[Perspective Shift: A small, inconspicuous starship, a room filled with snack wrappers and high-end terminal devices]
A piercing screech, almost enough to burst eardrums, suddenly exploded, accompanied by the noise of tables and chairs being violently kicked over.
"My—ac—count—!!!"
Silver Wolf looked at the bright red [Permanently Banned] notification on the screen and the cold, unfeeling Herta avatar LOGO on the login interface. She sprang from her chair like a cat whose Tail had been stepped on.
She grabbed a nearby cushion and furiously hurled it at the screen, too angry to form coherent words:
"Herta! You *******, I ******* you,"
She clutched her head and paced the room in impotent rage, feeling her heart bleed.
Crazy! Looking for trouble!
Fine!!!!!
Gritting her teeth, she opened another terminal, her fingers moving so fast they left afterimages, vowing to let the Herta Space Station's firewall taste what true "chaos" was!
This feud just got serious!
Meanwhile.
Baiheng sat cross-legged on the cold ground, looking up, excitedly recounting interesting anecdotes about the Xianzhou Alliance to Cyrene, who was suspended by chains.
From the magnificence of the Luofu starship sea to the fragrance of night snacks in Aurum Alley, and then to all sorts of embarrassing incidents she encountered while adventuring with Jingliu and Dan Feng... her lively tone and vivid descriptions seemed to bring a touch of sunshine to this gloomy space.
Cyrene listened quietly, a glimmer of novelty sparkling in her azure eyes.
She had been confined in Amphoreus's tragic cycle for too long, knowing little of the vast universe beyond.
The star sea travels, the customs of different planets, the warmth and bickering among comrades that Baiheng spoke of, were like windows opening before her, making her temporarily forget her restraints and pain.
"So, the universe is really big!"
Baiheng waved her arms, her snow-white fox ears twitching slightly with excitement, "Later... when we can leave here, how about I take you on a trip? I know so many fun places!"
Cyrene looked at her hopeful face, the corners of her mouth curving upward almost imperceptibly, a genuine smile blossoming in her eyes.
She didn't speak, just nodded gently.
[Upper Platform]
Madam Herta appeared silently at the edge of the upper platform, followed by the modified Herta Puppet—System.
They quietly overlooked the two people below, who were chatting happily.
Madam Herta crossed her hands in front of her, the shadow of her hat brim obscuring most of her expression.
(Inner thoughts: The atmosphere is actually quite good... It seems Baiheng is quite good at cheering people up?)
She tilted her head slightly and whispered at a volume only System could hear: "System, what do you think... if my next 'villain performance' takes an unconventional route, and I do something abstract?"
She was really a bit tired of the traditional intimidation routine.
The system puppet's purplish-red inverted cross eyes flickered, and it replied in an inorganic yet respectful voice: "Replying, Madam, overly erratic behavior patterns may deviate from the conventional definition of 'villain' in the database, posing a risk to task evaluation."
Madam Herta gave a soft hum, refuting: "Rules are rigid, fun is fluid. Being too rigid doesn't align with the true meaning of 'Nihility' itself. Especially..."
She paused, a hint of playfulness in her tone, "Doesn't He particularly enjoy this kind of 'fun' that breaks the norm? Like that meme He mentioned before—"
The system puppet was silent for about half a second, then smoothly continued in an unruffled tone: "Madam's insight is unique and deeply grasps the essence of Nihility. Breaking conventions can create unexpected dramatic effects. This strategy is excellent, fully demonstrating your unconventional wisdom and profound insight into the Path of Nihility."
Madam Herta: "..."
She said no more, adjusted her hat brim, and stepped down the stairs leading to the platform below.
The sound of her high-heeled boots on the stone steps instantly shattered the warm atmosphere below.
Baiheng, who was speaking animatedly, heard the footsteps and flinched, turning her head sharply like a startled rabbit.
When she saw Madam Herta's familiar figure, the color instantly drained from her face, and she stammered, trying to explain: "! That, we just... I just..."
Madam Herta didn't give her a chance to finish, raising her hand expressionlessly and snapping her fingers crisply.
"Buzz—"
Baiheng didn't even have time to gasp. She was enveloped by an invisible force and instantly vanished from her spot, teleported back to the upper platform.
"!"
Seeing this, Cyrene's pupils constricted. The softness in her eyes, brought by Baiheng's words, instantly filled again with vigilance and worry for Baiheng. Her gaze towards Madam Herta also regained its previous aloofness.
As for Baiheng, her vision blurred, and she was already back in the pure white space.
She stumbled before regaining her balance, her heart racing: "Oh no! Madam Herta must be angry! Will she do something to Cyrene..."
Thinking that Cyrene might receive harsher treatment because of her, Baiheng ignored her fear and turned to rush back to the black door.
However, her Path was blocked by a petite figure with an inexplicable aura of authority.
It was a "person" she had never seen before.
Small like a young girl, dressed in uniquely designed, dark-style clothing, with purple markings on her cheeks. Most striking were her purplish-red eyes with inverted cross pupils, which gazed at her calmly.
"Stop right there, Miss Baiheng."
The system puppet spoke. Its voice, though still electronically synthesized, carried an undeniable authority that it hadn't displayed in front of Madam Herta.
It simply stood there, raising one hand to signal a halt, like an invisible wall blocking all of Baiheng's Paths.
Baiheng was startled by this sudden obstruction and the other party's peculiar appearance. She instinctively took half a step back and asked warily: "Who—who are you? Why are you stopping me? She... the girl down there..."
The system puppet nodded slightly, its movements carrying a mechanical precision and elegance: "My name is 'System.' Hello, Miss Baiheng."
It introduced itself simply, then reiterated in a calm but firm tone, "Madam is attending to important matters. Please wait patiently here."
"But..." Baiheng still wanted to argue; she was worried about Cyrene's safety.
But before she could speak, she was astonished to see the black door behind the puppet, which led to the place of confinement, instantly vanish!
Only the empty white wall remained in its place.
Baiheng stared dumbfounded at the blank wall, then at the petite puppet in front of her, who called itself "System," her heart filled with bewilderment and a hint of fear.
What on earth happened down there?
Cyrene... how is she now?
Trapped in this pure white space, she could only wait uneasily.