Chapter 196: This Day, Bai Fu Stepped into the S+ Realm!

"Bai Fu?"

When Cersia uttered this name, all the Secret Tower agents lurking in Laboratory 013 were stunned.

In the Tide Civilization, this naming style wasn’t uncommon.

But the Bai Fu who could cause Night Mother Cersia to become so agitated—who else could it be but the Savior Saint Bai Fu, famed throughout the Sea Lion System?

"Why is Bai Fu here?"

The Secret Tower agents whispered amongst themselves.

If Bai Fu was here, could it mean the Void Valkyrie was also present?

If the Void Valkyrie was here, then...

It didn’t seem like there was anything to be afraid of.

The Void Valkyrie was indeed formidable, but Cersia had fought her before. At least during their clash on Sky Lake Star not long ago, Cersia had held the upper hand throughout.

Now, the biggest unknown was the unit dispatched by the Tide Civilization. It was unclear whether there were any S+ rank Psionicists among them. If there weren’t, they’d just be cannon fodder. If there was only one, there was still nothing to fear. But if there were two or more, they’d need to retreat immediately.

"There probably won’t be that many, right?"

A Secret Tower agent frowned slightly.

The Tide Civilization was indeed stronger than the Star Web Commonwealth, but they didn’t have many S+ rank Psionicists either. How could the intel they released prompt the deployment of most of their S+ rank Psionicists?

While the Secret Tower agents were still entangled in this dilemma, Cersia and Tonglu had already made their move.

This sudden development shocked Elron and Sui Xi. Never in their wildest dreams had they imagined that two S+ rank Psionicists were hiding within Laboratory 013—one of whom was Night Mother Cersia.

Could it be that their plan had been leaked? Or had That Great One’s prophetic abilities failed?

At this point, they had no time to dwell on such thoughts.

The situation at the main entrance was manageable, but the rear entrance was already on the verge of collapse.

The moment Tonglu made his move, he forced Herbert to retreat step by step.

Though their main classes were only six levels apart, the gap in true strength was at least twenty or thirty levels.

All of this was due to the extremely unique nature of the S+ realm. After reaching this stage, Psionicists couldn’t level up easily. They needed to constantly enhance their primary stats, waiting for a quantitative change to spark a qualitative leap—only then could they awaken fully and ascend to the Disaster-class.

Because of this, the stat difference between a barely-qualified S+ rank Psionicist and a veteran of the realm could reach up to 500 points.

The stat gap between Herbert and Tonglu wasn’t that extreme, but it was still nearly 300 points.

"Why is there an S+ rank Psionicist here?"

Herbert’s scalp went numb.

He had rushed over to the Tide Star System, eager to show off during this commission and outshine the weakened Hiye. But Tonglu’s appearance shattered all of his illusions.

If this kept up, he’d definitely die here. Sure, Bai Fu and Hiye probably wouldn’t make it out either, and would die with him, but if he was dead, what did their deaths matter to him?

Herbert now regretted everything.

Why did he have to stir up trouble for Bai Fu and Hiye?

He felt his body growing weaker and weaker. He likely couldn’t hold out much longer. Just then, he suddenly sensed another terrifying presence behind him.

Another expert?

Herbert’s pupils shrank violently. He was just about to dodge when Elron suddenly flashed to his side.

"I won’t last in this state for long. Focus, try to pin him down and create an opening for me. Otherwise, none of us will get out alive!"

Herbert reacted swiftly and nodded immediately.

At this point, it was the only option.

Elron’s expression was extremely grim.

More than worrying about himself, he was now concerned about Bai Fu and Hiye. They were up against Night Mother Cersia, and numerical superiority meant little in front of her.

Could the two of them withstand it?

...

Bai Fu didn’t know whether she could withstand it either. The level gap was too great—when she used Psionic Vision on Cersia, the data panel was filled with question marks.

But she wasn’t nervous. She had Yulia, the ultimate power bank, and Hiye, her ace bodyguard. Her own race had even evolved into a Shadow Wraith. Unless Cersia suddenly ascended to Disaster-class, Bai Fu was confident she could escape even if she couldn’t win.

Cersia didn’t know how much Bai Fu had changed—she only knew that the opportunity had arrived.

Her burning longing for Bai Fu ignited the flames within her. Now, she could finally douse that fire.

Cersia rose into the air, her pink-glowing eyes locked tightly onto Bai Fu. "Since parting on Ulysses Star, I haven’t stopped thinking of you. These forty days, I’ve thought of you while eating, while walking, while training... even in my sleep."

"???"

Bai Fu, Hiye, and Yulia were all stunned by Cersia’s confession, and the Secret Tower agents below weren’t any less dumbfounded.

What?

Weren’t they supposed to be fighting? Why did it feel like a melodramatic performance?

