At the Xianzhou Alliance's Marshal's residence, a flat-chested woman dressed in a red military uniform, looking valiant and heroic, set down her phone, which was still livestreaming Keeping Up with Star Rail, and rose to her feet. Gazing into the distance, she murmured:
"Herta has already begun constructing a Xianzhou... We can discuss inviting Herta to join the Alliance."
"Convene a meeting!"
After the flat-chested woman finished speaking, she exercised her authority as Marshal of the Xianzhou Alliance.
The next moment, Yao Guang aboard the Xianzhou Yuque and Jing Yuan aboard the Xianzhou Luofu both adopted serious expressions. Jing Yuan's eyes, in particular, snapped fully open.
"Marshal Hua is summoning us. Is it because of Madam Herta? In only a few short months, Madam Herta truly has accomplished many remarkable feats."
As soon as he finished speaking, Jing Yuan logged into the online conference channel and contacted the other six Arbiter-Generals of the Xianzhou Alliance.
...
Several minutes later, Marshal Hua, Jing Yuan, Yao Guang, Feixiao, Huaiyan, and the other generals had all joined the online conference room.
General Huaiyan of the Xianzhou Zhuming stroked the beard on his chin and spoke first. "Today is not our regularly scheduled monthly meeting. Why have all of us Arbiter-Generals been summoned in such haste?"
Feixiao gave a spirited smile. "Old man, don't you check your phone? Just one system hour ago, Owlbert, the star host of IPC Entertainment, reported to the entire universe on Keeping Up with Star Rail that Herta is constructing a Xianzhou."
"A livestream? A Xianzhou?" Huaiyan froze briefly, then smiled. "My apologies. I truly was unaware of this. After all, as all of you know, I am already an old man and do not understand these newfangled things very well."
"Ahem." At that moment, Marshal Hua, seated at the head of the table, spoke. "Everything is exactly as Feixiao said. Herta is constructing a Xianzhou... What I mean to ask is, should Herta truly complete one, ought we invite her to join the Xianzhou Alliance?"
"We absolutely must invite her. Herta joining the Xianzhou Alliance would bring the Alliance numerous benefits."
Yao Guang looked around at the gathered generals and said earnestly, "First and foremost, once Herta joins the Alliance, we will gain the combat power of another Emanator. Moreover, the Devil Tree planted by Madam Herta may produce even more powerful Dragon Fruits, allowing the Vidyadharas, whose population can no longer increase, to transform new lives once more."
"More importantly... even now, I still cannot calculate Herta's destiny. This means Herta is extraordinarily special. Allowing her to join the Xianzhou Alliance may enable the Alliance to survive future calamities."
"My Fortune Hexagram calculations have already revealed that an enormous shadow of crisis is approaching the Xianzhou's future. Should it be mishandled, the Xianzhou Alliance, and even the countless worlds friendly toward us, will face a tremendous catastrophe."
The assembled generals fell into contemplation upon hearing this. At that moment, Jing Yuan also spoke.
"Previously, I dispatched a senior official from the Xianzhou Luofu, Fu Xuan, Master Diviner of the Divination Commission, to The Blue star system. Through her, I have now fully confirmed that Herta truly can amplify the wisdom of others."
"Furthermore, Fu Xuan also said she could not see through Herta... Even after returning to the Xianzhou Luofu and activating the Matrix of Prescience, she was still unable to calculate Herta's future."
"Perhaps... Herta's position within the destiny of the universe is inherently unique, extraordinarily so even on the level of Aeons. Therefore, I agree with General Yao Guang. We should invite Madam Herta to join the Alliance."
Feixiao said, "I have no objections."
Huaiyan said, "This old man believes the judgment of the young is wiser than that of the elderly."
...
Marshal Hua, seated at the head of the conference room, listened to the generals' opinions. After contemplating for a moment, she said, "Since none of those present object, let us discuss what benefits we can offer Herta if she joins the Xianzhou."
"After all, without sufficient benefits, Herta would never join us even if we invited her."
Feixiao said, "By joining the Alliance, whenever Herta encounters a crisis, the Xianzhou Yaoqing will immediately provide support!"
Jing Yuan said, "Perhaps we can allow Madam Herta to study the Ambrosial Arbor. According to Herta 66 during the Keeping Up with Star Rail livestream, Herta's favorite activity is researching unknown phenomena. As the Ambrosial Arbor is a blessing of Abundance, she will certainly be interested."
Huaiyan said, "The Xianzhou Zhuming can share its construction techniques with Herta."
Yao Guang said, "The Alliance can provide Herta with a vast number of mysteries."
