Lucius didn't explain, because Shencheng Pharmaceuticals headquarters building before them had already opened.
Mobius in a white lab coat walked out. After seeing Kiana behind Lucius, she couldn't take her eyes away, continuously examining her with an almost fanatical gaze.
"Is this the savior you've chosen?"
"Ugh..."
After Mobius's gaze fell on her, Kiana instantly hid behind Lucius. She felt this green-haired woman was looking at her like a lab rat.
Lucius wasn't surprised at all. Regarding Mobius's question, he answered: "Yes."
Mobius nodded but still didn't shift her gaze from Kiana.
"I've never seen such a perfect specimen. If only I could research her deeply..."
Lucius lightly coughed and said: "Doctor, is there progress on what I entrusted you with?"
"Of course. It's just implanting Stigmata genes into all humanity. Not difficult."
Then Mobius continued staring at Kiana, asking: "However, I'm curious why you must use her genes as the Progenitor Stigmata?"
"Because her name is 'Kiana.'"
"What kind of reason is that?" Mobius felt Lucius was joking.
"According to the world's underlying operating rules, she's inevitably the savior."
After speaking, Mobius examined him a few times and found Lucius's face didn't seem to be joking.
"Forget it..."
Mobius sighed, then gestured for the two to follow her, saying:
"According to your previous plan, the Stigmata Gene Project will be implanted into all humanity in five phases."
"The vaccine for Phase One implantation is complete. Next it can be mass-produced using Shencheng Pharmaceuticals."
"Strictly speaking, Phase One vaccine doesn't actually contain Stigmata genes. It just modifies the human body to prevent rejection of Stigmata genes. However, enhancing Honkai resistance is a pleasant surprise."
"Truly implanting Stigmata genes waits until Phase Two. That's when the seed is sown. As for the seed... that's the Progenitor Stigmata I need. It will be Stigmata's starting and ending point."
Lucius led Kiana, following behind Mobius while reviewing his plan for Stigmata.
To complete the final chapter's performance crossing Finality, the Stigmata Project's conditions must first be met—namely Stigmata genes existing in all post-civilization humanity's bodies.
Because of Mobius's existence, Stigmata gene research wasn't difficult. After Lucius showed her complete Stigmata, Mobius's progress was remarkably rapid.
If not for him stopping her, according to Mobius's expectations, in less than three years she could create complete Stigmata.
But unfortunately, this matter couldn't be rushed.
If Stigmata gene implantation truly completed within three years, it would definitely trigger the Cocoon of Finality's judgment. This era would reach the grand finale prematurely in laughter and joy.
Therefore, to drag out progress, Lucius split the Stigmata Gene Project into five phases. It would adjust the Stigmata project's completion based on main plot completion to prevent prematurely provoking the Cocoon of Finality.
As for the Progenitor Stigmata Mobius mentioned, although the title sounded intimidating, translated it was just the first Stigmata. All subsequent Stigmata would extend using it as template.
The reason for using Kiana's genes as Progenitor Stigmata was actually for the Kaslana Stigmata genes in her body.
After all, he'd never forgotten that Kevin also had considerable screen time in later plots.
But because he needed to survive early game, he could only sacrifice his good brother first. However, later he'd still need a Kevin.
As for where to get another Kevin... there was also a Kevin in the Kaslana Stigmata space fifty thousand years later.
Although there currently wasn't a Kaslana family, the thought process could be borrowed...
Just as Lucius was pondering, Mobius led Lucius and Kiana into the laboratory.
In the laboratory, tearful Nuwa and Fuxi had already adjusted a device resembling a hibernation pod.
Mobius walked to this hibernation pod and knocked twice. The pod opened.
Then she gestured for Kiana to lie inside.
"Get in. I need to scan your Stigmata genome."
Hearing this, Kiana looked at Lucius, who nodded at her.
Thus, the doubts in her heart instantly receded. Without hesitation, she lay in the hibernation chamber.
However, beyond Lucius's expectations, Mobius's scan of the Stigmata genome didn't last long.
In less than half an hour, the pod opened and Kiana jumped out.
A DNA double helix structure flickering with flowing light projected before Mobius, her eyes shining with obsessive color.
"Perfect, incredibly perfect."
Mobius once again fixed on Kiana, eyes carrying undisguisable fervor.
