The research approach Herta devised with her superhuman intellect was remarkably simple: combine the Xianzhou Delve spatial technology with the Dark Plane technology obtained not long ago from Angel Wings through World-Shaking Wisdom, and use the two to construct a special sub-dimensional space.
As long as this special sub-dimension could be created, a girl wielding the Magical Girl Transformation Device would be able to use it to instantly change into gorgeous attire and transform into a magical girl.
Of course, Herta had already completed most of her research into Xianzhou Delve spatial technology. What remained was to thoroughly study the Dark Plane technology—and even merge Delve + Dark Plane technology together to create the sub-dimension...
After a brief period of contemplation, Herta immediately began constructing a Dark Plane within the Simulated Laboratory. With her talent, she naturally succeeded in handcrafting one inside the lab with extraordinary ease.
Then she discovered just how special the Dark Plane truly was. It did not exist within the real dimension, but instead in a unique dimensional layer. The naked eye could not observe it—only specialized instruments were capable of detecting its presence.
Beyond that, she also realized the Dark Plane possessed immense development potential.
For instance, once constructed, the Dark Plane became a hidden dimension concealed within the void. Although a living person could not physically enter it, weapons and equipment could be stored inside.
Which meant that in the future, once she developed more powerful armaments, she could carry them at all times through the Dark Plane—ensuring she would always possess top-tier combat power wherever she went.
At the same time, during her research, she discovered that the Dark Plane possessed properties similar to Honkai energy. It could modify the strength of genes—or rather, develop super genes—granting the human body power comparable to that of superhumans.
Such as super speed, super strength, even an almost unkillable invincible body, and spatial attributes...
Perhaps she could build, based on this characteristic, a Dark Plane Super Gene Platform named Herta.
Herta acted the moment the idea formed. Within the Simulated Laboratory, she extracted her own cells as well as cells from Honkai Beasts, conducting a series of Dark Plane super gene warrior and divine body development experiments.
Thanks to her research ability reaching 1500 points, the process advanced flawlessly. Before long, by combining the genes of Chiyou, her own Herta cells, and the properties of Dark Plane dark energy, she created the Super Herta Gene · Strength Version.
As the name implied, implanting this super gene into the body would grant divine strength, giving unparalleled advantage in close-quarters combat. Additionally, the user's physique would rapidly expand, transforming into a Herta giant.
Naturally, Herta herself was not particularly satisfied with this result.
After all, she was the one and only unparalleled beauty under heaven and earth—an existence destined to walk the Path of Beauty.
How could she possibly resort to brute violence and become some giantess? Magic suited her far better.
Furthermore, she discovered that the Herta-version Super Strength Gene consumed an enormous amount of energy.
Even the level of power equivalent to lifting mountains required nearly half a planet's worth of energy. Such consumption was simply outrageous.
At the very least, the Blue Federation absolutely could not afford to use such a high-energy super gene technology. Only the most powerful cosmic factions—those controlling multiple galaxies—could implement such technology on a large scale.
Of course, Herta herself could.
With the Herta Magic Wand capable of opening the door to the Path of Erudition, she already possessed pseudo-infinite energy. Naturally, she could implant the Super Herta Strength Gene into her body and fully activate it.
Still, implanting the Super Herta Strength Gene could wait. For now, she would continue developing the Dark Plane and attempt to create additional Super Herta gene sequences...
With that thought, Herta continued her development work. By combining her own cells with those of Garuda among the Honkai Beasts, she swiftly created a new Super Herta Gene Sequence · Invincible Body.
As the name suggested, once implanted and activated, this gene granted near-limitless immortality. As long as the body's internal energy was not completely depleted, she could continue living indefinitely.
Even after total energy exhaustion, she could still revive through prolonged recovery.
It could be said that once the Invincible Body was activated, the number of methods capable of truly killing her in this world would become vanishingly small.
Moreover, Herta suspected that after developing the Invincible Body Herta Sequence Gene, she might directly step onto the Path of Abundance.
Additionally, she discovered that activating the Invincible Body gene required a vast quantity of energy—enough to drain several planets when converted.
