Barren Star – Chapter 52
by Little PandaI don’t like separation.
Ning Buyi had experienced two upgrades of the Mountain and Sea Atlas, and she guessed this time would be similar, directly collapsing onto the bed in a deep slumber. However, an unexpected change occurred – her consciousness wasn’t trapped in a dark space, but instead entered a realm of brilliant light.
Bright, gentle sunlight, towering trees growing vigorously, emerald grass, fresh flower buds… peaceful, harmonious, and sacred, like an immortal realm or divine court. Ning Buyi noticed that she had also transformed into a small point of light. She “swam” toward that enormous tree that stretched between heaven and earth, and when she touched its branches and leaves, she heard a series of “hua hua hua” [嘩嘩嘩 | huā huā huā | rustling sound] that seemed welcoming.
While she was in intimate contact with the tree’s branches and leaves, she also saw another, weaker point of light floating toward her location, followed by a childish voice resonating in her mind.
“Hello there.”
Ning Buyi thought it was the Mountain and Sea Atlas system greeting her, but on second thought, if that fellow had really appeared, it wouldn’t be like this. Her field of vision was extremely broad, and after turning around once, she focused her attention on the tiny point of light.
“I am Giant Sickle Star.”
The childish voice rang out again, startling Ning Buyi, not because she feared the small light, but because of the words “Giant Sickle Star.” Had the “planetary consciousness” been devoured by that unlucky system? No, in the system’s words, it had “returned to mother’s embrace.” After hesitating for a moment, Ning Buyi couldn’t help but ask: “How did it become like this?”
The small light orb said: “Dark pollution, the war intensified the dark pollution.”
Was the dark pollution’s formation truly related to war? Before Ning Buyi could inquire further, the small light point flew into the towering tree and vanished. The tree’s branches and leaves began to quiver, appearing even more jade-green and crisp in the sunlight.
Ning Buyi: “…” She had wanted to continue questioning about the truth, but the planetary consciousness just disappeared? After flying around the trunk for a while, Ning Buyi couldn’t detect anything unusual, so she tried calling out to the Mountain and Sea Atlas in the depths of her heart. The next moment, everything went dark before her eyes, and her consciousness was pulled into a sealed, dim room where a light screen appeared before her, showing countless scenes of destruction intersecting, like the twilight of the gods. Ning Buyi stood up, moving her limbs, but the enclosed space didn’t inspire fear in her.
In the absolute silence, where even time seemed to stop flowing, after an unknown period, a mechanical electronic voice sounded: “Why don’t you ask?”
Ning Buyi replied candidly: “There are simply too many questions.” Such as why did she transmigrate? What was the relationship between dark pollution and the mythical forbidden zone? What was the deal with the planetary consciousness? And then there was Beidou… There were too many unknowns, and if answers couldn’t be obtained, why waste breath asking?
“Before your death, your soul inadvertently touched the Space-Time Gate, following the fate trajectory into this world.”
Ning Buyi: “…Space-Time Gate? Don’t tell me it’s that novel.”
“The Space-Time Gate is one of billions of fate trajectories in the future, intersecting with each other, constantly changing. But that’s not important right now.” The mechanical voice was cold, and seeming to notice its lack of warmth, it slightly adjusted its tone, becoming softer, “In this universe, countless civilizations have been destroyed in wars, creating severe cosmic dark pollution, but the most terrible instance was in the Divine Court, which was originally a place of purification. Its destruction made it impossible for dark pollution to be purified.”
Ning Buyi’s eyelids twitched as the words “Mythical Forbidden Zone” escaped her lips.
“It belongs to a higher supernatural civilization, the birthplace of gods. They were born from faith and were bound by faith. It started as wars between lower realm subjects, but eventually evolved into a divine war, with the twilight of the gods bringing about apocalyptic destruction. In short, the Divine Court collapsed, and the Supreme Being was forced into slumber.”
Ning Buyi seized on a key point, eagerly asking: “If the Supreme Being is in slumber, how did the Judges come to be?”
“Oh, it was a program set before the slumber. After realizing everything was about to be destroyed, the Supreme Being turned the universe’s origin into the Mountain and Sea Atlas, containing the seeds of life. Actually, you’re not the only one who has entered this world, but others always failed for various reasons, and time was repeatedly rewound to that crucial point, waiting for new destined ones to arrive. But this rewinding isn’t unlimited – the chances are almost used up.”
