With their equipment advantage and under Zhuang ZhiXuan's actual command, the Pluto Fleet severely damaged the Dragon Lizard Fleet and even repelled Welles' Direct Fleet.
The Poison Spider Fleet consequently executed an emergency withdrawal to provide support.
Upon receiving the news, Commander Yang Shao decided to press the advantage, ordering them to blockade the warp point in an attempt to completely annihilate the Well Sub-Fleet.
Everything made sense.
Except for one detail.
Qin Bei Wang's role in all this.
"Commander," Li Wen asked quietly. "Should we... head to the Seventh Jump Point?"
Zhao Rui remained silent for several seconds.
He stared at the brief combat report on the tactical screen, at the words "annihilated Dragon Lizard Fleet," complex emotions welling up inside him.
On one hand, he didn't believe this was Qin Bei Wang's accomplishment.
On the other hand, if this truly was the Federation military's achievement, it represented a major victory.
Moreover, Yang Shao's orders were not to be questioned.
"All ships, change course," he finally declared. "Destination: Seventh Jump Point of the Elvira Star System. Full speed ahead."
The command was issued.
The massive hull of the Iron Spine began slowly turning, its engine exhaust shifting from pale blue to blazing white - the signature of overload operation.
The surrounding cruisers and destroyers adjusted their trajectories accordingly, tracing several arcs through deep space.
Li Wen approached Zhao Rui, lowering his voice. "Commander, what if... I'm just saying what if, that really was Qin Bei Wang's doing?"
Zhao Rui glanced at him and shook his head. "Old Li, I've told you about Marshal Qin. I admire him because he was a true soldier. But his son... I've seen the files and met him in person. He's not cut out for combat."
He paused, his voice dropping lower. "I wish the Federation military had more people like Marshal Qin, not waste like Qin Bei Wang. Even if he got lucky this time or stole credit from someone else, that doesn't change the fact."
Outside the viewport, the fleet began accelerating.
10.56 light-minutes ahead of them, the Seventh Jump Point of the Elvira Star System hung silently in the void.
No one knew that in a few hours, it would become the endpoint of an even greater hunt.
Meanwhile, aboard the Kunlun Mountain.
"All ships, change course to the Seventh Jump Point. Heading 087, elevation +3, full speed ahead."
When Qin Bei Wang's command echoed across the Kunlun Mountain's bridge, Zhuang ZhiXuan immediately furrowed her brow.
She quickly pulled up the star chart for calculations. "Commander, the Seventh Jump Point is 70.78 light-minutes away from us. Getting there at full speed would take over two and a half hours. Meanwhile, the Third Jump Point is only 20.52 light-minutes away. If the Welles Fleet heads there, they could begin warp preparations within 45 minutes."
"They won't go to the Third Jump Point," Qin Bei Wang responded without hesitation.
"Why not?" This time the question came from Ran Shaohua over the comm channel - the Scorpion had already followed the course change, but the skepticism in his tone was evident.
"Lieutenant Commander Qin, the key to pursuit warfare is timing.
If we abandon closer targets to chase more distant ones and misjudge, Wells will truly escape."
Qin Bei Wang approached the main tactical screen, lightly tapping it.
He displayed data from the third and seventh jump points side by side.
"Look at the environment surrounding the third jump point.
Open space, completely unobstructed.
If Wells goes there, his fleet would need to conduct at least eight minutes of warp preparation while fully exposed."
He paused.
"Eight minutes is enough time for our reconnaissance ships to arrive and deploy another warp jammer."
Zhuang ZhiXuan nodded.
"So he would choose the protected seventh jump point?"
Qin Bei Wang zoomed in on the star chart around the seventh jump point, specifically highlighting the distance between that area and the star system boundary.
"The seventh jump point is only 1.5 billion kilometers from the Elvira Star System boundary. This is the key."
The bridge fell silent as everyone stared at that distance data.
1.5 billion kilometers.
For starships using fusion engines as conventional propulsion, this distance would require three hours at maximum speed.
The time was somewhat long, but not unacceptable.
"If I were Wells!"
Qin Bei Wang's voice remained calm as if solving a mathematical problem.
"After just experiencing the painful lesson of having my warp jump forcibly interrupted.
I would think this way: going to the third jump point, if interfered with again, I would be trapped in open space, becoming a sitting duck.
But going to the seventh jump point, even if interfered with again, I would have a second option - relying on fusion engines to slowly fly out of the star system boundary over three hours."
He turned around, his gaze sweeping across every face on the bridge.
"A three-hour escape would be awkward, but at least it would mean survival."
For a veteran like Wells, as long as the fleet can be preserved, as long as the flagship can return to imperial-controlled territory.
Even if the battle report describes it as a disorganized retreat, it's far better than complete annihilation."
The logical chain was terrifyingly clear.
Zhuang ZhiXuan felt a chill down her spine.
Looking at Qin Bei Wang's calm profile, she suddenly realized this young commander's thinking depth far exceeded her imagination.
He wasn't just predicting the enemy's tactical choices; he was predicting the enemy's psychological bottom line, predicting how a battle-hardened veteran would weigh dignity and survival in desperate circumstances.
"So..."
She said slowly.
"Wells chose the seventh jump point not because it's safer, but because it provides insurance for survival even if the worst happens?"
"Correct!"
Qin Bei Wang nodded.
"This is the typical thought pattern of a commander with his personality in desperate situations.
Not seeking the optimal solution, only seeking the non-losing solution."
The communication channel fell silent for a few seconds before Ran Shaohua's voice came through.
"I understand.
Scorpion obeys orders."
Other captains successively confirmed course changes.
Though doubts remained, Qin Bei Wang's previous combat record and his currently flawless logic had established sufficient authority.
Meanwhile, in the depths of Qin Bei Wang's vision, the holographic star chart was scientifically verifying his judgment.
Tracking data transmitted by Ghost Shadow and Dark Shadow showed.
The remaining twelve ships of Welles Fleet had quietly corrected their course to 086.
Almost directly pointing toward the seventh jump point.
Back when the enemy began retreating, Qin Bei Wang had already ordered the two Shadow-class reconnaissance ships to follow behind them.
Using passive detection, the two vessels remained virtually undetected by the enemy.
Instead, the opponent's precise course heading was transmitted directly to Qin Bei Wang's Commander System.
Simultaneously, based on Wells' personality profile and current battlefield conditions, the system generated updated predictive analysis:
[Wells' Current Decision Priority: Fleet Survival > Tactical Victory > Personal Honor]
[Probability of Choosing Seventh Jump Point: 76.8%]
[Primary Consideration: Providing "Physical Escape" contingency plan (Weight: 57%)]
This was like playing with open cards.
Qin Bei Wang could virtually see Wells' thought process unfolding on the Bridge of the Imperial Glory.
The veteran commander must be repeatedly weighing his options: the Third Jump Point was faster but carried extreme risks.
The Seventh Jump Point was slower but offered an escape route.
Ultimately, the option of "having a way out" would override all other considerations.