped out, it might not cause much loss to the Marine Army warlord faction in the Sea Mine War.

Fang Yu's true purpose was to use the properties of the Living Copper Ore to besiege Ijima, forcing the Marine Army warlords to free up resources to support Ijima and break the blockade around it.

And the "resources" freed up by the Marine Army warlords were precisely what Fang Yu intended to target.

Three thousand Marine Army warlord ships, plus the original 400 stationed ships on Ijima.

A total of three thousand four hundred ships.

This was no insignificant number.

If annihilated, it would be a great loss to the Marine Army warlords.

The original fifty-fifty situation would instantly tilt in favor of the Duorong Federation.

With a chain reaction, Kong Huaao would undoubtedly seize this advantage, continuously expanding the results, and ultimately ending the war in a very short time.

...

As for how Kong Huaao entered the waters of Ijima and other details of the setup, everything...

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