The entire 495A battlefield fell silent. A soldier who had just been boasting, "The Colonel will resolve the fight in three minutes!" subconsciously glanced at the time. Two minutes and forty-seven seconds. Indeed, the fight was resolved in under three minutes; however, it was the Colonel who had been eliminated by his opponent.
Instantly, Zhao Junzhi clutched his head with both hands and squatted down, his eyes filled with bewilderment and disbelief. What happened? My dad couldn't possibly lose! The opponent is just an unknown little player! What... what exactly happened?
Chen Zili also stared blankly for a moment, then burst into loud laughter.
Although he didn't recognize "Idol Actor," since that person had beaten Zhao Zhenhuai, Chen Zili declared, "From this day forward, 'Idol Actor' is my idol!"
Many gamers were watching, but there were also quite a few professional soldiers with ranks both high and low. Naturally, some among them knew their stuff. An elderly voice, filled with admiration, rose from the crowd, "This is... the 'Pillar Collapse' tactic!"
The numerous military personnel present, including the adjutants and Zhao Zhenhuai—who, having lost all face, didn't want to utter a single word—recalled the entire process and came to a sudden, shared realization.
'Pillar Collapse' was a forgotten tactic, an evolution of the ancient "decapitation tactic." It involved a more sophisticated application of strategy, emphasizing multi-branch cooperation to unleash maximum combat power. After eliminating the enemy leader, it could still inflict catastrophic follow-up damage on the remaining enemy forces.
There was a time when the 'Pillar Collapse' tactic was highly sought after, yet no one had ever successfully employed it in actual combat.
Subsequently, War AI computations determined that due to rapid technological advancements, the power levels of opposing sides in conflicts were becoming increasingly similar. Ancient decapitation tactics relied on surprise attacks or a significant technological advantage for one side—conditions that were no longer standard prerequisites in modern warfare.
To implement the 'Pillar Collapse' tactic in star battles, the demands on a commander's skills were extraordinarily high, making it almost impossible for an ordinary person to achieve.
Over time, 'Pillar Collapse' gradually faded into legend, eventually being forgotten.
But now, this "impossible" tactic had been executed, and against none other than Zhao Zhenhuai, a man known as a tactical genius!
Chen Gu wasn't feeling any discomfort at the moment. Star Battle Instructor Griffin Wester's memory was possessing him. However, this possession hadn't activated Wester's combat abilities, only his command skills.
From the moment Chen Gu conceived the entire plan, Wester's memory had been possessing him. By now, the impetuousness inherent in Wester's personality could no longer be contained. So, once again, a clap of thunder erupted in the sky, and text formed by lightning flashed in an extra-large font:
The victory speech of "Idol Actor":
Empire River Star lacks heroes, allowing pipsqueaks to gain renown!
Rubbish!
The word "Rubbish!" itself was even rendered in an explosive font!
The entire battlefield erupted. Zhao Zhenhuai's eyes rolled back; he nearly fainted from anger and, without a word, quickly exited "Endless."
Chen Gu secretly lamented, Griffin, with that one statement, you've offended everyone on Empire River Star! The plan was perfect: we'd show off our skills, make a splash, and then leave. But you just had to open your big mouth and blurt that out, leaving such a huge mess behind...
Chen Gu pushed Griffin Wester's memory back, then suddenly stood stock-still. The culture and history of this world are different from my previous one! There was no Three Kingdoms period in its history, so of course, the quote 'When there are no true heroes, it allows worthless scoundrels to become famous' wouldn't exist! This means Griffin Wester 'stole' this quote from my memory! It also indicates that when memory possession occurs, it's a kind of conflicting fusion—I become you, and you become me.
Chen Gu groaned inwardly. Griffin is one thing, but what if it were Milna Katerina... If this went on for a long time, would I become a 'double-ended plug'? Will I start finding handsome young men delectable too? The misery!
After this bizarre training exercise concluded, various battle videos instantly appeared on the official forum of the "Endless" game. Every spectator who had recorded a video vividly depicted what had happened, their accounts filled with admiration and effusive praise for that "Idol Actor."
As a result, a term became popular on the forum: "Four Million 'Idol' Puff."
And the hashtag #ActualPillarCollapse# soared in popularity, reaching the top spot on the interstellar network in just four hours!
Many people wanted to know who "Idol Actor" really was, including official forces from major Star Nations.
Some also dug up Zhao Zhenhuai's past combat record, listing his representative battles. After some analysis, all the onlookers understood: Zhao Zhenhuai was no pushover. Therefore, the "Idol Actor" who had managed to use 'Pillar Collapse' on him was truly awesome.
The militaries of various nations understood Zhao Zhenhuai even better. As soon as the incident occurred, they immediately employed various means, hoping to find "Idol Actor" and recruit this strategic genius into their ranks.
But "Endless," citing the interstellar constitution, sternly refused all overt and covert requests, unwilling to disclose the true identity of "Idol Actor," leaving the various nations feeling quite helpless.
Meanwhile, the onlookers were more excited about "Idol Actor"'s victory speech than the 'Pillar Collapse' tactic itself!
"Empire River Star lacks heroes, allowing pipsqueaks to gain renown!"
"Rubbish!"
The words were sharp and incredibly satisfying—a crisp, resounding slap in the face.
