Chapter 148

Chapter 148: Super Evolution, Bai Fu, the Richest Woman of Source Star!

The official game website has already posted a lot of background information related to the Star Ocean and has repeatedly stated in previous Q&A sessions that the Star Ocean map will be officially opened in version 2.0.

However, the materials on the official website are rather general, providing only a brief introduction to the basic conditions of the three major civilizations and their explored regions in the universe.

For example, the Rebirth Empire has an extremely inclusive culture, where all sorts of strange things can be seen. The mainstream civilization of the Super Nova Task Force is very martial, making them the faction most inclined to explore the Dark Domain (unexplored areas of the universe). Meanwhile, Titan Industries likes doing business and is a paradise for the tech-oriented, favoring “big” aesthetics, which not only refers to the grandeur of technological creations and architecture but also extends to other aspects.

To better highlight Titan Industries’ pursuit of size and beauty, the official site specifically placed quite a few images on the Titan Industries introduction page. Among the most typical was an extremely oversized planetary mothership and a female humanoid super-being named Hunter Constellation Overlord.

Even though the official site did not provide any detailed explanations for those two images, both the planetary mothership and the female super-being gained popularity among players due to their grand and beautiful appearances.

Bai Fu enjoyed looking at these as well, but compared to the three major forces that were still far from her, she was more interested in obtaining intelligence about the Star Ocean map that would be released in version 2.0; this was what truly assisted her survival.

Good news! In the preview video for the 1.3 version update, the official finally brought her the news she wanted!

The main discussion between the Stars Girl and the Q-version Fu Fu was actually about how players influence the development of the game’s main storyline.

Q-version Fu Fu: [Each beginner planet has more than one mainline story and hidden mainline story. Among these mainlines, which one is the most important?]

Stars Girl: [There is no such thing as the most important. What we do is just guide players across the barriers of the world into this world filled with countless wonders. As for which mainline plot has a greater impact, it depends on the unfolding of the world itself and also on the player’s participation in the plot.]

Q-version Fu Fu: [In other words, as long as players exert enough influence, they can make their favorite plot become the “main” plot and enjoy a truly immersive experience?]

Stars Girl: [Yes, since today’s guest is Fu Fu, let’s take Source Star as an example. In the original setting of Source Star, five factions were in confrontation, and there was no certainty about who would laugh last, whether it would be the Truth Society or the Gene Progenitor. In subsequent plots, many players chose to support Fu Fu, and through their efforts, Fu Fu’s story became the brightest story on Source Star.]

Q-version Fu Fu: [I see, Stars Girl explained it very clearly.]

Stars Girl: [Actually, players have a significant impact on the game’s development. Ending the mainline plot early or finding key items early can not only open up new plots earlier but also offer the chance to enter unopened maps.]

Q-version Fu Fu: [Unopened maps, does that refer to the Celestial Sea?]

Stars Girl: [Yes, recently, many players have been privately messaging Stars Girl, so Stars Girl will make a unified explanation here. Version 2.0 is the big event version of the Star Ocean, but this doesn’t mean players must wait until version 2.0 to enter the Star Ocean. However, the conditions are very strict, and exactly what to do will be left for all players to explore themselves. Let’s look at the new column [Traveling Through the Stars] presented in this update preview.]

So-called traveling through the stars means, after the explanation of the update content, Stars Girl and the guest lead players to appreciate the scenery of the new version together.

In the first episode of Traveling Through the Stars, the video showcased the wonders of each beginner planet and used the Sea Lion Galaxy System, active with shattered stars, as an example at the end of the segment, taking players on a tour of the Celestial Sea.

Passenger spaceships equipped with hyperspace engines, vast and dreamlike ring worlds, star gates surrounded by countless ships…

These scenes caused a frenzy among players in the chat, with many dreaming of piloting starships across the universe.

Bai Fu was more pragmatic than them; she quickly drew relationship diagrams of the various factions mentioned by Stars Girl on her notebook.

“The main controller of the Sea Lion Galaxy System is the Star Network Community, which is composed of multiple civilizations. The Sea Lion Galaxy System belongs to a cluster called Gateway of the Beginning, named because it is located at the top of the Cosmic Great Wall known as Edge World. Edge World is situated between the explored universe and the unexplored Dark Domain, influenced by the three major powers, but overall, the Sea Lion Galaxy System falls under the jurisdiction of Titan Industries.”

“Because the Sea Lion Galaxy System is located in Edge World, it is generally chaotic, with space pirates, cosmic criminals, and heretical groups rampant, but the areas controlled by the Star Network Community are relatively stable.”

