Afternoon.
At the Space Station, in Ms. Herta's office, three geniuses gathered around a table.
Ruan Mei tapped the emerald-green dumpling on the table. Seeing the puppet girl furrow her brows in deep thought, she lifted her teacup.
"Just use this body to have a look for now. When I head back to the Azure Star, I'll bring you a box."
Opposite her, Screwllum looked at the liquid in his cup with a troubled expression.
"Don't worry, yours is machine oil," Ruan Mei said, having anticipated this.
"What about Stephen? Did you prepare anything for him?" Ms. Herta asked.
"He already took his share. He's likely hiding in his room savoring it."
"Fair enough. The simulated universe upgrade is finally complete. I'm starting to miss that brat, Stelle; only she can perfectly simulate Akivili."
Ruan Mei and Screwllum deeply agreed with Ms. Herta's words.
They had all conducted tests, but the problem was that even if they could simulate the Path of Trailblaze, they could at most become a pathstrider of that faction; they could not simulate an Aeon.
The four geniuses were utterly perplexed by this.
There were not many problems in the entire universe that could leave all of them without an answer.
Screwllum: "The Swarm Disaster project requires a large number of test samples. Based on the operational logic Stephen modified, I can export a Demo."
"You want the staff members to help with testing?" Ms. Herta caught onto his idea.
"Correct."
"Fine, I'll let Asta know. Once you're done, hand it directly to her, and she'll screen staff members to distribute it for testing."
Ruan Mei's side was peaceful as she sampled seasonal snacks only she could eat, seemingly oblivious to the conversation between the other two.
As Ms. Herta and Screwllum discussed a certain topic, an idea formed in the former's mind.
What if... she let Qi Zhimu try simulating another Aeon?
The last simulation of Beauty had ended inconclusively, but perhaps there would be gains this time, given how fierce the divine wars were during that period.
Acting on the thought, Ms. Herta immediately had Asta arrange a rotation for the Medical Department's duty doctors to clear Lord Zhimu's schedule.
After checking, Asta shook her head helplessly.
Since Ms. Herta had spoken, she could only hand over the minor surgery Lord Zhimu was about to start to another doctor.
However, Lord Zhimu was currently in the middle of a surgery, which was expected to finish in about ten minutes.
As time passed, Ruan Mei stood up gracefully.
The Little Fellows she was breeding in the Seclusion Zone should have successfully finished their fusion. Without an assistant nearby to report, she needed to go see for herself.
"I'm leaving now."
"Mhm," Ms. Herta waved dismissively without even giving her a glance.
Everyone had long since grown accustomed to Ruan Mei's temperament.
Exiting the office, Ruan Mei headed toward a hidden passage to the north, completely unaware that the man arriving at the office entrance behind her cast a brief look her way.
Lord Zhimu withdrew his gaze.
That person just now... should be Ruan Mei.
For some reason, seeing her back with his own eyes gave him an indescribable, strange feeling.
Perhaps it was due to that unique aura.
Her figure was graceful, exuding a gentle and elegant charm steeped in time.
Lord Zhimu had traveled all over the universe over the years and seen many stunning beauties.
But someone like Ruan Mei, who could leave such a distinct impression just from her back, was a first.
Of course, he was merely marveling; he had no intention of having any intersection with her.
Geniuses were mostly difficult to get along with.
Even Ms. Herta had a temper that could make countless people break down while remaining powerless against her.
She was no longer that delicate and weak little girl from her youth.
Now, she had plenty of strength and means.
Entering the office, Lord Zhimu found that Screwllum was also there.
"Hello, Mr. Screwllum."
"You are too kind, Mr. Qi Zhimu. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to come," Screwllum stood up and performed a greeting that was beyond reproach.
So full of humanity... truly worthy of being the mechanical monarch. Lord Zhimu couldn't help but marvel internally.
There were differences even among geniuses.
Setting aside Ms. Herta's special case, among the geniuses he knew and had dealt with, none were as human-like as the Screwllum before him.
Especially #64 Dr. Primitive, who performed such outrageous acts, turning countless people into monkeys during his atavism experiments.
It was said that many years ago, if that old fellow hadn't been vigilant, he would have nearly been assassinated by the leader of the Galaxy Rangers.
Thinking of the Ranger leader who had chosen to retire in disillusionment and live incognito in the Emanator Garden, Lord Zhimu sighed inwardly.
He hasn't had it easy either...
Shaking off the stray thoughts, Lord Zhimu smiled and said:
"How could I, Qi, be worthy of such courtesy from a genius? Since my lover has asked for my help, I certainly won't refuse."
Upon hearing this, Ms. Herta was quite pleased, the corners of her mouth unable to stop curling upward.
It was a pity Ruan Mei had left so coincidentally, just missing him; otherwise, it wouldn't have hurt to show off a bit in front of her.
Lord Zhimu had experience testing the simulated universe once before, so he was now familiar with the process.
"Zhimu, this time the background is anchored in the period related to the Aeon of Propagation. Everyone's personal experiences differ, so the simulated scenarios will vary as well. The Path simulated for you this time is Order."
"Mhm. I hope I can be of help this time, rather than just seeing a blank space."
Lord Zhimu stood on the activation platform and slowly closed his eyes, his consciousness rapidly sinking into the simulated universe.
Gradually, countless noisy sounds reached his ears.
...The explosion of artillery, the dull thud of flesh being torn open, the buzzing of vibrating elytra...
!!!
Lord Zhimu snapped his eyes open.
Looking around, there were bugs—countless bugs.
But at this moment, the chaos created by this swarm of Propagation Stingbugs possessed a baffling sense of eeriness and familiarity.
"Tiernan, have you lost your mind?! Fall back, quickly!!"
An angry shout exploded from behind, bringing with it waves of familiarity.
"Boss...?"
Lord Zhimu couldn't help but turn around in shock. He never expected to see La Mancha in the simulated universe—or perhaps calling him 'The Undying' was more appropriate now.
At that moment, the shadow of death loomed over him.
Sensing a familiar power, Lord Zhimu froze instantly. The power hidden within his body erupted, and he appeared hundreds of meters away in a flash.
Despite this, his arm was still grazed by a terrifying power of Destruction.
"Tiernan, you brat! Why do you always love charging into the fire? Is it because everyone who's been a Trailblazer is like this? Do you have any idea you were almost killed!"
"Tiernan? Me?"
Seeing The Undying appear before him with wide eyes, Lord Zhimu couldn't help but point at himself.
"Get a grip! That Nihility Lord ahead is an Emanator of Destruction!"
"..."
Hearing this, Lord Zhimu finally understood where the sense of familiarity came from.
He never expected that he would simulate the major event that shocked the galaxy ten Amber Eras ago...
—The bloody battle where the Galaxy Rangers used the remnants of the Swarm to create chaos and assassinate the Lord Ravager Nihility Lord.
But why was his consciousness carrier a former Trailblazer? Could it be because he had been in contact with the Astral Express?
"Don't worry, Boss. I won't die. I promised Mikhail and Razalina that I'd return to Penacony to find them."
Lord Zhimu blurted out uncontrollably.
"Is this the time to talk about th— Danger!"
The Undying hurried to pull Lord Zhimu away.
But that terrifying oncoming attack still erupted, forcibly knocking him out of the simulated universe.
In the final moment before his consciousness returned to reality, through a gap in the swarm, Lord Zhimu saw a familiar back—it was none other than the Ruan Mei he had seen not long ago.
Why would she be there?
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