Even without anyone stating it outright, the attitudes of both Asta and Herta made one thing clear to the researchers on the space station—
This man was the one who had previously moved an entire star right in front of them.
If that was the case, then there was no doubt about it:
He was the never-before-seen Genius Society No. 85.
For a time, Su Ran's name spread rapidly throughout Herta Space Station.
He himself didn't even realize that he had suddenly gained a group of fans.
Some researchers were endlessly curious about the devices he had created.
Others were completely shaken by the fact that he had built a crystal capable of holding an entire star system.
There were even a few people who, because of this, began to downplay Herta's achievements.
Perhaps doing so made them feel that the gap between themselves and geniuses wasn't that large—
After all, even among geniuses, there were still greater geniuses.
But such idle chatter had no effect on either of them.
Su Ran was the one being praised.
And Herta had extremely thick skin—she didn't care about rumors at all.
She certainly wasn't bothered by the slander of mediocrities.
…Even though what she was doing right now wasn't much different from those mediocrities.
"Ruan Mei, have you heard? The Propagation Emanator Su Ran created has successfully been born."
Using Su Ran to suppress other geniuses—
In certain aspects, Herta was surprisingly similar to them.
"A real Propagation Emanator. His achievements in life sciences are truly beyond reach."
Listening to this, Ruan Mei vaguely felt that Herta was belittling her.
But she didn't mind.
What she cared about was the Propagation Emanator Su Ran had cultivated.
"He really succeeded?"
Compared to being struck down, curiosity and longing held a far greater place in Ruan Mei's heart.
She had conducted countless experiments.
In the end, it was only after Su Ran modified her work that a successful result appeared.
And what she cared about most wasn't being surpassed.
She genuinely didn't care about that.
What truly mattered to her were the data of that Emanator, and the core reason why it had successfully formed.
Was it really as Su Ran had said—
That the egg simply needed to be left alone for a period of time?
"That's what he told me. I didn't see it with my own eyes, but I think it's highly credible."
Herta had already been thoroughly convinced by Su Ran.
If this had been the past, she would have questioned it at least a little.
"He really is a genius among geniuses."
After hearing this, Ruan Mei's interest in the Emanator itself diminished considerably.
What replaced it was an even stronger desire—for Su Ran himself.
Compared to a Propagation Emanator, Su Ran might be the more valuable subject of study.
Of course, she also knew he was a top-tier genius.
So she didn't hold much hope of obtaining any "samples" from him.
But there was something else she began to look forward to.
That was—
Studying Aeons together with Su Ran.
Perhaps with his help, she could uncover the mysteries of Aeons sooner.
Perhaps even…
Become an Aeon herself.
These thoughts had always been buried deep in her heart.
She had never spoken of them to anyone.
But Su Ran's achievements in life sciences made her unable to stop herself from entertaining the idea—
Inviting this genius to join her.
"Herta, since you have access to that teleportation device, could you send me directly to the space station?"
That teleportation device was something even Ruan Mei found astonishing.
Moving stars—
That was far beyond the life-bearing planet she had cultivated.
A planet versus a star
It was like comparing a firefly to the moon.
"Looks like you can't wait anymore? Rejected."
Herta refused outright.
She herself hadn't even met Su Ran in person yet—
How could she possibly let Ruan Mei meet him first?
Herta's refusal surprised Ruan Mei.
What has gone wrong?
Otherwise, why would Herta refuse her visit?
"Personal reasons. Don't think too much about it."
Ruan Mei: "..."
Personal reasons?
Was that allowed?
She didn't think she had offended Herta.
Unless that clone incident counted
If it did, then maybe she had.
But surely Herta wasn't that petty… right?
Reality proved that Herta might be even more petty than she imagined.
The reason she didn't want Ruan Mei to come had nothing to do with the clone incident at all.
She simply didn't want Ruan Mei to get ahead of her.
"If it's because of that clone, then I apologize. I'm willing to offer compensation."
Su Ran's actual whereabouts were still a mystery.
Only Herta could go to him.
And the biggest issue was—
Even though Herta could go, she couldn't bring anyone with her.
If Ruan Mei couldn't reach Herta Space Station now, she might miss her only chance to meet Su Ran in person.
Opportunities like this didn't come often.
"Oh, that thing? It didn't cause much damage. I don't really care."
If Ruan Mei hadn't brought it up again,
Herta would have almost forgotten that Ruan Mei had once unleashed a major pest on her station.
Too bad it didn't even last a full minute.
Its threat level wasn't even comparable to the Antimatter Legion.
"Then why—"
What was the reason, then?
If it wasn't that, Ruan Mei truly couldn't think of anywhere she had offended Herta.
They were partners in the Simulated Universe, after all!
"I told you. Personal reasons. Don't worry about it."
Ruan Mei: "..."
Not letting her go to Herta Space Station to meet Su Ran—
How was she not supposed to worry about that?
Even if it was for "personal reasons," this was too much.
"I have something very important to discuss with him."
She could only try appealing to their relationship now.
"Then tell me what it is. I can pass it on for you."
Ruan Mei: "..."
After being held in Su Ran's grip for so long, Herta had finally found someone she could hold in her grip.
It felt incredibly satisfying.
One could say she had finally vented some of her frustration.
Even if it wasn't Su Ran she was venting it on—
It still felt great.
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