"The ultimate objective of this military strike is to eliminate the reactionary rule of the Exile Star, liberate its populace, and incorporate it into the Galactic Empire's territory."
The news repeated itself twice before returning to its regular programming.
Isabelle and Liu Jizi's eyes widened, their expressions filled with disbelief.
They looked down at their phones, where a deluge of messages had already popped up, covering the entire screens.
[Cen Yemeng Announces Military Strike Against Exile Star]
[Jiang Ye Star and Bi Rong Star Joint Forces Entering Exile Star's Outer Defense Perimeter]
[Jiang Ye Announces Military Strike Against Exile Star]
[Cen Yemeng Decides to Take Military Action Against Exile Star]
[Bi Rong Star Governor Cen Yemeng, Bi Rong Star Commander Jiang Ye, Jointly Announce Military Strike Against Exile Star]
News apps, browser apps, travel apps, transportation apps, and video apps all displayed multiple similar messages. Clicking on them revealed only a few sentences, devoid of images or further explanations.
Typically, few words meant a significant event.
"Holy shit!" Liu Jizi finally reacted. "Which planet is Exile Star? How did they attack without any prior notice?"
"Never heard of it," Isabelle also stated, shocked. "And did you notice, many of the news reports put Cen Yemeng first? Why is that? Wasn't Jiang Ye always mentioned first before?"
"Could it be... the Commander has handed over actual authority to his wife?" Liu Jizi speculated. "These kinds of reports are very precise with their wording; they wouldn't write it carelessly. If Mrs. Jiang was mentioned first, it would mean she's in charge, and the Commander is just accompanying her."
Liu Jizi maintained her professional habit of never addressing Jiang Ye by name when outside, always referring to him as "Commander." She still remembered her position as Jiang Ye's subordinate. Isabelle, on the other hand, was more direct, calling him by his name.
Isabelle's pupils contracted.
Cen Yemeng in charge?
Jiang Ye actually handed over his authority to his wife?
It was simply unbelievable!
The phones on the table vibrated collectively again.
[Bi Rong Star Air Force Shoots Down Two Exile Star Aerial Combat Aircraft]
"Good omen," Liu Jizi smiled, clearly excited. "When I was in the military, how come I never got to participate in such a major event?"
"This Exile Star is outside the Milky Way," Isabelle searched on her phone. "Its technological level is average. However, it has a population of billions. The first round should be relatively easy to win."
"I'm actually quite worried," Liu Jizi said. "When I was in the military, our weapons weren't very advanced, and our troop numbers were just so-so. It's hard to fight an offensive war."
"I'm worried too," Isabelle picked up her chopsticks and ate her ramen. "When it comes to war, you only know how it goes when it actually starts. There have been too many wars that turned around."
"You saying that makes me even more nervous," Liu Jizi kept refreshing her phone.
[Jiang Ye Star Air Force Destroys 30 Exile Star Satellites]
[Jiang Ye Star Air Force Light Military Vessel Hit, Withdrawing from Engagement Zone, Casualties Unknown]
[Bi Rong Star Air Force Shoots Down Two Exile Star Fighter Formations, Totaling 28 Aerial Combat Aircraft]
[Jiang Ye Star Air Force Destroys 62 Exile Star Satellites]
[Bi Rong Star Air Force Shoots Down Three Exile Star Fighter Formations, Totaling 56 Aerial Combat Aircraft]
"The division of labor is very clear, don't you think?" Isabelle pointed at her phone. "Jiang Ye Star's forces are specifically targeting satellites, while Bi Rong Star's forces are specifically targeting the ascending fighter jets of Exile Star. They're not operating at the same altitude level, but they can support each other."
"The speed is incredible. It's only been two minutes, and they've cleared so many satellites already," Liu Jizi clicked her tongue in admiration. "The Commander has been working hard to develop the military these past few years, and now that they're in the exam hall, they're answering very quickly."
"Fast?" Isabelle smiled. "This isn't fast. I suspect the troops were deployed on short notice. If they had prepared in advance, the satellites could have been cleared in one go."
The two girls chatted as they ate their noodles.
After finishing, they both stood up and left the shop, arm in arm.
After walking only a few steps, they reached the city plaza.
The plaza was packed with people!
A massive holographic projection was displayed in the sky above the plaza. Such projections, with diameters of hundreds of meters, consumed enormous amounts of electricity and were only activated during major festivals or disaster warnings. Yet, it was on now. It showed real-time news broadcasts and battle reports. Passersby were continuously arriving at the plaza, looking up.
Every time the news popped up with the latest battle situation, detailing how many fighter jets and satellites of Exile Star had been shot down, the entire plaza erupted in shouts of "Good!" followed by thunderous applause, creating an atmosphere that made one's blood race.
Isabelle and Liu Jizi unanimously decided to join the excitement and went to the plaza to look up.
The surroundings were a sea of people, with various discussions buzzing. The expressions were almost universally excited and enthusiastic, though there was also a hint of worry in the depths of their eyes, as this was, after all, their first real combat engagement.
Suddenly, someone shouted, "There's a live stream online! You can see Exile Star!"
Instantly, a group of people pulled out their phones, the screens illuminating everyone's faces.
Isabelle and Liu Jizi also searched for the live stream on their phones.
To be precise, they didn't even need to search; it was the top result on the streaming platform. The number of viewers in the live stream had already reached a staggering 300 million and was still increasing by tens of thousands every second.
The live stream was positioned on the night hemisphere of Exile Star. Numerous yellow dots were clearly visible, flying like sparks emerging from a giant dark sphere. Occasionally, a string of satellites would be detonated, with debris scattering into outer space.
The bullet comments were scrolling so fast they were almost a blur, with most of them being the word "Long live!" followed by "Good!" or "Attack."
Suddenly, a live stream special effect popped up, and the entire screen was showered with gold coins, glittering brilliantly.
[Jiang Ye Star Mule Aluminum Industry Co., Ltd. Donates "Gold Mountain" x5]
Isabelle and Liu Jizi raised their eyebrows simultaneously.
A "Gold Mountain" on this streaming platform cost a full million, the highest tier of gift.
This company had just thrown out five million!
"The one broadcasting live is the Bi Rong Star Recruitment Office," Liu Jizi suddenly realized. "This company is donating military funds."
"It's a way to show loyalty and advertise at the same time!" Isabelle also quickly understood.
"Do you want to donate?" Liu Jizi asked.
"Absolutely!" Isabelle got excited.
Her fingers flew across the screen as she changed her name, topped up her account, and made the donation!
The live stream was once again showered with gold coins.
[Isabelle Logistics Company Donates Military Funds, Gifts "Gold Mountain" x100]
"Holy crap, you're dominating, sister! That's twenty times more!" Liu Jizi whispered, chuckling.
"I suspect many more companies will be donating military funds here next," Isabelle said. "I should grab the early spot, but since the current donations are small, mine will still attract a lot of attention."
"This advertisement is quite worth it," Liu Jizi commented. "Look, after you donated, a hundred million people instantly joined the live stream. These people were probably watching other streams and were attracted by the site-wide broadcast triggered by your donation. This advertisement is so cost-effective."
"Oh no!" Isabelle suddenly widened her eyes. "I've been outdone again!"