Chapter 88: I, Silver Wolf, Didn’t Cheat!
“A Xing, this BGM is now yours alone!”
Meng Huaifeng sent that Wildfire track to March 7th’s mobile phone. Jing Yuan took March 7th’s mobile phone, clicked play, and threw it toward Star standing atop the Creation Engine.
Ever since hearing Dan Heng’s BGM, Star had been thinking about it nonstop, wanting one exclusively for herself. Now she finally got her wish.
Star caught March 7th’s mobile phone in one hand. Under the protection of Preservation power, the mobile phone was unharmed.
The passionate, surging music made Star’s already boiling battle intent even more fervent.
Of course, this was just ordinary music, not Meng Huaifeng’s war song influenced by Aha.
“Creation Engine, attack!”
Driven by Star’s Preservation power, the Creation Engine, now restored to action, raised its fist and smashed toward the Shadow of the Guardian. As a giant mecha developed by the City Builders, after being modified into a war weapon, its destructive power was in no way inferior to most Pathfinders!
Star ran along the Creation Engine’s arm. After the Creation Engine smashed back the Shadow of the Guardian, she leaped into the air.
“Flame Spear, charge!”
The spear tip was already ignited. Preservation was never purely about defense.
“Boom!”
The hard ice on the Shadow of the Guardian melted in Preservation’s flames, and the Stellar Core’s energy was wildly burning away.
“Judgment Thunderstorm!”
Dozens of violent lightning bolts continuously struck down on Star’s head, barely breaking through Star’s defense. Star, already tough-skinned and sturdy, became even more resilient after walking the Preservation Destiny.
A massive palm descended from the sky, heavily slapping the Shadow of the Guardian onto the ground.
The palm lifted, Star leaped into the pit, and thrust her spear into the Shadow of the Guardian’s heart. Preservation power poured in, blasting a massive hole in the Shadow of the Guardian’s body.
However, the Shadow of the Guardian was not a living being and did not lose its ability to resist because of this. It just had a large amount of energy dissipating from where Star attacked.
The Shadow of the Guardian clapped its hands at its sides, and a terrifying soul-splitting cold wave mixed with ice spikes blew toward Star.
The Preservation fire enveloping Star dimmed slightly, as if it would be extinguished by the extreme cold in the next second.
Star held the City Builders’ Flame Spear in front of her, and the blazing, unextinguishable Amber burned fiercely once more.
The battle turned around. Star, who had received the Amber Lord’s glance, began to gain the upper hand!
The battle between Welt and Sam in the sky had stopped at some point.
“The mission is complete. The battle ends here.” Sam emitted a mechanical voice.
“Is this your goal?” Welt looked at Star and the Creation Engine displaying divine might below and asked.
“No comment.” Sam replied concisely, then turned into a meteor and flew toward outer space.
Welt did not pursue. There was no point in doing so. He zoned out watching Star’s battle below for a moment, then controlled his mecha to switch weapons.
“Gravity Annihilation Cannon!”
A beam of black light shot out from the mecha’s hand cannon, landing among the Realm Splitting Creatures in front of the Silvermane Guards.
With a flash of black light, most of the Realm Splitting Creatures turned to ashes, leaving only some near the Silvermane Guards and scattered ones at the edges.
“Brothers, press the attack! Crush them!”
Gepard’s unyielding will made him ignore his fatigued body. He picked up the heavy guitar case and smashed a deep cold Wanderer into pieces.
The Silvermane Guards also rallied their spirits, ignoring their wounds, and erupted with powerful combat power once more, exterminating the remaining Realm Splitting Creatures one by one.
Kafka stopped attacking Jing Yuan and March 7th, merely dodging calmly. Gradually, Jing Yuan and March 7th also ceased their attacks.
The Stellar Core Hunters clearly had no desire to fight anymore.
“You’re not minding us anymore? Then we’re going to help.” March 7th probed. She was a bit afraid this was Kafka toying with her, and the moment she left, Kafka would use Word Spirit Technique to control her again.