The Dark Plane truly is a tremendously energy-intensive technology, Herta murmured inwardly. Of course, it may also be because I've only just developed this technology and have yet to fully understand it.
However, once this round of research concludes, the Invincible Body · Herta Sequence Gene must be activated! As for consuming the energy of several planets—that is trivial for the Herta Magic Wand.
Now, continue developing more super genes...
Herta pressed on relentlessly with her research and development.
...
Meanwhile, within Herta's Stigmata Space, Herman had become a super instructor, tutoring one little Herta after another. Truthfully, it was exhausting and demanding—but also immensely fulfilling.
Being surrounded by little Hertas, each seeking his guidance—it felt absolutely incredible!
Especially after consuming research points, the Hertas directly transformed into budding geniuses, able to rapidly absorb the existing knowledge within Herta's Stigmata Space through his instruction. This greatly satisfied his desire to teach.
Moreover, after learning from him, each little Herta could significantly accelerate the progress of The Herta's various engineering projects.
For instance, at this very moment, Herman could, through Stigmata Herta within Stigmata Space, observe that little Herta 09 had already begun taking action against the Honkai Beasts on Mars—neutralizing them and removing their innate biological corrosive traits.
Any Honkai Beast modified by little Herta would have its violent genes completely eliminated, replaced instead with docility and total compliance.
Of course, the deterrent presence of the Herta Magic Wand constantly accompanying Herta 09 was equally crucial.
In addition, Stigmata Herta informed Herman that after returning to reality from Stigmata Space, Hertas 06 and 07—whom he had just instructed—successfully assisted Herta 05 and began participating in the little Herta manufacturing project.
This greatly reduced Herta 05's fatigue, filling her with delight.
As for Hertas 08, 10, and others, after completing their studies under Herman in Stigmata Space, they joined the production workflow of the Soul Gem factory, accelerating the manufacturing process of Soul Gems.
Twenty-four system hours after the Xianzhou Alliance, the Interastral Peace Corporation, and the Family reached their cooperative agreement, the first batch of Soul Gems was completed, packed into crates, and transported away by IPC and Xianzhou Alliance ships... to be sold across the cosmos.
After learning of this from Stigmata Herta, Herman prepared to deliver the good news to The Herta. He exited Stigmata Space and closed his eyes.
In that instant, his consciousness entered the Simulated Laboratory to report the success—only to be stunned by the scene before him.
Beside Herta within the Simulated Laboratory, a miniature sun—a nuclear fusion device—was blazing fiercely.
Even more astonishing, Herta was strolling within the burning micro-sun fusion core itself. She suffered no injury whatsoever. Not even her clothes were damaged...
What in the world was going on?!
A flood of question marks filled Herman's mind. Then he heard The Herta's voice.
"You're here, Herman. Have you finished teaching the Hertas?"
Herman nodded instinctively. "Yes. Under my instruction, the little Hertas have shed the rudimentary intelligence of their initial awakening and successfully learned the necessary technologies from me."
The Herta said proudly, "Of course, since they were all created by me, they are parts of Herta. It's only natural that they are intelligent and capable of quickly mastering my knowledge."
Herman felt slightly speechless.
He had long known Herta was narcissistic, but he hadn't expected that narcissism to extend not only to herself, but also to her Herta Puppets...
What did she mean by saying that because the Hertas were created by her, they would naturally be geniuses?
Clearly, it was he, Herman, who had spent research points teaching them.
At that moment, The Herta spoke again.
"Of course, although the Hertas are very intelligent, without your proper guidance they wouldn't have mastered that knowledge so quickly. In any case—thank you, Herman."
Hearing this, the speechless feeling in Herman's heart quickly faded.
As expected, Herta is still Herta, he thought inwardly. Narcissistic, yet straightforward. She may act a little tsundere, but she neither exaggerates nor erases my contribution. She states things accurately—and when gratitude is due, she expresses it.
With a relaxed smile, Herman replied, "We're bound together. There's no need for thanks... Besides, those little Hertas are adorable. Teaching them makes me happy as well."
