Chapter 23

Chapter 23: Ready to Sacrifice [Combined]

Bai Fu’s苟道 upgrade plan encountered a little mishap because it was becoming increasingly difficult for the Wildfire Gang to capture players alive.

As time went on, players gradually became capable of self-defense in their battles against ordinary members of the Wildfire Gang.

This was due to the overall increase in player levels and the combat comparison video that had been uploaded to the forum by Jiujiao a few days ago.

After watching the video, two groups of players stepped forward.

The first group was quite diverse.

They included a skilled craftsman, college students on vacation, overworked engineers who could only play for an hour after work, and those who worked with electricity, water, and civil engineering.

After witnessing the freedom of the manufacturing system above the stars, they used their knowledge to build a small craft production base.

This base could not only produce some small traps but, as a senior player said, could even create firearms if materials were sufficient.

The second group of players was more straightforward; they were pure troublemakers.

Initially, they only mimicked Jiujiao and others by throwing lime and chili powder. After discovering that most members of the Wildfire Gang wore goggles, they had to develop new tactics.

Some players enchanted their weapons with feces, others dressed up in women’s clothing to lure isolated gang members, and still, others developed a practical taunt skill during combat, verbally attacking four opponents’ ancestors and creating opportunities for ambushes for their teammates.

Under these troublesome operations, some members of the Wildfire Gang began to resist fighting them.

With just a little money each month, who would risk their lives?

Losing meant instant death, winning meant living in disgust.

Bai Fu once saw a member of the Wildfire Gang vomiting uncontrollably on the ground after being hit by flying excrement, crying bitterly while doing so.

“How brutal!”

Bai Fu felt a chill down her spine.

She was glad she had built good relations with the players.

Facing such unreasonable attacks, even she found it hard to remain calm, especially since all her attribute points were in constitution rather than agility.

After the scare, Bai Fu keenly realized this was a great opportunity.

When everyone else refused to fight the players, she proposed going out herself, and if she couldn’t increase the Wildfire Gang’s affinity with the players, she would write “Fu” backwards!

Indeed, it proved true.

Upon hearing that she volunteered to confront the players head-on, the Wildfire Gang leader’s affinity rose by 21 points, from 12 to 33, and his attitude changed from “impression” to “appreciation.”

Very well! Very well indeed!

The Wildfire Gang leader looked content.

Looking at Bai Fu’s determined gaze, he couldn’t help but recall the sunset runs from days gone by, a symbol of lost youth.

Once upon a time, he too was a young man with aspirations, but time had taken its toll, and he had become a middle-aged man with hemorrhoids.

It could be said that in this day and age, there were fewer young people like Bai Fu who were truly outstanding.

Smart, loyal, ambitious…

If there were more people like Bai Fu in the Wildfire Gang, how could they not grow and even escape this desolate corner of the abandoned cooling plant?

“You go find the Field Operations Minister, he will give you a new task.” The Wildfire Gang leader paused and continued, “Your performance these past days has been excellent. If you have any additional requests, I will try my best to fulfill them.”

This was a pleasant surprise, and Bai Fu naturally did not hesitate to ask.

“Leader, if you insist, I do have a small request. I want to borrow some books from the library. I found a child outside, and she is at the right age to learn. I want…”

The Wildfire Gang leader interrupted her, “No need to explain further. I understand your meaning. Besides the locked library, you can enter any other library freely.”

He tossed her a card.

Bai Fu quickly grabbed the card and expressed her gratitude.

After spending two days in the interrogation room, she had upgraded her Spirit Apprentice to Level 7. With Level 10 not far off, she wanted to check the library for advanced knowledge books to avoid leveling issues later.

After bidding farewell to the Wildfire Gang leader, Bai Fu hurried straight to the library.

Compared to the public library filled with junk, the advanced library had many useful books.

There were secondary profession knowledge books like “Cooks and Their Cultivation” and “Gold Miners,” as well as primary profession books like “Basic Boxing Techniques” and “Gun Assembly.”

The only issue was that there were no advancement knowledge books for any profession, including Spirit Apprentices.

“Is the level cap in the newbie village only Level 10? Or is everything valuable hidden in that locked library?”

Bai Fu searched through the library but only found one note related to Spirit Energy, titled:

“Research Essay: Some Worthless Spirit Prayers (Freya Egmond / Author)”

Bai Fu: “…”

Great, so she didn’t get anything from this trip.

