Chapter 337: Kill Bai Fu!
Although she already had the intention of cooperating with Rufas, Bai Fu did not immediately agree.
She still had two concerns.
First, with her and Rufas’s strength, even with the cooperation of the Three Cosmic-level Civilizations, could they really kill the Leader of the First Protocol?
Second, even if they truly managed to kill the Leader of the First Protocol, would Rufas actually keep his word afterwards and hand over the True Spirit Marrow to her?
It felt like both of these goals would be very hard to achieve.
“No matter if it’s the Leader of the First Protocol, or Rufas, neither of them are easy opponents. They are not only cunning, but their raw strength is also clearly above mine right now.”
“To eliminate the Leader of the First Protocol, and to make Rufas obediently hand over the True Spirit Marrow, I must further increase my own strength.”
The problem was…
“If I can’t obtain the True Spirit Marrow, I can’t complete the Third Metamorphosis to further upgrade. And if I can’t further upgrade, then I most likely won’t be able to obtain the True Spirit Marrow… damn it!”
Bai Fu was speechless.
This situation was not good at all.
Could it be that she had to refuse Rufas’s cooperation just like this?
No.
If she missed this opportunity, who knew if she would ever be able to find True Spirit Marrow again. Even if she could, if too much time dragged on, by the time she matured, the overall situation might already have rotted.
It seemed she could only increase her own strength through other means.
For example, by further enhancing her racial potential. Or by gathering all the pinnacle Dark Energy Knowledge and collecting more Colored Prayer Card Blueprints.
“That’s right, there’s still another path!”
Bai Fu suddenly remembered that she still had an old task she had left unfinished for a long time.
【Bridge of Communication with the Old Days】
【Quest Objective: Complete the Blueprint of the Void Converter】
【Reward: 2 billion XP, Title Fragment of the First Pathseeker *1, Rare Prayer Card Blueprint [Old Dominator] (Color)】
This was the quest she had accepted after looting Rufas’s home.
Among the three rewards, the XP and the Prayer Card Blueprint were no longer important. The crucial reward was the Title Fragment.
Right now she already had two Title Fragments of the First Pathseeker. As long as she obtained one more, she could synthesize this ultra-rare special title.
【Pinnacle Hunter】 alone gave her +6% Base Inspiration. Then wouldn’t this 【First Pathseeker】, which had cost her so much effort, give her at least no less of a boost?
Bai Fu couldn’t help but laugh.
With Rufas, the Void Lord, around, completing the Void Converter Blueprint would not be difficult at all.
“I won’t even ask what benefits I can get from killing the Leader of the First Protocol, since you wouldn’t honestly tell me anyway. I have only one question: why did you come to me for cooperation instead of someone else? After all, the conflicts between us are not exactly small.”
Rufas: “The conflict between you and me is not a matter of principle. I have no intention of destroying what you protect, and what you protect does not harm my core interests. Therefore, we do have a foundation for cooperation. As for why I came to you—naturally because you are an Apostle. If the Leader of the First Protocol were just an ordinary Apostle, I alone could kill him. But he is the God of the Ethereal Realm, which is why I must make use of the strength of other Apostles.”
“I see. Working with you is not impossible, but I have one condition!” Bai Fu crossed her arms over her chest.
Rufas shrugged: “Don’t tell me you want me to hand over the True Spirit Marrow in advance?”
Don’t even think about it! Even if you were Bai Fu—or even if you were a fool—it still wouldn’t work!
Bai Fu shook her head: “Of course I wouldn’t bring up such an unreasonable request. I only want you to help me perfect a blueprint.”
“What blueprint?”
“You know, I also carry Void Genes, so I’ve always been very interested in the power of the Void. This time, the blueprint I want you to perfect is the Void Converter.”
As she spoke, Bai Fu sent Rufas a blueprint.
This blueprint had been deliberately altered. It wasn’t the same as the one she had stolen from Rufas’s home. Some areas were made more complete, while others were intentionally flawed, all to prevent Rufas from recognizing it as originating from him.
Void Converter Blueprint?
Rufas was stunned.
While Bai Fu was guarding against him, he was also guarding against Bai Fu.
On the path of Surpassing the Peak, one had to be cautious at all times.
But this time, no matter how long he thought about it, he couldn’t come up with any reason why helping Bai Fu perfect the Void Converter Blueprint would harm him.
It was just a broken converter that could capture Void Energy. Even if Bai Fu passed this technology to the Three Cosmic-level Civilizations, it could not pose any threat to him as the Void Lord.
