The hearts of the two Emanators of Preservation were filled with enormous questions.The events of the past few days had been far too bizarre.
First, the Amber Lord, who usually paid no attention to the outside world, had unexpectedly issued a high-profile invitation to the entire universe.
And now, even Nous had come.
Direct conflict between Aeons was extremely rare. They desperately wanted to know what exactly had happened inside that sealed space.
And what, exactly, did this being named Yiqing possess that could attract the attention of so many Aeons?
Wei Qing looked at the two of them, both anxious and curious, and casually waved his hand.
"It was nothing. The Amber Lord just unilaterally hammered Nous into pieces, that's all."
Diamond and Taravan both froze in place.
"I have to say, the oldest Aeon really lives up to the title. In terms of combat power, Nous really can't compare."
"Hammered into pieces?" Diamond immediately asked.
To be honest, the moment he heard that answer, his first reaction was actually joy.
After all, in this divine conflict, the victor was Preservation.
But after thinking about it again, something felt off. Judging from the outcome of this battle, Nous likely had not fallen. The two Aeons had probably only had a minor conflict, with little substantial consequence.
"Mr. Yiqing, may I ask whether you know exactly what happened just now?"
"And why did those two Aeons come into conflict?" Taravan asked from the side.
"I don't know," Wei Qing answered flatly.
"How would I know what the Amber Lord is thinking? Maybe They just found Nous unpleasant."
This answer clearly could not satisfy Diamond and Taravan. However, seeing that Wei Qing obviously did not wish to say more, the two of them tactfully chose not to continue asking.
Taravan coughed lightly and changed the subject.
"In that case… Mr. Yiqing, since you have already come out, may I ask whether your audience with the Amber Lord went smoothly?"
"Quite smoothly." Wei Qing nodded.
"The Amber Lord was very generous. They gave me a big gift."
He deliberately shook the Cornerstone in his hand, and the gazes of the two Emanators were immediately drawn to it.
Although they did not know exactly what it was, since it was a gift personally bestowed by an Aeon, it was surely no ordinary object.
Diamond in particular had an extremely obvious flash of envy in his eyes. His own authority was somewhat similar to Cornerstones.
But compared to the Cornerstone before him, his authority was no different from a child's toy.
Unfortunately, Wei Qing did not seem inclined to explain in detail, and Diamond could not continue pressing. He could only bury this curiosity deep in his heart.
"For a person such as Mr. Yiqing to receive the Amber Lord's favor is truly the good fortune of the universe."
"May I ask what your plans are next? The IPC has already prepared a residence of the highest standard for you. You may remain at Pier Point for a few more days and allow us to fulfill our duties as hosts."
After adjusting his mindset, Diamond immediately spoke respectfully again.
"No need."
Wei Qing refused cleanly.
"I still have an appointment with my companions from the Express. Since matters here have already reached a conclusion, I will not stay any longer."
Hearing this, Taravan immediately stepped forward and added,
"To be frank, Mr. Yiqing, during this time, we received news from headquarters."
"Miss March 7th from the Astral Express seems quite interested in Pier Point. The Express crew has already accepted our invitation and gone to tour the IPC headquarters."
"They came on their own?" Wei Qing raised a brow and asked.
Although the IPC likely would not dare do anything like kidnapping them to use as leverage, in Wei Qing's opinion, the company had probably tempted them somehow.
However, this time, Wei Qing had misunderstood the IPC. They truly had done nothing. It was simply that March 7th was extremely curious about IPC headquarters, so Himeko agreed to let the Express crew stop by for a visit.
Diamond heard the suspicion in Wei Qing's words and hurriedly explained,
"Yes. We absolutely did not force them."
Taravan added, "We have already arranged the most professional guides to ensure that the Express crew has the best experience. If Mr. Yiqing goes over now, you should be able to meet up with them."
Wei Qing pondered briefly, then nodded.
"Very well. Let's go take a look."
Pier Point's Interstellar Museum could be called one of the grandest treasure houses of civilization in the entire universe.
When Wei Qing arrived there accompanied by Diamond and Taravan, he heard March 7th's excited voice from far away.
"Whoa! Is this the legendary war wreckage left behind from the Emperor's War? It's huge!"
March 7th was standing in front of an enormous mechanical wreck.
The wreckage still vaguely looked like part of the torso of some humanoid weapon. Its surface was covered in traces of time and scars left behind by battle.
"It is indeed quite impressive."
Welt, who had also stopped nearby, offered his own evaluation.
Just then, they noticed Wei Qing's arrival.
"Ah, it's Senior!" March 7th was the first to spot him and immediately waved cheerfully.
"You're back!"
