The song recording went quite smoothly.
For a singer of Robin's caliber, she could practically sing it after hearing it once.
The only remaining consideration was the embellishment of musical instruments.
Besides "Time Machine," Bai Luan also had Robin re-record "If Love Forgets."
Although Robin was a bit puzzled as to why Bai Luan asked her to sing this song again, she still performed it seriously.
Compared to the previous version, Robin herself was more satisfied with the current one.
Not only were her techniques more mature than before, but her understanding of the lyrics also deepened after the events with Sunday.
It's truly nostalgic; it's been so long since I sang this song… It seems I've grown during this time.
In the future, I must continue to work hard.
After completing the song collaboration, Bai Luan no longer bothered Robin.
She was already busy and had spent so much time indulging his whims; she would be quite occupied from now on.
Staying any longer would be impolite.
After bidding farewell to Robin, Bai Luan was pondering how to pass the remaining cooldown time of the Anywhere Door when his phone suddenly vibrated twice, indicating a new message.
Bai Luan curiously picked up his phone.
Miss Ruan Mei: Are you there?
Miss Ruan Mei: Why aren't you at the Space Station?
Bai Luan: I'm at Penacony right now. I'll return to the Space Station in a while.
Bai Luan: Miss Ruan Mei, is there something you need me for?
Miss Ruan Mei: Do you still remember the biological evolution mechanism you proposed earlier?
Bai Luan thought back for a moment and quickly recalled that it was Pokémon, which he had mentioned in casual conversation while discussing research topics with Miss Ruan Mei.
Bai Luan: I remember. What about it?
Miss Ruan Mei: The Path of The Propagation can be seen as a self-replication that infects externally, but it's only self-replication.
Miss Ruan Mei: The copies are almost identical to the original, with no differences whatsoever.
Miss Ruan Mei: And the evolution mechanism can bring some changes to them.
Miss Ruan Mei: These changes, combined with The Propagation's inherent self-replication, might allow the Emanators of The Propagation I cultivate to evolve into long-lasting variants.
Miss Ruan Mei: I conducted several simulated experiments using data from the simulated universe.
Miss Ruan Mei: After a certain number of accumulations, some of The Swarm evolved into entirely new forms, different from before.
Miss Ruan Mei: This means that the variants I desire theoretically exist; I just need to discover them.
Miss Ruan Mei: I'm preparing to transfer the experiment from the simulated universe to reality.
Miss Ruan Mei: For this, I need your help… What if these evolved Swarm escape?
Bai Luan couldn't help but feel worried. The Swarm were like mosquitoes, and mosquitoes with added evolution could potentially evolve into ones that bite even in winter.
If Miss Ruan Mei controlled them properly, it would be fine, but if even one or two Swarm with evolution mechanisms accidentally escaped… wouldn't that wreak havoc on the universe again?
Even if he didn't help Miss Ruan Mei, she would likely continue these studies on her own until she achieved her goal.
Since that was the case, it would be better for him to participate. At the very least, he could add a layer of insurance within these Swarm so that if they truly escaped, he could activate the failsafe to eliminate them.
Let's do it this way.
However… Miss Ruan Mei's experiments weren't necessarily all risks.
He could also take this opportunity to see if he could cultivate some overpowered Pokémon.
Some Pokémon have significant differences before and after evolution, to the point where they could be considered two different species.
For example, Magikarp and Gyarados.
Perhaps this mechanism could be used to subtly trick the equilibrium.
For instance, first cultivate a group of ordinary Caterpie, show the equilibrium their unremarkable evolution Path of Caterpie-Metapod-Butterfree, and let It relax its guard.
Then, he could secretly stuff one Caterpie with materials, guiding it to deviate from its original evolutionary Path, causing its final evolved form to change to Rayquaza… that wouldn't be impossible, would it?
Even if it ultimately failed, he could still create a bunch of Pokémon to serve as combat power.
Moreover, Miss Ruan Mei could also help with this project, which could alleviate his slow speed in creating curios.
Hmm… This time, I might as well create creatures like Chimeras and Terras.
Consider it preparation for Amphoreus to ascend into a physical life form.
After making this decision, Bai Luan sent a message to Miss Ruan Mei.