Bai Fu skeptically flipped open the note.

[Do you wish to read “Research Essay”?]

[Yes]

[You begin reading “Research Essay”. Your low-level Spirit Energy specialization takes effect, increasing your reading speed by 10%. Current progress: 0.1%.]

Minutes later, the progress bar smoothly reached 100%.

[During reading, you have mastered new skills [Surge of Strength (inferior)] and [Multiplier Boost (inferior)]]

Bai Fu opened her attribute panel.

[Template]: Ordinary

[Experience]: 191

[Primary Profession]: Spirit Apprentice Lv7 (0/7500), Vagrant Lv3 (0/1000)

[Secondary Profession]: None

[Health Points]: 220/220

[Spirit Energy]: 55/55

[Attributes]: Strength 5, Agility 3, Constitution 22, Intelligence 3, Spirit 11, Inspiration 11

[Skills]:

Frenzy Lv1, Harden Lv1, Spirit Vision, Natural Spirituality Lv1, Low-Level Spirit Energy Specialization, Surge of Strength (inferior), Multiplier Boost (inferior)

[Talents]: None

[Attribute Points]: 0

[Reputation]: 1

[Faction]: Wildfire Gang (faction reputation 20)

Bai Fu glanced over her newly acquired skills.

Surge of Strength (inferior): 10-second cooldown, consumes 20 Spirit Energy to increase Strength by 3, but lasts only 60 seconds and reduces Stamina by 20%, making it extremely inefficient.

Given that stamina and attributes are closely linked in the stars, a significant reduction in stamina could temporarily lower attributes, causing weakness or even fainting.

The Multiplier Boost (inferior) was even worse: 1-second cooldown, consumes 5 Spirit Energy, reducing the duration of the next active skill’s positive effects by 50%. Who would use such a skill?

“No wonder the essay is titled ‘Some Worthless Spirit Prayers.'”

Bai Fu grimaced.

Fortunately, game skills don’t take up skill slots, otherwise, learning these would be a waste.

Just as she thought about checking if she missed any books, she suddenly realized something.

If these skills were used on herself or her teammates, they would increase Strength by 3 within 30 seconds, then reduce Stamina by 20% after 30 seconds.

But using them as attack skills on opponents would deduct 20% of their Stamina after 30 seconds, with the downside being that their Strength would increase by 3 during the process.

Considering that Spirit Apprentices are fragile, it’s unlikely they would use this combination skill on their opponents.

In the early game, a 3-point Strength boost isn’t insignificant.

Using this combination on opponents could result in premature death if they manage to close the distance before stamina depletion.

However, Bai Fu wasn’t worried.

She glanced at her high Constitution of 22 and smiled reassuringly. A Spirit Prayer Mage in heavy armor fears nothing!

“At least I didn’t come here for nothing.”

Bai Fu stood up and returned the notebook to its original place.

She circled around the library again, confirming there were no more Spirit-related books left, then left and headed to the Field Operations Department.

Since the Wildfire Gang leader had already informed the Field Operations Department, she received a new task immediately upon arrival.

[You triggered the faction quest [Counterattack]]

[Quest Description: Despite successfully taking the upper hand against outsiders, many Wildfire Gang members fell into fear. Their timid behavior severely impacted morale. The Field Operations Minister organized a surprise attack against the outsiders to turn the tide.]

[Objective: Launch a surprise attack on the temporary outpost established by outsiders in the western part of the abandoned cooling plant. Show the Wildfire Gang’s might!]

[Reward: Reward depends on contribution]

[Accept/Decline]

Bai Fu’s eyes flashed.

After being hit by the players’ unconventional tactics, the Wildfire Gang finally took action?

She clicked accept.

The Field Operations Minister tapped the table lightly, “Good, prepare yourself. We’ll meet here in half an hour to start the operation.”

“Half an hour?”

Bai Fu was stunned.

So urgent?

She originally planned to secretly inform the players to increase their affinity, but half an hour was insufficient for a round trip, so she had to abandon the idea.

She would complete the mission today and apologize to the players tomorrow.

Bai Fu casually picked up a pair of goggles and a knife from the logistics department before returning to the Field Operations Department.

As everyone started gathering, she saw Cao Wenliang approaching and whispering something to the Field Operations Minister.

