Chapter 244: Bai Fu is a naive sweetie? Unlocking Psionic Garden Linkage
"At 4:37 AM local time, the Prime Minister of the Taim Civilization's Sarel State stated that a thorough investigation will be conducted into the attack on Winter Star. In this attack, a total of 127,321 people were killed, with cumulative property damage..."
"Local time..."
"...the Glorious Forces claimed responsibility for the incident. They warned the Taim Civilization that the Sarel State belongs to the Sarel people. If the Taim Civilization continues to oppose Sarel’s independence referendum, their next target will be the capital of the Sarel State..."
Once the Silent Night entered the network signal coverage area of the fringe worlds, Bai Fu suddenly noticed a flood of news headlines related to the Glorious Forces' attacks appearing across major media platforms.
Within just two days, the Glorious Forces had launched twelve attacks across two states and one colonial governorate, causing widespread disruption.
At this point, the entire Taim Civilization was thrown into chaos by the string of attacks. In one interview, the background audio even clearly caught crowds shouting “step down”.
Faced with such circumstances, many netizens in the comment sections were mocking the head of state for being terribly unlucky.
Even though there was less than a year left before stepping down, the Glorious Forces still chose to stab him in the back at the worst time.
【If it were me, I’d have resigned already. Let someone else be the head of state, I’m out.】
【This is too tragic. After retirement, the head of state should write a book about his mental journey. I bet it’d be a bestseller.】
Bai Fu: “……”
Something wasn’t right.
The Glorious Forces had just sent out ten Calamity-class to ambush N2, and now they were suddenly back to launching terrorist attacks. Could there be a connection?
Despite her suspicions, there wasn’t enough public information online to connect the dots. Bai Fu could only shelve the thought for now.
"Monitoring the head of state can’t be done with just big talk. This time... looks like it’s time for the players to go undercover!"
Bai Fu’s first thought was Tai Er Zhenren, but she quickly dismissed it.
Tai Er Zhenren was too well-known. If he approached the head of state or the Glorious Forces, he’d probably be reported almost instantly.
It’d be best to find a player who hadn’t joined any faction yet, and lure them with mission rewards and grand promises.
Mission rewards were easy. As for grand promises... that was Bai Fu’s specialty.
She actually had to thank Digging Princess. If not for her constantly stacking ridiculous settings on Bai Fu—like "Master of the Night" or "Heir to the Psionic Garden of a galactic-level civilization"—she wouldn’t be able to bluff so smoothly now.
【Behold, I am the Master of the Night, Bai Fu! Once I return to the Psionic Garden and inherit all its wealth and power, I’ll appoint you as the Grand Guard Commander by my side!】
A line that sounded like utter nonsense now had the power to strike players several floors deep.
Just as Bai Fu was thinking about where to find a gullible player, her communicator suddenly rang.
The caller was Andras.
Andras briefly mentioned that Hampton had been infuriated into a stroke and that he planned to increase his investment. Then, he said the Taim Civilization's head of state had contacted him, saying that after watching Bai Fu beat up the Glorious Forces in the Dark Domain, he wanted to thank her in person. Since he didn’t have Bai Fu’s contact info, he asked Andras to pass on the message.
"He said this isn’t an official invitation. He’s extending it in a personal capacity. Whether you go or not is up to you."
Thank her?
This was clearly an attempt to observe her up close.
Bai Fu nodded.
After handing N2’s corpse to Nilis, the latter would surely bring it to the Taim Civilization's capital to meet the head of state. After all, catching the would-be assassin of the head of state was a major achievement. Bai Fu could tag along and use the opportunity to check if the head of state had any Luck or Fortunate traits.
"Alright. I’ll respond to him myself."
Andras didn’t say more and ended the call.
Bai Fu quickly contacted Nilis, telling him what she’d been up to these past few days. For caution’s sake, she didn’t mention using the Needle of Sin and Punishment to view N2’s memories. She simply let out a sigh of regret.
