Barren Star – Chapter 61
by Little PandaThe Betrayer.
On the interstellar network, the discussion about the “Elpis Reagent” is intense, with some voices full of pessimism, always imagining the worst-case scenario. But no matter what, the registration channel closed in a very short amount of time. The number of volunteers is already large enough; the next step is to carefully select from this batch of people.
In this chaos and calm, Hua Zhuoyu and Lu Zhiwei’s spaceship successfully arrived at Mountain and Sea Star.
The urban infrastructure and facilities of Aurora City are gradually opening up. To facilitate development over there, many people from Beast Star have moved into new communities. However, Ning Buyi temporarily doesn’t want to move and still stays in the low flat houses on the ground, where the space is enough for her to live alone.
When Hua Zhuoyu strode into the house, she was holding a bouquet of fresh roses. The vase for the flowers had already been moved to Ning Buyi’s bedroom, and she had also obtained a “quasi-permit” to enter it. After replacing it with floral branches, she smiled slightly at Ning Buyi, who was holding a light brain, and said, “I’m back.”
Ning Buyi raised her eyes to gaze at her and nodded, saying, “I saw.” She paused for a moment and then continued, “Did you encounter an ambush on the way?”
“Yes,” Hua Zhuoyu responded. She walked closer to Ning Buyi, flicked her hair on her shoulder, and casually said, “It was sent by the Empire.”
Ning Buyi clicked her tongue and sighed, “What a hassle.”
Hua Zhuoyu smiled and said, “It can be resolved after some time.” At this moment, they already held some evidence against Xia Tu, but it might not be enough to completely bring down a well-established heir. At least, they need to let his reputation among the public fall to rock bottom to force the royal family to make a choice. Moreover, unexpectedly, Xia Sang is about to head to the battlefield. This imperial jewel is unlikely to cautiously conceal her ambitions any longer but will instead emit her brilliance thoroughly. She is no longer the timid person dependent on her father and brothers.
“The volunteers are still being selected, but the first batch of reagents has been transported to Imperial Star via the Starlight Platform. In the clinical trials, nothing will happen, right?” Ning Buyi asked again.
Hua Zhuoyu retorted, “What do you think?” Her gaze was profound and deep, like the vast night sky.
Ning Buyi understood. She looked directly at Hua Zhuoyu, and her eyes gradually sharpened, “This is a bait, but no one should sacrifice because of it.”
Hua Zhuoyu smiled and nodded, “Of course.” She detested Xia Tu’s actions and naturally wouldn’t walk a path similar to his.
In the base.
Even though Lu Zhiwei had seen images of Mountain and Sea Star’s plants, the feeling was vastly different from seeing them in person. It was as if a hurricane swept over her heart, stirring up massive waves. Her gaze was filled with nostalgia, shock, joy, and even a trace of regret. Her mother had always taken it upon herself to drive away dark pollution, even sacrificing her life for it. Her mother probably never imagined that hope would descend upon the world in this way.
The “guide” leading Lu Zhiwei around the base was Feng Ermao, who volunteered herself.
She didn’t hide her gaze, looking curiously at Lu Zhiwei. The information she got from the interstellar network indicated that this person was the ” gold master” [ιδΈ» | jΔ«n zhΗ | meaning: financial backer] of Tu Shan Sansan, and it was precisely her generosity that prevented Tu Shan Sansan from sleeping under a bridge. Of course, what she heard from Tu Shan Sansan was a different story. But in any case, the relationship between the two was somewhat unusual.
Lu Zhiwei spoke in a gentle voice, “Where is Tu Shan Sansan?”
After a big round, Feng Ermao finally heard this question, and her spirits were lifted with a surge of gossip. She cleared her throat, tilted her head, and blinked, “Sansan is busy.”
Lu Zhiwei asked again, “Is she live streaming the evaluation of Mountain and Sea Star’s new products?” Since arriving at Mountain and Sea Star, Tu Shan Sansan had completely changed her path, becoming an artist mainly focused on “endorsements.” As for her thoughts of acting, they had long been thrown away. This way, her fans wouldn’t have to suffer from her clumsy acting and exaggerated, outrageous plots.
Feng Ermao shrugged and shook her head, “No, she’s bonding with her kin.”
