Only such unique little cuties would do…
"Then it's decided! The strongest little one!"
-------------------------------------------------
Herta hanging not far behind the red swarm was recording various data as usual.
Growth, division, physical qualities, any data that could be captured was all included.
Suddenly, her sliding fingers froze on the final stroke, eyes staring fixedly at the rapidly soaring numbers on the energy monitor screen.
Green, yellow, red… crimson!
The most dazzling kind in the universe, like the finest red jade, captivating to the eye.
But to Herta, it meant that the zone's energy level was so dense it felt like it was piercing through the body!
"What's going on, what went wrong…"
Her fingers flipped rapidly, almost leaving afterimages, and soon, Ms. Herta, ranked eighty-third in the Genius Society, found the source of the problem.
A True Sting whose body size and energy were growing at a speed faster than the naked eye could keep up with?
But this wasn't what concerned Herta the most, it was a True Sting she had marked before. She remembered it well, because this was the very bug that had been captured by The IPC.
Shaking off the strange feeling in her mind, Herta narrowed her eyes, staring closely at the energy reaction coming from that creature.
That familiar energy.
"Aha?" Herta instantly understood who was behind all this.
The scene was so similar to when Aha once injected power into a bug in the simulated universe, trying to get it into the Genius Society's records.
Obviously, Professor Ratio's intelligence was far greater than a bug's, yet even he couldn't get in, so a bug certainly wouldn't, after all, the Erudition reserved its standards regardless of consent.
Aha was the Aeon of Elation; unless He 'asked' the Erudition to fall, even intelligence itself would collapse under such pressure!
"Tsk, the God of Joy really is everywhere." Completely unconcerned that Aha might be nearby, Herta muttered sarcastically.
Still, she had no intention of intervening. Besides, this was the work of an Aeon, who knew what Aha would do? What if that guy decided to toy with her too?
Compared to that, quietly recording the changes of that bug here was much easier and could even contribute to the development of the simulated universe.
Truly worthy of being a genius!
"But what is Aha planning this time?"
The Aeon of Elation's actions were always unpredictable. Probably only those Masked Fools and Mourning Actors understood their Aeon's intentions.
Even if Herta used the 28 brightest minds in the cosmos, she still couldn't figure it out, the only certain thing was that this matter was related to the Aeon of Preservation.
After all, they were now at a location almost within arm's reach of the Celestial Comet Wall built by the Amber King!
...
"We're almost there! Finally, we're almost there!"
The magnificent and spectacular Celestial Comet Wall lay just ahead, it was the divine miracle of the Amber King! A miracle built by the Amber King for countless eras of this universe!
It was also a sacred pilgrimage site in the hearts of countless IPC members.
Especially for these refugees who had endured countless hardships, watched countless ships behind them fall, and were now the only ones left alive, this belief burned even stronger!
"Thank goodness, the Amber King is watching! We've finally made it!"
Tears welled in Catkins' eyes as he gazed at the Celestial Comet Wall, so close he could almost touch it.
This desperate flight had nearly wrecked their ship; if not for the ship's scholars with their abundant knowledge, and the spare emergency parts on board, patching and repairing along the way, this fragile ship would never have made it across the space and successfully reached the Celestial Comet Wall!
The Celestial Comet Wall, built with the divine power of the Amber King, spanned light-years in scale, and its divine power was immeasurable. Especially those vile bugs, their Aeon had been hammered to death by the Amber King. In this region, those brainless bugs shouldn't be able to enter!
"Captain! Captain!!"
Still immersed in the joy of escaping death, Catkins had barely recovered when he heard people calling him in panic, almost like they were summoning the dead. He turned his head in irritation, and froze.
A massive eyeball was pressed against the ship's hull, its compound eye reflecting the image of the ship and everyone inside. He could vaguely hear something scraping along the ship's outer shell.
Hah, impossible. Their ship had been extensively modified at great cost, and he had even personally paid for an upgrade to the hull. Aside from Emanators, no one could break in from the outside, and certainly not destroy it directly…
Thinking this with a trembling heart, the next second,
Pshh!
Like a hot knife through butter, the supposedly indestructible hull was pierced through, a scythe-like sharp limb thrusting inside, faintly gleaming coldly, cutting down two scholars and a guard before anyone could react!
Thick, sticky liquid dripped onto the floor.
Then came a strange rustling sound, making everyone's hair stand on end, chills running down their spines.
Brandon, who had sensed something wrong early on, quickly hid in a corner, curling up and breathing heavily.
"An Emanator! It's an Emanator!"
The voice of despair echoed through the room already stretched to the breaking point, and finally, the line snapped.
