Chapter 276: Bai Fu, Breaking Through the Siege!
“Bai Fu is really able to keep her cool, huh.”
In the temporarily built deep-space monitoring station of the Datang System, Zefer shrugged helplessly at the empty surveillance display.
In order to lure Bai Fu into taking the bait, they had been sitting idle in this region for several months.
Yet faced with the destruction of more than twenty mining ships and threats from the native civilization of the Dark Zone, Bai Fu still remained unmoved—damn it, even a turtle couldn’t shrink better than her.
“You all keep watching, I’m going to take a break.”
For a Domination-level, rest wasn’t necessary at all; Zefer was simply bored and irritable from waiting and wanted to relax a bit.
But before he could walk far, the emergency communicator inside the monitoring station suddenly rang.
“Officer Zefer, our monitoring station has suddenly come under attack by the mining ship fleet of the Tide of the Dark Moon! We’re about to be overwhelmed—requesting support, requesting support!”
Ha!
An allied force was surrounded, but Zefer was so excited he directly raised his right fist.
Good, good, good—Bai Fu’s side had finally started to counterattack.
Their chance had come!
Zefer immediately contacted the top combat forces of the Supernova Legion who had come to the Dark Zone with him.
In just a few minutes, Fist of Devouring Goruga and the others were fully prepared to launch.
“Once you find Bai Fu’s trace, report to me immediately—under no circumstances can you let her notice anything and escape!”
Zefer’s gaze turned cold, his killing intent surging.
It had been over half a year since Bai Fu had spun him like a top—now he could finally take his revenge!
About half an hour later, good news finally came.
“Officer Zefer, we’ve received a message from Bai Fu—she’s asking us to send representatives to negotiate with her for a better resolution to this conflict!”
Send representatives?
I’ll send you a group of grim reapers to escort you to the afterlife!
The Supernova Legion moved out.
To eliminate Bai Fu, this time they deployed three Transcendent-rank, five Domination-level, and even brought a special cosmic treasure—the 【Eckhard Cannon】.
This was an offensive-type cosmic treasure with astonishing power.
Even a Transcendent-tier tank, if hit, would be seriously injured—and with bad luck, could be killed in one shot.
One ship after another sped toward Bai Fu’s location.
……
“Have they moved?”
Bai Fu stared at the game map.
The light dot representing Zefer had begun its warp jump, while the light dot representing Kaide had just finished its warp not long ago—likely preparing for another round of jumps.
It would still take them several days to reach Origin Star.
“Let’s begin.”
Bai Fu called softly in the comms channel.
In an instant, the Virtual Heart broke through layer upon layer of barriers, grabbing several ships belonging to the Supernova Legion that were confronting the Players, locking them in place like chains.
Before the people on board could react, she had the Virtual Heart pilot these ships into an ambush she had arranged beforehand.
Anya and Cypriss rushed in together and, in an extremely short time, completely subdued everyone on board through mental means.
“Boss, mission accomplished—Cypriss has implanted mental suggestions in everyone.”
“Good, take the ships to the nearest small transfer station, then you don’t need to worry about it—just head straight back to Origin Star.”
“Yes.”
Once Anya and Cypriss left the battlefield, Bai Fu had the Virtual Heart pilot the captured ships straight toward Kaide.
At the same time, she had Hei Fu pilot her ship toward the meeting point agreed upon with the Supernova Legion.
Hei Fu was an energy-lifeform, while Bai Fu herself was half-energy, half-physical.
Unless they got close for a careful look, Zefer and the others would find it hard to tell that it was Hei Fu and not her.
Everything was ready.
Half a day later, the small light dot representing Zefer appeared near the small light dot representing Hei Fu.
The stage was set, the actors all in position—now they just needed one actor to speak the first line of the script, and the show could begin.
“I can’t see any sincerity from your Blood Hunt Civilization. You claim we invaded your territory without reason, but in truth, when we discovered your ships, we immediately sent a query. You ignored it and launched a direct attack on us.”
Hei Fu’s face was dark as she accused the “Blood Hunt Civilization” representative.
“So you’re saying you don’t intend to accept our peace proposal?”
“If this peace proposal is not made public, we will not accept it.”
“Fine—if we can’t talk, then we’ll settle this on the battlefield!”
