Barren Star – Chapter 67
by Little PandaVoyage.
Hua Zhuoyu looked at Kris sitting on the ground with an expressionless face, without a trace of pity; the fact that she didn’t actively press Kris down was already considered lenient. Ning Buyi, on the other hand, watched nervously; compared to the pitiful Kris, it was evident that the swaying flower branches in the sea of flowers caught her attention more. The only one with a blood relationship to Kris, perhaps able to offer a few comforting words, was Hall, whose smile was gentle like a spring breeze, but as soon as she spoke, not a single word was pleasant to hear.
“My foolish sister has finally regained her past obedient appearance, unlike those over a thousand unruly brothers and sisters.” Hall smiled, her gaze sweeping back and forth over Kris’s cheeks.
“Over a thousand?” Ning Buyi looked at Hall in shock, her attention quickly shifting to the exaggerated number. Could it be that the past Insect Race Queen awakened some kind of reproductive ability?
“There’s no need to be so surprised. Reproduction is one of the uses of an Insect Race Queen. The offspring born from an Insect Race Queen have always been the most outstanding warriors of the Insect Race.” Hua Zhuoyu looked at Ning Buyi with a half-smile and continued, “However, after the torment of two generations of young queens, the bloodline of the Insect Race’s former king’s offspring has almost been wiped out.”
Hall retorted, “Isn’t that a good thing?”
Hua Zhuoyu gave her a sidelong glance and nodded, “It is.”
“After the Mythical Forbidden Zone is resolved, can she leave Mountain and Sea Star?” Hall suddenly asked, as if only at this moment did she feel a bit of concern for her sister.
“Let’s talk about it later.” Ning Buyi raised her head to meet Hall’s golden eyes, responding faintly. Even if the Mythical Forbidden Zone is resolved, it doesn’t mean Kris is without danger. After all, it’s not as if criminals disappear without a trace in times of peace.
Hall stayed on Mountain and Sea Star for half a month, but rather than visiting the “foolish sister” in the sea of flowers, she clearly preferred trying the various delicacies developed in Mountain and Sea Star’s cafeteria. So, apart from the first day, she never went to the sea of flowers again. In the sea of flowers, Kris, stimulated by Hall’s appearance, remembered a few things; her temper was sometimes good, sometimes bad, like a child who couldn’t get candy, only that each time she was about to act out, she was suppressed by the patrolling robots.
On Mountain and Sea Star.
Young students, harboring a beautiful outlook on life, were sweating over their work on Mountain and Sea Star. After the tree-planting tasks were handed over to the prisoners, these individuals only needed to focus on their respective fields, gradually revitalizing the dormant Aurora City into a true metropolis. Of course, a planet having only one city is not sufficient. However, the Mountain and Sea Atlas did not provide any “big gift package”; they could only rely on themselves to build a city from scratch.
Green leaves swayed in the breeze, making a gentle “sasa” sound. The oak tree’s seeds, after breaking through the soil and sprouting, grew robustly. By May, it had already reached five meters in height, casting dense shade over the houses, moving slowly with the sunlight.
“The Empire is starting to contemplate the ‘Navigation Project’.” Hua Zhuoyu placed her hand on the tree trunk, looking up at the frolicking birds, not feeling annoyed by their chirping sounds. She sincerely loved the breath of nature.
“Can the council pass it?” Ning Buyi raised an eyebrow. After Xia Sang took over power, she initiated drastic reforms; delegating the Supervisory Department’s power was one measure, while forming a council was another. Unlike her father and grandfather, she had no intention of dictatorship, but pursued a type of governance suited to herself.
“Most likely not.” Hua Zhuoyu shook her head.
“Elpis hasn’t even covered the entire star system; what are they thinking?” Ning Buyi sighed. A single base’s medicinal supply couldn’t cover everyone in a short time; they could only prioritize providing it to patients and the elderly with severe dark pollution. She didn’t believe the current Da Xia had the capability to venture into the “Mythical Forbidden Zone.” Glancing at the now fairly tall oak tree, Ning Buyi murmured softly, “Let’s wait a while longer.”
Once the oak tree grows, it will form a “Mythical Domain” to protect them, but until now, she hasn’t sensed any Mythical Domain. Moreover, if a domain forms, would they have to carry the oak tree with them? But she wasn’t worried, because once the time comes, the Mountain and Sea Atlas system would provide guidance.
