On the big screen.
As a video started playing, all the surrounding researchers quieted down in unison.
Focused intently.
They looked at the video with excitement and anticipation.
The screen showed various scenes of the Herta space station, but they were different from what the researchers knew.
"What section is this? Why is it so dark?"
"The layout and structure of this area are different from most sections of the space station."
"There was a fleeting scene of an elevator moving vertically downward. Does this mean this area is at the bottom of the space station?"
The researchers were all puzzled.
This preview video started with a bang—a suspected hidden area within the space station!
The next moment.
An electronic voice in the video gave all the researchers a clear answer.
"Top-secret area."
"Authorized to Ms. [Ruan Mei]."
As the voice fell.
The scene showed the back of a woman.
Her voice rang out: "The secrets of the space station are far more than you think."
"Before you understand what's happening, you need to hide your expression."
"Otherwise."
"You'll be full of flaws."
The woman turned around.
Revealing a subtle expression.
It was... Ruan Mei!
All the researchers gasped in amazement!
The female researcher's eyes widened.
So surprised that her glasses almost fell off!
It really is Ms. Ruan Mei!
At this moment, the barrage of comments in the video came rolling in!
...
"Look what I found!"
"No way! Ruan Mei actually looks like this? I always imagined her as my aunt!"
"She's so damn beautiful!"
"She's a genius and also this beautiful? Sometimes I can't help but wonder if I'm just an NPC in this world?"
"I'd pull out my wallet just to buff her!"
"Someone! Bring me my bank card!"
...
At this moment.
The scene changed.
In the space station.
A man with a plaster head appeared.
He had one hand on his chin, seemingly in thought and observation.
"A move by the [Genius]."
"How will you counter it?"
The surrounding researchers immediately erupted in chatter.
"Who is this guy?"
"It doesn't seem like they're a staff member from the space station..."
"And they're wearing a plaster head? How strange."
"It looks like something big is about to happen at the space station in this storyline! Friends, get ready!"
Dr. Ratio's personal office.
Aventurine knew that Ratio wasn't short on money.
Scholars who joined the Intelligentsia Guild often traded knowledge as a form of wealth.
And Ratio wasn't the type of scholar who looked down on others.
Money was his means of spreading truth.
So when Aventurine saw Ratio tipping 20 Diting Storms at once, he didn't pay much attention.
But this new mission...
In this preview clip.
Ratio actually made an appearance!
Aventurine was immediately taken aback.
"Professor, you didn't peek at the script in advance, did you?"
"You're really in this storyline?"
"And the mission's name is [When the Genius Stars Shine]. It seems Yu Ling has given full recognition to your intellect."
"I'm starting to have second thoughts now."
"I think you might actually make it into the gacha pool!"
Ratio, with his plaster head.
Showed no expression.
But Aventurine guessed that beneath the plaster, Ratio must be secretly pleased!
After all.
It was widely speculated that Ratio longed to join the Genius Society.
Now that Yu Ling had released a storyline about geniuses featuring him, it should be considered a form of indirect recognition!
Ratio then spoke up: "The Genius Society?"
"I might have been interested in it before, but now, it excites me far less than my role in this game."
Aventurine smiled politely.
Neither confirming nor denying.
Appearing in the storyline of Honkai: Star Rail was indeed an honor.
But Aventurine felt.
Ratio still harbored considerable resentment over not being acknowledged by Nous.
He was being insincere!
Continuing to watch.
After Ratio's appearance.
The scene shifted.
A deep voice emerged from the background.
"The gods of the stars have departed, leaving behind strange customs."
"Only the wounded benefactor."
"Commands the worlds to bathe in the flames of [Destruction]."
In the scene.
Were Screwllum and Asta.
The two seemed to be discussing something.
But the voice in the background clearly didn't belong to either of them.
"No matter where one flees."
"Annihilation..."
"Will eventually arrive!"
As the words fell.
Blue flames suddenly ignited on Asta's body.
She herself appeared quite startled.
In the next second.
She vanished into thin air!
"That voice..."
Aventurine's gaze slightly darkened.
"Duke Inferno..."
It wasn't just him.
All the players watching immediately recognized him!
Because.
Not long ago, Yu Ling had released A Night of Ever-Flame: Scene 33.
Duke Inferno had already left a deep impression on the hearts of players across the universe.
The moment this voice was heard.
Everyone knew who the mastermind behind the scenes was!
...
"It's the Duke! That voice! It's the Duke again!"
"Duke Inferno suddenly has such a strong presence? He just announced to the entire universe that he's going to Penacony to declare war on the four Paths, and now he's causing trouble at the space station?"
"Could Duke Inferno have caught Nanook's attention? He's been so active lately!"
"My Asta, my treasure!"
"Is Duke Inferno going to kill Asta?"
"If Asta gets killed, the space station will definitely be thrown into chaos."
"Considering the Duke's voice in the background, it really seems possible!"
"Friends at the space station, hurry and warn Station Manager Asta!"
...
There was no need for the netizens to remind them.
Inside the space station.
All the staff watching this video were completely stunned!
Perhaps.
Some had previously doubted Asta's actions as a manager, questioning her competence...
But after the release of Honkai: Star Rail.
The staff's attitude toward Asta had undergone a complete 180-degree shift!
She was the young lady who could casually buy a starship!
Whenever they saw Asta, they would respectfully call her "Miss Asta."
Full of respect and praise.
In fact.
Some had even started trying to curry favor with Peppy!
Now, within the space station, the number of people supporting Asta was almost catching up to those who exclusively supported Lady Herta!
So.
After witnessing this scene.
All the staff were shocked!
Someone immediately shouted, "Quick, notify the Defense Department! Protect the young lady!"
"We need to inform Asta about this immediately!"
"Damn Duke Inferno! He's actually targeting our Station Manager!"
"Asta is our one and only Station Manager!"
"Protect the best Miss Asta!"
"Anyone who dares to touch Asta, we'll take them out first! Duke Inferno is no exception!"
In the Master Control Zone.
Near the inspection area.
Asta had been here overseeing the staff's work.
Suddenly, she heard a commotion from the other side, with the staff's voices filled with agitation.
And they were mentioning her.
Asta immediately went over to check.
Seeing Asta arrive.
The staff became even more excited!
They quickly replayed the preview clip of the mission.
Seeing herself surrounded by infernal flames, Asta couldn't help but be startled.
The Annihilation Gang.
Duke Inferno had actually set his sights on her?
Noticing Asta's slight panic.
The surrounding staff realized.
This was their moment to shine!
They all puffed out their chests and declared, "Station Manager! It's best if you stay here and don't move around, in case Duke Inferno has also seen this video and suddenly launches an attack."
"That's right! Even if the Duke arrives, we'll all stand in front of you to protect you!"
"I'll go activate the folding space in the Curio Containment Room! Just in case that infernal flame is hiding in some corner of the space station!"
"We absolutely cannot let anything happen to Miss Asta, not even a single strand of her hair!"
Seeing how much the staff cared about her safety.
Asta couldn't help but feel touched.
At that moment.
Her slightly panicked heart also calmed down.
"Everyone, rest assured, I'm staying right here and not going anywhere."
"Let's watch this plot together and see how Duke Inferno will initiate Destruction in the space station."
"Since Duke Inferno has the intention to disrupt the space station, we're not pushovers either."
"Once we finish watching this mission, we'll launch a counterattack!"
"Agreed!"
All the researchers were fired up!
They couldn't wait to bring out all their scientific achievements as means of attack.
They only regretted not having developed some planet-destroying weapons together in the past!
Duke Inferno dared to target Asta…
He's as good as dead!