Hiye and Yulia turned to look at Bai Fu with odd expressions.

Come clean—did you do something to Cersia behind our backs? Why else would she act like someone who’d been jilted?

Bai Fu was speechless. She had only acted like a kind, understanding big sister in front of Cersia—how could it have had such an effect?

This was absurd. Cersia’s gaze looked as if she wanted to devour her alive. Bai Fu was starting to suspect Cersia had once used her as a casting ingredient or something.

"If you miss me that much, why not abandon the Secret Tower and join us?"

Cersia shook her head. "There’s no need for that. I’ll just capture you."

Bai Fu snorted lightly, her face full of disdain. "You really think you can do that?"

"You don’t actually believe you’re safe just because the Void Valkyrie is guarding you, do you? She’s no match for me." Cersia chuckled, even growing a little excited.

She was actually hoping Hiye would be right there beside Bai Fu. Capturing Bai Fu alive was satisfying—but doing it in front of Hiye would be even better.

Destruction, destruction, destruction—utter destruction!

Crackling sounds suddenly erupted—like frying beans or dancing electric serpents. Amid the rising sound, thick black mist surged beneath Cersia’s feet. Shrouded by the fog, her figure became hazy and hard to discern. Then, a crisscrossing black pattern resembling full-body fishnet appeared across her body, extending to her shoulder blades, and finally reaching out like spider limbs.

"Is this the true power of the Night Mother?"

On the ground, a Secret Tower agent gazing up at Cersia couldn’t help but swallow hard.

They felt an overwhelming fear—scalp tingling, legs trembling uncontrollably.

Night Mother Cersia, the spider-like monster—her reputation was well-earned!

It was said that when the spider legs sprouted from her back, it meant she was ready to devour someone.

"Watch out!"

Hiye shouted in haste.

Bai Fu had already been prepared. The moment she recognized Cersia, she activated Psionic Perception. In this state, she could clearly perceive the flow of energy in Cersia’s body.

Thus, when Cersia lunged at her as black mist, she immediately used Shadow Doppelgänger, entering Ethereal Form and launching herself backward like a cannonball, leaping a hundred meters away, leaving only a phantom behind.

Boom!

The black mist struck Bai Fu’s phantom, solidifying in an instant. A massive spider leg turned into a spear and thrust out with thunderous force. Not only did it shatter the phantom, but it also blasted a pit over ten meters deep into the ground, with web-like cracks radiating outward for hundreds of meters.

"Just one casual strike holds such terrifying power? Cersia’s physical prowess far exceeds that of ordinary people, in addition to her life-absorbing abilities."

Bai Fu didn’t rush to reappear. Seizing the last moment before Ethereal Form faded, she bolted toward the player rally point.

Cersia, furious over her missed strike, transformed her right leg into a whip and lashed through the air. Black mist surged like waves, instantly engulfing Yulia.

She tried to use Yulia’s life as leverage to force Bai Fu back—but to her surprise, even after slicing Yulia’s neck like a steel blade, Bai Fu still didn’t show herself.

So heartless?

Tch.

Bai Fu curled her lips.

Fool. Yulia had the ability to create a Doppelgänger!

Bai Fu clasped her hands together. White light particles floated around her fingers. As her palms twisted, a few cards suddenly materialized between them.

"【Prison Realm】! Dark Vortex!"

A massive black cage descended from the sky, locking Cersia within. As the cage stabilized, a black whirlwind rose at its center. The vortex spun rapidly, and within a second, it had transformed into a swirling maelstrom over ten meters wide, pulling everything toward it. Cersia stumbled and was dragged into the vortex’s heart.

"Could it be—?"

The Secret Tower agents on the ground turned pale, fearing Cersia’s defeat.

But Bai Fu didn’t feel triumphant. The power of Dark Vortex alone couldn’t truly harm Cersia. This ambush only worked because it caught her off-guard, and Bai Fu had never used this ability before.

"Retreat!"

She immediately relayed the message to Hiye.

Hiye wasted no time. Her body ignited into flames, condensing into a fiery phoenix. With a single cry, she surged forward—reaching the player rally point even before Bai Fu.

Seconds later, Cersia roared and broke free from the vortex. The spider legs formed from energy hammered like a pile driver, battering the Psionic Cage hundreds of times until it finally cracked and shattered. With the breach formed, she transformed into black mist and darted after Bai Fu like a ghost, relentless and unyielding.

"You can’t escape!"

"Escape? Who said I was running?"

Bai Fu turned and came to a halt.

Before assaulting Laboratory 013, she had been cautious due to Elron’s reckless flag-raising. She had specifically instructed Yulia’s true body, Anya, and the players to remain at the rally point and prepare a trap.

This was both a way to protect Yulia and the others, and a fallback route for herself.