“Because of the chaos, there are many private military companies and interstellar mercenary groups in the Sea Lion Galaxy System. I didn’t know that Stone Crystal Security Company ranked fifth among private military companies, no wonder Shuixing fears it so much.”

A force of this level probably wouldn’t even need to grovel before the Star Network Community.

“I cannot let them know that the True Essence Pillar is in my hands, especially that Youlia has fused with the spiritual core of the True Essence Pillar.”

Bai Fu doubted the integrity of unregulated private security companies.

As for the Red Moon Mercenary Group and the Blessed Sect mentioned by Shuixing, although they were not mentioned in the update preview, she dared not relax her vigilance against them either.

“There are many routes to enter the Sea Lion Galaxy System, but the one with the largest throughput must be the Calinas Star Port. Near the Calinas Star Port, there are the best hyper-space entrances and jump slingshots in the Sea Lion Galaxy System, which can greatly reduce the consumption of long-distance travel for spaceships.”

Sitting on the bed, Bai Fu poked the star port icon drawn on her notebook with her toes.

Is it really safe to go to the Sea Lion Galaxy System via this route? Although it has been a hundred years since Shuixing robbed the True Essence Pillar, who can guarantee that the factions won’t continue to send people to guard the Calinas Star Port?

If someone is lying in wait, she might be arrested as soon as she shows up. Those factions surely wouldn’t forget what the spaceship stolen by Shuixing looks like.

“It seems I have to take a detour.”

Bai Fu thoughtfully considered countermeasures in her heart.

She had crossed the Star Ocean to the Sea Lion Galaxy System, not to go to jail. Although some players liked to call her Prison Fu, if she accidentally became Prison Fu, it would be laughable.

Bai Fu skipped forward a bit in the video. After the conclusion of the Traveling Through the Stars segment, the screen displayed the exact time of the 1.3 version update. Just like before the 1.2 version update, this time was ten days after the announcement.

[New version, new atmosphere, wish everyone more happiness in this living world. See you next time!]

The update preview video ended here, but its impact was just beginning to ferment.

This update preview did not mention any new features, but now not many players cared about that. They first thought of the conversation between Stars Girl and Q-version Fu Fu.

The information contained in this dialogue was enormous, the most shocking revelation being that if the right method was found, it was indeed possible to sneak into the Star Ocean before the release of the Star Ocean version!

[Holy crap, has this game become this free?]

[No, this is a bit exaggerated, doesn’t this mean that the game’s map and plot were actually completed long ago? Is this something humans could create?]

[The group of Rhodium Cesium Beryllium on Source Star sure had good luck; they supported Fu Fu and accidentally found a shortcut to the Star Ocean.]

[Oh my god, I want to represent Indigo Star players to strongly condemn Source Star players!]

[It should be impossible for everyone to follow Fu Fu to the Star Ocean, Source Star doesn’t have that large a spaceship. Most likely, Fu Fu won’t bring anyone, or only a few players.]

[Exactly, that’s what I think too.]

The topic of sneaking into the Star Ocean ahead of schedule quickly topped the game community’s popularity rankings and swept through video sites and some social media platforms within half an hour, giving Above the Stars a huge advertisement. As the special guest of the update preview video and the protagonist of the case study, Q-version Fu Fu and Big Bai Fu also gained popularity thanks to this wave.

Seeing this scene, Bai Fu was in high spirits.

The reason the officials took her story as an example was likely to prevent players from other planets from feeling unfair when they saw the players on Source Star following her to the Celestial Sea.

Regardless of the officials’ intentions, this time the officials gave her assistance. Now, all the players on Source Star believed that they could follow her to the Celestial Sea as the plot developed. The only question was how many people she would take this time.

Would she take only Jiujiao as she did when fleeing from the Gene Progenitor, or would she take more players?

No one knew.

But the players on Source Star were clear that competition had arrived!

“Trouble!”

The next morning, Bai Fu had just gotten out of bed and was washing up when she received an urgent contact from Su Li.

“What happened? Did you encounter another unsolvable high-level mutated life form?”

Su Li on the terminal chuckled bitterly: “If it were just that, it would be fine. Hurry up and get ready and come over here. For some unknown reason, since last night, those undead followers of yours have gathered together and kept fighting. They’ve been fighting for eight hours straight, and we’re almost scared out of our wits. If this problem isn’t solved soon, your Source Star reconstruction plan may not be able to proceed.”

Players were fighting, and they fought for eight whole hours?

Bai Fu was stunned.

