When Kiana woke up the next day, Chen Ran notified her to wash up and have breakfast, while also addressing the matter of joining Fire Moth.
"I've had someone take care of your paperwork and identity. Although there are some flaws, I can barely be considered a connection, so don't worry about those issues."
"Do you remember Himeko from yesterday? She's the captain of Fire Moth's fifth squad. I'll try to have you follow her to experience what warmth like Saint Freya feels like."
As Chen Ran said this, Kiana noticed a mischievous glint at the corner of his mouth.
She retorted, "Don't show that you want to see a good show."
"Haha, well, it's not a problem, is it?"
Chen Ran's arrangement for her to join the fifth squad was certainly for a reason.
In the storyline, Himeko was the Herrscher of Flame.
He didn't know if the rules for the Honkai selecting Herrschers were predetermined; he could only try to shift the so-called fate little by little.
"But before that, I need you to help me with something."
Kiana was a bit puzzled, "What do you need help with?"
"You've spent enough time with Mei, right? Do you know what she likes?" Chen Ran paused and said, "I had a dispute with MEI over some matters, and I want to buy some gifts to apologize to her."
"But I'm not very familiar with what girls like. If MEI and Mei are so similar, then their preferences should be similar too."
Chen Ran needed to repair his relationship with MEI.
He was very clear that in the impending crisis humanity would face, MEI's wisdom was indispensable.
For that reason, it was worth setting aside some pride and self-esteem; it was the best choice after weighing the pros and cons.
However, when asked what Mei liked, Kiana froze for a moment.
It seemed that since getting to know Mei, she had never given her a gift.
Chen Ran couldn't help but tease, "What, you can't think of anything?"
Kiana quickly defended herself, "How... how could that be? I definitely know what Mei likes!"
Chen Ran laughed mischievously, "Oh, I see. No wonder."
"No wonder what?"
"In another timeline I saw, Mei was also very close to another girl, even closer than with Bronya."
He deliberately made his words ambiguous, but he didn't enjoy watching Kiana get flustered like a cat.
Kiana said seriously, "Since Mei has her own happiness, then of course I should be happy for her."
"Ahem, alright, alright, I'm not teasing you anymore. That was a joke."
He almost forgot that Kiana in the future had no physical form; aside from Raiden Mei and Wendy, no one remembered her.
Making such jokes at this time wasn't appropriate.
He smiled and said, "That was my fault for joking with you. Let's walk around the rest area, and you can think about what would be suitable to buy."
"Just treat it as if you're buying a gift for Mei."
Kiana hesitated for a moment and then nodded.
…
…
Meanwhile, in MEI's independent laboratory.
When MEI stepped inside, Prometheus greeted her.
"Good morning, MEI."
"According to Prometheus's calculations of your movements, you slept a total of 5 hours and 31 minutes last night. This is already on the edge of the normal rest time for a human body. Prometheus suggests that you should appropriately increase your sleep duration or quality."
No matter how genius MEI was at this moment, her body was still destined to require a schedule similar to that of humans.
MEI said lightly, "I understand, Prometheus. Prepare the simulated Soulium made from the data sent by Mu Continent yesterday. The experiment is only one step away from completion."
"Command received."
Prometheus transmitted a piece of data from Mu Continent to MEI, along with a small chip.
This was a special chip; to be precise, it contained the programming method for creating simulated Soulium.
The expense of Soulium goes without saying, and the value of this programmed part is even greater than that of Soulium itself.
The programmed part is the key core of the ELF being developed by Mu Continent. With the programmed part, the ELF would have the capital to fight against Honkai.
However, the version given to MEI was a special rewriting program.
Its simplest yet most important significance is that it can be embedded in Honkai Beasts, rewriting the commands issued by Honkai to the Honkai Beasts, thus allowing the Honkai Beasts to obey human commands.
In other words, it is the most critical core of artificial Honkai Beasts.