"How is this possible! How can there be an Emanator here! The Path of Propagation shouldn't have any Emanators left!"
"They (Tayzzyronth) have already fallen! How can there still be Emanators of Propagation in the universe!"
"O Amber King above! Please, grant Your divine power and destroy this sinful evil!"
At that moment, everyone broke down. They had endured countless hardships, survived when so many others died, and finally reached the Celestial Comet Wall, thinking their lives would continue, only to encounter an Emanator of Propagation at the very last step!
This is impossible! How could there still be an Emanator of the Path of Propagation!
"…Sigh."
Curled up in the corner, Brandon looked at the chaotic scene, crying, arguing, powerless people collapsing to the ground, and sighed helplessly.
In the end, still couldn't escape, huh.
An Emanator…
"There can't possibly be another Emanator of the Path of Propagation."
Brandon's voice was low, his mind very clear. Unless another life ascended to Aeonhood on the path of propagation, otherwise, there could never be a true Emanator.
The most likely explanation is that this insect isn't a Emanator of Propagation at all!
If there's any Aeon most likely to meddle in this matter…
"Elation's Aha, where is your true body?"
About to die, Brandon was strangely calm.
He wanted to see what kind of being the Aeon of Elation, who roamed among mortals, truly was, and whether he could get even a fleeting glance of amusement.
After struggling in the academic sea all his life, never once drawing an Aeon's attention, he really was a failure…
…
"No saving them."
Looking at the ship surrounded by the swarm, Herta felt nothing.
Things like this happened in the galaxy every day, and it was just one ship anyway.
Before, Herta might have saved them, but they had nothing to do with her, and saving them brought no benefit.
Even if she did suddenly have a kind thought and rescued them, they would just be scapegoated by whoever was behind this whole thing, like pawns on a chessboard.
Dead either way, why care about how they died?
Not to mention, they had already caught Aha's attention without knowing it. Herta admitted she was a genius, but she didn't think she could snatch people from an Aeon's grasp.
At best, she could annoy some faction that followed that Aeon.
Though, if she really could trouble an Aeon, she wouldn't let the opportunity go.
Her mind spun with countless thoughts, but Herta couldn't completely rule out the possibility of hidden threats.
Even if she couldn't find them, she was constantly recording this blessed true swarm, gifted by an Aeon of the universe!
It was the only sample in existence!
After its predecessor exploded, this was the only one left! If Ruan Mei learned about it, Herta could already guess how fast she'd rush here.
But alas…
"This little wonder is mine alone to enjoy~" Herta leaned back happily in her chair, savoring the insect's every movement from afar…
"Huh?"
Looking at the swarm's direction, Herta suddenly had a bad feeling.
That direction, it looked like, seemed like, maybe, possibly… the Celestial Comet Wall?
Especially that insect, its body swelling even larger, nearly half the size of a planet, glowing like the brightest star in the sky, so big Herta could lock onto it without any instruments.
A single planet was nothing compared to the massive Celestial Comet Wall that spanned light-years, yet this swarm fearlessly followed behind the massive insect.
The insect, half the size of a planet, flew to the Celestial Comet Wall, its sharp mouthparts grinding, and the next second,
"Crack!"
Its massive body clung to the Celestial Comet Wall, continuously sucking, drawing power from the Wall itself!
And its body kept swelling. In the blink of an eye, it grew to a size even larger than a planet!
Its bulk rivaled Jarilo! With limbs spread, it was even larger than Jarilo by far!
"It's… absorbing the power of the Celestial Comet Wall." Herta was stunned by the scene before her.
The Celestial Comet Wall, constructed by the Amber Lord's divine power, contained massive energy, but no civilization would dare mess with it.
Even if the Amber Lord ignored such ants, the Interastral Peace Corporation wouldn't allow it. Their hardliners could easily wipe out a planet.
"This is… really bad…"
Herta's lips twitched. Even with the smartest brain in the universe, she was briefly frozen.
…
"Hehe, that dummy's wall is gonna get eaten clean, this is hilarious!"
Aha clapped and cheered, his wicked laughter echoing.
This wall had been rammed before, but never eaten!
Aha had set a precedent, this was way too much fun!
"The strongest little bug can't eat much more, this won't do."
Looking at the insect now, bigger than two planets, Aha said.
The True Sting had stopped feeding. Even with Aha's power, the insect had a limit to how much it could consume. Now, it looked like a lazy bear basking after a full meal.
Aha couldn't let it stop! Finally having something fun to mess with, he had to keep it going!
"Oh right! Let's find the Glutton! He eats the most."
…
At that time, in the Scalegorge Waterscape.
"Phew, finally here, I'm so tired I could die."
