The Herta herself had also seen the interface generated by the Super Herta Astral Computer · Fourth Mirror, along with the steadily rising Herta Xianzhou progress bar.
"Well done. You demonstrated initiative," The Herta said calmly toward the surveillance camera in the room.
"Thank you for your praise." Fourth Mirror's voice echoed through the room.
"Don't thank me just yet. I still see plenty of shortcomings. The Hertas are spending too much time transporting materials, which is greatly slowing the construction of the Herta Xianzhou. Mobilize Herta 09 on Mars and have her lead the Honkai Beasts to the material asteroid belt."
Fourth Mirror paused upon hearing this before asking, "Madam Herta, are you suggesting that we use the Honkai Beasts as porters?"
"Yes. Is there anything wrong with putting everything to good use?"
"No. It's an excellent idea." Fourth Mirror said with complete seriousness, "Besides, I believe that a group of Honkai Beasts that have worked for you and participated in constructing the Herta Xianzhou megastructure, thereby gaining such unique experience, will undoubtedly fetch high prices on the market."
"Enough joking around. Get to work."
"In that case, Madam Herta, I will have to trouble you to open an interconnected wormhole between Mars and the material asteroid belt."
"Very well."
After speaking, The Herta reached toward Herta's Key hanging around her neck and grasped it. In an instant, the key erupted with countless rays of light and transformed into an incomparably magnificent dark-purple magic wand.
Holding the wand, The Herta pointed toward Mars and the asteroid belt. In the blink of an eye, a wormhole connecting the two regions appeared.
At the same time, Herta 09 on Mars received Fourth Mirror's notification. Her eyes widened involuntarily.
"Madam Herta is going to construct a new megastructure!"
"And she needs me to enslave the Honkai Beast hordes and send them over as porters."
"All right, all right! I'll get to work immediately!"
After speaking, Herta 09 left the room. What greeted her eyes was no longer the barren red surface of Mars, but a densely packed sea of Honkai Beasts.
There were Seraph-class Honkai Beasts, Emperor-class Honkai Beasts, Judgment-class Honkai Beasts, and even Vipralopa-class Honkai Beasts...
Herta 09 swept her gaze across the countless Honkai Beasts and, representing The Herta's will, explained their next assignment.
Thus, the Honkai Beast hordes began heading toward the wormhole.
Coincidentally, an IPC vessel arrived on Mars at that very moment. An IPC employee wearing sunglasses stepped out and watched the Honkai Beast hordes continuously surging toward the wormhole with a puzzled expression. Finally, he scratched his head and asked Herta 09, who had come to receive him:
"Miss Herta, where are these Honkai Beasts going?"
Herta 09 frankly explained the Honkai Beast hordes' assignment. "They are going to help Madam Herta transport materials and construct a new megastructure."
"Transport materials and construct a megastructure?!" The IPC employee, Lone Wolf, immediately realized something and said, "You mean these Honkai Beasts are going to participate in Miss Herta's research?"
"It's merely simple physical labor."
"No, no, no. This is far more than simple physical labor." Lone Wolf waved his hands repeatedly, then pointed excitedly toward the Honkai Beast hordes entering the wormhole.
"You must understand that Madam Herta is currently the greatest sensation in the entire universe!"
"Half a month ago, IPC Entertainment News reported that Miss Herta had transformed The Blue star system into a system of wisdom. That story remains among the five hottest topics on the interastral network."
"And now, Honkai Beasts are participating in Miss Herta's research. That's a selling point—an enormous selling point."
Lone Wolf spread his arms. "If we list these Honkai Beasts that participated in Miss Herta's research projects on the IPC's e-commerce platform, they will undoubtedly sell out instantly."
"Excellent point. You can speak with Pearl next and discuss the details with her."
"Can't I discuss them with you?"
"No. I'm merely an ordinary Herta. At most, I cultivate Honkai Beasts. Miss Pearl manages the contracts involved in selling them. She is the true professional."
Upon hearing this, Lone Wolf quickly took out his phone and contacted his superior to report the situation.
Before long, he received a call.
"This is Taravan Keane."
!!
Lone Wolf's body instantly tensed as he stood ramrod straight. Born into the Lyndon family and having worked for the IPC for many years, he naturally knew who this man was.
