Within the Sea of Quanta.
Godzilla stretched his body after a long absence, roaming freely through this vast "ocean."
Although this sea itself wasn't exactly welcoming to him.
As a proper Godzilla, the sea was his home turf.
Whether the Sea of Quanta counted as a real sea or not, so long as it was called a sea, it had to be conquered!
Today's activity wasn't for any particular reason, just a whim to loosen his muscles and bones.
The world was built upon the Tree, and so, there was only one target, clear and direct.
…
Now.
Several small shuttles cut across the starry sea, forming a converging circle.
Silent, without causing the slightest ripple.
These were the private armed forces of several high-ranking members of the Alliance.
For the martial-minded Xianzhou Alliance, speaking without some measure of military strength was difficult.
And for those holding power, the forces in the hands of these high-ranking officials were worth a glance, but nothing more.
The true weight of the Alliance was forged by the collective pressure of all its generals.
Besides, once they stepped down, they too needed a seat within that power structure. Without some armed strength of their own, their hearts could hardly be at ease.
Because of the Xianzhou people's uniqueness, coupled with their millennia of navigation, this kind of special force, even with few Pathstriders among them, still maintained combat capabilities sufficient for long-range expeditions, not inferior to certain specialized groups.
Normally, these elite soldiers, trained at great cost, would never be dispatched unless absolutely necessary.
But there are always exceptions.
This mission was, since their training was completed, the third one at a distance so vast it was nearly beyond sight.
"Though it isn't a life-or-death fight, the pressure is huge." The captain of the ship at the front spoke calmly.
He was one of the few older veterans who had remained in this squad to this day.
The others, some had been killed, most had fallen to mara.
From a certain perspective, his survival was both fortune and misfortune.
"For Xianzhou people, living too long may not be a blessing." Shaking his head slightly, he murmured softly.
Without restrictions, for the Xianzhou, it was either soaring upward on the cosmic scale, or utter annihilation.
Those who hadn't endured the pain of longevity could not understand why the Xianzhou would abandon such a hard-won immortality.
Much like the Seekers of Immortality scattered throughout the galaxy, who resent the cut-off of their path by the Xianzhou.
In their eyes, the Xianzhou obtained immortality, and then grew weary of it, that was an unspeakable blasphemy.
Immortality! If you don't want it, give it to us! Why, after you obtained it, must you cut off our road as well? Across the long years, he had encountered many such people.
At first, he would argue with them. Later, he would only watch them with indifferent eyes as they walked toward death on the so-called path to immortality.
The Xianzhou dealt only with the wicked who abused Abundance's blessing for their crimes and evil.
Even if they truly obtained an immortality without side effects, the Aeon of Balance would intervene.
Watching over any possibility that could break the universe's equilibrium.
Exhaling softly, he looked at the stars streaking past "beside" him, his heart as calm as still water.
Yet he had a premonition, that a crisis awaited them soon. The same kind of unease he had felt before, whenever his squad went out on missions.
…
Jarilo-VI.
The enormous planet of mutated Swarm.
If not for using specialized life-detection devices, one would never notice that this uncamouflaged "planet" was, in fact, a colossal hibernating insect, brimming with overwhelming vitality.
Every traveler who arrived at Jarilo-VI felt a deep sense of security.
Not just because this place was guarded by the giant beast that had crushed countless forces, but also because of the planet itself, miraculous in its existence.
After all, Godzilla rarely made a move, but when he did, it was always an earth-shaking event.
And this colossal insect could even be ranked alongside a planet itself.
From inside Jarilo, one could see this most miraculous planet in the entire universe.
The sense of security was absolute.
"Chirp, chirp."
After a long silence, the giant insect suddenly began to tremble.
The "Red Tide" swarms moved as if receiving a command.
Forming lines, neat and orderly.
This unusual phenomenon instantly caught the attention of several stargazers.
