Chapter 198

Chapter 198: The True Protagonist’s Strength, Bai Fu Retreats Night Mother Alone [59k]

The damage from Bai Fu’s Dark Burn was extremely exaggerated.

“-17432”

A huge red damage number floated above Sestia’s head.

Even if Herbert were to be hit by this kind of damage, he would lose half his life. However, Sestia wasn’t an ordinary person; her single-target output capability wasn’t particularly strong among S+ level psychics, but her survival ability was enough to make some newly promoted Catastrophe Tier psychics envious.

17432?

This number was indeed significant for others, but for Sestia, it wasn’t much. When she got up from the ground, Bai Fu noticed that her health bar had only decreased by about 15%. After subtracting the blood loss from previous battles, her health was still above 80%.

80%, for a boss, this was considered very healthy.

With such healthy health points, Sestia looked very healthy too.

The intense impact didn’t leave any obvious injuries on her body, just tearing her abdominal clothing and revealing her navel wrapped in “one-piece fishnet stockings,” with slight burn marks around it, which made her navel even more alluring.

Oh, her back spider leg was actually broken, but when she stood up, a new one quickly grew back.

“Did you grow up eating steel?”

Bai Fu was speechless.

She always thought she was already quite tough, but compared to Sestia, the gap between them was laughable, like comparing Scarlet Leaf’s A grade to her own D grade.

I’m Bai Fu today, but you’re the true tough cookie!

While Sestia was still angry at being hit by her, Bai Fu gave Sestia a Spirit Vision.

With the boost from 1677 points of Inspiration, the data panel she read this time was no longer a bunch of question marks.

**Name**: Sestia (Dark)

**Template**: Demon Symbiosis (Unstable State)

**Main Class**: ?

**Sub-Class**: Gardener Lv3

**Health Points**: 94321/116424

**Qi**:

**Attributes**: Strength 1207, Agility 571, Constitution 1764, Intelligence 229, Spirit 378, Inspiration 158 (Affected by [Dark] state, base attributes -3%, duration 15 minutes)

**Skills**: Life Drain Lv10, Life Withering Lv10, Demon’s Bite Lv10, Body Foggification, Demon Worship Lv10, ?????

**Talents**: Web Weaver, Good Fortune, ????

**Affinity**: Twisted Jealousy (27)

**Danger Level**: Red

“The health bar indeed exceeds 100,000, unbelievable! Plus, both constitution and strength are over a thousand. This is a monster!”

In the process of cultivation, usually, only one attribute would significantly exceed others. Human energy has its limits; honing one attribute takes a lot of time. Honing two simultaneously slows down the leveling progress considerably. Such a situation where Sestia’s constitution is 1764 and strength is 1207, higher than most 100-level NPCs, is quite rare.

“No wonder Scarlet Leaf could only hold her off after using Void power, and she would eventually lose because of the backlash from the Void.”

Bai Fu glanced at her full stats.

Inspiration 1677, this number was already very high, even higher than many S+ level psychics.

However, since this state could only last for 3 minutes and she hadn’t unlocked more advanced skills, her current combat effectiveness couldn’t be compared to those with stable Inspiration at 1677.

She could use the attribute reduction effect of Dark spiritual energy and the percentage damage from Dimensional Erosion to defeat some ordinary S+ level psychics, but against a monster like Sestia, she could only rely on her strange and versatile skills within 3 minutes. After that…

Bai Fu felt she would likely be pinned down by Sestia or on the inner wall of the Black Cocoon and then humiliated by Sestia’s feet.

Terrifying!

Fortunately, she was no longer the old Afu. Now she was the Shadow Phantom Afu, and the [Phantom] form of the Shadow Phantom race completely countered Sestia.

After transforming into a special life form like a phantom, Bai Fu could immunize most of the damage caused by Sestia’s attacks.

Of course, this wasn’t the most important thing. Just being immune to damage wasn’t enough.

Once her stamina ran out and she couldn’t transform into a phantom, she would eventually be captured by Sestia. Most importantly, becoming a Shadow Phantom allowed her to pass through walls and greatly increase her movement speed.

Including the bonuses from her spiritual energy combat suit, her agility had reached over 500. Once transformed into a phantom, her speed would far exceed Sestia’s agility of 571.

“Kick ass, speed beats everything!”

