Listening to Phantylia's absurd excuses for her failure, Irontomb didn't bother hiding his contempt.
"Failure is failure. What, Phantylia, are you just like those ordinary people, making excuses for your loss?!"
Phantylia gritted her teeth, staring at Irontomb. Her mind was already crafting a hundred plans to stab him in the back.
"Irontomb, don't say I didn't warn you."
Irontomb snorted coldly.
"You? A mere Heliobus, good only for sowing discord and petty schemes."
Phantylia's hatred reached its peak. She pushed back her plans to destroy the Luofu and began plotting to make Irontomb the next Zhulong.
"You! Fine, very good, Irontomb. Remember what you said to me today."
"Phantylia, I'll remember how much you hate me right now and how powerless you are to do anything about it."
Celenova cast them a cold glance, silencing them both. They could only continue watching Herta #3156 from afar.
---
At the Scalegorge Waterscape on the Luofu, Ruan Mei had already noticed Herta #3156's abnormality, as well as the several Lord Ravagers watching from the nearby star system.
Asta asked softly, "Madam Ruan Mei, are there monsters in that starry sky?"
Ruan Mei nodded slightly, then turned to look at her. "How do you know?"
Asta scratched her head and smiled wryly. "The researchers at the space station used specialized instruments to detect several terrifying Emanator-level Path powers in that area. Almost everyone panicked, saying the Lord Ravagers had come to destroy Herta Space Station."
Ruan Mei said nothing. She continued watching Herta #3156 in the distance.
The endless convergence of Destruction and Erudition Path powers showed no sign of dissipating.
In an instant, the "Blazemaster" vanished. Herta #3156 evolved further into an "Anti-Organic Killer."
Ruan Mei and Herta exchanged a glance—a flicker of interest, a desire to take Herta #3156 back for research. But it passed. They wanted to see if it would evolve further.
Asta noticed as well. "This... Herta #3156's will for Destruction is that terrifying? All from resentment toward Madam Herta and Herta Ninety-Nine?!"
Ruan Mei took a bite of plum cake. "If that resentment also includes annihilation and revenge, then this is only the beginning."
---
In the distant star system, Zephyro turned to leave. "This Herta #3156 has reached her limit. She cannot grow further through Destruction's power."
Phantylia shook her head slightly. "I wouldn't be so sure. Her desire to walk the Path of Destruction is exceptionally strong. What if Lord Nanook gazes upon her again?"
Irontomb's cold, mechanical voice rejected the idea. "According to system calculations, the probability of Herta #3156 becoming like us is one in ten thousand. Negligible. And even if she became a new Emanator of Destruction, how would she face the terrifying, absolute Madam Herta and the utterly emotionless Madam Ruan Mei?"
This time, Phantylia fell silent. Irontomb continued. "Herta #3156's fate is either self-destruction or becoming a permanent research subject for Herta and Ruan Mei. She has no future."
---
Just as the Lord Ravagers were discussing Herta #3156's potential, a colossal figure—tens of thousands of zhang tall, without any discernible boundary—appeared in the starry sky.
Everyone—the distant Lord Ravagers, Herta, Ruan Mei, Asta, and Herta #3156 herself—was stunned.
Nanook himself?
Lingsha and Herta #3156's eyes filled with hope. The Aeon of Destruction has appeared. No matter how strong Herta is, can she be stronger than an Aeon?
Herta #3156 slowly looked up at Nanook. "Lord Nanook, please make me your Emanator! I will fight Herta herself to the death!"
Nanook gave no response. He simply stood in the starry sky.
Herta #3156 continued her litany of grievances—Herta's arrogance, her disregard for others, and her lack of empathy—all of it needing to be destroyed.
Celenova shook her head and turned to leave, leaving only four words: "It's not real."
The other three Lord Ravagers froze. One thought crossed their minds: The Aeon of Elation is here.
---
Herta crossed her arms, listening to Herta #3156's complaints. She had already figured it out—jealousy, envy, resentment toward Herta Ninety-Nine. Just like a human.
"Herta #3156, are you finished?"
Herta #3156's eyes flickered with panic. But with an Aeon present, what did she have to fear from Herta? "No! Far from it!"
Herta yawned casually. "Herta #3156, you served me for several Amber Eras. You have a little merit, a little hardship. Tell you what—apologize, take care of Lingsha, and I'll make you Deputy Chief of Herta Space Station."
In an instant, Herta #3156's eyes cleared. Even her Destruction Path power began to dissipate.
I... I can be like Herta Ninety-Nine? Then... Madam Herta isn't so bad? Did I misunderstand her?
Herta smirked dismissively. A puppet. Give her any position, and she'll be grateful. She'd deal with her later.
Just as Herta #3156 hesitated, Lingsha objected. "Herta #3156, if you go back to the space station, you'll be fish on the chopping block. With an Aeon here, find a way to become an Emanator!"
Herta #3156 snapped back to reality and resumed her Path convergence. Herta is unfathomable and deceitful. How could I trust her? She must pay!
Just as she was about to evolve into an Extermination Scholar, Herta's cold voice cut through.
"Herta #3156, take a good look. How much of that 'Nanook' is actually Destruction's essence?"
Herta #3156 looked up again. This time, even she could sense it—the power was not of Destruction.
The mocking laughter of circus clowns echoed through the universe.