Chapter 82

### Chapter 82: Shining Brightly, the Charm of the Version Protagonist [5k]

Morning, with the sun shining brightly.

At the entrance of Shelter No. 11, over two hundred new players were densely packed.

After the initial shock and chaos, most of the new players’ attention was now on Anya, who had suddenly walked out from Shelter No. 11.

[Hey, I know this NPC. She’s the sidekick always around Bai Fu, right?]

[That’s right, it’s her. She’s the new player guide for the Silent Courtyard faction!]

[Wow, she’s so cute. I wonder what would happen if I pinched her face. She’d probably cry for a long time.]

[Bro, don’t mess with her. These NPCs have really advanced AI. If you pinch her face and upset her, you won’t be able to join the faction or get any quests.]

[True. From what I remember, Anya has a power armor, right? Be careful; she might come out in that armor and take you down.]

Most of these players were entering the game for the first time, but they weren’t strangers to Above the Stars, nor to Bai Fu, Anya, and the Silent Courtyard.

This was thanks to Jiujiao’s relentless promotion.

Since the launch of the “First Most Popular Female NPC Competition” by Star Tour Society, Jiujiao had been creating one hotspot after another through various battles involving different players. These battles mostly revolved around Bai Fu, making her name well-known among players who paid attention to Above the Stars and enjoyed surfing online.

However, knowing Bai Fu’s name didn’t mean these players would necessarily favor her while playing.

Initially, Bai Fu was just a hidden character whose storyline hadn’t been brought to light. For players focused on strength, storylines, and quests, there was no reason to seek her out at Shelter No. 11.

But everything changed before the release of version 1.1, when debates about new videos featuring Jiujiao started.

Jiujiao’s statement, “Fu Fu might not only be related to the main storyline but could also be the protagonist of this version,” directly changed many new players’ perspectives.

Damn, the version protagonist?

That means I have to rush!

This is the power of promotion!

Even with good quality, something can still be overshadowed if not properly promoted. Without Jiujiao as an ally, Bai Fu felt she would likely still be brainstorming ways to increase player affinity.

Now, the situation had flipped. Players were actively seeking her out, and all she needed to do was show a little kindness to win their favor.

Actually, Bai Fu had more than just a little kindness prepared for these new players. She had arranged a unique and convenient gaming experience for them.

First, Bai Fu introduced them to Anya, a smart and cute new player guide and quartermaster!

Wearing a small robe custom-made by the Gao family for the Silent Courtyard, Anya greeted the two hundred new players kindly.

“Undeads from beyond the fog, welcome to the 11th Shelter in the Goli Desert, the home of the Silent Courtyard.”

“The 11th Shelter is a peaceful settlement. Here, you can experience a unique exotic atmosphere…”

Anya patiently explained the situation at the 11th Shelter and some important precautions.

These precautions were added voluntarily by her, as she feared these new undeads would rummage through others’ belongings like the initial undeads who arrived at the abandoned cooling plant.

A few minutes later.

She clasped her hands together and said, “I hope you find this journey fruitful. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me or your fellow veterans.”

Next, Bai Fu offered the benefits enjoyed by veteran players in the Silent Courtyard!

After Jian Qi Chong Tian, Pai Da Xing, Jiujiao, and Gui Yi Wo Fu logged in, Bai Fu released new daily tasks in the faction management interface.

**Assistant to the New Player Guide**

The task was to assist Anya in answering new players’ questions. However, the requirements were high, and only veteran players with faction reputation above 20 could take it.

Though the task was simple, the reward wasn’t high—only a little experience and faction reputation. But every bit counts, and the task wouldn’t take much time.

Once the task was released, it became a hot topic among players.

Gui Yi Wo Fu took the task, set his quest tracking to visible status, and placed it on his head. Now, other players saw his name as:

**Assistant to the New Player Guide**

**Gui Yi Wo Fu**

Surrounding players almost got blinded by this.

Wow, this is now an exclusive title for high-reputation veteran players!

Noble, truly noble!

It was already pleasing that veteran players could earn rewards by guiding new players, but this twist made it even better.

With Gui Yi Wo Fu’s stunt, low-reputation veteran players and new players were now determined to boost their reputation in the Silent Courtyard.

Bai Fu’s strategy using exclusive tasks for veteran players was a huge success.

Then, Bai Fu provided the best services among all new player villages!

In other new player villages, buying equipment, food, and items often required running around and searching individually, wasting a lot of game time.

But in the 11th Shelter, this problem didn’t exist.

Bai Fu collaborated with Gao Yuan to convert an abandoned street into a shopping street dedicated to serving players.