"Kiana, right? Want to stay here for a while?" She rubbed her hands, face full of anticipation. "It's quite spacious here. Want to stay a while?"
Being examined like this by Mobius, Kiana only felt uncomfortable all over. She hurriedly shielded Lucius in front.
"Since things are done, let's leave quickly!"
"I hear Chongqing's hotpot is famous. My treat."
Thus, under Mobius's regretful gaze, Lucius and Kiana left the laboratory.
However, she quickly set this aside and began analyzing data obtained from Kiana's genes, preparing to use it as seed for Phase Two Stigmata Gene Project preparation.
But at this moment, the laboratory door opened. Cleo walked in holding a document.
"Doctor, perhaps there's something you should look at."
"Oh?"
Mobius accepted the document from Cleo's hand. After scanning a few times, she slowly frowned.
The document recorded a virus recently discovered on the Europa side.
Unlike any virus discovered so far, when these viruses concentrated to a certain degree, Honkai energy fluctuations could actually be detected.
...
Far East region, Yae Shrine.
A new day began. Sakura changed from MEI Corporation Security Chief attire into miko clothing more fitting for Yae Shrine.
Under a huge transplanted cherry blossom tree, Sakura sat before a table and chair, looking at the fortune slip in her hand.
Before her sat a middle-aged man in a well-fitted suit, hair groomed meticulously.
At this moment, seeing Sakura fall silent, this man's face showed some trepidation.
Until Sakura unfolded the fortune slip in her hand, pulling out the signature smile she'd practiced during this time on her face.
"Great Fortune. Lady Higokumaru has given revelation. During this time, your career will succeed. Neither disaster nor misfortune."
Hearing this, the middle-aged man's face showed joy, seemingly also settling some determination.
"In that case, I can go all in. All in! Must go all in! After Raven falls, I'll be the new legend!"
After accepting this Great Fortune slip, the man strode away.
Sakura withdrew her gaze and looked at the next worshipper seeking a fortune.
This was a girl wearing thick glasses, face carrying undisguisable fatigue.
"Miss Miko, I want to seek the deity's revelation."
Sakura nodded and said warmly: "In that case, draw a fortune."
The girl drew a fortune slip from the box. On it was written the character 'Fortune.'
Sakura accepted and looked, then returned it to the girl, still responding with her signature smile:
"It seems Lady Higokumaru has given revelation. Recently, your studies will surely succeed. All matters will go smoothly."
Hearing this, this glasses-wearing girl's body shook, her face gradually becoming determined.
"That's right. This must be the deity telling me to work harder."
"Thank you, Miss Miko. I'm going to apply to my desired university. When I get in, I'll come to fulfill my vow."
This obviously student girl also took the fortune slip and left.
Next, Sakura sat in the chair, watching worshippers come and go. Not until the sun gradually fell westward did the area before her quiet down.
Sakura sighed, somewhat wearily muttering to herself: "Feels harder than being an assassin..."
She casually drew a fortune slip from the box. It read 'Great Fortune.'
Drew another—still 'Great Fortune.'
Sakura knew that no matter how she drew, bad fortunes couldn't possibly appear inside.
As an assassin, Sakura never entrusted her life to ethereal luck. In her view, planning ahead in advance was far more useful than praying for good fortune.
Of course, this was just a relatively decent explanation. The real reason was... she, a high school dropout assassin halfway converted to fake miko—how could she possibly interpret fortunes for people!
But as a miko, this was her job. The BOSS gave such high salary—she was too embarrassed to slack off.
Until one day, she discovered an interesting pattern.
After drawing bad fortunes, she needed to rack her brains interpreting them, then counsel and comfort worshippers afterward—extremely troublesome.
But if worshippers drew good fortunes, she only needed to say a few encouraging words.
Thus Sakura had a flash of inspiration and simply replaced all fortunes with Fortune, Great Fortune, Super Great Fortune, then became a praise machine after worshippers drew fortunes.
This way, work difficulty instantly decreased.
But strangely, even doing this, during this time quite a few people came to fulfill vows, spreading word that fortune-seeking here was accurate. Even Higokumaru's faith began spreading in the surrounding area.
Sakura pondered long without finding answers, ultimately only sighing that the world was probably a shoddy operation.
At this moment, another girl entered from the shrine entrance.
Looking at age and school uniform, this should be a high school student.