Marshal Hua, seated at the head of the table, listened to the generals and nodded slightly. "Very good. I will summarize your suggestions and polish them carefully, after which Yao Guang will send them to Herta on behalf of the Alliance."
"Leave it to me, Marshal," Yao Guang agreed with a smile.
...
In The Blue star system, The Herta felt her phone vibrate. When she opened it, she discovered a message from Yao Guang of the Xianzhou Alliance, along with many messages from the Hertas. Her unread message count had exceeded ninety-nine.
The Herta blinked and moved her finger to open the messages. She immediately discovered that Yao Guang had contacted her on behalf of the Xianzhou Alliance to invite her to join.
As long as she joined, she would gain the status of an allied member of the Alliance. During a crisis, she could use an Alliance Jade Decree to summon the Yaoqing, Luofu, and other Xianzhou ships to assist her in battle. If circumstances became exceptionally dire, she could even summon the Reignbow Arbiter to fire a Lux Arrow...
In addition, the Alliance's letter explained that Herta had constructed divine trees numerous times and cultivated trees resembling miracles of Abundance, such as the God Tree and Devil Tree... Therefore, as long as Herta agreed to join the Alliance, they would grant her permission to study the Ambrosial Arbor, allowing her to research a true miracle of Abundance.
It also stated that the Crimson Moon within the Borisin Warhead imprisoned in the Shackling Prison could likewise become one of Herta's research subjects.
After reading the message, Herta closed her eyes and communicated with the other consciousness deep within her mind.
"Herman, do you think I should join?"
"I think you can. After all, the Xianzhou Alliance has demonstrated tremendous sincerity this time. Simply by joining, you will gain the protection of Lan of The Hunt," Herman replied seriously.
"More importantly, Lan, the Aeon of The Hunt, truly is fiercely protective of Their own. Whenever a Xianzhou faces a crisis, They genuinely intervene!"
"And most importantly, the Xianzhou Alliance's invitation clearly states that they will not assign you all kinds of missions after you join... You only need to continue your research and spread the Divine Dragon Fruits, or even the group Wisdom Halo, throughout the Xianzhou."
Indeed. This invitation comes with no restrictions. I can accept it.
The Herta ended her communication with Herman and swiftly replied to Yao Guang.
"Once the megastructure known as the Herta Xianzhou is complete, I can join the Xianzhou Alliance."
"Then allow me to welcome you in advance, Herta, the eighth Arbiter-General of the Xianzhou Alliance!"
As Yao Guang sent this message, the eyes of her Spiritus, Kālacakra Skyplume, began glowing brightly. It even manifested on its own around Yao Guang, assuming the form of a magnificent peacock.
?!
Yao Guang froze at the sight. I clearly did not summon my Spiritus... Was that the Reignbow Arbiter?!
...
In an infinitely distant realm, Lan, the Aeon of The Hunt, drew Their bow and fired a Lux Arrow. In an instant, an entire star cluster vanished from the cosmos.
Along with it disappeared a group of Denizens of Abundance who had committed countless atrocities in their pursuit of immortality and the miracles of Abundance, leaving behind nothing but a lifeless void extending for hundreds of light-years.
After annihilating that star cluster, Lan of The Hunt perceived the messages exchanged between Yao Guang and Herta. Their gaze shifted slightly.
Herta accepted Hua's invitation and joined the Xianzhou Alliance, becoming the eighth Arbiter-General?!
Very well. Herta's essence is unique. Her past inventions expanded the Path of Abundance. Once she joins the Alliance, she will inevitably fight alongside the warriors of The Hunt. In the future, perhaps she will use her wisdom to broaden the Path of The Hunt...
...
At that moment aboard the Xianzhou Yuque, Yao Guang stared at the enormous green peacock that had manifested on its own. She called out to Kālacakra Skyplume, "Reignbow Arbiter, are You there? Do You have any thoughts regarding our invitation for Madam Herta to join the Alliance?"
Kālacakra Skyplume, the enormous peacock, said nothing. It merely glanced at Yao Guang, tilted its head, and finally flapped its wings before vanishing into the void.
At this sight, the tension in Yao Guang's heart finally eased.
It seems the Reignbow Arbiter has tacitly approved Madam Herta joining the Alliance and does not object to her being called the eighth Arbiter-General.
However, the Spiritus manifested on its own the instant the message confirming Herta's entrance into the Xianzhou Alliance appeared... This is far too unusual. I must report it.
Yao Guang quickly informed Marshal Hua and her fellow Xianzhou generals of what had just occurred.
