'Cipher' naturally had no idea that General Xuanquan was dealing with such an extensive internal monologue.
Even if she had known, she wouldn't have cared much.
After all, they hadn't planned on making a huge scene this time.
Their original intent was simply to tinker with a Scion of Permanence to make future research more convenient.
For Ruan Mei, the process of going from zero to one was always the most tedious part; as long as there was a starting point, the subsequent research into Permanence would naturally unfold.
At most, they might hit a snag once the research reached the level of an Emanator.
Of course, after drawing 'Cipher's' character card, 'Cipher' had developed other ideas.
As for the specifics of how to execute them and to what extent, that would require some careful mulling over. Naturally, those were matters for later.
Xuanquan led 'Cipher' and Ruan Mei to their quarters. She watched with a hint of curiosity as Ruan Mei casually set out several pieces of complex machinery.
"When do you plan to begin?"
Xuanquan had seemingly prepared herself to stay here for the next few days.
However, for Ruan Mei and 'Cipher', creating a Saint Graph didn't actually require much time.
"If the General doesn't mind, we can start now. Please, make yourself comfortable and take a seat here."
Since 'Cipher' was more familiar with General Xuanquan, the task of hosting was left to her, while Ruan Mei handled the practical operation.
Guided by 'Cipher', Xuanquan sat down beside the instruments.
She had been curious to see if she would witness the miraculous methods of the geniuses, but in reality, the procedures applied to her were mostly common diagnostic scans.
Aside from the exquisitely designed transforming robots that looked strikingly novel, Xuanquan didn't notice anything particularly unusual.
In fact, it was almost too simple, which gave the General a subtle sense of unease.
"...Is this really all it takes?" Xuanquan finally couldn't help but ask as she watched 'Cipher' calibrating a robot nearby.
'Cipher' tilted her head toward Xuanquan and blinked.
"Pretty much. Of course, it would be even better if the General were willing to let me collect a few flesh and blood samples."
The Path of Permanence was deeply connected to 'existence' itself.
When reflected in the physical world, it naturally showed significant feedback in the material body.
This is why, in the game, the Disciples of Sanctus Medicus could directly extract Vidyadhara Bone Marrow to concoct medicine and tap into the power of Permanence.
While this wasn't strictly necessary for 'Cipher' and Ruan Mei—especially with a powerhouse like Xuanquan assisting them—having actual Vidyadhara tissue would certainly benefit the research.
"..."
Xuanquan wore a complicated expression, seemingly wondering why she had felt the need to speak up.
However, since she had already mentally prepared herself for the possibility of providing samples, she nodded after only a brief moment of hesitation.
"Very well. Proceed."
Xuanquan's blunt agreement actually caught 'Cipher' by surprise. "No other requirements or anything? I thought the Vidyadhara were quite particular about such things."
"Strictly speaking, all our rules are established to preserve the Vidyadhara race. And I imagine you aren't looking to take my life."
Xuanquan spoke quite directly.
Fortunately, neither Ruan Mei nor 'Cipher' disliked such bluntness.
Thus, 'Cipher' unceremoniously took a small sample of Vidyadhara flesh from Xuanquan. She didn't even take the bone marrow; there was no need for such a concentrated essence.
With General Xuanquan's devoted contribution, Ruan Mei's efficiency increased significantly. 'Cipher' didn't idle either; she was personally quite interested in the Path of Permanence.
The construction of the Saint Graph actually went quite smoothly.
After all, the entire Saint Graph system had long been thoroughly researched by 'Cipher' and Ruan Mei.
They had already created more than one Path Saint Graph before. Even if Permanence was relatively unique, it was still a Path, and having a power sample from General Xuanquan made it even easier.
The Saint Graph of Permanence was completed without much effort.
Shaped like a chess piece, the Saint Graph was topped with a head closely resembling a dragon, representing the Dragon of Permanence.
However, a problem arose when it came time to experiment with it.
There were only three people present. Xuanquan was a Vidyadhara herself, so using it on her wouldn't show much.