Since that was the case—then perfect it!
Rufas only spent ten or so minutes before sending the completed blueprint back to Bai Fu.
Even if Bai Fu tricked him again, this time it really wasn’t because he was dim-witted. No matter how clever he was, he couldn’t have guessed that Bai Fu could increase her own strength through “Titles”!
Success!
The instant she received the blueprint, Bai Fu also received a game prompt.
【You have completed the Hidden Quest [Bridge of Communication with the Old Days], and obtained 2 billion XP, Title Fragment of the First Pathseeker *1, Rare Prayer Card Blueprint [Old Dominator] (Color)】
She immediately opened the Title Interface and selected to synthesize the three Title Fragments.
Ding!
The description of the new Title unfolded before her eyes.
Just as Bai Fu had expected, this Title, acquired through three high-difficulty quests, had extremely exaggerated effects.
It had three effects in total.
The first effect was +10% to all Base Stats, simple and brutal.
The second effect was a massive boost to Void Adaptation. All skills related to Void would be greatly enhanced, even the Portal-creating ability that came with the Title 【Surpassing the Black Hole】 would benefit from the increase.
The third effect unlocked a new skill: 【Limit Break · Instantaneous Dimensional Surpass】. Using this skill consumed an enormous amount of energy, but while it was active, it granted immunity to all Space-type and Dimension-type damage—a highly targeted defensive ability.
But compared to these three effects, what Bai Fu cared about more was actually the little essay in the description of the 【First Pathseeker】 Title.
The essay mentioned that the earliest Pathseekers of this world had searched for the endpoint of evolution and discovered the Void.
Within the Void, they endured countless disasters, and in the end, discovered a great secret.
“Secret?”
As the thought of doubt had just arisen, Bai Fu received a new game prompt.
【You have triggered the Main Quest［Secrets of the Old Days］】
【Quest Description: ……】
【Quest Objective: Investigate what secret the First Pathseekers discovered in the Void】
【Reward: 50 billion XP, Supreme Copycat Card *1】
This reward…
Bai Fu’s eyelids twitched slightly.
She had to admit the reward was tempting, but she had no idea where to even begin completing this quest.
For now, it was better to focus on the bait plan of the Three Cosmic-level Civilizations and her cooperation with Rufas.
Bai Fu closed her communicator.
“Actually, this time I’m heading to the Rebirth Empire not to explore the Ethereal Realm.”
“Oh?”
“My true purpose I cannot tell you. In short, you don’t need to worry about me running into trouble.”
Rufas stared at Bai Fu. The look in his eyes suggested he didn’t think she was lying. “That’s the best then.”
Bai Fu asked: “When do you plan to make your move against the Leader of the First Protocol?”
Rufas: “Wait.”
Bai Fu: “Then let me know when you’re ready to act. I’m heading off to meet with Dmitri first.”
Rufas no longer stopped her.
Watching the moving palace fade into the distance, a smile appeared on his face.
Bai Fu had ultimately been unable to resist the temptation of the True Spirit Marrow. Perhaps she believed that once she had it, she would be able to control the entire situation. But no matter how hard she racked her brain, she would never guess just how much he would gain from this operation!
The day the God of the Ethereal Realm perished would be the day a brand-new Void God was born!
“This world, in the end, shall be mine!”
……
Seven hours later, in the Orbital City Cluster of Shining Stars within the capital region of the Rebirth Empire.
Dmitri and others held a welcoming banquet for Bai Fu.
The ceremony was broadcast live across the star domain via the Empire’s television network. Even those in unregulated zones could watch without barriers.
The scale of the ceremony was enormous.
At the ceremony, Buvalo, a high-ranking official of the Senate, announced that the Holy City of Apostles had been temporarily repelled.
To better face the Holy City of Apostles when it inevitably returned, the Empire would join forces with the Supernova Legion and Titan Industries to launch two thrilling new initiatives.
One: Ethereal Development Plan, Version 2.0.
Two: Large-scale promotion of Void Energy and Dark Energy.
Buvalo described in detail the changes these two plans would bring to the Explored Universe.
Without a doubt, behind every change lurked countless opportunities.
Therefore, all those watching the broadcast grew excited.
Among them were the financial groups that had deep cooperation with Bai Fu—such as the Origin Consortium, such as Multidimensional Capital—as well as people from the First Protocol.
“Leader, the Rebirth Empire held a very special welcoming ceremony. At the ceremony, they—”
“I already know.”
The Leader interrupted the Fate Weaver, who had pushed open the door into his resting chamber, without taking his eyes off the virtual screen floating before him.
