Chapter 273: New Version Spokesperson, Exploration Pioneer Bai Fu
To make a good start in Version 2.2, Bai Fu put in a great deal of effort.
A few days before the new version officially opened, she purchased a large number of modified mining ships, which cost her nearly half of her savings.
But this still wasn’t enough—mainly, there wasn’t enough time, and the delivery of the ships also required time.
So, she specially went to the Star Pact, the Arcane Library, and the Origin Consortium, and shamelessly borrowed more than ten thousand ships from them.
With the face she had now, she could show it anywhere—even in the Three Major Interstellar Civilizations—and it would still be enough to get her in.
Speaking of which, she still had to thank Fl Saint Zephyr.
Although Fl Saint had not given her any items or equipment, he had sacrificed himself, entered the game as a strategist, and with his own strength, had raised her reputation in the Three Major Interstellar Civilizations from “somewhat well-known” to “widely celebrated,” fully deserving the title of “Saint.”
Bai Fu smiled and looked around.
When the players, stunned speechless by the array of ships, gradually came back to their senses, she raised the teaching pointer in her hand, tapped the “blackboard,” and explained her next plan.
Very simple.
The next step was naturally to build a transfer base in the Dark Zone.
The Dark Zone was so vast—without a transfer base, resupplying ships would be far too troublesome.
The first transfer base Bai Fu chose was Origin Star.
The reason she chose Origin Star was partly because she was familiar with it, and partly because she wanted to give the players a thrill—especially those players who had come from Origin Star.
After more than ten years of rolling and tumbling in the game, compared to their days on the beginner planet, each player had more or less made a name for themselves.
“When wealthy, return to your hometown.”
To see the place they once fought in, to see the NPCs they once fought alongside, to reminisce about the youth that had passed away in the sunset, to boast about their former selves to new companions—this emotional value was maxed out!
Bai Fu believed this would definitely inspire the players’ creative enthusiasm.
Just as she expected, when Origin Star appeared on the large screen behind her, the players who had come from Origin Star all became excited.
【Damn, I’ve long wanted to go back to Origin Star for a look, but every time I thought about how much time it would take for a round trip, and worried about missing the plot, I never dared to go back.】
【Fu-fu is awesome! I wonder if those NPCs who once fought Gene Primordials with me are still there.】
【When do we set off? I can’t wait anymore.】
When?
Naturally, right now!
Although the Empire had not yet officially announced the launch of the Dark Zone exploration plan, Bai Fu had already received advance news from Julian and Whitney, saying that the Empire’s special envoy was already on the way to the Edge Worlds.
Next, the Empire’s envoy would secretly contact a large number of people and preside over the establishment of a new stargate in the Edge Worlds.
So, it was time for her to seize the first opportunity.
“Black Fu and Ying Fu will depart with you. Once I’ve finished handling the stargate construction and matters concerning the Taim Civilization, I’ll come immediately.”
After the gathering ended, guided by a large group of Little Black Fus, the excited players boarded the ships one after another, heading toward the place they had once left.
Ten thousand ships set sail together!
Homecoming!
The players had seen more spectacular scenes before, but experiencing it personally was indeed a first.
And this time, they didn’t have to squeeze in with other players—each ship carried only about a hundred players.
The freedom, the comfort—it made players from other factions green with envy.
【Go ahead and be smug. Sooner or later, your fleet will be beaten to a pulp by the Ten Saints Council and the Holy City of the Apostles. By then, you yourself will be captured by Sui Xi, locked in a basement, and then this and that, unable to live, unable to die, hehehehe.】
Wind Rises Among the Stars turned off Excavation-Princess’s livestream, his face full of displeasure, and then opened the game group he had created.
The players in the group were all, more or less, staunch Bai Fu haters.
At least, that was what Wind Rises Among the Stars believed—he had vetted each member’s usual posts in the community.
Although everyone criticized Bai Fu from different angles, when it came to hating on her, they were all very dedicated.
【The new version has begun. Next, we need to find an organization!】
The so-called organization naturally referred to the faction Sui Xi belonged to.
Wind Rises Among the Stars’ words received unanimous approval from the group’s players, who pooled their wisdom and offered many ideas.
“I see, I see. Noted.”
