Free Web NovelChapter 411: Chapter 403: "Credit Belongs to Every Fighter!
A person who has just woken up in a strange environment, surrounded by strangers, will naturally be on guard. This was especially true for someone like Beyoncé, with her meticulous mind and unique circumstances.
That was why Shi Ming didn’t immediately ask all the questions he wanted to know.
’There was plenty of time, wasn’t there?’
...
"...You’re free."
Three pieces of good news arrived without warning.
The news of Rui Liang’s death, in particular, made the already wary Beyoncé whip her head around in disbelief. Her pupils dilated in shock, but in that instant, the emotions revealed in her eyes were more wariness and suspicion than anything else!
’Impossible!’
’Absolutely impossible!’
It wasn’t that Beyoncé was unwilling to accept this reality; she just knew all too well the power of that member of the Dark Star Race.
’Nirvana-level!’
’He possessed a Nirvana skill: Pathos!’
An ordinary Awakened could hardly imagine its power... after all, it spanned two entire tiers! If the *Nirvana* had already gotten what it wanted—the so-called Eye of the Divine—and left out of a final shred of ’mercy’ for its partners, she might have found it illogical, but she wouldn’t have ruled it out.
’But to say that Nirvana-level Dark Star is dead?’
’An utter fantasy.’
There was no telling how many members of other races had died at Rui Liang’s hands. He could even cleave small planetoids into four with that Pathos skill! And even if Rui Liang himself hadn’t made a move, his Wandering Ship, the *Nirvana*—already upgraded to a "Star-Cluster-level"—was powerful enough to conquer the entire Endless Ocean on its own!
’How could someone like that possibly die in the Endless Ocean?’
At that moment, she was utterly convinced she had to be dreaming!
’Or perhaps...’
’Is this one of Rui Liang’s schemes?’
’A test of my loyalty?’
’Would that even be necessary?’
Shi Ming, however, didn’t explain further.
The crew had all withdrawn, leaving the two of them alone.
For the first time in fifteen years, Beyoncé found herself crouching in a doorway, staring blankly out at the boundless ocean. She took in the great ship she was on, its class unknown, its true power subtly concealed.
’If this is a sweet dream, let me die in it.’
She didn’t know how much time had passed, but then she seemed to remember something.
She fumbled in her clothes and pulled out a star-link she kept close to her person. Only one last stone remained on the link, which could be used to send a message to Gold. Just as she was about to crush it, she saw a familiar Gold-level Wandering Ship surface in the distance, speeding toward her.
’Is that...?’
The *Baobab*!
A figure she knew so well was standing on the bow, waving at her from afar, jumping up and down.
Just like old times.
...
...
...
The sun set, casting a dim yellow glow that reflected in a teacup in the garden aboard the *Great Fortune*.
"Thank you, Stone Patrol Envoy."
Shi Ming shook his head.
"Speaking of which, we have you to thank for the message you sent from the Star Sea. Without it, Gold and I wouldn’t have confirmed the exact time of the *Nirvana’s* return, nor would we have been able to work with the Xirang Research Institute to develop a counter to their ’Skynet’ in time. Even if I could still have killed Rui Liang without all that, our margin for error would have been far smaller. We would have suffered many more unnecessary casualties."
"The credit belongs to everyone who fought."
"Welcome home."
Beyoncé had composed herself.
"Patrol Envoy, I know you must have many questions. I will hold nothing back and answer everything truthfully."
Shi Ming handed her a piece of paper.
On it were written a few words and phrases in the language of the Dark Star Race.
"I want to learn this language."
Shi Ming, who possessed the Eye of Destiny, wasn’t lacking for key intelligence, nor was he too interested in Rui Liang’s other affairs. Right now, he just wanted to learn the Dark Star language as quickly as possible to gain complete control over the ship’s operations and learn more about the events in the Vast Star Sea.
The drive to explore the unknown is encoded in our very genes.
Beyoncé nodded.
"This is the language of the Dark Star Race."
"The Dark Star Race is unique; they can travel into the Dark Cosmos without external aid. Rui Liang was a prodigy among them—the only member of the Dark Star Race to ever reach the Nirvana-level. He was hailed as the hope of his entire people."
"The language of the Dark Star Race isn’t hard to learn."
"Even for me, it only took three days to master it completely back then."
Shi Ming thought for a moment.
’Three days?’
...
「Three hours later.」
Beyoncé bid farewell to Shi Ming, boarded the *Baobab*, and left the *Great Fortune* with Xivier. Having been away from Gold for too long, she was eager to go back and see her old friends.
"It’s hard to imagine. He mastered the language in just two hours," Beyoncé marveled.
She had initially thought that even with Shi Ming’s superhuman learning ability, teaching him would take a day or two without an immersive environment. But this Grand Patrol Envoy’s linguistic talent was beyond imagination. In just two hours, he was able to infer the whole from a single part, completely mastering the language.
’No, it might have been even less time than that.’
"He has many miracles to his name," Xivier marveled as well.
Beyoncé looked almost identical to how she had fifteen years ago—even younger, perhaps—but Xivier still leaned on her strong shoulder just like she always had, and both felt completely at ease.
"By the way, Xivier, has the trouble with the Nameless Cocoon been resolved?"
"It’s been resolved."
"And what about Gold now? Is it still anchored in the Sudan region?"
"Gold is now located in the depths of the Sea of Boiling, in the former Great Congo Old Domain."
"The depths of the Boiling Sea? Can the people withstand the high temperatures there?"
"The high temperature has also been resolved... The Sea of Boiling is now like any other sea. It’s no longer hot. In fact, at night, it can even feel a bit chilly."
"Is that so..."
After being away for fifteen years, this Grand Commander felt as if a thousand years had passed in the world, that she had been left behind by an entire era.
"Actually, all of this happened within the last six months. Sometimes I also feel like someone pressed the fast-forward button, like too much has happened. But it’s okay, I can tell you everything slowly."
"Okay. Take your time and tell me."
The bright moon hung high, and stars seemed to sink into the ocean.
Xivier spoke of past events as the *Baobab* slowed down, sailing on the glittering sea. Ahead lay the Sea of Yellow Sand, the direction of home.
...
While learning the language, Shi Ming also learned from Beyoncé about the various wonders of the Star Sea.
Her brief descriptions sketched out a whole new world: strange silicon-based life, mysterious and unfathomable ruins of ancient civilizations, omnipotent Star Spirits, and the Cosmic Ruins, where opportunity and danger coexisted.
’The journey ahead lay among the stars and seas.’
’But first, I have to keep my feet on the ground.’
A damaged net, seven types of Holy Hall Flesh, and a complete Nirvana Brain Domain—all the materials needed for the Great Fortune Boundary breakthrough were ready. After he finished discussing with the six King-level Wandering Ships how to build a new order free from the Skynet, it would be time for the *Great Fortune’s* "infinite upgrade."
A "Star-Cluster-level" Wandering Ship, promoted from three King-Traits.
Shi Ming was very much looking forward to it.
