The Celestial Immortal, though she had yet to return to her peak, it could not be denied that at any moment she might reclaim her full strength.
Therefore, keeping her calm was of utmost importance...
-------------------------------
Fu Hua's questioning did not last long.
She knew Otto's scheming was unfathomable, and that without his willingness to speak, no method could pry open his mouth.
After learning that Godzilla was unrelated to Honkai, and that the two were in all likelihood enemies, Fu Hua was relieved.
After all, when it came to fighting against Honkai, Otto never hesitated.
When Fu Hua's voice faded from the room, Otto slowly leaned back in his chair, eyes closing slightly.
Through time and space…
…
Now, Outside Jarilo, the insect Star.
"Herta isn't around lately. If it's not too troublesome, you can tell me your request," Ruan Mei spoke softly to the Hanya before her.
"…No, I still have time, I won't trouble Miss Ruan Mei." Hanya shook her head slightly, declining Ruan Mei's offer.
It wasn't that she doubted Ruan Mei's technical ability, rather, it was that Ruan Mei's reputation carried a certain… weight.
In the eyes of ordinary people, Ruan Mei was undoubtedly a genius. Indeed, she was, though most only knew her for being at the forefront of life sciences, with many research achievements.
This reputation had only grown after the invention of the ecological transformation device, which elevated the biomedical environment of the Interastral Peace Corporation to new heights.
But as a judge of the Ten-Lords Commission, Hanya understood clearly, Ruan Mei was indeed a genius in the field of life sciences, yet her research always carried… an indescribable feeling.
From planetary terraforming, to trivial things like the cat-cakes on the Herta space station, to countless bizarre and dangerous creatures.
Hanya feared that if she revealed her own thoughts to Ruan Mei, the results would be far too unexpected.
Ruan Mei, however, didn't mind, it was but a small interlude in daily life.
Sitting quietly alone on a bench, Hanya pondered what words she should bring to Herta later, or whether she could even reach her before her leave ended.
The Xianzhou strictly regulated its people leaving on excursions.
After all, strictly speaking, Xianzhou natives were also Abundance-worshippers, the largest force of Abundance followers in the universe.
Minor wounds were nothing, major wounds never fatal, even mortal wounds could be healed after a night's sleep.
Should such Xianzhou natives appear on underdeveloped planets, they would truly be "enemies of ten thousand," like gods descending.
Because of this, the Alliance enforced strict control over their travel.
But Hanya was different. She had returned to life from a zombified body, making her even more significant than ordinary Xianzhou people.
Her leave permit had been signed personally by the General.
If not for Jarilo being her destination, and given that Luofu was close to Jarilo, Jing Yuan would never have let her travel alone.
Whether she could meet Herta this time remained uncertain.
Hanya felt lost.
"What are you doing?"
The sudden voice at her ear startled Hanya, her heart thudding wildly. She turned her head and saw the small Herta standing beside her, scrutinizing her.
Hanya rose and greeted Herta: "I, Hanya, have come to pay respects to Lady Herta."
"Enough, we've met a few times already. Just say it, what trouble are you facing this time?" Herta stood akimbo, speaking straight to the point.
In Luofu, she had met people of the Ten-Lords Commission several times, especially the sisters Xueyi and Hanya, her interest in them was unusually strong. One, reduced to mere consciousness; the other, revived from zombification.
Such cases were rare indeed.
And…
Herta inexplicably recalled Otto, whom she had just encountered. That man, exuding an ominous aura, bore some resemblance to Xueyi.
The difference being, one chose it willingly, the other suffered it passively.
Mouthing words soundlessly, Hanya cast a barely noticeable glance down the corridor.
"Don't worry, aside from us three and those bugs, no one else will know." Hanya nodded slightly, gathering her thoughts before speaking.
"About my sister…" Hanya's words were few, she had already rehearsed them on the way here, trimming them down to deliver her intent as swiftly as possible.
"You want your sister to have a real body, don't you?" Herta nodded, unsurprised.
Back in Luofu, she had already sensed how deep the sisters' bond was.
Now that the younger one had regained life and found her sister unchanged, of course she would take action.
However…
"Shouldn't you be asking Ruan Mei about this? Why come to me?" Herta looked at Hanya curiously.
Whatever Xueyi's condition, anything to do with a physical body fell under life sciences, shouldn't Ruan Mei be the one?
"Miss Ruan Mei is a little…"
"All right, I get it." Seeing Hanya hesitate, Herta instantly understood it had to do with the rumors about Ruan Mei.
Good deeds rarely spread; bad ones travel far.
