The Blue Federation, Azure District, Public Security Bureau.
Inside the interrogation room.
A high-powered desk lamp shone directly onto the face of Yara, a first-year student at The Blue's First University, forcing her to squint as she protested:
"Inspector, I didn't commit any crime, did I? Why was I arrested? And why are you shining such a powerful lamp in my face? It's blinding!"
"And I'm a student at The Blue's First University. You dragged me here in public without any explanation. You've severely damaged my reputation. When I get out, I'll sue your entire precinct!"
Smack!
Inspector Lana slammed her hand onto the table. "Do you still not realize your mistake?"
"You most certainly committed an offense—and a serious one. Right now, it doesn't matter whether you're a student. Even if you were livestock, you'd still be sent to prison for reeducation!"
Yara bristled with indignation. "I didn't do anything wrong! And my father is the Director of the Education Bureau. I advise you to release me immediately, or you'll regret it!"
Lana sneered. "And what if he is the Director of Education? This arrest order came from the highest level!"
!!
Yara froze.
Only then did she truly grasp the severity of the situation. Her heart began to tremble.
An arrest ordered by the highest authorities?
What on earth had she done?!
She took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down, then asked the inspector in front of her:
"What exactly did I do?"
"You insulted someone online. And not only online—you also mocked her in person." Lana's gaze turned icy. "Now do you remember what you did?"
Insulted someone?
She had been arrested for what she said?
How was that possible?
The Blue Federation prided itself on freedom of speech...
After the initial disbelief, Yara forced herself to think.
Over the past few days, she had spread rumors and insulted not just a few people—but hundreds online. However, as for mocking someone in person... that could only be Herta, the so-called unattainable flower of The Blue's First University.
Could it be that she had been arrested by the military and inspectors—simply because she had mocked Herta for rejecting the Intelligentsia Guild's recruitment offer and claimed she would regret it sooner or later???
The thought left her stunned. It felt utterly absurd.
That couldn't possibly be the reason...
Herta was known among the boys as the aloof beauty on the peak. But Yara had looked into her background. Herta had always been a loner, with few friends, obsessed with strange inventions. Her family background was entirely ordinary.
So how could mocking and belittling someone like Herta bring down inspectors, the military—even an arrest order from the highest level?!
At that moment, countless waves of fear surged through Yara's heart. Her legs began trembling uncontrollably.
After a long silence, she finally asked through chattering teeth whether her arrest was because of Herta.
"Yes," Lana replied with a nod.
She then laid out Herta's true identity.
The 83rd Seat of the Genius Society.
The one who had solved the universe's Fourth Cosmic Conundrum—the existence behind Solitary Waves Theory.
A galactic scholar who had published papers in the cosmos' top-tier journals, Galaxy Nature and Cosmos Science.
Someone about to cooperate with the Interastral Peace Corporation, the Xianzhou Alliance, and the Family—someone who would propel the Blue Federation into the skies.
Therefore, the highest authorities had issued an order: no one was permitted to insult Miss Herta's dignity.
"!!"
After hearing all of this, Yara was plunged into overwhelming shock.
She had never imagined that the quiet freshman who kept to herself, endlessly tinkering and researching strange things, had truly solved the Solitary Waves Theory problem that had confounded the universe for countless Amber Eras.
She was even about to cooperate with three superpowers of the cosmos... and lead the Blue Federation to soar.
No wonder the highest authorities had ordered the arrest of those who insulted Herta.
Once she understood everything, Yara collapsed against the regret chair.
Now she also understood why Inspector Lana had been utterly unmoved when she mentioned her father, the Director of Education.
In front of a genius capable of lifting an entire civilization, a mere bureau director was indeed insignificant.
"Can I apologize to Miss Herta and reach a settlement?" Yara asked bitterly.
"Miss Herta manages countless responsibilities. She has too many research matters to attend to. In three days, she will be negotiating cooperation with the three major powers. Therefore, for the next year, you—and everyone who mocked her online—will remain in prison to reflect on your actions."
Lana spoke without emotion.
Yara understood.
The highest authorities intended to use them as the price for firmly clinging to Herta's support.
This time, she was truly going to prison.
Yara closed her eyes in despair.
...
Meanwhile, as the internet purge unfolded, every negative post about Herta vanished from the web. The online environment was swept clean.
At the same time, the Federation's Propaganda Department began its efforts. News was released that in three days, the Blue Federation would award the Medal of The Blue's First Genius Academician. A grand welcome ceremony would also be held in the capital.
The Xianzhou Alliance, the Family, and the Interastral Peace Corporation would all be sending envoys to The Blue to discuss cooperation.
The announcement sent shockwaves through the Blue Federation's internet. Countless netizens wondered what the Federation had done to attract envoys from three top-tier cosmic powers.
It was an astonishing achievement.
At the very least, the neighboring Eastern Federation would be green with envy.
In fact, when many Blue Federation netizens bypassed restrictions and checked foreign forums, they found the external internet in chaos as well.
"The Interastral Peace Corporation is one thing. While unlikely, it's possible they might send a P20-level envoy for resource cooperation."
"But what's going on with the Xianzhou Alliance and the Family?!"
"According to known reports, neither the Xianzhou Alliance nor the Family has had any contact with the Blue Federation before."
"Two super first-tier powers wouldn't dispatch envoys without reason. