Ruan Mei, Screwllum, and Polka Kakamond all watched Herta with expectant gazes.
The Herta slowly began, "The method for creating an Asauchi and forging a Zanpakuto isn't difficult. Quite the opposite, it's very simple, as long as you have the proper environment."
"And Soul Society, which is permeated with reishi, is the ideal environment."
The Herta raised a hand, and a wisp of reishi appeared at her fingertip. She said seriously, "Put simply, reishi is the clay of the soul."
"Use the soul as a furnace and the will as a hammer. Repeatedly shape, compress, and reshape the reishi absorbed into your body until it condenses into physical form. That is the initial Asauchi."
"Once the Asauchi is complete, the embryo of the Zanpakuto is complete. Every subsequent transformation requires it to resonate and synchronize with your soul, thereby allowing your soul itself to transform."
The reishi conversion formula, the spiritual-energy shaping formula, the Asauchi forging method, and the Zanpakuto condensation method were all explained by Herta to the three of them within the span of two hours.
Once she finished, she exercised her authority as the master of Soul Society and tossed the three geniuses into the area with the densest concentration of reishi. Then she brought over a chair, sat down nearby, crossed her legs, and watched them.
"If you have a question, ask. If you don't, don't bother me."
She did exactly as she said and genuinely closed her eyes to rest.
Ruan Mei, Screwllum, and Polka Kakamond exchanged glances. None of them opened their mouths to ask Herta for guidance.
After all, all three were geniuses, and geniuses had their pride. They firmly believed they could create an Asauchi and awaken a Zanpakuto themselves, especially since Herta had already provided all the relevant technical information.
The three geniuses closed their eyes and immediately began digesting the knowledge Herta had just taught them.
All three were fully deserving of the title of genius.
An ordinary living being might require years to master this method, yet the three of them needed only a few short hours to grasp it completely.
Then the three sat cross-legged, absorbing reishi and shaping it.
Before long, one of them successfully condensed an Asauchi.
It was Ruan Mei.
The reason she succeeded first was simple. In the past, she had performed numerous biological modifications upon herself. Those repeated biological modification experiments had long since tempered her willpower to an extraordinarily formidable degree.
Now, absorbing reishi and tempering it with her will... was naturally effortless for her.
Moreover, the instant she created her Asauchi, she began using her genius intellect to cheat the process. She raised a hand and turned the white pearl necklace around her neck. In an instant, the Asauchi came alive... and rapidly took on Ruan Mei's own colors.
Before long, she raised her hand. A snow-white longsword hovered silently above her palm, plum blossoms blooming across its blade before withering away, endlessly repeating the cycle.
The moment Ruan Mei grasped it, she knew its name was Fading Plum Blossom. It could amplify abilities she already possessed, such as allowing her to transform a greater number of inanimate objects into living beings at once.
Mass Biological Activation!
Beyond that, she could clearly feel her thoughts accelerating... which meant everything Herta had said was true. Condensing a Zanpakuto really could accelerate a genius' thinking.
Soon, changes also appeared on Polka Kakamond and Screwllum's sides.
A screwdriver appeared in Screwllum's palm. It looked extremely small and delicate, yet an expression of immense satisfaction appeared on his face. Clearly, the screwdriver was nowhere near as simple as it appeared. Moreover, through his own methods, he had already mastered its Shikai and even its Bankai.
More importantly, Screwllum sensed that the operational efficiency of his CPU had increased.
As for Polka Kakamond, she also successfully created an Asauchi and awakened a Zanpakuto. Through the technical capabilities of her Knowable Domain, she instantly learned the Zanpakuto's true name and advanced it directly from Shikai all the way to Bankai.
Once her Zanpakuto took shape, it assumed the form of a scalpel.
Beyond that, her thought-processing speed had also increased, allowing her to process even more of the information supplied by the Knowable Domain.
Clap, clap, clap.
After witnessing all this from where she sat nearby, The Herta couldn't help applauding in admiration. "As expected of geniuses. Creating an Asauchi, awakening a Zanpakuto, learning its true name, and even mastering Bankai in such a short time... That's truly remarkable!"
Holding Fading Plum Blossom, Ruan Mei shook her head slightly. "We're merely benefiting from someone else's achievements. The truly extraordinary person is you, the one who developed this technology."