Ning Buyi didn’t have to wait long for this “guidance.” During a three-day slumber, she learned from the Mountain and Sea Atlas’s dream how to extract the oak tree’s “Heart of Life.” After the “Heart of Life” disappears, this oak tree would become an ordinary tree, and perhaps only if the entire star system fell into decline could it give birth to another golden mysterious seed.
Hua Zhuoyu sat by the bedside.
Having experienced this several times, she was accustomed to it, knowing Ning Buyi wouldn’t have any issues, but she still chose to stay by her side. When Ning Buyi sat up, she handed her a fruit-flavored nutrient solution. After three days of hunger, the nutrient solution was her best choice.
Ning Buyi, with a rumbling stomach, took a sip from the nutrient solution. After a while, she turned to Hua Zhuoyu, her expression complex, saying: “Perhaps, it’s time for me to set off.”
“Set off?” Hua Zhuoyu was taken aback upon hearing this, then immediately thought of something, her brows furrowing tightly, “So soon?”
Ning Buyi nodded, looking helpless: “I initially thought I would have to wait for a while, but before leaving, I still need to make some preparations.”
Hua Zhuoyu held Ning Buyi’s hand firmly, saying seriously: “We’ll go together.”
“Butβ”
“Exploring the Mythical Forbidden Zone is originally one of the responsibilities of a judge.”
“But you haven’t reached the end of your lifespan.” Ning Buyi met Hua Zhuoyu’s gaze, seeing the unchangeable determination on her face, she swallowed back her words of persuasion. Deep down, on this journey, she also hoped to have someone accompany her.
Mountain and Sea Star was Ning Buyi’s main stronghold, and the first thing she needed to arrange was the base. After making the decision, Ning Buyi quickly called the “elders” for an emergency meeting. Although among the humans there were only Lu Zhiwei and Hua Zhuoyu, one could represent the military, and the other could represent the Star Court, making them a formidable force.
Mountain and Sea Star’s development already had a complete plan, a collective effort over the years. What Ning Buyi needed to do was ensure that in the event of successfully resolving the dark pollution and her unfortunate failure to return, Mountain and Sea Star wouldn’t become a money-making tool for evil forces. Everyone knew that “dark pollution” was everywhere, but they were only half-aware of the “Mythical Forbidden Zone.” Thus, when they heard about the future doom of the star system, their hearts were like suspended buckets, swaying up and down. This worry and unease peaked when Ning Buyi proposed she was going to the “Mythical Forbidden Zone.”
“Mountain and Sea Star now has plants that can restrain dark pollution; there’s really no need to go.” Feng Ermao muttered softly, having no grand dreams.
Indeed, Ning Buyi could rely on her “golden finger” to live leisurely on Mountain and Sea Star, but by doing so, the plants would only benefit a small portion of people, and the revival of life would be a mere joke. After her lifespan ends, the entire star system would gradually head toward death. At first, she only wanted to survive on Mountain and Sea Star, but now, she had a greater goal, and she was willing to fight for a future.
“You can live freely after leaving, but what about future generations?” Ning Buyi’s tone was gentle, her gaze sweeping over the crowd, and she added, “I’ve sealed the seeds in the warehouse, only Beidou can open it. If we win but I don’t return, you must guard the seeds; they are the future.” As for the other possibility, Ning Buyi didn’t mention any “arrangements,” because by then, everything would be meaningless.
After finishing the small meeting on Mountain and Sea Star, Ning Buyi also conducted online exchanges with Feng Yi and Xia Sang. Hua Zhuoyu didn’t participate in their exchanges but instead informed the Star Court judges about her impending journey.
“Boss? Isn’t it too soon? Why the sudden decision? The council has already rejected the ‘Navigation Project’ proposal.” Zhao Qiuyu spoke anxiously to Hua Zhuoyu.
“Can we join in?” Ning Mo inquired.
“You don’t need to take risks at this time. Now that we have the ‘Elpis’ trial medicine, dark pollution is no longer a threat.”
Hua Zhuoyu listened quietly, waiting until her companions had calmed down before speaking softly: “As long as the Mythical Forbidden Zone exists, dark pollution remains a threat. Haven’t you ever thought about what the current Elpis trial medicine signifies?”