Creating artificial Honkai Beasts is not particularly difficult.
After the experiment that Chen Ran and MEI conducted, they had a clear understanding that Honkai and consciousness exist in the same dimension.
Honkai is a special form of consciousness, while consciousness is a mutated form of Honkai.
The fundamental difference between Honkai life and humans lies in the existence of consciousness.
From this perspective, manipulating Honkai Beasts or even Herrschers is theoretically not difficult; it only requires another source of consciousness to cover the source of Honkai.
But the real difficulty lies in value.
Powerful Herrschers have already been eliminated, while the Honkai Beasts that appear now often do not exhibit great strength.
Being able to manipulate a Honkai Beast is less effective than training a few more warriors to eliminate Honkai Beasts.
Thus, while the technology to control Honkai Beasts theoretically exists, its practical value is nearly nonexistent.
However, the Divine Weapon Project is different.
Relying on satellites, signal reception towers, and the Divine Weapon itself, a massive Divine Weapon covering the globe will become a powerful tool for humanity to eliminate Honkai worldwide.
But calculations show that creating a massive Divine Weapon and requiring it to move demands materials of unimaginable quality; ordinary materials simply cannot support it. Even if expensive Soulium were invested, emptying the entire Fire Moth would not meet the demands of the massive Divine Weapon.
Therefore, the Divine Weapon itself cannot be a machine.
Currently, the only way in this world to rapidly enhance material hardness is through one method: Honkai transformation.
The body of the Divine Weapon will be an artificial mechanical Honkai Beast, covering the Pacific Ocean, as large as an entire Australia.
After inputting the coding program into the core of the artificial Honkai Beast, it will be under absolute human control.
Now, Mu Continent has provided a customized coding, and the next step is the Divine Weapon itself.
MEI arrived at the underground level of the laboratory.
With the sound of the security system verification, the specially designed security door fully opened.
What came into her view was a joint made entirely of silver-white steel, resembling a spider-like mutated pure steel monster, and the entire monster was surrounded by a thick transparent glass.
This was a gigantic steel model; the giant spider stood three times the height of a person, and the eight legs supporting its body seemed somewhat overburdened.
"Prometheus, activate the safety adjustment system, set the safety level to the highest."
"Prepare to inject Honkai Energy, with a minimum concentration of 2000hw for injection."
"Executing command."
Prometheus began the experiment.
As the Honkai Energy was injected, MEI noticed that the pressure gauge in the experimental chamber was rising.
The Honkai Energy isolation in Fire Moth's experimental chamber has a threshold; exceeding this threshold poses a risk of rupture.
MEI began to focus on the pressure index on the screen before her, her breathing becoming heavy.
"Based on my research on Honkai during this time, I found that the greatest characteristic of Honkai is its deep-level mutation of inorganic materials. Whether it's a human corpse turning into a Zombie or a Honkai Beast made entirely of gravel, they are essentially alternative lives mutated by Honkai."
"Although they do not possess metabolism, they still exhibit emotions and brief thinking abilities, which is actually a special expression of consciousness. The existence of Honkai fundamentally breaks human understanding of life."
"During this time, with the help of materials provided by Fire Moth, I have found the mutation node between Honkai Energy and inorganic materials. Once this node is reached, all inorganic materials can be regarded as reserves for Honkai life."
"Even theoretically, when Honkai Energy reaches infinity, the entire planet will give birth to the Will of Honkai."
"And now, it is time to verify my theory."
MEI's eyes revealed determination.
She believed her experiment would surely succeed.
But she also knew that if this experiment succeeded, it would mean one thing: under all existing theories, humanity's victory over Honkai would become an unattainable goal.
Then, the fundamental definition of defeating Honkai would need to be revised.
From completely driving Honkai away from the space and time scale where humanity exists, it would turn into...
Just as she was pondering, Prometheus reminded her, "The mutation model is beginning to show special mechanical reactions; the core of the artificial Honkai Beast is forming."
