The same theory can often lead to different applied technologies. A civilization at the universe level doesn't mean it's omniscient and omnipotent. Just like the three great civilizations haven't mastered each other's unique technologies, the diversity of civilizations also ensures the diversity of technology trees.

Han Xiao was very familiar with the special technology displayed by the Kundas. It was a technology called space-time shearing, derived from a branch of space-time theory.

Space-time technology is advanced, but not rare. The three great civilizations, and even the major star cluster-level civilizations, have some knowledge of it. Even in the psionic system of mages, there are space-time spells. For example, Raki's "The World" is one of them.

However, space-time shearing has its own unique features.

The specific principles were not revealed by the three great civilizations in his previous life. Han Xiao only knew a rough idea. This space-time shearing seemed to be a kind of ability to travel through space and time, but there were also great differences.

In Han Xiao's view, the Kunda fleet's repeated restoration was due to their use of space-time shearing to freeze the fleet in the state before it was destroyed. No matter how many times it was blown up, it could restore its previous state, just like the legendary invincible save/load technique.

And the fleet's frame-skipping movement was another function of space-time shearing. First, set a behavioral trend as a parameter, simulate reality, and construct a space-time model of the entire behavior from beginning to end. Then, break through the continuity of space-time and divide the coherent behavioral model into individual time points… To put it simply, it's like turning the behavior of "I'm going to do something" into a movie, and each time point is a frame of the picture.

Next, extract the time chain of this preset behavior, lock one's own space-time within it, cut off the past and the future, and only exist in the "present" of this time chain. One will jump on the behavioral model at multiple intervals of time, omitting the intermediate movement process, which looks like frame skipping. Because there is no process, the Empire fleet's conventional attacks cannot stop the Kunda fleet's actions.

To summarize, it's like becoming a high-ping warrior, advancing in a lagging manner. Even if you hit me, you only hit the me of the previous frame.

This technology has unique uses in many ways, but it is not without side effects. The space-time axis of the main universe is a vast chain system beyond calculation. Any abnormal change in any point will eventually be corrected by itself, like a taut chain.

For example, various space-time delays and space-time stop spells, after the spell effect ends, the mutated space-time of the covered area will be quickly corrected to restore the space-time coefficient to normal. Only the altered state of matter can be preserved, without affecting the space-time axis itself.

And the aftereffect of time shearing is that after the continuity of space-time is broken, the space-time axis begins to correct itself.

These objects that are frame-skipped have changed their existence state because their space-time attributes have been forcibly reversed. They are equivalent to half a projection and will undergo constantly accelerating collapse on both the space-time and material levels.

When the correction force of the time axis catches up, all the time points of the entire behavioral model will chain collapse. The entire time chain of the preset behavior disappears, and their existence will be erased, like a bubble being pricked, as if they never existed in this world.

And when they solidify themselves on a time chain, they will automatically perish after completing the preset goal of the behavioral model. Originally, the time axis is an infinitely extending straight line, but they intercepted a line segment on this straight line and jumped from the time axis to the line segment. Then their life is only the process from the beginning to the end of this line segment.

This means that when using this technology, this fleet has already been declared "dead" and has become a ghost that can disappear at any time.

"I remember that when the three great civilizations used this technology in my previous life, they equipped a large number of space-time stabilization anchors and many auxiliary devices, which greatly delayed the arrival of the collapse. If the Empire obtained this technology from the Kundas, then with the Empire's technology, they would definitely improve it in several versions. So, based on these two reasons, the space-time shearing technology in the hands of the Kundas now should only be the crudest 1.0 version, with more serious side effects and easier to target."

Han Xiao's expression flickered, and he pondered in his heart.

Being attacked by natives during exploration would originally only cause trouble for the Empire. Now, it's good that the Empire can get a good spoil of war.

He also didn't know if the smuggler who secretly sent technology to the natives knew that the Kundas had this technology... It was probably a bit uncertain. Although the smuggler had investigated the strength of the Kundas before sending the technology, space-time shearing must be a highly confidential technology of the Kundas, and it wouldn't be so easy to discover.

Smuggling into the Shattered Star Ring is like a suicide squad. Those super star cluster or star cluster-level civilizations would not send Calamity Grades to perform this kind of task, and the smuggler would not have too many people.

"If they don't know, then they've suffered a great loss. They wanted to hold the Empire back, but instead, they gave him a treasure."

Han Xiao chuckled to himself.

On the other side, Tarrokov was not idle either, and quickly made deployments.

As an experienced senior officer, Tarrokov had seen everything. Although he didn't know the technical principle of space-time shearing, the alarm said it was a space-time problem, so he used the corresponding means. The Empire's resources were enough to deal with various emergencies.

Soon, an Imperial fleet waiting in the Beacon Star set off, configured with a large number of devices to counter space-time distortions, and carrying a large group of mages who knew space-time spells to intercept the Kunda fleet that was skipping frames madly.

Conventional attacks were useless, but space-time abilities could have a certain impact on the Kunda fleet.

After the second Imperial fleet entered the field, the situation quickly changed. Various space-time spells and space-time devices made the distance between each frame jump of the Kunda fleet shorter and shorter, and they moved slower and slower. The white noise flashing on the surface of the Kunda fleet was also more dense, representing that the speed of collapse was constantly accelerating.

Everyone in the command room calmly observed the battle.

