Ruan Mei looked at Herman, as if she had guessed what he was thinking. "We are the same kind of people. I believe you will inevitably become an Emanator. You possess that qualification."
"And when I first accepted Nous' invitation and joined the Genius Society, I did not have achievements as outstanding as yours."
"Of course I can become an Emanator. I was only wondering at what stage I would become one!" Herman's voice was brimming with confidence.
Deep down, Herman truly believed Herta could become an Emanator. After all, at the beginning of the original game's storyline, Herta was already one.
"That kind of confidence... as expected of Herta." Ruan Mei spoke softly, then closed her eyes once more to carefully sense the Honkai energy within her body. She discovered that besides strengthening the flesh, Honkai energy could also engrave information related to Honkai into one's genes—or even transmit knowledge.
Ruan Mei opened her eyes and voiced this discovery.
Herman was slightly stunned upon hearing it and could not help but sigh inwardly. As expected of a genius on par with Herta. In such a short time after coming into contact with Honkai energy, she had already discovered the possibility of creating stigmata.
Just as that thought crossed his mind, he saw Ruan Mei raise her hand. Honkai energy, which she had just absorbed into her body, coiled around it. She lightly pressed her palm against her heart.
In that instant, through Honkai energy, Ruan Mei stripped a segment of her genome from within her perfect lifeform body. Using Honkai energy, she rewrote the genetic information, transforming it entirely into her own biotechnology.
Then she clenched her fist and grabbed fiercely, pulling from the position of her heart a double helix wrapped in the Path of Erudition.
That was Ruan Mei's genome.
In the next moment, she slammed this strand of genes toward the Ruan Mei Magic Wand beside her.
In an instant, Ruan Mei's genes were packaged and transmitted into the Ruan Mei Magic Wand.
"Hoh hoh hoh..."
The Ruan Mei Magic Wand trembled and let out a startled cry. Then it exclaimed, "I can feel it—Ruan Mom's aura! Knowledge... an endless stream of biological knowledge is surging forth!"
Seeing this scene, Herman's eyelids twitched wildly as he thought to himself.
Did she just knead a stigmata out of her own body with her bare hands?
As expected, it was not only the necklace she wore that functioned as a biological creation device—even her body itself was filled with ruthless technological craftsmanship.
On the surface, she looked so harmless.
Yet her technical methods were so utterly insane.
First she ignited the wisdom-fire of a sun.
Now she had manually extracted a stigmata from her own heart!!
While Herman was still lost in thought, the Ruan Mei Magic Wand floating in midair began moving on its own. It lightly tapped the refrigerator and electric kettle in Herta's dormitory.
In the next moment, both the refrigerator and the kettle began to move.
The refrigerator door repeatedly opened and closed, while the kettle's spout bobbed up and down... Clearly, under the gentle enlightenment of the Ruan Mei Magic Wand's tap, both had come to life.
Seeing this, Herman immediately thought of something and asked Ruan Mei, "Just now, it wasn't you waving the Ruan Mei Magic Wand. It was the wand acting on its own, wasn't it?"
"Yes."
Ruan Mei nodded lightly, then shifted her gaze to the Ruan Mei Magic Wand floating excitedly in midair.
"Is this the limit? Can you enlighten inanimate objects to the point that they can speak?"
The Ruan Mei Magic Wand swayed gently, indicating that it could not.
Seeing this, Ruan Mei sighed and turned to Herman. "Through that small experiment just now, after obtaining my Honkai-modified genome, the Ruan Mei Magic Wand has indeed learned part of my techniques. However, what it has learned is still far too little."
"If possible, I truly wish for the Ruan Mei Magic Wand to learn all of my techniques."
The Ruan Mei Magic Wand, which had originally been extremely excited, bent its slender body slightly upon hearing her words.
At that moment, Herman said with a wry smile, "That is almost impossible. A genius' techniques are difficult for ordinary people to grasp. The fact that you enabled the Ruan Mei Magic Wand to learn part of your knowledge through genetic input is already extraordinary."
"Not enough. Far from enough."
Ruan Mei shook her head slightly and glanced at Herta, thinking silently:
My objective is to use the transmission of Ruan Mei's biological genes to allow the Ruan Mei Magic Wand to learn all of my knowledge. In that case, even if it leaves me, it would possess pseudo-Emanator-level combat capability.
This way, I could manufacture more Ruan Mei Magic Wands and, through this method, achieve an effect similar to your Herta Series · Herta Puppet—stacking an infinite tower of wisdom.
