On a scale of 1 to 1000, hers wouldn't even score.
He'd tried catching Godzilla's tail more than once.
Though he never succeeded, at least it trained him into good shape.
-----------------------------
"Hehe, this girl has been spoiled by me usually. Please forgive her, please forgive her."
Touching Yunli's head, Huaiyan said with a hearty laugh.
"Old General, no need for such words. Innocence and liveliness are just as they should be."
Jing Yuan responded with a smile.
His gaze fell on Lingsha.
"This lady greets the generals." Lingsha smiled slightly.
"Did Miss Lingsha gain anything from her investigation of the Alchemy Commission?"
"I witnessed the regrown Ambrosial Arbor, it was magnificent. From the Alchemy Commission, it was quite a beautiful sight."
"You arrived at a good time, Miss Lingsha. When the Ambrosial Arbor was reborn, Godzilla cut it down, and its reawakening was also dealt with by Godzilla. The current changes are just the Arbor's own reaction."
Lingsha made no comment.
"Alright, we've chatted long enough—time to talk business." Feixiao interjected, turning to Jing Yuan.
"What of the martial exhibition ceremony? Any progress?"
Jing Yuan nodded slightly: "I plan to use this opportunity to negotiate properly with the IPC."
Luofu and the IPC have trade relations, and the IPC's intentions go beyond just reciprocal trade of trichomes.
"Heh, those hounds are not easy to deal with," Feixiao chuckled.
If anyone present knows the IPC best, it's definitely the Yaoqing.
Under the IPC's influence, Yaoqing has nearly become a cyberpunk world like Punklorde.
The younger generation prefers the IPC's entertainment methods over the old traditions of the Xianzhou era, modern clothing, etc.
Feixiao saw through the IPC's intentions, but even she was powerless in such matters.
Besides, the Xianzhou must also develop; otherwise, it'll collapse at the foundations.
"The martial exhibition ceremony? It's confirmed to happen?" Yanqing's eyes lit up, asking eagerly.
"Yes, and you'll be the one to guard the ring, making the first strike for Luofu, and demonstrating the might of Luofu."
"Yanqing will not fail the general's trust!"
Hearing Jing Yuan's words, Yanqing accepted immediately.
The martial exhibition ceremony invites powerful guests from all sides. Heroes and warriors gather to compete on stage with their unique skills.
Being the ring guard in such a grand event is an exciting prospect for young people.
"Hmph, when the time comes, I'll challenge you in the exhibition. That match at the Alchemy Commission was just an accident and doesn't count."
"Yanqing accepts your challenge fully!"
The three generals watched the two youngsters sparring with smiles on their faces.
...
Jarilo-VI.
"Hmm, a very special sample. Store it properly."
Ratio casually tossed the sample collected from the ground to his assistant.
Struggling to catch it, the assistant let out a breath of relief and muttered bitterly:
"Mr. Ratio, can you please handle such precious materials with care? You're a key figure, I'm just a nobody. If anything goes wrong, I'll be the first to take the blame."
Ratio gave a faint snort.
"If you understand the value of knowledge, then it's not too late to start learning now. Knowledge from your brain can one day save lives."
"I'd rather not. With my brain, just finishing a book without needing to look up words is a win. If I wait till I can use it like you, I'll probably be too old to lift a cane."
Ignoring the antics, Ratio stared into the jungle depths.
"What is it, Mr. Ratio?"
"Nothing." He shook his head, glancing at the day's haul.
"Let's go. Time to head back to the base."
After they left, a rustling sound rose. Sharp forelimbs pierced the ground, and compound eyes scanned the food intentionally left behind.
It picked it up and carried it away.
...
Belobog.
Temporary IPC office.
Ratio silently stared at the specimen in the lab chamber for a long time.
Eventually, he moved and began writing in his notebook, sketching diagrams and exhausting himself until he finally paused, seemingly satisfied.
"People always crave what they cannot control. Even the smartest aren't exempt. No, those who are clever but unaware often crave it the most. Perhaps that is the difference between geniuses and ordinary people."
A genius knows when to stop; a madman charges forward heedlessly.
But both believe they control the situation.
Only the confident ordinary person cries out in regret when things go wrong.
Ratio didn't truly know what the sample he brought back could do.
Compared to the tree-shaped beasts, even the insects that shook the cosmos were more familiar to him.
Even if he couldn't decipher anything soon, at least the sample wasn't one of those things reeking of conspiracy.
"An excess of knowledge… is poison."
...
"Snore~"
"Please? I really just want to collect your memories. It won't harm you at all!
If you don't believe me, ask anyone in the universe who has dealt with us! Oh right!
There's a colleague of mine on the Astral Express—you can ask your Express friends, this really isn't a problem!"
The Messenger girl pleaded.
This was already her thirteenth visit.
As for such diligence, Godzilla naturally...
