"How is that possible? Why?" Firefly asked Silver Wolf, still in disbelief.
"How should I know why?" Silver Wolf shrugged. "Anyway, Elio himself admitted his predictions were wrong. That guy Derick's appearance has completely messed up Elio's script."
Hearing Silver Wolf's words, Firefly's face showed confusion.
If Elio's script was useless, what was the next step?
"So, this time, Elio told us to act freely." Silver Wolf patted Firefly's shoulder. "Let's go. We'll look around here first, then go find Derick and the others."
"Huh? Isn't the mission urgent?" Firefly asked Silver Wolf, puzzled.
"Not at all!" Silver Wolf said nonchalantly. "Elio said that here on Penacony, nothing will happen before the Charmony Glee, so we're free to do what we want. Finding Derick can wait. For now, you can come with me to look around and buy some new games."
"Okay, then."
Since Silver Wolf had said so, Firefly had no choice but to nod.
The two of them then walked towards the exit of Origami University.
Walking side by side like this, Silver Wolf felt her own small stature more keenly.
Although Firefly had a frail constitution, among girls, only Stelle could match her height. She was much taller than Silver Wolf's petite, l0l!-like figure.
Herta Space Station.
Ruan Mei's small starship was docked at the station's entrance.
A small Herta puppet appeared in the docking area, looking up just in time to see Ruan Mei disembarking from the ship with Derick's Second Clone.
"Ruan Mei, what are you doing here?" the small Herta asked.
"I've come here, first, to continue my experiments on the Herta Space Station," Ruan Mei said softly. As she spoke, her gaze remained on Derick's Second Clone.
Ruan Mei had noticed that the Second Clone's physical strength and other attributes had improved significantly during this time. Now, they could proceed with the creation and devouring of the Swarm: True Sting, the Emanator of Propagation.
"Looks like you'll be getting results soon," the small Herta remarked to Ruan Mei.
"Yes."
Ruan Mei nodded, a smile on her lips, but her eyes showed a lack of concern.
As a genius, she didn't feel much joy for experiments with predetermined successful outcomes. The result was already certain in her mind; any further happiness was just a waste of spirit.
The pitch-black lifeform she was experimenting on had shown extremely significant improvements recently. It wasn't just from the organisms she fed it; there were other, different kinds of improvements that Ruan Mei found baffling but was eager to investigate.
This was due to the improvement of Derick's main body.
Although an increase in Derick's own power wouldn't directly transfer to his clones, the enhancement of his spiritual energy from his main body's growth allowed him to better control the energy within the clones. This, in turn, enabled the clones to absorb abilities more quickly and safely.
Now, Derick's Second Clone could also attempt to absorb and devour the Swarm: True Sting. As an expert in biology, Ruan Mei had quickly noticed this change in the Second Clone. That was why she had brought it back to the Herta Space Station, intending to have it devour the Swarm: True Sting.
Only after devouring the Swarm: True Sting did Ruan Mei plan to seek out Marshal Hua of the Xianzhou Alliance and find Luocha to study that Propagation Aeon.
Ruan Mei's desire and goal were very clear: to create an Aeon.
"Besides that, you said you had something else. What is it?" the small Herta asked.
"Yes, I'm quite curious as well." At that moment, another holographic image appeared.
A mechanical body, dressed in a suit, wearing a top hat, and sporting a monocle—it was none other than Screwllum, a member of the Genius Society.
"Have you heard anything about that Derick, who's been making waves in the Xianzhou Alliance recently?" Ruan Mei asked the two of them.
"Naturally, we've heard some news," Screwllum replied to Ruan Mei.
Ruan Mei continued, "Before he came to the Xianzhou Alliance, he was from Amphoreus. The world of Amphoreus was constructed by an Imperial Scepter."
Imperial Scepter!?
Hearing Ruan Mei say this, both the small Herta and Screwllum became intrigued.
"Moreover, that world is currently gestating a Lord Ravager," Ruan Mei added.
"Oh? That certainly warrants a proper research visit."
A voice spoke up. Ruan Mei and Screwllum followed the sound and saw a tall figure wearing a large, pointed hat and dressed in purple and pink. A pair of long, slender legs were tightly wrapped in black stockings.
Ruan Mei and Screwllum looked on without much expression.
This was Herta's true body, also known as The Herta.
Evidently, the news Ruan Mei brought was interesting enough to make The Herta appear.
A gestating Lord Ravager was a subject worthy of deep study for the members of the Genius Society.
"How did you learn of this?" The Herta asked Ruan Mei.
"It's like this..."
Ruan Mei briefly explained the origin of the information.
A few days ago.
Lofu Xianzhou.
Tingyun arrived at Ruan Mei's residence.
Swallowing nervously, Tingyun's expression was quite apprehensive.
