"Ah-choo, ah-choo..."
Inside the Simulated Laboratory, where she was conducting research on the Herta Megastructure, The Herta suddenly sneezed several times in a row.
This left her deeply puzzled.
What's going on? Why did I suddenly start sneezing?
A cold? No, that's not right.
I have the protection of Erudition Path energy. Catching a cold should be impossible.
Could it be that Herta—or perhaps Herman—is thinking about me?
Her thoughts spun rapidly.
At that very moment, Herman's figure appeared within the space of the Simulated Laboratory, a faint smile lingering at the corner of his lips.
Seeing this, The Herta said, "Why are you smiling so strangely? Wait—don't tell me my sneezing really was because of you?"
"What are you talking about, Herta?" Herman replied seriously. "I didn't come to the laboratory to disturb your research. Rather, over this period of time, I've accumulated sufficient energy and unlocked a new function."
The Herta revealed a trace of surprise. "A new function? What is it?"
"The Achievement Module." Herman raised three fingers. "You've now completed three legendary achievements: 'Top Cosmic Scholar,' 'I Am the Genius,' and 'Achievement: Infinite Energy.'"
"These three correspond respectively to your development of Solitary Waves Theory, joining the Genius Society, and creating the Herta—"
The Herta waved her hand. "Enough. Get to the point. What can three Legendary Achievement Points do?"
Herman answered earnestly, "They can accelerate your cognition, allow you to actively trigger World-Shaking Wisdom, and grant you a Eureka moment..."
"So using Legendary Achievement Points can speed up my research?" The Herta mused.
"Exactly."
"Then use them directly."
"Not going to think it over?" Herman said seriously. "Legendary Achievement Points can only be obtained when you accomplish major breakthroughs in research."
"I am Herta," The Herta declared confidently. "I believe my future self will develop countless super-technologies. I will never lack Legendary Achievement Points. Use them immediately!"
The Herta spoke solemnly. "Accelerate my cognition and actively trigger the World-Shaking Wisdom buff!"
"Very well!"
Herman agreed. Two Legendary Achievement Points within the Research System were instantly consumed.
The Herta immediately felt her thoughts become increasingly active. At the same time, she noticed that Herman's speech and even his breathing had slowed.
Is this cognitive acceleration? Has my reaction speed increased?
No... it's more than that. My brainwaves feel far more active.
Without hesitation, The Herta performed an Attribute Appraisal on herself and instantly discovered that her research points had surged from fifteen hundred to two thousand.
Two thousand research points—double what she had possessed before obtaining the Research System.
Her intelligence value had effectively doubled.
And unlike a simple increase in raw strength, this surge caused her wisdom to grow geometrically.
In this state, she was comparable to three of her past selves combined. Inspiration poured forth endlessly.
The sensation was unprecedentedly wonderful.
If she could conduct research in this state for an extended period, she even felt she might replicate what Zandar One Kuwabara had once done—create a prototype Aeon... and attempt to elevate it.
The instant that thought formed, World-Shaking Wisdom activated.
Eureka!
In that moment, vast quantities of knowledge—belonging to different dimensions and different universes—flooded into her mind.
These knowledge systems were entirely different from those of her own universe.
Ground–Space Hyperion Battleship. Imaginary · Honkai Energy!
Angel Wings Battleship, Dark Plane, Divine Body!
Galactic Shipgirls? Ship transformation, Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann?!!
...
Hundreds of distinct warship systems from different worldviews streamed ceaselessly into The Herta's mind, filling her with the joy of harvest.
More importantly, with two thousand research points, she could fully comprehend this knowledge. Given time, she was confident she could absorb and integrate it completely.
As she analyzed the information, she became increasingly certain that these systems did not originate from within the universe—but from beyond the cosmos, outside the circle of knowledge described by Nous.
Knowledge from other worlds belongs to the unknowable.
If the Lord of Silence, Polka Kakamond, were to discover that I've obtained knowledge from beyond the cosmos, she would undoubtedly come at me with a scalpel.
These knowledge systems must be completely transformed... Only after full localization can they be used safely.
But I truly did not expect this... Eureka—World-Shaking Wisdom can actually grant me knowledge from beyond the universe!
Wait... the last time World-Shaking Wisdom activated, concepts related to magical girls and Soul Gems continuously emerged in my mind.
But at that time, my cognition wasn't accelerated. My research points were only fifteen hundred, not two thousand... So I failed to realize that magical girls were also knowledge from another world?!
The Herta fell into contemplation and ultimately resolved to localize the knowledge in her mind—just as she had previously done with the Soul Gem project.
She devoted herself fully to technological transformation. With two thousand research points, localization progressed at astonishing speed.
During the process, she made a surprising discovery.
Regarding the Honkai technology associated with the Hyperion—or rather, Honkai Energy—she found that she could synthesize it within the laboratory.
By converting Path of Erudition energy into Imaginary energy, then combining it in specific ratios with a particular special element present in the laboratory, she could create Honkai energy.
She soon discovered that Honkai energy possessed intense corrosive properties toward life. If an ordinary person came into contact with it, they would perish instantly, reduced to ashes... Even if not reduced to ashes, they would transform into monsters.