Hearing this, the others also walked over.
"Senior, have you finished your business? Nothing unexpected happened, right?" Himeko, the current navigator of the Express crew, asked first.
Although they had not detected the divine battle while they were here at the IPC, the fight between Qlipoth and Nous had truly happened.
"Mm. It's done. There weren't any accidents. The Amber Lord was actually quite hospitable."
Wei Qing walked up to the enormous mechanical wreckage and looked up at it.
"A relic from the Emperor's War. The IPC even brought something like this here for display?"
Diamond stepped forward at the right moment and explained with a modest smile,
"Preserving and displaying historically significant objects is also one of the IPC's responsibilities in ensuring the continuity of cosmic civilization."
"This old component was discovered at a remote ancient battlefield. It took us several hundred years of meticulous restoration before we barely managed to restore it to its current condition for public viewing."
There was a trace of pride hidden in his words. After all, this was indeed a manifestation of the IPC's strength and foundation.
But Wei Qing ignored Diamond. After looking around, he discovered that his own "Galaxy Ranger trio" was not here.
Himeko seemed to notice his doubt and explained with a smile,
"Senior, they are still on the Express."
"It seems Miss Baiheng was very interested in the Astral Express. She and your other two… friends chose not to come down with us."
"Besides, this is our first time at Pier Point. The Express does indeed need someone to stay behind and watch over it."
Hearing this, Wei Qing nodded in understanding.
Jingliu and Firefly's lack of interest was within his expectations.
As for Baiheng, that woman had been thinking about the Astral Express for more than a day or two. She probably thought exploring the Express was more interesting than visiting a museum.
"Senior, Senior!" March 7th leaned closer at this moment.
"What was meeting the Amber Lord like? Was it super shocking? Do They really keep hammering the wall like in the legends?"
Stelle also quickly stepped forward.
"Senior, we heard a really loud sound just now. What happened on your side?"
Clearly, because of Qlipoth's blockade, aside from certain people walking the Path of Erudition, as well as Diamond and Taravan, who had been very close to the battlefield, everyone else had essentially failed to notice Nous's descent.
"They really do keep hammering the wall. However…"
Wei Qing chuckled.
He deliberately paused. Only when several people held their breath did he leisurely say,
"As for the specific details, they are confidential."
"Ehh—!" March 7th dragged out the sound in disappointment.
"Senior, you're way too stingy!"
Wei Qing neither confirmed nor denied it.
In truth, if they were really curious, he could embellish the story a little after returning to the Express and tell them.
It was just that right now, they were still at the IPC, and there were far too many outsiders around.
However, just then, an employee wearing the uniform of an IPC P38 staff member entered.
This employee looked respectful, but his steps were slightly hurried. This behavior caused a trace of dissatisfaction to appear in Taravan's expression.
Taravan raised a brow and said in a displeased tone,
"What is going on? How do I usually instruct you? What matter could make you this hurried?"
The P38 employee immediately bowed, his face carrying some fear.
"Lord Taravan, Lord Diamond, just now, Genius Society Seat #81, Madam Ruan Mei, personally came to visit."
"Ruan Mei of the Genius Society?"
"Did she say why she came here?"
Diamond was immediately drawn in as well.
After all, Nous had only just descended, and now this genius had immediately followed. Was her movement really that quick?
Or did this genius actually have some other objective?
The P38 employee hurriedly answered,
"…Madam Ruan Mei said she came to find Mr. Yiqing. She also claims to be an old acquaintance of Mr. Yiqing and says she has an important request this time."
These words made everyone present pause.
"She's also looking for me?" Wei Qing also found this somewhat unexpected.
He and Ruan Mei could indeed be considered old acquaintances, but their interactions had not been many. Now, more than eight hundred years had passed. What could she want from him?
Diamond and Taravan exchanged a glance. In an instant, the two silently exchanged their opinions.
Although Ruan Mei, as a member of the Genius Society, enjoyed great fame throughout the entire universe, barging into IPC headquarters without prior notification was undoubtedly disrespectful to the company.
But if what Ruan Mei said was true, and she really was an old acquaintance of Yiqing, then the IPC would have to reassess the benefits and risks involved.
"Mr. Yiqing, what do you think…?" Diamond asked tentatively.
Better to avoid extra trouble. He handed the decision to Wei Qing.
Wei Qing pondered briefly, then nodded.
He was indeed a little curious why this genius, whom he had not seen for eight hundred years, had come looking for him. And appearing at this particular time made it very difficult not to connect her arrival to Nous's earlier descent.
…
Inside a private meeting room specially prepared by the IPC, the furnishings were simple, and the noise of the outside world was completely sealed off.