Screwllum, holding his screwdriver, nodded in agreement. "I agree with Madam Ruan Mei. The truly outstanding one is you, Madam Herta."
Polka Kakamond said, "From the group wisdom halo to today's Zanpakuto condensation method, Herta, you're developing more and more ways to artificially enhance other people's aptitude and intelligence."
Hearing the three geniuses praise her, a proud and delighted smile appeared on Herta's lips.
In truth, praise from ordinary people couldn't stir much emotion in Herta. But every single person praising her now was a genius who stood on the same level as her.
Oh, no... they used to stand on the same level. Her research ability had now surpassed the geniuses of the Genius Society!!
Thinking this, the expression on The Herta's face grew even prouder.
At that moment, Ruan Mei slowly said, "I'd like to remain in Soul Society for a while longer, study Fading Plum Blossom, and attempt to advance even further so my soul can continue growing stronger!"
After saying this, Ruan Mei silently added another sentence in her heart. I also want to find more people I knew in childhood and talk with them.
Screwllum also spoke. "Madam Herta, I would likewise like to remain in this world for the time being and tell more deceased Intellitron souls that, through the efforts of myself and many other Intellitrons, discrimination against Intellitrons throughout the universe is no longer nearly as severe as it once was."
Polka, standing nearby, also expressed her desire to remain.
Seeing this, The Herta responded calmly, "I don't mind. Since all of you want to stay for now, then remain in this world a while longer."
"By the way, you can try developing this world further, perhaps even creating new technologies based on Soul Society."
After saying that, Herta did not remain in Soul Society any longer. With a single step, she left Soul Society and returned alone to the Warp.
At this moment, the Warp contained not only boundless emotional energy, but also vast quantities of materials carrying historical traces from countless different eras.
The Herta took a deep breath and thought silently.
Soul Society has been completed. I've even obtained the Hogyoku, an artifact from the future. With this artifact in my possession, my soul grows stronger every moment. I'm destined to become the Soul King of this universe.
The Aeon of Spirituality!
The path to Aeonhood has been completely opened.
Now it's time to begin research on a new project. And that new project is the Power of Existence.
The Herta's gaze turned toward three unusual materials within the Warp.
A historical text from an Amber Era inscribed with mysterious traces, a severed limb from a Swarm King that was a direct offspring of the ancient Aeon of Propagation, and Rubert's mechanical lever.
On the surface, the three objects seemed completely unrelated, yet in The Herta's eyes, they shared the same fundamental core.
The Amber Era text recorded the age of the ancient Leviathans.
The severed limb of the Swarm King recorded an age of catastrophe in which terrifying insects flooded the universe.
The mechanical lever was likewise an imperial relic from the era of the Emperor's War.
They came from three great eras. They had been remembered, and they had all been acknowledged by the universe.
What she wanted was that "acknowledgment" itself, extracting the energy of existence from the recognition of countless people.
Thinking this far, The Herta sat cross-legged in the void of the Warp. The black sun above her head shone brilliantly, radiating countless rays of light.
Time passed little by little as formulas of Erudition calculation spread throughout the entire void.
Extraction.
Purification.
Condensation.
Hummm...
After an unknown amount of time, three powers originating from completely different eras and completely different sources fused above The Herta's palm into a nearly transparent flame.
The flame was tiny, so small that it seemed a single breath could extinguish it.
Yet the instant it took shape, it emanated an overwhelming sense of presence and reality, a reality heavier than that of a planet or even an entire star system.
"Success."
The Herta opened her eyes and stared at the transparent flame above her palm, slowly speaking its name.
"Power of Existence."
The instant the Power of Existence was successfully synthesized, The Herta's calculations completely deciphered its characteristics.
As long as someone possessing the Power of Existence retained even a portion of it, they could continue to exist. Their soul would remain undying, and their true name would never be lost.
But once their Power of Existence was completely exhausted, that person would be forgotten by the entire world.
Not death.
Oblivion.
Their loved ones' memories would no longer contain them. Their enemies' lists would no longer contain them. Even within the great causal river of the universe, their name would leave no trace, as though that person had never been born at all.
"That's a vicious characteristic."
Within the Research System's space, Herman said seriously to Herta, "But looking at it the other way around, the more Power of Existence someone possesses, the greater their weight in the universe, and the harder they become to erase, right?"
"Correct."
The Herta closed her five fingers, and the flame sank into her body.
