At this moment, the gaze of Nous—the Aeon of Erudition—once again descended upon the 83rd Seat of the Genius Society, the genius Herta on The Blue. And then They realized that Herta had pulled off something monumental yet again.
The Dark Plane, super genes... In Nous' calculations, these were not things Herta of this era should have been able to research.
Even the future Herta, who would become an Emanator of Erudition, should not have been capable of developing such extraordinary technology.
The massive crimson eye of Nous' true form flickered, and a clear trace of confusion appeared within it.
Soon after, Nous considered the possibility that Their calculations regarding Herta were not yet perfect. Thus, They began a second round of calculations, then a third.
Yet no matter how They calculated, They could not find any possibility of Herta researching the Dark Plane. Nor could They identify what existence might have guided her to develop it.
Everything was so utterly natural.
The more this was the case, the more Nous felt that Herta herself was most likely the variable of the universe—a miracle of the cosmos—an existence akin to Akivili, one who would bring change to the universe...
And the large-scale mobilization of Path power for computation, even the sight of Nous' main eye flashing red, naturally did not escape the notice of the founder and controller of Device IX—the 4th Seat of the Genius Society, Polka Kakamond. At this moment, she lifted her head, a trace of puzzlement appearing on her face.
What is Nous calculating?
Could it be that some genius has touched the forbidden knowledge beyond the circle of understanding drawn by Nous? But the neural connection between myself and Nous, through the Knowable Domain, tells me that no genius has touched a taboo. There is no need for me to act...
The more Polka Kakamond thought, the deeper her confusion grew. The reason was simple... this was not the first time Nous had displayed abnormal behavior.
There had already been several previous instances—the day the 83rd Seat was born, the Soul Gem...
Herta.
Yes. Could all of this be related to Herta?
No. Whether it is or not, I need to make a trip to The Blue.
Having reached this conclusion, Polka Kakamond did not hesitate. She donned her candy-colored magical girl outfit, placed the Soul Gem around her neck, and used the power of an Emanator to perform an intergalactic spatial jump. Very quickly, she appeared within the The Blue star system.
She immediately unfolded the Knowable Domain to sense Herta's presence... and discovered that Herta had opened a new dimension within reality—or rather, a layered space.
More crucially, the Knowable Domain, connected to Nous through neural linkage, informed her that the new technology Herta had developed was called the Dark Plane. And yet, it was something the Knowable Domain was temporarily unable to analyze.
Polka Kakamond frowned slightly. She then mobilized the power of the Knowable Domain, enveloping the entire star system. Through it, she witnessed the past of The Blue system. She saw Herta purchase dark matter from the Interastral Peace Corporation, then begin engraving formulas upon it... everything appeared perfectly normal.
On the surface, Herta's research was entirely reasonable. She had not touched any forbidden knowledge beyond the boundary of understanding.
Could it truly not be Herta...?
The thought flickered through Polka Kakamond's mind. And then she noticed something.
Within the scene of temporal backtracking, Herta slowly turned her head and looked toward the void—more precisely, toward where Polka herself was observing from.
!!
Polka Kakamond's heart trembled.
Herta should not yet be an Emanator of Erudition. How could she, in a past temporal projection, possibly detect the power of my Knowable Domain as an Emanator?!
Is it an illusion?
No... it is not. Because the Herta within the temporal backtracking opened her mouth and said, "Is that Polka Kakamond?"
Polka Kakamond fell silent for a moment before replying, "How did you discover me? You are not even an Emanator."
"Don't underestimate me. I am Herta—an existence destined to unravel every mystery of the cosmos." Herta said.
More precisely, it was Research System Herman speaking.
The essence of Research System Herman transcended time and space. Naturally, it could perceive the gaze of others. After conducting a system appraisal, he directly confirmed the identity of the observer.
"You are very special." Polka Kakamond tightened her grip on the scalpel in her hand as she spoke.
She was certain that very few could detect the Knowable Domain's temporal particle backtracking. For Herta to perceive it without being an Emanator made her even more extraordinary.
Then again, perhaps it was not so surprising. After all, at a very young age Herta had already developed Fortune Glue—a Curio capable of increasing luck—and now she had even created the Soul Gem. The formulas contained within that gemstone were something even the present Polka Kakamond could not decipher.
