Chapter 343: Suixing: I Appoint Ruan Mei as an Emanator
Herta Space Station.
"Matriarch, I have an idea."
Suixing's tone was laced with a tempting and dangerous charm, one that could lure you in before you even realized it.
"Hold on. Aren't you at war with Nous? Is this a clone?"
Ruan Mei looked at Suixing. The battle between the two Aeons was escalating; it wouldn't be over anytime soon.
"That's right. I can split off a clone of equal strength, and that 'tin can' (Nous) won't even notice."
True Swarm Bugs can replicate, so of course she could too. However, she could only split off one for now; she hadn't been an Aeon for long.
But when it came to a "group fight," she wasn't scared in the slightest.
"How... exaggerated."
Ruan Mei didn't pity Nous for a second. They weren't related. It wasn't like the "father-son" relationship between Zandar and Nous.
"So, what's this idea you mentioned?" Ruan Mei asked, a little curious. She had tried many times, but the probability was just too low.
"I will appoint you as an Emanator of Propagation. That way, you can borrow the power of the Path of Propagation," Suixing said, not beating around the bush.
Ruan Mei was silent, question marks appearing over her head.
Although you became an Aeon because Kenji intervened... I, your 'real mom,' was the one who did the initial cloning. I'm practically half your creator.
This is like... my creation became the Emperor, and then turned around and named me, the creator, 'Emperor Emeritus'... no, 'Crown Prince'.
This is a true 'reversal of the natural order' (倒反天罡). It's hard to stomach.
(Zandar: Ah, I know that feeling.)
(The Iron Tomb is Zandar's child, and Nous is also Zandar's child. The two 'children' will definitely clash.)
I get it. So Star Rail also has its 'bloody succession' drama.
(Iron Tomb: Love you, bro. See you at the 'Gate'.)
The fight for the 'throne' is always like this.
Ruan Mei's gaze darkened, staring straight at Suixing. You become an Aeon and you've already forgotten who's in charge?
I can't beat you... but my man... he knows a thing or two.
"Hiss... can we... call it even?" Suixing asked cautiously.
"At this moment... you can't be serious?" Ruan Mei smiled faintly and immediately called for backup.
...
"What's up?"
When Kenji appeared, Suixing felt herself start to sweat.
Her benevolent "father" was here. This was... "bloodline suppression"!
"Suixing wants to make me an Emanator of Propagation," Ruan Mei explained succinctly.
Huh?
Don't laugh... hold it in...
Kenji was trying hard not to laugh. This really was a "reversal of the natural order."
"Is that so?" Kenji asked, his hands behind his back, pretending to be serious as he looked at Suixing.
This is too fun.
(Aha: Correct. Aha thinks so too.)
"Just kidding! Don't take it seriously! Just trying to liven up the atmosphere!" Suixing hurried over, got behind Ruan Mei, and her hands, which could easily crush stars, began to gently massage Ruan Mei's shoulders.
Ruan Mei enjoyed it, not angry in the slightest.
"It's not over yet? The Path itself is about to be ground down."
Kenji turned his head, his gaze piercing the vast cosmos, focusing on the Aeon battlefield.
The two Aeons were battling to the ends of the universe, threatening to wear down the very Path itself.
There were a lot of spectators. Besides the other Aeons, the gazes of all the major factions were focused there.
"He's not that easy to kill. The gap between us isn't that big."
Suixing shrugged. She wanted to finish Nous quickly, too, but he was a tough nut to crack.
"Didn't Qlipoth smash Tayzzyronth into 'Aeon fragments' with three hammer strikes back then?" Ruan Mei couldn't help but ask.
"Matriarch, that was a special case. If the original Propagation hadn't had its own 'problem,' Qlipoth couldn't have finished it in three hits," Suixing said.
"The siege by multiple Aeons created a flaw in the Aeon of Propagation, the Path itself became turbulent, and then Qlipoth struck. It was a combination of factors that led to the 'Godfall'."
The price of defying one's Path is fatal, even for an Aeon.
If it had just 'brute-forced' it... the outcome back then would have been different.
"But... this is taking too long. I'm going."
Suixing muttered to herself and vanished. Next up was a "righteous gang-up."
"Let's go. Follow me."
Ruan Mei pulled Kenji toward her private lounge.
Suixing had shared the Path of Propagation with her... she felt... it might work this time.
"?"
Kenji felt Ruan Mei was... ahem... "thirsty." What... what did they talk about just now?
...
Praise Propagation~
Afterward, Ruan Mei touched her stomach. As a genius in the field of life sciences, no one knew her body better than she did. She could feel the subtle changes.
This time... it's definitely a success. I can confirm the results after a day and a night.
"This is... real 'Propagation'..."
Kenji held Ruan Mei, his hand stroking her skin. His mouth twitched. So... this is another way to use it.
Using the power of a Path... for this... It's unprecedented. No one else would even think to do this.
"Don't worry, I won't give birth to an insect. Suixing's 'Propagation' is different."
"I wasn't worried. But... before you met me, did you ever think you'd... properly have a child one day?"
Ruan Mei shook her head. "Not even once."
Having a child is so much trouble. It takes so long.
But now... she was looking forward to it.
Ding-dong—
[Ruan Mei! I'm here for afternoon tea! Open up!]
Big Herta's voice came through. She was ringing the doorbell.
Kenji and Ruan Mei looked at each other. Did Big Herta time this perfectly, or... has she been eavesdropping this whole time?
"Can Herta hear what's inside?"
Ruan Mei thought for a moment. "Herta... 'scoffs' at the idea of eavesdropping... but... she probably can."
"So... it's possible Herta just listened to a 'live broadcast'?"
[I DID NOT!]
Big Herta's voice came through, but the "nothing-to-see-here" denial was all the confirmation they needed.
"Is she... in love with you?"
"Is she?"
Ruan Mei thought about it. Herta's "orientation" probably wasn't like that, but... they were very close.
Ruan Mei said seriously: "Perhaps... she just covets my body."
BANG! BANG! BANG!
[Open the door, 'Kenji'! I'm gonna kill you!]
[And you too, Ruan Mei!]
Big Herta's voice was "overheating" (furious).
She isn't interested in Ruan Mei, a 'married woman'... Really... Not at all...
"Hammer... Hammer... Hammer..."
Big Herta summoned a few "Herta-puppets" and started hammering the door. They're definitely dressed by now, anyway.
Hmph! You mess with me, Big Herta... and you get the mallet!
Why open the door normally? No need!
The Herta-puppets, while hammering, chanted in serious, sincere voices:
"Ms. Herta! Supremely intelligent!"
"Ms. Herta! Devastatingly beautiful!"
"Ms. Herta! Has a pointy head!"
Big Herta: Hmm??? There's a 'hater' in the mix?