"Before the Honkai Energy core is formed, implant the coding chip into the simulated Soulium to make it the Honkai core."
This was the most difficult step.
And also the most important step.
Only by having the coding program replace Honkai itself and endow this artificial Honkai Beast with consciousness would this experiment hold significance.
"Command received."
Prometheus placed the chip from MEI's hand into the experimental chamber.
With the assistance of countless mechanical arms, the core of this gigantic model was embedded with simulated Soulium.
Soulium is a special metal, possessing a malleability comparable to mercury and capable of multiple structural changes.
With the aid of its coding program, it quickly replaced the core, taking over its command mechanism.
"Prometheus, connect to Soulium."
"Connecting to its external signal transmission."
Only the virtual image of Prometheus remained cold, presenting a progress bar before MEI.
A rare hint of tension appeared in MEI's eyes.
She saw the gigantic artificial spider, mutated by Honkai, beginning to react, with noticeable neural responses in its ankles.
This was not a simple large toy driven by electricity or other energy; it was an alternative life form with simple thinking and built-in drive.
The Honkai Energy injected into it was already sufficient to support the actions of an Emperor-class Honkai Beast, but that was not the most concerning part.
What truly mattered was that it had 'come to life.'
This meant that the technology for artificial Honkai had matured.
"Connection complete."
Prometheus's emotionless voice echoed in MEI's ears, but at this moment, she found that voice to be so pleasant.
"Doctor, do you need me to control it remotely?"
"Let it directly destroy this hatch."
"Understood, Doctor."
Prometheus issued the command directly, and the gigantic Honkai Beast let out an uncomfortable roar, its forelimbs acting like sharp cutting blades, directly destroying the experimental chamber before it.
The shattered glass fell onto the Honkai Beast, and its massive body instinctively evoked fear.
This was an enlarged spider.
As for why it was made this way, it was not because MEI liked it, but because the joint structure of a spider is actually very fragile.
If what stood before her was not a Honkai life but a driven model, then the eight tiny legs would not be able to support the heavy body.
But now it moved and attacked with almost no effort.
One could only say that Honkai had greatly enhanced the strength of the materials.
But MEI felt no fear, for it had already stopped its actions.
"Test completed."
MEI took a deep breath and said, "Compile this into a document for me. The Divine Weapon Project can now be considered ready for production."
"Command received."
At that moment, Prometheus's eyes flickered: "Detected someone approaching outside the laboratory. Based on the characteristics, it is identified as Chen Ran alone."
MEI's brow furrowed slightly: "I understand."
…
…
Chen Ran did not bring Kiana here because the content he was about to discuss with MEI was not suitable for anyone other than Kiana to know.
Kiana understood this as well.
After buying gifts, she was brought before Himeko by Chen Ran, becoming a member of the Fifth Squad.
This was Mobius's operation; last night, he organized this matter into a document and sent it to Mobius, thinking that with her personality, it would at least take a week or even half a month.
However, to his surprise, he received an email from Ato the next day, which left Chen Ran quite astonished.
Ato was a high-ranking member among the Fire Moth warriors; he had joined Fire Moth even earlier than Elysia and was essentially a Senior to all the warriors.
Although there are no military ranks within Fire Moth, Ato undoubtedly counted as the Eldest Brother.
Kiana's matter was thus settled. With the care of Himeko and Ato, Kiana would face hardships but was currently not in danger of losing her life.
Next, it was his turn.
Apologizing is not an easy task; the most important thing is that you do not know whether the forgiveness expressed verbally by another person is genuine.
It is not as simple as one person saying 'I'm sorry' and the other saying 'it's okay' for the matter to be easily brushed aside.
Chen Ran's emotional intelligence is not particularly high, but he still made ample preparations.
Moreover, he had other matters besides the apology.
On the way back after bringing Kiana to the Fifth Squad, he received a new message from Durandal, which had activated itself that morning.