Bai Fu was full of confidence.

Next, she would play with Sestia for two minutes and test her depth.

If the situation turned bad in two minutes, she would throw a harsh statement first and then quickly transform into a phantom and take Scarlet Leaf and the others to safety. If things went well, she would continue playing with Sestia, as the rewards from the Holy Sect’s mission were tempting.

Just as Bai Fu was about to close Sestia’s stats panel, she suddenly noticed something odd.

Wait, why is Sestia’s affinity towards her positive?

When she first saw this data, she thought it was -27, but it turned out to be 27!

“Is the game bugged?”

Bai Fu was bewildered.

Since it was a positive 27, why did Sestia keep targeting her?

She took another look and found that the description of affinity was “Twisted Jealousy.”

“What the heck?”

Was Sestia jealous of her, or twistedly jealous? But what did she have that Sestia could be jealous of?

Appearance?

At their level, it was hard to tell who was better, they were each unique in their own way.

Body?

To be honest, Bai Fu thought she might not be as good as Sestia in this aspect, Sestia fully deserved her name.

Strength?

There was no point discussing this; she was confident she could catch up with Sestia after transferring, but she hadn’t transferred yet.

Forget it, worrying about this now was pointless. She wouldn’t let Sestia off just because her affinity was positive. Sestia seemed to have no intention of doing so either.

“I can see you’re angry, but anger won’t help you touch me!”

Bai Fu directly activated taunt mode.

Heh.

Sestia sneered, completely ignoring Bai Fu’s taunts. She was determined to capture Bai Fu today, even if it meant disrupting the balance with the spider symbiosis.

Scurry…

Scratchy sounds emerged from the narrow space inside the Black Cocoon.

Bai Fu used her mind’s eye and found that the spider silk inside the cocoon seemed to come alive, gathering together and forming spider legs that thrust towards her.

Whoosh—

The Shadow Substitution activated, and she gracefully dodged to Scarlet Leaf’s side. The spider legs shot through her shadow, piercing the bottom of the cocoon and leaving a massive pit, with dust flying everywhere.

“Hiss—”

Sestia suddenly spread her arms and let out a sharp cry.

Instantly, the entire Black Cocoon trembled. Countless black mists surged from the inner walls, accompanied by spider legs.

Some of these legs grew from Sestia’s back, while others sprouted from the inner walls. Hundreds of legs emerged, swaying as if dragging people into a terrifying black hell. Supported by these legs, Sestia floated in the air, proud like a queen, yet eerie like a witch.

Bai Fu wouldn’t stand idly by watching Sestia transform. As soon as she sensed something amiss, she severed the spider silk clinging to Scarlet Leaf and struck the Black Cocoon, creating an opening.

Boom!

As dozens of spider legs lunged at her, she transformed into a phantom, wrapping Scarlet Leaf in a whirlwind and rushing out through the opening.

The spider legs relentlessly pursued her, shooting silk threads that followed like spears. Continuous strikes failed to hit Bai Fu but left the ground pockmarked.

“Bai Fu, I will never let you escape today!”

The violent explosions outside the cocoon sent everyone into a panic.

“Will Big Sister Fufu be okay?”

Anya was extremely nervous, and the surviving players stared wide-eyed.

From the moment Bai Fu entered the cocoon, they worried about her safety. When the dust settled and they saw that Bai Fu and Scarlet Leaf were unharmed, they breathed a sigh of relief.

“Thank goodness, thank goodness…”

But as their gaze fell on Sestia surrounded by the jungle of spider legs and silk, they couldn’t shake off their unease.

Hey hey hey, what kind of pressure is this?

[Damn, I’m too weak, without strength, I can’t help Fufu at all.]

[This isn’t a boss we can handle at our level. If it were version 2.0, we might still have a chance with numbers.]

[Please don’t get into trouble, Fufu!]

The players’ reactions were intense, and the Secret Tower agents were similarly shocked upon seeing Sestia’s appearance.

“Sestia is pushed to this extent?”

The agents were incredulous.

As members of the Secret Tower, they knew exactly how powerful Sestia was. This was her final form, the most hated but strongest form. Unless absolutely necessary, Sestia would never transform into this state.

On one hand, she found it ugly; on the other, she risked backlash from the spiders, similar to Scarlet Leaf’s overuse of Void power.