Taravan Keane was the head of the IPC's Building Material Logistics Department. He was also his superior's superior's superior, and possessed another special identity—an Emanator of Preservation.
He stood among the most exalted beings in the entire cosmos, yet such a person had personally called an insignificant employee like him. What an extraordinary honor.
"Lord Taravan, what... what instructions do you have for me?" Lone Wolf asked, his lips trembling.
"I am calling to confirm whether it is true that Herta is constructing a new megastructure and requires the assistance of Honkai Beasts."
Lone Wolf reported solemnly, "Yes. At present, more than one hundred million Honkai Beasts on Mars are on their way to help Miss Herta transport materials and construct the new megastructure."
"Good... Very good. You have provided important intelligence this time. I will consider promoting you to team leader within the Building Material Logistics Department."
"Yes, Lord Taravan." Lone Wolf accepted excitedly and thought inwardly:
Since Lord Taravan said he would consider promoting me, that means the promotion is guaranteed! Once I become a team leader, I will be able to give the members of my family a better starting point.
My son, Lyndon Scott, the Lyndon family's newest lone wolf... I believe that with a higher starting point, you will undoubtedly climb to an even greater position within the IPC. You might even stand at the summit of the IPC Tower at headquarters on Pier Point!
...
On Pier Point, Taravan put down the phone and looked up the enormous material order Herta had placed. Through an analysis conducted by the IPC's astral computer AI, he quickly reached a conclusion:
The new megastructure Herta was constructing was a super battleship!
Perhaps... what she was building was the very Herta Xianzhou she had once mentioned!
Once this Xianzhou was completed, Herta would possess a top-tier research vessel and even a mobile stronghold belonging to an Emanator of Erudition.
That way, even after leaving The Blue star system and entering other star systems, she would still be able to unleash her peak combat strength.
As Taravan considered this, he contacted Yabuli, head of the Research Department, and informed him that Herta was constructing a new Xianzhou.
"A new Xianzhou?!" Yabuli's voice was filled with astonishment. "It has only been half a month since Herta developed the Warp and the Devil Tree, then bestowed wisdom upon an entire star system's civilization..."
"Why are you so surprised?"
"How could I not be? That is a Xianzhou. It involves Delve spatial technology, megastructure gravitational spatial dynamics, and an enormous number of other academic fields. When I first heard that Miss Herta intended to construct a Xianzhou, I assumed she would spend ten years preparing. It seems I still underestimated her."
"Then do you believe the Xianzhou Herta constructs can rival the Xianzhou Alliance's Luofu or Zhuming?"
"Had any other genius attempted to construct a Xianzhou, I would have found it difficult to believe they could rival the Xianzhou Alliance's ships... After all, whether it is the Luofu, Zhuming, or Yuque, they have all undergone countless iterative upgrades over thousands of years. However, the person constructing this Xianzhou is Herta."
"She is the youngest genius in the universe, having become one at only eighteen years old. She is also the genius with the fastest research speed and the one who became an Emanator in the shortest time... Furthermore, she did not become an Emanator through an Aeon's gaze, but through self-elevation and self-coronation!!"
"I believe Herta may create a Xianzhou that surpasses everyone's imagination."
After saying this, Yabuli paused and continued solemnly, "Taravan, prepare yourself. Once Miss Herta truly completes the Xianzhou, we can visit her and purchase some of its related technologies to upgrade our vessels!"
"Believe me. When that time comes, both your Building Material Logistics Department and even the Marketing Development Department will desperately need Miss Herta's technology."
Taravan did not reply, but inwardly, he was beginning to agree with Yabuli.
After all, Herta was indeed an incomparably unique genius. Whether it was the Solitary Waves Theory that predicted the universe's future, the Pathstrider Energy Amplifier known as the Soul Gem, or the Warp capable of containing souls... every one of them was an unprecedented and extraordinary technology.
Now that Herta intended to construct a Xianzhou, it would undoubtedly be just as extraordinary.
Perhaps he truly could follow Yabuli's suggestion.
As Taravan considered this, he asked Yabuli another question over the phone:
"Herta has begun constructing a Xianzhou. Does the Xianzhou Alliance know?"
Yabuli replied, "Most likely not, but we can do them a favor, can't we?"
Taravan said, "You're right. IPC Entertainment is about to have a major story."
One system hour later, the Keeping Up with Star Rail program began its livestream, hosted by Owlbert.
