The Lunar Base served three primary purposes:
Firstly, it was a hub for advanced weapons research and development.
Secondly, it functioned as an experimental base for interstellar migration.
Lastly, it acted as a reserve for military power and a refuge for civilization's survival.
However, these were merely surface-level justifications. In reality, none of these objectives were at the core of Zeke's interest. What he truly sought to explore—the essence of Finality—and above that, the so-called God of Honkai itself.
Without understanding the capabilities of their ultimate adversary, blindly amassing technology and strength would yield diminishing returns or even lead down futile paths, which might go unnoticed.
"Sir Zeke, this is the location. Neither with the naked eye nor using instruments designed to detect Honkai Energy can any abnormalities be observed here. However, both Honkai Beasts and Herrscher Cores exhibit heightened activity... My apologies; 'heightened activity' is the best description I have. In truth, we cannot fully comprehend the true nature behind this phenomenon."
In this place where the God of Honkai descended long ago and where Kiana had summoned Sirin just days earlier, Chen Tianwu scratched his head through the black armor, looking exasperated.
The black armor represented the pinnacle of Zeke's technological prowess, embodying immense intellect and capabilities akin to the Hive System itself. Highly potent but prohibitively expensive, it couldn't be widely distributed; thus, Zeke equipped only select authorities and elite warriors with it, serving as both their trump card in combat and life-saving gear.
Upon receiving his Assistant Executive badge, Chen Tianwu also gained eligibility for the black armor.
Behind him, Zeke clad in a white trench coat walked silently alongside Fu Hua, adorned in her pristine qipao, followed by the trio in black armor.
As they passed by, Chen Tianwu glanced at them, his gaze briefly resting on Kiana and Sin—oh wait, no, as the Assistant Executive, even outranking Headquarters' inspectors should have been within his purview.
Then Chen Tianwu glanced at Zeke's back once more—better to keep calling them "seniors." As Assistant Executive, he was undoubtedly influential on a global scale, but it meant little before someone like Zeke, universally recognized as a dictator even the Alliance Leader defers to.
Maintaining humility, acting obediently, and minimizing one's presence were essential survival strategies to avoid overworking oneself to death with endless overtime.
In any case, Chen Tianwu noticed that Sin and Kiana seemed particularly upright today, exuding an unprecedented level of seriousness and dedication.
"Well... not my problem," Chen Tianwu shrugged, silently positioning himself at the very rear and edge of the group as they followed along.
As Zeke reached a certain spot, sensing something, he abruptly halted.
"Is this the place?" Fu Hua asked, her brow furrowed, voice cool and solemn.
Zeke nodded, dropping down onto one knee while gently rubbing the dust on the ground with his hand.
"The strongest signal emanates from right here. This mysterious being must have descended and met Sirin at this location—at least, based on relative spatial coordinates, it points us here."
"What should we do?" Fu Hua asked, her expression cool and solemn.
"Everything is the manifestation of information, while change represents its flow—even emotions are a form of data. Fu Hua, Kiana, Doggie... Chen Tianwu, I need you all to recall every memory and feeling associated with this place and that entity," Zeke said matter-of-factly as he stood up.
Then, Chen Tianwu raised his hand.
"Um, did you just casually call me 'Doggie'?"
"Recall everything related to these subjects to the best of your ability, even if Fu Hua has lost some memories. As long as you're thinking, the information will converge. And I require this convergence to guide my observation."
"About that, uh, 'Doggie' thing... understood, I'll try to remember all our explorations and attempts during this time."
Under Zeke's emotionless gaze, Chen Tianwu silently brushed off the nickname issue and responded earnestly—once again emphasizing how being cautious was his survival strategy against overexertion.
Sin and Bronya quietly stepped aside to stand guard, while the three individuals mentioned by Zeke positioned themselves behind him. Following Zeke's instructions, they began reflecting and recalling their experiences.
Meanwhile, Zeke raised his hand and rubbed the dark purple ring on his right index finger—the Key of Thunder in its portable mode.
His clear yet indifferent blue eyes gradually glowed with a purplish hue, occasional sparks flickering within them.
Combining his superior intellect with the higher-dimensional perspective granted by the Key of Thunder, principles from the Information Origin Theory flashed through Zeke's mind... His expression grew increasingly cold and emotionless, as if transcending human limitations to reach an indescribable pinnacle.
As his vision and consciousness adjusted to a specific domain, the world around Zeke transformed.
Sand particles, tiny specks, people nearby, the surrounding space—everything shed their superficial appearances, revealing interconnected forms that flowed, exposing their very essence.
Amidst the vast sea of information, strands representing the thoughts of the three individuals converged, linking deep into the lofty depths of the informational ocean.
Maintaining pure rationality, Zeke followed his initial—and now sole—impulse, parting the chaotic sea. Ascending, he faintly glimpsed something unimaginably immense...
"Zzzt... Zzzt... Kiana! Contact Zeke immediately; it's an emergency!"
A quantum communication signal from their home planet reached Kiana's ears, pulling her out of her deep dive into Sirin's memories.
In the next instant, the purple glow and electrical arcs faded from Zeke's eyes, along with his intense, emotionless demeanor.
He furrowed his brow.
"Kiana, focus. Let's try again."
"Hold on, Zeke, the Far East has fallen!"
"Hm?"
"A Major Honkai Eruption—unprecedented in scale! Schicksal and Anti-Entropy are jointly combating the crisis, and Mei is requesting our assistance!"
Zeke hesitated briefly before summoning a worker bee to project a hologram. On the model of the blue planet, the polar regions glowed ominously red, with the alarming hue still spreading outward.
"Uncle Welt has already eliminated three Pseudo-Herrschers, and Durandal took down several as well. However, the intensity of Honkai Energy continues to rise, suggesting multiple true Herrschers may soon emerge. Additionally, Wendy suffered severe injuries and went missing; her fate remains unknown. Rozaliya and Liliya were participating in an event there at the time, accompanied by Seele... We have no information about their current status."
"Return immediately. Chen Tianwu, continue guarding the moon. Everyone else, board the ship and prepare for impact and heavy pressure."
"Yes sir!" × 5
Apart from Kiana's report, another factor prompting Zeke's decisive action was the rapidly depleting energy levels of the Gem of Desire hanging at his waist. In the blink of an eye, it transformed from incessantly radiating immense Honkai Energy to becoming merely a crystal with limited reserves.
The Herrscher of Wind had likely been truly born.