Chapter 94: We Shall Swear Loyalty to Bai Fu!
【That’s all for today’s update. If there’s any new information, Little Fu will tell everyone right away. See you!】
Tiny Bai Fu in the lower-right corner of the screen smiled and waved toward the front. As the game’s massive LOGO emerged on the screen, the video officially ended.
“Now that was satisfying!”
Bai Fu was in an excellent mood.
With the boost from those two videos, there were no longer any Players doubting that she was the Version Protagonist.
This could be seen from the Livestream of the Excavation‑Princess. Half of the Live‑stream Comments floating across the screen praised her awesomeness, and the other half urged her to guess Bai Fu’s true identity again.
The Excavation‑Princess still had some integrity. As she hadn’t yet collected any useful intel, she didn’t recklessly assign an identity to Bai Fu. She simply swore solemnly that Bai Fu’s true identity was definitely not ordinary.
【I’m 99% sure it’s the kind of identity that will shock everyone once revealed】
【Evidence?】
【I have no evidence. But there’s no way the developers would bother writing so much for a character who doesn’t appear much in the story. So Fu Fu must be extraordinary】
【If you trust me, hurry and grind Fu Fu’s Favorability. The earlier you start, the bigger the advantage. Otherwise, once Fu Fu’s true identity is revealed, we might not even get to meet her again】
The number one promoter of the Fu Sect was at it again.
Bai Fu couldn’t help giving her a thumbs-up.
In fact, in a certain sense, the Excavation‑Princess wasn’t wrong. Her real identity really would shock everyone—because her real identity was that she had no identity!
Surprised? Unexpected?
Bai Fu went to browse other Livestream Rooms. She saw several streamers drawing fan art of Tiny Bai Fu, and plenty of Players in the Live‑stream Comments were calling for the developers to release merchandise of Tiny Bai Fu, such as figurines and plush toys.
The amount of merchandise for a character reflected their popularity.
Many people hadn’t even played certain games but were still very familiar with characters from those games—simply because they often saw those characters in fan art or fan videos elsewhere.
“This wave might actually make me break out of the circle!”
Bai Fu smiled so broadly her eyes curved into crescents.
If she could really take this opportunity to break out of the circle, then becoming the game’s Poster Girl wouldn’t be a distant dream anymore.
It was settled—she had to find a way to create one or two iconic moments while carrying out the Railway Guild’s Commission, to boost her popularity even more.
Bai Fu closed the Community.
Pretending as if she didn’t know anything, she patiently began watching the Selection Tournament.
The tournament lasted four full hours before the top forty were finally determined. In the ranking matches among the top forty, the last one standing was Starfish‑bro.
This outcome didn’t surprise her.
Starfish‑bro’s level was among the highest of all Players, and he had been a pro in other games as well. With a level advantage and excellent skill, it would’ve been difficult for him not to win first place.
【Damn it, if I hadn’t spent some of my time managing the guild, there’s no way I would’ve lost to him】
【If I had 50 more HP, if I could have landed two more Critical Hits, if that one strike that hit Starfish‑bro had landed just a bit lower—argh, I can’t accept this】
【Next time, I’ll win for sure!】
Beside the arena, Players who lost to Starfish‑bro were howling in frustration.
Bai Fu saw all these reactions clearly.
Of course, she hadn’t hosted the Selection Tournament just to pick Players to accompany her on the Railway Guild’s Commission. The main goal was to stir up some hype and ignite the competitive spirit of Players from the Garden of Silence faction.
You’re still young—stop dreaming of lying flat. Get competitive now! If you don’t get competitive, how will I ever become the game’s Poster Girl, you damn slackers!
Now it seemed that Bai Fu’s goal had been at least partially achieved.
But it still wasn’t enough. She decided to throw more fuel on the fire.
She stood up and walked toward the arena. This sudden movement instantly drew the attention of all Players present.
【What’s she doing?】
【Hidden Plot?】
Bai Fu stepped onto the stage and stopped in front of Starfish‑bro. She wore a gentle smile on her face. “Though you already stood out when we first met, your growth still exceeded my expectations.”
Saying that, she took a Badge from her pocket.
【???】
The Players below instantly widened their eyes.
Wait—could this be...
Yes, this was the special investiture ceremony exclusive to the tournament’s first-place winner!
Bai Fu slowly placed the Badge around Starfish‑bro’s neck and said, “This is the Warrior’s Martial Badge. May you perceive the essence of life amidst the Silence!”
Starfish‑bro stared in shock at the Badge gleaming brilliantly under the sunlight.
Its shape was no different from the usual Eye of Heaven Badge from the Garden of Silence—but it was silver-white.
He could be sure this was the only one of its kind in the entire faction—no, in the entire game!
