Chapter 250: Apostle-transformed Bai Fu, the Path from Transcendence to Sanctity
The reading time for Domination-level psionic advancement knowledge took much longer than Bai Fu had imagined.
On one hand, it was because the tier of Domination-level knowledge was extremely high.
On the other, it was because her accumulation at the Calamity-class Rank was still too little.
Fortunately, she had the Player Interface as a super cheat.
No matter how obscure and difficult Domination-level advancement knowledge was, as long as she met the prerequisites for reading, she still managed to chew through it by sheer force.
“Four and a half hours—what a slog. Feels like running a marathon.”
The corner of Bai Fu’s mouth twitched as she quickly opened the game prompt to check the benefits gained from mastering the Domination-level knowledge Path of the Apostle.
【You have obtained a new passive skill [Domination Domain]】
【Domination Domain】: Your continuous exploration on the psionic path has increased your affinity with psionics. When using psionic-type skills, Psionic Value consumption -20%, effectiveness +30%.
【You have obtained a new skill [Path of the Apostle]】
【Path of the Apostle】: After prolonged meditation, you have grasped a trace of the true meaning of the Ethereal Realm. Through contemplative meditation, you can continuously increase Inspiration. (Current bonus: Inspiration +10, maximum bonus 1000).
【Note】: Upon reaching the maximum level, you will unlock the talent [Body of the Apostle].
【You have obtained a new skill [Bestow True Name]】
【Bestow True Name】: Apostolization grants you the ability to bestow a “True Name” upon a True Spirit summon. A True Spirit summon that receives a True Name will transform from a [Summon] unit to an [NPC] unit. This unit will remain absolutely loyal to you. Using this skill consumes 100% Psionic Value and 50% Willpower. (Current cooldown: 6 months).
【Note】: Cooldown will decrease as the Apostolization process progresses.
【You have obtained a new talent [Transcendence to Sanctity]】
【Transcendence to Sanctity】: From mortal flesh to Apostle of the Ethereal Realm, you have stepped onto the path of evolution. HP recovery speed +500%, Psionic Value recovery speed +500%, Constitution: HP conversion rate +10, Inspiration: Psionic Value conversion rate +10.
【Note】: After unlocking [Body of the Apostle], this talent will evolve into [Psionic Core].
Even though she had mentally prepared herself, Bai Fu still couldn’t help but laugh out loud after reading the game prompt.
Hehe—hahahaha!
Just the Domination Domain alone greatly boosted her strength, and as for [Path of the Apostle], there was no need to even mention it—this was basically an upgraded version of [Heart of the Apostle]. Not only was stacking layers much easier, but once fully stacked, it could even unlock a new talent.
Although she didn’t yet know the exact effects of [Body of the Apostle], judging from the bonuses given by [Path of the Apostle], this talent would definitely be extraordinary.
“Bestow True Name—this is good stuff too.”
Bai Fu looked over the detailed description of [Bestow True Name] and found that the change from [Summon] to [NPC] didn’t just mean the summon could exist permanently—it also meant the summon would gain intelligence and possess self-growth potential.
It was somewhat similar to [Empowerment].
Very reasonable.
An Apostle ought to have a few presentable Apostle followers, right?
The only thing that made her wince was that at this stage, the cooldown time of this skill was just too long, meaning she could only convert one NPC for now.
Still, that was enough.
With this NPC, she no longer needed to split her attention to personally command the [Legion] in battle, which would further increase her strength.
As for the final talent, [Transcendence to Sanctity], its effects were very straightforward. Don’t be fooled by the mere 10% conversion rate increase—reflected in HP and Psionic Value, that was an extra 14,000 HP and 43,000 Psionic Value.
“Getting harder and harder to take down, huh?”
Bai Fu nodded excitedly.
A single Domination-level knowledge had already boosted her combat power by a huge margin. If she mastered another one or two, she’d probably not find a single worthy opponent in the Calamity-class Rank.
Bai Fu closed her eyes, quietly digesting the knowledge she had just mastered.
With this, she could now synthesize higher-level prayer cards.
She currently had over 2 billion XP, and there was no time like the present. With a shake of her small hands, she began card gambling.
“Heavenly spirits, earthly spirits—work your magic this time!”
Ding ding ding.
After more than twenty straight fusions, Bai Fu finally produced an ultra-rare [Red] quality prayer card—
【Extreme·Shadow Veil】
This was a summoning card she created by fusing [Phantom Fu-fu], a large number of illusion-type prayer cards, and her newly acquired knowledge.
