Barren Star – Chapter 45
by Little PandaRisk.
The process of verifying the “Star Micro Account” wasn’t complicated. Ning Buyi, who had previously hidden her identity as a planet owner, now revealed it. After receiving verification from the Star Network platform, the profile of “Mystery No.1” immediately added the words “Mountain and Sea Star”. Although the Star Micro Account hadn’t shown much activity lately, fans would occasionally check the homepage and quickly noticed subtle changes.
ββMountain and Sea Star? Mystery No.1’s base is on Mountain and Sea Star?
ββHuh? Is this the Mountain and Sea Star that’s been making waves recently?
ββThat’s supposed to be a barren star, how did they manage to cultivate it? Speaking of which, if fruits and vegetables can heal dark wounds, does this mean plants are related to improving the barren star’s environment?
ββWhere’s that imaginative fellow from before? Why aren’t they speaking up?
ββIs the boss for real? Come out and say something!
Fans left numerous comments under the latest update, and soon after, “Mystery No.1” posted a new updateβa video.
Against azure clouds, golden rice ears [dΓ o suΓ¬ – rice stalks with grains] danced in the wind, creating waves of gold that captivated the eye.
ββBy the stars above, is that the legendary rice? Is it technologically synthesized? Someone come quick!
ββRequest to enable “Sensory Share”! It’s urgent!
ββMy friend says she’s on her deathbed and will die if she can’t experience the sensory share.
ββThe kid just wants to see what it’s like.
ββAre you going to start selling rice soon?
The video updated by “Mystery No.1” was posted by Ning Buyi. After verifying the “Mountain and Sea Star Base”, she felt compelled to show the Star Citizens what Mountain and Sea Star looked like. After reading the long string of comments, Ning Buyi contemplated for a moment before enabling “Sensory Share”βallowing them to experience it as if they were there, making more accurate judgments.
Everything on Mountain and Sea Star was real.
After browsing the Star Network for a while, Ning Buyi stopped monitoring the online activities. She had Beidou project maps of the base and Aurora City, studying them intently. With the increasing variety of plants in the base, she no longer needed to worry about dark pollution levels. Those fellows from the Civilization Alliance had been planting trees continuously, with green dots on the map extending toward the base like a road paved with emerald jade. It wouldn’t take long to connect with the base, making it convenient to build a highway to Aurora City. Once Aurora City’s infrastructure was reactivated, they might be able to relocate the base’s residents there.
The last time Baize refreshed was when the city system was about to activate, so would there be new surprises falling on the barren star now that the city module was activated? Ning Buyi pondered, attempting to communicate mentally with the Mountain and Sea Atlas.
“System-kun, when will there be new easter eggs?”
Silence filled the room. Just when Ning Buyi thought the Mountain and Sea Atlas would continue playing dead, a mechanical voice echoed in her mindβthough what it said was unrelated to her question.
γSide quest activated: Obtain Planet Consciousness Upgrade System. Time unlimited, location unknown.γ
Ning Buyi: “???” Was this cheat system broken? After that, no matter how she inquired, the Mountain and Sea Atlas gave no response. Ning Buyi could only abandon the idea of freely obtaining easter eggs and continue diligently developing the base.
Star Court.
Eight Judges sat in soft chairs, while government officials and base researchers stood on the steps below.
Hua Zhuoyu rested her chin on one hand, calmly observing those below.
“We heard you were previously on the barren star, perhaps you’re quite familiar with the base’s situation there,” the middle-aged man spoke respectfully. Actually, before coming, they had already discussed and believed there was an eight or nine out of ten chance that the base was a Star Court enterprise, so they came to test the waters. If this proved true, they would need to change their approach.
“Mountain and Sea Star,” Hua Zhuoyu corrected the man’s terminology, without directly answering his question.
On the other side, a well-mannered man in a white coat from the “Dark Pollution Purification Research Base” showed no interest in Mountain and Sea Star’s ownership, but asked urgently: “Did the dark pollution levels decrease because of the plants’ presence? How did the plants survive on a barren star? Could we go there to conduct research?”
