Chapter 374: Scars of the Old Days, the Great Emperor’s Return
Fusing with the Double Helix Tree was a long and tedious process.
The reason Aetheron had been able to complete his fusion so quickly was because he had already spent years refining the Double Helix Tree before actually beginning the process.
Fortunately, with both Élisée’s help and the [Fusion Experience Guidebook: Double Helix Tree], Bai Fu succeeded in establishing a link with the Double Helix Tree in less than two days.
[Current Fusion Progress: 1.27%]
Seeing the number appear before her eyes, a bright smile unconsciously spread across Bai Fu’s face.
She had finally done it!
She quickly tapped open the new status that appeared next to her name after the fusion began—
[World Projection·Ethereal Realm]
This was the enhancement brought about by the Double Helix Tree.
Although the current fusion progress was still quite low, and thus the buff wasn’t overwhelming yet, its effects already far exceeded Bai Fu’s initial expectations.
[World Projection·Ethereal Realm] currently granted three enhancements, as follows—
Attribute Boost — With the influence of the Double Helix Tree, Bai Fu’s communication with the Ethereal Realm had reached a brand-new level. It was no longer mere adaptation but had evolved into an attempt at control. This granted her an additional attribute bonus: All stats +1.27%, with the boost increasing alongside the fusion progress.
Life Supply — Her communication with the Double Helix Tree allowed Bai Fu to draw upon its vitality. For now, due to the low fusion rate, she could only use the most basic healing and HP recovery ability.
Her HP bonus was likewise 1.27%. When her HP was depleted, the Double Helix Tree would automatically activate and rapidly restore her health—though, at this stage, it would only replenish half her HP bar.
It wasn’t much, but still quite impressive. Besides, it would only grow stronger in time.
Hand of Shadow — A special skill similar to Aetheron’s ability to control branches and roots in battle, though with a key difference.
First, what Bai Fu controlled wasn’t branches or roots—it was shadows formed from condensed dark energy.
Second, those shadows could conceal themselves, slipping into the Ethereal Realm overlapping the main space, avoiding enemy detection. Once their coverage grew broad enough—or when they stealthily approached a special area—they could suddenly emerge and launch a surprise attack.
In terms of skill effects, the ability Bai Fu obtained was considerably stronger than Aetheron’s.
Both had fused with the Double Helix Tree, yet their results were so different. Bai Fu speculated two possible reasons.
First, she was an Apostle, and her Racial Potential Rating was a perfect 100, giving her far greater affinity with the Double Helix Tree than Aetheron.
Second, she had multiple sources of guidance and an in-game progress bar correction during her fusion, ensuring no deviation. Aetheron, on the other hand, had to grope through the process alone—making it nearly impossible to unlock the tree’s full potential.
This contrast was most evident in their appearances: after his fusion, Aetheron had literally turned into a tree-man; meanwhile, after Bai Fu’s fusion, her body remained completely unchanged—not even her chest measurement had shifted by a single millimeter.
Bai Fu continued reading the detailed description of [World Projection·Ethereal Realm].
At the very bottom, there was a remark stating that new enhancement effects would unlock once her fusion progress reached 15%.
“At this pace, it’ll take about twenty days to reach fifteen percent. That’s not too bad,” Bai Fu murmured, stretching lazily.
Now that this matter was settled, she didn’t have any urgent tasks on hand.
She planned to meet with Lit and the Anti-Apostolic Holy City Alliance members to discuss future strategies. She would also temporarily leave the Silent Garden faction players under their supervision—letting them farm XP with the players.
Only when the players were well-fed could they, in turn, feed her.
In version 3.1, the player level cap had been raised to Level 110.
This was a crucial update—Level 110 marked the peak of the S+ Rank, just one step away from the Calamity Rank.
Players would definitely splurge in Version 3.1, preparing to ascend to Calamity Rank as early as possible in the next version.
If she seized this opportunity, Bai Fu could carve a hefty profit out of the players.
Although each mission now rewarded her with massive amounts of XP, it was still far from satisfying her.
She couldn’t help it.
After all, she was at her hungriest stage.
To remove the [Life Chasm] status, she had to train in several different classes—and leveling secondary classes required far more XP than the first.
“We—”
Just as Bai Fu was about to summon Élisée, Yulia, and the others to depart, a sudden call echoed from deep within her soul.