The True Spirit summoned by [Extreme·Shadow Veil], like other [Fu-fu Tribe] summoning cards, looked a lot like her. The difference was that Shadow Fu was flat-chested—flatter even than Little Black Fu and Tiny Bai Fu—mainly because Shadow Fu’s role was that of a “martial artist,” skilled in hand-to-hand combat. Obviously, between D and A, A was more convenient for wearing gear and moving freely.
“It’s decided—you’re the one!”
Bai Fu immediately hand-crafted a Shadow Fu using Void Card Creation.
After her Psionic Value fully recovered, she instantly used Bestow True Name on the Shadow Fu, who was standing blankly in a corner of the room.
Silver-white light particles shot from her palm, exploding like fireworks and slowly cascading over Shadow Fu’s body.
Gradually, a glimmer of intelligence appeared in Shadow Fu’s once vacant eyes. This continued for about five minutes, until Bai Fu’s Psionic Value was completely drained. Shadow Fu turned her head, staring unblinkingly at Bai Fu.
Her rosy lips parted slightly, and in a voice cold yet tinged with uncertainty, she uttered: “Mas… Master?”
Oh wow, it really worked!
Bai Fu grinned.
“Don’t call me Master—it’s too formal. Just call me Sister.”
Although physically exhausted, Bai Fu still forced herself to walk over to Shadow Fu.
She began circling around her. During this process, Shadow Fu seemed extremely reserved and a little embarrassed.
From time to time, Bai Fu reached out to pat or squeeze her, letting out exclamations.
“Pretty sturdy body.”
“High potential too. The notes say you can advance to Calamity-class—wonder if that potential can be increased later.”
“Good, good, good. I also happen to have a second sub-class in body cultivation, so you’ll follow that path from now on.”
Bai Fu gave Shadow Fu the entire progression knowledge from [Moonlit Dancer] to [Master of Shadows]. With her inherent S+ rank strength, she should be able to master this knowledge quickly. Next, when doing quests, she would have Andras and Nelis help her collect S+ rank and Calamity-class body cultivation advancement knowledge.
Compared to psionic paths, body cultivation progression knowledge was much easier to acquire.
Because of this, most psionicists roaming the Star Sea were either martial artists or mutants relying on esper powers.
Receiving the materials, Shadow Fu quickly nodded. “Thank you, Sister—I will study hard.”
“Mhm. You’ve just awakened—whether you watch the news to understand the world or study is up to you. I’m going to take a bath.”
Bai Fu smiled as she walked into the bathroom attached to the guest room.
Bestowing enlightenment upon Shadow Fu had consumed 50% of her Willpower, and she had already expended quite a bit of energy earlier when studying Path of the Apostle. It was time for a hot bath to relax.
After Bai Fu left, Shadow Fu immediately found a stool, sat down, and began carefully reading the materials Bai Fu had given her.
Elder Sister had high expectations of her—of course she couldn’t let Elder Sister down.
Study.
Study to her heart’s content!
…
While Bai Fu was happily playing in the water, the Oathmaster stormed up to Yuan Yi.
“You old man, you really have no shame—trying to poach Bai Fu in front of so many people!”
Yuan Yi remained completely calm under the accusation. But then again, this was always his demeanor—polite to everyone, only on rare occasions truly angered, when he would reveal a berserker-like side.
“Appreciating the talent of the younger generation and lending a hand while in a good mood—how can that be called poaching?”
The Oathmaster wasn’t buying it. “Sounds nice. Why didn’t you ‘lend a hand’ to me back then?”
Yuan Yi said, “Do you want me to be honest?”
“What honesty?”
“In my eyes, your talent is not as good as Bai Fu’s.”
“…”
The Oathmaster took a deep breath, her flat chest swelling slightly.
“You’re trying to sow discord between me and Bai Fu. I’m not falling for it.”
Yuan Yi didn’t care what she thought. “Think whatever you like.”
The Oathmaster snorted, her gaze turning cold. “Yuan Yi, you didn’t call this so-called peace summit for peace, did you? It doesn’t look like it’s to make private deals with the envoys of the Three Major Interstellar Civilizations either. What is your real goal?”
Yuan Yi turned to look out the window. “At first, I considered telling you the truth. But later, I decided against it.”
What?
The Oathmaster was baffled.
“Why?”
“You can’t keep your mouth shut. If I told you, it wouldn’t be long before everyone knew.”
Damn!
So that’s how little you think of me?
The Oathmaster’s eyes widened.
