Genius Society members #83 Herta and #81 Ruan Mei jointly acknowledged the incident of the Giants of Light, claiming responsibility for their emergence.
They announced that this grand undertaking—the creation of an entirely new species and a brand-new Path—was accomplished under the leadership of someone named Bai Ming.
Regarding this, the Interastral Peace Corporation, though deeply perplexed, repeatedly verified the facts with Lady Herta.
That very day, they scrapped their originally planned headline news and instead placed Herta's announcement verbatim across all news outlets as the top story.
Moreover, as per Lady Herta's request, the name "Bai Ming" was placed ahead of both Herta and Ruan Mei.
Before this news was released, people across the star system were buzzing with discussions.
Especially on popular forums, topics about the mystery behind the Giants of Light's birth were trending.
'Lady Herta is definitely the most impressive!'
'Madam Ruan Mei's research in life sciences is truly deserving of praise.'
'Could it be that Screwllum has broken the boundaries of inorganic life?'
But after the Corporation's news release,
'Holy crap! Who is this Bai Ming?'
Statements like this practically flooded the entire star network.
Everyone was chattering, asking left and right just who this Bai Ming was.
Not only had this person managed to get involved in such a project, but their name was even placed ahead of Herta and Ruan Mei.
Just how influential must they be?!
And on top of that, the Corporation couldn't even find a photo of this person? Their news department really must be slacking.
--+--
Diamond, who had already led his fleet to the forefront, felt a mix of complex emotions after reading the latest report, while also growing curious about this Bai Ming.
A new member of the Genius Society?
But if that were the case, why hadn't they loudly proclaimed themselves as #84 this time?
If not, what gave them the right to be ranked above Herta and Ruan Mei?
Yet Diamond's sharp intuition as an investor told him that this being known as Bai Ming was likely the key catalyst behind the arrival of the Giants of Light.
It was a pity he was tied up at the moment.
Otherwise, he would definitely find a way to visit Lady Herta and attempt to make contact with this talent.
As for his P46 and P45 subordinates—they weren't suitable for the task.
Their clearance levels just weren't high enough.
This achievement, the creation of a brand-new Path—though not explicitly stated—undoubtedly hinted at the birth of a new Aeon.
Though it wasn't accomplished single-handedly like Zandar, even so, the Corporation would elevate the attention given to Herta, Ruan Mei, and this individual called Bai Ming to the highest level.
In fact, their importance would be considered a notch above that of all other living geniuses.
Creating an Aeon—such a feat deserved the Corporation's utmost regard.
One could only say it was fortunate that Herta was among those who accomplished this.
This gave the Interastral Peace Corporation a natural advantage, making them closer to the situation than other factions.
Diamond watched the dozens of Giants of Light appearing before his fleet and clicked his tongue in quiet amazement.
In just a single day, so many of these giants had already gathered?
"Director?"
"I'll go have a word with them."
Diamond rose from his command seat, deciding to personally meet these giants.
--+--
Meanwhile, the Herta Space Station and The Blue were in an absolute uproar.
A new Path, Giants of Light appearing across the universe overnight—this was their station director's doing?
Scholars who had already joined the space station felt as if they were dreaming.
What had they done to deserve working under someone who had achieved the greatness of creating an Aeon?
Though they didn't know who this Bai Ming was, the acting station director, AI Herta, stated that Bai Ming was personally acknowledged by Lady Herta and had already visited Herta Space Station multiple times.
So they decided to sing Bai Ming's praises right alongside Herta's.
--+--
At the entrance to the Nihility, Acheron made a quick calculation, figuring it was about time for Bai Ming to change appearances again.
So she went online to check if any major commotion had occurred.
That's when she saw the Interastral Peace Corporation's headline.
"To think they actually succeeded."
Acheron's eyes lingered on the name "Bai Ming" at the top of the list, her lips curling into an unconscious smile.
She had truly brought such beings into existence.
However, given the strength of the Giants of Light, if they were to die, they would likely become particularly stubborn Sin Thirsters.
If Bai Ming was the creator, representing 'Life,'
Then Acheron felt she could be the one to oversee 'Death.'
It might seem a bit presumptuous, but it felt like a kind of tacit understanding between them.
Thanks to the medicine Bai Ming had left her, Acheron's mind was growing clearer, and she found herself growing increasingly fond of Bai Ming.
--+--
The Xianzhou Alliance was likely the first major power to recognize the name.
The moment "Bai Ming" appeared in the news, they knew exactly who it was.
There were those who had initially criticized Teng Xiao for being reckless, arguing that he never should have allowed someone dabbling in the dangerous power of the Nihility to wander their streets so freely.
But now, after seeing the headlines, they abruptly changed their tune, praising Teng Xiao for his foresight and brilliant judgment.
Teng Xiao himself paid no mind to the chatter.
He simply thought to himself, he really hadn't misjudged the person.
To lead and create such a radiant existence…
Forging a friendship with Bai Ming had indeed been the correct choice.
--+--
Meanwhile, the currently-famous Galaxy Rangers, upon reading the reports of the Giants of Light, felt both a sense of camaraderie and a twinge of professional anxiety.
If this kept up, it felt like these Giants of Light were going to steal the Rangers' entire shtick.
Of course, the appearance of allies who shared their general ethos in the cosmos was a cause for genuine celebration among the Rangers.
They were also intensely curious about this "Bai Ming" person.
Just what had they done to make two Genius Society members willingly place their names after theirs?
Naturally, if they ever found out that the 'Celenova' who once fought alongside them was actually Bai Ming, their feelings on the matter would likely become… profoundly complicated.
--+--
Having rested through the night, the real Ruan Mei had just woken up when she saw another news bulletin from the Interastral Peace Corporation.
One report detailed how Diamond, Director of the Strategic Investment Department, had personally traveled to the front lines of the Terak Federation to make direct contact with the Giants of Light.
After friendly negotiations concerning the future of the Terak Federation, he publicly declared the Corporation's support for the Giants' actions.
The other piece of news revealed the name of the new Path.
After Director Diamond's discussions with the Giants of Light, it was officially decided:
Hope.
According to the reports, this was the name tentatively agreed upon after serious consultation with the Giants themselves.
The Corporation's headline elaborated, stating that the Giants of Light believed that while 'Miracle' might sound more impressive, it felt too distant, too grand.
The Giants of Light were not meant to be aloof, and light was not solitary or arrogant.
It should be as common as the sun rising every morning.
Something mundane, an everyday reality where every person, regardless of status, could bask equally in its warmth.
The specifics of the speech went on at length, and Ruan Mei couldn't tell which parts were direct quotes and which were editorial flourishes.
Some passages even seemed suspiciously like awkward, over-the-top praise.
Still, she read through the entire report with keen interest.
It gave her a strange sense of parental pride, like seeing one's child achieve great things in the news.
It was rather amusing.
--+--
After finishing the article, 'Ruan Mei' turned her attention to her own interface.
It was time to pull!
She truly hoped for an easy round this time, a chance to just lie back and coast.
--+--