At that moment, Herman spoke again.
"You should have known long ago that I am special. After all, you personally asked me for the Soul Gem back then."
"Are you here this time because you discovered something unusual about the Dark Plane and wish to participate in its research?"
Polka Kakamond shook her head. "I came only to give you a warning. Do not touch the forbidden. If you do, the assassination of the Lord of Silence will descend upon you."
"This is my advice and my warning. There will not be a second time... After all, you are a special genius—perhaps even one who can bring me surprises."
As her words fell, Polka Kakamond reached up and grasped the Soul Gem pendant hanging before her chest.
"I will not touch it," Herman said solemnly. And in his heart, he added:
I truly did not touch it. After all, I am not Herta—I am Herman!
As for Herta, if she researches the knowledge beyond the cosmos brought by World-Shaking Wisdom, what does that have to do with me, Herman?
Polka Kakamond used the Knowable Domain to examine him, confirming that there was not the slightest trace of deception in Herman's emotions—only righteous confidence. She gave a faint nod.
"Very well. If you do not touch the forbidden, you will live a long time. I look forward to the day in the future when you complete your coronation and become an Emanator."
With that, Polka Kakamond ceased the Knowable Domain's temporal backtracking and performed another intergalactic jump, returning to the Device IX.
At this moment, she was already certain in her heart that the one who had touched the forbidden was not Herta, but another genius besides her.
As for which genius it was—that required further investigation.
But she was certain she would find them.
...
On The Blue, within the Super Herta Dark Plane, Herta listened to the voice of the Fourth Mirror. Upon learning that numerous super genes could be loaded into her body, a faint smile curved her lips.
Super Gene—Galactic Power—Invincible Body. Near-immortality akin to Abundance!
Solar Radiance stellar energy. Pseudo-infinite energy, version 2.0!
Spatial Gene—Micro-Wormhole Jump. The key to completing magical girl instant transformation.
As long as she implanted these genes, her strength would rise to yet another level.
And so, in her heart, she called out:
"Herman, I can now install the super genes. Once I construct the Celestial Differentiator afterward, my strength will advance even further—closer to becoming a true Emanator."
"Yes. But you are also drawing closer to danger," Herman replied swiftly within Herta's mind.
"What do you mean?" Herta was slightly startled.
"Polka Kakamond just came to see you again—for the second time."
Herta's heart sank. "Why did I not sense anything at all? Not even the slightest perception?"
"She unfolded the Knowable Domain and backtracked the temporal particles of The Blue. She saw you purchase dark matter and create the Dark Plane," Herman said seriously. "She was not stealing your technology. She suspected you had touched forbidden knowledge. If my response just now had been even slightly flawed, you might already have been assassinated—your head severed from your body."
"You mean... I almost died just now?! Is the gap between an Emanator and a non-Emanator truly that vast?" Herta's heart grew heavy.
"Not exactly," Herman replied. "That was the 4th Seat of the Genius Society. Among all Emanators blessed by the Aeons across the cosmos, she stands among the very top tier."
"Moreover, as the Lord of Silence, she is the blade of Nous. In a sense, with the Knowable Domain and her neural connection to Nous, she is the ultimate counter to Emanators of Erudition."
"The domain of the highest-tier Emanators..." The Herta fell silent for a moment before speaking inwardly with resolve. "One day, I will reach that domain—and surpass Polka Kakamond."
"I believe you will," Herman said with absolute confidence. "After all, you are Herta. But in your future research, you must be cautious—again and again. Prevent Polka Kakamond from assassinating you from afar."
The Herta felt displeased. "That is far too suffocating."
"I have an idea. Unite with more geniuses. Conduct joint research," Herman suggested seriously. "That way, the achievements will no longer belong solely to you. If Polka discovers the truth that you have touched forbidden knowledge, her targets for assassination would increase from one to several."
"That could work. Just like when I researched Honkai Energy—I brought in Ruan Mei."
After saying this, Herta clenched her fist. "One day, I will possess Polka Kakamond's level of strength. When that time comes, I will research whatever I wish."
"I believe you can achieve it."
Herman once again gave Herta his full trust before continuing, "In addition to recruiting geniuses, you can develop new technology—something that shields you from Polka Kakamond's Knowable Domain perception, perhaps even from Nous' gaze."
