Chapter 286

Ai Yue smiled. "What do you want? I'll find you an asteroid as a secret base."

"No need for that. My collection isn't so large that I need to find a separate planet to store it!"

Pardofelis shook her head, her expression turning slightly shy. "Well, before you take action, could you spend a day alone with me? Uh, even half a day would be fine!"

Although Pardofelis wasn't entirely clear on the specifics of the plan, she understood that it was an enormous project that couldn't be completed overnight.

But if Ai Yue were to carry out his plan, someone like me who is not of much use would naturally not be able to stay by his side and disturb him. But in that case, wouldn't I not be able to see Ai Yue for a long time?

No way! At least, at least spend some quality time with me before that happens, right?

"It's somewhat difficult,"

Ai Yue had barely uttered the first half of his sentence when he noticed Pardofelis's drooping ears and somewhat forced smile. He couldn't help but reach out and pinch her cheek. "But it's not like there's no way to overcome it."

"Really? You'd better keep your word!"

Chapter 45 Am I part of your PLAY?

Ai Yue always keeps his word, but clearly not now.

After all, although he had just come up with some ideas, he obviously couldn't focus on "accompanying" Pardofelis if he couldn't finalize the whole plan.

Pardofelis naturally knew that important matters were at hand, so after receiving Ai Yue's promise, she left the central hall happily without disturbing Ai Yue any further.

After briefly organizing his thoughts, Ai Yue also made a new plan.

He then arrived at the Herrscher Laboratory—where Elysia and Ai were.

Although he needs to focus on dealing with the Post-Civilization issues, it doesn't mean Ai Yue will abandon the Pre-Civilization. After all, only by settling things in front of him can he handle other matters with peace of mind.

However, compared to other issues, the current matter is probably the simplest, because Ai Yue had been planning for a long time to have Elysia replace him as the anchor point of the Pre-Civilization.

After all, he knew very well that there was a vast sea of stars beyond the Solar System, and he would eventually have to go out and explore it. He couldn't protect the Solar System forever, so finding a new guardian for the Solar System was a topic he had been researching before.

It's just that we're bringing it to the forefront now.

"How is the situation?"

Ai Yue had just opened the laboratory door when he eagerly asked, but after saying that, he took a moment to realize what was inside and was taken aback. "Mobius?"

In the center of the laboratory was a huge transparent glass jar filled with pure white Power of Light. It was the culture chamber that Ai Yue used to conduct simulations of the "anchoring process," and theoretically, Elysia should have been experimented on in it.

But the person who appeared inside at this moment was not Elysia, but Mobius, who had parted on bad terms with Ai Yue and even bit him before leaving.

The problem is that, unlike Elysia, who once possessed powers and was herself Herrscher, Mobius cannot withstand the anchoring experiment!

After a moment of stunned silence, Ai Yue immediately appeared in front of the experimental table, intending to release the other party from it.

But Ai had anticipated Ai Yue's reaction and displayed data before the other party could reach out. "Calm down, Doctor Ai Yue — Dr. Mobius's condition is stable up to now."

"Ai Yue, you've finally arrived!"

Elysia, sitting in the corner, looked at Ai Yue with a wronged expression. "I was doing well during the test, but then Mobius suddenly came in and took my spot without saying a word. You should say something to her!"

Upon seeing the data displayed on the screen, Ai Yue stopped what he was doing, but the confusion on his face did not lessen; instead, it increased.

Because the data actually shows stability, it's practically perfect—if we analyze this data alone, Mobius's suitability for the anchoring process is even far superior to Elysia's!

Who is the Elysia? The former Herrscher of Origin, the true core mechanism of the Finality Power, was originally part of the Cocoon of Finality. How could Mobius possibly be more qualified than her?

No, there is indeed a way—after all, strictly speaking, the current anchoring, besides the involvement of the Cocoon of Finality, is also influenced by another factor, namely Ai Yue himself.

Recalling the bite Mobius took before leaving, Ai Yue vaguely realized the other party's method.

By simulating Ai Yue's state, one can improve their compatibility with the Power of Light, thereby truly replacing Ai Yue in the anchoring process.

After all, although Elysia is compatible with the Cocoon of Finality, it is still an anchoring method mainly based on the Cocoon of Finality. Compared with the anchoring method led by Ai Yue, it is still somewhat inferior. If Mobius can really replace Ai Yue's position, then the effect will naturally be better than Elysia's.