When Wei Qing pushed the door open and entered, Ruan Mei was standing quietly before the enormous viewing window, gazing at Pier Point's busy starport outside.
At this moment, Ruan Mei was wearing an elegant modified qipao. Her figure was graceful, and she looked no different from the person in Wei Qing's memories.
Hearing the door open, she slowly turned around.
"…It has been a long time, Mr. Wei Qing."
"Or should I call you by your current name, Mr. Yiqing?"
Wei Qing did not rush to answer. Instead, he first confirmed whether the IPC had left any eyes in this room.
Mm. There really were none. It seemed the IPC was not that bold.
"It's just a form of address. Use whichever you like." Wei Qing walked to the sofa and sat down.
"I simply don't know why Madam Ruan Mei has come to find me this time."
Ruan Mei did not drag things out. She lightly adjusted her sleeve, and her calm tone carried a trace of gravity.
"Herta has gone missing."
"Hm? Herta has gone missing?"
This answer made Wei Qing pause.
As an Emanator of Erudition, Herta was not an easy person to deal with. Could it be that Iron Tomb had made a move against her?
"With Herta's personality, are you sure she has truly gone missing, rather than encountering something interesting and shutting herself away?"
Hearing this, Ruan Mei's expression grew even more solemn.
"Unfortunately, at first, I also thought so."
"But Herta once left me a special puppet for emergency contact. After I lost contact with Herta, that puppet also lost its activity."
"After that, I used every conventional method available, including channels within the Society, but still could not locate her specific position."
Wei Qing frowned slightly.
"Even the Genius Society's internal channels cannot find her?"
Ruan Mei gently shook her head.
"That is precisely the most unsettling part."
"Although Herta has a unique personality, she is never careless when it comes to research. The last time she contacted me, she mentioned that the Garden of Recollection had brought her a surprise."
The Garden of Recollection?
Wei Qing pondered this.
If he remembered correctly, in a certain future timeline of this universe, there was indeed a major event involving Herta and the Garden of Recollection.
Could it be the IF timeline of Great Herta Tomb?
Judging by the timing, Iron Tomb's birth should be around now as well. If this truly was Amphoreus's IF line, then things were getting interesting.
Wei Qing continued,
"If that is the case, then instead of going to ask the people from the Garden of Recollection for clarification, why have you come to me?"
"Putting aside the fact that our friendship is not particularly deep, I also do not seem to possess any ability to find people."
"Or does Madam Ruan Mei believe that I kidnapped Herta?"
Hearing this, Ruan Mei hurriedly explained,
"You misunderstand, Mr. Wei Qing. I do not suspect that you are related to Herta's disappearance. In truth, the reason I came to find you is connected to Nous."
She raised her eyes. In those normally tranquil eyes, there flashed a trace of lingering fear.
"After I lost contact with Herta, Nous once transmitted an extremely chaotic memory to me."
"According to my speculation, that memory is highly likely to be a future They calculated."
Wei Qing raised his brow slightly, signaling for her to continue.
"In that future, among Destruction, there is a Lord Ravager who will reveal his true face. His name is Iron Tomb."
"Perhaps if I say this, Mr. Wei Qing, you may not believe me, but this Lord Ravager named Iron Tomb is truly strong. Extremely strong. Stronger than any Emanator I have ever seen."
"…And it seems that because of some reason, Herta lost the ability to contact the outside world. Even so, in order to stop Iron Tomb's birth, she still chose to fight alone."
"But the ending was not beautiful. Herta failed. She replaced Iron Tomb and became a Lord Ravager."
After saying this, Ruan Mei looked at Wei Qing again, seemingly waiting for his response.
"Madam Ruan Mei, you should know this, right? I am also a Lord Ravager. What makes you think I would stop the birth of my colleague in order to help Herta?"
"To put it more harshly, in order to help my yet-unborn colleague, it is not impossible for me to silence you right now."
This answer made Ruan Mei fall silent for a moment, but she soon calmed down.
"I believe you will not do that, Mr. Wei Qing."
Ruan Mei took a step forward and looked directly at Wei Qing.
"Iron Tomb's method of birth seems different from that of previous Lord Ravagers. The memory fragments Nous transmitted were extremely vague."
"But I could feel that Their calculations related to Iron Tomb had suffered severe interference."
"Therefore, although Nous warned me, that was the extent of it. They could not provide a specific solution. That future was filled with uncertain variables."
"And among all the variables, Mr. Wei Qing, your figure appeared most frequently. You were also the only existence positively correlated with stopping that outcome."
Wei Qing listened to Ruan Mei's explanation and spoke calmly.
"So you intend to ask me for help? Even though I am a Lord Ravager?"