And Ruan Mei, back in Luofu, had created all sorts of bizarre things.
If not for genetic restrictions and time limits, those things might have already broken free of containment.
Back then, standing beside Jing Yuan, Herta had seen clearly how the general was preparing to scrape funds to rebuild the Alchemy Commission.
After a moment's thought, Herta spoke:
"This won't be easy. Even if I want to help, your sister must come herself. Matters of soul and body integration can't progress without the subject present, it would drag on indefinitely."
Hanya nodded.
She didn't understand this field, but she knew experiments needed a reference target to move forward.
The problem was, how to convince her sister to agree?
…
Luofu.
Lingsha hummed softly as she pruned branches.
"Miss Hanya is still running around for you, turning her holiday into a hectic rush," Lingsha said suddenly.
Seated behind her with a book, Xueyi replied softly: "Hanya has always had her own will since childhood."
Hearing this, Lingsha bent slightly at the waist.
Crack.
A small flower fell into her palm; her red lips parted, blowing lightly.
Petals scattered like raindrops, one falling onto the head of a tiny sparrow perched by the window, its belly still empty as night fell.
"This kind of recklessness is unlike the Miss Hanya I usually know," Lingsha sighed.
As the Alchemy Commission's Cauldron Master, she was already deeply involved.
What began as a discussion on Xueyi's mindset gradually shifted into how soul and body might integrate. Hearts in sync.
And considering how Lingsha had survived past storms to reach her present position, even with her teacher and friends' help, it was still proof of her own cleverness, it was no wonder she saw through Hanya's purpose, written all over her face.
"…Matters like these are forbidden to speak of openly." After a pause, Xueyi answered.
"The Xianzhou hasn't grown that harsh," Lingsha shook her head.
"Honestly, what do you think?"
"This vessel is enough for my daily life."
Lingsha's expression remained calm: "And when in battle you disregard yourself, perish back to the Ten-Lords Commission, and just change to another one?"
"This Xueyi is already one of the dead. To walk the world in this form is already a grace. If I fight at the front, then those behind me may suffer less."
Lingsha gave a soft laugh, helpless: "No wonder Miss Hanya comes to the Alchemy Commission whenever she can. So it's because your condition is even more severe."
Her gaze grew serious as she turned slightly, speaking faintly: "Miss Xueyi, your problem lies in the heart."
"..."
"Heart-sickness must be healed with heart-medicine. Miss Xueyi, may you recover soon."
…
Jarilo-VI, Belobog.
Herta and Hanya walked the clean streets in silence.
Hanya waited for Herta's method.
Herta searched for one.
Yes, making a dead person who was only consciousness truly live again, that was a topic she found very interesting.
It was just… this bordered on her blind spot.
What method should be used to achieve the desired effect... Herta felt a bit unsure.
Although she was a genius, in unfamiliar territory, even geniuses need some time to think.
"Yo, isn't this Herta? How come you have time to stroll around today? And the one next to you is…"
At this moment, a hearty voice came from beside them.
The two looked over and saw Seele standing in front, one hand on her waist, curiosity in her eyes.
"This young lady's name is Hanya, and I have some private matters I'd like to ask Lady Herta to help with, that's all."
"Uh, what what?" Seele blinked and scratched her hair, not quite understanding but sensing it was impressive.
Although under Bronya's strict urging, Seele had one foot in studies, when it came to really choosing words and speaking elegantly, she would rather pick up her scythe and fight for Belobog.
Besides, there were very few people like Hanya in Belobog, so for a moment, she was stunned.
Yes, stunned, not that she didn't understand.
"Forget it, but if you need help, you can tell me directly, I promise to help." Seele patted her chest in assurance.
If nothing else, her name still carried weight in Belobog.
"Eh! I've got it!"
...
Garden of Recollection.
Black Swan looked at the memories delivered back by Miss Messenger, the corners of her mouth curling slightly.
"An interesting world, Herrscher, Honkai… could this be the handiwork of the Aeon behind that star region? But which Aeon exactly, a calamity that grows stronger alongside civilization?"
She had always said that world held many fascinating things.
"That world is indeed interesting, but the people there struggle to survive under the disaster called Honkai. Many don't even realize their world faces such a calamity, so I couldn't gather much of interest." Miss Messenger continued.
"It's fine, that's not your fault. Besides, your methods of memory collection are gentle, it's normal not to see results in a short time."
A Memosnatcher consoled her.
The Memosnatchers of the Garden of Recollection each had their own methods of collecting memories.
Like Black Swan, who at times would use less-than-elegant means.
