[The people of this universe yearn for knowledge. They use it to pursue rebirth. They build walls with it. They seek selflessness through it.]
[They lock themselves and others in prisons that cannot be written about.]
[Wisdom. Money. Power. When people try to interpret the unknown, it's all just a ridiculous, farcical spectacle.]
Herta Ninety-Nine looked up. 'Yu Qingtu' had reached ninety-nine percent assimilation.
One hundred percent, and Madam Herta's great undertaking will be complete. And I can advance further.
---
Within the memory simulation world.
[Who is Sparkle? I don't know her.]
[Yu Qingtu. Yes. I am Yu Qingtu.]
[I introduced Ruan Mei to Herta. Geniuses' repose. Geniuses' conversations. Geniuses'...]
[Everything is Yu Qingtu!!]
[Time to mix a cocktail of Elation. A glass of Dalthus wine of Erudition.]
The entire memory simulation began to collapse. The laughter of circus clowns. The cold, mechanical sounds of deduction...
Herta Ninety-Nine's eyes went wide. She stared at 'Yu Qingtu' in disbelief.
Erudition and Elation—converging again?!
The real Herta, sensing the anomaly, appeared in Herta City. Even she, for all her experience, was stunned.
"The legendary [Useless Scholar]?! I never thought she'd reach this stage."
Herta Ninety-Nine stood nearby, voicing her concern.
"Madam Herta. The memory simulation is collapsing. Should we stop it? Interrupt Sparkle's assimilation?!"
Herta waved a hand. A smile spread across her face, unrestrained.
First, 'Yu Qingtu's' emergence eliminates the "white moonlight" concern.
Second, 'Yu Qingtu' becoming a [Useless Scholar] has significant research value.
"Just watch. It's only a memory simulation. Its collapse is nothing."
Above Herta City, a shadow—an Aeon—passed across the stars.
Herta looked up sharply. This feeling... just like encountering Aha in the Simulated Universe.
Herta Ninety-Nine looked at her, confused.
"Madam Herta. Is that someone up there? An uninvited guest?!"
Herta didn't answer. She summoned her magic key and flew toward the stars.
In the Simulated Universe, meeting Aha, the Aeon of Elation? She dismissed it. She only wanted to see Idrila.
But in the real world? Outside the Simulated Universe?
She'd only ever been graced by Nous. The probability of another Aeon's glance was minuscule.
If Aha glanced at her... if she gained the power of a double Emanator... Ruan Mei would praise her endlessly. Be interested.
She thought of Phantylia.
On the Xianzhou, she barely managed to steal part of the Arbor's power. Two Paths, yes. But not a double Emanator.
And that Stellaron brat? Glanced at by multiple Aeons, yes. But far from Emanator level.
If she became the first double Emanator...
Wouldn't that prove she, Madam Herta, was the most absurd, most unparalleled, most unreplicable existence in the universe—aside from the Aeons themselves?!
She searched the stars for Aha, a proud, arrogant smile on her face.
"Aha. Your Emanator of Elation? That insect you tricked is still a joke."
"I'm not interested in your Path power. But the status of a double Emanator—"
Laughter interrupted her.
She spun, flying toward it. Nothing.
Her brow furrowed. Annoyance flickered.
"Does he think I'm incapable of walking the Path of Elation?!"
"Fine. I'll keep looking."
At the same time, 'Yu Qingtu' slowly opened her eyes. Aha stared down at her, smirking.
She froze.
Not Nous. Aha?! When did I ever walk the Path of Elation?!
Wait. Why do I feel... a strange sense of relief? Joy? As if from an unspeakable "me"? Strange.
The Aeon vanished, leaving her staring at the stars, bewildered.
Herta Ninety-Nine approached cautiously.
"Genius Society member #55, Madam Yu Qingtu. Are you alright?"
'Yu Qingtu' turned to look at her.
"Herta's puppet? What number are you?"
Herta Ninety-Nine's brow furrowed. Number? I'm Deputy Chief Herta Ninety-Nine!!
But for the greater good—for Herta, for her own advancement—she suppressed her displeasure.
"I'm Herta Ninety-Nine. No puppet number."
"Ah?!"
"I've contacted Madam Herta. She'll be here shortly."
'Yu Qingtu' nodded slowly. Exhausted. Dizzy. The memories are all there. But they no longer feel like mine.
Was it that new cocktail I mixed? Left some unpleasant side effects? I'll see Ruan Mei when I have time. Have her take a look.
When Herta appeared, her gaze immediately locked onto 'Yu Qingtu'. Shock and confusion flickered in her eyes.
The likeness. Uncanny. Not just appearance. The aura. The movements. Even the way she furrows her brow.
"Herta. Do I have some three-star curio on my face? Why are you staring?!"
Herta snapped out of it. She shook her head.
"No."
"Rest for a while. In three hours, I'll take you to see Ruan Mei."
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Power Stone Progress: 263/275 (5 Chapters)
Power Ranking: 46/10 (15 Chapters)