"Good morning, afternoon, and evening to everyone watching. No matter where in the universe you may be, thank you for tuning in to Keeping Up with Star Rail."
"Today's episode will discuss a great genius—the youngest genius in countless Amber Eras."
"She is also the universe's greatest recent sensation, the genius who created a star system of wisdom and transformed into a goddess of wisdom—Madam Herta!"
"Of course, our program was unable to invite Madam Herta herself this time. However, we have invited one of her puppets, Miss Herta 66, whose recent livestreams on Planarcadia have become incredibly popular."
"Miss Herta, what kind of person do you believe Madam Herta is?"
"To summarize Madam Herta in two sentence, Madam Herta is an unrivalled genius. Madam herta is an inimitable beauty. She is the most perfect person in the universe, while I, Herta 66, am the most perfect creation beneath her command."
"Ahem... It appears Miss Herta greatly admires Madam Herta. In that case, let us proceed to our main topic. Miss Herta, do you know what your creator, the great Madam Herta, is doing today?"
"She must be conducting research. Solving the mysteries of the universe is Madam Herta's favorite pastime."
"A genius' hobby is actually solving problems. Truly extraordinary," Owlbert exclaimed. "As expected, a genius' interests are far beyond the ordinary. After all, when common people like us encounter a difficult problem, it only gives us a headache."
Herta 66 said, "Mediocrities must expend enormous effort to solve difficult problems. When confronted with a Cosmic Conundrum, they will feel even greater despair... They may spend their entire lives without finding an answer."
"But Madam Herta is different. Miss Madam is a true genius. For someone as great as her... every mystery in this world can be solved merely by bending down and reaching for the answer."
"Also, to learn more about the great Madam Herta, please follow the King Herta 66 account in the Planarcadia livestreaming room."
Seeing that Herta 66 had already begun advertising, Owlbert could not help coughing. "Ahem... Miss Herta, let us return to the main topic. The truth is that the IPC has just received news that Madam Herta is constructing an entirely new megastructure."
"One month after creating the Super Herta Astral Computer, Madam Herta has taken action once again!"
Herta 66 froze briefly upon hearing this before replying, "Madam Herta did indeed say that she intended to construct a Xianzhou. It is perfectly normal for her to begin construction now."
"Then, Miss Herta, do you believe The Herta's Xianzhou construction project will be completed successfully?"
"The answer to that question is undoubtedly yes." Herta 66 crossed her arms over her chest, revealing an expression of absolute confidence as she addressed the livestream camera. "It will inevitably be completed without incident. After all, that is Madam Herta. She has never experienced failure in her life. That was true in the past, remains true now, and will continue to be true in the future!!"
"It appears Miss Herta has tremendous faith in her creator. In that case, let us proceed to our next topic. How did Madam Herta successfully develop the Soul Gem in the past...?"
Owlbert and Herta 66 continued conversing. Meanwhile, the entire universe was shaken by Owlbert's livestream. Even the reclusive Phantylia learned through her subordinates that Herta was beginning a new round of research, and her expression changed drastically.
Herta intended to construct a Xianzhou. That meant she would soon possess an extremely fast mobile vehicle and a roaming domain belonging to an Emanator of Erudition, allowing her to unleash her peak combat strength anytime and anywhere.
It also meant Phantylia's chances of encountering Herta would increase dramatically.
As Phantylia considered this, she glanced at the Soul Gem necklace hanging before her chest and thought uneasily:
There shouldn't be any hidden contingencies Herta left inside the Soul Gem, should there? If there are... Herta might one day pilot her Xianzhou across the universe to hunt me.
Imagining that terrifying scene, Phantylia could not help shuddering.
Meanwhile, the Borisin and many other factions hostile to the Xianzhou Alliance learned through Keeping Up with Star Rail that Herta was constructing a new Xianzhou. They all began worrying about the same possibility:
Could this genius be preparing to join the Xianzhou Alliance?!
In that case, they would gain yet another powerful enemy. The Xianzhou Alliance would no longer possess only seven Arbiter-Generals, but an eighth—the Genius Arbiter-General, Herta.
At the same time, the Xianzhou Alliance had also noticed the Keeping Up with Star Rail program and learned that Herta was constructing a Xianzhou. The entire Alliance was shaken...
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