"Naturally. They possess seventy percent of my charm from childhood. Of course they're cute and beautiful," Herta said proudly.
Then, as if recalling something, she added sternly, "However, do not develop improper thoughts toward them. No matter what, they are puppets—and some of them have existed for less than twenty-four system hours."
Herman froze slightly, thinking inwardly:
She's actually worried that I might make a move on the little Hertas? Has she forgotten that I don't even have a physical body in reality?
Or has she subconsciously begun to see me as a man rather than a pet or cheat-like existence?
A subtle ripple stirred in Herman's heart, though he did not show it. Instead, he took a deep breath and asked how she could calmly walk upon the miniature sun within the Simulated Laboratory.
"Guess."
The Herta lifted a hand to adjust the pointed tip of her magic hat, a cute smile curling at her lips.
Herman felt another wave of speechlessness.
Guess?
Was she a child?
But... it was rare for The Herta to display such an adorable side. Was it because this round of research had produced major results, making her so relaxed?
Rather than speculate further, Herman directly exercised his authority as the system and accessed the development logs of the Simulated Laboratory.
His eyes gradually widened.
Herta had simulated the construction of Angel Wings, extracted the Dark Plane gene engine embedded within the ship, and combined it with Chiyou's Honkai genes to create the First-Generation Herta Gene Divine Body—loaded with the Strength Gene.
Afterward, she deeply developed the Dark Plane gene engine further. By combining numerous speed-type Honkai Beast genes, she loaded a Speed Gene onto the First-Generation Herta Gene Divine Body.
And now, the reason she could stand atop the ignited micro-sun nuclear fusion device, unaffected by temperatures reaching hundreds of millions of degrees, was because she had already loaded the Third-Generation Herta Gene Divine Body—Invincible Body—developed through her own simulations.
A physique unafraid of nuclear explosions.
As for her clothing, it had been crafted by combining a Vipralopa-class Honkai Beast—Maheśvara—into a Honkai Valkyrie Armor (magical girl attire). It could not be destroyed even by energy outputs at nuclear detonation levels.
After reviewing this information, Herman was completely shaken.
He had not expected that during the short time he spent teaching the little Hertas, The Herta's research within the Simulated Laboratory would advance so dramatically.
She had consecutively developed the first, second, and even third generations of super genes.
And more importantly, these super genes... all originated from the Dark Plane gene framework she had obtained.
Wait.
Last time, hadn't Herta mentioned that after actively triggering World-Shaking Wisdom, she had indeed obtained Dark Plane-related information from Angel Wings—knowledge originating from beyond this world, from a neighboring universe?
Still, Herman had never imagined her progress would be so rapid.
In less than twenty-four system hours, she had already developed the majority of the First through third-generation super genes.
Of course, beyond the laboratory logs, the clearest proof that her super gene divine body development had reached the Third Generation was the fact that she could stand unharmed within nuclear fusion itself.
After all, according to the theoretical framework she had accessed, a third-generation divine body possessed immunity to nuclear explosions.
Furthermore, the fact that she had developed the Invincible Body super gene astonished Herman even more.
Invincible Body...
A near-immortality ability.
Yet in Herta's hands, it had been replicated with such ease.
This was what true genius meant.
At that moment, Herman even suspected that given more time, Herta might push the Dark Plane to its absolute limits—researching a fourth-generation divine body capable of molecular and even atomic-level reconstruction.
Even if she were to directly confront a super black hole capable of destroying an entire galaxy, or be at the center of a supernova explosion, she might not be completely killed—at worst, her form would be scattered. Given time, a fourth-generation divine body could reassemble and revive.
After contemplating this, Herman said to Herta, "The Dark Plane... super genes... this round of research is astonishing."
"You figured it out at a glance." Herta looked momentarily surprised, then quickly added, "But that makes sense. You are the master of this Simulated Laboratory. It's only natural that you can see and understand the research I conduct here."
She paused before continuing, "In truth, this experiment has not yet concluded. It is still ongoing."
Herman blinked.
Third-generation genes. Invincible Body...
And none of that was her true objective.
What, exactly, was she aiming to achieve this time?
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