Serval, closing her left eye, observed the restless scene through the astronomical telescope before her.
"The swarm is stirring… what's happening?"
She frowned in confusion.
Since their return, the swarm had remained calm, aside from occasional disturbances during the times when they were bullied by Ruan Mei and Herta.
If it were only the Red Tide acting up, Serval could understand.
Maybe some high-energy object had triggered them.
But now, even the "Big One" was moving.
According to Miss Herta's estimates, though the bug was ultimately just using the power given to it by the Propagation and Elation, it was still an Emanator!
Across the entire cosmos, Emanators were ranked the highest.
For an Emanator to act personally, especially one ruled purely by instinct, it was hard for Serval not to think deeply about it.
She turned her head toward Godzilla, who remained calm and unmoved.
Even the "big one's" actions hadn't drawn the slightest response from him.
"…Not a order by Godzilla?" Tilting her head, Serval's eyes were full of confusion.
If it wasn't under Godzilla's command, then what was going on?
…
Herta Space Station.
Named after Herta herself, yet Herta was often not present.
One couldn't help but find it strange. But everyone at the space station had long since grown used to it.
That was just how Miss Herta was. She only appeared occasionally, and if a staff member happened to be lucky enough to meet her and exchange words, it was a once-in-a-lifetime event worthy of celebration!
"Put this here, that one over there, eh?! This one's still short, have them expedite the delivery. Hm? Expedited shipping costs twice the freight… mm, still worth it. You, you'll do."
Though it was called Herta Space Station, the true manager was Asta.
At this moment, she was carefully calculating the resource distribution for every department.
The staff at Herta Space Station, while incomparable to Miss Herta herself and unable to provide inspirations of true value were still top talents from across various planets.
Even if they couldn't carry out world-shaking research like Herta, but the inventions that ordinary people could access and apply were their main focus of research.
Just then,
"Miss Asta, we have a situation." Alan entered the room and spoke to Asta, who was still going through the supplies list, checking for shortages.
"Alan? What is it?" Asta looked up, a bit surprised.
"According to intelligence, the 'Insect Emperor' near Jarilo-VI began moving about half a system-hour ago. Its whereabouts since then are unknown."
A being of Emanator-class was just sitting there, on top of that, something even more powerful lurked inside.
No one could simply ignore that. But the Herta Space Station didn't seem to have any such thoughts.
Although, one of Herta's research institutes had been built there, so Herta naturally wouldn't abandon it.
As for the title of "Insect Emperor," it was the result of the final consensus among all sides under various conditions.
A swarm that only bred and spread endlessly, that was bad enough.
But this one? An Emanator-class Giant Sting, quiet, peaceful, almost amiable.
"Insect Emperor?" Asta was stunned, then immediately asked: "Did someone provoke Godzilla?"
That was the only thing Asta could think of. But really, are there still people who'd actually do that now?
Hmm… with what Asta knew, maybe there really were.
Anyone who set foot on the Path was someone with unshakable will, walking firmly down the road they chose.
Even Destruction. Destruction was not just about destroying.
The world ultimately collapses. Only then can rebirth be hoped for.
And if someone stood in the way of Destruction, even if it was an Aeon, they would still charge forward without hesitation.
"We don't know yet. The Insect Emperor acted suddenly. The exact reason is still under investigation." Alan shook his head slightly.
After a moment of silence, Asta said: "Set up detection nets around the station. As long as the Insect Emperor isn't coming our way, we don't need to interfere."
But if the Insect Emperor was heading toward them… they had better run early.
Did anyone really expect a space station without Herta's personal oversight to withstand an Emanator's attack?
…
A massive planet streaked through the cosmic void at a staggering speed.
The overwhelming aura trailing along its path made every living being it passed shudder with dread.
"What is that? A planet?" A Borisin stared dumbfounded as the celestial body swept past above his head, forgetting entirely about the prey that had just escaped from his hand.