“Mountain and Sea Star’s monopoly, just like with the previous plants, they’re hoarding it,” Zhao Qiuyu muttered. Though her voice was low, all the judges had keen hearing and heard her clearly. Hua Zhuoyu’s expression suddenly darkened, her eyes growing colder.
Seeing this, Si Pu spoke up: “Qiuyu, use your brain. Whether it’s plants or medicine, it’s not that Mountain and Sea Star doesn’t want to spread it, but they can’t. So many researchers couldn’t produce results; do you really think they’re incompetent?” She didn’t know exactly what fortuitous encounter Ning Buyi had, but at this moment, she could confidently say, “Miss Ning from Mountain and Sea Star is an ability user, a supernatural being beyond judgment.”
“If that’s the case, her existence means the plants exist; her death means all things dies.” An older judge looked up at Hua Zhuoyu, “If she goes along and dies, the current situation can’t be maintained.”
“Are we to continue waiting? Can the entire star system rely on one planet, no, one base to sustain it? Do you think that’s possible? There are only two paths before us.” Hua Zhuoyu said in a deep voice. Either wait for the end of life, in which case the aftermath has nothing to do with oneself, or make one last effort. “You don’t have to follow me; after my death, perhaps you’ll need to guide a new chief judge.” After saying this, no one in the Star Court objected. Hua Zhuoyu’s mind was made up, and no change was possible.
The public on the Star Network wouldn’t know about the “Mythical Forbidden Zone,” but those who received the news felt anxious. They hoped for the future but didn’t want to risk the great situation at hand. But what other choice was there? They could only place all their hopes on Ning Buyi.
“I want to go with you; I feel like I should do something.” Feng Yi privately sent a message to Ning Buyi.
Ning Buyi trusted Feng Yi far more than Xia Sang. One terrible possibility she considered was that after driving away dark pollution, the Empire would forcibly accept it. If the Empire’s army went on an expedition, relying solely on Mountain and Sea Star’s armed forces wouldn’t be enough. She pondered for a moment, rejecting Feng Yi’s proposal to accompany her and instead entrusted her with guarding Mountain and Sea Star.
Feng Yi naturally would not refuse.
On the day of departure, the Pure White Queen Hall arrived as promised.
Hall said calmly: “I thought I could bring along my foolish sister; her Bewitching Eyes can unlock some ‘locks.'”
“After meeting with Your Excellency, Kris was stimulated and has become somewhat clear-headed. This means her danger level has increased.” Ning Buyi stared at Hall, not directly rejecting her suggestion.
Hall laughed: “It’s fine if she’s clear-headed; if she causes trouble, a beating will quiet her, won’t it?”
Ning Buyi: “⦔ In the end, she still brought Kris along, while the group of little honeybees nurtured by the True Ancestor of Blood had to stay diligently in the base, fulfilling their duties in place of their queen by collecting honey.
The “Dead Star” was one hundred thousand light-years away, and at the speed of an ordinary spacecraft, reaching there would certainly take “years.” Ning Buyi, Hua Zhuoyu, and the others needed to perform spatial gate jumps repeatedly, and the only ones that could meet this requirement were the Empire’s high-end starships and a starship named “Pojun”. This starship was born alongside the mecha “Pojun,” which had been Hua Zhuoyu’s lifelong combat partner, and now the starship would take her on her final journey.
On the bridge.
Hall sat with her legs crossed, looking relaxed. To her left sat Kris, her face filled with anger. However, unlike the freedom of the other three, her seat extended several restraint straps, binding her tightly.
“This starship has represented a kind of ominousness since its birth,” Hall said leisurely.
Hua Zhuoyu sneered coldly: “It can’t be worse than the Mingling Ship.” When the Mingling Ship was surrounded by Da Xia’s starships, countless Insect Race members were reduced to ashes under concentrated artillery fire, and the moving fortress Mingling Ship’s hull also showed numerous cracks, with its interior severely damaged. Due to Da Xia’s interest in Insect Race technology, the Mingling Ship had already been taken back by Lu Jiangli and others for disassembly and research.
A slight smile appeared on Hall’s lips: “That’s good then.” She turned her head to look at the unfree Kris, “Isn’t that right?”
Kris’s face flushed red; she didn’t care what they were discussing, wishing she could rush up and curse at Hall: “You f*ckingβ” A string of curses was automatically muted by Hall’s smile, but Kris remained puffed up with anger, her expression unchanged.