March 7th truly had a psychological shadow from Kafka.
“Go ahead. Our goal has been achieved.” Kafka walked to the cliff edge, lovingly watching Star display divine might, and said indifferently.
“Goal achieved? Didn’t they come to steal the Stellar Core?” March 7th scratched her head in confusion. The Stellar Core hadn’t been stolen yet, so how was the goal achieved?
In the virtual world, Meng Huaifeng’s mouth twitched slightly. March actually really thought they came to steal the Stellar Core.
“March, do you know what kind of people seem smart?” Meng Huaifeng asked through Jing Yuan.
“Like Sister Himeko?” March 7th said.
“No, Sister Himeko is genuinely smart.” Jing Yuan shook his head.
“Then what kind of people seem smart?” March 7th thought about it but couldn’t figure it out.
“The kind who speak little and observe much. As long as you don’t speak, you won’t be wrong.” Jing Yuan said.
“Oh, that makes sense.” March 7th nodded in agreement, though still a bit confused why Huai Feng was telling her this.
“Should we go help A Xing?” March 7th still looked warily at Kafka.
“A Xing rarely gets to be this majestic. Better not steal her spotlight.” Jing Yuan said. Victory was a sure thing anyway.
Welt retracted his mecha and landed beside Jing Yuan and March 7th.
Kafka finally shifted her gaze from Star, glanced at Welt, and walked to where Blade was lying.
“Blade, time to wake up.” Kafka crouched down and patted Blade.
Blade slowly opened his eyes. The several fatal wounds on his body had long since healed.
“I… seem to have had a nightmare where Dan Heng turned into a woman.” Blade sat up, holding his forehead.
“Not a dream, though she isn’t Dan Heng either. I’ve told you many times before, but you didn’t believe me.” Kafka laughed.
Not a dream?
Blade instantly sobered up. Dan Heng’s aura seemed etched into his bones. Following instinct, he turned his head and saw Jing Yuan not far away.
Jing Yuan’s earlier words resurfaced in his mind. Having just died once, his somewhat calmed emotions seemed about to descend into chaos again.
“Listen to me, Blade, calm down.” Kafka used Word Spirit Technique to control Blade.
“What exactly is going on?” Blade asked, utterly baffled.
“We’ll explain back home. Otherwise, I’m afraid I’ll have to bring back your paste. I don’t want to dirty my coat.” Kafka continued, slightly disdainfully: “This script didn’t need you originally. You insisted on coming and ended up just sleeping, helping with nothing.”
“Who asked the Xianzhou Luofu script to be scrapped.” Blade said disappointedly. He had looked forward to seeing Dan Heng again for so long, but the Luofu script suddenly got scrapped, losing the chance to stab Dan Heng, so he couldn’t hold back and came to Jarilo-VI.
“Let’s go.” Kafka stood up and bid farewell to Jing Yuan and March 7th: “Little bro, little sister, looking forward to seeing you next time.”
“I don’t want to see you again, bad woman!” March 7th refused.
Little bro? Why did Kafka call her little bro? So, was Dan Heng male or female now? Blade’s head began to ache again.
So this was what Elio meant by the result not being too wonderful?
Indeed, not too wonderful. He really shouldn’t have come!
……
Meng Huaifeng’s vision blurred slightly, and Silver Wolf had pulled him out of the game world.
“Reaching over fifty floors in such a short time. Looks like your talent isn’t bad.” Silver Wolf said, somewhat surprised.
“Teacher Silver Wolf taught well, learning through play. If it were just rote textbook study, I couldn’t have improved this fast.” Meng Huaifeng said gratefully. Thanks to Silver Wolf, he had finally found his direction forward.
“You’re quite self-aware.” Silver Wolf was satisfied with Meng Huaifeng’s attitude. It was worth her effort as a genius hacker to guide him. Then she transferred a massive file to Meng Huaifeng’s mobile phone.