The Fate Weaver asked: “Then what about us now?”
The Leader gently stroked the ring on his wrist: “Change course into the Ethereal Realm. Turn the Rebirth Empire’s celebration into a funeral.”
“Yes!”
The Fate Weaver immediately moved to carry out the order.
The Leader’s lips curved into a smile.
This operation, he had come with the sole intent of killing Bai Fu once and for all.
But along the way, he had always worried that he might come up empty-handed, unable to locate Bai Fu at all. Yet, less than a single day after departing, Bai Fu had exposed her location herself. Truly, Heaven was aiding him!
As the First Protocol fleet adjusted course and entered the Ethereal Realm, Bai Fu also privately met with Dmitri.
“What? You want to personally enter the Ethereal Realm? No, impossible, it’s too dangerous!”
Dmitri shook his head like a rattle drum.
Heinz, who stood not far away, also hurried over after hearing this to dissuade her.
Bai Fu said: “Did you forget how I escaped death twice under the strikes of the Holy City of Apostles? In truth, I possess a special Substitute ability! Rest assured, the First Protocol cannot kill me. This time I enter the Ethereal Realm mainly to see if I can figure out the true identity of the Leader of the First Protocol. To know yourself and know the enemy is the only way to remain undefeated. Moreover, my going will also reduce the risks faced by others entering the Ethereal Realm as bait.”
She was adamant. Dmitri and the others tried to persuade her for a long while, but to no avail, and in the end could only reluctantly agree.
“If you encounter any accident, you must return immediately!”
“All right, all right, I know. Why are you even more nagging than Yulia?”
Bai Fu waved dismissively at Dmitri.
Dmitri gave a helpless smile.
Good heavens, she was now the spiritual pillar of the entire Explored Universe. If she were to fall, it would surely trigger a terrifying interstellar storm.
The main reason Bai Fu was so intent on entering the Ethereal Realm was to complete the quest of uncovering the true identity of the Leader of the First Protocol as soon as possible, and obtain the Divine Blood reward.
The Divine Blood would further enhance her racial potential, allowing her to deal with Rufas more confidently.
And if the Leader of the First Protocol did not show up?
Then so be it—she would not be at a loss.
“Move out!”
As soon as the time publicly announced at the welcoming ceremony arrived, Bai Fu led the “bait” prepared by the Three Cosmic-level Civilizations into the Ethereal Realm.
After entering, they immediately split up.
Bai Fu was responsible for continuing to act as bait, while the “bait” began exploring within the Ethereal Realm.
“Now we’ll see whether the people of the First Protocol take the bait.”
Bai Fu strolled leisurely through the Ethereal Realm.
She waited like this for nearly an entire day.
When she wandered near a stagnant Black Hole, the surrounding space of the Ethereal Realm suddenly rippled with strange fluctuations.
Had they arrived?
Bai Fu quickly switched into actress mode.
With a look of “puzzlement,” she turned her head to stare at a patch of nothingness.
“Who?”
The next second, six enormous warships emerged one after another from the void.
When the ships came to a halt, figures began flying out one by one.
Among them were humans, beasts, mechanical lifeforms, and summoned creatures.
At their head was none other than the Leader of the First Protocol. His appearance today was identical to the form Bai Fu had seen in the Esper Garden.
“Bai Fu, we finally meet.”
A cold shout echoed forth.
Bai Fu’s expression changed sharply: “You are… the Leader of the First Protocol, you all—”
The Leader sneered: “You didn’t expect us to arrive so quickly, nor that we’d so easily locate you, did you? Bai Fu, I once advised you, but you rejected my goodwill. From that moment on, you became my enemy. Today I am here to send you on your way!”
Bai Fu glanced around. “To even bring so many people with you… it seems your killing intent is indeed firm. But killing me won’t be such an easy task.”
“Is that so? It seems you’re very confident in your survival abilities. And indeed, even the Supreme Apostle of the Holy City himself couldn’t kill you. But I am not the same as him. I may not be a Psionic Prayer-user, yet I understand Apostles far better than he does.”
A sharp light burst forth from the Leader’s eyes.
“Enjoy well the gift I’ve prepared for you!”
As his voice fell, the six warships behind him suddenly began to transform.
They shattered into countless tiny particles, which interwove together like a surging torrent.
The torrent swept across the vast expanse of space and ultimately formed into an object resembling a massive ecliptic armillary sphere, enclosing Bai Fu and the people of the First Protocol within.
“Bai Fu, do you hear the sound of your strings of fate breaking?”