“Isn’t treating her like this a bit inappropriate?” Hua Zhuoyu’s tone carried a hint of teasing.
“How could it be? My dear sister likes it this way the most; otherwise, how would she have used such methods to bind her most beloved sister back then?” Hall said with a playful smile, “She’s so pitiable, and to prevent her from losing sleep due to guilt, I could only painfully erase her memories and muddle her mind.”
Ning Buyi: “β¦Can we have a few seconds of silence?” She rubbed her forehead, glared at Hua Zhuoyu, who was enjoying the spectacle, and frowned, “Did you hear some sounds?”
Hua Zhuoyu shook her head: “No.”
Hall and Kris fell silent for a moment, sensing the surroundings, but they didn’t respond, their answers evidently aligning with Hua Zhuoyu’s. Upon hearing this, Ning Buyi furrowed her brows and whispered: “Really, no?” She trusted her intuition more. After pondering for a moment, she stood up and quickly walked outside.
The sound appeared intermittently, very faint and hard to perceive without focusing. Ning Buyi held her breath, paused for a moment, and then walked toward a closed warehouse. “Dong dong dongβ” The sound gradually became clearer, as if something was hitting against it. Ning Buyi’s heart tightened, and she quietly approached the warehouse. The instant the tightly closed door opened, a little furball shot out like a cannonball. Ning Buyi’s tense spirit relaxed upon seeing the furball, but immediately after, a surge of anger erupted from deep within her like a volcano. She reached out and grabbed Little Feng Jiu rolling on the ground, her expression grim: “What are you doing here?”
Little Feng Jiu’s eyes darted around, and it chirped guiltily.
“What happened?” Hua Zhuoyu’s voice came from behind.
With a cold face, Ning Buyi tossed the curled-up Little Feng Jiu into her arms, saying in a deep voice: “Spatial gate-related ability.”
Now that the “Pojun” starship had already performed two spatial gate jumps, its stored energy was exhausted, and they needed stellar energy to replenish it. At this point, it was too late to send Little Feng Jiu back.
“Chirp chirp, left a note.” Little Feng Jiu called out weakly.
“Should I praise you for that?” Ning Buyi said expressionlessly. She rarely showed a cold face to Little Feng Jiu, and at this moment, Little Feng Jiu was frightened by Ning Buyi’s demeanor, burrowing desperately into Hua Zhuoyu’s arms.
The destructive power of the mischievous child reached its peak at this moment.
Ning Buyi’s temples throbbed, feeling an immense headache.
“We can’t send her back, so we’ll have to take her along.” Hua Zhuoyu, however, was more composed than Ning Buyi. She pulled Little Feng Jiu out of her embrace, “Her ability is spatial gate jumping, which might come in handy at a critical moment, perhaps even saving our lives.”
Little Feng Jiu, upon hearing Hua Zhuoyu’s words, immediately perked up, chirping confidently at Ning Buyi.
Ning Buyi stared at Little Feng Jiu for a while, then said blandly: “Turn into a human.”
Little Feng Jiu knew she was in trouble and didn’t dare defy Ning Buyi’s words. When Ning Buyi saw her transform into a little girl carved from jade, she raised a brow and gave her a light “bamboo shoot stir-fry” [mild punishment]. This level of force wasn’t much for Little Feng Jiu, but experiencing it for the first time, she was so upset that she burst into tears, rubbing her eyes while sneaking glances at Ning Buyi.
Ning Buyi, uninterested in paying her any mind, walked past the pitiful Little Feng Jiu with a cold face.
Over there, Feng Ermao was the first to discover the note left by Little Feng Jiu, startled by her “bravery,” and hurriedly sent the news to Feng Yi.
On Beast Star, the overwhelmed Feng Yi received the message and was so infuriated by the note that she fainted. Upon waking, her heart still burned with anger, and only after Ling Shu’s persuasion did she slowly calm down.
Ning Buyi, lost in the distant sea of stars, had no signal, and essentially no news could return. She hurried to the Xuanwu Tribe, urging several elders to perform divination. After dismissing several bad omens, she finally relaxed upon seeing the words “from extreme hardship comes ease” [ε¦ζ₯΅ζ³°δΎ | pΗ jΔ« tΓ i lΓ‘i | meaning: things will improve after reaching the bottom]. Once that troublesome girl returned, she was determined to impose a hundred-year confinement!
She got a punishment this time, LOL!