“This is Punklor Aether Editing basic tutorial. Normally, only Punklor natives can learn Aether Editing, but with your Mobile Phone Artifact, you might manage it. Give it a try. If you really learn it, I’ll teach you the advanced stuff.”
“But before learning Aether Editing, master ordinary programming first. Don’t aim too high.” Silver Wolf cautioned.
“Thank you, Teacher Silver Wolf. I’ll study hard.” Meng Huaifeng was even more moved.
“Mm, add me as a friend. Tonight, bring A Xing and game together.” Silver Wolf sent a team invite.
Uh, Meng Huaifeng was momentarily stunned. Wasn’t she telling him to study properly? Why game now?
“What are you spacing out for? Not using the Mobile Phone Artifact for gaming would be a waste.” Silver Wolf said righteously.
“Weren’t you telling me to study properly?” Meng Huaifeng couldn’t help asking.
“Isn’t gaming studying?” Silver Wolf counter-questioned, puzzled. Her Aether Editing technology had improved while gaming.
“How is gaming studying?”
“Making cheats, bypassing detection, generating materials, creating equipment, rewriting data… Doesn’t that all improve your skills?”
“You… cheat?”
“I, Silver Wolf, do not cheat!”
If it can’t be detected, how is it cheating? That means the game allows it!
“I’m off. Study well, learn well. Next time we meet, I’ll check your progress.” Silver Wolf waved.
“Wait, are you planning to go to Herta Space Station afterward?” Meng Huaifeng called after Silver Wolf.
Silver Wolf had taught him so much; Meng Huaifeng couldn’t bear to watch her cry and fuss pitifully.
“How do you know?”
“Never mind how I know. Anyway, be careful with your seventy-six accounts.” Meng Huaifeng said.
Silver Wolf’s pupils shrank. Scheming Herta, not content with posting my embarrassing video, now planning to ban my accounts?
I, Silver Wolf, am at odds with you!
Silver Wolf had investigated that Thousand Stars account that posted the video many times, but couldn’t trace the address at all.
……
The Echo of Genesis reverberated in the air. A meteor was created by the Shadow of the Guardian—this was the Stellar Core’s final move.
Star desperately held back the descending meteor. A meteor this massive crashing into the ground would have unimaginable consequences!
Scorching will continuously accumulated in Star’s body, making the Preservation flames ever more vivid.
The remaining Realm Splitting Creatures had been cleared. Gepard led the Silvermane Guards to arrive.
Bronya looked at the battered Silvermane Guards. Though all in poor condition, their spirits were brighter than ever.
Because they saw the dawn of victory!
“We must seize this opportunity. Compatriots, the time has come—lend me your strength!”
Their shared resilient will allowed Bronya to easily synchronize everyone’s wills.
“United we stand. Stellar Core, behold Belobog’s Preservation will!”
Bronya channeled all her Power of Harmony, buffing Seele, Gepard, Serval, and all Silvermane Guards’ power onto Star alone. Then her face paled, and she collapsed. Seele hurriedly supported her.
Star, desperately holding back the meteor, suddenly felt a new power born within— the condensation of everyone’s power.
“Charge into battle, no return!”
Under everyone’s gaze, the Flame Spear pierced the meteor, shattering it into countless fragments.
The piercing blaze unstoppable, it impaled the Shadow of the Guardian behind the meteor.
The long-accumulated scorching will fully erupted. In a blaze of firelight, the Shadow of the Guardian turned to ashes.
The Stellar Core, depleted of energy, could no longer stir up trouble and fell toward the ground, caught by Star in one hand.
Star turned around, Flame Spear in one hand, raising the other high to show the Stellar Core in her hand to everyone.
“Oh!”
“We won!”
“Victory!”
“Damn Cold Wave, Realm Splitting, it’s finally ending!”
“…”
All the Silvermane Guards cheered freely.
“A mere Stellar Core is not even half of my Stellar Core Spirit. I am the King of Stellar Cores!” Star announced loudly.
