At the Artisanship Commission on the Xianzhou Luofu.
Silver Wolf, the genius hacker in search of rare mechanical and etheric dual-attribute Aether Spirit, had learned of their existence from Master Gongshu. Thus, her holographic projection descended upon the Xianzhou.
"Master Gongshu, help my good disciple March 7th upgrade her sword. Here's a deposit."
Master Gongshu quickly shook his head. This was the renowned young mistress of the Zhuming—and he still relied on them for high-grade forging materials.
"Miss Yunli, next time we procure a batch of smelting stones from the Zhuming, I hope you'll select them personally."
Yunli smiled calmly.
"Fine, agreed. Now, take a look at my good disciple here. I'm counting on her to defeat that arrogant Scotty."
Silver Wolf blew a bubble with her gum as she suddenly appeared.
"I'll help March 7th defeat Scotty."
Yanqing immediately pointed his sword at Silver Wolf, eyes wary.
"Stellaron Hunter. You!"
"Save your energy. I'm just a hologram. The real me is on some remote frontier planet."
Yunli gestured for Yanqing to stand down. Yanqing hesitated, looking at March 7th.
March 7th nodded. Yanqing reluctantly sheathed his sword and stepped back.
Yunli stepped forward, arms crossed.
"Stellaron Hunters don't help people for nothing. Quid pro quo. What's the condition?"
"Not bad. You're honest. I like that."
Yunli closed her eyes and gave a light snort.
"'Like' that I need? Just tell us the condition. Don't waste everyone's time."
Silver Wolf turned her gaze to Master Gongshu.
"Master Gongshu here seemed willing to upgrade March 7th's sword. I say forget it. Have him find me that dual-attribute Aether Spirit instead."
"Scotty's challenge? I'll crush it easily. Make him question his very existence."
Yunli was about to nod when a arrogant, disdainful laugh rang out.
"Oh? What a small world. If it isn't the crying and whining genius hacker Silver Wolf?!"
The calm expression on Silver Wolf's face vanished. Her brow furrowed, hostility flaring in her eyes.
"Hmph. And I thought it was someone important. Herta, you little—"
When the real Herta and Ruan Mei appeared, Silver Wolf looked up and froze mid-sentence.
Her eyes went wide with disbelief. She instinctively stepped back.
"You... you're not a puppet?!"
Herta confidently smoothed her bangs.
Her gaze casually swept over Silver Wolf. The corner of her mouth slowly curled upward—not a smile, but the absolute arrogance of a victor facing the vanquished.
"Stellaron Hunter, Silver Wolf? Let me see... You're currently on Cerova, a lifeless frontier planet ninety thousand light-years away. Hmm. A blue planet—quite beautiful, but very backward."
Silver Wolf blinked. Recovering herself, she immediately used Etherium mathematics to counter Herta.
Herta smiled dismissively. This may not be the Simulated Universe, but I'm the real deal now. Little Silver Wolf? No match for me.
Even March 7th, who understood nothing of hacking, could sense the terrifying calculations and the Path power of Erudition beginning to deduce all things in the universe.
"T-two little masters? I... we should go. When experts clash, bystanders suffer!"
Yunli shook her head and glanced at Ruan Mei in the distance.
"We're this close and unaffected. Madam Ruan Mei must be shielding us with her power."
"Ah?!"
---
At the same moment, at the Divination Commission.
Diviners were at a loss, their instruments malfunctioning and omens reversing.
"Master Huixing, what do we do?! All the Xianzhou's omen calculations are wildly off. Is the Luofu about to hit an asteroid?!"
"Where's the Grand Diviner?"
"Still can't reach her."
Huixing gritted her teeth. In good times, rely on Fu Xuan. In bad times, rely on the Trailblazer. In desperate times, there's only one option.
"Go fetch Qingque!!"
The diviners froze, as if hearing the most impossible name of their lives.
"What are you waiting for?! Go find Qingque!!"
They snapped out of it and scrambled away.
---
At the Ten-Lords Commission.
Huohuo was hiding behind a bookshelf, tears in her eyes.
"T-tail Lord, what's happening?! Is it... is it the end of days?!"
"Calm down! I'm here. Nothing's going to happen."
"But this terrifying Erudition Path power—even I've never seen anything like it in all my years."
---
At the Sky-Faring Commission.
"Inform the General. All Sky-Faring pilots are to launch immediately. Clear any obstacles from the Luofu's flight path."
---
Borisins hiding in Changle, preparing to discuss their plan to rescue Hoolay, were also stunned.
"What's happening, Lord Yuedu? Has our operation been exposed?!"
"Don't panic. Someone may be coordinating with us in advance."
"Dragonfang Taoran made his move?"
"No. He doesn't have this kind of power. Stay hidden. Don't fail now."
---
Half an hour later.
Cold sweat beaded on Silver Wolf's forehead. Herta remained perfectly composed.
Even Silver Wolf had to admit: outside the Simulated Universe, the real Herta was terrifying.
Far beyond someone like Screwllum.
Herta shook her head dismissively.
"You're not up to it, Silver Wolf."
Silver Wolf retorted.
"Don't get cocky. The match isn't over yet."
"Sigh. You barely tie with Screwllum, and you got so inflated you thought you were strong? And you dared to provoke me again and again?"
"Hmph. Like you could just crush me and game over me just like that."
"Heh. Take your time. Your game won't end so quickly."
Herta casually disrupted Silver Wolf with the power of Erudition, glancing at Ruan Mei. Ruan Mei's expression hadn't changed at all.
What? Ruan Mei still looks so calm? No praise? No shock?
Wait. Does she think it's embarrassing that I haven't beaten Silver Wolf yet?
Damn it! I can't keep Ruan Mei waiting. I can't disappoint her.
Ruan Mei, internally: Herta's distracted? What was she just thinking?
In an instant, Herta raised her magic key. The power of Erudition surged from the Luofu, streaking across the universe toward the real Silver Wolf.
The match, once sixty-forty, became a total rout.
Silver Wolf's eyes went wide again in disbelief.
"Seriously?! What kind of plot did you just imagine?! It's like you suddenly activated a cheat code!"
"Hmph. Little Silver Wolf. You wouldn't understand."
Silver Wolf gritted her teeth and looked around. March 7th, Yunli... Ruan Mei. So many spectators. Losing now would be even more humiliating.
Wait. Herta only got this terrifyingly strong after looking at Ruan Mei, didn't she?
Damn it. I underestimated you geniuses and your bond. Coming to the Luofu was a mistake.
But... Ruan Mei? I'll remember you. You're Herta's weakness.
"I'm done! Two against one isn't fair! I'll settle the score with both of you next time!"
Silver Wolf frantically disconnected. When she came to her senses, the light from Herta's key had already crossed half the universe and was bearing down on her.
Great. Just great. The boss never said I'd run into the real Herta on the Luofu and just... game over like this.
Silver Wolf closed her eyes. In my next life, I'm still coming after Herta!
BAM. BOOM.
"Huh? No pain? What's going on? Did Herta actually miscalculate?!"
Silver Wolf opened her eyes. SAM had already carried her to safety. Behind them, the frontier planet Cerova had been completely annihilated.