048 Battle between frigates

In the intense battle between Song Chao's Blue Sky and the silver-armored airship, Shen Wenjie's Bronze Halberd played a pivotal role. Each exchange of attacks and defenses triggered explosions of nearby asteroids, showcasing the formidable power of both vessels. However, victory remained uncertain in the short term.

The outcome of this battle hinged on the duel between Song Chao's Blue Sky and the silver-armored airship. As a seasoned captain of the second-level Xinhuo in the Song Dynasty, Song Chao's Blue Sky boasted a superior configuration, featuring a blue-quality energy shield and main gun.

After a brief energy charge, the Blue Sky unleashed a three-meter diameter laser beam from its bow main gun.

On the silver airship, Zhu Kang smirked, swiftly manipulating the controls. The airship's engines roared to life, transforming it into a silver blur that easily evaded the Blue Sky attack.

Seizing the initiative, Zhu Kang retaliated swiftly. The massive main gun on his ship, with a diameter of several meters, fired a devastating counterattack.

Song Chao narrowed his eyes. The speed demonstrated by the opponent's ship indicated high-quality engine parts—possibly blue or even purple. This realization weighed heavily on Song Chao, knowing it would be challenging to land a hit.

The opponent's control over the battlefield gave them the upper hand, placing Song Chao's Blue Sky at a disadvantage.

Dodging the opponent's attacks narrowly, Song Chao pondered potential countermeasures. Continuing on this path guaranteed defeat.

However, the silver-armored battleship opposite seemed to use specialized parts or had an unusually short cooldown for its main gun. Almost immediately after the last shot, a second blast echoed.

This time, the Song Dynasty couldn't evade.

Boom!

Another violent tremor shook the Blue Sky, leaving only half of its energy shield intact.

On the silver airship, Zhu Kang's smile widened. The main gun on his ship possessed a unique ability: a 30% chance to trigger a double-shot combo, as it did just now. Watching the opponent's energy shield dim further with each hit, Zhu Kang grew increasingly confident.

He could almost envision the opponent's frigate capitulating once its energy shield collapsed.

Pushing the joystick forward, the silver airship closed in on Song Chao's Blue Sky. Simultaneously, the airship's four secondary guns opened fire relentlessly.

On the Blue Sky, Song Chao's expression relaxed slightly. Noting the opponent's main gun didn't require charging, he felt a measure of relief.

Simultaneously, he activated a special component aboard the Aozora: the "Shield Repair Ball." This rare white component began emitting a brilliant glow, gradually restoring the shield from less than 50% to a surprising 68% over twenty seconds.

While the Shield Repair Ball was of average quality, its restorative properties were invaluable, especially in this critical moment, significantly prolonging the Aozora's endurance.

Observing the rejuvenated brilliance of the Blue Sky's energy shield, Zhu Kang recognized the presence of a special shield-restoring part onboard. His eyes gleamed with desire; such components were exceedingly rare and invaluable in critical battles.

Yet, to acquire this part, he first needed to decisively defeat the frigate before him. Only a victor could claim such a prize. The opposing force had already begun mining titanium crystals in the Tianyu Mining area. Failure to end the battle swiftly risked losing the crystals to the enemy.

With each subsequent attack, Zhu Kang's onslaught intensified, pushing the enemy frigate into dire straits. While the initial few attacks were dodged, the following three volleys struck decisively.

As time passed, the energy shield on the opposing frigate dimmed once more. Upon completing another main gun charge, Zhu Kang eagerly fired again. Meanwhile, he subtly maneuvered the silver airship forward.

As an experienced Xinhuo captain, Zhu Kang maintained unwavering vigilance. He maintained relentless pressure with his main and secondary guns, offering the Blue Sky no chance of recovery.

Unbeknownst to him, however, the slight advance of the Silver Blade created an unexpected opportunity for his adversary.

Across from him, aboard the Blue Sky, Song Chao seized the moment. After patiently awaiting this opening, he activated another specialized component: the purple-quality "Supermagnetic Tractor Beam Generator."

The generator emitted a powerful beam of light that ensnared the silver airship within its grasp. Despite Zhu Kang's efforts to break free using his ship's rare purple engine, the tractor beam held firm, immobilizing the silver airship.

Momentarily panicked, Zhu Kang realized his predicament. Despite his ship's exceptional purple engine, it was powerless against this tractor beam component, which was equally exceptional.

However, Zhu Kang swiftly composed himself. What if the tractor beam was of purple quality? His attack was poised to breach the opponent's energy shield completely. Even if the Blue Sky couldn't dodge, it wouldn't sustain severe damage from a single blow.

Yet, his fortunes took another turn for the worse.

He observed the opponent's frigate's energy shield, which had regained some of its luster, allowing it to withstand the recent onslaught.

On the Blue Sky, Song Chao smiled knowingly.

His "Shield Repair Ball" wasn't a one-time use. It could be activated once every 24 hours, up to twice. With the Blue Sky's shield restored, Song Chao pressed the advantage further, activating the third specialized component: the purple-quality "Knull's Armor-Piercing Quiver," strengthened to level 29.

This component had a singular function: enhancing the main gun with a 50% armor-piercing effect for ten minutes.

Though limited by the Song Chao's current status as a white-level Xinhuo, the capabilities of "Knull's Armor-Piercing Quiver" at level 29 were formidable. If it were enhanced to higher levels, such as levels 30 to 39, its attributes would undoubtedly be more potent.

Minutes later, the tractor beam's effect expired. By then, the Silver Blade's energy shield had dwindled to less than 10%, while the effects of "Knull's Armor-Piercing Quiver" on the Blue Sky persisted.