What kind of superman are these people? Even the once famous Tieba Five Tiger Generals back in the day weren’t this tough!

“You wait, I’ll check the situation.”

Bai Fu quickly opened the community and figured out the cause in the Source Star sub-section.

The fight Su Li mentioned was actually offline PK. These players decided to gather and PK during their quests after watching the official update preview video.

[Do you think how many players Fu Fu will take this time?]

[I don’t know, but I think the focus is not on how many, but on what kind of players Fu Fu will take.]

[Close friends? High contributors? Or strong ones?]

Regarding this issue, a heated discussion erupted among the players of Source Star.

Although they didn’t know how Bai Fu would choose, all the players reached a consensus after the big discussion:

Only the strong deserve Fu Fu!

This is going to a high-level map, naturally full of high-level monsters everywhere. Novices would not only be useless to Fu Fu but would also cause trouble for her.

But reaching a consensus is one thing, and soon a new question arose:

Who is the so-called strong one worthy of Fu Fu?

Player A claimed he was, Player B also claimed he was, and when verbal sparring couldn’t decide the winner, the players working under Su Li spontaneously gathered together to start offline PK.

Bai Fu: “…”

You guys are really idle.

Wait!

At the moment Bai Fu rolled her eyes, she suddenly realized this was a great opportunity to milk the players one more time before leaving Source Star.

The offline PK held by these players was in unlimited combat mode, with no restrictions on weapons and props. If she could incite all the players on Source Star to participate in this offline PK, how many prayer cards, skills, and job knowledge books could she sell then?

These days Bai Fu had earned more than 30 million experience points by selling interstellar common language. Though this number seemed large, she needed 6 million experience points to level up now, and this amount was only enough for her to level up four times after completing the career change task. She was quite dissatisfied with this efficiency.

But no matter how dissatisfied she was, she couldn’t whip those players who were reluctant to spend experience points to buy interstellar common language, could she?

“Spit it out! Damn it, quickly hand over the experience you’ve been hiding from me! If you don’t spit it out, I’m going to take more drastic measures. You don’t want to be trampled by me, do you?”

Doing so would certainly satisfy her hunger for experience points, but what would be the consequences?

Probably the image of conscientious Fu Fu she had carefully cultivated would instantly collapse, turning her into a greedy cat, a bad woman.

Now it’s good, these players have given her a new idea.





“If I were the one to proactively propose a PK selection, the impact would probably not be much better. But now that the players are doing it themselves, I just need to slightly cooperate with them and they’ll be completely drained, earning me a fortune without damaging my good reputation!”

Isn’t this great?

Bai Fu was delighted. She consoled Su Li a few words, then hurried out to find Anya, asking Anya to perform a play in front of Jiujiao.

As the player most skilled at imagination in the Silent Courtyard, Jiujiao fell right into the trap.

“Big news! Big news!”

After Bai Fu and Anya walked away, Jiujiao logged onto the community as soon as possible and posted a new thread.

“I just accidentally overheard Fu Fu and Anya’s conversation. Since it happened suddenly, I forgot to record a video, so now I will just paraphrase it briefly. It mainly concerns going to the Celestial Sea.”

This topic immediately drew the attention of most players on Source Star.

Jiujiao: “Just now, Fu Fu and Anya were discussing the size of the starship. Fu Fu said that after being fully loaded with supplies, the starship could still accommodate 100 people, very spacious. Anya suggested Fu Fu take some players along when leaving Source Star. Fu Fu thought this proposal was good but hadn’t decided who to take. Anya then said to take the more powerful players, as they can help do more things. Fu Fu hesitated for a long time, didn’t directly agree with what Anya said, but only indicated that she would ask later about which players are more powerful.”

Jiujiao’s interpretation proved to be highly effective.

Who is more powerful?

It must be me!

The mighty warrior of Source Star has arrived!

In no time, the players of Source Star gathered together voluntarily, crazily PKing during the task breaks. In order to achieve better results in the PK, many players gritted their teeth and bought prayer cards or skills that they weren’t urgently needing.

Not leveling up for a few days really isn’t a big issue; the important thing is to perform well in the PK. If lucky enough to be chosen by Fu Fu and gain the opportunity to go to the Celestial Sea, those losses before would be nothing.

From that day on, many players on Source Star led a liver emperor life, doing tasks during the day and PKing at night.

Su Li was almost dazzled. What kind of superhumans are these, working hard during the day and still having energy to fight at night?

She contacted Bai Fu: “Are you really leaving Source Star to go to the Celestial Sea? If you leave, who will control these increasingly powerful undead?”