"I had already reached an agreement with N2. He said after meeting you, he’d reveal who was really behind the Glorious Forces. Unfortunately..."
Nilis opened his mouth but couldn’t say a word.
N2—that was the wanted criminal the Taim Civilization had failed to catch for eight months, and Bai Fu had located him with ease.
Although N2 ended up dead, from Bai Fu’s description, it was clear the killer had used some kind of special weapon, or perhaps a Psionic above the Master rank.
To stir up such chaos alone and force the mastermind behind the Glorious Forces to take such a risk...
Nilis felt like he’d exhausted his monthly—or even quarterly—quota for being shocked. If Bai Fu said she killed Gustav next, he wouldn’t even be surprised.
When formidable people did formidable things, was there any reason to be surprised? It was only natural.
Nilis cleared his throat and immediately said he would personally receive Bai Fu.
At this point, between Bai Fu and the players under her, Nilis already valued Bai Fu more.
Bai Fu didn’t refuse, and no one around Nilis objected either.
Object? Who would dare?
Anyone with a brain could see Bai Fu was at the peak of her power right now. Unless someone was brain-dead, no one would provoke her.
Several days later, at the Governor’s Residence of the Costa Governorate.
Bai Fu and Nilis had a pleasant and fruitful discussion.
The two exchanged views extensively and officially established an initial cooperative relationship.
【You have completed the main quest [Deep Sea Underflow]. You have gained 5 million experience points. The Nilis faction's reputation and favorability systems are now unlocked.】
Two interface panels unfolded in front of Bai Fu.
Although she had just joined the Nilis faction, her reputation score had already risen to 600 points—a remarkably high number.
On one hand, she was already a well-known figure in the fringe worlds. On the other, her exploits in the Dark Domain had left a deep impression on Nilis and the others.
"I’m heading to the head of state’s official residence now. Since you’ve been invited too, let’s go together," Nilis extended the invitation.
Bai Fu was more than happy to accept.
From Costa, it took just two and a half days for their spacecraft to arrive at the Taim Civilization’s capital planet—Taim Star.
Taim Star was a fully engineered mechanical planet.
Dozens of massive ring-shaped worlds floated in both low and high orbit. Between the ring worlds themselves and between them and the surface, countless gravity elevator tracks made from special materials interconnected everything.
According to the Taim Star travel guide, in wartime, the entire Taim Star could quickly transform into a colossal battleship. This warship had firepower comparable to that of a Master, making it one of the most renowned killing machines in the fringe worlds.
"If I ever have to fight the Taim Civilization’s head of state in the future, I must stay far away from Taim Star. This kind of mechanical monstrosity, even if I become a Master, I wouldn’t be able to take it down quickly."
Bai Fu quietly committed this piece of intel to memory.
Under Nilis’ lead, she arrived at the head of state’s official residence.
Knowing the two were coming, a crowd of reporters had already gathered outside.
In front of professional camera bots and seasoned media personnel, Bai Fu and the head of state of the Taim Civilization met for the first time.
Click click click...
Photo after photo was taken.
At this moment, besides Bai Fu, no one knew how many people would look back and dissect these seemingly harmonious pictures in the future.
"I’ve heard much about you, Saintess Bai Fu, hahaha!"
The head of state’s laughter was hearty.
He was tall—over three meters—with a square face that fit the textbook definition of a strong jaw, even among mechanical lifeforms.
This kind of noble appearance ensured that most people, upon seeing him for the first time, even if they didn’t like him, wouldn’t hate him either.
Bai Fu took two steps forward, smiling as she greeted the head of state, "You’re too kind, Your Excellency. I’m no saintess—just an ordinary mercenary."
"Ai, Saintess Bai Fu, you’re far too humble. Based on your deeds in the Initial Gate Star Cluster alone, if you’re not considered a saintess, then the bar must be far too high."
The two launched into a round of polite mutual praise.
It had to be said—age brought experience. Even though Bai Fu had excellent acting skills, her flattery couldn’t quite match the head of state’s expertise.
But this meeting wasn’t about winning. She could afford to lose this round.