"I have some not-so-good news for you. The fifth Honkai will descend in half a month."
Upon receiving the news, Chen Ran instinctively began to ponder.
He did not know the exact timing of the fifth Honkai in the plot, but now it was only seven months apart from the Third Honkai Eruption.
In the plot, the time between the Third Honkai Eruption and the Sixth Honkai is three years; however, according to the phenomenon that the intervals between Herrschers become shorter as their order increases.
In a few months, the Sixth Herrscher will appear.
This interval is clearly shortening.
Moreover, Chen Ran could not guarantee that the upcoming Fifth Herrscher would be the Herrscher of Ice from the plot.
As the butterfly stirring the pre-civilization era, he had finally influenced time.
But this is not a good thing.
His foresight had become useless; more importantly, Finality would appear even earlier.
Fortunately, he was not turned away by MEI.
Regardless of what thoughts MEI had in her heart, on the surface, the two of them still maintained a cordial relationship.
"What's the matter?"
The freshly completed MEI looked at Chen Ran, her tone neither distant nor close, making it hard to discern her true feelings.
Chen Ran said, "I'm here to apologize and to inform you of some news."
"Let's skip the apology part."
MEI paused and said, "Our relationship isn't that complicated. I provide you with benefits, and you provide me with benefits, and that's enough. Moreover, I wasn't actually angry that day; on the contrary, I'm quite grateful to you."
"Grateful to me?"
"Right." She said: "My emotions almost got out of control, clearly I'm still not rational enough. Thank you for pointing out my weakness."
Chen Ran sighed: "That wasn't my intention, but if you find it useful, I'm honored."
MEI is a rational monster, but she wasn't absolutely rational from the very beginning.
Chen Ran didn't know how she managed to keep her mind completely calm, but that should be good news for him.
She was turning herself into a machine, and dealing with machines was easier than dealing with real people.
"Let's talk about the news, and what you have in your hands is…"
"A gift of apology for you, chosen by Sirin, you've seen it."
Chen Ran casually said, placing the items he bought aside.
"On my way here, Durandal contacted me. The Fifth Honkai will appear in half a month. I want to conduct an experiment on the possible Herrscher that may appear."
Chen Ran hesitated for a moment and voiced his thoughts: "We already know that Honkai and consciousness exist in the same dimension, so can we cover the Herrscher manipulated by Honkai with the dimension of consciousness?"
"And then, let the Herrscher become our strength."
MEI suddenly smiled.
"I agree to conduct this experiment, and I also have experimental results to share with you."
"The method of covering Honkai with consciousness is absolutely feasible, but the only question is, what kind of consciousness can cover the Herrscher referred to as the divine generation."
"I'm equally curious about this experiment."
She liked this kind of news.
As for where the Fifth Herrscher would appear and what impact it would have on humanity, in MEI's heart, its value was not even one ten-thousandth of the experiment itself.
Chen Ran nodded.
"Then we'll discuss the specific process later. If there's nothing else, I'll…"
"Wait a moment."
MEI paused and looked at Chen Ran: "I'm quite curious about one thing now, why did Durandal prioritize revealing the news to you instead of me, who holds her ownership."
"Maybe it's because she likes me? What's wrong with that?"
"Right, it's because she likes you." MEI's eyes showed surprise: "Then you wouldn't mind directly becoming Durandal's master, would you?"
"What do you mean?"
"Literally." MEI said: "From now on, Bia's ownership is yours."
Durandal is the first terminal that can approach humans to learn about emotions and logical thinking, and she is now growing rapidly.
And now, she directly bypassed the most basic command and told such important news to Chen Ran first, instead of MEI, who has priority in enjoying intelligence.
MEI doesn't like any uncontrolled individuals, whether they are terminals or humans.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advanced chapters in patreon (46 blocked, 5 free)
https://www.pat reon.com/ThatGreatStuff