The sky above Belobog revealed the sun. Countless people of Belobog were overwhelmed with emotion, singing the name of Herta.
The current Supreme Guardian, at the moment when the sun named Herta descended twelve hours later, earnestly invited Herta 30 to remain and become Belobog's Sun Goddess—the pillar of faith within the people's hearts.
Herta 30 did not hesitate in her refusal. "Supreme Guardian, I came to Belobog this time with a mission. Becoming a sun and shining for others—I can only do that temporarily..."
The Supreme Guardian could not help but reveal a disappointed expression upon hearing this.
But in the next moment, little Herta's voice rang out again. "Of course, Belobog's dilemma can be solved. You only need to commission Madam Herta."
"Do you mean to invite that genius to take action?" the Supreme Guardian asked excitedly.
In this era, Jarilo-VI had not long been frozen, and the time since its severance from the cosmos was still short. Therefore, some people—including the Supreme Guardian—still knew of the IPC and understood the weight carried by a member of the Genius Society.
"Yes. Please invite my creator—the great 83rd Seat of the Genius Society, Miss Herta—to take action."
"Please, you must do so. No matter the cost, I am willing," the Supreme Guardian said with agitation.
"Mm."
Herta closed her eyes and, within the Stigmata Space, called out, "Madam Herta, Madam Herta..."
"Stop calling. She still has important experiments to conduct."
Within the Stigmata Space, Herman—who had been checking in on little Hertas across various star systems—came back to himself and spoke to Herta 30.
"It's fine that Second Madam Herta is here as well. The situation is this: in the Jarilo star system, the Supreme Guardian of Belobog has encountered a predicament and wishes to invite the great Madam Herta to resolve Belobog's condition of never seeing the sun."
After speaking, Herta 30 looked at Herman with anticipation, while Herman himself fell into contemplation.
Solving the problem of the people of Jarilo not being able to see the sun?
That problem was actually quite easy to resolve.
Not long ago, within the Amphoreus data package granted to Herta by the newly ascended Cyrene, there had already been an answer to this question.
The Dawn Device.
As long as they recreated this machine on Jarilo, they would obtain a sun that would shine eternally and burn forever.
More importantly, within the city of Jarilo—Belobog—there existed a colossal mechanical creation, the Engine of Creation, capable of bearing the Dawn Device.
After thinking this through, Herman slowly spoke to Herta 30. "Next, you will need to study some special knowledge with me inside the Stigmata Space. Once you've mastered it... you will naturally be able to transform Belobog and grant that eternally frozen city its own sun."
"I understand. I'm willing to learn."
Herta 30 immediately agreed.
Several system days passed. Herta 30 continued studying diligently under Herman's guidance, learning the construction methods of the Dawn Device.
At the same time, Herman also checked in on more little Hertas across other galaxies.
For example, little Herta 66 in Planarcadia. When Herman contacted her, he learned that she had already appeared on a local television program and was sparing no effort in promoting the name of the genius Herta.
Herta 66 even planned to become a streamer—launching live broadcasts in Planarcadia to publicize Madam Herta's brilliance.
Herman's eyelids twitched at the sight, and he could not help but think to himself:
In Planarcadia, the gathering of wish-power can give birth to Phantasmal Constructs. With Herta 66 promoting so relentlessly...
In the future, could Planarcadia end up creating a Phantasmal Construct version of Herta?!
If that truly happened, it would certainly be interesting.
As Herman continued pondering, he heard The Herta's voice.
"I've thoroughly analyzed all the data within the Scepter package and have developed the design blueprint for Super Herta Astral Computer 2.0. The upgrade project can now begin."
"That works. The little Hertas have rested enough. It's time for them to resume work," Herman replied.
Thus, on this day, Herman once again placed a massive materials order with the Interastral Peace Corporation.
The IPC's Building Material Logistics Department acted swiftly. Before long, numerous transport starships arrived at The Blue, delivering vast quantities of materials.
Soon after, Jade from the Strategic Investment Department called Herman, probing indirectly about whether this large purchase of astral computer–related materials meant that Herta intended to construct another astral computer.
"Of course not. I'm simply upgrading the Super Herta Astral Computer," Herman replied.
"An upgrade?!"
Jade was stunned.
How long had it been since Herta developed and built the astral computer? Not even a week—and yet she had already achieved another breakthrough in the field?
And judging from the enormous quantity of materials ordered, this breakthrough was no small one.
At that moment, a wild thought arose within Jade's heart.
At this rate of upgrades, in the near future Super Herta Astral Computer 2.0—and even 3.0—would emerge.
After one Amber Era, perhaps even version 10.0 would exist.
By that time, the Super Herta Astral Computer would likely be the most advanced astral computer in the entire cosmos. And if the Aeon of Erudition had never been born, the Herta Astral Computer might even ascend under Herta's modifications.