"Snort!" With a disdainful puff of air, Godzilla once again flicked his tail.
So diligent—does the Garden of Recollection have performance reviews or something?
...
"The commotion that big guy caused was pretty loud, huh? Scorching Flare, that guy actually died just like that. I really didn't expect it—I thought he had more of a story ahead of him."
Silver Wolf mumbled while chewing gum.
"Well, considering even the Aeon of Destruction showed up in the end, and the fall of a Lord Ravager was involved, it's only natural that it stirred up trouble."
Kafka smiled slightly, as if it were only to be expected.
"Enough about that. The Express crew already headed to Penacony—what should we do next? Elio's script is a complete mess, it's practically useless."
Silver Wolf complained mercilessly.
Just to patch up some script segment, she got swung around like a windmill on Jarilo! That's something she'll remember for the rest of her life!
"Elio's script…" Kafka fell into thought at Silver Wolf's words.
Clearly, since Elio can't yet see this unprecedented future clearly, everything they've done so far is like fishing in muddy waters—who knows whether they'll pull out a plump carp or a disturbing viper.
"Penacony… Right, what about SAM?"
"SAM" spoken by Silver Wolf is the name of another member of the Stellaron Hunters. Sometimes she calls her "SAM" or "Firefly."
"Still the same. She was supposed to start acting around now."
Kafka shook her head slightly.
"But it seems like she's already made a move…"
"..."
"Well, at least nothing irreversible has happened yet, right?"
After a moment of silence, Kafka smiled brightly.
Just then—
"She hasn't gotten into any trouble in Penacony, has she?" Blade spoke calmly through the Synesthesia beacon.
Silver Wolf used the Synesthesia Beacon to translate, the vague tone carrying its own weight,
'If there's anything she can't handle, tell me—I'll cut them down.'
Kafka, "Tell her, if she finds anything interesting, bring one back for me too. Use my card."
"Tch, now you're all treating me like a messenger." Silver Wolf grumbled in a low voice.
But once she turned her back on Kafka and Blade, the corners of her lips instantly lifted, eyes gleaming.
"Hehe, it's perfectly reasonable for Firefly to be drawn in by the games in Penacony, right?"
...
In the universe, time is the least valuable thing.
"Finally here."
Stepping onto the land of Jarilo, Topaz flipped her hair and looked around at a place quite different from before.
Whether it was the lush distant forests and mountains, or the surrounding tech infrastructure,
"What a huge change."
"Thanks to the support provided by the IPC. Otherwise, with Jarilo's current capabilities, it couldn't have built such a magnificent spectacle."
Just as those words were spoken, Bronya approached from not far away, smiling.
"Looks like life on Jarilo has been good lately, even your face is glowing." Topaz joked.
"Thanks. What's the big guy been up to lately? I'd like to check in on him."
"Of course… not." Bronya's first words were with a smile, but the second half turned serious.
"Tch—Bronya, you weren't like this before." Topaz stared at her in disbelief, as if trying to find some trace on Bronya that didn't belong.
"At the very least, those people behind you can't come along." Bronya looked at the IPC personnel following Topaz.
From their aura alone, it was clear these people weren't ordinary.
Topaz sighed and smiled helplessly, "You know, I'm still a IPC employee. Some things aren't up to me alone."
She didn't avoid the people behind her at all, speaking openly.
As the only person in the IPC with a connection to Godzilla, Topaz had every reason to take on this crucial task,, especially since she herself needed the opportunity.
But that didn't mean she could take whatever shortcuts she wanted. The IPC didn't belong to just one person.
On the path of following the Amber King, they were all one family, but when it came to everyday power struggles, anyone in the IPC's upper ranks spanning the universe must have a card or two up their sleeve.
"Let's go, I'm tired anyway. My room should still be there, right?"
"Of course."
The two exchanged a glance and shared a smile.
Setting aside the background, these two were old friends.
...
"Topaz clearly doesn't want us involved—she doesn't even see the IPC in her eyes anymore!"
A middle-aged man in a suit, with a shiny forehead and a sorrowful look, spoke angrily.
"If she didn't care about the IPC, she wouldn't have brought us here. Also, Noah, quiet down—this isn't the IPC. We're in the territory of a top-tier Emanator. You'd better leave your arrogance behind, or I won't be scattering your ashes for you."
The youngest among the three, a white-haired man leaning on the window, admired Belobog's scenery while replying.
"Enough, Noah, Lanner—this isn't the time to argue. the IPC didn't send us here for that." A man about Noah's age, but with glossy black hair, stopped their quarrel.
Lanner snorted lightly, then turned and said,
"Since we're not heading to the giant beast for now, we might as well find Mr. Ratio and retrieve the sample the IPC needs, at least it won't be a wasted trip."
"Fine."
"I've got no objections."
Though from different factions, they shared a common goal under the interests of the IPC.
...