"A living planet? But… haven't they all yet to awaken?"
Some among the Borisin mistook it for a Living Planet.
A Living Planet,
A miracle of Abundance.
A fully awakened Living Planet could even assimilate an entire Xianzhou!
An existence countless Xianzhou people longed to see wiped out.
Meanwhile,
"Captain! Massive heat source detected approaching! Preliminary estimate, it's an Emanator-class fluctuation!"
"Third squad has encountered a swarm! Engaging! Engaging!"
Like a chain reaction, the moment the first warning rang out, nearly every other squad was ambushed at almost the exact same time.
The sudden swarm swallowed them whole, leaving not a single trace behind.
"Captain, two squads are already out of contact!"
The communications officer reported grimly.
No surprise, it was expected.
The moment he received this mission, he had already predicted such an outcome.
Even if their actual task was to obtain some particular material as much as possible, the instant he set foot on this path, he had already cast life and death aside.
"Chhi, chhi."
In that silence, a sound suddenly shot up from below, a noise that made cold sweat crawl straight up from the tailbone to the spine.
The sound of primal fear itself.
…
...
Honkai Impact 3rd. The Past.
After Fu Hua's patient and detailed explanations, Book of Fuxi had more or less grasped the state of the present civilization.
"The current civilization really has some luck." Book of Fuxi couldn't help but sigh.
It was clearly a dead end, already marching down the same doomed path as the previous era, yet by sheer overwhelming external force, it had been dragged back.
In this respect, the current civilization was no worse than the developed one before it.
"Luck is only part of it. Everyone is contributing their own strength for the future." Fu Hua smiled softly, speaking gently.
"Book of Fuxi, one day in this world, we'll be able to see everyone again."
Book of Fuxi nodded, a bit sulky. "I really do want to see those two again. How could they just dump me on a blockhead like you? Thanks to that, I've had sleepless nights, over and over."
The Fu Hua from back then was nothing like now.
She hadn't been so optimistic. Back then, she was always weighed down by gloom. So much so that Book of Fuxi had to rack her brains, if she even had one, every single day, thinking of ways to cheer her up.
At least to stop her from being lifeless all the time.
"Sorry, Little Fuxi." Fu Hua's face showed an apologetic look.
When she had been mired in her own thoughts, she hadn't realized it. But looking back now, that period truly was… not right.
If Book of Fuxi hadn't been by her side, she might have fallen into an even more dangerous state by now.
"Forget it. Just seeing that your blockhead brain has finally opened up a little already makes me relieved. I can't ask for too much more."
Book of Fuxi looked Fu Hua up and down and gave her judgment.
Fu Hua didn't argue, just scratched her cheek with a smile.
Even the her from back then wouldn't have refuted Fuxi's words.
Looking at her past self with today's eyes… no, better to switch topics to something happier.
"That Herrscher of Wind is just too arrogant. I propose, with Lord Book of Fuxi setting her some challenges, not too many, just enough to make her unable to get out of bed the next day."
Book of Fuxi smiled wickedly.
"Uh… that's a bit much." Fu Hua said helplessly.
Wendy might have lost her initial arrogance, but she still kept her pride toward those weaker than herself.
Book of Fuxi had seniority, yes,
But still… a non-combat weaponized Elf was, in the end, non-combat.
Fuxi and Nuwa had never intended for Book of Fuxi to fight in their place.
And if the situation ever reached the point where even Book of Fuxi had to join the battle, then things would already be far too dire.
At that time, Fu Hua would be the first to throw Book of Fuxi as far away as possible.
After all, that body wouldn't break from the fall anyway.
"I can't help but feel you have something wicked in mind." Book of Fuxi narrowed her eyes, looking at Fu Hua suspiciously.
"Haha… right, speaking of Wendy, why don't we go check in on Anna? See how she's doing?" Fu Hua stiffly changed the subject.
Book of Fuxi let out a small snort, showing mercy this time.