"Wait!"
"'Astral Computer'?"
"As... as large as a planet?"
Even the usually calm and composed Mobius couldn't help but freeze in place, her mouth agape wide enough to swallow a goose egg.
MEI, Cyan, Cinnabar, Klein, and Sakura all felt their fingertips turn ice-cold, their hearts surging with shock like raging waves.
Only Elysia, who had already encountered the chat group, had some psychological preparation.
"Yes."
Ryuga nodded.
Boom!
This completely overturned their understanding of the world.
Initially, to increase computational power, computers were built larger, like the ENIAC.
Now, a single phone has more computational power than the ENIAC.
So the question was—
If countless phones were connected together to form a planet-sized computer, how terrifyingly powerful would its computational capabilities be!?
"Where is that planet?"
Mobius took a sharp breath.
With the terrifying computational power of a planet-sized computer, could it even simulate an entire planet?
Could digital life become a real world?
A planet-sized 3D printer?
"Very far away, not in the Milky Way."
MEI examined him up and down: "So you really are an alien from outer space?"
"Strictly speaking, in the universe we're called humanity."
The Xianzhou Celestial species.
"Outside, the influence of the Interastral Peace Corporation spans almost the entire universe, crossing countless superclusters."
"They gather under the banner of 'Qlipoth' and walk the Path of 'Preservation.'"
"And Qlipoth's hammer never ceases, guarding against the disaster that will destroy the universe in the future."
"There's the Astral Express, which rallied under the call of 'Akivili' to walk the Path of 'Trailblaze,' connecting one star system after another."
"In that era of rampant disaster, they saved countless worlds, making 'Nameless' synonymous with heroes from beyond the stars."
"Six planet-sized Xianzhou warships unite under the edge of 'Lan' in the name of 'The Hunt.'"
"The outside world is vast and dangerous."
"But at the same time, it also has a broad future."
Ryuga spoke slowly.
The women silently sipped their black tea. Their hands holding the teacups were trembling.
The warmth of the tea couldn't drive away the chill creeping up from their hearts.
Having their worldview suddenly expanded to such a degree made them feel dizzy.
After a long silence, MEI asked: "What is 'Qlipoth'? What is 'Lan'? What exactly is the planet you're on?"
If not for the otherworldly inventions Ryuga had displayed from the start that absolutely couldn't have been made on Earth, she would have thought he was joking.
Even though she had some research in quantum mechanics, suddenly expanding her perspective to this extent still made her feel lightheaded.
She removed her glasses and rubbed her temples.
"This story is very long, but we have plenty of time. 'Qlipoth' and 'Lan' are both Aeons."
"And 'Preservation' and 'The Hunt' are Their Paths."
Ryuga briefly explained the concepts of Aeons and Paths, then began recounting the story of Amphoreus's thirty million cycles of eternal recurrence.
As the women listened in shock, those with richer emotions were already wiping away tears.
Though they hadn't witnessed it firsthand, they could vaguely see Tribbie and Hyacine's smiles as they willingly went to their deaths.
Aglaea's determination in that leap.
That flower who alone filled the sea, moving forward without hesitation.
A cat-eared little thief who continued the world's life for a thousand years with lies.
The lion who endured death ten thousand times in lonely isolation.
And through thirty million cycles, his laughter, his tears, transformed into flames of rage that would burn together with the world at its end.
"This heart is like the brilliant sun—only death can extinguish it."
Mobius sighed softly.
"He... he didn't go mad. That's... that's really wonderful."
"Compared... compared to him, this little fear of mine seems like nothing. Right, I need to pull myself together."
Klein cried until her face was drenched, unable to stop even with tissues.
Ryuga glanced at her.
Klein became a Herrscher of Dominance precisely because of her fear of Honkai, didn't she?
"Amphoreus, the Aeon's testing ground—is that where we're going?"
Before she knew it, Sakura had gripped the sword at her waist.
Realizing what she'd done, she laughed awkwardly and slowly released her grip.
Ryuga: "Afraid?"
"Yes!"
Sakura nodded. If she wasn't afraid, she wouldn't have grabbed her sword hilt just now.
Her hands were still trembling slightly.
"Being afraid is normal! Suddenly pulling you up to that level, facing enemies you couldn't possibly defeat—anyone would be afraid."
"I've already found mentors for you. What you need to do now is improve yourselves."
"So, what's your answer?"
"Will you join my team?"
Ryuga asked.
Everyone fell silent.
Suddenly raising their worldview to such heights—could they really handle it?
"Then let me change the topic. When external disasters invade Earth, can you defend your home?"
As his words fell, like thunder rolling across the sky, they struck heavily on everyone's hearts.
The women froze, eyes widening in unison as they unconsciously clenched their fists.
Each asked themselves—could they do it?
"Hahaha~ Don't worry, the disaster won't arrive that quickly."
"So? Mobius Professor, MEI, Sakura, Cyan, Cinnabar, Blanca, and Klein—will you choose to waste your time here with people who only fight for power and profit, or come with me to the future?"
Ryuga spoke with an alluring tone.
"Then, what's the price?"
"Everything you have."
Ryuga (Gul'dan version) deliberately lowered his voice to sound raspy and hoarse.
"..."
Mobius rolled her eyes. She didn't mind giving her everything, and even wanted to breed a 'future' with Ryuga.
Who she reproduced with didn't matter, right?
She extended her hand and shook Ryuga's briefly.
"I'm in! But I want to stay in Amphoreus for a while. Is it dangerous?"
Ryuga thought for a moment: "No danger."
As administrator, Lygus could only advise even when intervening.
Like advising Dan Heng.
Blanca hesitated: "Griseo is still too young."
"That's fine. I'll arrange lodging for you when the time comes."
Griseo was still in swaddling clothes.
Even staying in Amphoreus wouldn't matter—it wouldn't cause any variables.
"Sister."
"Alright."
Under Cinnabar's eager gaze, Cyan could only agree indulgently. Plus, she wanted to do what she could for Amphoreus.
As for MEI and Klein, they agreed instantly—neither had family left.
"Can I bring Rin? My younger sister."
"Of course! She'll receive higher-level education."
Ryuga had planned to take her along anyway.
The Herrscher of Corruption—poor child.
Elysia: "Hey, I want to visit Amphoreus too."
"Of course you can. That Cyrene is your 'little sister,' you know."
"Eh (⊙_⊙)?"
"In appearance, I mean."
"Then I definitely have to go."
"No, you have an important mission."
To be continued…