Moreover, when Honkai energy accumulated beyond a certain threshold, it would undergo activation and generate Honkai Beasts.
It carried a faint resemblance to the Antimatter Legion's Warforge of Destruction, also known as the Furnace of War.
With a single cycle, a Warforge could absorb the mass of an entire planet and generate nearly endless Antimatter Legion monsters.
After triggering World-Shaking Wisdom this time, she seemed to have developed something extraordinary. If Honkai energy were deployed in large quantities onto a planet, life on that world would likely face extinction in an extremely short time.
It was a weapon of mass destruction.
However, compared to the fully charged planet-annihilating cannon of the Herta Magic Wand, it was still far too inefficient.
That said, perhaps Honkai energy could be modified to render it harmless.
Let me think... First, I'll conduct tests. If I infinitely stack Honkai Beasts, just how powerful a Honkai Beast can I create?
Under cognitive acceleration, The Herta swiftly formed a new idea. Making use of the Simulated Laboratory's infinite-material property, she began frantically synthesizing Honkai energy. As a result, the concentration of Honkai energy inside the laboratory rose exponentially.
This had no effect on The Herta herself. As a high-tier Pathstrider and pseudo-Emanator of Erudition, she could shield her body with Path energy.
As for Herman, he was now the consciousness of the system itself. Mere Honkai energy could not affect him in the slightest.
As the Honkai energy concentration increased, a Seraph-class Honkai Beast was born.
More crucially, as the Honkai energy continued to stack, the Honkai Beasts began evolving—into Knight-class, Chariot-class, Templar-class, and even higher forms.
Before long, the Simulated Laboratory was filled with Honkai Beasts.
The insane scene fell into Herman's eyes, and question marks seemed to pop up over his head.
What is going on?
Weren't these Honkai Beasts supposed to exist only in the Solar System?
How did Herta handcraft them?!
All I did was grant her cognitive acceleration and trigger a Eureka moment—and she manually created Honkai Beasts.
Herman's eyelids twitched. He immediately cast a detection scan on the swarm of Honkai Beasts inside the laboratory and quickly confirmed that these entities were indeed genuine Honkai Beasts.
Even more alarming, the Honkai energy concentration within the Simulated Laboratory had already exceeded critical levels—far surpassing the Third Honkai Eruption on Earth, and even the later cataclysmic eruptions.
Herman could now see that the Honkai energy within the laboratory had shifted from invisible to visible gaseous form—and was even beginning to condense into liquid.
Under such extreme concentration, what kind of Honkai Beast would be born?!!
In the next moment, the upheaval within the Simulated Laboratory answered his question.
It was Garuda.
A Judgment-class Honkai Beast once fused by one of the Thirteen Flame-Chasers.
"Roar!"
The colossal golden-winged divine bird let out a furious howl, beating its wings and unleashing torrents of flame toward The Herta and Herman.
"Herta Magic Wand."
At The Herta's call, the Herta's Key hanging at her neck in the real world began to glow with a dark violet light. In an instant, a massive magic wand appeared in her hand.
She pointed the wand at Garuda and gave it a gentle twist.
A purple-black sphere of light instantly formed at the wand's tip—Herta's magic projectile. True magic.
In the next moment, immense Erudition Path energy poured into it. The projectile swelled from the size of a soccer ball to the size of a multi-story building.
Boom!
The magic projectile fired at over a hundred times the speed of sound, instantly forcing back the sea of flames Garuda had unleashed.
Its power had not yet been exhausted as it slammed heavily into Garuda's body, erasing half of the creature in an instant.
"Roar!"
Garuda cried out in pain, its eyes burning with even greater fury.
In the next moment, flames ignited across its shattered body—the fire of nirvana. Its form began regenerating at high speed.
Seeing this, Herman quickly called out, "Garuda's greatest strength is its near-immortal regenerative ability. As long as the flames are not extinguished, its body can reform endlessly."
"So its name is Garuda—and it possesses near-immortality?" The Herta glanced calmly at the rapidly regenerating beast. "This regenerative power far surpasses that of the Xianzhou long-life species. If such a creature entered the real world, it would likely step onto the Path of Abundance immediately."
"Fortunately, it has not connected to any Path. Its regeneration must have limits. My magic, however, is limitless!"
As her voice fell, she raised the wand high. Thousands of Herta magic projectiles materialized, transforming into beams of light that bombarded the laboratory in clustered volleys.
Whiiiiir—
Countless Honkai Beasts were instantly annihilated.
Under nearly infinite magical bombardment, Garuda had no time to regenerate. With a miserable cry, it was reduced to ashes.
Watching this, a hint of regret flickered in The Herta's eyes. "Is that all a Judgment-class amounts to? I had hoped for a longer battle."
Herman's lips twitched. "Was that even a battle? You didn't charge your attack at all."
At that moment, the Herta Magic Wand itself spoke. "Indeed. Madam Herta did not charge her attack in the slightest. She even deliberately suppressed the wand's output."
"It can't be helped. Magical girl versus monster—this is my first time playing such a game. I indulged a little."