However, this girl walked shakily, face listless, as if drained of vitality.
After entering the shrine, she didn't come to Sakura to draw fortunes. After looking around, she instead walked toward below the deity statue.
There, Rin also wore miko clothing. Unlike Sakura's fortune interpretation work, Rin's job was disaster removal and blessing prayers.
Sakura wasn't surprised she went toward Rin's direction but was somewhat concerned about this girl's mental state.
"Recently, aren't there too many listless people?"
Sakura recalled seeing quite a few people like this girl—listless, as if recovering from serious illness.
However, Sakura didn't think deeply, instead considering whether to take Rin to the nearby commercial street to buy some clothes after work.
Just as Sakura was thinking this, that listless girl also arrived beside Rin.
"Miss Little Miko, I feel possessed by evil spirits. Please help me ward off disasters and evil."
After hearing her request, Rin's small face showed considerable seriousness.
"No problem. Lady Higokumaru will bless you."
Soon, Sakura was attracted by jingling sounds. Looking over, she found Rin holding a bell with multiple layers performing an exorcism ritual.
That was a Kagura bell, a tool commonly used by mikos in exorcism rituals.
However, watching Rin perform the exorcism ritual in such a proper manner, surprise gradually showed on Sakura's face.
She discovered her sister's performance was extremely standard, just like someone trained as a miko since childhood.
However, after watching a while, Sakura lost interest. After all, even as a miko worshipping Higokumaru, she didn't believe any gods existed in this world.
So-called exorcism rituals were essentially just psychological comfort.
Just as she was thinking this, she saw that after Rin's bell jingled, the girl suddenly shuddered, then her complexion visibly reddened.
???
Sakura felt her worldview received a small shock.
"Should... should be coincidence?" Sakura comforted herself thus.
Unlike Sakura doubting her worldview, that girl in the exorcism ritual already had surprise filling her eyes.
"I feel refreshed, like setting down a heavy burden. My body seems to have inexhaustible strength. I... have never been this relaxed."
"Could it be gods truly exist in this world?"
Looking at the fox statue enshrined on the altar ahead, awe arose in the girl's heart.
She took a bill from her wallet, placed it in the offering box, simultaneously bowing to the great fox enshrined on the altar.
"Lady Higokumaru, please bless my upcoming studies to go smoothly."
Then this girl also expressed thanks to Rin.
"Thank you too, Miss Little Miko."
"Recently I've been drowsy, no energy. Going to the hospital found no problems. The doctor said it might be psychological, suggested I go out for a walk, so I came to this shrine."
"This must be the deity's revelation!"
Of course, she didn't mention the main reason—school rumors that this shrine's two miko young ladies were very pretty.
She coveted their looks. She was honest.
As an honest child, surely the deity would approve...
Ultimately, this girl reluctantly left the shrine, expressing she'd frequently come worship the deity in the future.
After the girl left, Sakura came before Rin, asking somewhat puzzled: "Rin, how do you know these disaster removal blessing rituals? Did you specifically study during this time?"
Regarding Sakura's question, Rin's face showed confusion: "No, I just naturally knew, as if... learned long ago?"
Thinking and thinking, puzzlement also surfaced on Rin's face.
At this moment, another worshipper entered from the shrine entrance.
That was an office lady in OL clothing. Like that girl earlier, she similarly seemed drained of strength, her entire person giving an empty feeling.
"Miss Miko, I feel I might be possessed. Please help me ward off disasters and pray for blessings."
"Of course. Lady Higokumaru will bless you."
Then Sakura saw that as Rin's bell jingled, this office lady similarly had a shudder and instantly awakened.
Because this time was closer, Sakura could very directly sense this woman's breathing instantly stabilized, heartbeat more powerful, pale face quickly filled with rosiness.
"It actually works?" This woman exclaimed. "Could it be gods truly exist in this world..."
After clearly perceiving changes in her body, she similarly took out a bill and placed it in the offering box.
Simultaneously, she bowed to the great fox on the altar.
Seeing the bill enter the box, Rin smiled very happily.
However, Sakura felt things seemed to be getting strange, but looking left and right found no abnormalities.
"This... what's going on?"
But the confused Sakura couldn't detect that the moment Rin swung the bell, threads of black aura were extracted from the woman's body, then surged into Rin's own body.
Higher above, the huge fox deity statue said nothing, only standing silently.
---
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