Rubbing her eyes, Bailu waved at the cautious Firefly behind her.
"Hurry up and follow, let's finish quickly and go back to sleep."
"Okay." Firefly didn't know anything, she just nodded.
Meanwhile, Godzilla's dream.
"Glutton! Glutton!"
The familiar figure returned again. Godzilla lowered his head at Aha, keenly sensing he had come with a purpose this time.
"Big guy, I found a place with tons and tons of food, you'll love it! Come with Aha, quick!"
Aha was already skilled at entering Godzilla's dream, able to do it in no time even from far away.
Godzilla looked at Aha with a confused expression, not understanding what kind of mischief this guy was up to again.
Everyone knew that anything Aha called a "good thing" usually had nothing to do with people, because it was rarely anything decent.
"Aha isn't lying this time, Aha really found a good place." Aha's voice sounded a little aggrieved.
But Godzilla knew that this guy was just pretending.
Everyone knew that Aha had no dignity.
"That big bug is eating like crazy. If you don't hurry up, it'll all be gone."
Bug? Godzilla's expression shifted.
A bug Aha mentioned could only mean that same group chased across the stars after leaving Jarilo.
Their appetites were almost the same as his.
Godzilla became interested. Seeing this, Aha quickly said, "Aha will send you the location, hurry up and come."
With that, his figure vanished like the wind.
Afterwards, Godzilla sensed a bright energy reaction on the other side of the distant star sea, shining in his eyes like the brightest star in the night sky.
That was the place Aha was talking about.
...
Reality.
Godzilla slowly opened his eyes, his massive vertical pupils glowing with a mysterious light in the pitch-black night sky, as if two extra moons had appeared.
With a loud boom, the two moons quickly rose, as if to meet their third brother in the sky.
A mountain-like body stood tall against the night, his long tail swinging and cutting through the air, strong gales sweeping across the sea and stirring up waves.
Raising his head and staring at the destination, Godzilla slightly opened his mouth.
"Roar, !!"
A roar shook all directions, waves surged back, and the sound waves bent even the tallest plants.
The roar passed through realms, its echo lingering, waking every other realm from its slumber.
Especially the stationed and patrolling Cloud Knights, who almost thought some terrifying beast had broken in and immediately took combat formations.
...
Fu Xuan's residence.
Fu Xuan, wrapped in a quilt and sleeping soundly, was startled into a shiver by the roar, almost rolling off the bed, his heart pounding wildly.
"What's going on?! Are we under attack?!"
The Seat of Divine Foresight fared no better. Jing Yuan, already lacking sleep, was nearly frightened out of his soul.
"What's happening?!"
His angry shout made all of nearby guards tremble in confusion.
Looking up, energy gathered as Godzilla fired a breath into the sky, opening a portal.
In the next second, Godzilla's massive body disappeared into the night, leaving behind only the traces of wind and disturbed earth.
At this moment, two people on the ground cautiously raised their heads, only relaxing after confirming it was safe to uncover their ears.
Firefly looked at the scene before her, recalling that gigantic figure she just saw, momentarily speechless.
"Where's the big guy going?" Bai Lu's small face was blank with confusion.
In the middle of the night... is it going to a night market?
...
Celestial Comet Walll.
Herta was still recording, calculating, and thinking about how to maximize these resources, when she looked up to see a familiar seven-colored ring-shaped portal suddenly appearing over Celestial Comet Walll.
"???"
The massive portal rose, and in the next second,
"Boom!!"
"Roar, !!"
A skyward roar of challenge, Godzilla's fierce eyes swept around, his long tail swung, and his overwhelming presence made it impossible to look directly at him.
The surrounding swarm retreated before Godzilla even arrived, surrounding him as if in worship.
'You'd better really have something good waiting for me, or making me run this far... you won't like what happens.'
Complaining about Aha in his mind, Godzilla looked around. Indeed, all these bugs had come from Jarilo. Looking down, his eyes lit up, what energy-rich land!
It was entirely composed of energy, a vast amount almost endless!
Although Godzilla's own energy could also be called endless, his energy output had limits, and exceeding them was uncomfortable and slowed replenishment.
With such a huge energy field, Aha, I admit you're my brother! But... why did this energy look a bit familiar?
Godzilla frowned in doubt.
It had been a long time since he absorbed the Topaz Cornerstone, and he barely remembered what kind of energy it contained.
Swinging his tail, he thought, It must be a type of energy I've absorbed before.
Just as he was about to absorb it, something felt off. He glanced around and noticed a huge empty space nearby. Looking up,
"..."
A massive "planet" was staring at him with familiar compound eyes.
Godzilla remembered this clearly. This thing... wasn't this one of his little bugs?!