"Lord Ravager, Imperial Scepter... for Derick to entrust me with delivering such news, he really trusts me!"
Tingyun muttered to herself as she walked.
Derick had asked her to deliver this message when she saw him off, and Tingyun felt immense pressure. This news concerned the entire universe and was on the same level as the last Lord Ravager, Phantylia's, invasion of the Lofu Xianzhou.
Tingyun felt that Derick trusted her a lot.
In truth, Derick had only remembered this just before departing for Penacony and wanted to inform Ruan Mei and the others about the situation on Amphoreus. After all, he was counting on members of the Genius Society like Ruan Mei to help him solve the Amphoreus problem and turn its people into real living beings, just like everyone else in the universe.
So he had asked Tingyun to deliver the message.
During this period, Ruan Mei had stayed on the Lofu Xianzhou conducting experiments and hadn't been involved in much else. Derick would occasionally control the Second Clone to show some reactions, but he didn't do much with it either.
"Next, it's time to devour the Swarm: True Sting..." Ruan Mei had just muttered this halfway when she sensed Tingyun's arrival.
"Is there something you need?"
Ruan Mei asked Tingyun gently.
The incident was over. All the power of Destruction within Tingyun's body had been absorbed by Derick's Second Clone. Now, Tingyun was no different from an ordinary Foxian, so Ruan Mei wasn't surprised by her arrival.
Ruan Mei had no interest in listening to someone who had come just to offer thanks.
"Mr. Derick has something he wanted me to tell you, Ms. Ruan Mei."
Tingyun knew Ruan Mei's personality, so she skipped the pleasantries and directly told her about the situation on Amphoreus.
Upon hearing Tingyun's words, Ruan Mei shot to her feet, had one of her creations grab Derick's Second Clone, and headed towards Cloudford.
Tingyun watched Ruan Mei vanish in an instant, her pretty foxy eyes widening in confusion.
She knew Ruan Mei was decisive and acted swiftly.
But this was a bit too swift.
"You could at least say where you're going!" Tingyun grumbled to herself.
Afterward, she helped take care of the loose ends Ruan Mei had left behind.
Others might not have been able to handle it, but as a member of the Sky-Faring Commission, Tingyun was familiar with the departure procedures for guests of the Xianzhou, so she handled it skillfully.
But none of this concerned Ruan Mei, who was already aboard her starship with Derick's Second Clone, heading for the Herta Space Station.
Ruan Mei had an excellent memory and relayed her conversation with Tingyun to Herta and Screwllum verbatim, preventing any misjudgment on their part.
After listening, Screwllum said to Ruan Mei, "It seems I must make a trip to Amphoreus."
Others might not care about the Imperial Scepter, but as the leader of the inorganic lifeforms, Screwllum had to confirm its harmlessness. Now that it was gestating a Lord Ravager, Screwllum would certainly have to stop it.
The Herta nodded in agreement.
"There's no time to lose. Shall we depart now?" The Herta asked Ruan Mei and Screwllum.
Ruan Mei gently shook her head.
"I don't believe this is the most opportune moment. If possible, it would be best to go with Derick and the others."
"If Amphoreus is gestating a Lord Ravager, it's inevitable that other Lord Ravagers will be paying attention to it. If we go rashly, we could easily be taking a huge risk."
If two or three Lord Ravagers were to truly show up, The Herta, Ruan Mei, and the others would not be able to stop them.
By acting with Derick and his group, they would at least gain a few more Emanator-level combatants. Even if the entire Antimatter Legion arrived, they would be able to handle the situation with more confidence.
"I agree with this proposal as well," Screwllum concurred. "If Amphoreus is an Imperial Scepter, it will be very difficult for us to invade its interior. To enter Amphoreus, Derick and his party are the most suitable candidates."
The Herta was persuaded by their words and subsequently asked Ruan Mei, "Then Derick, where is he right now?"
Ruan Mei: "…"
Ruan Mei realized she seemed to have forgotten to ask what Derick was doing.
Her attention had been entirely focused on the Lord Ravager, so she had overlooked such minor details.
Fortunately, Ruan Mei had frequent contact with the Xianzhou Alliance. She quickly contacted them and obtained Derick's current intel.
"Derick is currently on Penacony attending the Charmony Glee. We'll probably have to wait a few days."
Ruan Mei told The Herta and Screwllum.
"Mm, perfect. That gives me a few days to prepare as well," The Herta nodded in understanding.
Ruan Mei walked towards the depths of the Herta Space Station.
She didn't need to prepare, so she would just continue her research on the Swarm: True Sting in the meantime.
____
Sorry for the days without a chapter! I literally scheduled the posts for the wrong day, lol! I'm going to release 3 chapters today to make it up to you <3