"That makes sense. As long as I am given time, I can develop it," Herta replied, her voice as confident as ever.
At the same time, she resolved inwardly to devote herself even more to her research. The remaining Legendary Achievement points would all be used.
Only by doing so could she develop stronger technology—technology capable of countering Polka Kakamond.
Just then, Herman spoke again.
"There is one more matter. When Polka Kakamond backtracked time just now, she witnessed everything about your creation of the Dark Plane. Could that lead to a technological leak?"
"Of course not. Although I did not predict that Polka's Knowable Domain would peer into the future, when I developed the Dark Plane in reality and wrote the chip formulas, I casually embedded an Enigmatic Engineering Project that only I can decrypt."
"Even if Polka Kakamond attempts to replicate it after returning, she would have to expend tremendous effort to crack my Enigmatic Engineering Project. But given her personality, I doubt she would bother."
"Good," Herman nodded.
In the next moment, Herta's consciousness withdrew from the mental exchange space and returned to the Super Herta Dark Plane. She then instructed the Fourth Mirror.
"Synthesize the super genes—Galactic Invincible Body, Solar Radiance, spatial-temporal genes, and the rest."
"As you wish, Madam Herta."
The Fourth Mirror immediately activated the Dark Plane—this interdimensional super gene synthesis factory—and began manufacturing the super genes.
From within the Dark Plane, the completed super genes were implanted into Herta's body.
At the very instant the gene synthesis and implantation were completed, Herta felt an unprecedented emptiness. It was as though the super gene cells were telling her—
They were hungry.
The moment she realized this, Herta moved to the window and chose to activate the Solar Radiance Gene.
In that instant, night fell upon The Blue.
At that moment, Herta seemed to transform into a black hole, absorbing the stellar energy of an entire planetary world to activate the genes within her body. She estimated that in one system hour, the Solar Radiance Gene would be fully activated.
It was not enough.
She stepped forward.
Tap. Tap.
Herta ascended an invisible staircase of Erudition, stepping from the balcony window toward the sky.
Step after step, swiftly climbing, she soon passed beyond ten thousand meters and out of the atmosphere. Protected by the Path of Erudition, she would not suffocate. More importantly, beyond The Blue, she could access even greater sunlight.
Solar Radiance—Super Gene—full-power activation!
At that moment, the light of half the The Blue star system converged toward Herta. She became a literal singularity of light, devouring the energy of the sun.
Under such conditions, the activation time of the Solar Radiance Super Gene was drastically shortened. In just ten minutes, Herta would fully awaken the gene within her body, constructing an eternal stellar formula and forging a stellar energy core within herself—granting her inexhaustible power.
In a single step, she would achieve the highest accomplishment within the Simulated Laboratory—fearless before nuclear explosions!
In Herman's view, ten minutes later, Herta would undergo a massive leap—
Crossing from mortal flesh to a first-generation divine body, then second-generation, all the way to a third-generation divine body.
Ascending to the heavens in a single step!
Meanwhile, because Herta had absorbed half the sunlight of the The Blue star system—plunging half the system into eternal night—countless people on The Blue were thrown into panic.
Especially the upper echelons of the Blue Federation. Believing the prophecy spoken of by the Architects had come true—that a great catastrophe had descended upon The Blue—they prepared to enter Level-One war readiness and order the populace into underground shelters.
At that moment, however, the Fourth Mirror hacked into the global network and issued an announcement worldwide.
Half of the The Blue star system has fallen into eternal night. All living beings see no light. This is neither alien invasion nor approaching catastrophe.
It is merely a scientific experiment conducted by Madam Herta.
The moment this announcement was released, the entire world trembled.
What does it mean for half a star system to fall into eternal night?!
What extraordinary invention has Madam Herta, 83rd Seat of the Genius Society, developed this time?!!
As the people of The Blue stared at the information on their devices, countless speculations arose.
At the same time, they gained a far deeper understanding of the terrifying capabilities of a genius—and realized more profoundly that The Blue had produced an unimaginable, cosmos-level prodigy.
The Family, the Xianzhou Alliance, the Interastral Peace Corporation coming to cooperate with Herta... the Blue Federation awarding her the title of First Genius Academician...
All of it suddenly made perfect sense.