Even without backlash, Sestia’s body would suffer immense pain in this state, but her endurance was extraordinary, allowing her to suppress this pain.

“How did Bai Fu manage this?”

The agents were astounded, their eyes constantly shifting between Bai Fu and Sestia.

Months ago, Bai Fu was running from Sestia, but now… damn, she’s too fierce, Bai Fu looks more monstrous than Sestia!

After bringing Scarlet Leaf out of the cocoon, Bai Fu immediately had He Fu take Scarlet Leaf away. Only with Scarlet Leaf and Anya evacuating could she face Sestia without hesitation.

Sestia didn’t want to let Scarlet Leaf go, but the moment she moved, Bai Fu’s Spiritual Energy Legion attacked, blocking her path. Most importantly, Bai Fu feigned retreating.

After a second’s consideration, she abandoned chasing Scarlet Leaf and focused on Bai Fu.

Scarlet Leaf couldn’t beat her in normal conditions, but if forced to the extreme and using Void power recklessly, the outcome was uncertain. If Scarlet Leaf became a Void monster, Bai Fu would likely be cornered and consumed by the spiders.

“You won’t escape!”

Sestia angrily chased after Bai Fu.

As she moved, the giant cocoon dispersed into countless strands, dragging the spider legs from all directions to attack Bai Fu.

Leveraging the phantom characteristics, Bai Fu easily evaded all attacks. Instead of fleeing, she led Sestia away from Scarlet Leaf and suddenly appeared, throwing out a handful of cards.

Sparks scattered, dark clouds appeared in the sky, and black spiritual energy stones rained down. The ground shook as a massive spiritual energy storm roared forward, tearing apart everything in its path.

This spectacle was truly earth-shattering!

Eron, Herbert, and Bronze Cauldron, who were fighting nearby, couldn’t help but stop to watch.

“That’s… Bai Fu?”

Herbert was stunned. Knowing that Sestia was blocking the other path, he thought Bai Fu and Scarlet Leaf were doomed, but Bai Fu was holding her own against Sestia.

Yes, they were evenly matched!

He saw Bai Fu, facing the killing machine Sestia, advancing instead of retreating, charging straight at Sestia and engaging in close combat.

The two figures intertwined in the air, clearly Bai Fu gaining the upper hand in this brief exchange.

It’s because Bai Fu was faster and mastered many deceptive techniques.

Sestia grew increasingly frustrated.

Bai Fu’s attacks didn’t cause her much damage, but Bai Fu always used illusions to deceive her and then suddenly appeared to punch or kick her, making her, who already lacked patience, feel ready to explode.

“Is that all you’ve got?” Sestia shouted in frustration.

Bai Fu sneered, “Less talk, if you could really catch me, I’d kiss your feet and clean them for you. But do you have that ability?”

“I…”

Sestia’s head started steaming like a steam locomotive.

Seeing this, Bai Fu’s eyes flickered, and a new idea came to her.

She couldn’t win Sestia with physical attacks now, but what if she tried something else?

She could clearly sense Sestia was obsessed, seeing nothing but her. At this moment, she might add some psychological tactics to her physical attacks.

If Sestia’s obsession wasn’t an act and her affinity data wasn’t a bug, a psychological attack might work wonders.

Thinking this, Bai Fu said, “Sestia, you chase me relentlessly because you’re jealous of me, right?”

Sestia wanted to continue attacking Bai Fu, but her body involuntarily trembled.

“It seems I wasn’t wrong; you are indeed jealous of me,” Bai Fu sighed.

No.

You’re lying, I’m not!

Sestia mentally rebutted, but Bai Fu continued, “Jealousy isn’t entirely accurate. If it were simple jealousy, you wouldn’t have any affection for me but would be obsessed with killing me.”

Sestia raised her head sharply, staring intently at Bai Fu.

“Now, I’m obsessed with killing you!”

“Really? I don’t believe you,” Bai Fu shook her head. “Face your true feelings, Sestia. Your jealousy stems from envy. What are you envious of? It must be something you desperately desire but can never obtain. That thing is beautiful to you, so beautiful that even though you feel jealous and enraged, you don’t truly hate me but have some affection for me.”

You you you…

Sestia’s eyes turned from pink to bright red. She never imagined Bai Fu could see through her, the analysis cutting deep into her bones.