“Not good, Palace Master, big trouble!”
The caller was from Origin Star.
According to him, both Origin Star and the Esper Garden had come under attack. Even though the Esper Garden had automatic defense systems and Origin Star had undergone extensive fortifications, the situation was still dire—because multiple enemies had struck at once.
“We can’t make out their faces, but their power is terrifying—definitely Transcendent-level Psionicists!”
“...?”
Bai Fu’s mind filled with question marks.
Who was so audacious as to attack her main base right now?
Was it the remnants of the Supreme God’s disciples under Aetheron, or had The Original Pact finally lost patience and made their move?
“I’m coming back immediately!”
Bai Fu boarded her mobile palace—now modified through dark energy—taking Yulia and the others as they sped back.
At the same time, she channeled her Apostle’s Will, projecting her consciousness into a True Spirit summon stationed on Origin Star.
“I’ll see just who it is… wait.”
Her pupils abruptly contracted.
There was no need to investigate further—because she saw the Predestined Celestial Sphere rotating endlessly beyond the heavens.
The Original Pact!
The leader must have lost his composure after learning she had eliminated the Supreme God’s disciples. They weren’t even giving her a moment to breathe.
The Original Pact was shrouded in mystery, and its members were immensely powerful—but Bai Fu was not one to be trifled with either.
Ethereal Dimension—Descend!
With her command, the entire Origin Star and Esper Garden were enveloped by the Ethereal Realm.
In the next instant, countless True Spirit summons burst forth from Bai Fu’s mind, descending onto the vast, starry battlefield.
They formed immense arrays, roaring as they charged toward the enemies attacking from beyond the firmament.
“The Palace Master has returned!”
The people of Origin Star cheered with joy.
“Don’t worry. As long as I’m here, they won’t break through.”
Bai Fu reassured them, her expression calm and resolute.
She divided her focus in two—one part commanding the Psionic Legion, the other urgently contacting the Three Universal Civilizations.
To deal with the Original Pact, of course, she couldn’t possibly fight alone.
“What?”
The Three Universal Civilizations were all shocked upon receiving the message.
At that moment, they were devoting all their strength to attacking the Apostolic Holy City, with massive fleets already dispatched to the distant reaches of the cosmos, tens of billions of light-years away.
Even so, they couldn’t just sit back and do nothing.
Everyone with eyes could see that if Bai Fu were to fall, they would have no power left to face the Original Pact.
Bai Fu must not fall— at least not before they had completely digested the Apostolic Holy City.
“I’ll send Thunderblade and his team to reinforce her immediately!”
“Our side will have Goruga and the others bring the Gun of Eckhardt—they’ll arrive within half a day at most!”
Titan Industries and the Supernova Warband responded one after another.
The Rebirth Empire, however, was in a difficult position.
Of the Empire’s three great pillars, Oblivion Demetri was still in seclusion recovering from his injuries; Chongxiao was engaged at the frontlines; and the Governor of the Wall of Guardians could not possibly leave his post. If he departed and the Original Pact suddenly launched an assault on the Empire, what then?
After a long discussion, the Rebirth Empire finally dispatched a reserve legion under the command of the Lord of Vortex, and, after considerable effort, managed to contact Curse Lord Olson, asking him to go to Origin Star in their stead.
“Good. The stage is set. Now let’s see whether the Original Pact only means to probe us—or if they truly intend to launch a full-scale offensive.”
Bai Fu unleashed her full power, giving those invading Origin Star no chance to breathe.
This was no time for restraint.
Only by displaying as much strength as possible—only by wounding the Original Pact as deeply as she could—could she win herself more time to complete the fusion of the Double Helix Tree.
Under her full-force assault, several of the Original Pact’s transcendent beings were quickly driven into a disadvantage— no, it was worse than that.
Surrounded by the Psionic Legion, they were beaten so hard they could no longer tell which way was up.
“At this rate, we’ll die here!”
The Tiger-headed Man’s face twisted in fury, and the Painter fighting back-to-back with him was flushed red with strain.
Back when they had first met, Bai Fu couldn’t even compare to a single strand of her hair—
and now, in so short a time, the situation had reversed so completely that she was not even worth a strand of Bai Fu’s.
“What retribution…”
“Quick, call for aid from the Leader! If no reinforcements come, we’ll have to retreat!”
The message swiftly reached the Leader’s ears.