“Bonding with her kin?” Lu Zhiwei’s steps suddenly stopped, her brows slightly furrowed, adding a bit of worry.
“Yes, yes.” Feng Ermao enjoyed the spectacle and didn’t mind the trouble. In a certain sense, she wasn’t lying; the Nine-Tailed Fox is also part of the Fox Clan, even though it is the ancestor. “Do you need me to take you over?” Feng Ermao offered enthusiastically.
Lu Zhiwei hesitated for a moment and sighed, “No need. Thank you.”
At this moment, Tu Shan Sansan was lying at the foot of the Nine-Tailed Fox, with nine fluffy white fox tails caressing her face. Little Feng Jiu was stepping on her, chirping at the Nine-Tailed Fox, trying to defend its “territory.” Tu Shan Sansan attempted to grab Little Feng Jiu, but her fluffy paws weren’t that handy, and Little Feng Jiu wasn’t a fool to be easily caught by Tu Shan Sansan. After a commotion, Tu Shan Sansan was utterly exhausted and curled up to rest, with her three fiery red fox tails lazily swaying, no longer bothered to drive away Little Feng Jiu.
She wasn’t aware that Lu Zhiwei had arrived at Mountain and Sea Star.
Until Feng Ermao appeared, bouncing happily.
“Your gold master has come to the base.”
“What is a gold master?” Little Feng Jiu tilted its head and humbly inquired.
Feng Ermao’s voice was loud, even the Nine-Tailed Fox raised its head to look at Tu Shan Sansan. Tu Shan Sansan felt a bit embarrassed being watched by the “ancestor,” reverted to her human form, and said to Feng Ermao in frustration, “It’s debt master, a creditor, Feng Er, don’t talk nonsense.” After a pause, Tu Shan Sansan shrank her neck and whispered, “Could it be that she’s here to ask for money?”
“Haven’t you earned a lot during this time? Haven’t paid it back yet?” Feng Ermao asked curiously, looking at Tu Shan Sansan.
Tu Shan Sansan did not respond. After hesitating for a moment, she asked Feng Ermao about Lu Zhiwei’s news and then hurriedly ran off, not even bothering to clean the grass scraps from her hair.
Feng Ermao widened her eyes, wanting to chase after Tu Shan Sansan to watch the spectacle. However, she suddenly felt a weight on her left arm, as Little Feng Jiu clung to her like an iron top, its eyes sparkling with intense curiosity. Feng Ermao immediately became interested and explained to Little Feng Jiu, “It’s someone who takes care of your food, clothing, shelter, and transportation, but requires you to provide fluffy services.”
Little Feng Jiu chirped twice in understanding.
It quickly left Feng Ermao and flapped its wings to find its own “gold master”βNing Buyi.
Feng Ermao, with no sense of corrupting children, walked away with her hands behind her back, humming a tune and stepping lightly.
Base residential area.
As some people moved away, this bustling place gradually quieted down.
Tu Shan Sansan remembered Lu Zhiwei’s door number. After hesitating for a long time, she finally raised her hand to knock on the door. It was only when she heard the familiar voice that she straightened her clothes and nervously entered the room.
What met her eyes was still that gentle smile, and her heart suddenly sank.
Tu Shan Sansan quickly made a decision and transformed into a three-tailed fox, jumping into Lu Zhiwei’s arms. She slightly raised her head and asked in a calm tone, “Why have you come over?”
Lu Zhiwei replied gently, “I wanted to see you. You’ve been at Mountain and Sea Star for so long. If it weren’t for seeing your updates during live streams, I would have thought something happened to you on the way, otherwise why haven’t you sent any messages?”
Tu Shan Sansan felt a bit guilty. Who remembers so much when they reach their happy place? However, upon seeing Lu Zhiwei, she realized she still missed those hands of hers. Pawing at Lu Zhiwei, she mumbled, “You’re not here to collect a debt?”
Lu Zhiwei pretended not to hear, lifted the three-tailed fox from her arms, and placed it on the sofa beside her. Looking down at Tu Shan Sansan from above, she smiled lightly, “Are your kin here too?”
Hearing this, Tu Shan Sansan immediately became alert, staring at Lu Zhiwei with her big, glossy eyes, full of defense, “Why are you asking this? Isn’t touching me enough? Our Fox Clan is very proud; others won’t read those books to you.”