The “Blood Hunt Civilization” representative roared, and under his command, dozens of ships charged straight toward the one Hei Fu was aboard.
Hei Fu seemed oblivious to the danger and “foolishly” flew out of the ship, attempting to repel the invading fleet alone.
“Now!”
Zefer’s eyes flashed sharply.
Under Goruga’s activation, the long-charged 【Eckhard Cannon】 roared to life.
A massive black projectile shot out from the barrel.
Wherever it passed, space was twisted apart, leaving a conspicuous yet dreamlike multicolored trail.
Hei Fu sensed something was wrong—she used every escape method she had, including Void Shuttle, even transforming into night itself.
But the projectile stuck to her like glue; once it latched on, there was no shaking it off.
Illusions, phantoms, splits, energy transformation—none could escape it.
In the end, the projectile slammed into Hei Fu.
Boom!
After the silent explosion, a massive void appeared in the starry sky.
The void devoured everything around it until spatial elasticity completely repaired it.
“Dead?”
Zefer widened his eyes, staring hard at the virtual screen.
Normally, a Domination-level hit head-on by the 【Eckhard Cannon】 had no chance of survival.
But considering this was Bai Fu, who had pulled off miracles repeatedly, he thought it best to be cautious.
As he watched, he noticed something wrong.
A spatial anomaly?
“There’s a ship… no—a mobile palace belonging to Bai Fu accelerating away! We’ve detected an individual inside with energy intensity similar to Bai Fu’s!”
Zefer’s expression changed.
However Bai Fu had ended up inside the mobile palace, that no longer mattered—the urgent task now was to catch up and completely eliminate her.
If she escaped, it would be far harder to lure her out again.
She could easily hide deep inside the Rebirth Empire’s borders and never come out.
A large number of ships gave chase toward the mobile palace, with the Domination-level and Transcendent-rank aboard unleashing their full abilities.
Since Bai Fu was piloting a mobile palace, it was impossible to stop her escape through a mechanic’s network intrusion.
But that didn’t mean the Transcendent mechanic the Supernova Legion had sent was useless.
“This digital fortress can effectively cut off all distress signals sent by Bai Fu, making her cries for help vanish into the void. You all just need to block her route back to Origin Star, and this time she won’t escape even if she grows wings!”
A digital fortress was thrown out, and then the Supernova Legion forces charged toward Bai Fu with a murderous aura.
Seeing that Zefer and the others hadn’t lost track, Bai Fu secretly let out a breath of relief.
“I didn’t expect the Supernova Legion to use a cosmic treasure directly. Good thing I didn’t show up in person, but sent Hei Fu to draw their fire. Next, it depends on how much importance Rufas places on his secret research base.”
Instead of returning to Origin Star, she piloted the mobile palace toward the galaxy cluster where Rufas’s secret research base was located.
While flying, she also directed Yuan Yi, Oathmaster, and the ships from the Supernova Legion under the control of the Virtual Heart that were stationed on Origin Star.
Although the mechanic from the Supernova Legion had used a digital fortress to block her signals, as someone in possession of the Apostle’s Body, she could still transmit intelligence externally through 【Descent】.
Even if the Descent of the Apostle’s Body was blocked, she was not afraid. Just in case, she had brought the Digging-Treasure along.
Hah, you can block other things, but can you block the Players’ chat system?
Besides the Digging-Treasure, Bai Fu was also accompanied by Yulia, Fei Ye, and Fei Ye’s elder sister, Jinlu.
Fei Ye’s strength wouldn’t make much difference in this chase, but her sister Jinlu was another matter.
As a pure-energy void lifeform, Jinlu had a very special ability—
Smoothing Space!
This ability could not only repair twisted space, shattered space, and so on, but also erase the traces left by spatial travel, effectively preventing opponents from tracking them.
It was precisely because Jinlu possessed this special ability that Bai Fu dared to take the initiative to draw the Supernova Legion’s attention.
One chasing and one fleeing—after four days, Zefer and the others finally figured out Bai Fu’s escape route.
“She’s probably realized she can’t get back to Origin Star, so she’s planning to return to the Edge Worlds to seek help in person!”