Unfortunately, the current level of Honkai energy cannot yet realize my idea.
It requires further development.
With that thought, Ruan Mei spoke to Herman. "The technique of using Honkai energy to engrave genes and transmit information—I will name it Stigmata. This technology can be applied not only to the Ruan Mei Magic Wand, but also to the hereditary bloodlines of living beings."
"Indeed."
Herman nodded in agreement and thought to himself:
Stigmata technology can indeed be used in the inheritance of biological bloodlines. On Earth in the Honkai world, individuals like Raiden Mei and Durandal possess stigmata precisely because their bloodline genes are engraved with the power of humanity's past heroes...
At that moment, the previously dejected Ruan Mei Magic Wand sensed something and suddenly spoke:
"Wait... Ruan Mom, I can feel the genome you engraved into me—or rather, Ruan Mom's stigmata is guiding me. It's summoning me!"
"Answer the summons," Ruan Mei said.
"Yes."
The Ruan Mei Magic Wand immediately complied. Its consciousness entered a mysterious space. Within that space, it saw Ruan Mei's figure.
"Ruan Mom?"
"Yes, and no... The current me is the will of Ruan Mei's stigmata left within this space. You may study more biological knowledge here. Work hard and improve every day, Ruan Mei Magic Wand." The Ruan Mei Stigmata Will spoke with a faint smile.
Ruan Mei Stigmata Will???
The Ruan Mei Magic Wand was utterly bewildered. It quickly withdrew from the mysterious space and rapidly recounted its experience to Ruan Mei herself and Herman.
Ruan Mei nodded. "That is indeed my Stigmata Will—also myself. In that very instant just now, I entered that space and constructed her according to the principles of a biological computer. From now on, you may learn biological knowledge from her."
"Then, Ruan Mom, what exactly is that space?"
"Ruan Mei Stigmata Space. A space that only you and I may enter—the domain of mind and soul."
Ruan Mei analyzed calmly, "Originally, you were a Soul Gem, containing extraordinary spiritual properties. And now, you have also obtained my Ruan Mei genome adjusted through Honkai energy—Stigmata. That is what formed that special space specifically for you to study in."
Specifically for studying?
The Ruan Mei Magic Wand felt somewhat dazed. However, when it carefully sensed the connection, it quickly discovered that through the Stigmata Space—or rather, by communicating with Ruan Mei's stigmata—it could even connect to Ruan Mei's own soul and perceive where her soul resided.
In this way, the connection between the Ruan Mei Magic Wand and Ruan Mei herself had greatly deepened.
The Ruan Mei Magic Wand felt secretly delighted.
Herman, having witnessed everything before his eyes, understood that the moment Ruan Mei obtained Honkai energy, she had already created Stigmata—and even a Stigmata Space.
As expected, a genius on par with Herta.
Moreover, Ruan Mei differed from Herta. Herta's research field was not biology, whereas Ruan Mei specialized in biology and genetics. That was perhaps why she could so swiftly develop genetic stigmata.
As Herman pondered this, he heard Ruan Mei speak again.
"Honkai energy is unlike many other energies in the cosmos. It allows genes to influence the soul."
"After engraving Ruan Mei Stigmata onto the Ruan Mei Magic Wand, I can now perceive its location with far greater precision. That is proof."
"My intuition also tells me that as long as it is within a certain distance, I will be able to sense its existence and have it fly toward me."
"This increasingly aligns with the concept of a life-bound magical treasure from the myths of my homeland."
"A person and their life-bound treasure share a connection akin to that of the soul—wielded as naturally as one's own arm."
As her words fell, Ruan Mei took out pen and ink and wrote down the complete version of the Stigmata technology.
First, confirm the species' genome. Then, using Honkai energy as a particle-level scalpel, perform molecular-level engraving within the genes, inscribing hereditary information. Finally, wrap the modified genetic stigmata in a Path and transmit it to the intended recipient.
In addition, it could be passed down to descendants through reproduction, allowing this special inheritance to embed itself within their bloodlines.
Of course, due to differences in individual aptitude, some would be able to activate the stigmata and obtain the inherited information, while others would not...
Ruan Mei quickly finished writing the Stigmata technology and handed it to the person before her.
Herman lowered his head and read through it, only to realize he could not fully understand it. However, he understood one thing clearly—now that Stigmata technology was in hand, the future The Herta could replicate Ruan Mei's method and engrave a Herta Stigmata onto the bodies of the Herta Puppets.