This revelation shook every senior figure in the Xianzhou Alliance and every Arbiter-General. They all understood one fact: Herta truly was special, so special that even the Reignbow Arbiter took notice when she joined the Alliance.
Since that was the case, the Alliance needed to take further steps to win Herta over.
...
Meanwhile, in The Blue star system, The Herta was holding her phone and reading the messages sent back by the Hertas who had ventured beyond the home galaxy.
"Madam Herta, I am Herta 33. While conducting scientific investigations on Trisolaran Planet, I saw Keeping Up with Star Rail... Madam Herta, are you truly constructing another megastructure? If you still require manpower, I will return immediately!"
"Madam Herta, I am Herta 8888. I am currently investigating the ruins of the Glamoth Republic and saw Keeping Up with Star Rail. I learned that you are constructing a megastructure. Do you need me to return and assist?"
"Madam Herta, I am Herta 77777. I am currently on Agate World..."
"Madam Herta, I am Herta 555555. I am currently on the ocean planet Lukasha..."
...
Scattered throughout countless different galaxies, the Hertas all sent messages to Herta that day, asking whether their maker and creator required their assistance.
The Herta read their inquiries, and a faint smile appeared on her lips as she sent them all a group message. "My adorable Hertas, I am very pleased to receive your messages from so far away."
"However, your task remains to stay stationed in your respective worlds, conduct scientific investigations, and help me discover more mysteries. That is the most important thing."
"As for constructing the megastructure, I can handle it myself. Never forget that I am The Herta, the woman capable of accomplishing anything!"
When the Hertas received this message and saw The Herta's familiar confidence within it, they could not help thinking:
Madam Herta is indeed still the same Madam Herta as always. Her confidence has not changed in the slightest. In that case, we can rest easy.
...
Inside a dormitory at The Blue's First University, The Herta raised her head. With a single glance, she could see one hundred thousand Hertas swinging psionic diamond hammers and continuously pounding the materials transported by the Honkai Beasts.
On the interface generated by the Super Herta Astral Computer, the Herta Xianzhou's construction progress continued advancing steadily, reaching 0.5 percent.
To The Herta, however, the construction speed felt far too slow. After all, half a system day had already passed since construction on the Herta Xianzhou began.
The Herta calculated silently that even if no accidents occurred, completing the Herta Xianzhou would still require fifty days.
However, this was understandable. The Herta's planned Xianzhou was simply too enormous. It could easily contain the moon or even a small sun. It was a genuine Star-class megastructure!
Even so, a fifty-day construction period was still far too long. After all, only three months had passed since Herta joined the Genius Society.
No. I must accelerate construction. Since there is insufficient productive capacity, I will simply increase it. First, I need to manufacture more Herta Puppets.
With these thoughts, The Herta turned her gaze toward the Soul Factory. She then exercised her authority as the Lord of the Warp, opening a Warp gateway inside the Soul Factory.
The pitch-black sun began devouring emotional energy, converting it into psionic energy before expelling it again.
Rush...
Boundless psionic energy surged into the Soul Factory and entered the Herta puppet production lines.
At that instant, the machine spirits inhabiting the machinery of the Herta puppet production lines erupted with excitement.
"A blessing! I can feel a magnificent blessing!"
"Increase output to maximum! We must manufacture puppets at full capacity to repay that black sun, the Lord of the Warp!"
"For Madam Herta!"
The machines roared, and the machine spirits howled.
The Warp's psionic energy acted like both hormones and stimulants, increasing the production lines' efficiency severalfold.
Meanwhile, The Herta was personally assembling an industrial mother machine STC. As its name suggested, it was a production line capable of manufacturing production lines for Herta puppets.
Once completed, the Herta Mother Machine STC would be able to manufacture an endless stream of additional Herta puppet production lines. At that point, the production rate of Herta Puppets would multiply explosively. In the future, even The Blue might no longer have enough space to contain them all.
Because The Herta had personally constructed both the Herta Puppets and their production lines, and because her research points had reached 4,500, her efficiency in designing and constructing the Herta Mother Machine STC was naturally astonishingly high.
Three system hours later, the mother machine was born in Herta's hands. The instant The Herta's large hand brushed across it, a machine spirit came into existence, and vast quantities of psionic energy and production-line materials were injected into it.
The machine spirit was overjoyed.
The Herta Mother Machine STC began rotating frantically, manufacturing Herta puppet production lines.
As more production lines came online, puppet production efficiency naturally soared.
More Hertas were manufactured, and their numbers within the Soul Factory continued increasing.