The cheering Silvermane Guards fell silent, looking at each other.
“A Xing, don’t show off at a time like this!” March 7th flew up, unable to watch, and pulled Star down.
The Silvermane Guards continued celebrating, feeling the savior’s image suddenly much more approachable.
“Well done, A Xing.” Welt praised.
“Heh heh, Uncle Yang, here you go.” Star puffed out her chest proudly and reluctantly handed the Stellar Core to Welt.
Welt fully sealed the powerless Stellar Core. He would take it back to the train later.
Bronya had recovered a bit and walked to March 7th: “March, now that the Stellar Core is sealed, can you release Mother?”
“Easy.” March 7th nodded and undid Cocolia’s Ice Seal.
The Ice Crystals on Cocolia slowly receded, restoring her to human form.
Without the Stellar Core’s bewitchment, Cocolia’s thought processes seemed to have changed somewhat.
“I seem to have had a very long dream. In the dream, I actually believed in the Stellar Core.” Cocolia shook her head lightly and murmured.
“Old hag, it wasn’t a dream—that was all you. Don’t think you can gloss over your stupid deeds like that.” Seele said unkindly.
“Rest assured, I won’t evade punishment. Soon I’ll confess my sins to the citizens, accept penalty, and hand the Supreme Guardian position to Bronya.” Cocolia said calmly.
“Mother…” Bronya wanted to speak but hesitated. She couldn’t bear for her mother to be punished, yet knew mistakes must be punished.
“Bronya, my daughter, no need to grieve for me. Countless died by my orders. I must give everyone an explanation—this is the ending I deserve. You’ve had it hard these years.” Cocolia looked gently at Bronya.
“Mother!” Bronya threw herself into Cocolia’s arms, choking up.
Seele pursed her lips awkwardly: “Hmph, don’t think you can just die and be done. Not that easy. The Stellar Core is just solved; there’ll be plenty of troubles ahead. Prepare to atone.”
“If I can continue contributing to Belobog and see it out of the quagmire, I’d be willing. But whether I live or die isn’t your call—it depends on the citizens’ opinion.” Cocolia said.
“Um, I defeated the Stellar Core. How about considering believing in me?” Star asked.
“You are Belobog’s savior. Of course I believe you.” Cocolia said with a wry smile.
Though the source of Belobog’s crisis was resolved, its reconstruction would inevitably be arduous and prolonged.
……
“Huai Feng, why are you back?” Himeko looked surprised at Meng Huaifeng returning to the train.
“I need to study hard, figure out the principles of Martial Spirit skills soon, and bypass Aha’s tampering on me!” Meng Huaifeng said full of ambition.
“Oh? Full of vigor. Good luck then. Need some invigorating coffee?” Himeko encouraged.
“The kind made by Martial Spirit?” Meng Huaifeng asked cautiously.
“Of course.”
“Yes!”
Meng Huaifeng returned to his room and immersed himself in a sea of knowledge.
Himeko looked at the girl on the sofa and smiled: “Zhu Qing, this planet’s crisis is resolved. You can go down and play.”
Zhu Zhuqing had been watching Welt and Sam’s battle through the train window. Though details were unclear, the fire-red and purple-black clash enveloped half the planet, jaw-dropping.
Uncle Yang is so strong, on par with Dan Heng. When can I be that powerful? Zhu Zhuqing thought dreamily.
“Zhu Qing?” Himeko called again.
“Ah, Sister Himeko, what is it?” Zhu Zhuqing came back to her senses.
Himeko repeated herself.
Zhu Zhuqing nodded eagerly. Finally stepping onto worlds beyond Douluo Star? What would they be like?
Cats’ curiosity runs deep.
“Once down, rendezvous with the others first. Stellar Core is handled, but Realm Splitting Creatures remain—some you can’t handle yet. But your Martial Spirit can protect you, so I’m somewhat reassured…” Himeko carefully instructed the girl on her first pioneering venture.