Or like the Memosnatcher suppressed by the Xianzhou, who tried to pry into the memories of the Seven Arbiter-Generals.
By contrast, Memokeepers preferred to build good relationships with people and then gather memories with permission.
The two factions basically couldn't stand each other, but outside of that, relations were quite good.
It was… puzzling.
"Is there more information about that world?"
Miss Messenger pondered and then nodded.
"According to Lady Herta, the Archbishop who leads the organization called Schicksal doesn't seem like a good man. He's the same type as Lady Herta, consciousness placed into a prepared body. But according to her, his body hides many secrets. Unlike Herta, he doesn't hide behind the scenes while controlling his vessel."
"There are also some things Lady Herta found in their data library."
When it came to that world, almost no one in the Garden wasn't interested.
Unfortunately, they could only observe through the Garden's Mirror of Memories, and it would even draw the attention of some Emanator of an unknown Aeon.
Unlike Miss Messenger, who directly followed Godzilla into that world.
If they could, they would too.
That kind of privilege was something they could only dream of.
So who knew which Aeon was truly watching that star region?
...
Godzilla's Dream.
Through a device, the two successfully entered Godzilla's dream.
"That man Otto is in a situation similar to your sister's, some subtle differences, but close enough. But I'd say he's more like Irontomb, since both abandoned their flesh and transferred their consciousness into artificial bodies."
"But it's no wonder. In that world, achieving such technology, and successfully at that, shows his talent isn't low."
Herta said. She truly thought Otto's brilliance wasn't ordinary, breaking the boundary of life and death was not so easy.
Even someone as strong as her only found a way much later.
Hope flickered in Hanya's eyes.
She hadn't expected useful information so quickly; she had been prepared for a long struggle.
After all, Herta was a genius who had already broken past the limits of lifespan, one who had reached eternity.
As long as she could succeed before her sister completely lost her human emotions, it would be a victory!
"But before that, I'll need a little bit of help."
As they spoke, Herta and Hanya walked up to Godzilla.
Sensing familiar auras, Godzilla slowly opened his eyes.
What he saw was, the number one pretender of being young, Herta.
The zombie who had successfully revived, Hanya.
Hanya waved at him; Godzilla nodded slightly in response.
Her revival didn't surprise him much. Just a zombie, after all.
"Have you felt your current state?" After letting them finish greeting, Herta asked.
"I am consciousness now." Hanya replied. Since entering here, she had been curiously observing her condition.
It felt very strange.
"Is my sister usually like this too?"
"I don't know about her, but it's not quite the same. After all, we have real bodies to support us, while your sister only has consciousness left. I can tell you, just recently we used this method to give ourselves bodies in another world. Real bodies. But ones that can be switched back at will by thought."
Herta said.
She didn't tell Hanya that they had gone directly into that world's past.
After all, that kind of truth wasn't useful for the present.
She trusted Hanya not to spread it, but in this universe strange methods were endless, better safe than sorry.
Changing the past, strictly speaking, touched on the path of the Aeon of the Finality, Terminus.
And as everyone knew, many in the cosmos believed in Terminus.
Anyone who had set foot on that Path had a faith engraved in their very being.
They didn't care how powerful their enemy was, if their faith was challenged, even if the opponent was an Aeon, they would attack without hesitation!
On this, the Lord Ravager Zulo knew well.
Who could have imagined before that battle that the Galaxy Rangers were such a group of death-defying lunatics, banding together without fear of life or death to bring him down?
Truthfully, it was that very battle that cemented the Galaxy Rangers' image once and for all.
Many schemers dared not act openly afterward.
After all, who could guarantee their actions wouldn't draw the Galaxy Rangers' attention? Even if you killed one, another might come. Kill two, and three more might appear…
And if the day came when their strength surged, you raised your head in confidence only to see countless falling stars, the Rangers assembling in full force.
That would be utter despair.
In short, she too did not want the present calm to be broken.
"Xueyi…?" Listening to the two talk, Godzilla recalled.
That pale white Judge. Her state was indeed special.
It wasn't easy to revive from a soul state.
A perfectly fitting body was indispensable.
Even if such a body could be made, it was extremely difficult to match the original vessel's limits.
Not everyone could accept walking around in someone else's body.
As a side note, Herta and Hanya were speaking right by his ear.
On a mountaintop, his head was at its peak.
"My sister's body cells are still preserved." Hanya said.
Even among the Xianzhou, there were times when blood tests and such were required.
Though the Alchemy Commission had declined, it was still one of the Six Charioteers.
When even a feather could still serve as a command token. All the more so a department so large...