This feeling of being seen through made her suddenly feel murderous intent.

But this murderous intent was quickly suppressed because Bai Fu spoke again.

“Do you think killing me would make you happy? Or do you think tying me up and making me your dog would satisfy you?”

“Of course!”

Sestia enunciated each word.

Bai Fu ignored her, “If I were to kneel before you, calling you master and licking your feet as you imagine, do you think I would still be the person you envy or are jealous of?”

Sestia was stunned.

“Probably not. I believe you would be satisfied at first, but later, when you recall that scene, you would realize you envied or were jealous of the wrong person. The more you think like that, the more hollow your satisfaction feels, like a castle in the air. You wouldn’t feel satisfied, you’d feel emptier, thinking that the past months were spent in meaningless emotions. Before, you could alleviate your emptiness by tormenting me, but now, what method can you use to ease that emptiness?”

Bai Fu advanced as she spoke, and when she mentioned easing emptiness, she was only two meters away from Sestia.

Sestia couldn’t reach Bai Fu, but her spider legs could touch her with a slight stretch.

She didn’t move.

She was stumped by Bai Fu’s question.

How to ease emptiness?

She couldn’t think of any solution.

The more she thought, the more anxious she became, the more frustrated she felt, the more she wanted to grab Bai Fu and humiliate her, and then return to Bai Fu’s question, what next?

Then start the cycle.

Anxiety, frustration, humiliation, anxiety…

Sestia stood there as if frozen, time passing second by second. Even when the effect of Mind Blessing wore off, she remained motionless.

This scene left everyone dumbfounded. They didn’t hear Bai Fu and Sestia’s conversation clearly and had no idea of the context.

Wait, they were fighting, how did they end up chatting, and then become immobile?

Secret Tower agents were anxious.

Just then, Su Xi suddenly took advantage of the situation to invade the laboratory. They couldn’t resist, and at the same time, they received news that the Tidal Civilization’s forces had accelerated their advance after noticing the battle here.

The situation was dire; if it dragged on, they would be surrounded.

“Night Mother, what are you doing?”

Someone urgently called Sestia over the communicator, explaining the current situation.

Sestia didn’t know what she was doing, or rather, she didn’t know what she wanted.

Should she faithfully execute the Secret Tower’s orders, capture Bai Fu, and interrogate her for the location of the prototype?

Or should she follow her initial plan to humiliate Bai Fu and then hide her for prolonged teasing?

Or…

Sestia realized she couldn’t think clearly.

She was a contradiction, deeply entangled in conflicts since birth. She despised the people of the Secret Tower but relied on them. She detested spiders but depended on their power…

Just as Sestia felt her head was about to explode, Bai Fu’s right hand suddenly swung.

Boom!

Spiritual energy surged across the sky, instantly vaporizing several Secret Tower agents. The remaining agents tried to dodge, but He Fu had already led the Spiritual Energy Legion in pursuit.

Bai Fu smiled, “I’ve taken care of anyone who might overhear our conversation, so you don’t need to worry about the Secret Tower blaming you for not putting in full effort when chasing me.”

Hearing this, Sestia’s boiling brain cooled down.

She paused for a few seconds before saying, “The reinforcements from the Tidal Civilization are coming soon. I probably won’t catch you today, and I haven’t decided how to deal with you. Next time, next time we meet, I’ll definitely kill you! Don’t worry, our next meeting won’t be long. The Secret Tower intercepted a signal and is preparing to attack Jin Gu Star!”

After saying this, she gave Bai Fu a deep look and quickly flew toward Bronze Cauldron.

“Did the Secret Tower intercept that signal?”

Bai Fu frowned slightly.

She had to hurry to Jin Gu Star; if she was late, the players there would be abducted by the Secret Tower, and her plan would fail.

Bai Fu gave Sestia, who provided the information, a deep look.

Sestia’s data panel reappeared in her vision, and the affinity data had changed from 27 to 36, increasing by 9 points.

“Could this guy be a masochist? Her affinity increases every time I scold her?”

If that were the case, would her affinity skyrocket if she humiliated Sestia with her feet?

As Bai Fu muttered, the players on the ground cheered.

[Holy crap, Fufu scared Sestia away!]

[Fufu is awesome!]

[I said Fufu is the true protagonist of Star Ocean, who agrees?]

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