Ning Buyi: “…” So it turned out her role as a “savior” was just one in ten thousand – they were simply casting a wide net.
“The Mythical Forbidden Zone is the source of pollution and needs purification, but with this star system’s current capabilities, going there would just be suicide.” The mechanical voice simulated human emotions, sounding much more irritating than its flat, emotionless tone. Ning Buyi couldn’t find Mountain and Sea Atlas’s physical form and didn’t know who to glare at, so she just gritted her teeth, waiting for what would come next.
The mechanical voice, having figured out Ning Buyi’s mood, knew that if it didn’t speak up, they’d just be stuck waiting in this dark space. With a “pa” [啪 | pā | snapping sound], a golden oak seed fell onto the table. “When it grows, it will form a ‘Mythical Domain’ to protect you, and then you can safely travel to the Mythical Forbidden Zone.”
Ning Buyi looked down at this golden seed.
In certain mythology, the oak tree symbolizes nature and life.
However – does it also grow by absorbing dark pollution? Questions arose in Ning Buyi’s mind, and she hurried to ask while the unlucky system was still willing to answer.
“As plants grow, it grows.”
How many trees would this take? Ning Buyi asked again: “Can’t the seeds be distributed outward yet?”
“Not until the day the source of pollution disappears.”
Ning Buyi: “…” She needed to rely on planting trees to provide energy for the golden seed to deal with the pollution source, while large-scale seed distribution required the pollution source to be dealt with first. How did this feel like an unsolvable deadlock?
The Mountain and Sea Atlas system paid no attention to Ning Buyi’s minor emotions, and after delivering the golden seed, it sent her consciousness back.
When she woke up, sure enough, Ning Buyi saw a familiar figure sitting quietly by her bedside. While checking the changes in the Mountain and Sea Atlas, she asked languidly: “How long have I been asleep?”
Hua Zhuoyu said softly: “Three days.”
Ning Buyi blinked, her perception had clearly been less than three minutes, how did it become three days? Collecting herself, she asked again: “How’s the migration going?”
Hua Zhuoyu said: “It’s basically complete, except—”
“Except what?” Ning Buyi’s eyelids twitched, fearing bad news.
Hua Zhuoyu: “The planetary consciousness is about to perish. When the last resident leaves Giant Sickle Star, the Star Court will pass judgment on it.”
Ning Buyi secretly sighed in relief, but thinking of the planetary consciousness returning to “mother’s” embrace, she furrowed her brow again: “Giant Sickle Star has become a dead star, so will the war with the Insect Race continue?”
“For warriors, fighting in an environment filled with dark pollution is nothing.” Hua Zhuoyu glanced at Ning Buyi, then curved her lips and said, “But there’s good news – something went wrong with the Insect Race soldiers, it seems their mental connection with the Queen was forcibly severed. And the Insect Queen’s whereabouts are now unknown. In any case, this inexplicable war is about to end.”
The war’s end meant that dark pollution levels wouldn’t increase exponentially, but Giant Sickle Star was already overwhelmed, having reached the worst outcome. However, after the war’s end, at least unnecessary sacrifices would decrease. Supporting herself to sit up on the bed, Ning Buyi stared at Hua Zhuoyu: “Could the Insect Queen still be on Giant Sickle Star?” Surely she wouldn’t fall into Xia Tu’s hands according to fate’s trajectory, have the black lock injected, and become a plaything?
“Do you want to go look for her?” Hua Zhuoyu asked casually.
After receiving news of the Insect Queen’s disappearance, both the military and the Insect Race side were desperately searching. However, neither side would persist for long – the warriors might not be willing to stay in such an environment, while on the Insect Race’s side, a new Queen would soon be born, leaving the old Queen forgotten. What the Insect Race needed was a “Queen,” not Kris herself.
“You should return to Mountain and Sea Star too,” Hua Zhuoyu suddenly said. She didn’t inquire about the anomalies that occurred with Ning Buyi, as if completely unconcerned.
“I want to—”
“No, you don’t!” Hua Zhuoyu cut off Ning Buyi’s words with a serious expression. Ning Buyi was someone blessed by the planetary consciousness, and if she stayed here, she might hear the “planetary consciousness’s” final lament as it perished completely. That was a kind of desperate emotion that would shake one’s will and spirit. She didn’t want Ning Buyi to see such a cruel aspect.