Qlipoth Fortress.
"Mother, Miss Topaz has arrived." Bronya brought Topaz to see Cocolia.
"I heard the IPC sent quite a few people. Why is it only Miss Topaz who came?"
Cocolia asked with feigned confusion.
To this, Topaz only smiled slightly.
She didn't believe for a second that Cocolia didn't know those people belonged to different factions. This act of playing dumb was clearly her way of avoiding involvement in the IPC's internal struggles.
"There's no need for that, Miss Cocolia. Those people are not on the same side as us. Apart from keeping necessary tabs on them, just treat them like air."
"That won't do. They're all distinguished guests and must be properly entertained."
Cocolia chuckled.
Putting aside this kind of pointless conversation, the two sides finally got to the main point.
"Miss Topaz, what's going on with the IPC recently? I have a feeling they've become extremely nervous!"
Bronya looked at Topaz with suspicion.
"Because they really are anxious," Topaz nodded, then asked curiously, "You guys don't know what Godzilla did in Luofu?"
They looked at each other, and finally Cocolia spoke.
"Yukong did tell me, said he defeated a Lord Ravager and destroyed countless Antimatter Legion troops. I guessed it might be related to that."
Topaz nodded slightly and said seriously, "Perhaps Miss Yukong didn't explain it clearly. The Emanators, beings who traverse the stars, apart from the Aeons, they are the pinnacle of existence.
And among them, The Seven Emanators directly under the Aeon of Destruction are known as Lord Ravagers and are stronger than other Emanators, due to the power provided by their Aeon.
Of the seven Lord Ravagers, except for Zulo who was taken down by a coalition of Galaxy Rangers with the power of the Disaster Swarm, the others have wreaked havoc across the galaxy since their inception.
And just recently, one was captured alive by Godzilla, and another was killed. This level of achievement is even greater than storming the IPC headquarters' itself!"
"Two of the seven Lord Ravagers were taken down just like that, it was a shockwave across the universe. Even without the IPC, Jarilo-VI would soon become a famous tourist destination in the galaxy."
Now it made sense.
Two beings who had terrorized the universe and remained untouchable due to their power, were swept away by their own god. That glory naturally reflected on them as well.
Especially given the IPC's recent behavior, it confirmed the weight of that glory.
"Of course, there are other reasons, like collecting genetic samples from some of the unique creatures on Jarilo-VI, things like that. Their goals are different from ours."
Topaz casually revealed the others' motives.
Hearing this, Bronya hesitated, then asked, "Miss Topaz, are you sure it's okay to be telling me all this? What about the IPC..."
At that, Topaz waved her hand dismissively.
"Those people always play the same few tricks, it was only a matter of time before they were exposed. Besides, I don't like that kind of biological research."
Frowning slightly, Topaz continued.
It wasn't that she rejected all biological research. The universe had progressed this far thanks to countless experiments that began with animals. If she had to concern herself with every one of them, she wouldn't get anything done.
However, the IPC wasn't just researching pure economic organisms.
She had seen people from the Intelligentsia Guild studying biological weapons. As for who they were for or against... that was obvious.
Besides... what did it matter if she said it? The IPC couldn't touch her right now. Just the fact that she was the only one who could interact with Godzilla made them tolerate her arrogance.
Cocolia seemed lost in thought.
...
After chatting a bit, Topaz headed toward the goal of her visit.
The mountain range that stretched across the sky roared with thunder as it appeared before her, and the impact of that moment was indescribable.
"Long time no see, big guy."
Topaz waved and called out loudly to Godzilla.
"Topaz?"
Upon hearing the commotion, a head popped up from behind Godzilla.
Serval looked at Topaz, whom she hadn't seen in a long time, and with a few quick hops, jumped down from Godzilla's back.
Luckily, Godzilla had a soft landing area. Otherwise, Serval might have had to fetch a ladder.
"Why are you back? Didn't you have something important to deal with?"
After the excitement, Serval asked with curiosity.
"Unless the Amber King sends down an oracle right now, nothing is more important to the IPC than Godzilla."
Except for making offerings to the Amber King.
That was the IPC's tradition.
"Also, has he gotten bigger again?"
Topaz squinted, rubbed her chin, and compared the current Godzilla to the one in her memory.
"You know how fast he grows—what else did you expect?"
Serval waved her hand indifferently.
Hearing that, Topaz nodded in agreement.
Godzilla's growth rate was unique in the universe.
Growing this big, this fast, without the influence of a Path's power, it was unmatched.
Wait... he's probably no longer without a Path's influence, right?
Topaz blinked, suddenly remembering that the Aeon of Destruction had once appeared and infused Godzilla with energy of destruction.
That overwhelming power could elevate a regular person to the level of a top Emanator.
But…
"Aside from getting bigger, he hasn't changed at all."
She eyed Godzilla suspiciously, feeling something wasn't quite right.