Casually, she activated her Spiritual Vision skill on the head of state. The feedback data shocked her.
[Primary class level 171—damn, that’s a Master, a whole 31 levels higher than me!]
[The level gap is too large—I can’t view the detailed stats. No idea how much stronger he is.]
[Talents... he really does have Fortunate!]
Bai Fu realized she had underestimated this old bastard.
He was seriously good at hiding.
With his level of strength, there were barely a few Psionics across the entire Taim Civilization who surpassed him, yet he had been deliberately hiding his power. What he aimed for was likely more than just securing the position of head of state.
Was he trying to emulate the model of the Rebirth Empire and become an unquestioned emperor within the Taim Civilization? Or was there an even greater scheme?
In any case, after figuring out the head of state's true strength and his role in the game, Bai Fu felt significantly more at ease.
Although she was far inferior to the head of state for now, the time from Version 2.0 to Version 3.0 would span at least several years, possibly over a decade. That would be plenty of time for her to grow stronger than him.
After a lengthy round of mutual flattery, they finally shifted the topic to N2 and the Glorious Forces.
The head of state once again loudly condemned the Glorious Forces in front of the reporters, declaring that he would intensify efforts to crack down on them, and ensure that the Glorious Forces, with bloodstained hands, would pay with blood for blood.
He sounded fierce, but not many people truly believed him.
Who could blame them? Every time he had made similar bold declarations in the past, he had failed to inflict any actual damage on the Glorious Forces.
However, this time was slightly different.
Because right after he spoke, Bai Fu suddenly stepped forward.
"Speaking of the Glorious Forces..." Bai Fu bit her lip, displaying a look of righteous indignation. "In my homeland, there was once an organization very similar to the Glorious Forces. That group was called the Truth Council. They too carried flashy slogans, but in reality, committed many atrocities against civilians. So, although I’ve never lived in the Taim Civilization, I deeply understand the people here. Everyone’s just trying to survive, only to lose their lives to senseless calamities. The Glorious Forces... are despicable!"
She clenched her fist and waved it forcefully toward the camera, then turned, her face solemn as she looked at the head of state.
"Your Excellency, in the fight against the Glorious Forces, if you ever need anything, I am willing to help without asking for a single coin!"
Huh?
In an instant, all the reporters on-site exchanged stunned glances.
What had Bai Fu just said?
She was willing to help fight the Glorious Forces for free!
Holy...
Though Bai Fu’s subordinates were all undead, battling the Glorious Forces would still incur a tremendous cost.
No need to pay pensions, sure—but salaries, spacecraft repairs, weapon and equipment investments were by no means cheap.
Even if the head of state later reimbursed her out of pride, getting involved in a direct conflict with the Glorious Forces would surely hinder the development of the Darkmoon Tide Corporation. If they enraged the Glorious Forces to the point of full retaliation, it could be catastrophic.
Yet Bai Fu still stepped up.
A Dark Domain native, crossing galaxies to do charity work in the Taim Civilization—what kind of spirit was this? Was this the true weight behind Bai Fu the Saintess of the Initial Gate?
Photograph this. Now. Make Bai Fu look as grand as possible, ideally capturing sunlight blooming behind her head.
Nilis and the head of state weren’t faring much better than the reporters.
Was this really happening?
For Bai Fu to speak such words in this kind of setting, she definitely wasn’t putting on a show. She was staking the reputation she had built over the years and the short-term development of Darkmoon Tide. Compared to what she risked, the gains from posturing were too low—and far too easy to debunk.
As expected of Bai Fu.
Nilis couldn’t help but marvel inwardly.
He quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind.
There was a chance that he might need Bai Fu's help while she was caught up fighting the Glorious Forces. However, on the flip side, her actions would bring him immense prestige and public attention, keeping him in a favorable position during the competition for the head of state.
The benefits outweighed the risks.
No—more accurately, there were no downsides for him at all. Unless Bai Fu went berserk and dragged in a horde of enemies, her agreement to cooperate had been pure gain from the start.