The question is, how long can this level of compatibility last?

Looking at Mobius, who was floating calmly in the incubation chamber with his eyes closed, Ai Yue glanced down at the duration of the test.

Clearly, since Mobius forcibly acquired the characteristic of being compatible with the Power of Light through some means, this is destined to be only a temporary state. Once the duration ends, the other party will be immediately rejected, or even directly devoured by the Power of Light.

Sure enough, just as Ai Yue realized the problem, the real-time updated data screen immediately fluctuated, and Mobius, who had been calm, frowned slightly, as if he was in pain.

Without further hesitation, Ai Yue terminated the testing process and opened the incubation chamber. As the Power of Light returned to the container, Mobius landed in front of him under Ai Yue's control.

The moment she opened her eyes, her face turned deathly pale. Countless black cracks immediately spread from her heart to her entire body. At that moment, Mobius seemed to have turned into a thin porcelain doll. Even the slightest vibration as she fell back to the ground was enough to shatter her.

But Ai Yue understood that this was just death caused by forcibly changing his own nature. However, due to Mobius's "immortality," death became a kind of aftereffect that the other party could bear.

However, with Ai Yue present, he naturally wouldn't let the other party suffer such pain. Therefore, as soon as the black cracks appeared on Mobius's body, Ai Yue raised his hand and used his power to heal him.

"Mobius!"

Elysia then supported Mobius from behind, asking, "Are you alright?"

"It's all over now."

As Mobius spoke, she broke free from Elysia's support, raised her head, and looked at Ai Yue with a hint of pride in her voice, "How was it?"

Ai Yue responded quite directly, "The effect is good, but with such poor durability, it is obviously unusable."

The two of them, once they were in research mode, spoke quite directly, so Mobius, who was used to this, was not dissatisfied with Ai Yue's tone. "It's just a temporary effect. Give me some time, and I can stabilize it."

"That's not enough. This is just a test, and neither its intensity nor its duration can compare to a real anchoring process,"

Ai Yue shook his head at this, "There isn't enough time left for you to revise it to the required level, not to mention you don't need to."

"It is necessary,"

Mobius insisted, "Moreover, if one person can't do it, then multiple people should share the burden. You should know that others are also qualified."

"But why should more people do something that one person can do?"

Ai Yue frowned. "You don't want to waste your time on something like this, do you?"

With Elysia's abilities, she might be able to do something else while maintaining the anchor point, but if it were Mobius, even if she barely met the requirements, she would have to expend much more effort and energy to maintain the anchor point. Not to mention continuing her research, she wouldn't even be able to have any distracting thoughts.

Ai Yue naturally didn't want her to take on such a thankless and arduous task.

"I can't help you with your plan, but I know that this plan must utilize the power of the Cocoon of Finality."

Mobius said calmly, "In that case, Elysia can be used for more purposes, instead of just supporting the anchor point."

Ai Yue was taken aback for a moment, then his tightly furrowed brows relaxed, and he showed a somewhat helpless expression. "Why did you do this?"

"So you did this so that I would help Ai Yue?"

Elysia understood what Mobius meant and immediately showed a subtle expression. "What am I to you? A prop for you to show your concern for each other?"

Mobius glanced back at her, then raised an eyebrow, giving her a "what do you think?" look.

"Hateful!"

Elysia puffed out her cheeks immediately, "Looks like there's no place for me here, huh? Fine, Ai, let's go!"

As she spoke, she reached out and grabbed Ai's arm, wanting to take her away from the lab.

To everyone's surprise, Ai stood rooted to the spot, instead looking at Elysia with a strange expression. "Elysia, why are you taking me with you when you leave?"

Clearly, Ai Yi, who considers herself a member of Ai Yue's family, doesn't see herself as an outsider.

Elysia stomped her foot and stormed off from the lab.

Then Ai immediately pulled up the surveillance footage in the corridor—in the footage, a pretty girl in pink was sneaking around outside the door, pressing her ear against the door.

Ai Yue immediately showed a speechless expression. He and Mobius exchanged a glance, and then he said, "If you want to listen, come in and listen?"

After a moment of silence, Elysia walked back in from outside, muttering, "I was just worried that if I was there, you wouldn't be able to say some things."