'Cipher's' current body was a pure data entity; while that wouldn't matter for other Paths, it was a mismatch for the Path of Permanence, which leaned heavily toward affecting the physical form.
Add to that the strange equation inside 'Cipher's' body, and Ruan Mei was certain that using the Saint Graph on 'Cipher' would lead to unpredictable results.
It wasn't that she disliked surprises, but at this stage, they needed basic data samples, not statistical outliers.
As for Ruan Mei... it was much the same.
Though she looked like an ordinary person, Ruan Mei's own body had long since been modified by her own hand, fused with countless unknown things.
If one truly tried to scan her, they would find that while she looked human, nothing about her body actually functioned like one.
"Where are we going to find someone to experiment on? Neither of us is exactly a 'normal' person. I feel like the Xianzhou people are more human than we are."
Faced with 'Cipher''s teasing, Ruan Mei gave her a side-eye, though on Ruan Mei's face, the look was nothing short of enchanting.
Still, Ruan Mei began to consider who could serve as a subject.
There were technically suitable candidates—either Reveria, whom 'Cipher' had brought back previously, or Rappa, whom Ruan Mei had created. Both could have tried it.
However, both had recently departed for their own purposes.
Since they had just left, it wouldn't be right to call them back immediately. Choosing someone from the Xianzhou Alliance would be a bit delicate regarding the Vidyadhara.
After thinking it over and finding no suitable candidate, Ruan Mei finally decided that if there was no appropriate subject, she would simply make one.
"I remember there's a race called the Chimera on Amphoreus. Their philosophy is quite interesting. Perhaps I'll just make a Chimera."
'Cipher' blinked at the suggestion.
A Chimera, not a Cake Cat? She had thought Ruan Mei would suggest making one of those pastry-like lifeforms. Those little things were quite cute, regardless of their appearance.
'Cipher' stole a subtle glance at General Xuanquan.
"That could work. Making one ourselves is convenient, and we could even try incorporating some Propagation to see if there's a reaction between the two Paths."
Since arriving on the Fanghu, 'Cipher' had been mindful that they were in the Vidyadhara's backyard and that they should be careful about the impact of their actions.
For instance, the act of artificially creating a dragon descendant felt a bit sensitive. That was why she had checked Xuanquan's reaction before agreeing.
Clearly, General Xuanquan was hesitating, looking like she had something to say but was debating whether to speak up. 'Cipher' could guess why.
The General was likely wondering if they possessed the secret of the "Transmutation Arcanum."
After all, based on what she knew, Cipher was on good terms with the former High-Cloud Quintet. Even after Dan Feng's fall, Jingliu and Baiheng had remained in contact with her.
It was impossible for General Xuanquan to be indifferent.
The matter of the Luofu's High Elder was of immense significance to the entire Vidyadhara race, because for the first time in ages, their population had actually increased.
That point alone was enough to drive the Vidyadhara into a frenzy.
As for Xuanquan herself, she wasn't even sure of her own stance.
If it had to be a life-for-a-life trade, the Transmutation Arcanum meant little; but if one could be traded for many... she wasn't sure what choice she would make.
In her high position, she had to think from the perspective of the collective.
She desperately wanted to know if 'Cipher' and Ruan Mei truly mastered the Transmutation Arcanum and what its price might be.
Thus, she held her tongue, deciding to say less and observe more.
'Cipher' could guess Xuanquan's thoughts, but she didn't mind.
In fact, this was exactly the effect she wanted. To test the limits of what a scheme could achieve, she wanted Xuanquan to believe she could solve the Vidyadhara's inability to procreate.
Only then could she weave a lie big enough to play for higher stakes.
In any case, once Ruan Mei and 'Cipher' were in agreement, they began hand-crafting the Chimera.
Creating a lifeform might be difficult for ordinary people, but for Ruan Mei, she could probably build a portable device that would mass-produce them at the press of a button.
Even with imperfect equipment, it took the two of them less than a day to bring a small Chimera with purple fur and a temperament somewhat resembling Herta into existence.