In the group, a player named 【Gu-gu Chicken】 took photos and screenshots of all the important messages.
She had once been a staunch Bai Fu hater, but over time, she had developed a reluctant fondness.
Moreover, Bai Fu had never spoiled the plot in the story, and the benefits she gave players were extraordinarily good.
So Gu-gu Chicken had turned from hater to neutral, and from neutral to fan.
She hadn’t directly defected to Bai Fu because she had taken on a long-term quest some time ago.
She planned to finish this quest before heading to the Garden of Silence.
But just then, Wind Rises Among the Stars suddenly posted that he wanted to lead everyone to defect to 【Bai Fu’s arch-enemy, Sui Xi】.
【For a long time, the reason we have been unable to defeat the cunning villain Bai Fu is because we lack a true organization.】
【Flaming each other online is meaningless. If cursing alone could kill Bai Fu, then the NPC haters—whose numbers far exceed ours—would have killed her long ago.】
【What we need is an organization stronger than the Garden of Silence.】
【As everyone knows, villains in game animations usually have more structure and more initiative than the protagonist. The reasons they lose vary—some are too arrogant, some are overwhelmed by the protagonist’s cheats, and some are forcibly made stupid by the writers.】
【But in Beyond the Stars, such things can be effectively avoided. In this game, villains can also become protagonists. If we unite to support Sui Xi, with our abilities, sooner or later we can help Sui Xi take Bai Fu down!】
After seeing this post, Gu-gu Chicken hesitated slightly, then chose to infiltrate Wind Rises Among the Stars’ group as an undercover agent.
Since she had truly been a hater before, she passed the vetting easily.
She had been lurking in the group for quite a while, and now, she finally awaited Wind Rises Among the Stars’ next move.
Daring to hate on my General Fu-fu, huh? Just wait until I gather enough intel—then I’ll quietly hand it over to Excavation-Princess and send you all flying!
As the players from the Garden of Silence flew toward Origin Star, Gu-gu Chicken and Wind Rises Among the Stars gathered with others, planning to join the exploration team.
Only then would they have a chance to encounter the Ten Saints Council—and the moment they did, they would surrender.
Although the Ten Saints Council might suspect their motives, it wasn’t a big problem—they had a pledge of allegiance—
That was to tell the Ten Saints Council the location of Origin Star!
Even if the Ten Saints Council didn’t want to take them in, Kaid, who had a deep grudge against Bai Fu, would definitely accept them, allowing them to get close to Sui Xi.
“Heehee, Bai Fu, you’re finished!”
Wind Rises Among the Stars laughed happily.
Worried about leaking information, he stopped posting and streaming during this period, waiting to amaze everyone once the plan succeeded.
……
“Mm-hmm, okay, I understand. Sorry to trouble you.”
Bai Fu hung up the communication with Julian.
When she turned her head, she found more than a dozen people around her staring at her without blinking.
“The Three Major Civilizations have agreed.
The Taim Civilization’s civil war will end soon.
In the next few days, I need to make a trip there to formally negotiate cooperation with the Empire.”
Yulia nodded.
“If you officially cooperate with the Empire, Titan Industries’ stance is still uncertain, but the hostility of the Supernova Battle Group will likely increase.
They’ve always been a belligerent bunch, and you embarrassed them at the Ethereal Realm Research Society…”
Bai Fu said, “I’ll do my best to persuade the Empire to build one of the stargates near Ulysses.
That way, unless the Supernova Battle Group wants to completely fall out with the Empire, they won’t be foolish enough to attack Ulysses directly.
We’ll just need to be careful when exploring the Dark Zone.”
“Have you figured out how to defend against them?”
“That’s one of the reasons I’m going to the Taim Civilization.”
Bai Fu grinned slyly.
She had three positioning cards, and she had already used two.
The last one was originally meant for Rufas, but now she had no idea where Rufas was, so it would be better to use it on the Supernova Battle Group as a precaution.
Seeing that Bai Fu had already planned everything out, the others stopped worrying.
“Train well, and wait for my return.”
Bai Fu patted Anya and Cypriss.
Among those who followed her, the ones closest to Calamity-class now were Anya and Cypriss.
After absorbing the resources she had obtained from the Empire, their Mental Attributes had both exceeded 1900, and they could advance to Calamity-class at any time.
