Fu Zhu walked under the Doomsday Beast's chest, looking up at the Anti-Matter Core, which was even larger than his head. He tried tapping it with the broken Godfall Sword in his hand. Seeing the distinctive pixelated cracks that appear when breaking blocks in MC form on its surface, he felt reassured and started chipping away at it with the broken blade.
Before long, Fu Zhu managed to knock the huge Anti-Matter Core loose and held it in his hand.
[Anti-Matter Core]
[Current Conversion Option: Nether Star]
"Huh?"
Fu Zhu's exclamation contained both surprise and disappointment.
Admittedly, a Nether Star was a good item, but it was more of a late-game enhancement for Steve, just icing on the cake.
Before he installed other mods, the only use for a Nether Star was crafting a Beacon; it was completely useless otherwise.
"Sigh, better not convert it for now."
Fu Zhu put the Anti-Matter Core away. Rather than converting it into a Nether Star, it might be better kept as an alternative 'hand grenade'.
After all, its name had 'core' in it; it must contain immense energy. If he could detonate it, the power would surely be extraordinary.
Afterward, Fu Zhu turned his attention back to the Doomsday Beast's massive body. Dealing with such a colossal creature alone would likely take a very long time. It might be better to ask someone to help him process it.
Averting his gaze from the Doomsday Beast's corpse, Fu Zhu looked around. Seeing everyone else had left, he followed the path back the way he came.
Upon returning to the command room, Fu Zhu found everyone seemingly gathered around Xing, discussing something. Among the people surrounding Xing were two strangers he hadn't seen before.
March 7th was the first to notice Fu Zhu returning and waved at him with a smile.
"Fu Zhu, come over quickly! We happen to have something to discuss with you two siblings."
"What is it?"
Fu Zhu walked over curiously. As soon as he approached, Xing immediately sidled up to him, asking with a conflicted expression.
"Bro, loafing around waiting for death, or living on tenterhooks – if it were you, which would you choose?"
"What are you talking about?"
Fu Zhu was completely baffled, having no idea what Xing meant.
Himeko shook her head, unsure whether to laugh or cry. "You girl, don't twist our words like that... Actually, Fu Zhu, here's the situation."
Himeko explained everything to Fu Zhu about how both the Astral Express and Herta Space Station wanted to recruit the two of them.
After listening, Fu Zhu understood. Ultimately, neither the Astral Express nor Herta Space Station felt comfortable leaving the Stellaron inside Xing, which was why they offered to recruit her.
"Stellaron kid, as long as you're willing to stay at Herta Space Station, I guarantee you'll live well. But well, once I lose interest in you, I can't make any promises~"
The speaker was one of the two strangers Fu Zhu had noticed earlier – a petite girl dressed in purple. However, judging by her body structure, she didn't seem like a normal human.
"Hey? I know I'm pretty, but staring at me constantly is very rude!"
Herta's eyes narrowed as she looked at Fu Zhu, who had been staring at her without speaking. Then she muttered in surprise under her breath.
"Don't tell me you're the quiet-but-actually-perverted type? Are you thinking weird things in your head?"
Fu Zhu's eye twitched. She didn't look very old, but her words were incredibly sharp.
Seeing Fu Zhu seemed a bit displeased, Asta quickly stepped forward to explain on Herta's behalf.
"Apologies, Mr. Fu Zhu. This is actually a puppet created by Ms. Herta. Ms. Herta installed an 'unreasonable module' in her, so her way of speaking can be somewhat... grating. But she herself is definitely not like this. Please don't take it to heart."
"A puppet? It's quite lifelike. I almost thought she was real."
Fu Zhu couldn't help but be surprised. To be able to create such a realistic puppet, the lady named Herta must be quite remarkable.
"You've got good eyes!"
Seeing Fu Zhu praise her like that, Herta cheerfully walked over and reached out to pat... Fu Zhu's stomach. Limited by the puppet's height, that was as high as she could reach.
It looked somewhat comical, though.
"So that's the situation, Fu Zhu. What do you and Xing think? The Astral Express also has methods for dealing with the Stellaron. If you have any requests, you can also raise them with us."
Fu Zhu folded his arms and pondered. Joining a faction wasn't necessarily a bad thing. When you're out and about, you rely on friends. Even with his system, there were things he couldn't do alone.
"Personally, I'm willing to join the Astral Express. I can't interfere with Xing's decision. As for conditions... the Astral Express can travel through the cosmos. If possible, I hope you can take me back to my hometown."
"Hometown?"
"Yes. A planet called Earth, a very beautiful planet."
"What?! Earth?!"
Suddenly, the man who had been standing quietly to the side, frequently adjusting his glasses, spoke up in astonishment.
Himeko, March 7th, and Dan Heng were also very surprised to hear the word 'Earth' come from Fu Zhu's mouth.
March 7th even exclaimed, "I didn't expect you to be from the same hometown as Uncle Welt!"
"Huh?!"
Now it was Fu Zhu's turn to be surprised. He turned his head in astonishment towards the brown-haired man March 7th called 'Uncle Welt'.
Welt Yang took a deep breath. After the initial shock, he calmed down, smiled warmly, and extended his hand to Fu Zhu.
"Welt Yang. Like you, I'm from Earth."
"So it's Senior Welt. A pleasure to meet you."
Fu Zhu was also very happy to meet someone from his hometown in another world.
After introducing themselves, the expression on Welt's face became excited again.
"Fu Zhu, how are things on Earth now? How has Schicksal developed?"
"What Schicksal?"
Fu Zhu was completely lost, having no idea what Welt was talking about.
Hearing Fu Zhu's response, the expression on Welt's face instantly froze. He suddenly thought of a possibility, quickly pulled Fu Zhu aside, and the two began comparing notes in hushed tones.
A few minutes later, a disappointed Welt and a stunned Fu Zhu walked back.
March 7th couldn't help but ask them, "Uncle Welt, Fu Zhu, why the long faces? Did something happen to Earth?"
Herta, however, looked thoughtful.
"Could it be that you two are from two different Earths?"
Welt nodded somewhat dejectedly. "Yes. Fu Zhu and I compared notes about Earth. Most major historical events match up, but there are differences in some details. It seems likely we are indeed from two different Earths..."
Fu Zhu was also disappointed. He had thought he'd met someone from home and might actually be able to return to Earth, but it turned out to be a parallel world.
"Sigh!" ×2