The moment Cersia appeared, the players hurled their Prayer Cards.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—

On the battlefield, dozens of black Dark Thorns burst from the ground like wild brambles, splitting the open terrain into smaller compartments. Between the thorny gaps, Tiny Hei Fu, Tiny Bai Fu, Big Hei Fu, Spearmen, Adjudicators, Priests, and Void Energy Orbs formed a psionic legion out of thin air. They surrounded Bai Fu like knights protecting a noble queen.

Cersia swiftly scanned her surroundings.

Undying Ones?

Too weak, not even worth mentioning.

Anya? Yulia?

Too weak, not worth mentioning.

The only ones she needed to focus on were Bai Fu and Hiye.

"Then let’s start with you!"

Devouring power erupted suddenly, and the black mist around her surged like giant tendrils toward Hiye. Hiye didn’t retreat—she ignited in flames and charged toward Cersia.

Against monsters like Cersia, who wielded all kinds of sinister “skills,” long-range combat was far less effective than close-quarters brawling.

But just as she flashed before Cersia, the latter suddenly split into two clouds of black mist. One mist retreated, while the other dove into the Dark Thorns, zigzagging rapidly. In a blink, it bypassed the Psionic Legion and arrived in front of Bai Fu.

"You should know, outnumbering me is meaningless!"

Cersia showed a brilliant smile as she reached out and grabbed Bai Fu’s shoulder.

Perfect—she got her!

Now she had no interest in fighting anyone else. She only wanted to drag Bai Fu to an isolated place and torture her slowly. Oh, and she’d broadcast the torture live for Hiye to watch.

Hiss—

She couldn’t hold it in anymore—she was about to bully Bai Fu!

Cersia turned to leave.

But suddenly, Bai Fu hugged her tightly, and the surrounding Psionic Legion erupted into a frenzy of nonstop attacks.

Black lightning and high-speed spinning blades intertwined, slicing through the mist like rising storm clouds. Every strike of psionic bombardment and Spinning Demon Blade that landed on Cersia tore shallow cracks into her delicate skin—but her terrifying regeneration instantly healed them.

Cersia burned with fury. She realized now—it was a trap. The Bai Fu she grabbed was merely a psionic summon.

Indeed, it was Phantom Fu-fu, newly bonded to Bai Fu.

Furious, Cersia summoned a swarm of tiny spiders. They charged in all directions, clashing with the Psionic Legion. Taking the chance, she transformed into black mist and burst out of the encirclement, delivering a Life Drain straight at Bai Fu.

She didn’t intend to kill Bai Fu—just weaken her so she wouldn’t resist as much.

But unexpectedly, nothing was drained.

"What’s going on?"

In the next second, the Bai Fu before her vanished. Another Bai Fu appeared at her side.

Psionic Burst!

A violent shockwave of psionic energy blasted Cersia into the air. Her face darkened mid-flight.

It had only been forty days—how had Bai Fu become so troublesome?

"Didn’t you say I couldn’t run?" A bell-like laugh rang out among the Dark Thorns. "So why are you spinning around, fooled by my illusions?"

Aaaaargh—

Cersia was about to explode from rage. She immediately righted herself and lunged at the newly appeared Bai Fu.

This time, let’s see how you escape!

What she didn’t know was that this Bai Fu still wasn’t the real one. It was Hei Fu, who had inherited 85% of Bai Fu’s base stats and activated the Blessing of the Mind boost!

Although Bai Fu was confident that she could hold her own against Cersia with all her boosts active, those effects only lasted three minutes. So instead of opening with her trump card, she began with a “True and Fake Bai Fu” combo.

Phantom Fu-fu, the illusion Bai Fu created by Whispers of the Aberration, the illusion from Shadow Doppelgänger, Hei Fu, and Bai Fu herself—five forms took turns striking, aiming to make Cersia go cross-eyed in confusion.

The move was spectacularly effective.

Cersia charged at Hei Fu. With her overwhelming strength, she quickly pushed Hei Fu into a disadvantage. Just when she thought she’d found the real one, the air behind her rippled—and the real Bai Fu appeared, carrying Yulia transformed into the Blessing Spirit, and jabbed her with the Gloomy Staff.

The pain in her back made her spin around, spider legs stabbing furiously behind her—only to hit nothing. Bai Fu had already escaped with Shadow Doppelgänger. Enraged, she turned to lash out at Hei Fu—only to swipe through empty space again, as Hei Fu had also vanished using Shadow Doppelgänger.

Cersia’s energy surged chaotically. She was about to use a large-area attack to forcibly drain all life nearby—when another Bai Fu appeared to her left like a ghost. She reacted swiftly, punching out—but this time, it hit the illusion Bai Fu created by Whispers of the Aberration.

