"Herta, what exactly are you trying to achieve with this round of research?" Herman asked curiously.
"Naturally, to thoroughly perfect the magical girl transformation system," Herta replied bluntly.
"Transformation?"
After a moment of contemplation, Herman slowly said, "You could continue developing Dark Plane super genes. Perhaps you could develop a spacetime-type super gene ability."
"A spacetime gene." Herta raised an eyebrow. "A good idea. Before you reminded me, I had been focused solely on developing Dark Plane dimensional dressing technology. I hadn't considered initiating a Super Gene · Spacetime Gene project..."
As soon as the words left her lips, Herta plunged directly into the research and development of spacetime genes.
She gathered Xianzhou Delve technology, spatial-related Honkai genomes from Honkai Beasts, and even the mysteries of how the Herta Magic Wand opened the Wisdom space...
In the end—under Herta's superhuman intellect—within less than twenty-four system hours, she achieved a breakthrough:
Spacetime Gene · Micro-Wormhole Transfer!
It allowed her to teleport her own body through space—or even transmit attacks to distant locations, delivering strikes across vast distances!
After developing this ability, Herta confirmed that once the Spacetime Gene was installed within her body, her attacks would become far more unpredictable. For example, when firing a Herta Magic Cannon, she could directly teleport the projectile through space, sending it point-blank against an enemy's face.
A perfect first-encounter kill—catching opponents entirely off guard.
Likewise, after installing the Spacetime Gene, not only would her surprise attack capability skyrocket, but her escape ability would also increase dramatically. Should she encounter overwhelming danger, she could retreat at any moment via micro-wormhole transfer.
Of course, this super gene was not without its flaws.
First and foremost, it was an extreme energy consumer. If Herta did not possess the Herta Magic Wand—capable of opening the door to the Path of Erudition and granting pseudo-infinite energy—she likely would not even be able to afford installing such a spacetime-type gene ability.
Furthermore, using the Spacetime Gene required extraordinary computational power. Without sufficient calculation ability to perform multi-dimensional positioning and compute spatial coordinates, anomalies would occur during micro-wormhole transfer. One miscalculation, and she could be bisected by her own ability—reduced to half a Herta.
Fortunately, Herta was a genius. When allowed to research in calm conditions, her personal effective computational capacity was effectively limitless.
Even outside such ideal conditions, amid chaotic combat, she still had the Fourth Mirror—her super AI Herta companion—providing additional computational support.
In short, Herta was confident that she could fully utilize the Spacetime Gene she had developed.
However, to push it further—to generate ultra-large-scale, ultra-long-distance wormhole transfers in combat—she would require far greater, far more massive computational power.
She would need a true astral computer.
Moreover, developing even stronger divine bodies and additional Dark Plane super genes would also require an astral computer.
In summary, Herta had already decided in her heart: she would install the Spacetime Gene. And once she earned more Credits, she would construct an astral computer within The Blue star system.
After reaching this conclusion, Herta asked Herman how the external projects were progressing.
"I came specifically to bring good news," Herman said. "The Soul Gems have already been mass-produced through the factory. They're being transported by starships to the IPC and the Xianzhou Alliance."
"It won't be long before this product becomes a cosmic bestseller—a true hit across the universe."
"When that happens, we're bound to make a fortune."
"That's excellent," Herta said, a faint smile curling at her lips. "I happen to need a large sum of Credits recently—to construct Dark Planes and Spacetime Genes, as well as Strength, Speed, and even Invincible Body genes..."
"Now, I will further deepen my research into the Dark Plane—develop additional applications for the Spacetime Gene, and perhaps attempt to create even more super genes. As for you, help me with something. Go to the IPC and place orders for dark matter, and..."
Herman listened as Herta listed material after material. He couldn't help but say, "You're planning to construct a Dark Plane in the real world? And manufacture super genes there as well?"
"Yes." The Herta nodded. "The Dark Plane is a special dimension—it does not exist naturally, but must be artificially constructed. As for super genes, they can strengthen my body, make it more perfect. I intend to replicate in reality the achievements of the Simulated Laboratory."
"Alright. I support you."
Herman nodded firmly at The Herta, then closed his eyes and exited the Simulated Laboratory. His consciousness returned to The Herta's body in the real world.
Picking up his phone, Herman directly contacted Jade—the IPC's procurement specialist assigned specifically to Herta—and began placing large-scale orders for dark matter.
Jade, who also served within the Strategic Investment Department while acting as procurement officer, immediately realized upon seeing Herta's new material order that she had initiated another research project.
The genius must have made new progress.
With that thought, Jade promptly instructed the Building Material Logistics Department to expedite delivery of the supplies to The Blue.
After all, the dark matter Herta ordered this time was merely a common material within the cosmos. It was practically everywhere in the real universe.
It was simply that few possessed the ability to extract it—though the IPC was certainly among those who could.
Within the Interastral Peace Corporation, dark matter was hardly scarce. In fact, countless storage planets were already filled with it.
After arranging everything, Jade quickly sent a message to Herta:
"Miss Herta, the dark matter has been loaded onto transport ships. Within approximately twenty-four system hours, the materials you ordered internally will arrive at The Blue. Please be prepared to receive them."
Herman replied, "Excellent efficiency. The IPC truly lives up to its reputation."
"You flatter us," Jade typed swiftly. "The company's logistics efficiency still cannot compare to a genius' intellect... I truly did not expect that in such a short span of time, Miss Herta, you would achieve another major breakthrough in scientific research. Your order for dark matter is the clearest proof of that."
"So, Miss Herta, may I ask what exactly your research entails this time?"
Herman responded, "Further refinement of the magical girl project. Anything more detailed would be beyond your understanding."
After reading the message from the genius of The Blue, a faint, enigmatic smile appeared at the corner of Jade's lips.
As expected, the thinking of a genius was entirely different from that of ordinary people.
She truly could not imagine the connection between dark matter and perfecting the magical girl method.
At that very moment, another message from The Blue genius popped up on Jade's phone screen:
"By the way, the first batch of Soul Gems has already been delivered to the company's sales channels. How are the current sales figures?"
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