As his words fell, other judges’ gazes also turned to Hua Zhuoyu, awaiting her answer. Hua Zhuoyu smiled slightly, stood up supporting herself on the table, and her wheeled chair rolled backward, making a harsh scraping sound against the floor. “Regrettably, no,” Hua Zhuoyu refused.
“Why? If the research yields results and we implement them across the star system, all barren stars could be revitalized, and civilized stars wouldn’t be limited to just a precious few,” the man’s tone grew more urgent.
“Indeed,” Zhao Qiuyu agreed. Her ancestors were all plant researchers, and she had close ties with the purification base personnel. She strongly supported their vision of extending the results throughout the star system rather than keeping them confined to one corner.
Hua Zhuoyu cast a casual glance at Zhao Qiuyu, then fixed her gaze on the well-mannered man: “I heard you took quite a few fruits from Old Lu for research?”
The well-mannered man’s eyes flickered, and he smiled sheepishly: “The samples were too few. If we had active seeds, weβ”
Hua Zhuoyu had no patience to listen to the man’s excuses. Her gaze suddenly darkened as she said coldly, “Don’t expect any help from me before you show real results.” Seeing the well-mannered man’s uncomfortable expression, she turned to the government official, “Mountain and Sea Star’s affairs are none of your business. Even the government has no right to force anyone to give up anything.”
There was a warning glint in Hua Zhuoyu’s eyes. Although Da Xia claimed to have just laws, unsavory things still happened in some dark corners, where power and wealth had always been the most effective weapons.
“We’re doing this for Da Xia, for civilization,” the government official couldn’t save face and couldn’t help but protest.
Hua Zhuoyu smiled slightly: “Then increase funding and support the purification base’s research. Mystery No.1 has been selling products on the Starlight Platform, and hasn’t forbidden you from purchasing. Of course, if that’s not enough, you can pay premium prices in the black market.”
“Could we open a direct purchase channel? Make deals with the planet owner?” the base researcher took a step back.
Hua Zhuoyu lifted her eyelids lazily: “That’s something you’ll have to discuss with the planet owner yourself.”
The representatives of both factions left the Star Court without achieving their goals, returning in frustration.
“The Ning family hasn’t given any response.” While getting into the car, the well-mannered man suddenly turned to the government official with a gentle smile. Without waiting for a response, he continued, “I heard a team from the Ning family is preparing for deep space exploration, led by their young master himself.”
The government official didn’t respond, just gave the researcher a deep look before getting into the car.
In the Star Court, although the visitors had left, the judges hadn’t dispersed.
The vast stars in the dome kept rotating, casting their light onto the oval conference table.
“Why?” Zhao Qiuyu asked with furrowed brows.
Hua Zhuoyu replied calmly: “The risks are too great.”
Zhao Qiuyu, being impetuous by nature, blurted out: “What risks? Is it the base that can’t handle the risks, or is it Ning Buyi who can’t?”
Hua Zhuoyu knew her temperament and didn’t get angry. She cast a cool glance at Zhao Qiuyu: “I understand your thinking, but tell me, since Mountain and Sea Star’s fruits began circulating externally, has any research institute made any progress? Don’t blame it on the seed issueβmany plants’ fruits are seeds themselves.”
Zhao Qiuyu mumbled, unable to refute Hua Zhuoyu’s words. Although all the readings were normal, somehow no base could grow plants. Could it be because of the barren star’s environment? But under the protective shield, everything from soil, temperature, air, to sunlight was regulated by technologyβwhat “environment” could there be to speak of?
“Although they came to visit the Star Court, this matter isn’t related to the Judges’ duties,” Si Pu glanced at Zhao Qiuyu and smirked, “There are plenty of opportunities to discuss this privately.”
Zhao Qiuyu looked frustrated. She glanced around and, finding no one standing with her, had to abandon her initial thoughts. She secretly decided that when she had time, she would definitely go to the experimental base to push for progress. If they could produce results, the boss wouldn’t reject her proposal.