This came at a perfect time.
Exploring the Dark Zone required more Calamity-class entries.
Anya puffed up her adorable steamed bun cheeks—even as an adult she was still cute.
“Boss, don’t worry.
By the time you come back, I’ll definitely have advanced to Calamity-class.”
After giving her instructions, Bai Fu quickly headed for the Taim Civilization.
Her first stop was the Costa Governorate controlled by Nillis.
Dark Moon Tide still had an unpaid employment fee with Nillis, and she also intended to visit this former companion.
Unlike the high-spirited figure he had been when the civil war first broke out, Nillis now looked haggard.
The civil war was over.
But what difference did this ending make compared to not ending at all?
Under the discussion of the Three Major Interstellar Civilizations, the Taim Civilization had effectively split—a result completely different from his original vision.
Looking at the situation, he had no idea when the Taim Civilization would ever be unified again.
“I’ve come to understand more deeply the saying: ‘Fall behind, and you’ll be beaten.’”
Nillis gulped down several swigs of alcohol.
Bai Fu spread her hands helplessly.
“Well, it’s not necessarily hopeless.
Next…”
Halfway through speaking, she shook her head again.
It was foreseeable that turmoil in the game would only increase.
By then, even the Three Major Interstellar Civilizations might not be able to hold out.
So there was still a chance for the Taim Civilization to reunify.
But for all she knew, the Taim Civilization might collapse before the Three Major Interstellar Civilizations exploded.
Better not to say too much and give Nillis false hope.
After comforting Nillis for a while, Bai Fu left Costa and flew toward Taim Star, the capital of the Taim Civilization.
“Did what Nillis said affect your mood?”
Yulia sat down next to Bai Fu, arms crossed and one leg crossed over the other.
“Not really.
I was just thinking about whether this world has a 【God】 in the true sense, rather than a false god like the Psionic God.”
After spending so long in the game, Bai Fu had grown more and more curious about its 【essence】.
Judging from the technological level of the world the players came from, logically, they shouldn’t have been able to create such an absurd game.
So…
“Hm?”
Bai Fu suddenly raised her head—well, almost—she nearly headbutted Buzhou Mountain in anger.
“What are you doing?”
She looked in confusion at Yulia, who was right in front of her, looming like Mount Tai about to crush her.
“Comforting you, come on.”
“???”
My mood is perfectly fine, you…
Still denying it?
Then I’ll just hold your head down!
“……”
……
On Taim Star, Bai Fu met a familiar face.
【Yo, isn’t this Fl Saint?】
She had been wondering which member of the Supernova Battle Group to put the positioning card on for the best effect.
Well, problem solved—just stick it on Zephyr directly.
If the Supernova Battle Group wanted to deal with her, there was a very high chance Zephyr wouldn’t be absent.
“Senior Zephyr, long time no see.”
Bai Fu smiled and greeted Zephyr.
Zephyr’s face darkened.
He turned to leave, but thinking that walking away would look even worse, he forced himself to return the greeting.
Still calling me “senior,” huh?
Your idea of respecting a senior was spinning me like a top in front of a crowd, wasn’t it?
Damn it.
Bai Fu didn’t bother Zephyr for long.
She slapped the positioning card on him and went to discuss the specific cooperation details with the Empire.
This was the most important reason for her trip.
The larger the contract she secured, the more quest reward XP she could get.
The faster she could advance to Transcendent.
Since she had already won over Yuan Yi and the Oathmaster, Bai Fu was full of confidence.
And a giant like the Empire hadn’t grown to its current size by being stingy.
Learning that Bai Fu genuinely wanted to cooperate, they also showed sincerity—just adding one extra condition.
They wanted Bai Fu to help shoot a promotional ad for Dark Zone exploration.
Because Bai Fu had an excellent image, and she commanded a large number of Undying Ones, having her in the ad might motivate more Undying Ones to join the Empire’s faction.
Bai Fu agreed immediately.
It wasn’t like it was some risqué photo shoot, so what was there to refuse?
In the end, both sides very amicably signed the exploration contract.
This contract was divided into two stages.
The first stage was to establish Dark Zone relay stations.
The second stage was to use these relay stations as centers, explore outward in all directions, and search for the Spiritual Sanctuary and the Holy City of the Apostles.