"The amount of Power of Existence determines a person's weight within the universe. The greater that weight, the harder they are to erase or kill!"
"And what I need to do now is increase my own weight without limit!"
"If I do that, perhaps the future Aeon of Spirituality will have a chance of surviving Finality."
Herman responded seriously, "But just now, whether it was the mechanical lever or the Swarm King's severed limb, every material capable of yielding Power of Existence was completely consumed."
"That's true, but I no longer need to extract Power of Existence from those ancient objects."
A faint smile curved The Herta's lips as she quickly replied to Herman, "With my Research Points already reaching four thousand five hundred, deciphering the formula for synthesizing Power of Existence isn't difficult. And now I've already mastered that formula."
After saying this, The Herta sat down cross-legged and closed her eyes. Vast quantities of psionic energy, energy from the Path of Spirituality, Enigmata energy, and Imaginary internal energy were transformed through an exceedingly mysterious synthesis formula... transformed into pure Power of Existence.
From that moment onward, The Herta's existential weight rapidly climbed as she sat beneath the pitch-black sun.
After one day, her existential weight equaled that of a planet.
After three days, it equaled that of a star—a sun.
After seven days, it equaled that of an entire star system.
And the instant her accumulated Power of Existence crossed a certain critical threshold...
Hummm!
An intent from the future, from spacetime at Finality, crossed the river of time and descended into her mind.
It was her future self.
The Aeon of Spirituality—Spirituality.
'I can sense it. You're accumulating Power of Existence.'
The future intent carried a trace of gratification and joy. 'You are my past. As your weight within past history increases, I, who exist in spacetime at Finality, am growing stronger along with you!'
'Continue walking the path before you. My sudden increase in strength... will undoubtedly cause the Aeons of this universe, including the Droidhead, to pay even greater attention to you. You should prepare yourself for that.'
Hearing the voice of her future self, The Herta immediately asked a crucial question. 'Then can you survive the Four Apocalypses and Finality now?'
'I don't know.'
The Aeon of Spirituality answered with remarkable straightforwardness. 'Although the spacetime in which I currently exist is called spacetime at Finality, and the Aeon of Finality has already been born and is unprecedentedly powerful... Finality itself is still in a state of approaching, but has yet to truly descend.'
'After all, the true temporal node of this universe lies in the past—in other words, the spacetime where you currently exist!'
'Before the era you inhabit reaches spacetime at Finality, I cannot determine which of the Four Apocalypses Finality truly is, nor can I determine the strength of the Four Apocalypses. Therefore, I also cannot say with certainty whether my current self can survive Finality.'
'All right.'
'There's one more thing. I recommend using the Power of Existence to strengthen Herman—that is, the Research System.' The Aeon of Spirituality's tone became extremely serious as She said this.
The Herta was puzzled. 'What do you mean?'
'The Power of Existence can increase an object's weight within the universe. This "weight" isn't merely physical mass. Another way of describing it would be concepts such as causality or fortune.'
The Aeon of Spirituality continued, 'And within this universe, no one besides you and me can even perceive the Research System—Herman. If his Power of Existence were exhausted, his causal connection with this universe would be severed. He could very well disappear.'
'Herman... could disappear?!'
The Herta froze.
She had never imagined the possibility of Herman disappearing.
Wait... The Aeon of Spirituality seems to have never mentioned Herman before. Could it be that Herman doesn't exist beside the future Aeon of Spirituality in spacetime at Finality?!
Thinking this, The Herta's heart tightened, and she immediately asked the Aeon of Spirituality that question.
The Aeon of Spirituality replied, 'Correct. Herman does not exist here with me... Herman possesses uniqueness. He exists only with you in the past. That's precisely why I said his connection to this universe is pitifully weak. You don't want Herman to disappear either, do you?'
Hearing this, The Herta recalled how Herman would usually purchase all the research materials she needed whenever she conducted research in the Simulated Laboratory, and how he even took good care of her physical body in reality.
The more she thought about it, the more important Herman seemed. Finally, she spoke seriously.
'Yes. I don't want Herman to disappear. I'll use the Power of Existence to strengthen the Research System.'
'Mm. That's good.'
The Aeon of Spirituality departed with a smile.
The Herta remained standing silently in place. After a long while, she suddenly gave a soft laugh.