"What the hell…"

Cersia raised her right arm, trembling with rage. She now had no desire to kill Bai Fu quickly. Once she caught her, she’d show Bai Fu what “Cersia’s Hell” truly meant!

She ignored the Bai Fu that appeared on her right and locked onto Anya instead.

Illusions didn’t matter. Once she caught Anya, there was no way Bai Fu wouldn’t—

Boom!

Another Psionic Burst exploded.

At that very instant, a silver gleam flashed in Anya’s eyes. Her Mental Force condensed into a spike and stabbed deep into Cersia’s mind, leaving her dazed.

"Bai Fu!"

Cersia screamed in pain—this time, she had no intention of holding back.

Kill them all—everyone except Bai Fu!

An invisible shockwave burst from her body. Whether it was nearby Anya and Hiye or the distant Secret Tower agents, they all felt discomfort.

Their life force was slowly flowing toward Cersia!

"A monster—this monster’s gone insane!"

The Secret Tower agents were terrified.

They had wanted to help Cersia—but now she was draining everything without regard for ally or enemy.

Help?

Hell no. Run! They didn’t want to get drained into husks!

"Bai Fu! If you don’t show yourself, I’ll kill everyone you care about!" Cersia shouted furiously.

Hiye’s face darkened. If not for being restrained by Ethereal Form, she would’ve rushed Cersia already.

"Calm down—leave it to me."

Bai Fu’s voice rang out.

Cersia snapped her head around, staring intensely at the Bai Fu who had suddenly appeared beside Hiye.

"Good. You finally showed yourself."

This time, she was certain this Bai Fu was real—because she smelled that familiar scent of flesh.

She spread her arms. Countless black spider threads shot from her body. They moved so fast that Bai Fu and Hiye had no time to dodge. Within a few breaths, the threads formed a massive cocoon that enclosed her, Bai Fu, and Hiye.

"Huh?"

The players outside the cocoon were stunned. They immediately launched attacks at it—but their strikes didn’t even leave a dent.

"This is a cocoon I wove with my own life force. Unless you kill me, there’s no way you’re getting out."

Cersia walked toward Bai Fu with a smile.

She no longer felt the need to find some secluded place. She was going to bully Bai Fu live, right here in front of Hiye!

As Cersia drew closer, Hiye struck out ferociously, but without using Void Power, she was no match for Cersia. After dozens of exchanges, spider threads extended from the inner wall of the giant cocoon and tightly bound both Hiye and Bai Fu’s limbs.

"Run! Why aren’t you running now? No matter how many tricks you have to confuse others, in the end, don’t you still fall into my hands?"

Cersia stopped in front of Bai Fu.

She took a deep breath, a look of intoxication appearing on her face.

"Don’t worry, I won’t just kill you directly—that would be far too wasteful. I’ll deal with you slowly... Hmm, scared? If you don’t want to be tortured, you can just kneel, call me Master, and kiss my feet with sincerity."

Cersia kicked off one of her shoes, gazing at Bai Fu with a mocking look.

"Right, one more condition—you must kill Hiye. I hate her. If you kill her, I’ll let you go. How’s that for a deal?"

Hiye’s eyes widened in fury upon hearing this.

Cersia burst into laughter. "Yes! That’s it! That’s the look I want!"

She loved this—now she didn’t even want to wait for Bai Fu’s reply. She raised her foot, ready to give Bai Fu a hard blow.

But just as her foot passed her waist, Bai Fu suddenly transformed into her Shadow Wraith form, breaking free of the black spider threads. Then, returning to human form, she grabbed Cersia’s foot.

"Had enough?"

A cold voice rang out.

"You..."

Cersia’s eyes widened.

Blessing of the Mind, full burst!

Bai Fu’s Inspiration stat instantly surged to 1677 points. She broke through the threshold in one go, propelling her energy intensity straight into the S+ rank.

Cersia sensed danger. In less than a second, she realized Bai Fu’s vitality had increased significantly compared to before, and her aura had more than doubled—faintly surpassing her own.

But it was already too late.

Bai Fu yanked Cersia’s left foot backward with her right hand. As Cersia lost her balance, Bai Fu’s left hand, wrapped in ominous flames, slammed into her abdomen.

Dark Burn!

Buzz—

The blaze roared like thunder. A triple impact blasted Cersia straight into the air.

Cersia’s pupils dilated—shocked and enraged.

How was Bai Fu this strong?

No—actually, she had already asked herself this question several times during their earlier clashes.

Why? Why could Bai Fu keep breaking the limits of her understanding?

Could it be that Bai Fu had deliberately hidden her strength, feigned weakness, just to lure her in and then humiliate her?

Bastard! Bastard! Bastard!

Dizzy from the Dark Burn, Cersia climbed up from the ground.

She would never surrender. She couldn’t lose. This time, she would step on Bai Fu and make her her dog!