This phrase alone kept the topic at the number one spot on the trending list for two whole days.
Two days later, just as a megastar announced his wedding, grandly intending to seize the top spot on the trending topics list, the Confederation's Central Operations Room suddenly released the tactical simulation results from all their Grade Nine Staff Officers regarding this "Pillar Collapse" incident. They confirmed that:
The "Idol Actor's" tactical deployment was exceptionally skillful. Those seemingly casual initial moves—continuously sending out mobile troops to harass the Officers' Wings—were actually meticulously arranged. Regardless of how the Officers' Wings might have responded, the outcome would have been the same.
Additionally, they released the entire simulation process. After watching it, the onlookers were left with a single, straightforward exclamation: "Holy shit!"
The #ActualPillarCollapse# topic, which had started to lose momentum, instantly surged once more, firmly pinning the #MegastarWeddingNews# beneath it.
According to a paparazzi tabloid report: The megastar was so angry that he tore up three pairs of leather pants at home!
The Central Operations Room was the Confederation military's highest advisory body, with a total of fourteen of the highest-ranking Grade Nine Staff Officers.
After they announced this news, the staff officers each went to rest, as they had worked on the simulation for two days and nights without sleep.
Bai Xianya was the only female among the fourteen Grade Nine Staff Officers. She was 1.75 meters tall, with a neat short haircut. In her Major General's uniform, she looked heroic and extraordinary, a woman truly not outdone by men.
After two sleepless days and nights, her beautiful face was etched with fatigue. Just as she finished packing her things and was about to head home, her gaze inadvertently swept over the enormous holographic screen in front of her, and she froze.
She put down her briefcase, immediately entered some data, and then ordered, "AI, begin analysis!"
The War AI immediately started analyzing according to the data she provided. It worked extremely fast, with green checkmarks appearing one after another until all parameters were successfully validated!
Bai Xianya's heartbeat suddenly accelerated, and her porcelain-like cheeks flushed crimson with excitement and exhilaration. She grabbed the analysis results and strode towards the Marshal's office.
BANG!
The overexcited Bai Xianya didn't even announce herself before bursting through the door—fortunately, she didn't interrupt any awkward moments between her uncle and his female secretary.
Marshal Bai Pengyun gave her a disapproving glance. Bai Xianya snapped to attention, "Report!"
Bai Pengyun waved his hand resignedly. "Alright, you're already in. Tell me, what's so important that it made you lose your composure? You're supposed to be our Bai family's little lady."
Bai Xianya projected the War AI's analysis results, sending the holographic projection sliding over to Bai Pengyun with a push of her hand. "Uncle, please take a look at this first!"
Bai Pengyun glanced at it, and his expression became grave. He then reviewed it seriously for ten minutes, mentally running his own simulations, before finally exclaiming with admiration, "The 'Pillar Collapse' tactic can be almost perfectly adapted for our fight against the Alien Insect Race!"
Indeed. The Alien Insect Race had a unique lifeform structure, with all power concentrated in the hands of the Empress. As long as the Empress was killed, an entire swarm would completely collapse!
However, the Empress was well aware of this, so she was always surrounded by the strongest of the Insect Race.
Chen Jixian's surprise assault on Thousand Grass Star to assassinate the Empress was also a type of decapitation strike. But Chen Jixian had risked his life to achieve it, and it couldn't be widely replicated because Chen Jixian himself was exceptional.
Moreover, even Chen Jixian couldn't guarantee success every time.
But this "Idol Actor's" tactic—continuously deploying harassing troops to draw away the forces protecting the "main commander," then stealthily capturing key locations amidst the chaos and blocking the enemy's reinforcement routes—created the perfect opportunity for the final decapitation strike!
"Immediately arrange for the frontline troops. Select three... no, nine units to experiment with this tactic!" the Marshal ordered on the spot. If successful, it would be truly fantastic news.
Although it still required testing, the Marshal knew that the War AI's analysis had never been wrong.
"Yes, sir!"
Bai Pengyun stroked his chin thoughtfully and then suddenly said, "Do you think... this 'Idol Actor' deliberately picked Zhao Zhenhuai to remind us that we can use this tactic against the Alien Insect Race?"
If it had been just an ordinary game battle, and the opponent hadn't been Zhao Zhenhuai, it likely wouldn't have caught the military's attention.
Bai Xianya instinctively shook her head. That's unlikely... she thought, but then immediately revised her judgment. "An ordinary person probably wouldn't demonstrate such profound foresight. But... the opponent is a master strategist. I believe your speculation is very likely the truth, sir."
Bai Pengyun leaned back in his chair and took a deep breath. "Unfortunately, 'Endless' is very special. Even we can't force them to reveal the 'Idol Actor's' identity."
He pondered for another moment. "Do this—add him as a friend in the game. Try to make contact and express our goodwill toward him."
"Yes, sir!"
Bai Pengyun then started teasing his niece again. "Too bad. Such a cunning and calculating fellow is definitely some low-profile old man. If he were young and talented, Yaya, you might actually consider him. Your father is always nagging me to arrange matchmaking dates for you, you know."
"Hmph!" Bai Xianya pouted in mock anger. "When I get back, I'll have Grandpa teach him a lesson!"
"Hahaha..."