"So even my future self is still thinking about you, Herman. It seems that whether it's me or her, you're important. Extremely important!"
Herman, who had been silently watching The Herta's research progress from within her body, looked utterly baffled. "What are you talking about, Herta?"
"Exactly what I said."
The Herta raised a hand, and a wisp of Power of Existence condensed at her fingertip. The transparent flame of existence was somehow even purer than any she had accumulated before.
"Don't move."
"I'm going to nail your weight into the foundations of this universe."
As her words fell, the transparent flame of existence sank into Herman's spiritual body.
From that moment onward, Herman's soul possessed weight within the Honkai: Star Rail universe.
At that moment, Herman suddenly felt that he was no longer quite an alien existence within the Honkai universe. It was as though this extradimensional foreigner had finally been issued official household registration?!
Upon sensing himself more carefully, he discovered that his current registration was actually attached to Herta's household register, making him something like a second Herta produced through a split personality.
Now, even if he separated from Herta's body and his soul permanently resided within Soul Society, he would no longer be attacked by cosmic causality or encounter incidents resembling Final Destination.
Of course, Herman himself had no intention of leaving Herta's body. To him, leaving Herta's body at this point was still far too dangerous.
Through the Research System's Attribute Appraisal, he knew that several Aeons standing at the summit of the Honkai: Star Rail universe were currently watching Herta, this cosmic anomaly.
If he rashly left Herta's body now, there was no telling which Aeon might descend in person and conduct all manner of research on him.
Herman took a deep breath and seriously communicated with The Herta through their mental connection. 'Who was "she" you mentioned just now? Who cares about me the same way you do?'
'My future self. The Aeon of Spirituality.'
Herman froze slightly when he heard that. 'In the future spacetime at Finality, the Aeon of Spirituality doesn't have me by her side?'
Could it be that my future self accumulated enough points and left Herta?!
Impossible. After spending all this time together, Herta and I have already developed a deep friendship. I've also spent all my points strengthening Herta's Research Points without saving even a single one... Unless Herta and I have some kind of falling-out in the future.
No, no, no... There's no way that could happen.
At that moment, The Herta's voice rang out. 'It's true that my future self, the Aeon of Spirituality, doesn't have you accompanying her... That's why both she and I believe you're special, Herman.'
'The circle of knowledge drawn by the Droidhead cannot define your existence. Your very existence is a taboo, and you possess uniqueness. That's why you aren't beside my future self.'
As for Herman, after hearing Herta's explanation, everything suddenly seemed reasonable.
After all, his relationship with Herta really was excellent. The two of them had already become soulmates.
It would have been extremely strange if, in the future, he wasn't accompanying Herta and helping her handle all sorts of matters.
But if his cheat possessed uniqueness and couldn't be replicated...
Then it made perfect sense that he couldn't remain beside the Aeon of Spirituality!
The Herta noticed the realization on Herman's face and silently added another thought in her heart.
Herman, you truly are extremely important to me!
I even think that if the Aeon of Spirituality weren't located in spacetime at Finality, so close to the Four Apocalypses that she has nowhere near enough time to develop herself...
She would come back to my side and forcibly steal you away from me!
The more The Herta thought about it, the more wary she became of her future self.
And in truth, her wariness was completely justified.
Within spacetime at Finality, as time passed... the Aeon of Spirituality missed Herman more and more. The reason was simple. She had no one there to talk to, and without the Universal Genius buff, Her thoughts were also becoming increasingly sluggish.
As for World-Shaking Wisdom, She couldn't trigger that ability in spacetime at Finality either, because it was likewise a talent granted by the Research System.
Now, She longed more and more to see Herman. All She asked was that Her past self resolve the Four Apocalypses as soon as possible.
Once the Four Apocalypses were dealt with and the universe temporarily returned to peace, She would make Her move and take Herman away from Her past self.
Herman, Herman, Herman... I miss you so much!!
The Aeon of Spirituality called out again and again within Her heart.
...
Meanwhile, in the true spacetime, The Herta was contemplating possible applications for the Power of Existence within the Warp.
She felt that this special energy, which could increase an individual's existential weight within the universe, should have many more possible applications.
After pondering for a while, The Herta turned her gaze toward the Warp itself.
If the characteristic of the Power of Existence is to increase a living being's weight within the universe, then what effect would it have if applied to something nonliving—a dimension that is still growing?!
Let's try it...