When Bai Fu signed her name on the contract, she received a new quest prompt.
【You have triggered the Main Storyline Quest［Pioneer Trailblazer］】
【Quest Description: ……】
【Quest Objectives:
Branch 1. Help the Rebirth Empire film a Dark Zone exploration advertisement, reward: 50 million XP;
Branch 2. Assist the Rebirth Empire in building a stargate, reward based on contribution, base reward: 200 million XP;
Branch 3. Construct the Origin Star exploration relay station, reward based on contribution, base reward: 400 million XP;
Branch 4. Explore the Dark Zone, reward based on exploration points.】
Exploration points were the metric established by the Empire’s super mainframe 【Radiance】 to measure contribution to Dark Zone exploration.
Exploration points could be used like currency—by connecting to Radiance with a mainframe key issued by the Empire, one could purchase items in a special store, including but not limited to various supplies and top-tier knowledge for espers.
This was a benefit the Empire offered to its partners.
Star Cluster-level civilizations generally valued their knowledge highly and would never share it with others unless necessary.
But at the Empire’s level, they instead hoped to use knowledge to cultivate more Dominations and Transcendents, because they were confident they could bind these Dominations and Transcendents to their own super war machine.
“Pleasure working with you.”
Bai Fu smiled as she stood up—she was very satisfied with the contract the Empire offered.
After greeting the Empire’s special envoy, she planned to return to Ulysses.
Before she could board her ship, she spotted two familiar faces—
Steel Curtain and Maren.
When guarding the Lockheed Observatory, these two had acted alongside her and crossed paths for several months.
When Bai Fu noticed them, the two hurried over.
“Lady of the Dark, we’ve been waiting here for you for quite some time.”
Bai Fu said, “Why so formal? Just call me by name. What do you need from me?”
Steel Curtain and Maren exchanged a glance, a trace of embarrassment on their faces.
“Lady of the Dark, we want to join Dark Moon Tide.”
“Hm?”
Bai Fu was full of question marks.
Sure, she was strong now, and her reputation was great, but she wasn’t so awe-inspiring that people would suddenly kneel at her feet, was she?
Both Steel Curtain and Maren were Calamity-class—without joining Dark Moon Tide, they could still thrive as mercenaries.
Steel Curtain explained with a bitter face.
The root of the problem lay in the sudden pause of the Taim Civilization civil war.
Since the war hadn’t produced a victor, both Gustav and Lister were still alive.
Back when the two of them worked for Nillis, they had crossed Gustav and Lister.
Lister’s side was a bit more manageable, but Gustav had the Supernova Battle Group backing him.
A little targeting from them could make Steel Curtain and Maren’s business collapse—and if they were targeted harder, their lives might not be safe.
They had originally planned to run to another star sector, but after some discussion, they decided that defecting to Bai Fu promised a better future.
First, Bai Fu was strong and well-known.
Second, she had the Empire behind her.
Bai Fu’s gaze swept over Steel Curtain and Maren—both had around 50 favorability toward her, so they were likely not spies.
With these two joining, plus Anya and Cypriss, the Garden of Silence would have eight and a half Calamity-class members (the half being Jin Lu), greatly boosting their foundation.
“Alright, then come back to Ulysses with me.
These days, I’ll first be helping the Empire film an ad, and assisting them in building a stargate.
After that, I’ll head to the Dark Zone.”
Steel Curtain and Maren both breathed a sigh of relief—now they didn’t need to worry about Gustav’s retaliation.
Saint Bai Fu indeed—a good person!
……
After Bai Fu left Taim Star, the members of the Supernova Battle Group gathered.
“Bai Fu has now fully sided with the Rebirth Empire.
That’s bad news for us.
Those Undying Ones under her command are a sharp blade in Dark Zone exploration.
If the Rebirth Empire uses them to find the Spiritual Sanctuary ahead of us…”
Everyone in the conference room looked at each other, then turned their gazes to the huge “beastman” seated at the head of the table.
This was the Supernova Battle Group’s famous Body Cultivation-type Transcendent, 【Fist of Devouring】 Goruja.
“The threat isn’t just those Undying Ones—it’s Bai Fu herself.
Find a way to kill her and see if she’s carrying a cosmic treasure.”