“As Mountain and Sea Star’s reputation spreads across the stars, some travelers and space pirates might set their sights on the base. Unlike the government side that cares about face, these outlaws will forcibly attack the base. The base currently has the ability to handle them, but with you absent, some people’s minds are unsettled.” Hua Zhuoyu softened her tone.
Ning Buyi blinked at Hua Zhuoyu.
She understood – Hua Zhuoyu would not allow her to stay on the “dead star” no matter what.
“Have you already arranged for a spaceship?”
Hua Zhuoyu nodded, gazing directly at Ning Buyi, speaking gently but firmly: “It won’t be long before I return to your side.”
Ning Buyi made an “eh” sound, her face slightly reddening.
She patted her head, suddenly remembering the “gift” she hadn’t given yet. While retrieving something from her space button, she happened to see Hua Zhuoyu stand up. Ning Buyi hurriedly reached out and grabbed Hua Zhuoyu: “Wait.”
Hua Zhuoyu lost her footing and stumbled, falling onto Ning Buyi. However, she didn’t hurry to get up, instead supporting herself with both hands, kneeling with one knee on the bed. She leaned forward slightly, shortening the distance between them.
Ning Buyi felt warm breath on her face, and her features grew increasingly hot.
She wanted to push Hua Zhuoyu away, but when her hands touched that soft chest, she withdrew them as if shocked by electricity. Her eyes flickered as she said softly: “Get up first.”
Hua Zhuoyu chuckled, rising unhurriedly. Her gaze remained fixed on Ning Buyi, watching as she took out an elegantly wrapped gift box.
“What’s this?” Hua Zhuoyu asked, though she already knew.
Ning Buyi shot her a sideways glance, responding: “A gift I hadn’t gotten the chance to give earlier.” Meeting Hua Zhuoyu’s beautiful eyes, she said seriously, “I don’t like separation, but I dislike leaving without saying goodbye even more.”
“It won’t happen next time,” Hua Zhuoyu raised both hands, smiling, “I promise.”
If possible, Ning Buyi would have liked to stay on Giant Sickle Star for a while, but Hua Zhuoyu’s tone was unquestionably firm.
When the spaceship arrived at Giant Sickle Star, Ning Buyi could only bid farewell to Hua Zhuoyu while holding the Nine-Tailed Fox and carrying “Beidou.”
The chaos on Giant Sickle Star had already settled, and space pirates would no longer set foot on this worthless dead star, making the return journey much smoother than the arrival.
In the room.
Ning Buyi lay lazily sprawled on the soft sofa, with the Nine-Tailed Fox stepping and hopping on her back, its movements nimble, though she felt a ticklish sensation when its nine fluffy tails swept across her cheeks.
The buzz about “Mountain and Sea Star” on the Star Network had diminished somewhat, with topics focusing on the battle between “Giant Sickle Star” and the Insect Race. Recently, Xia Tu had made an appearance, causing great cheers across the Star Network, with admirers emerging one after another, some for his “looks,” and others for his “great achievements.”
Ning Buyi sneered at this.
As she was about to skip over these meaningless junk messages, she suddenly noticed some unusual voices.
“If His Highness has sufficient power to deal with the Insect Race, why is he unwilling to dispatch warriors to assist with the Giant Sickle Star citizens’ migration?”
However, rebuttals quickly appeared below.
“It’s just migration, does it need military deployment? Don’t meddle in military affairs if you don’t understand them, okay?”
“Exactly, isn’t this the Governor’s responsibility?”
“You all probably don’t know, but the Giant Sickle Star’s Governor fled long ago, and this migration is unusual – there are traces of space pirates.”
…
A strange light flashed in Ning Buyi’s eyes – those who could speak up at this time were likely not ordinary people.
Could it be that the Civilization Alliance had found an opportunity to attack Xia Tu? If that was the case, she would definitely applaud!
Ning Buyi wanted to search for related information, but unusual sounds from outside the room put her on alert.
Simultaneously, Beidou switched to combat mode, directly controlling the room’s smart system, aiming weapons at the metal door where someone was tampering with the lock.
As if burned by high temperature, the metal door lock gradually distorted, slowly revealing a hole the size of a coin.
Through that hole, Ning Buyi saw a strange, red eye.
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