Bai Fu replied, “Don’t worry, even if I’m not here, Elder Nissen and others are still around. Moreover, even if we’re far apart, I can still manage these undead through the undead I take with me. If you encounter any trouble, you can always contact me through the undead.”

“That’s true, but…”

Su Li shook her head and sighed. She actually wanted to see the Star Ocean too, but her qualifications might not support her survival in the Star Ocean.

“Let me know when you’re leaving, I’ll come to see you off.”

“Alright.”

Bai Fu looked up at the cloudless night sky.

There’s nothing to feel sad about. It’s not like she’s leaving and never coming back. Once she stabilizes herself in the Star Ocean, she will definitely find a way to return to Source Star and bring more players with her to explore the Star Ocean.

…

There are only a few days left until the 1.3 version update. During these days, Bai Fu squeezed experience from the players while running around collecting materials she planned to take to the Star Ocean.

She ordered several new combat suits from the best mechanic on Source Star, stocked up on several large boxes of materials for making prayer cards, and finally cleared a room on the starship, moving all of Youlia’s experimental equipment inside.

This way, even during the boring space journey, Youlia could focus on her experiments.

At first, Bai Fu also intended to set up a workspace for Xia Shi, but this proposal was rejected by Xia Shi.

“Do you really not plan to come with me to the Celestial Sea?”

Xia Shi’s face was full of melancholy. She stood under the eaves, resembling a frail literary girl. Hearing Bai Fu’s words, she forced out a faint smile.

“I really want to, but I am too weak now. If I go with you, I won’t only fail to help you, but also become your burden. I’ve already been saved by you once, I don’t want to bother you again, twice, three times, or even more.”

Bai Fu said, “I don’t mind, and you’re not necessarily a burden. At least in mechanical manufacturing, you can help me a lot.”

Xia Shi said, “Didn’t you say you would come back? I will wait for you on Source Star. When you return, you will see a me who has walked out of the inner void. During the time you’re not here, I will do my best to protect everything you have left behind, White Fu Town, Silent Courtyard, your reconstruction plan for Source Star… I will risk my life for it. Anyone who dares to defile your ideals, I will mercilessly send them on their way!”

These words sounded touching, but also a bit scary.

Huh?

Bai Fu asked, “Then what about your own ideals?”

Xia Shi gently touched the fragment of the True Essence Pillar hanging on her chest: “The Source Star you have shaped is the Source Star I saw in my dreams. When I had an inner void, you tried your best to fill that hole in me. My current ideal is that you can realize your ideal.”

Well, it seems you’ve become a Fu guard.

—You seem somewhat disloyal to Fu Fu, I must kill you!

Bai Fu’s gaze toward Xia Shi became increasingly strange, but Xia Shi seemed not to notice the abnormality in her eyes, smiling at her with a spring-like warmth.

Alright, this is good. Xia Shi’s level is indeed a bit low now. Letting her stay on Source Star and use the power of the players to level up properly, while spending more time with her father to mend the cracks in her heart, is the most suitable choice.

“I will leave you some high-level prayer cards. With these prayer cards, no one on Source Star can hurt you.”

While Bai Fu was speaking, she saw Xia Shi suddenly extend both hands, holding her right hand in hers, then Xia Shi lowered her forehead, lightly touching her fingertips.

“I am praying that we will meet again someday.”

“We will, I always keep my word.”

Bai Fu lightly hugged Xia Shi.

…

Two days before the 1.3 version update, Bai Fu received another communication from Su Li.

“Did those undead bother you again?”

Su Li said, “No, this time they didn’t cause trouble. The troublemakers are the Human Alliance. They found out that quite a few undead are mutants. Now they’re throwing tantrums, saying they absolutely refuse to cooperate with those undead. This has caused the construction schedule of the camp to be significantly delayed. I think this problem must be handled properly. Otherwise, if you’re not around in the future, who knows what might happen.”

That’s true.

The original founders of the Human Alliance were deeply affected by mutant unrest, so they were extremely hostile towards mutants.

“I’ll talk to them. Don’t worry, I won’t get into a fight with them. There’s no need for you to specially come and support me.”

Bai Fu immediately contacted the higher-ups of the Human Alliance.

“I’ve heard about your conflict with those undead.”

The leader of the Human Alliance’s voice was deep: “Silver Moon Queen, I personally respect you very much. You have changed the landscape of Source Star, making it look hopeful. However, we have our principles. I hope…”

“Haha.” Bai Fu interrupted his words, “I’m not here to accuse you today. I fully understand your feelings. I want to have a good chat with you. I assume you’ve heard some rumors that I plan to leave Source Star.”