“Should I act flattered?” Lu Zhiwei asked leisurely. She bent down and brushed off the grass debris from Tu Shan Sansan, then laughed, “After you left, I deeply reflected on myself. Having a fox read is indeed a bit inappropriate.”
Upon hearing this, Tu Shan Sansan looked at Lu Zhiwei with joy.
Lu Zhiwei gave a bright smile and added, “You can transform back into a human and read.”
Tu Shan Sansan: “Are you crazy?” How could she have the nerve? At least in her original form, a furry face wouldn’t show emotions. Now, she regretted signing a series of unfavorable contracts to pay off her debt. Initially, she couldn’t compensate Lu Zhiwei’s loss, but now she was as rich as a nation. “Can I repay the money?” Tu Shan Sansan asked pitifully.
Lu Zhiwei chuckled, “I don’t lack money.”
Tu Shan Sansan: “Then let’s write it off.” Saying this, she was about to dart away. Lu Zhiwei, quick with her eyes and hands, grabbed Tu Shan Sansan and gently pressed her onto the sofa. Lu Zhiwei ran a hand through her hair and sighed, “Tu Shan Sansan, you’re making this difficult for me.” Having “kept” Tu Shan Sansan for a while, Lu Zhiwei knew her weaknesses well. After a few pats, Tu Shan Sansan melted like a puddle of water on the sofa.
“Shameless,” Tu Shan Sansan’s accusation held no strength and, with those soft, watery eyes, it looked more like flirtatious banter.
These three words didn’t affect Lu Zhiwei at all. She looked down at Tu Shan Sansan and said something inexplicable, “Does your Beast Star also have the bad habit of urging marriage?”
Tu Shan Sansan: “Huh? Our Fox Clan doesn’t have that. When we reach the right age, we’re directly assigned a mate.”
Lu Zhiwei’s gaze deepened, and she whispered, “What about you?”
Tu Shan Sansan didn’t notice the change in Lu Zhiwei’s expression and suddenly felt a bit dejected: “I haven’t returned to the clan for a long time.” She hung her head for a while before following Lu Zhiwei’s question, “Maybe I have a fiancΓ©, maybe not. Perhaps the clan leader has forgotten about me.”
Lu Zhiwei smiled, “Your clan is quite efficient.”
“Yeah.” Tu Shan Sansan sighed along, “In the future, when you see foxes, don’t touch them randomly. Many already have partners.”
Lu Zhiwei blinked, “But I’m worried that this habit is hard to change.”
Tu Shan Sansan: “Then what should I do?”
Lu Zhiwei coaxed, “You have to help me break this habit, right?”
Tu Shan Sansan’s muddled brain didn’t realize how this was related to her, but under Lu Zhiwei’s deep gaze, she nodded randomly.
Seeing this, Lu Zhiwei raised an eyebrow, the smile in her eyes becoming more pronounced: “Then starting now, transform back. On Mountain and Sea Star, there’s no media you dislike.”
Tu Shan Sansan: “…”
She really is foolish.
In the following days, a three-tailed fox bouncing around Mountain and Sea was noticeably absent.
However, as the planetary master, Ning Buyi didn’t even notice this subtle change. Compared to Tu Shan Sansan, she was evidently more curious about Lu Zhiwei.
Watching Lu Zhiwei strolling leisurely with Tu Shan Sansan in the base, Ning Buyi’s expression was subtle: “The Lu family has invested a lot, I thought she would at least take a look at the experimental base.”
“After all, she’s a foolish head,” Hua Zhuoyu scoffed. Seeing the confusion in Ning Buyi’s eyes, she added, “For her, teaching a little fox to read is more important.”
Ning Buyi was puzzled, “Didn’t Sansan already graduate?” The residents’ profiles of Mountain and Sea Star are all recorded in the Mountain and Sea Atlas.
Hua Zhuoyu said leisurely, “Some things can only be learned after reaching adulthood.”
Ning Buyi shook her head and didn’t concern herself further.
Jianβan Star.
As a construction star with a decent rating, it was only in terms of “dark pollution.” The lack of resources made it a forsaken place, surrounded by desolation, with few standing cities. The insect Kerr Limor led the elite insect forces to occupy those few isolated cities, then began building war fortresses on all sides. Procuring construction materials wasn’t easy for him, but his allies, beast clans, and star pirates could.