Ruan Mei nodded.
"In fact, during the period since Herta went missing, I have already contacted several colleagues, but we have still been unable to find the final place where Herta disappeared."
"So we can only believe in Nous's calculations, and believe in you."
Wei Qing chuckled.
"Nous just suffered a setback at Qlipoth's place, yet you still trust Their calculations quite a lot."
Hearing this, Ruan Mei seemed to think of something and continued,
"Moreover, Mr. Wei Qing, the current you… seem to have also received Nous's gaze and become a genius, correct?"
"Oh?" Wei Qing narrowed his eyes slightly.
"Madam Ruan Mei's information is quite fast. This only happened moments ago, and even the IPC has not discovered it, yet you already know?"
Wei Qing was absolutely certain that although the blessing of Erudition he had received truly existed, with Ruan Mei's strength, she should not be able to see it.
Ruan Mei gently shook her head.
"It is not that my information is fast. Rather, at the same time Nous blessed you, this information was instantly synchronized to all members of the Society."
"Although because of the Amber Lord, we do not know the exact identity of this new colleague, considering your uniqueness, Mr. Wei Qing, I do not think it excessive for me to make this conjecture."
"I imagine the divine battle between the Amber Lord and Nous was also because of you?"
Wei Qing did not directly admit it. He only picked up the beverage prepared by the IPC on the table and took a light sip.
Ruan Mei observed his expression and continued speaking.
"Nous's gaze is not bestowed casually. It means that the recipient has been acknowledged as possessing the potential to touch the boundary of cosmic truth."
"Mr. Wei Qing, since you have already received this honor, you should understand even more clearly what an enormous loss it would be for a member of the Genius Society to fall—especially a benevolent existence like Herta."
Clearly, Ruan Mei had been misled by an information gap.
At this moment, she still thought that Wei Qing had received Nous's recognition because he had switched to Erudition during the eight hundred years he had been missing.
"Loss?" Wei Qing put down the cup.
"To Erudition, perhaps it would be a loss. But to Destruction, it might be a joyous occasion. A Lord Ravager transformed from a top genius. Just thinking about it is interesting."
Wei Qing's words carried a trace of playfulness, as though he were genuinely considering the possibility of a genius falling and becoming a Lord Ravager of Destruction.
Ruan Mei's breathing paused slightly, but she quickly steadied herself.
She understood Wei Qing.
Or rather, she understood the records concerning Wei Qing.
This former Luofu general, Lord Ravager, later Stellaron Hunter and Galaxy Ranger, had a behavioral pattern that was difficult to judge by common sense. But he was definitely not a madman without a bottom line.
"Mr. Wei Qing," Ruan Mei said, her voice still calm, but now carrying a barely perceptible earnestness.
"I am not asking you in the name of morality or some grand righteousness of faction."
"I have come here as an ordinary person worried about a friend's safety, seeking help from a powerful individual who may be able to change this tragedy."
"…Please save Herta."
The meeting room fell into a brief silence.
Wei Qing looked at Ruan Mei.
This genius, who had always been cold and self-possessed, now had unconcealable worry in her eyes. It was not false.
For Herta's sake, she had truly lowered herself and personally come to seek aid from an "enemy" whose position was ambiguous.
Wei Qing finally spoke again, breaking the silence.
"A genius requesting a Lord Ravager to rescue another genius who might fall and become his future colleague."
"Madam Ruan Mei, don't you think this sounds quite dramatic in itself?"
Ruan Mei still did not answer. She merely looked at him quietly, waiting for his final decision.
"All right."
Wei Qing stood up.
"I'll help with this."
A relieved light flashed through Ruan Mei's eyes.
"Thank you, Mr. Wei Qing."
"After this matter is resolved, Herta and I will certainly repay you properly."
Wei Qing paid no attention to the nonexistent reward Ruan Mei mentioned and said lightly,
"However, the situation has indeed become very serious. There is no time to delay. I will set off now."
Ruan Mei: ?????
The pace seemed a little too fast. Ruan Mei said, somewhat surprised,
"Now? Do we not need to… make some preparations, or inform your companions?"
"Preparations?" Wei Qing chuckled.
"What preparations are needed? As for my companions, I do not intend to let them follow me."
Wei Qing thought of the trio still waiting for him on the Astral Express, as well as the Express crew inside the IPC headquarters.
Iron Tomb was simply too dangerous. This time, he would go alone.
Wei Qing took out his phone and quickly sent two messages in the "Astral Express Family" group and the "Temporary Four-Person Galaxy Ranger Group."
Something urgent came up. Return date uncertain. Don't worry.
Join here to read ahead.
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