Herta checked Pei Guang's current location via the monitoring system. Sure enough, Pei Guang, Stelle, and March 7th were happily wandering around the space station.
After some thought, Herta sent him a message: "You can come by anytime to claim your rewards."
Then, she returned to analyzing the results from the trio's simulation in the Simulated Universe.
The findings were... monumental.
This simulation had provided a possible explanation for why Aeons existed in this universe. Although it was still speculative, Pei Guang's actions involving Aeons in the simulation seemed to support this theory.
Reverse-engineering this hypothesis yielded startling results—many actions of the Aeons, previously seen as enigmatic or erratic, suddenly made perfect sense.
However, she didn't treat these results as definitive truth. Until the ultimate truth was uncovered, theories and hypotheses were just stepping stones.
Beyond these revelations, the simulation had provided a treasure trove of data. The technologies and concepts on display, while lacking detailed blueprints, offered glimpses into potential applications and methodologies that were incredibly exciting to the four geniuses studying them.
Since Pei Guang seemed in no rush to visit, Herta decided to dive deeper into the data. The Aetherophasic Engine, for instance, which had even prompted an intervention from the Aeon of Erudition, was of immense interest.
Similarly, the simulation's mining machines captured her imagination. While some civilizations had created star-destroying weapons, the sheer efficiency of machines capable of turning entire star systems into resources was unparalleled.
Yet, curiosity about Pei Guang's activities outside the simulation still lingered. Activating the station's surveillance system, she easily located the trio.
What she saw left her baffled.
On the screen, Pei Guang, Stelle, and March 7th were huddled around a peculiar plant. From the footage, it looked like they were about to… assault it?
"What are they doing? That plant... wait, is it that one? Oh no, what are they planning to do?"
The space station housed many harmless yet peculiar objects scattered across its various sections. Some were being studied by researchers, while others were simply left in use by accident. Generally, they posed no significant issues.
But what were Pei Guang and the others up to? To answer that, we need to go back to when they had just left Asta.
After parting ways with her, the trio began aimlessly wandering the station. With their high-level access and widespread recognition, no one stopped them, even when their meandering turned chaotic.
Eventually, their stroll brought them to a particularly unusual plant.
Pei Guang: "You might not believe this, but I heard it asking me to water it."
Stelle: "I heard it too."
March 7th looked skeptical. "Why can you two hear it and I can't? And wait—can this plant actually talk?"
Curious, March 7th reached out and pinched one of the plant's leaves. The moment she did, she also heard it.
"Stop pinching! It hurts! I'm dying! Oh no, are you my destined ones?"
March 7th's eyes widened in shock. "It really talks!"
Pei Guang nodded. "Yup. I even tried storing it earlier, but it wouldn't work. I guess it's considered a living being?"
The strange plant let out a sigh of relief. "Finally! Someone who can understand me!"
March 7th, still pinching the leaf, tilted her head in fascination. "This is weird... but kind of cute?"
Pei Guang, Stelle, and March 7th all exchanged glances, equally intrigued. Whatever this plant was, it was no ordinary specimen. And knowing Pei Guang, things were about to get a lot more interesting.
March 7th tilted her head with a playful grin. "Hehe~ Who would've thought? One day I'd learn to talk to plants?"
Pei Guang glanced at her skeptically. "What's next? You're gonna tell me you can talk to animals too?"
March 7th nodded enthusiastically. "Of course! Like Asta's puppy—I can totally understand what it's saying."
Puffing her chest out proudly, she planted her hands on her hips, clearly relishing her newfound "talent." Her smug expression made Stelle and Pei Guang exchange amused looks.
Indeed, the ability to communicate with animals—or now plants—was apparently unique to March 7th among the Astral Express crew.
Just then, the strange plant in front of them spoke up in a distressed tone: "It's —I'm dying here! The ground beneath me is bone dry. Ever since the big incident, the irrigation system's been offline. Plants need water, just like people need food. Could you find some water and pour it on me? Otherwise, I'm going to wither away!"
Hearing the plant's plea, Stelle turned to Pei Guang. "Ah Guang, should we help it? I mean, it's not plant can reward us with anything good, right?"
Pei Guang shrugged. "Or... hear me out—what if it is the reward? Talking animals are one thing, but a talking plant? That's rare! If we don't take it with us, we'd be missing out!"
The strange plant froze. "???"
March 7th tapped her chin thoughtfully. "I think we can take it with us later. But first, let's get it some water."
Pei Guang pondered. "Hmm, but does it have to be water? Maybe we can try pouring coffee instead?"
"No! No coffee!" the plant quickly cried out. "If you pour that on me, I'll turn into mulch! Please, just regular water. Come back tomorrow, and I'll have a gift for you, I promise!"
Pei Guang crossed his arms, unconvinced. "But here's the thing—you're just a plant. Even if I max out your favorability, it's not like that does anything for me. And about this 'gift' you mentioned... I mean, if I just pluck you up, wouldn't that already count as mine?"
The plant froze, radiating a palpable sense of danger. It suddenly realized it hadn't found saviors—it had invited harbingers of doom!
At that moment, Pei Guang, Stelle, and March 7th exchanged a knowing glance. A wicked grin spread across all three faces as they closed in on the plant.
A plant capable of producing items? It didn't matter what its background or identity was. Pei Guang was determined to make it cough up everything it had.
If it were the old Stelle and March 7th, they might've balked at such a cruel idea. But after spending so much time with Pei Guang, their moral compasses had shifted—just a little.
Bullying people might be wrong. But bullying a plant? That sounded oddly fun.
Thus, Herta, still watching through the station's surveillance system, witnessed an absurd scene unfold.
One of them was pinching the plant's leaves. Another was squeezing its stem. The third? Holding a small flame aloft, ready to torch it if it didn't cooperate.