In a fortress resembling a starship.
Kerr Limor rested his head on his hand, his eyes gleaming with a cold light. In his office, only the deputy commander Huo Lam stood quietly with hands lowered.
The news of the Da Xia’s army marching to Jianβan Star didn’t trouble Kerr Limor. What concerned him at the moment was the issue with the Insect Race. More and more officers and soldiers have been fleeing from Insect Star to seek refuge with him, yet the queen has remained inactive. Perhaps the queen truly lost control over the entire Insect Race, but what if she hadn’t? Then all his efforts would be in vain.
“Still no news of the queen?” Kerr Limor turned to his deputy commander. The queen he referred to was the Betrayer’s Wing, Kris. It wasn’t that he was particularly loyal, but in such circumstances, Kris was the only one who could contend with the Pure White Queen of Insect Star. As long as she re-established the mental link with the entire race, she could securely ascend the throne.
“No,” Huo Lam replied. His fear of the Pure White Queen was no less than Kerr Limor’s, as he was also one of those deeply tormented. However, his perspective differed from Kerr Limor’s; he believed that the Pure White Queen had completely lost control. Otherwise, why hasn’t she dispatched insect soldiers to intercept them? She hasn’t even been able to keep the loyalty of the insect soldiers. Seeing his superior’s brow tightly furrowed, Huo Lam added, “The Mingling is the insect’s first warship. Losing the Mingling is like losing an arm for the insects. If the Pure White Queen had the capability to intercept us, would she let it slide?”
“You haven’t experienced that palace coup,” Kerr Limor spoke, and just recalling it drained the color from his face. In that coup, the loyal soldiers of the Pure White Queen were nearly slaughtered, and the royal family members were also mercilessly beheaded, blood flowing like a river. He survived because, like the Betrayer’s Wing, he was a betrayer. He had advised the queen to decapitate the rumored “Lord of the End”, but unfortunately, the queen refused.
That cursed sisterly bond led to the current situation.
“Her re-ascension to the throne is her revenge on the subjects who betrayed her,” Kerr Limor stated confidently.
Huo Lam was unconvinced and pursed his lips, “But no matter what, her reach doesn’t extend to this star. Our insect soldiers undergo daily checks, and indeed, the mental link with the queen has been severed and hasn’t recovered. The soldiers are anxious, restless, and lost; we need war to vent these emotions, nothing more.”
Kerr Limor paused for a moment before saying in a deep voice, “Perhaps you’re right.”
“I heard that the Da Xia developed a special drug for dark pollution,” Huo Lam suddenly shifted the topic.
“The interstellar network is full of cheers. But you know, they’re best at exaggerating the facts,” Kerr Limor scoffed dismissively.
“No, this time the information didn’t come from the interstellar network,” Huo Lam’s eyes flickered, and he lowered his voice, “It came from the Da Xia government. And there’s another piece of news: the planetary master of Mountain and Sea Star didn’t agree to the Da Xia government’s military presence on the planet, which means their strength might be even worse than Jianβan Star. And there are marvelous plants growing there!” By the end, Huo Lam’s expression became enchanted.
“But I heard that the Demon Phantom Pirate Gang tried to attack Mountain and Sea Star and were annihilated,” Kerr Limor heard this from the leader of another pirate group.
“They unfortunately ran into the Civilisation Alliance’s guns. Those fools, once freed from mental control, are like tender tofu, completely unable to withstand a blow,” Huo Lam snorted and added, “However, we can’t openly enter Mountain and Sea Star through the orbit; it would be best to use wormhole jumping to enter.”
“No,” Kerr Limor immediately denied without thinking, “The energy stored in the Mingling cannot be used here.”
Huo Lam smiled, “Not the Mingling, don’t we have allies?”
A few days ago, rebels and exiles from Beast Star arrived at Jianβan Star.
Although they weren’t many in number, they possessed extremely powerful innate abilities. Especially Xing Shan from the Silver Wing Butterfly Clan of Flash Star, who had the gift of “space jumping.” It was precisely because of this gift that he was able to escape from the hands of the All-Beast Alliance.
LP: Courting death, lol
Give the girls a break!