The leader of the Human Alliance was silent for a while, then gave an affirmative answer.

“The Star Ocean is vast, vast enough that Source Star doesn’t even count as a grain of sand in the sea. In such a vast world, countless civilizations have emerged, creating countless epic stories of civilization. Cooperation, war… Such plots are constantly unfolding in the Star Ocean. One day, Source Star will also enter the Star Ocean, becoming a node in the cosmic civilization network. To survive in such a universe where evolution is the eternal theme, what else can we do except evolve with it? I won’t force you. Even if you insist on withdrawing from the plan, I won’t retaliate against you. The choice is yours. How to consider the standpoint and perspective, how to make judgments, all depend on you.”

“I will think about it carefully.”

After ending the conversation with the Human Alliance, Bai Fu shrugged.

Since making the decision to leave Source Star, she had become peaceful.

Though yearning for the stars and seas, she was still reluctant to leave.

Well, since she’s eventually going to leave, she might as well leave her mark on this planet before she goes.

Bai Fu found Gao Yuan, asking him to build a big statue in the square of White Fu Town.

“Actually, I’ve already sent someone secretly to make the statue. It will definitely be erected before you leave Source Star.”

So cooperative?

Bai Fu slightly raised an eyebrow, “Then I’m looking forward to it.”

Gao Yuan smiled, “Rest assured. By the way, here’s the sales data of your merchandise for the past week. The data is very impressive. Even the most famous female idol on Source Star previously couldn’t match one-tenth of your popularity. Counting other incomes, I estimate that you will become the richest person on Source Star in a short time.”

Bai Fu glanced at the data. Although she had expected it, she was still shocked by the numbers.

This is truly making money like water!

Unfortunately, the money earned on Source Star cannot be taken to the Star Ocean. Most of the materials on Source Star are also unsellable in the Star Ocean. She could only invest this money in building Source Star, providing better services to players, attracting more players to support her.

“If I could replicate Source Star’s operation in the Star Ocean and become a popular idol, that would be great.”

Her expenses after entering the Star Ocean will definitely be greater. She needed to find a stable way to earn money.

Bai Fu pondered quietly. Even if she became a popular idol, relying solely on selling merchandise might not be a long-term solution. Issuing albums and shooting movies would take up too much of her time. She had to find a better way to monetize her popularity.

“Selling goods?”

This seemed pretty good. Her same-style clothes sold quite well, but she needed to find a reliable collaborator to help her build a commercial empire. Gao Yuan did a good job, but his strength was too ordinary. Going to the Star Ocean with him would be too dangerous.

“Why not collaborate with players?”

Bai Fu first thought of the wealthy Calamity Dragon who often activities with Jiujiao.

She opened Jiujiao’s live stream, wanting to see if Jiujiao and Calamity Dragon were together now.

When she opened the live stream, she really saw Jiujiao and Calamity Dragon sitting together. At this moment, Calamity Dragon was incessantly complaining.

“Do you guys know? I recently encountered a very troublesome matter. A few days ago, wasn’t Fu Fu popular again and made it to the hot search list? Then my dad accidentally saw Fu Fu while watching the news, and he asked me if Fu Fu was an NPC in the game I played. I said yes, and that I knew Fu Fu. He then had a sudden idea, wanting me to ask Fu Fu to advertise for his company. Advertising is quite common, but this time my dad actually wants Fu Fu to advertise, I can only say he has excellent insight, but the problem is, how can I possibly approach Fu Fu about this?”

“I’m not mistaken, isn’t the rich Calamity family in the beverage business?”

“Yes, to advertise, my dad specially had people recreate the beverage in the game.”

Calamity Dragon picked up two bottles of beverage from the ground, struggling to keep a straight face.

While the players were passionately discussing in the barrage, Bai Fu had a sudden idea.

This seemed like a great opportunity to enhance her fame and accumulate popularity.

Finding Calamity Dragon, seemingly unintentionally drinking the beverage, and then complimenting that it suited her taste, this would be the perfect advertisement.

She was certain that this would make her famous again.

The first NPC in Above the Stars to advertise real-world products?

What a loud name!

This would surely attract the attention of many people who don’t pay attention to Above the Stars. At this time, she could release a documentary, and the effect would be…

Amazing!

Bai Fu got excited.

PS: Thank you to book friends 20211109173921827 and Xuan Wen for your generous tips.

Tomorrow is the weekend, but whether I can write more words still needs to be seen. Placing the bowl to beg for votes~

---