"Yeah, yeah, that one always comes up with jaw-dropping antics."
Scratching her head, Herta stomped her foot.
"Forget it, we won't bring her in just yet. If something truly unsolvable comes up, then we'll pull her in."
As Screwllum said, Ruan Mei's work in life sciences always astonished people — astonished as in fear, and as in someone's dying breath.
Thinking of Welt's reminder, Herta decided she could begin the research on her own and only call Ruan Mei in if she truly hit a wall.
...
"This is too shocking — utterly unbelievable. I've never encountered a problem like this!"
---------------------------------------
A series of intensely shocked exclamations entered their ears. Topaz rubbed her fingers nervously and asked with anxiety,
"Is there a problem with the Cornerstone?"
Hearing Topaz's voice, the shouting scholars finally calmed down, exchanging looks. In the end, it was an older scholar who stepped forward, resetting his tone.
"Director Topaz, I've studied countless ores and examined many Cornerstones. If the data isn't wrong, your Cornerstone has lost one-tenth of its energy compared to others!"
"!!!" At these words, Topaz froze completely, and even Jade — who had come along — was visibly shocked.
"Mr. Kosla, are you sure it's not a problem with the instruments?" These scholars were elite researchers funded by the IPC — it was highly unlikely they'd make such a basic error. The only other possibility was a malfunction.
"Unfortunately, Lady Jade, the instruments are functioning correctly, and our results are accurate. Director Topaz's Cornerstone has indeed lost one-tenth of its energy. That is the reason it has dimmed."
Kosla shook his head slightly, his focus fixed on the once-pristine Cornerstone.
He had spent most of his life in research and thought he'd seen every bizarre outcome imaginable — but this one was new even to him.
The Cornerstone — the most important symbol for a Stoneheart.
Had malfunctioned.
Walking out of the lab doors, Topaz found herself in a state of complete confusion.
Who was she, where was she, and what had just happened?
"Your Cornerstone is malfunctioning," Jade reminded Topaz to return to reality.
"Ah~! Why is this happening?!"
Topaz frowned in distress, her hand unconsciously scooping up Numby and groping all over him.
"Hmph!"
Topaz never imagined that, as a symbol of the Ten Stonehearts, she would suffer such a predicament.
Although she had joked about smashing the Cornerstone back on Jarilo, it was only a mockery of Aventurine's way of doing things!
Not to mention that the Cornerstone needed to be intact to fully unleash its power—just the fact that it was important IPC property was enough to make her abandon that idea.
"No need to worry, little Jelena. Everyone already knows about this matter. Maybe someone will come up with a solution to help you."
Consoled by Jade, Topaz gradually calmed her wild thoughts.
"Mm." She nodded, knowing this was a serious matter.
A meeting of the Ten Stonehearts was inevitable.
...
This time, the meeting began very quickly.
The Ten Stonehearts had always been united. Whenever one of them faced an issue they couldn't solve alone, the others were happy to lend a hand.
"Hehe, this meeting is quite interesting. A problem with the Cornerstone, of all things."
With long fiery red hair, Obsidian chuckled lightly. She was not physically present—only a virtual projection was attending.
"The Cornerstone contains the faith of Preservation and cannot afford any damage. Topaz, do you have anything to say about this?"
Canggang tapped his finger on the table and said solemnly.
"We must find out why the Cornerstone is malfunctioning, in case this is the work of a hostile force targeting Preservation."
"Ha, then they really did pick a good breakthrough point."
Each of the Ten Stonehearts had distinct personalities. Yiji's actions stemmed from medical confidentiality.
"Little Jelena, think carefully. What exactly did you encounter on this trip?"
Jade asked as she stood beside Topaz.
Furrowing her brows slightly, Topaz carefully recalled every detail of her journey—from departure to return—without missing a single thread.
Suddenly, a towering pillar flashed through her mind.
...
"I might know what went wrong." Hearing Topaz's words, everyone's expressions lifted, and the discussion stopped.
"I believe it's related to what I encountered on Jarilo."
Pulling herself out of the initial shock, the first suspect that came to Topaz's mind was the Godzilla slumbering on Jarilo.
She could still vividly remember how it absorbed all the energy from the ores.
Especially the scene where it swallowed the doomsday beast's dark matter engine in one gulp—as if it had just happened yesterday.
"If that's the case, then that so-called Godzilla on Jarilo could even absorb the Cornerstone's energy? Topaz, we're willing to trust your theory, but you also need to present evidence."
Pearl spoke up.
"Hehe, I believe Topaz. We've all seen her abilities. It's not wise to joke about something like this, and besides, I don't think Topaz is particularly talented at making jokes."
Aventurine chuckled, joining the conversation.
"Agreed. Topaz's guess is reasonable," added Amber in a soft voice.
"That giant beast..." A small child, even tinier than a certain Xianzhou Luofu's master diviner, sat on the sofa and spoke.
"If that giant beast named Godzilla truly has the ability to absorb Cornerstone energy, then the IPC must be cautious in its cooperation with Jarilo."
"The Cornerstone is the will of Preservation. It cannot be so easily dismissed," said Sapphire.
"...I'll think of a way to fix Topaz's Cornerstone. It's only a tenth—still salvageable," said Opal, then added casually,
"I've heard the Xianzhou Luofu's dealings on Jarilo are rather special. Perhaps the IPC can collaborate with them regarding Godzilla."
Opal's voice was somewhat vague, as if uncertain—or perhaps hiding something.
...
The meeting ended.
The Ten Stonehearts were united both publicly and internally.
The Cornerstone was not destroyed, but affected by an external force, temporarily suppressed within Topaz.
The key point was that she had brought back intelligence showing that the Xianzhou Luofu was paying special attention to Jarilo—or more precisely, to the giant beast named Godzilla.
As one of the top forces in the universe, the Interastral Peace Corporation differed from the Xianzhou Alliance.
The latter could summon the Hunt's Arrow. Of course, it was unlikely they would use such a measure against the IPC.
But better safe than sorry. They had to gauge the Luofu's level of concern for Jarilo.
And from the intel Topaz brought back—
A Foxian among the Six Charioteers, and a Cloud Knight from beside the Luofu General, both high-ranking figures stood on Jarilo's land, making this nearly depleted planet impossible to ignore.
But even so, they had to take action.
The Cornerstone was a blessing from Qlipoth of Preservation and must not be defiled by anyone!
"Sigh, that guy really did a number on me this time." Looking at the Cornerstone in her palm, Topaz gave a wry smile.
She had wondered why Godzilla had treated her so kindly on Jarilo—turns out, he had his sights set on something else.
One tenth of the energy. One must understand, the Cornerstone contains the power of the Emanator's. Even a tenth of a single Cornerstone, and Godzilla had absorbed that tenth from hers—that quantity, quantified, was astronomical.
"Didn't that burst you!"
Grabbing Numby's two front legs, Topaz feigned ferocity and let out a mock snarl.
"Topaz, Jade." At that moment, a familiar voice came from ahead—it was Aventurine.
His projection stood in front of them, waiting.