After resisting for a while, at a position about an hour away from the Beacon Star, the Kunda fleet did not reappear after its last disappearance. A torrent of surging energy exploded out of thin air and spread far into the universe.

There was no intense scene of destruction. The Kunda fleet was annihilated in the air, as if wiped away by an eraser. After the collapse, it released a huge amount of energy. Apart from that, nothing was left behind.

In the universe, even annihilation is light and飘飘, but presumably, when this group of people made up their minds, their mood must have been quite tragic, knowing that they would die, but still wanting to punch the Empire… Han Xiao thought of this and shook his head.

"Solved?" Tarrokov propped his hands on the table, a little uncertain.

"Report, Commander-in-Chief, the space-time coefficient has returned to normal, the detection radar has no abnormalities, and no enemies have been detected."

"Hmm… It may be the aftereffects of the enemy's technology, which should not be perfect yet. Before confirming that the enemy has been completely eliminated, do not relax your vigilance, continue to scan the surrounding area, and open the Beacon Star's planetary-level shield. At the same time, keep all emergency escape channels open. If the enemy suddenly appears around the planet, ensure that we can evacuate quickly."

Tarrokov quickly arranged it. Because he didn't understand the enemy, he didn't dare to relax his vigilance and still maintained an attitude as if facing a formidable enemy.

Han Xiao knew that the enemy was already dead, narrowed his eyes, and thought, "In my previous life, the Empire also obtained this technology from the Kundas, but I had no news of it, which proves that the Empire implemented very strict confidentiality measures and should not allow allies to exchange for this technology... Hmm, so to obtain space-time shearing technology, I still have to do it myself."

Rarely encountering a powerful special technology, Han Xiao's mind was moved.

It just so happened that the Empire didn't know what the principle of space-time shearing was at this time. He could take advantage of the Empire not paying much attention to it to steal a wave.

He couldn't use it himself, but in some cases, the members of the Black Star Army might be able to use it. Moreover, this thing can not only be used by his own people but even used against enemies.

He also didn't know if the Space-Time Amber and space-time shearing could cooperate and what kind of effect it would produce… Han Xiao was a little curious.

…

Deep in the Glimmering World Star Cluster, a huge Kunda fleet was moving slowly in the universe.

In the main ship's conference room, sat the Kunda leader and a group of senior executives.

When they discovered that the Crimson Empire was clearly heading towards their territory, the senior executives decisively left the home planet and moved with the fleet.

Anyway, most of the clansmen had been transported away. Temporarily abandoning the colony star that had been built for many years had become a strategic choice they didn't need to hesitate about.

"Yelü's fleet has lost contact. The surprise attack plan has failed."

"Have they all been killed?"

"Cannot be sure, they should have used the space-time shearer."

"So, even space-time shearing technology can't deal with the Crimson Empire..."

Listening to a senior military official report the situation, everyone present felt serious.

The Kunda leader was silent for a long time and slowly said, "Adopt the scorched earth plan."

Hearing this, everyone's complexion… the carapace color changed slightly.

They had formulated many sets of combat plans, and the scorched earth plan was the last resort, originally intended to be used only when the defeat was already determined. They did not expect the leader to be so radical and start with a big move.

On closer thought, the senior executives present were not confident in this war. The main reason for staying to fight was the unwillingness to admit defeat and the unwillingness to hand over their home to the robbers without resistance, nor did they want the Crimson Empire to occupy their home without paying any price.

The content of the scorched earth plan was to use the infinite expansion characteristic of original psionic energy to continuously catalyze it to destroy multiple star systems, including their old home, so that the Empire would get nothing. Then they would retreat to catch up with the departing clansmen.

It's just that destroying one's old home with one's own hands was psychologically somewhat unacceptable.

Scanning around and seeing that no one was speaking, the Kunda leader said in a deep voice:

"Since no one objects, let's start deploying. As for the Crimson Empire's approaching main force… send a fleet to meet them, entangle the enemy, and try to delay them. Slowly let them enter our territory and enter the blockade range of the scorched earth plan..."

Everyone felt heavy. Destroying their home meant there was no turning back.

The scorched earth plan required time to deploy and catalyze. Sending a fleet to engage the Empire head-on meant that many fellow soldiers would die on the front lines.

…

The Beacon Star's home-stealing attack had passed for a few days. Fighting finally broke out on the front lines. More Kunda fleets appeared and finally began to engage in combat with multiple legions of the Empire that had penetrated deep into the Glimmering World Star Cluster.

The legion led by Taini also encountered more and more enemies.

There was no shortage of opportunities to fight, but what made Han Xiao helpless was that Taini was too damn good at fighting. Under his command and coordination, the fleet's tactical cooperation was extremely smooth, and they were beating all the enemies they encountered. They could easily end the battle with long-range attacks, and there were few opportunities to connect to boarding battles.

Moreover, Taini was consciously protecting the members of the Black Star Army, which made it even more uncomfortable. After following the army for nearly a month, Niro had not even touched the little hand of a Kunda mantis shrimp.

If this continued, Han Xiao would not be able to resist virtually invading the next wave of enemies and remotely controlling the Kundas to attack Taini.

Fortunately, Taini didn't let Han Xiao stretch out his demonic claws so quickly. In another encounter, the Black Star Army finally took on the task of boarding battles.

Niro finally ushered in his first time.