Chapter 84: Wanting to Buy a Star System
Worried Bai Zhi would misunderstand, she quickly added an explanation. "This is just a private invitation, so please don’t feel pressured. As a member of my family, I felt I had to ask. Even if you say no, it won’t affect our friendship, and my uncle will still help."
Now that Xiao Yu had put it that way, Bai Zhi understood what she meant.
As a member of her family who used its resources, Xiao Yu naturally wanted to try and recruit Bai Zhi. But because of their friendship, Xiao Yu was worried her words would pressure Bai Zhi into choosing the Grey Family.
Xiao Yu knew better than anyone else present which families had come from the Main Star today, so she was also keenly aware that her own family was a step below this particular group.
But there was always a chance.
Bai Zhi thought for a moment and said, "If I were to ask for your help, wouldn’t it affect your uncle?"
’Anyone who put their mind to it could find out that Xiao Yu came to my house today. Given her relationship with her uncle, if I asked for his help, he would definitely agree. If that happened, people would naturally guess that I was being hidden by her uncle, Leon Grey.’
At that thought, Bai Zhi shook her head. "Never mind..."
Before Bai Zhi could finish, Hu Yan suddenly spoke up. "It’s true that we shouldn’t get the Grey Family entangled in this, but we might need a small favor from you."
Bai Zhi looked over at Hu Yan, wondering what he was up to. But since he’d said it, he must have had his reasons. So she went along with it, "We might have to trouble you after all."
Xiao Yu nodded. "I’ll talk to my uncle."
Bai Zhi felt bad for always troubling Xiao Yu and her friends, so she mentioned subtly, "My superpower is purification. If you ever need anything, feel free to find me."
Although she didn’t explicitly state her Superpower Level, everyone present was astute. The fact that so many major families were vying to recruit her was proof enough that her Superpower Level was very high.
But no one brought it up, much less asked about it specifically. For Bai Zhi to tell them even that much meant she already considered them friends.
Only Xiang Ling’s Beast Husband found it a bit strange. ’Those major families are obviously here to recruit her. Since her Superpower Level is so high, why isn’t she willing to be recruited?’
’Is it because she doesn’t want to be controlled?’
’But that makes sense. I heard from my wife that this female seems to be quite wealthy, so of course she wouldn’t want to be controlled.’
’However, major families usually give those with powerful abilities the highest level of treatment and status. They don’t micromanage them; they just require their help when needed.’
But since his wife hadn’t asked, he couldn’t say much either. He could only wonder about it privately.
Xiang Ling’s mouth was flushed red from the food. She kept slurping and hissing from the spice, but it didn’t slow her down one bit. "No wonder your food doesn’t have a trace of bitterness and is so delicious! This hot pot... I think we could start a chain! We could open branches all the way on the Main Star!"
Xiao Yu nodded in agreement. "That’s a great idea. I think it’s doable, but it feels like a waste to just make it a normal chain. It should be a high-end restaurant, at least. We can’t let a flavor this good go to waste."
Xing Fan chimed in, "Bai Zhi, what’s the secret to your talent? How can you make so many delicious things?"
Bai Zhi’s own eyes were sparkling as she ate. "Do you guys want to learn? I can teach you."
Xiang Ling answered without a moment’s hesitation. "Count me out. I know my own limits. I just don’t have the talent for that kind of delicate work..."
Xing Fan said with a helpless sigh, "I’m decent enough, but I have to go to the Garbage Star in a couple of days to look for a new type of material I plan on sourcing. So I’ll probably be gone before I can learn. If you don’t mind, maybe you could teach me over a video call next time."
Then, as if remembering something, he added, "Oh, right. I’ve finished the design for your necklace. I’ll get it for you in a little while."
Bai Zhi nodded. "Okay."
Xiang Ling thought for a moment. "I think they discovered a new star system near the Garbage Star. They say a lot of gemstones were found there. Xing Fan must be heading there, right?"
Xiao Yu added, "And that star system is apparently still unowned."
Bai Zhi froze. "Unowned? You mean... it can be bought?"
Xiao Yu explained, "Any Unowned Star System can be purchased. If you buy it, you become the master of a star system. Then, anyone who wants to procure gemstones from it has to buy them from you. However, star systems rich in gemstones like that are usually extremely expensive. Some aren’t even for sale."
Hearing this, Bai Zhi was practically buzzing with excitement. ’Master of a star system!’
’Even if it’s just a small star system, being its owner would be like being the king of a small country!’
Bai Zhi’s face filled with anticipation as she asked, "How much do they usually cost?"
Seeing her interest, Xiao Yu paused for a second in surprise before answering, "It varies. Anywhere from a few hundred million to tens of billions of Star Coins."
Hearing this, Bai Zhi gulped. *Hiss...*
’A few hundred million Star Coins is manageable, but tens of billions...’
’That’s a bit pricey.’
’I wonder if the system will come through for me. Can it sense my desperate longing?’
’Maybe next time it’ll just give me a whole star system, letting me become a master of a star system in my lifetime!’
Bai Zhi took the opportunity to learn more. "So the ones that cost a few hundred million... are they barren like the Garbage Star, with nothing on them?"
Xiang Ling explained, "That’s right. A star system where Energy Stones can be mined generally won’t be sold. The ones that are for sale usually just have some common Crystal Stones, or nothing at all. On top of that, prices vary depending on the size of the system."
Xing Fan added, "There are exceptions, though. Someone might spend very few Star Coins and end up with a system full of special Crystal Stones, but that’s extremely rare."
Hearing Xing Fan’s words, Bai Zhi’s eyes instantly lit up.
’Could I use my system to cheat? Spend a minimal amount of Star Coins to buy a star system with special Crystal Stones?’
’Preferably one where I can mine beautiful Energy Stones!’
Bai Zhi asked eagerly, "What Unowned Star Systems are available right now? Preferably a cheap one where they’ve already detected *something*."
Resting her cheek on her hand, Xiang Ling said, "You want to buy one? There’s no point in buying one of those. If you really want to buy a star system, you should get one that’s been identified as suitable for agriculture. With your superpower, you could make the most of a system like that. And they’re usually not too expensive, maybe one or two billion Star Coins."
Xing Fan nodded. "Xiang Ling’s right. If you’re looking for that type of star system, we can help you look around."
Bai Zhi thought for a moment. "Please keep an eye out for both kinds for me—the ones you mentioned, and the barren ones. I’ll decide which type to buy when the time comes."
Seeing her insistence on looking at barren stars, her friends could only reluctantly agree.
Fortunately, barren stars weren’t expensive. They figured that with Bai Zhi’s wealth, she could more than afford to buy one.
What they didn’t know was that, in reality, Bai Zhi only had a few tens of millions of Star Coins in total. She wasn’t nearly as rich as they imagined.