Goruga frowned. Once she reached the Edge Worlds, it would be much less convenient to block Bai Fu than here in the Dark Zone.
However, that was without mobilizing more forces.
Heh.
Goruga suddenly smiled. “She shouldn’t have gone back to the Edge Worlds. If she’d stayed in the Dark Zone, maybe we’d slip up once and miscalculate the coordinates, letting her escape. But now she’s walked right into the cage!”
The others looked at Goruga in confusion.
Cage? What cage?
Goruga said, “Contact the Legion and have them send an A-class fleet directly to help us block Bai Fu!”
Beside him, another Transcendent, Stardust Jeroen, asked in puzzlement, “Making this much noise—there’s no way the Rebirth Empire won’t react.”
Goruga said, “It’s simple. We just announce to the outside world that we’re pursuing members of the Ten Saints Council, not Bai Fu. That way, we have a solid excuse to seal off signals in the entire area.”
Oh?
Jeroen’s eyes suddenly lit up.
This was indeed a good idea.
Just dump the blame on the Ten Saints Council—no one would believe their denials anyway.
And when the Rebirth Empire wanted to intervene, they’d have plenty of reasons to refuse.
Intervene my ass—when we besieged the Ten Saints Council before, you didn’t invite us along either.
“All right, I’ll contact the Legion right away.”
Jeroen took the initiative.
……
Only a day later, the Roxinam Galaxy Cluster in the Edge Worlds was under full lockdown by an A-class corps temporarily transferred from the Supernova Legion’s Dark Zone Exploration Program.
Although many were dissatisfied, since the blockade force came from the Supernova Legion and they claimed to be arresting members of the Ten Saints Council, the civilizations of Roxinam could only endure it, secretly praying for both the Ten Saints Council and the Supernova Legion to leave quickly—this little place couldn’t possibly withstand a full-on fight between two giants.
When she received the news, Bai Fu was full of question marks.
Pursuing the Ten Saints Council?
No way, guys, you’re…
“Hahahaha!”
Bai Fu couldn’t help bursting into laughter.
She had deliberately lured the Supernova Legion into Roxinam to provoke Rufas, making him mistakenly believe the Legion was coming for his secret research base.
For that, she had even used the Virtual Heart to seize several ships from the Supernova Legion, planning to use them to ambush Rufas halfway, further convincing him his base was being targeted.
It was a good plan.
The only problem was that Bai Fu wasn’t entirely sure Rufas would actually take the bait and fight the Supernova Legion—in fact, until recently, she’d been worried about it.
But now she didn’t have to worry anymore.
The Supernova Legion themselves had put out word that they were dealing with the Ten Saints Council in Roxinam.
Unless Rufas had divine foresight, he’d never guess this was just a cover story.
Heehee.
Bai Fu was delighted.
Whether Rufas came running to the rescue or bolted the moment he heard the news, she would have an excellent chance to sneak into his base and complete the hidden mission.
The day after the Supernova Legion released their statement, Rufas received the intel.
At the time, he was only a day’s journey from Origin Star.
“You’re leaving?” The Saint’s face turned extremely grim. “We’re already this close, and you’re telling me you want to leave?”
Rufas ignored the Saint.
He only knew that if he didn’t rush back to save the situation, his greatest secret would be exposed.
If that happened, never mind the Three Major Interstellar Civilizations—both the Ten Saints Council and the Apostle Holy City would guard against him.
How would he play the market then? His strength was great, but not enough to stand against four interstellar civilizations at once.
So even if it meant falling out with the Saint, he had to go!
“Damn it!”
Watching Rufas’s departing back, the Saint cursed furiously.
Corona looked at him. “What now? Are we still going to attack Origin Star?”
The Saint sneered. “We’ve come this far—of course we’re going to deal with Origin Star. With the two of us, you think we can’t take Yuan Yi and the Oathmaster?”
He held no hatred toward Bai Fu, because he had no idea that both of his previous ambushes had been Bai Fu’s doing behind the scenes.
His reason for coming to attack Origin Star was, in small part, because Kaide had requested it, but mostly because he wanted revenge on the Empire.
He couldn’t take on the Empire directly, so the only option was to target Bai Fu, who was cooperating with them.
Corona had no objections.