Nilis smiled faintly and said nothing more. Now wasn’t his moment to shine.
The head of state couldn’t afford to stay quiet though—Bai Fu’s statement had been directed at him.
He quickly assumed a deeply moved expression, praised Bai Fu for her righteousness, and stated that if she was ever truly needed, the Taim Civilization would never mistreat a hero.
The meeting ended amid joyous laughter and applause.
After returning to the official residence, the head of state's face turned dark.
Bai Fu’s declaration had put him in a tight spot. The Glorious Forces were a vital piece in his strategy. Letting Bai Fu attack them? He’d have to be out of his mind.
Ignore her.
Sure, he’d be cursed for it, but hadn’t he been cursed enough over the years?
Once he “eliminated” the Glorious Forces and took down the “national traitors” who instigated war, public opinion would naturally...
“Hmm, wait.”
The head of state suddenly conceived a plan.
He could absolutely collaborate with Bai Fu—but not by actually sending her against the Glorious Forces. Instead, he could leverage the pretense of targeting the Glorious Forces to orchestrate situations that would cause Bai Fu to clash with other factions within the Taim Civilization.
Later, he could simply claim he was misinformed, that he had been deceived by the Glorious Forces, and easily fool Bai Fu the naive sweetie.
Uh.
Calling Bai Fu a naive sweetie might be a bit much—she wasn’t actually stupid. She was just incredibly straightforward, fixated on so-called justice, and incapable of “flexibility”.
If someone like her were an enemy, it’d be incredibly dangerous. Just look at what happened to Mita.
But Bai Fu still had no idea that he was the mastermind behind everything. There was nothing to fear. Pushing her away would only raise suspicion. Better to take advantage of his position and use Bai Fu to his benefit as much as possible.
“Call a meeting. Let’s discuss Bai Fu’s proposal.”
The head of state tapped the table with his index finger, his face now wearing a confident smile completely different from his public persona.
...
After parting with the head of state, Bai Fu immediately left Taim Star.
She didn’t rush back to Ulisses. Instead, she visited a few nearby planets with active players, selected several who were reputable, capable, and not currently aligned with any faction, and assigned them infiltration missions—while dangling the promise that if they succeeded, they would get the opportunity to go to the Rebirth Empire.
Those players immediately bowed deeply.
【We guarantee to complete the mission!】
During this process, Bai Fu deliberately stayed out of sight, sending Anya to contact the players instead. That way, if things went south, she could claim Anya had acted on her own.
“All right, after being so busy, I can finally take a proper rest.”
Bai Fu stretched.
Her plan now was to grow quietly, and only intervene once conflict erupted in the Taim Civilization.
She walked over to Nilis to bid him farewell.
Nilis didn’t ask her to stay. He merely inquired whether there was anything she needed. Since Bai Fu had given him such a great gift, he intended to properly return the favor.
“A return gift? I don’t really need anything at the moment. But... if possible, help me find two Psionics with Rank Evaluation no lower than A. Any kind of ability is fine. I have something I’d like to consult them about.”
After stating her request, Bai Fu took her people and returned to Ulisses.
For the next two months or so, she mainly stayed in, occasionally enjoying the Taim Civilization’s media singing her praises. She rarely went out, only showing up once during the site selection for the second base, where she met with Andras.
Two months later.
Nilis suddenly sent a message, saying he had found two strong A-Rank Psionics.
“I’ve already arranged for them to be sent to Ulisses.”
Bai Fu let out a long breath.
After all this waiting, she could finally complete the mission attached to the Psionic Evolution Tree and figure out what the Psionic Garden Linkage Degree was all about.
“Thank you.”
Bai Fu personally went to receive the two A-Rank Psionics, just in case something went wrong en route.
Several days later, she successfully completed the recording of her new psionic ability.
【You have completed the hidden quest [Psionic Evolution Tree (1)]. You have received 30 million experience points, a random stat blessing, and +10 Psionic Garden Linkage Degree】
A crisp and pleasant notification chimed.