The Herta paused, then looked at Herman. "By the way, since you recognize Honkai Beasts, was that level the strongest?"
"No. That was merely Judgment-class. Above that lies Vipralopa-class, and even Planet-class."
"How interesting."
Herman's eyelid twitched. "You're not planning to raise the Honkai energy concentration further, are you?"
"Why not?" The Herta tightened her grip on the wand, excitement flashing in her eyes as she gazed at the ever-thickening Honkai energy within the Simulated Laboratory. "Honkai energy—let me see your limit. What kind of powerful Honkai Beast can you nurture? My Herta Magic Wand is already itching for action!!"
Increase!
The Honkai energy concentration continued to rise—still rising...
At last, a new change occurred.
Another Honkai Beast was born. Its presence far surpassed Garuda's. It resembled an enormous serpent, its colossal body occupying the entire Simulated Laboratory.
"What kind of Honkai Beast is this?" The Herta immediately asked.
"Vipralopa-class. Without a doubt, Vipralopa-class. As for its form and aura—it resembles Brahma."
After speaking, Herman silently added in his heart:
Brahma.
On that Earth, it had been the super Vipralopa-class Honkai Beast gene fused into Kevin Kaslana through the Project Chimera.
Now, within this Simulated Laboratory, under horrifyingly high Honkai energy concentration, the true body of a chaotic Vipralopa-class Chimera Honkai Beast had been born.
Such a being was capable of wiping civilization from the surface of a planet. That was the terror of a Vipralopa-class Honkai Beast.
Still, even such a creature should not withstand The Herta wielding the wand.
Just as Herman thought this, The Herta shouted excitedly like a true magical girl, "Herta Magic Wand—full power! Infinite Herta Magic Cannon—fire!"
Boom!
Near-infinite Path energy surged into the wand. The gem at its tip radiated boundless dark violet light, illuminating the entire laboratory.
At the same time, Brahma sensed the approaching danger. It roared toward The Herta, condensing immense Honkai energy within its maw.
Within it lay the elements of countless Honkai Beasts—Garuda's flames and other elemental forces...
All elements merged together, forming a chaotic Honkai annihilation blast.
This single blast was capable of shattering continental shelves, raising tsunamis tens of thousands of meters high, even tearing apart planetary atmospheres.
In the next instant, the chaotic Honkai blast erupted from Brahma's mouth.
Simultaneously, The Herta's infinite magic cannon fired.
BOOOM!
Two terrifying energies collided within the Simulated Laboratory.
In the end, The Herta's magic cannon prevailed. It crushed the chaotic Honkai blast and slammed violently into Brahma's true body, causing it to writhe in agony and roll wildly through the laboratory, destroying countless simulated instruments.
Fortunately, all equipment within this laboratory was simulated.
More crucially, flames—reminiscent of Garuda's—began appearing across Brahma's body.
"It's still alive? More durable than Garuda... Good. This is finally interesting."
The Herta raised her wand again and continued unleashing Herta Magic Cannons in rapid succession.
After the fifth round of bombardment, the Vipralopa-class Brahma perished—meeting the same fate as Garuda.
Most importantly, The Herta had not charged a single full-power version of the cannon throughout the entire battle.
Having slain Brahma, she turned to Herman and asked, "If I stack even more Honkai energy, can it activate something stronger—something more durable?"
"There are rumors of Planet-class Honkai Beasts, but it's uncertain... And if one truly emerges, you might be in danger. This time, charge the Herta Magic Cannon in advance—just in case."
"Very well. I'll charge while continuing to raise the Honkai energy concentration."
As she spoke, greater Erudition Path magic radiance burst from the wand. A charged version of the magic projectile began condensing at its tip. Over time, its color deepened from dark violet toward absolute black.
At the same time, she continued synthesizing Honkai energy at full speed, pushing the laboratory's concentration even higher.
Magic projectile charging—Honkai energy rising.
Magic projectile charging—Honkai energy rising.
...
Time passed.
Three minutes later, The Herta's infinite magic projectile had fully transformed into a planet-annihilation-class attack—not merely capable of destroying satellites or ordinary planets, but even capable of obliterating a super gas giant like Jupiter.
Yet despite the Honkai energy concentration having reached absolute saturation within the Simulated Laboratory, no stronger Honkai Beast appeared.
There was not even a shadow of the rumored Planet-class.
What was happening?
Had the Vipralopa-class already been the limit of Honkai?
Just as The Herta considered dispersing the charged magic projectile to restart the experiment, Herman suddenly spoke.
"Don't dissipate the Path magic in the projectile. Maintain it... I believe a new Honkai Beast has already been born."
The Herta's heart stirred. "You mean it's hiding?"
Herman nodded. "Yes. With a projectile that large—capable of destroying even the largest planets—any intelligent lifeform would be afraid."
Realization flashed through The Herta's eyes.
She immediately cast an Attribute Appraisal toward the Honkai energy permeating the laboratory space.
The results appeared instantly:
"Honkai Energy Concentration: 10000%."
"Active Entity: Will of Honkai—hiding, trembling state..."