Welcome to Old Elysium

A few days later, at the World Serpent headquarters.

Enoshia met Dr. Cri-Oh, codenamed Jackal, a cadre of World Serpent, thousands of meters underground. Even knowing the true nature of the Stigmata Project, Enoshia didn't hold a bad impression of World Serpent as a whole—they at least provided a fallback plan for the continuation of human civilization.

But for this Dr. Cri-Oh, Enoshia felt no goodwill whatsoever. Among researchers, compared to Schicksal's Changguang, Anti-Entropy's Einstein and Tesla, or the Previous Civilization's Mobius and Dr. MEI, she was undoubtedly the one with the lowest moral baseline and the worst personal ability.

She claimed to stop at nothing for scientific experiments, yet had no real research achievements to show for it. Many of her impressive feats came from the Previous Civilization's technology left behind by World Serpent, not her own skill. Her entire study of Stigmata was just a front World Serpent used to mislead others and hide the true Stigmata Project. Her mission execution was a string of failures, no different from those trash-tier villains in cliché power fantasies who first bluster wildly, then get slapped down in an instant.

The moment they met, Jackal developed a keen research interest in her as a Herrscher, pestering Enoshia with threats and bribes the whole way. Already fed up with her, Enoshia placed a hand on her shoulder.

"You... what are you doing?" Realizing she might be turned into an idiot by the Herrscher of Corruption in the next second, Jackal stumbled back in fear.

Enoshia spread her hands. "Weren't you going to study me? And this is all you've got? But if I wanted to devour most of the knowledge in your head, it wouldn't take much effort."

"I'm warning you, World Serpent isn't Schicksal, isn't Anti-Entropy. When the Honored Lord returns..."

Enoshia scoffed at her bluster. "If it weren't for Kevin, do you think World Serpent would even qualify to negotiate with me? However fast the Gray Serpent network transmits information, I can paralyze it completely in that same time. Then I'll just take whatever I want from here myself. If you don't believe me, I can try right now."

Enoshia pointed at the equipment nearby. "The one qualified to negotiate terms with me is World Serpent, not you. Look at these devices—they're advanced, sure, but they're relics from the last era, nothing to do with someone like you who only talks big!"

"You... you..." Clearly, few had ever spoken to Dr. Cri-Oh like this in her life. But after a flash of anger that went nowhere, she finally shut her mouth obediently. Of course, that was because everything Enoshia said was true.

Enoshia clearly didn't want to burn bridges with World Serpent either, so once Jackal fully backed down, she had no intention of actually doing anything to her. She walked straight to the end of the corridor and slipped through a crack.

The moment she stepped into the Data Space, Enoshia received a flood of information. After a brief digest, she understood that this space was the precious legacy of the Previous Civilization—the Imaginary Tree.

"Hi, how do you fee... Huh?" Just as Enoshia was looking around, a familiar voice rang out, but its owner didn't finish her opening line.

"Sorry, this appearance of mine might cause you and the other Flame-Chasers no small trouble. If you mind, I can change it anytime..." Before Enoshia could finish, Elysia was already in front of her, scrutinizing her from head to toe.

"Hmm... Did you use me as a reference?"

Enoshia nodded.

"Why?"

"Because everyone loves beauty, and you're the most beautiful person I've ever seen."

"Oh my, what good taste! You could tell at a glance that before you stands a maiden as brilliant as falling blossoms?"

As if to confirm something, Elysia spoke while initiating close physical contact with Enoshia. Enoshia stood still, unmoving, as Elysia's actions grew bolder, a blush gradually creeping across her face.

"If I just stand still, Elysia will come over and cuddle me on her own... This is... too... amazing!" (In a Qingque voice)

Watching Elysia's arms wrap around her waist, her chest pressing against her back, Enoshia felt like she'd reached heaven.

Please, more of this, much more.

"Hmm... Just like me indeed. So I look good in any color, huh?... So this is the power of the Herrscher of Corruption?"

Seeing Elysia end the physical contact, Enoshia nodded with a hint of reluctance.

"Yes. Not just in the Data Space, actually... in the real world, this is how others see me too."

Elysia tilted her head in confusion.

"Uh... Well, you might not believe this, but... I once dreamed of you, and after that, I used this image."

Enoshia knew no one would buy the "past life memories" excuse, so she just said she saw it in a dream.

At this, surprise flickered across Elysia's face.

"Now that's... an answer both unexpected and reasonable. Or is it that humans of this era also like to use this method to hit on pretty girls?"

"This..."

"Alright, just kidding. I don't mind at all if a girl as cute as me takes the initiative... Hmm? What's wrong?"

Enoshia's gaze drifted into the air for a moment before settling back on Elysia.

"From the moment I entered the Imaginary Tree, I felt two people watching me constantly, without a break. But I can understand—even for a Herrscher, I'm clearly the most dangerous one to a data space like this."

"Still... they're worrying too much. I've been here this long, and everything in the Elysian Realm is still the same. I think that's proof enough I mean no harm..."

Enoshia extended her index finger and casually traced a line through the seemingly empty air. Su, meditating under the Bodhi tree, and Aponia, in the deepest depths, both widened their eyes. No matter how they observed, Enoshia's position was nothing but garbled code. It took about a minute before it returned to normal.

"Oh my, what a mischievous child. You've really scared Su and Aponia. I'm curious—what does everything in the Elysian Realm look like to you?"

Enoshia thought for a moment.

"Theoretically, I can know all known information. Not just know it—I can alter it at will... For example, in this short time, I've already learned the names, order, and current locations of all thirteen Flame-Chasers. Even if some of you like to be cryptic and won't tell me certain secrets, I could just read your minds directly."

"Oh my, peeking at others' privacy isn't polite," Elysia chided.

"I know. That's why I only can do it, not will do it. It's more interesting for you to introduce everything in the Elysian Realm to me one by one."

"So you're... treating me as a tour guide? No problem. Whenever you need, Elysia will always answer your expectations. Let's start with the main hall."