This Chimera had nothing special about it, other than perhaps being quite intelligent due to some gene samples from Dr. Primitive's collection.
Then, a chess piece topped with a dragon's head was placed before the little Chimera.
Though it had a sharp mind, the creature was still a blank slate.
It curiously pawed at the clearly extraordinary chess piece. Before its eyes, the piece melted like cream, transforming into a flowing ribbon of light that surged into its body.
An inexplicable power spread through its frame. Then, that power burst outward, forming a scale-covered egg that enveloped the little Chimera.
Through the shell, one could faintly see the unremarkable four-legged beast beginning to grow small, cute dragon horns, purple dragon wings, and a slender dragon tail.
Even its large, round eyes shifted into majestic vertical slits.
Just as predicted, the power of Permanence easily caused the subject to manifest draconic traits.
Although it looked more like a cute little beast than a traditional dragon descendant, the egg—which looked identical to those of the Vidyadhara—was direct proof that it could indeed be considered a dragon-kin.
Xuanquan, as the provider of the power sample, could sense a strength within the little thing that was remarkably similar to her own.
It was weak, but it was undeniably there—perhaps even stronger than the power found in many ordinary Vidyadhara.
Sensing its body's transformation, the little Chimera flapped its tiny wings, though there was no room to move inside the egg.
To the creature, two of the three people present were its direct creators, and the third had provided the essential blood and power for its birth.
Even though it didn't know who was who, it instinctively felt an urge to be close to all three.
Among them, Xuanquan's feelings were the most complex. She felt a strange, blood-linked connection to the little thing inside the egg.
At that moment, the little Chimera, lulled by the comfort of its evolution, began to feel drowsy.
It tried to stay awake, but was soon overcome by the sandman, finally curling into a ball and falling into a deep sleep within the shell.
"The little thing is quite cute, though the color is a bit dark."
Xuanquan reached out and poked the now-silent egg.
As time passed, the shell thickened, obscuring the view inside.
She had to admit she had been cynical.
Ruan Mei and 'Cipher' had frightening ideas, but the implementation was... surprisingly normal and controlled.
The price Xuanquan had paid was negligible; the loss of a bit of marrow would be recovered in a few days of rest. And the result was a brand-new dragon descendant, born right before her eyes.
Well, not fully born yet, since it hadn't hatched.
They would have to wait for the little fellow to break the shell to be certain.
However, she was now sure that 'Cipher' didn't possess the Transmutation Arcanum. Even if she did, she probably looked down on it.
Of course, whether a creature transformed via a so-called "Path Saint Graph" into a Pathstrider of Permanence could truly be called a Vidyadhara was still up for debate.
And if the Saint Graph were removed after hatching, there was no telling what would happen to the little one.
But ultimately, in Xuanquan's eyes, this represented a possibility. A possibility the Vidyadhara had chased for countless years without ever touching.
Meanwhile, 'Cipher' was seriously conducting a physical exam on the little Chimera.
Though it was unlikely, she tried to check its reproductive capabilities. The result... was as expected.
The reproductive functions originally designed into the creature had vanished under the influence of Permanence.
"The reproductive abilities that should have existed are now completely nullified. Is Permanence itself suppressing the individual's procreation, or is it an indirect result of some defect?"
"Hard to say. Such questions rarely have clear answers. Let's try the power of Propagation next," Ruan Mei said, shaking her head slightly.
Even for geniuses, certain questions were difficult to answer.
Paths had always been a mystery. It was better to proceed step by step.
For instance, they could first see what changes occurred when combining the power of Propagation, or perhaps Abundance.
Initially, for the sake of convenience, 'Cipher' and Ruan Mei tried to place the powers of both Permanence and Propagation onto a single Saint Graph.
But for some reason, these two forces proved unexpectedly difficult to reconcile on a single piece.
That was a bit of a surprise.
--+--
T/N: If you want advance chapters, you can find it at [email protected]/AspenTL