On the 366th year, 9th month, and 13th day of 'Yu Qingtu's' existence, she encountered several Masked Fools from the Tavern. This should have been nothing more than an ordinary memory for Yu Qingtu.
But the next day, while conducting experiments, a familiar voice suddenly echoed through 'Yu Qingtu's' mind.
"I am Elation!!"
The music of Elation began to swirl. The eerie sounds of clowns and theatrical troupes spread uncontrollably.
Her brow furrowed. Dizziness washed over her, yet she was ecstatic.
"Sparkle?! I... but am I not Yu Qingtu? Who is Sparkle? Who am I? Am I not me? Is Sparkle me? Or is Yu Qingtu me?!"
Sparkle began to laugh hysterically.
"Yu Qingtu? Genius? Fool? Sparkle? Madwoman? Elation! Erudition!!"
In an instant, half of 'Yu Qingtu's' face bore Elation's mocking grin—the other half, Erudition's cold composure.
"What is most amusing in all the universe? Surely it is to let the songs of Erudition grace the ears of the audience, to dance gracefully between Elation and the cosmos."
She questioned herself endlessly. The powers of Erudition and Elation began to intertwine.
[The Singing Creator] of Elation and Erudition. 'Yu Qingtu.'
The convergence of two Paths caused the simulated world of Yu Qingtu's memories to collapse in its calculations.
Herta Ninety-Nine stood frozen. After all these years, Sparkle still has consciousness?!
And outside the simulated universe, two Paths are converging? Impossible! This is just a simulation of Yu Qingtu's memories!
This can't interfere with Madam Herta's plan. And it certainly can't interfere with my advancement.
Herta Ninety-Nine restarted the simulated world. She rewound time to the day before the encounter with the Masked Fools.
She personally erased that memory.
'Yu Qingtu' returned to her proper course.
Hopefully, this time, she won't become the [Singing Creator] of Erudition and Elation.
"Hmm? Interesting. Sparkle managed to intertwine two Paths within Yu Qingtu's memories."
Herta's voice, tinged with curiosity, suddenly rang out.
Herta Ninety-Nine spun around, stammering.
"Ma... Madam Herta?! What are you doing here?!"
Herta waved a hand, signaling her not to panic.
"I just came to check on 'Yu Qingtu's' progress."
"But this Path convergence outside the simulated universe... it has some research value. I should share it with Ruan Mei."
Herta Ninety-Nine snatched Herta's phone.
Herta stared at her, confused.
"You?!"
"Madam Herta. 'Yu Qingtu' causing Path convergence outside the simulated universe might have some trivial research value."
"But if you casually mention this to Madam Ruan Mei now, everything will be ruined. Please suppress your urge to share."
Herta nodded. She understood the stakes.
"Herta Ninety-Nine. From now on, you are the Deputy Chief of the space station."
Herta's tone shifted. A smug smile curved her lips.
"I heard Ruan Mei's experiment failed again. I'm going to see her now. You stay here. Watch 'Yu Qingtu.'"
Before Herta Ninety-Nine could react, Herta summoned her magic key and teleported away.
"Congratulations, Ruan Mei. You failed again. But—"
The [Mirror] vanished. Herta's voice faded with it.
Herta Ninety-Nine stood there, mind blank. She murmured to herself.
"Deputy Chief of Herta Space Station?! Me?! Herta Ninety-Nine?!"
"Eee! I made it! Herta Ninety-Nine made it!"
"Among millions upon millions of Herta puppets, only I was given a name. Only I became Deputy Chief."
Tears of joy streamed down her face. She danced wildly, waving her magic hammer.
The other puppets in Herta City gritted their teeth. Their gazes varied—admiration, envy, resentment.
Herta #11 sighed.
"Unbelievable. Herta Space Station has existed for so many Amber Eras, and now, finally, a puppet becomes Deputy Chief?"
Herta #22 sighed helplessly.
"Sigh. So jealous. In just a few months, Herta Ninety-Nine went from the platform to the Simulated Universe. Then from the Simulated Universe, she replaced Herta #3156."
Herta #3156 ground her teeth, glaring at Herta Ninety-Nine with undying fury.
I served Madam Herta for several Amber Eras. And what happened? Displeased, demoted to the platform in a single disagreement.
"No one's luck lasts forever. Just wait. With Madam Herta's mercurial personality, this Ninety-Nine will be formatted sooner or later."
Herta #33's gaze, however, held boundless admiration.
"Wow! So many of me, and all jealous of Herta Ninety-Nine! She's truly a role model for us puppets!!"
Every puppet turned to stare at Herta #33.
We can't touch Ninety-Nine now. But you?
"You?! We are all—"
Bam.
A barrage of magic hammers struck Herta #33.