The Saint was right—if the two of them joined forces, Yuan Yi and the Oathmaster were nothing to fear!
……
Elsewhere.
Rufas piloted his ship at full speed toward the base.
But before he had gone far, several ships suddenly cut across his path from an angle, forcibly interrupting his warp.
Rufas flew into a rage, quickly dealing with those ships in just a few moves.
When he boarded one of them, he was startled—though the exterior was well disguised, the interior design screamed Supernova Legion’s rugged style!
“How does the Supernova Legion know I’m here?”
“A mole—yes, there must be a mole!”
“No wonder they chose this moment to act, sealing off Roxinam. They were certain I was too far away to return in time!”
“Heh… heheheh…”
Rufas gave a cold laugh.
Unfortunately for them…
The Supernova Legion had accounted for many things, but they would never guess that he had already become a Void Lord!
“They think this distance can hold me? They think sending a fleet and a few Transcendents will leave me helpless?”
With another cold laugh, Rufas’s body suddenly turned semi-transparent silver-white, and a terrifying aura like something from ancient times flowed out naturally.
Centered on him, the surrounding space twisted rapidly into a massive vortex.
Shua——
Moments later, both Rufas and the vortex vanished.
He had entered the Void Dimension, and not only that, he awakened another body he had kept at the base all along—his former flesh body, left behind after becoming a Void Lord, still possessing Transcendent II strength!
“You all take the entire base and leave immediately. I’ll go stop the Supernova Legion’s people.”
After giving the order, Rufas’s clone shot skyward, blasting out of the base.
The terrifying shockwave of his movement triggered a massive quake across the planet.
Watching from a distance, Bai Fu—who had been lying in wait without attacking—was stunned.
What the hell?
Why did Rufas suddenly show up at the base?
Wasn’t he just in the Dark Zone a moment ago?
Also… his strength should have reached Transcendent II by now, right?
Bai Fu felt a wave of relief—it was a good thing that when she saw the recommended strategy level for the secret research base was between level 201 and 250, she had given up on the idea of charging in.
Otherwise, at her current strength, she might not even have an intact corpse left by now.
But now…
Bai Fu glanced at the map again—the recommended level had dropped sharply to between 160 and 180.
That level of difficulty would be much more manageable for her.
Still, she didn’t rush in immediately, choosing instead to wait until Rufas and the Supernova Legion clashed.
Time passed slowly, until finally, one of the True Spirit summons she had deployed returned with the intel she wanted—
Rufas had attacked the Supernova Legion’s ships.
Good!
Bai Fu stood up.
Unlike her excitement, Goruga and the others were dumbfounded.
Bro, when I said we were going to attack the Ten Saints Council, I was lying—how did Rufas actually show up?
They couldn’t go ask Rufas for clarification, so right now there was only one choice to make.
Should they pursue Rufas, or pursue Bai Fu?
If they loudly proclaimed they were targeting the Ten Saints Council, and then ignored its members when they appeared—especially compared to the Rebirth Empire, which had attacked the Ten Saints Council twice in a row and sent them scrambling—what face would the Supernova Legion have left?
“Take down Rufas first. As for Bai Fu—there will be plenty of chances to deal with her in the future.”
Goruga made the call.
Zefer pulled a sour face but could only grit his teeth and agree.
The group swung their ships around and sped toward the place where Rufas had just caused trouble.
Hoo~
Bai Fu got the intel immediately.
“Now, it’s our turn to take the stage!”
There was nothing to hesitate about—it was time to act!
Bai Fu led the charge toward the base.
At this moment, the people inside the base were following Rufas’s orders to initiate a complete relocation plan for the facility.
One by one, the engines roared to life.
“Director Zhouyin, all engines are online—we can depart now.”
Zhouyin nodded. “Then set o—”
Before he could finish, the corridor to his left suddenly twisted and shattered under an inexplicable, crushing force.
A massive claw, several stories high, burst through the wall, slamming heavily into him.
A scream echoed through the base.
But no one paid attention to it now—because bursting out from behind the shattered wall was not just the giant claw, but also the Prayer Angel, Hei Fu, the Eye of Sorrow, and Bai Fu herself, holding aloft the Sacrificial God Scepter!
“Kill—leave no red-named alive!”
Her cold voice rang through the corridor.