After the relationship between Mountain and Sea Star and Mystery No.1 became known, waves of people came seeking information. Some approached the Star Court, some went directly to the Ning family, but most tried to contact Ning Buyi through her Star Micro Account, attempting to collaborate. In the entire Greedy Wolf Star System, the “Starlight Platform” wasn’t the only trading platformβthere were many others with similar reputations willing to share profitsβthough of course, profit-sharing clearly came with conditions.
Ning Buyi rejected them all. Compared to these random people whose backgrounds were unknown, she preferred to trust Hua Zhuoyu and the Starlight Platform.
In the Star Network Virtual Training Room.
During a training break, Ning Buyi sat beside Hua Zhuoyu on a long bench. For now, this was the only way they could spend time together briefly.
After contemplating for a moment, Hua Zhuoyu spoke: “The government held a meeting, attempting to forcibly nationalize Mountain and Sea Star. However, the Supervisory Department disagreed, and the Old Marshal’s people also intervened to reject this proposal.”
Ning Buyi asked curiously: “What would happen if the proposal passed?”
Hua Zhuoyu smiled: “It would cause an uproar throughout the star system. Though similar incidents aren’t without precedentβin Da Xia’s history, it happened once when they forcibly acquired a construction star rich in mineral resources near Insect Territory and nationalized it. The planet owner might have received sufficient benefits and was satisfied. Even so, it caused widespread panic, even forcing planet owners to form a united alliance against the Da Xia government, as they feared their planets might be seized too.”
“What was the outcome?” Ning Buyi pressed.
Hua Zhuoyu explained: “Under pressure from the Planet Owners Alliance, the Imperial Family promised never to forcibly acquire planets unless the parliament unanimously approved and seventy percent of Star Network users agreedβand of course, the planet owner’s personal consent was required. This means the government’s proposal was dead on arrival, unless they abandon face and break their promise.”
“Then there was no point in bringing it up,” Ning Buyi’s eyes flickered as she gazed at Hua Zhuoyu. “Could it be political theater? An attempt to probe the relationship between the Supervisory Department and the base?” Although Mountain and Sea Star belonged entirely to her now, that past history couldn’t be erased.
“Perhaps,” Hua Zhuoyu turned her head, looking at Ning Buyi, but didn’t continue that line of thought, instead changing the subject, “I’ll have some free time soon.”
Ning Buyi’s eyelids twitched, her eyes showing anticipation she hadn’t noticed herself: “Are you coming to Mountain and Sea Star?”
“I want to,” Hua Zhuoyu said frankly, “but there’s an issue with Giant Sickle Star.”
Ning Buyi: “War?”
Hua Zhuoyu: “That’s not within my jurisdiction.” Her brows furrowed slightly, worry gathering between them. “Giant Sickle Star remains classified as a construction star in this judgment, but its dark pollution levels keep rising. I fear it won’t survive until next year’s Judgment Month.” The twelfth month was Judgment Month, but that didn’t mean the other eleven months were ignoredβjudges had to respond to emergencies at any time.
Ning Buyi’s eyelids twitched as she suddenly remembered the Mountain and Sea Atlas’s side quest.
Could it be related to Giant Sickle Star?
When the snow stopped, Ning Buyi made a trip to Aurora City.
Winter on Mountain and Sea Star didn’t bring dust storms with yellow sand; instead, it brought endless falling snow.
The pale sunlight shone on the vast snowy fields but couldn’t melt the knee-deep snow. It would take some time before the ground could be seen again.
The deep snow made walking difficult, so Ning Buyi rode a simple intelligent snow sled that glided over the snow. A golden butterfly perched on her shoulder, gently fluttering its wings, emanating dreamlike colors in the sunlight. Ahead was an adult Feng Jiu that had reduced its size. Finding the snow entertaining, it occasionally kicked at it, sending up sprays of white flakes.