Even someone like Starfish‑bro, who focused more on combat than storyline or characters, felt honored and overwhelmed. The Players below the stage were even more emotionally stirred.
【Holy crap, a private investiture ceremony and a one-of-a-kind Badge—aaah, Starfish‑bro, you bastard!】
【There’s this kind of event?! Had I known, I would’ve borrowed money just to buy more Psionic Shield cards. That way, I’d be the one standing on that stage, sobbing】
【Aaah, if I could receive a Badge from Fu Fu in front of so many people, I’d swear loyalty right on the spot】
【Damn, will there be more tournaments like this? I want that Badge. Don’t tell me it’ll become a limited item?】
【If I get on the arena next time, can I ask for the Badge to be swapped for a ring instead?】
【You’re dreaming】
Soon, news of what happened spread throughout the Community.
With this move, Bai Fu successfully made the Selection Tournament’s popularity surpass even that of Tiny Bai Fu again.
Half the incoming Players were jealous of Starfish‑bro, and the other half were drawing circles to curse him.
Among those envious Players, some simply wished they could replace Starfish‑bro, while others were outright stunned.
Usually in the in-game arena, winning was just winning—at best earning some praise from other Players. But now, the victor had actually enjoyed a personal investiture ceremony hosted by Bai Fu herself.
This level of immersion, in a word, perfect!
It had to be Bai Fu and the Garden of Silence.
In the Community, a large number of Players collectively @-ed the developers, hoping they could add Bai Fu to the arena. How could such an excellent gaming experience be limited only to Players from the Garden of Silence?
"This wave of heat is pretty good."
Bai Fu was very satisfied. Previously, because she couldn’t reveal her location when awarding the Badge to the Excavation‑Princess, the entire process hadn’t been livestreamed, which significantly reduced its impact. Now, riding on the heat from Tiny Bai Fu, she could let all Players see how enjoyable it was to join the Garden of Silence.
Not only could this place provide Players with massive XP and a relaxing gaming experience, but it also offered the perfect emotional value provided by the new queen of popularity, Bai Fu.
Cool Fu Fu handing out Badges live—heart racing yet? Don’t just be tempted, act on it!
Bai Fu had already made her plans. She wanted to make Starfish‑bro another figurehead of the Garden of Silence faction. The method was simple: help Starfish‑bro become the PK king of the game.
For her, this wasn’t difficult. And the rewards she would gain from it would be delightful.
What would those Players who believed they were better than Starfish‑bro do after getting crushed by him?
Train hard to win back the title.
Desperately search for ways to strengthen themselves.
Sister Fu, I don’t want to struggle anymore. From today onward, I shall, like Starfish‑bro, swear loyalty to you. Please grant me power equal to his!
Bai Fu believed most Players would choose the third option. The reason was simple—it was the easier path.
Isn’t mooching off others the best?
These Players would be happy, and Bai Fu would be even happier, for her chives field had just gained a batch of robust new chives.
In short, when the time came, all heroes under heaven would fall within her grasp. Who then could rival her?
...
Two days later, Dallas arrived as promised at Shelter Number 11 with an old map of the Goli Desert and a transport convoy from the Railway Guild.
Once Bai Fu received the map, she sprang into action. She handed the map to Old Nissen, instructing him to lead the Players to search for the research facility during her absence.
Since she was the one who issued the quest, even if she wasn’t the first to find the ruins of the research institute, she would still earn a chunk of XP for providing the map and sharing the quest.
"If you need any other documents, feel free to contact the Dark Web and Gao Yuan. I’ve already notified them, and they’ll do their best to assist you."
Old Nissen nodded at Bai Fu.
He was fully determined now. Finding the ruins of that research institute might unravel the reason why this part of Goli had turned into a desert. It might even provide a way to save Yulia.
Before leaving, Bai Fu gave Anya a few more instructions: keep her eyes and ears open, and if she saw anyone causing trouble, she mustn’t rush to stop them or show off. First, run.
Once everything was arranged, Bai Fu led fifty Players aboard the Railway Guild’s transport vehicle.
This operation’s target was the Gene Primordials’ Marine Biology Research Institute.
As the name implied, this research institute studied marine biology. It was located in the Far Eastern Region of the Gene Primordials, right by the sea. Traveling there from the Goli Desert required a long detour, or else they might be discovered by the Gene Primordials.
But distance was no issue. Thanks to the Railway Guild’s speedy transport, Bai Fu completed the journey in just two days.
The vehicle stopped fifty kilometers away from the Marine Biology Research Institute. This was a temporary stronghold set up by the Railway Guild, already filled with people waiting.
When Bai Fu stepped down from the vehicle on her long legs, everyone in the stronghold instinctively craned their necks.
Stare!