“What? Just an incarnation of will, and she’s already pressed you to the point of calling for help?”
The usually composed Leader was momentarily numb.
Had it already come to this?
Perhaps he should never have agreed to that cooperation with Bai Fu in the first place.
But regret was useless now.
He had considered telling Bai Fu the truth—negotiating with her, persuading her to give up the path to Apotheosis— but in the end, he’d abandoned that thought.
Would Bai Fu ever agree?
Even if she did, would it be sincere? Or merely a delaying tactic?
And even if she meant it, would she not later go back on her word?
Most crucially— even if he pacified Bai Fu today, what if tomorrow another Red Fu, Orange Fu, or Rainbow Fu appeared?
Soothing one after another— eventually the number of transcendent beings would grow so great that it would trigger the threshold for the Reaper’s Descent.
Thus, the most decisive solution was still—killing.
Kill Bai Fu.
Kill everyone like Bai Fu.
Then, with absolute power, establish a brand-new order for the universe.
Under this new order, the total combat strength of the cosmos would be kept safely below a certain line; anyone daring to breach that safety line would be punished—lightly, by losing their strength, or heavily, by death.
Unreasonable, yes—but it would ensure the Reaper would never descend, and civilization would endure forever.
In the end, was becoming a god really that important?
The Leader didn’t think so.
To him, the continuation of civilization was what mattered most—even if that meant living like a rat in the sewers.
“I’ll have the Fate-Weaver activate the Old Scar. Hold on for a few more minutes.”
The Old Scar was a long-range teleportation relic—capable of transmission far beyond even the Apostle-class Dark Energy Engines of the Apostolic Holy City.
During their great battle with that city, the Original Pact had used the Old Scar once before.
Unlike the Predestined Celestial Sphere, which could be manufactured repeatedly, each Old Scar consumed itself upon use.
But now, to kill Bai Fu, the Leader no longer cared to be thrifty.
A few minutes later, more of the Original Pact’s transcendent elites arrived near Origin Star through the Old Scar.
Relying on sheer numbers, they finally managed to withstand the Psionic Legion controlled by Bai Fu’s will.
“So, these people really mean to fight me to the bitter end, huh? Let’s see whose head’s harder!”
Bai Fu curled her lips and accelerated her return flight.
——
At the same time—
Rebirth Empire.
Odoacre paced restlessly in his private chambers.
Suddenly, Radiant Light appeared before him.
“Lord Oblivion slipped out of the manor just now. His destination is the Sub-space. It seems he still cannot make sense of the disappearance of the transcendent sacred relics—he wants to get to the bottom of it.”
Odoacre pressed his fingers to his forehead, exasperated.
This… was a troublesome situation.
Stop him outright?
That would only expose his own involvement.
And when Demetri asked him why, what would he say then?
Forget it.
Better to ask first.
Seeing he was about to question him, Radiant Light tactfully withdrew.
Before long, Odoacre, carrying the reply he’d received, hurried straight to the Sub-space.
The moment Demetri saw him, he was startled.
He had moved in utter secrecy—never expecting to run into Odoacre here.
“Your Majesty…”
Odoacre said calmly, “Demetri, stop your investigation.”
As expected, Demetri’s eyes widened. “Your Majesty, what do you mean? Don’t tell me… this has something to do with you?”
Odoacre nodded. “Indeed. Those sacred relics were taken by me.”
Demetri’s heart sank.
He couldn’t understand—why would Odoacre do such a thing?
With Odoacre’s power, he had no need for those relics at all.
Was he deliberately sabotaging the Empire?
Had the Emperor secretly surrendered to the Apostolic Holy City?
Odoacre explained, “I took those relics by the command of the greatest emperor in our history.”
“The greatest emperor…?”
Demetri froze. “You mean—Emperor Ignatz? But hasn’t he been dead for countless years?”
Odoacre shook his head. “That’s what I believed at first as well. But—he has returned.”
“Where is he?” Demetri demanded immediately.
“The Leader of the Original Pact—his true identity is Emperor Ignatz himself. Haven’t you always wondered why so many insiders within the Empire turned to the Original Pact—even Slick, the previous heir of the Radiant Family? That is why, Demetri. I only learned this secret not long ago.”
Odoacre looked him straight in the eyes.
At that instant, Demetri stood frozen as if struck by lightning.
He stood silently for a long time— and could not utter a single word.