On the large screen.
As a video began playing, all the gathered researchers instantly quieted down, focusing intently.
Their eyes brimmed with excitement and anticipation as they watched the footage.
The scenes that appeared were of Herta Space Station—yet not quite the space station as the researchers knew it.
"What section is this? Why is it so dark?"
"The layout and structure of this area are completely different from most sections of the space station."
"There was a brief shot just now of an elevator descending vertically—does that mean this area is at the lowest level of the space station?"
The researchers were baffled.
Right from the start, this preview had dropped a bombshell!
A hidden space within the space station?
The next moment.
An electronic voice in the video gave them a clear answer.
"Top-secret clearance zone."
"Access granted to [Ruan Mei]."
As the voice faded, the silhouette of a woman appeared in the scene.
Her voice rang out: "The secrets of this space station run far deeper than you imagine."
"Before you understand what's happening, you must first conceal your expression."
"Otherwise—"
"You'll be left riddled with weaknesses."
The woman turned around, revealing a subtle smile.
It was... Ruan Mei!
A collective gasp erupted from the researchers!
One female researcher's eyes widened so much her glasses nearly slipped off her face!
It really is Lady Ruan Mei!
...
At the same time, a flood of comments rolled across the video:
"Look what I found!"
"Wait—Ruan Mei actually looks like this?! I always imagined her looking like my aunt!"
"How the hell is she this gorgeous?"
"A genius AND this beautiful? Sometimes I really wonder if I'm just an NPC in this world..."
"Even if she buffs the enemy, I'd still pull for her!"
"Someone! Bring me my credit card!"
...
Then—
The scene shifted.
Back in the space station.
A man wearing a plaster head appeared.
He rested a hand on his chin, as if deep in thought or observation.
"[Genius] has made their move."
"How will you counter it?"
The researchers watching immediately burst into chatter.
"Who is this guy?"
"He doesn't look like a researcher from the space station..."
"And he's wearing a plaster head? That's so weird..."
"Looks like something big is about to happen in the space station again! Brace yourselves, everyone!"
---
Dr. Ratio's personal office.
Aventurine knew Ratio wasn't short on money.
Scholars who joined the Intelligentsia Guild often treated knowledge as a form of currency.
And Ratio wasn't the type to look down on such methods—money was simply a means for him to spread truth.
So when Ratio tipped 20 Storm Watchers in one go, Aventurine didn't think much of it.
But this new mission...
In this preview, Ratio himself had appeared!
Aventurine couldn't hide his surprise.
"Professor, did you sneak a peek at the script beforehand?"
"You're actually in this storyline?"
"And the mission's name is [When the Stars of Ingenuity Shine]... Seems Yu Ling holds your intellect in high regard."
"I'm starting to waver now."
"I think you might actually make it into the gacha!"
Ratio's plaster head revealed no expression.
But Aventurine could guess—underneath that mask, Ratio was definitely smug.
After all, it was widely speculated that Ratio longed to join the Genius Society.
Now, in a storyline about geniuses released by Yu Ling, he had appeared—surely that counted as tacit recognition!
Ratio finally spoke: "The Genius Society?"
"Perhaps I once held some interest in it. But now, the excitement it offers pales in comparison to my role in this game."
Aventurine smiled politely.
He didn't argue, but he knew—Ratio still carried a deep-seated frustration over not being acknowledged by Nous.
He was just coping.
---
Continuing the preview.
After Ratio's appearance, the scene changed again.
A low, ominous voice echoed in the background:
"The gods of the stars have departed this aberrant realm."
"Only the wounded Patron remains—"
"Commanding the flames of [Destruction] to bathe all worlds."
On screen, Screwllum and Asta seemed to be discussing something.
But the voice clearly didn't belong to either of them.
"No matter where you flee—"
"EX..."
"—shall arrive!"
The moment those words fell—
Blue flames suddenly erupted around Asta's body.
She looked shocked.
And in the next second—
She vanished into thin air!
"That voice..."
Aventurine's gaze darkened.
"Ext..."
It wasn't just him.
Every player watching recognized it instantly.
Not long ago, Yu Ling had released "The Everflame: Act 33."
The Duke Inferno had already left an indelible mark on the hearts of players across the universe.
The moment this voice sounded—
Everyone knew who the mastermind was.
...
"Duke! That voice—it's the Duke again!"
"Since when did the Duke of Inferno get so much screentime? First, he declares war on the four Paths in Penacony, and now he's stirring trouble in the space station?"
"Did Nanook finally notice him? He's been so active lately!"
"My Asta! My precious Asta!"
"Is the Duke going to kill Asta?!"
"If Asta dies, the space station will descend into chaos!"
"Given the Duke's words in the background, it really seems possible!"
"Everyone in the space station, warn Lady Asta now!"
No need for the netizens' reminders.
Inside the space station, the researchers watching were horrified.
...
Perhaps before, some had doubted Asta's competence as a leader.
But after Honkai: Star Rail was released—
Their attitude toward Asta had done a complete 180.
This was the young lady who casually bought entire warships on a whim!
Now, whenever they saw her, they'd respectfully call her "Lady Asta."
Praise and admiration followed her everywhere.
Some had even started currying favor with Peppy!
At this point, Asta's fanbase in the space station was almost as large as Herta's!
So—
Witnessing this scene, every researcher panicked.
Someone immediately shouted: "Alert the security team! Protect Lady Asta!"
"We have to warn her about this immediately!"
"Damn Duke of Inferno! How dare he target our station master?!"
"Asta is our one and only station master!"
"We must protect the best Lady Asta!"
"Anyone who touches Asta will die—even the Duke of Inferno!"
---
Master Control Zone.
Near the inspection area.
Asta had been overseeing the researchers' work when she suddenly heard an uproar.
And her name was being mentioned.
Curious, she walked over.
The moment the researchers saw her, they grew even more agitated.
They immediately replayed the preview for her.
Watching herself engulfed in blue flames, Asta couldn't help but gasp.
The Annihilation Gang.
The Duke Inferno was coming for her?
Seeing Asta's alarm, the researchers realized—
This was their moment to shine!
They immediately puffed out their chests:
"Station Master! You should stay right here—just in case the Duke has also seen this video and decides to attack!"
"That's right! Even if the Duke shows up, we'll stand in front of you!"
"I'll activate the Curio Vault's dimensional fold now! We can't let that blue fire hide anywhere in the station!"
"Lady Asta must not be harmed—not even a single strand of hair!"
Touched by their concern, Asta quickly steadied herself.
"Don't worry, everyone. I'll stay right here with you."
"Let's watch this storyline together—see how the Duke plans to bring destruction to the space station."
"If the Duke dares to threaten us, we won't go down without a fight!"
"Agreed!"
The researchers roared in excitement, already brainstorming ways to retaliate.
If the Duke Inferno dared touch Asta—
He was a dead man.
To be continued…
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