She wanted to argue, but in this matter, she just couldn’t summon the momentum.
“So you told Rufas instead?”
Unexpectedly, Yuan Yi shook his head.
“You think Rufas can’t keep his mouth shut either?”
“His problem might be much worse than that.”
After that ambiguous remark, Yuan Yi fell silent. He had no intention of continuing this topic with the Oathmaster.
But how could she let him off so easily? She had come to pick a fight in the first place.
“You still haven’t learned your lesson.”
“Please. I’m not the same as before.” The Oathmaster gave a cold laugh.
Since the meeting hadn’t started yet, Yuan Yi agreed to her challenge.
The two left Arcane Star and went to a more distant location to spar.
Truth be told, Yuan Yi didn’t take this sparring match too seriously, because previous fights had already shown that the Oathmaster was far inferior to him.
But once they started, he suddenly realized something was off.
“Your Qi Surge hasn’t improved much, but your strength…”
Yuan Yi’s pupils contracted.
The Oathmaster laughed heartily. “I told you—I’m not the same as before!”
Fiery fists clashed in the Star Sea. Even Yuan Yi, usually unflappable, had to take her seriously this time. He felt threatened—and puzzled.
After just a few years, how had the Oathmaster suddenly become so refined? Every punch and kick was crisp and clean, without a hint of wasted movement, pleasing to the eye like a perfected form.
In the end, Yuan Yi still won, but it wasn’t an easy victory.
The defeated Oathmaster was in great spirits.
She had chosen the right path!
And she owed it all to those Undying Ones—and to Bai Fu, who had brought them to her.
That old goat Yuan Yi had tried to poach Bai Fu right in front of her—she couldn’t just do nothing. When she got back, she’d make sure to pamper Bai Fu, lest Yin Zhu complain she’d let a good seedling slip away.
…
Bai Fu rested in the guest room for a day and a half.
During this time, apart from occasionally chatting with Nilis’ confidant Will to get to know people from different factions, she did nothing extra.
The more you do, the more you risk—she’d already offended quite a few people, so there was no need to add more trouble.
Two days later, the peace summit officially began.
Just as Bai Fu had expected, there wasn’t the slightest sign of peace—only the scent of gunpowder.
Yuan Yi proposed a few so-called peace suggestions, which immediately sparked heated arguments among the factions.
Everyone present was a big name, unwilling to fall behind on the battlefield or at the negotiating table.
Even the high-ranking envoys of the Three Major Interstellar Civilizations occasionally jumped in to jab at their old rivals.
Sitting in the corner, Bai Fu was speechless.
Peace summit?
More like a fire-stoking conference!
If they couldn’t reach an agreement here, they’d probably fight even harder afterward.
That meant more work for her.
Which was fine—without being busy, she’d feel awkward asking Nilis for advancement knowledge.
After two hours of arguing, the meeting broke up unhappily. That evening, the summit reconvened, but the situation didn’t improve.
In the end, Yuan Yi had to step up and declare the peace summit a failure.
Bai Fu stretched lazily.
“Not a wasted trip.”
On this trip, she had obtained a Domination-level advancement knowledge, met all the factions of the Taim Civilization, and picked up plenty of gossip—far more worthwhile than staying in Lockheed.
Not long after the meeting ended, La Nie approached Yuan Yi.
“Teacher, did you notice anything?”
Yuan Yi’s eyes narrowed with a smile. “Rufas definitely has a problem. Aside from him, Lister and that adviser at Gustav’s side are also suspicious. I can’t confirm yet, but they all have a faint aura. In short, this peace summit was a resounding success.”
La Nie nodded, half-understanding.
His teacher had said it would take a few years to see the situation clearly—but who knew how many years “a few” meant.
“Teacher, if there’s nothing else, I’ll head back.”
“Go.”
La Nie took his leave, and before leaving Arcane Star, he made a point to say goodbye to Bai Fu.
Since his teacher valued her so much, he couldn’t just leave without a gesture.
Bai Fu had arrived with the Oathmaster, so she caught a ride back with her as well.
When the ship reached the vicinity of the Taim Civilization, she disembarked with Shadow Fu, then borrowed a ship from Nilis and headed straight for Lockheed.
Up to this point, everything was normal.
But upon entering the Rudder Star System where Lockheed was located, an unexpected event occurred.
“Elder Sister, the radar has picked up an unknown signal—it seems to be heading straight for us.”
Bai Fu’s expression instantly darkened.
An ambush?
Was it Calvin and his crew, holding a grudge after being humiliated—or someone else?