In that way, every little Herta would be able to connect to the Herta Stigmata Space. It would also mean that the future Herta Array would become even more complete.
Not only would The Herta's consciousness be able to descend into any little Herta puppet body, but when a little Herta encountered a crisis, she could also actively relay what was happening on her end through the Herta Stigmata Space.
Then perform a grand summoning ritual—summoning The Herta herself to descend!
As Herman continued thinking, he carefully stored away the Stigmata technology and said to Ruan Mei, "This technology is very useful to me. Thank you."
Ruan Mei shook her head. "If not for you synthesizing and providing Honkai energy, this special energy, how could I have developed Stigmata technology based on it?"
"It should be I who thanks you, Herta!"
Her voice was filled with sincerity.
Herman smiled and nodded. "Then let's continue stacking the concentration of Honkai energy, create Honkai Beasts—and thoroughly study them?"
"Mm."
Ruan Mei nodded in agreement and reached for the crystals to begin synthesizing.
Herman did not stop her.
Honkai energy began accumulating within the dormitory. The first Seraph-class Honkai Beast was born.
A trace of astonishment flashed through Ruan Mei's eyes.
When pure energy accumulated to a certain concentration, it truly gave birth to life. That was worth researching.
With that thought, she did not hesitate. She directly extended a tangible large hand and instantly seized it, then began dissecting it thoroughly.
Very quickly, she confirmed that the Honkai Beast indeed possessed a physical form. There were even genes within its body.
Good. Another excellent research project.
A faint smile curved at the corner of Ruan Mei's lips as she prepared to begin serious research.
At that moment, Herman spoke. "Ruan Mei, lend me your necklace. I need to borrow it."
"Alright. The life-creation instrument is yours."
Ruan Mei removed the pearl necklace still carrying her body warmth. With a gentle rub, it transformed into a life-creation instrument.
Without hesitation, Herman placed Herta's Key, which hung beneath The Herta's neck, inside.
Bzzzz...
The instrument began to rotate.
Time passed bit by bit.
Soon, an entire system hour had gone by.
The Herta Magic Wand completed its activation, becoming a living organism capable of undergoing hypervariable factor surgery. At that time, the wand would acquire the traits of a Honkai Beast... able to simulate Honkai Beasts and unleash various Honkai-type abilities!
This meant that once the supergene surgery was completed, what Herta wielded would no longer be a monotonous Herta Magic Wand. All sorts of elemental Honkai magic would also be at her disposal.
'Next, it's up to you, Herta.'
Herman called inwardly.
"Alright."
In the next instant, the souls of Herta and Herman switched.
Then Herta spoke and asked Ruan Mei, "How is the research on the Seraph-class Honkai Beast progressing?"
"In its genes, the ability of high-speed charge is inscribed... If a living being rewrites its genes, it would also gain the ability to charge forward. Additionally, it would obtain a brief hovering capability."
Ruan Mei looked up at Herta and said calmly, "However, in my view, such abilities are too weak—pathetically weak. Even ordinary humans working together could defeat it."
Herta smiled faintly. "That is merely the weakest type of Honkai Beast."
"There are stronger ones?!"
"According to my research, as long as we intensify the stacking of Honkai concentration, we can naturally create more—and stronger—Honkai Beasts."
After saying this, The Herta recalled how, within the Simulated Laboratory, she had manufactured stronger Honkai Beasts—each as massive as a small hill.
In fact, even the Knight-class Honkai Beast, evolved from the Seraph-class, stood five meters tall.
This dormitory could not possibly accommodate something that large.
After thinking for a moment, The Herta said to Ruan Mei, "This is where I live. We cannot let experiments destroy it. Let's change locations."
"Agreed."
Ruan Mei had no objections and nodded directly. "Do you have any large laboratories on The Blue?"
"Yes, but those research facilities are still too small for what we are about to study." Herta replied seriously. "According to my research, Honkai Beasts above the Seraph-class will experience explosive growth in size. So we'd best find an enormous laboratory."
"Then what about Mars?"
"Good. Let's do that."
The Herta agreed.
Ruan Mei nodded. She then let out a whistle. The biological spacecraft Ruanruan, which had remained high in the sky in the form of white clouds, immediately responded.
It split off a mass of cloud that drifted into Herta's dormitory and settled beneath Herta and Ruan Mei's feet.
In the next moment, the pure white cloud lifted them up, carrying Ruan Mei and Herta into the sky. The scene resembled immortals soaring through the heavens, drawing countless cries of astonishment from below.