“Hmm?”

Bai Fu frowned and immediately cast her Spirit Vision skill.

[Affinity]: Indifferent (-3)

This value made sense, but Bai Fu remained uneasy.

Cao Wenliang hadn’t shown up until now, which must mean he had ulterior motives.

“Could he be planning to eliminate me during this operation?”

Bai Fu thought it highly likely.

Especially after seeing the other three people assigned to her team, she was even more convinced.

Four people, only one had a positive affinity, the highest among the others was -25. It would be hard to believe they weren’t on a mission.

Bai Fu remained composed.

With a shout of “Let’s go,” she followed the main force to the temporary outpost constructed by the players.

An hour later.

The sun set, the night curtain rose.

In the ruins of the western area of the abandoned cooling plant, the Field Operations Minister gave final instructions, “Bai Fu, you and your group are responsible for the west side. Once you see my signal, don’t hesitate, charge in directly.”

“No problem.”

Bai Fu agreed readily, scanning the four people in her group.

Once separated from the main force, they would probably act, right?

They had been killing players for days, it was time for a change. She wondered how much experience the four of them could yield.

But things turned out differently than expected.

Even after the flare was launched, the four people showed no signs of aggression. Instead, they stopped a short distance away to warn her.

“What are you waiting for? If we’re late, we’ll definitely be punished afterward.”

Bai Fu: “…”

Did Cao Wenliang repent?

Holding her doubts, Bai Fu charged toward the players’ outpost with the four people.

As she ran, she realized something was amiss.

The four people seemed to be running fast, but they kept taking detours. Gradually, Bai Fu ended up leading the charge.

Based on this situation, she would definitely be the first to reach the players, but whether the other four would follow was uncertain.

“So that’s it!”

Bai Fu understood immediately.

These people had no intention of acting themselves but wanted to use the players to eliminate her!

It was a good idea. Afterward, no one would suspect a conspiracy; they would assume she acted rashly, leading to a tragic outcome.

Unfortunately, they completely underestimated her good relationship with the players.

Even if their relationship was average, with her Constitution, the players couldn’t kill her quickly, rendering their plan futile.

“You enjoy playing this way?”

Bai Fu couldn’t help laughing.

She had been worrying about how to alert the players, and now this opportunity presented itself.

“Attack the player outpost first, apologize later.” The affinity gained wouldn’t compare to risking exposure as a spy to warn the players.

Thank you, Wenliang, if not for you, I wouldn’t have found such a perfect opportunity to sacrifice myself!

With that, Bai Fu sped up and charged directly into the players’ outpost.

…

At the outpost.

Pai Da Xing and the others gathered around, discussing giving Cao Wenliang a surprise.

“This old guy keeps bothering Fu Fu. If this continues, her true identity might be exposed. We can’t let him continue.”

“I agree. He was shouting in the live stream a few days ago that he wanted to kill us all.”

“I’ve figured out his address. My suggestion is…”

Just as they were discussing enthusiastically, a white figure suddenly leaped through the window and landed inside.

“En… it’s Fu…”

Seeing it was Bai Fu, the nearby Calamity Dragon opened her mouth to shout.

“Quiet!”

Bai Fu quickly covered her mouth.

All the players in the room were stunned.

Why was Bai Fu here?

“Fu sister, what happened?” Pai Da Xing asked.

Bai Fu surveyed the room, losing her usual composure. She urged urgently, “We don’t have time to explain. Just pack your things and leave now.”

What?

Jiujiao couldn’t help asking, “Fu Fu, what’s going on?”

Bai Fu gritted her teeth, “I said we don’t have time to explain. Just listen to me and leave!”

Pai Da Xing stood up, shaking his head, “Fu sister, the more you say that, the less we’ll leave. Something big must have happened. Leaving is easy for us, but what about you, the one who’s warning us?”

“That’s right, we won’t leave.”

“Fu Fu, I won’t let you get hurt for me!”

The players clamored.

Bai Fu stared at them for a long time before finally sighing deeply, “Now I understand why you qualify to be legendary heroes.”

PS: This chapter is combined. Please keep reading, as reading over the next two days is crucial to determine if the recommendation can advance. Thank you!

I’m very sorry, I’m updating later today. I originally planned to update at ten, but I couldn’t settle my mind.

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