Here, players could buy firearms, medicines, clothes, and basic materials. They could also sell collected sand worm materials to the shop and freely accept commission tasks posted by Bai Fu and the Gao family.

Apart from not being able to change classes here and lacking prayer cards, this shopping street offered true one-stop service for new players.

As expected, new players started sharing their experiences on forums shortly after joining the game.

Want to play comfortably without being bogged down by cumbersome settings?

Come to the 11th Shelter!

Lastly, Bai Fu offered a streamlined class change process and unique prayer cards.

Any player joining the Silent Courtyard could purchase class knowledge books at her special store.

Of course, there were conditions.

Ordinary class knowledge books could be bought freely, but advanced ones required both money and high reputation.

Even so, this was very convenient compared to the struggles players faced in the 1.0 version.

To attract players, Bai Fu included knowledge books for Spirit Apprentice and three spirit chains she mastered in Anya’s faction-specific store catalog.

[Wow, so expensive. This price and reputation requirement make Bai Fu a real merchant!]

[You don’t understand. This isn’t expensive. These are knowledge chains, prerequisites for advanced class changes!]

[Indeed. The official website says you need five knowledge chains to advance. With three spirit chains available in the Silent Courtyard shop, the difficulty drops by 60%!]

[Amazing! The Silent Courtyard is a paradise for spirit apprentices!]

[Wait, you need level 30 to change classes, and the level cap in version 1.1 is only 25.]

[Actually, you don’t need to wait until class change to learn knowledge chains. Learning them early has bonuses.]

New players gathered in front of the store, excited.

Even veteran players were thrilled.

One update, and the 11th Shelter and Silent Courtyard had such significant changes. Could Bai Fu really be the version protagonist as Jiujiao suspected?

Awesome!

They were the earliest followers of Bai Fu in the Silent Courtyard!

Veteran players who could talk to Anya and Elder Nissen felt proud.

Seeing the players smiling, Bai Fu smiled too.

“Everyone’s happiness is true happiness!”

These players might not realize how deep one could go once they joined the Silent Courtyard.

She actually hoped all players joining the Silent Courtyard would become spirit apprentices because it would bind them to her.

By selling spirit knowledge or spirit-related items, she could profit heavily from the players, who wouldn’t curse her but instead praise her.

The logic was simple.

She saved players the trouble of finding spirit knowledge, trading time for money. Since most players viewed this positively, they would say, “What a great deal! Give us more!”

False goddesses dazzled players with their looks.

True goddesses not only dazzle with looks but also easily control players’ futures!

“Unfortunately, not all players like spirit classes. To attract more, we need to find more class mentors for the Silent Courtyard.”

Bai Fu sighed inwardly.

Guided by her, new players were enthusiastically completing quests.

Their arrival made the 11th Shelter more lively than ever and gave Gao Yuan hope for further collaboration with Bai Fu.

But one thing he couldn’t figure out.

“Where do these undeads come from?”

In a world where technology, psychic abilities, and spiritual energy coexist, resurrection wasn’t particularly shocking.

But so many people having resurrection abilities, and seemingly infinite resurrections, was quite remarkable.

Gao Yuan investigated and found similar individuals appearing globally.

A few days ago, he instructed his subordinates to contact an undead unrelated to Bai Fu. Initially, the undead chatted happily with his subordinates, but then left in disgust. The speed of this change left everyone puzzled.

He didn’t know if the sudden surge of undeads was good or bad, but considering Bai Fu could effortlessly handle hundreds, it seemed more beneficial for him.

Facing Gao Yuan’s inquiry, Bai Fu lied slightly, “I’m not sure about the details, but they are excellent partners.”

Gao Yuan had started investigating players’ backgrounds, so other factions must have noticed the anomaly. They would surely pay more attention to players.

Fortunately, she had laid groundwork, combined with Jiujiao’s promotion and positive publicity, making her shine brightly in the early stages of version 1.1, avoiding falling behind in competition with other factions.

Bai Fu lay low for two days, giving new players time to adapt and develop.

During this period, rumors about her and the 11th Shelter spread widely, causing envy among players from other new player planets.

[This game experience is incredible. No wonder she’s the version protagonist. Such great treatment!]

[Damn, where is our plot protagonist?]

[I regret not switching to Source Star earlier. Now, I can’t laugh. Three knowledge chains save so much time.]

[It’s not too late to switch now.]

[I’m already level 14. I can’t part with this character.]

[Fu Fu, hehe, my Fu Fu.]

[Stop being delusional.]

[Just tell me if Fu Fu is cool or not. He’s handsome enough, but being in a faction makes him even cooler.]

Bai Fu’s position was exposed, but she wasn’t worried.