In Jade's eyes at this moment, Herta already possessed a measure of the legendary First Seat of the Genius Society—Zandar's—bearing.
Very soon, Jade reported Herta's message to her superior in the Strategic Investment Department, Diamond, who could not help but sigh in admiration.
"Herta's research capability is far too strong. Her efficiency as well!"
"Perhaps she truly possesses talent comparable to the First Seat of the Genius Society—Zandar!"
"The IPC must never offend this genius. We must strengthen communication and cooperation with her."
"By the way—how are the sales of Honkai Beasts and Soul Gems?"
"They're selling extremely well across the cosmos," Jade replied, pulling up backend data pages for the two products on her phone and reviewing them carefully. "At present, Galaxy Rangers, Elixir Seekers of Abundance, members of the Annihilation Gang, Masked Fools... multiple factions across the cosmos have placed orders for Soul Gems."
"Of course, the Honkai Beasts biologically modified by Madam Herta are extraordinarily docile. This pet product is also selling extremely well, with major worlds scrambling to purchase them."
"Even the Borisin have bought some."
Upon hearing this, Diamond chuckled lightly. "In fact, not long ago, the Borisin clashed with the Xianzhou Yaoqing in the Phoenix Galaxy. In that battle, the Cloud Knights aboard the Xianzhou Yaoqing rode Honkai Beasts as their mounts into combat."
"That battle shattered the heavens and dimmed the sun and moon. In the end, it concluded with a great victory for the Xianzhou Yaoqing. As for the Borisin, they suffered heavy losses in that war. The key reason was their lack of intelligence regarding Honkai Beasts."
"I estimate that the Borisin's purchase of Honkai Beasts is likely an attempt to awaken the savagery within their race."
Jade smiled upon hearing this. "Then the Borisin will probably fail. After all, the modified Honkai Beasts bear the dual technological locks of Madam Herta and Madam Ruan Mei. If they want to make the docile Honkai Beasts bloodthirsty again, those two would have to personally intervene."
Diamond nodded. "Exactly. In fact, not long ago, Chadwick already conducted experiments on Honkai organisms. The goal was to remove the docility trait from Honkai Beasts and restore their original feral instincts."
"But the experiment failed completely. According to Chadwick, it would take him several years to break through the technological locks set by Ruan Mei and Herta. He has no interest in investing that time—he's preparing instead to research Imaginary Implosion Pulses..."
Diamond and Jade continued their discussion at length, ultimately reaching the same conclusion: Herta must be treated with even greater importance.
...
Time flowed onward. Five more system days passed. Through the efforts of The Herta and the many little Hertas, the upgrade to Super Herta Astral Computer 2.0 was completed.
Its functions underwent tremendous changes.
First, its computational power increased threefold.
Second, the energy it absorbed was no longer limited to stellar energy—it could now absorb Imaginary energy as well.
Thus, Super Herta Astral Computer 2.0 was gradually pulled by the Imaginary energy of the Herta Magic Wand. After one system day, the relocation was complete.
It was moved to the outer reaches of The Blue's star system, where it could absorb both the solar energy of The Blue's star and the Imaginary energy from the Imaginary Barrier.
Beyond these changes, the iteration of the Herta Astral Computer also accelerated the expansion speed of the Super Herta Dark Plane Platform. At this moment, the Super Herta Dark Plane Platform already covered the entirety of The Blue's star system and had begun extending beyond it, stretching farther into the distance.
The enhanced computational power also further amplified the strength of the Super Gene.
For example, Stellar Drive—the Solar Radiance Gene—could now unleash even more dazzling flames, even super-limit flare bombardments.
The Invincible Body became even more worthy of its name, its hardness greatly increased.
The temporary spatial gateways opened through Micro Wormhole Transfer also became taller and wider.
The Herta herself, feeling the changes brought about by the upgraded Super Herta Astral Computer, thought silently:
The Simulated Universe project can officially be placed on the agenda. Beyond that, my intuition tells me that the upgraded astral computer can further develop the Invincible Body—raising it another level, achieving atomic-level recomposition.
After reaching this conclusion, The Herta decisively spoke inwardly to Herman. "I'm going to research a more advanced version of the Invincible Body. The preliminary preparations for simulating the primordial universe will be left to you."
"Don't worry. I'll contact Ruan Mei and have her provide biological data. I'll also reach out to Screwllum for Intellitron-related information," Herman replied.
"Good."
The Herta swiftly returned to the Simulated Laboratory and entered a new round of research—studying the Invincible Body, or rather, the fourth-generation divine body.
Herman followed through on her instructions, contacting Ruan Mei and Screwllum to inform them that preparations for the Simulated Universe megastructure project could begin.
"Very well. I can provide you with hundreds of millions of biological DNA samples, as well as information on the evolutionary processes of stars and life-bearing planets—even data related to swarms of the Path of Propagation," came Ruan Mei's reply.
