Crafting a body for herself—now that was something Celenova had been mulling over for a while.
The system never specified whether it would eventually fashion a suitable vessel for her.
She couldn't just keep drifting through the cosmos for centuries, maybe millennia, playing one messy role after another.
She wasn't made of iron—if things kept going like this, she'd burn out sooner or later.
Of course, even if she did track down Ruan Mei herself, there was no need to solve everything in one performance.
After all, having just met, she wasn't about to lay all her cards on the table for a genius to see.
When it came to matters of life and death, Celenova believed a healthy dose of caution was only sensible.
Take Acheron, for instance—letting her know about the whole "soul form" situation wasn't too big a deal.
With the threat of Nihility looming, the system had already stepped in to handle the heavy lifting.
But letting Ruan Mei or Herta freely examine her while she was still in that state? That felt like a gamble way too far.
Who knows what those two might do if their curiosity got the better of them? Thankfully, that reward from her boss, Nanook, had eased the immediate danger.
So maybe it was better to build some rapport first, establish a little trust, and then put her plans into motion. Something this important couldn't be rushed.
Still, now that she was stepping into Ruan Mei's shoes, maybe she could mix a little personal research in with her usual mischief. She needed an idea that served her own needs while still making a splash.
Celenova fell deep into thought, racking her brain for any life forms that might fit the bill. She had no doubt about Ruan Mei's genius—if anyone could pull it off, she could. And even if Ruan Mei alone wasn't enough, there was always Lady Herta to fall back on.
Knowing when to bend and when to stand firm was just part of survival.
As for what exactly to do with Ruan Mei's character card… Celenova was still drawing a blank.
With time to spare, she decided to wander the cosmos, see the sights and broaden her horizons.
Of course, she also scoured the galactic networks, reading up on all kinds of bizarre and wondrous life forms recorded throughout the universe.
As for Penacony? Just as she'd planned earlier, she wouldn't interfere too much.
The seeds had already been sown. She'd watch how things unfolded in the future.
Maybe once she'd stirred up enough chaos, and if she ever managed to pull Black Swan's card, she could even set up some kind of "comparative viewing" for a bit of abstract fun. Well… if the chance ever arose.
Her mind buzzing with these scattered thoughts, Celenova began drifting along the star charts, exploring at random. And the more she saw, the more she felt that the Pathstriders were… something else entirely.
Like those maniacs from the Annihilation Gang, the Astral Express crew, or the Garden of Recollection—honestly, Celenova got the impression these fanatics were even more chaotic and unrestrained in their destruction than the Emanators of Destruction themselves.
Compared to them, the Interastral Peace Corporation seemed almost wholesome, no wonder Lord Nanook felt this universe wasn't worth destroying yet—it was already terrorized enough by these lunatics.
Celenova was so unnerved by them, she even caught herself mentally calling out to "Boss Nanook"…
--+--
At the entrance to the Void Abyss, Celenova sat quietly beside Acheron, gazing at the massive hand rising from the sea.
"What's wrong? It's rare to see you looking so puzzled," Acheron said, seated on a rock beside her, their shoulders almost touching.
She was curious why Celenova had rushed back so suddenly and sunk into thought like this.
"Nothing, just thinking about what to do next," Celenova murmured, leaning slightly into Acheron. Then she started sharing some of the things she'd heard lately.
"Mei-sis, the truth is, I'm not even a hundred years old yet. All these lunatics are honestly kind of blowing my mind."
Before this, Celenova thought she'd been causing quite a stir. But compared to these fanatics, her antics seemed almost tame.
She figured the only reason she'd scored so big this time was because she'd drawn Xipe's attention and triggered some infighting among the Emanators of Destruction.
Acheron's lips curved into a faint smile at Celenova's words. She reached out and gently patted Celenova's head.
"'Lunatics' is a pretty fitting description," she said.
Celenova rested her chin on her pale hand, curling up slightly. The graceful curve of her body was visible only to Acheron.
"So I've been thinking—the Galaxy Rangers are too few, and not nearly aggressive enough."
"Oh? Are you planning to increase their numbers?" Acheron blinked, turning to look at Celenova.
But Celenova shook her head.
"No, the Galaxy Rangers have their own way of life. I want to create something similar, but on a larger scale—with far greater influence."
"How would you build it? What role will you play next?"
"A genius. One specialized in life sciences: Ruan Mei."
Hearing this, Acheron pressed her lips together slightly.
"Not worried about being hunted down this time? Don't forget, Lady Herta still has her eyes on you."
"Well… I haven't been caught yet, have I? And Ruan Mei's temperament is a bit better than Herta's… probably?" Celenova rubbed her chin thoughtfully.
Herta was blunt, willful, liked talking back, and never put off revenge till the next day.
Ruan Mei had a touch of madness deep down, but she was still relatively gentle. She just wasn't sociable and avoided forming connections with others.
Celenova had a feeling that if Ruan Mei ever found her, she'd probably drag her into some intense brainstorming sessions—at the very least, she wouldn't try to lock her in a basement.
If there was real danger, it might come from Yu Qingtu, whose temperament was still unknown but gave off similarly unhinged vibes.
And then there was the matter of whether Celenova should even hope to draw a character like Polka Kakamond.
Her Knowable Domain ability was incredibly powerful, but the woman herself was dangerously unpredictable—she wouldn't hesitate to use causality to end someone's life over the slightest disagreement.
Watching Celenova's carefree attitude, Acheron didn't know whether to call it ignorance or audacity. But either way, she'd grown quite fond of the entity known as Bai Ming.
When Acheron stayed silent, Celenova went on to outline her plans. As she listened, Acheron's expression grew increasingly subtle.
"It sounds almost like an embodiment of hope and miracles, just like…"
"Just like cosmic vigilantes, right?" Celenova grinned at Acheron.
But Acheron hesitated for a moment, her expression still complex, before nodding slowly.
That wasn't actually what she'd been about to say.
What she'd meant was—it sounded like forging an entirely new Path, one representing all hope and miracles.
But could Ruan Mei really accomplish such a thing? Acheron had her doubts.
Even among geniuses, only the First had created Nous, opening the Path of Erudition. No one since had ever matched that feat.
--+--