Some of them were Railway Guild logistics personnel, others were experts hired by the Guild. All of them were eager to catch a glimpse of the fierce woman who had crushed Black Hawk Base.
After the Black Hawk Base ambush, Bai Fu’s name had exploded in popularity. She became the most discussed person on the Dark Web.
Silver Moon, the new queen of the Dark World, the Black Mask, Queen of the Undying Ones…
Assassins and contractors on the Dark Web gave her one nickname after another.
Most assassins and contractors worshipped Bai Fu, believing that even among S-rank Certified Assassins, she would still rank near the top. But a few were unconvinced. They claimed that although Bai Fu had crushed Luo Wan, Pedro, and Qi Yuan—three major Truth Society generals—with overwhelming might, the Undying Ones had contributed significantly in the process. Therefore, her record should be taken with a grain of salt.
Among the assassins awaiting her arrival, someone clearly thought this way.
As Bai Fu planted both feet firmly on the ground, a man also wearing a Black Mask approached her with a smile.
"You must be Silver Moon? You can call me Coyote."
Coyote glanced at the Players wandering behind Bai Fu.
"These are the legendary Undying Ones?"
The other party was polite, so Bai Fu didn’t act arrogant. "That’s right. They’ll be acting alongside me."
Coyote laughed heartily. "Revival Esper Powers—what a fascinating ability. I’m looking forward to your performance in this mission."
Just as Coyote finished speaking, another person walked up. He looked young, visibly excited. "Holy crap, it’s really you—Silver Moon in the flesh! If those Old Dengs knew I’d seen the real you, they’d be so jealous."
"You are?"
Bai Fu turned her head.
At this moment, a blonde woman with a cold face stepped forward. "Bugfather Ferreira, also a newly promoted S-rank Certified Assassin. Specializes in biology-type Esper Powers, can control insects in combat. He’s very interested in how you control those Undying Ones. I suppose you could call him a fan. I’m Su Li."
Bai Fu could clearly sense hostility from this woman named Su Li, but she had no recollection of ever meeting her.
Su Li had an exceptionally ample bosom—so ample Bai Fu herself felt inferior. If she had met such a person before, she would definitely remember.
She threw a Psionic Vision over.
【Favorability】: Unconvinced (-12)
This woman clearly wasn’t a good one!
"Hello." Bai Fu remained composed as she greeted Su Li and Ferreira. "Just one thing—I didn’t control those Undying Ones."
Like hell she didn’t!
Su Li sneered in her heart.
She was the Railway Guild’s female Special Agent who had been mentally broken by Players.
After meeting Bai Fu, she became even more certain the Undying Ones were talking nonsense.
Yes, her skin tone, hair color, eye shape, and body proportions did differ a little from Bai Fu’s—but there was one area where she was absolutely superior. Her upper body "assets."
Her assets weren’t just taller but thicker. Press them against Bai Fu’s and Bai Fu would be squashed flat.
And yet the Undying Ones she met claimed Bai Fu was leagues above her—utterly unreasonable! Unless Bai Fu had brainwashed them, she’d eat her own words!
Su Li had volunteered for this mission. Not for any official reason, but simply to prove herself.
"I really want to see what kind of method you're using to control these Undying Ones. Once I secretly learn your method of controlling them, let's see what those Undying Ones will have to say then!"
Su Li stared at Bai Fu's back with a resentful expression.
Under Coyote's guidance, Bai Fu and the people at the stronghold held an impromptu meeting.
The topic of the meeting was how to break through the defensive line set up by the Players and enter the Marine Biology Research Institute.
In the eyes of these top-tier assassins, the Players' strength was very weak. However, the troubling part was that Players could resurrect, and they liked to use self-detonation tactics at the drop of a hat. If not handled properly and the Players found a chance to blow up their research facility, this mission would be a total failure.
"We need to come up with a way to pin them down, make them unable to support the Marine Biology Research Institute. My suggestion is..."
Coyote spoke confidently.
His tactic was actually very simple—lure-the-enemy strategy. Lure the Players to a place far from the Marine Biology Research Institute.
But since it was uncertain where the Players would resurrect after dying, to be safe, he felt they should also assign some people to ambush along the path from the defensive line to the research facility.
Coyote's proposal was supported by most people in the meeting room.
"Then leave the task of luring the Undying Ones to Silver Moon and the Undying Ones you brought with you."
Bai Fu had no objections. However, compared to luring the Players, she had an even better tactic.
Lure them? Why bother? Just persuade them to surrender.
A huge group of Players in the Community had declared their allegiance to her, even shouting things like "Open the city gates to welcome King Fu, with King Fu here there's no need to pay taxes." Now was the perfect time to verify whether they were just talking nonsense or really meant it!
PS: Thanks to Lies Like Rain, Four Pieces of Rice Cake for One, and zInitial for the tips.