"I will provide you with data on transforming mechanical life, as well as partial records of the Emperor's War," replied Screwllum.
After reading their responses, Herman could not help but think:
What Ruan Mei and Screwllum can provide is still insufficient to initiate the Simulated Universe project. We lack objects related to the Aeons—there isn't even a Stellaron.
Under such conditions, even if Super Herta Astral Computer 2.0 simulates the future of the cosmos, the results would inevitably be distorted.
Next, they would need to acquire Curios—perhaps even anything related to the Aeons themselves. They would also need to wait for the birth of the 84th Seat of the Genius Society. The genius named Stephen Lloyd would be extremely important to the Simulated Universe project.
Herman continued to ponder.
At the very moment Herman was carrying out the earliest preparations for the Simulated Universe, the news of Herta upgrading the astral computer and relocating it to the edge of The Blue's star system was noticed by both the Blue Federation and the Eastern Federation.
Neither federation expressed objection. In fact, the highest-ranking president of the Eastern Federation even breathed a long sigh of relief, believing that the Sword of Damocles hanging above their heads had disappeared—or at least moved farther away. This allowed the Eastern Federation's leadership to feel temporarily at ease.
Meanwhile, Pearl—living on The Blue—contacted Herman again after learning that the Super Herta Astral Computer had completed its upgrade, asking whether she could now depart.
"Of course. But before you leave, you must come to my laboratory for a minor procedure—to implant a Super Gene. That way, even if you are alone in Penacony, you won't encounter fatal accidents."
"Yes."
Thus, on this day, The Herta returned from the Super Astral Computer to The Blue and brought Pearl to the Soul Gem Factory Laboratory for a special Super Gene implantation procedure.
After the modification, Pearl gained the ability to mobilize a portion of the Super Herta Astral Computer's computational power and use the Super Gene within her body for combat.
After resting briefly, Pearl purchased an IPC starship ticket online and departed for Penacony, preparing to manage the Penacony Reverie Hotel.
Everything progressed in an orderly manner.
One natural month later, after purchasing massive quantities of materials from the IPC, Herta completed her research on the fourth-generation divine body—the Invincible Body—and carried out the modification upon herself.
Almost the instant the transformation was complete, she felt that she had advanced an extraordinary distance along the Path of Erudition—touching a critical threshold.
With a mere shift of thought, she understood what that threshold represented.
Emanator of Erudition.
As long as she crossed that boundary, she would not even require Nous' gaze to crown herself.
But to break through that barrier—to surpass the critical point of the Path of Erudition—she would need to achieve another breakthrough in scientific research.
The problem was that she currently had no immediate research project ready to launch. Or rather, the projects at hand would take a very long time to begin—such as the Simulated Universe · Simulating the Future.
That project was simply too grand.
As for the other project—the Herta Xianzhou—it would also require a long time before it could be realized.
Therefore, if Herta wished to crown herself as an Emanator of Erudition, she would need to expend Achievement Points and actively activate World-Shaking Wisdom.
Fortunately, there was still one unused Legendary Achievement Point from before.
With this thought, The Herta contacted Herman—the master of the Research System—and expressed her intent to actively use a Legendary Achievement Point to activate World-Shaking Wisdom and obtain inspiration.
Herman was momentarily stunned but agreed, immediately opening the Achievement Subsystem interface.
He quickly discovered that during this period, while Herta had been diligently working, she had unlocked numerous new Legendary Achievements.
"Legendary Achievement: My Eyes Across All Realms—You have scattered little Hertas throughout the cosmos. Achievement unlocked!"
"Legendary Achievement: I Am Honkai—You have seized control of the Will of Honkai and wrested authority over Honkai Beasts. Achievement unlocked!"
"Legendary Achievement: Lord of a New Dimension—Within a cosmos devoid of a Dark Plane, you forged a Dark Plane—a new dimension, a new world. Achievement unlocked!"
"Legendary Achievement: Megastructure Creator—By your own power, you constructed the Super Herta Astral Computer megastructure, astonishing countless factions. Achievement unlocked!"
"Legendary Achievement: Pseudo-Immortal Body—By yourself, you developed the Super Gene to the fourth-generation divine body stage. Even in the face of a supernova explosion or the abyssal gravity at the deepest layer of a black hole, you can preserve self-awareness and, after your body shatters, return through atomic-level recomposition after hundreds of millions of years..."
Seeing these newly unlocked achievements, Herman could not help but sigh inwardly.
Legendary Achievement Points had skyrocketed—from one to six.
Previously, using just two Achievement Points had allowed Herta to unleash World-Shaking Wisdom and create the fourth-generation divine body, the Super Astral Computer, and the Dark Plane.
If all six Legendary Achievement Points were used now...