Julian was not overly concerned with holding exclusive control over the creatures. He had never intended to monopolize them for himself.
At most, he had once considered introducing them first within the Xianzhou Alliance. Yet doing so would easily paint a giant target on the Alliance's back, drawing resentment from every major power in the cosmos. In that case, finding a dedicated world to serve as their sanctuary was far wiser.
As for terraforming an entire planet, the expertise was readily available. Beyond the brilliant minds on Herta's station, both the Xianzhou and the Interastral Peace Corporation possessed mature planetary engineering technologies.
Furthermore, Julian could call upon the authority of apex legendary species to reshape a world with his own hands. If nothing else, an ancient colossus like Regigigas, who already commanded the raw might of an Emanator, would have little trouble pulling tectonic plates, shifting landmasses, and steadying an orbital path.
Meanwhile, the moment the public announcement went live, the entire community fell into a frenzy.
Even if it took months before these living companions were ready to meet the public, the sheer realization that the dream had taken form in reality was enough to ignite hearts everywhere.
The desire to walk alongside a living Pokémon was never a fantasy exclusive to children.
Adults carried the exact same yearning deep inside, even if they buried it beneath everyday routines and practical decorum. When an impossible dream suddenly showed up on their doorstep, the emotional shock among older fans was often far more intense than anything children felt.
The live feeds and forums boiled over with chaotic debate:
"Can someone check the calendar? Is today April Fool's Day?! Is this real or a massive prank?!"
"I desperately want to believe it, but remembering that Boss Julian walks the Path of Elation makes me sweat... What if Aha is behind this?!"
"Same here! Can someone give us a straight answer?!"
"Julian holds the favor of the Path, but he has never run with the Masked Fools! Why would he lie about something this serious? Still, it sounds too wild to take at face value. We need official confirmation! @Julian"
"Tagging Julian is pointless, you wouldn't trust his answer anyway! Tag the big factions! @LuofuXianzhou @XianzhouAlliance @Topaz @StrategicInvestment @Robin @Penacony..."
"You literally tagged every official partner on their roster! Count me in! Spreading the ping! @LuofuXianzhou..."
In a connected galaxy, anyone with access to the interstellar network had a basic grasp of scientific logic.
Even laymen understood that creatures with such bizarre elemental traits could not spontaneously exist in the wild without divine intervention. Paired with Julian's open connection to the Path of Elation, fans were hesitant to accept the news without ironclad proof, even with his spotless reputation.
Unable to settle the argument themselves, players flooded the official accounts of trusted authorities, demanding verification.
The major factions were equally on edge. Unsure whether the bulletin was an early leak or a confirmed breakthrough, diplomatic channels immediately sent urgent inquiries to the studio.
Jing Yuan, Robin, and Topaz, who all held direct personal lines to Julian, dialed his terminal simultaneously.
Julian grouped all three incoming feeds into a single conference call.
Topaz joined alongside a sharp-looking man dressed in immaculate, crystalline robes that caught the light with every move. When his eyes met Jing Yuan's on the screen, the two leaders exchanged a quiet, respectful nod, indicating they were old acquaintances.
Julian recognized him at once: Diamond, the head of the Strategic Investment Department, a legendary figure whose name was famous throughout the galaxy.
Cai Xing had already briefed Julian on the online uproar, so Julian knew precisely what was on their minds. Before anyone could frame a question, Julian cut straight to the point:
"The notice is entirely accurate. The cultivated specimens are identical to the original templates in every way. Right now, we are simply waiting to monitor their condition as they mature."
"However, what we have on hand are strictly preliminary test subjects. We do not yet possess the rare catalysts required for large-scale cultivation."
Julian laid his cards openly on the table, concealing nothing.
"Then, Julian, how do you intend to handle the question of where these creatures reside?" Topaz asked, cutting straight to the core of the issue.
This was the question Diamond cared about above all else. After all, Julian remained a citizen of the Xianzhou.
"My plan is to designate an uninhabited planet as a sanctuary specifically for them to nest and grow. Once their population stabilizes and reaches self-sustaining numbers, we can gradually introduce them across the wider galaxy."
"Of course, whether we proceed along this path depends on the stance of the Xianzhou Alliance. At the end of the day, I am a native of the Xianzhou, am I not?"
Julian directed his gaze toward Jing Yuan.
The reason he hadn't moved the newborns directly to the Luofu was precisely out of deference to the Alliance's leadership. Hoarding such a transformative biological treasure on Xianzhou soil would immediately turn the fleet into a lightning rod for interstellar friction.
While the Alliance never feared confrontation, inviting needless hostility over a matter that could be shared was foolish. Julian had guessed from the start that the Alliance would prefer a neutral preserve.
Sure enough, Jing Yuan offered a relaxed, approving smile.
"Your approach is very sensible, and it aligns with the Marshal's thinking. As an equity partner, the Alliance will gladly contribute our fleets and engineering teams to scout suitable worlds and assist with the terraforming."
"The Strategic Investment Department is more than willing to assist on that front as well," Diamond spoke up, his voice measured and authoritative. "A single world may prove cramped over time. Why stop at one planet when we can terraform an entire star system?"
Diamond seized the opening without hesitation, leveraging the Corporation's equity stake to cement a frontline role.
Jing Yuan felt a quiet, wry helplessness. Who could have foreseen that a modest game studio would stir up such colossal waves across the stars?
In what felt like the blink of an eye, the studio had grown into an unrivaled titan in the entertainment industry, commanding a cultural reach that rivaled ancient empires. Everything Julian touched was now scrutinized by every sovereign power in the cosmos.
Had Jing Yuan known Julian possessed this kind of world-shaking potential from day one, he never would have let the Corporation's investment branch buy a single share.
Still, under the present circumstances, having the Corporation stand alongside them to share the diplomatic heat was far from a bad arrangement for the Xianzhou. Even without Diamond's sudden offer, Jing Yuan and Marshal Hua had planned to bring external partners into the fold to disperse the pressure.
The real blame lay on Julian's impulsive streak. Such a monumental breakthrough should have been guarded behind closed doors. Why put out a galactic announcement before the creatures had even grown their first coat of fur? Couldn't they have kept quiet until the initial studies were complete?
Seeing the two giants carving up responsibilities, Robin could only offer quiet, polite smiles from her corner of the screen. At a table shared by the Alliance and the IPC, the Family had little room to contest terms.
While Penacony had the backing of the Harmony, its geopolitical footprint was far smaller than that of the two great superpowers. They were capable of defending their own borders, but competing directly with the Alliance and the Corporation on open ground was out of the question.
She had called simply out of genuine concern for the little companions, hoping to hear how the young creatures were faring. Getting caught in the middle of a political clash between two galactic titans was the last thing she wanted.
As for the priority supply agreements Julian's studio had signed with other civilizations, that caused no immediate conflict. Mass distribution had not even begun. As primary shareholders, the Alliance and the Corporation conducting closed environmental trials to refine the habitat system was standard procedure that nobody could challenge.
For Robin and the other sovereign factions, having two rival superpowers balance each other out was far better than watching one side claim total dominance.
With the direction settled, Julian happily handed the headaches of site scouting and orbital terraforming over to Jing Yuan and Diamond, turning his own attention back to his work with Ruan Mei and Herta.
Ruan Mei was easy to work with. Replicating the specimens had simply been a practical condition Julian had requested; her true fascination lay in dissecting the cellular mechanics, stability thresholds, and genetic rules that allowed these creatures to thrive.
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