76: Chapter 76: The Space Battle Ends in Defeat, and the Tyranids Launch a Major Offensive.

After modifying the paint job of the power armor gifted by the system in the system space, and carefully checking for any oversights, Yang Gao clicked to teleport.

After a flash of blue light, Yang Gao appeared on the ramparts of the Fortress of Angels, having become a Librarian of the Blood Angels Chapter. He calmly analyzed the battle situation, attempting to find a way to break the deadlock.

According to calculations, even if this Tyranid Swarm tentacle defeated the Blood Angels and devoured the entire Baal System, it would not be able to compensate for the losses they suffered in the Red Scar sector. Even if this damn system was making things difficult for him, he could still stall until the Regent Guilliman's army arrived.

Meanwhile, the fleet Commander could not help but feel puzzled: Were these Tyranids truly seeking revenge on the Blood Angels for repeatedly thwarting them, or did they have another purpose? For instance, was consuming the entire Eastern Fringe the reason they were so persistent in attacking the entirety of Baal? Later, the fleet Commander never found the answer to this question.

With the arrival of subsequent tentacles, Fleet Commander Bellerophon soon died in the ensuing battle. The tentacles quickly dropped massive amounts of drop pods onto the three planets of Baal, which the remaining Blood Angels space fleet was powerless to stop.

Consequently, the conflict gradually shifted to the surface battlefield. Because Commander Dante had previously forcibly conscripted most of the population in the system and concentrated them within the Fortress of Angels on the main planet of Baal, it became the primary target for the Tyranid Swarm. The void shields of the Fortress of Angels had been activated, and the defensive laser cannons and artillery arrays deployed within it roared towards the sky, pouring out the Archangel's fury.

Smoke and fire filled the trenches. Chaplains from the parent Chapter and successor Chapters were joining forces, constantly encouraging the mortals; of course, if any mortal fled out of cowardice, they would execute them without hesitation.

"Mortals, hold fast! Behind us is the Fortress of Angels, which houses the remains of the Archangel Sanguinius; we have nowhere left to retreat!"

"Mortals, trust in your will! The God-Emperor is with you, and the Archangel walks with you!"

"For the God-Emperor! For Sanguinius! For Humanity! For the Beautiful Death!"

Countless biological artillery shells smashed into the trenches. Despite the fear in their hearts, the mortals still bravely raised their guns and fired at the Tyranid Swarm.

Chaplains from various Chapters moved through the trenches, constantly using words to inspire the mortals and trying their best to maintain order in the trenches.

In the sky, the biological spores and gargoyles that blotted out the sun were like layer upon layer of dark, heavy clouds. Although the artillery arrays and defensive laser cannons on the Fortress of Angels were constantly spewing fury, it was still difficult to completely block them.

Of course, all of this was done intentionally by Commander Dante. When the Tyranid Swarm finally managed to rush to the mortal defense line, they were swallowed by a seemingly inconspicuous moat.

"Brothers, that moat actually has this use!"

"Do not let your guard down, brothers! We must hold the line!"

"Isn't this the Thirst-Water that led to the death of Dante's brother, Daniel?"

"It really seems to be! Dante's decision is brilliant, absolutely brilliant! If this Tyranid Swarm wants to eat us, they have to cross this moat first!"

This 15-meter-wide river of death was constantly devouring the fearless Tyranid Swarm. The Tyranid Swarm fell one after another, but the massive hive offensive showed no signs of weakening, still eager to cross this river of death and feast upon the flesh and blood of the mortals.