Elysia's concerns were not unfounded. After all, in her opinion, since Mobius had said such a thing, the next step should be for the two to open up to each other and resolve their previous conflicts. With her present, it was clear that given Mobius's prideful nature, he might not be able to say some things.

"Your most urgent task right now is to throw away all those pink comics and novels under your bed,"

Mobius couldn't help but roll his eyes. "And while you're at it, get Aponia to give you a brainwashing."

"No way!"

Elysia's eyes widened immediately. "Those are all carefully selected gems... wait, how did you know?"

"Alright, alright, let's get down to business, shall we?"

Ai Yue quickly interrupted the meaningless conversation between the two and brought the topic back on track, "Mobius, you didn't really need to do this. Elysia isn't of much help to my plan."

"Hello!"

Elysia immediately looked at Ai Yue, "If you say that, I'll be sad!"

"Then what should I do?"

Mobius looked calmly at Ai Yue, "When you're carrying out such a dangerous plan, do you expect me to stand idly by and do nothing?"

Looking into Mobius's eyes, Ai Yue was speechless for a moment.

Perhaps his obsession was too heavy, causing him to neglect the feelings of those around him.

Wow!

Elysia couldn't help but lower her voice and whisper in Ai's ear, "I didn't expect Mobius to say something so blunt. I thought she would be stubborn!"

Ai didn't speak, but nodded in agreement.

"Hey, can you not whisper in a volume that others can hear?"

Mobius turned and glared at Elysia, then sighed, "In short, I've made up my mind, so even if you disagree, I'll still get rid of Elysia."

Elysia muttered in the corner, "What about my opinion? Does anyone care about poor Elysia?"

"Put your enhancement ideas into a plan and give it to me."

Ai Yue was silent for a moment, then finally sighed, "Also, even if that's the case, one person isn't enough."

"I'll bring Aponia along again."

Mobius smiled. "That way you don't have to worry about her anymore, right?"

"Are you really sure?"

Ai Yue couldn't help but ask, "If you accept this enhancement plan, you'll never have a chance to surpass me again in your life."

It's not difficult to make Mobius withstand the anchoring; as long as Ai Yue uses his power to modify him, he can create someone whose strength is no less than Kevin's.

However, unlike Kevin, Mobius, who was strengthened in this way, was essentially bound to Ai Yue and became his familiar—which meant his potential was locked away.

The reason Ai Yue didn't use this method to cultivate more high-end combat forces for Earth is that he hoped everyone could grow freely and perhaps demonstrate more possibilities.

Anyway, with him here on Earth, there's no need to worry about threats from outsiders.

"You seem to have a lot of confidence in me."

Mobius smiled. "Stop rambling. Isn't the important thing?"

Mobius did indeed think about surpassing the man in front of her one day, but as time went by, her thoughts gradually changed.

That wasn't a change that came from realizing "this person is simply unsurpassable," but rather a change based on another factor.

Looking at the man before her, Mobius's smile softened with a gentleness she herself didn't even realize.

It's probably true, we've been tricked by this guy.

After leaving the Herrscher Lab, Mobius headed towards her room. As she turned the last corner, she saw a figure standing at her door.

That simple nun's habit clearly indicated her identity.

Thanks.

When Aponia looked at him, Mobius spoke up, "The method you mentioned, the strategy of retreating to advance, is very useful."

"He can't stand it when others show their vulnerable side in front of him, and it's especially effective because it's you."

Aponia smiled and nodded. "But is your way of expressing gratitude to drag me into this too, Mobius?"

"Isn't this what you implied to me before? 'When necessary, others can also become your bargaining chips.'"

Mobius raised an eyebrow. "So, you're welcome."

Aponia remained silent, which clearly indicated her tacit agreement.

She naturally didn't want to actually follow Ai Yue, because that would inevitably become a hindrance to him and might even add unnecessary risks. She only said that sentence to make Ai Yue think calmly. Once it had the desired effect, she would have to find a more suitable position for herself.

Coincidentally, Mobius was also looking for a way to get involved in the plan, so these two women, who were contradictory yet surprisingly in sync on certain things, reached an agreement without tacit consent.

Just as Aponia nodded to the other party and prepared to leave, Mobius suddenly asked, "Aponia, if Ai Yue... if his plan really fails, what will you do?"