“Feng Er has always been this troublesome since childhood,” Jin Feifei spoke, flapping her iridescent wings as she took flight.
Watching Jin Feifei and Feng Er’s interaction, Ning Buyi’s expression softened with a relaxed smile.
Feng Er moved quickly but soon circled back. “These unnamed trees are resilient, not frozen by the wind and snow, though some branches broke,” Feng Er told Ning Buyi, turning to reveal snow-covered branches piled on the sled.
“They’ve survived stubbornly no matter what. When the weather warms up, we’ll build a track to Aurora City,” Ning Buyi replied with a smile.
“Are we moving to Aurora City?” Feng Er asked curiously. Jin Feifei’s “office” was in Aurora City, so Feng Er had visited several times. Although most areas in the city were restricted zones containing various threatening radiation, and while she was very interested, she didn’t dare enter these forbidden areas randomly.
“It depends on Beidou’s decryption speed,” Ning Buyi answeredβthis was her public explanation. Although the massive city had appeared on the surface, without full access permissions, it couldn’t be revived. The Beast Race members wouldn’t think too deeply about it; they simply believed whatever she said.
Feng Er made an “oh” sound, her eyes gleaming with obvious anticipation. She continued, “When Tu Sansan comes, I’ll definitely show off in front of her. Look at how she insisted on going out to rough it, ending up sleeping under bridges.”
Jin Feifei gently patted Feng Er’s face with her wings, signaling her to shut her mouth: “The Prison District is open, want to buy a house there?” Seeing Feng Er fall silent, she turned her head and antennae toward Ning Buyi, “Will those people in Aurora City stay there?”
“For now,” Ning Buyi replied. She had come here for those people. Now that Mountain and Sea Star’s secrets weren’t really secrets anymore, there was no worry about them leaking information if released. However, she had no plans to accept them as residents of Mountain and Sea Star, nor did she want to let them leave empty-handedβat least she needed to exchange something valuable from them.
The Empire’s Princess resided in the Imperial Capital, usually accompanied by noble ladies.
Without leaving her residence, she needed the Civilization Alliance to act as her eyes and ears.
The snowy weather wasn’t suitable for planting trees, so Zhao Lan, Wei Qu, and others had free time.
Although robots roamed Aurora City, they wouldn’t interfere as long as no destruction was causedβit could be considered freedom. They didn’t have to worry about food and drink, but deep down they felt like caged animals.
“Can we get access permissions?”
Wei Qu’s specialty was decoding various passwords, and the team placed their hopes on him.
“We can’t.” After experiencing many disappointments, Wei Qu had become calmer. He met his companions’ gazes and sighed, “The super AI controlling this city has unprecedented intelligence levels, as if created by Carlson’s hand.”
“Carl what?”
“Carlson, the Hand of God.” Wei Qu glared at his speaking companion, then mumbled, “Either we wait for headquarters to find us, or wait for this planet’s owner to willingly open the cage.” Though he said this, Wei Qu felt the former possibility was unlikely, especially since they had seen Hua Zhuoyu. With the Chief Judge’s involvement, even Her Highness wouldn’t be able to trace them here.
“Someone’s coming,” Zhao Lan suddenly said.
“Weren’t there people before?” The person who responded was languid. When they first saw Jin Feifei and the others, they thought the base’s owner had remembered them, but instead, the visitors entered the city directly while they remained without any access permissions. “Don’t know how long we’ll be confined, but we at least need to get Peng Yu out,” Zhao Lan added.
“If you hadn’t mentioned him, I would’ve forgotten about that kid,” a team member chimed in.
Zhao Lan’s expression darkened as she shot them a glare.
After entering Aurora City, Ning Buyi immediately spotted Zhao Lan’s group gathered outside.
“Everyone seems to be in good spirits,” Ning Buyi said with a faint smile, her eyes showing little emotion.
Zhao Lan pressed her lips together. These months of confinement had worn away her temper. She repeatedly recalled previous scenes, searching for other possibilities, but it was all meaninglessβjust self-torture. After taking a deep breath, she looked at Ning Buyi and said: “Peng Yu should be released, right?”