Bai Luan: I understand.
Bai Luan: I'll come find you after I return to the Space Station.
Miss Ruan Mei: [Coordinates]
Miss Ruan Mei: I'll wait for you here.
Soon, the Anywhere Door's cooldown ended, and Bai Luan used it to return to the Space Station and found Miss Ruan Mei.
Apparently, Miss Ruan Mei hadn't been idly standing there waiting for him; she was having afternoon tea while she waited.
Before her were some exquisite pastries and a cup of brewed hot tea.
Miss Ruan Mei noticed Bai Luan.
"You're here?"
"Yes, I'm back. Regarding that experiment…"
Before Bai Luan could finish, Miss Ruan Mei interrupted him:
"We'll discuss that topic later. Now is a rare moment of rest."
Miss Ruan Mei pushed a plate of pastries towards Bai Luan and said:
"Coincidentally, I recently researched a new pastry. I'd like to ask you to try it and give your evaluation."
Bai Luan looked at the exquisite pastry. Indeed, after they started that gourmet show, they often exchanged experiences about making pastries.
It was commonplace to taste each other's creations and leave a few comments befitting a pastry chef.
So, Bai Luan didn't think much of it and ate the pastry in front of him.
Bai Luan looked at Miss Ruan Mei and said:
"It's delicious."
Miss Ruan Mei watched Bai Luan finish the pastry, then suddenly spoke:
"I'm sorry, but she offered a price I couldn't refuse."
"? What do you…"
Bai Luan looked at Miss Ruan Mei in confusion, still not understanding the situation.
Just as he was puzzled, Herta appeared from nowhere.
The moment Herta appeared in Bai Luan's sight, he immediately realized something was wrong.
Upon seeing Herta, his heart started racing, and his cheeks flushed slightly—this was a sign of Super Break.
But Herta hadn't done anything?
She had just appeared!
Something was wrong!
And he was the one who was wrong!
Bai Luan patted his cheeks, trying to return to normal.
With his Herta Resistance, how could he be on the verge of Super Break just by seeing Herta?
Could it be… the pastry he just ate?
Bai Luan looked at Miss Ruan Mei in disbelief, while Miss Ruan Mei looked at Herta.
Herta looked at Bai Luan, whose Herta Resistance had dropped to zero, and nodded in satisfaction.
"It seems the experiment was successful, Miss Ruan Mei. This pastry perfectly achieved my desired outcome."
"Not yet perfect; the effect is time-limited."
"It's just right as it is now."
No… how could they play like this?
He had painstakingly cultivated his Herta Resistance, and now they were telling him they had developed a pastry that could temporarily reset his resistance to zero?
Bai Luan now felt that he couldn't even glance at Herta without immediately being Broken.
With the premonition of Super Break, he looked at Herta in confusion and asked:
"Why?"
"This is your punishment, because of this."
Herta took out her phone, which was playing the heart-hand gesture video Bai Luan had previously filmed for the Herta Puppet.
"Just because of this?"
"Of course, there are other reasons that This Genius won't list one by one; you can think about them yourself. Part of the reason is also because This Genius wanted to do it."
Herta put away her phone.
A certain puppet had secretly eaten so many times; if she didn't do something, that puppet would really think she would just stand by and watch.
Looking at Bai Luan, whose Herta Resistance had returned to zero, almost like on the day of his confession, Herta found him increasingly alluring.
Even just holding hands now,
He probably wouldn't be able to handle it, right?
Just watch, little puppet.
This Genius merely made a slight move, and it's a height you can't reach.
And,
This Genius really wants you to watch from the sidelines.
"Come, let's go inside."
Bai Luan shook his head.
In this state, he would definitely be Super Broken to the point of brain overload and shutdown!
"No… not in this state… please…"
Facing Bai Luan's plea, Herta reached out and caressed his cheek.
"I won't listen."
Then, Herta took his hand, deliberately intertwining their fingers, and led him towards her room.
It was just holding hands, but his reaction was unusually intense. Feeling his state, only three words appeared in Bai Luan's mind:
He was doomed… Bai Luan was pulled away by Herta, leaving only Miss Ruan Mei leisurely sipping her afternoon tea.
Hmm… good tea…