Mainly, Zhu Zhuqing was just too young at fourteen— a child anywhere, underage.
The Train Crew couldn’t help caring for her more.
Zhu Zhuqing activated the Pioneer Squad’s newly placed Realm Anchor on Jarilo-VI and teleported down.
The Mobile Phone Martial Spirit was indeed perfect for the hacker path. Plus Himeko’s coffee boosting intelligence and thinking speed, Meng Huaifeng’s progress was rapid.
But studying was inevitably dull.
Just half a day in, Meng Huaifeng couldn’t keep going and missed Silver Wolf’s game-based teaching.
Meng Huaifeng summoned his mobile phone.
『Breeze in Embrace: Teacher Silver Wolf, online?』
『Silver Finger: ?』
『Breeze in Embrace: That Only Men Reach the Hundredth Floor, I haven’t cleared it. Want to keep learning tech from you.』
『Silver Finger: I’ve left Jarilo-VI. That requires me in person.』
『Breeze in Embrace: Ah? What now?』
『Silver Finger: For just learning tech, no need for virtual world. Log in!』
Destiny War, launch!
“Your cheat is too crude—easy to detect!”
“While editing data, figure out how to evade game detection.”
“Account banned? You’re a hacker now—hack in and unban it yourself?”
“A hacker who can’t protect their account is embarrassing. Don’t tell others I taught you.”
“Want to beat me? You’re a hundred years too early!”
After losing to Silver Wolf in solo battle again, looking at his maxed-out-cheat character, Meng Huaifeng finally couldn’t hold back and asked.
“Teacher Silver Wolf, you really didn’t cheat?”
Silver Wolf slammed the table: “Say it again: I, Silver Wolf, did not cheat! Skill—this is all skill!”
“If you’re bad, practice more. Can’t handle losing, don’t play. Want proof I cheated? Show evidence!”
Meng Huaifeng checked Silver Wolf’s character data several times—all normal, no issues.
Fine, I admit—your skill is floors above mine!
……
A few days passed quickly.
In these days, Belobog Lower City reopened. Bronya took over as Supreme Guardian, and Cocolia calmly accepted the people’s judgment.
Cocolia becoming Supreme Guardian meant she was top-tier in all aspects for current Belobog. With Belobog in ruins needing everyone’s effort, they naturally chose not to execute her but to have her atone through service.
Bronya was already satisfied. She couldn’t help Cocolia escape punishment; survival was enough.
To commemorate Belobog’s 700 years of unyielding struggle, the Belobog museum reopened. Star led March 7th and Zhu Zhuqing bustling about, collecting meaningful items to display.
The Lower City’s combat arena held its grandest-ever combat tournament to celebrate the disaster’s end.
This tournament allowed solo sign-ups. Zhu Zhuqing signed up perfectly, facing worthy opponents—a rare chance for training.
But Star, who joined any fun, signed up without hesitation. March 7th couldn’t dissuade her and let her shamelessly bully the kids.
If anyone could beat Star, the Stellar Core would’ve been solved—no need for the Train Crew.
While Star received her award on stage, March 7th hid far away, covering her face, afraid others would know she was with Star.
Meng Huaifeng and Silver Wolf gamed day and night for days. Under Silver Wolf’s beatings and guidance, Meng Huaifeng’s hacker level soared, top-tier on most ordinary planets.
But still limited to mortal realms. Next, editing reality was what Meng Huaifeng truly needed to learn and strive for.
……
The day for negotiations with major factions was approaching. Their spaceships arrived one after another, making the deathly silent Ice Ball unusually lively.
Today, a silver short-haired beauty with voluptuous legs hugged a flying creature to visit the Stellar Train.
“Hello, you must be the Stellar Train’s Navigator, Miss Himeko? I’m Topaz, Director of the Interstellar Peace Corporation Strategic Investment Department, rank P45. Pleased to meet you.” Topaz extended her hand to Himeko.