“He destroyed plants, which are interstellar treasures,” Feng Er interjected quickly, her tone rising and falling dramatically.
Zhao Lan remained silent, ignoring Feng Er’s smug expression, and said in a deep voice: “What would it take to release him?”
Ning Buyi smiled: “That depends on your sincerity.”
Zhao Lan’s eyes suddenly sharpened as she declared: “We will never betray Da Xia!” In Aurora City, besides robots and Ning Buyi, they had only seen Beast Race members. She had reason to suspect Ning Buyi was colluding with the Beast Star, but what role did the Chief Judge play in this? Had the Chief Judge also sided with the Beast Race? The more Zhao Lan thought about it, the more panicked she became.
Ning Buyi glanced at Zhao Lan, finding it quite amusing that the other’s imagination had jumped to “treason.” Ning Buyi didn’t want to explain, just shrugged: “I’m not the one asking for favors.” She didn’t plan to say more to Zhao Lan, instead leading Feng Er and Jin Feifei toward the prison. Compared to Wei Qu and Zhao Lan’s group, the young man thrown into the dark prison was the most restless and vulnerable.
While Ning Buyi was heading to Aurora City, Hua Zhuoyu was doing something on Da Xia Imperial Star.
She sat cross-legged in Lu Zhiwei’s apartment, her disdainful gaze falling on a simulated fox doll. “If you like it so much, why don’t you migrate to Beast Star?” Hua Zhuoyu asked.
Lu Zhiwei glanced at Ning Buyi, responding elegantly and calmly: “What do you know?”
Hua Zhuoyu stood up, lifted the simulated fox to the tea table, and firmly pressed the button on its forehead. The fox trembled and immediately started recitingβthough the words… to Hua Zhuoyu’s ears, were somewhat ear-polluting. She cut off the sound without changing expression and looked at the cultured-looking scoundrel Lu Zhiwei: “I don’t want to know.”
During their conversation, an electronic sound announced a visitor’s arrival.
Ying Jingqiu, led in by the AI, wore a crisp military uniform with badges gleaming under the lights on her shoulders. Upon seeing Hua Zhuoyu, confusion flashed in her eyes but was quickly concealed. She smiled slightly at Lu Zhiwei and said coldly: “I thought I’d never have the chance to set foot in this apartment.”
“Regrettably, there originally wasn’t one,” Lu Zhiwei said without lifting her head.
“Then where did this opportunity come from?” Ying Jingqiu asked.
“Isn’t she sitting right in front of you?” Lu Zhiwei smiled slightly.
Ying Jingqiu’s eyes flickered as she greeted Hua Zhuoyu.
“I thought General Ying couldn’t see me,” Hua Zhuoyu teased.
Ying Jingqiu indeed didn’t want to see Hua Zhuoyu, especially with Lu Zhiwei acting as intermediary.
Although the Star Court was impartial and unbiased, Hua Zhuoyu’s actions were unpredictableβmeeting her never led to anything good.
“How is our Princess Highness doing?” Hua Zhuoyu asked with a smile.
“With our General Jingqiu attending to her, how could she not be well?” Lu Zhiwei responded gently.
Hearing these sardonic greetings, Ying Jingqiu’s gaze grew colder, but before she could retort, Hua Zhuoyu spoke again.
“Those people who have disappearedβaren’t you going to search for them? Aren’t you afraid of the information they possess spreading outward?”
Ying Jingqiu’s eyelids twitched as she stared intently at Hua Zhuoyu: “You know?!”
Hua Zhuoyu tilted her head, her eyes shifting: “What do you think?”
Lu Zhiwei chimed in: “Our Crown Prince will soon head to the battlefield, eager to establish his merit. The Second Prince will likely be taken along, but our delicate Princess isn’t suited for that terror-filled planet of widespread artillery fire. Of course, there are always exceptions, aren’t there?”
Thank you for the chapters!!!