Recently, the Truth Society and Gene Progenitor had been engaging in intense battles. Allegedly, the Old Republic was also interested in joining. Neither the Truth Society nor the Gene Progenitor had the energy to bother her.

Even if they did come, she wasn’t afraid. She moved between camps frequently, making it difficult for anyone to find her. She could flee anytime based on player intelligence.

Regarding intelligence, Bai Fu successfully planted a spy within the Gene Progenitor.

Most players in the Iron Rain Guild joined the Gene Progenitor. Due to Jian Qi Chong Tian’s influence, these players were continuously providing intelligence to her.

Additionally, a few players close to Pai Da Xing and Jiujiao, unable to reach the 11th Shelter due to distance, were trying to improve her affinity by leaking information about the Truth Society.

[When Bai Fu arrives, it will be our uprising!]

In short, Bai Fu accepted everything.

Besides discussions about Bai Fu and the 11th Shelter, many players focused on the spirit class.

[How strong are spirit classes?]

A large group of players, including some gaming gods from other games, joined the discussion.

Players with knowledge stepped forward.

[Spirit classes are initially supportive. Those who prefer combat should avoid them. Even if they choose, they should also study a combat class.]

[A combination of spirit and combat classes is powerful, but it requires double the experience, making it hard to keep up.]

[Really? Bai Fu is also a spirit class, but isn’t she incredibly strong?]

[Brother, Bai Fu is an NPC. NPCs have bonuses players don’t have. It’s unfair to compare.]

[Officially, aren’t those bonuses unlockable by players?]

[Really? I don’t believe it!]

Ruining my plans, huh?

Bai Fu remained calm. She had a plan.

“Now, many players consider me the new version’s protagonist. As a protagonist, I should display the strength and performance befitting one.”

She decided to turn the operation against Graham into the Silent Courtyard faction’s first major event, a “main quest” in players’ eyes. As for the true main quest in the Goli Desert, “The Watcher’s Lament,” she hadn’t received it yet and couldn’t share it with players.

“I still need to interrogate little Youlia and Elder Nissen to get the main quest sooner.”

Bai Fu pulled out little Youlia.

“Tomorrow, I’m going to interrogate Graham. Anything you want to say?”

Little Youlia lay on her palm, earnestly, “Actually, you don’t need to risk it. Just give yourself to me. I’ll study your body and find a way to escape, then personally rescue those people.”

Bai Fu smirked, “Stop dreaming. Not even a hair will I give you!”

Little Youlia didn’t feel disappointed.

In fact, she knew Bai Fu would say this.

Whatever, if you don’t give, I’ll just pluck one from you myself.

I’ll make you bald!

Bai Fu said, “Let’s talk about Graham’s intelligence. You must know something about him, right?”

Little Youlia replied, “Graham is the deputy minister of the Truth Society’s Special Operations Department. He excels in keen observation and formidable strength. On the surface, he’s a martial artist skilled in dual knives. The intelligence you gather would likely be along these lines.”

Bai Fu nodded. Little Youlia was correct. The intelligence she obtained from the Darknet was indeed limited to these details.

Graham’s knives were extraordinary, capable of cutting through air blades. It was rumored that his air blades could even pierce steel, let alone human bodies.

But, steel…

Bai Fu touched herself.

Steel didn’t seem as tough as imagined.

“However, Graham wouldn’t hold his position without more. He’s also a psychic, with the ability to capture,” Little Youlia added.

“Catch?”

“High-speed visual capture. When he uses his ability, the world slows down in his eyes, and even complex movements are captured. He has ample time to think about countering opponents. This is his true strength. Getting too close to him would be disastrous.”

So that’s it. A decent ability, but if this is Graham’s full arsenal, Bai Fu felt relieved.

She was the super-tough queen, not fearing opponents’ speed and reactions.

“The key is the people around Graham.”

Bai Fu understood, but she remained vigilant. Who knew what else Graham might be hiding?

“Is there anything else you want me to do?” Bai Fu asked.

Little Youlia said, “Let me check your body.”

Fine, you may leave.

Bai Fu felt Elder Nissen was likely the person to initiate the regional main quest, though a trigger was still missing.

She would address this later. The immediate priority was dealing with Graham.

She received intelligence from spies that Graham was out on a mission targeting the Gene Progenitor, which was a perfect opportunity.

Seeing new players adapting well, Bai Fu issued a faction task to eliminate sand worms, then picked out the top ten performers.

“An important future action in the Goli Desert is coming up. I need your help!”

Here it comes—the main quest and version protagonist’s story they’ve been waiting for!

Seeing Bai Fu walk confidently, all players were excited.

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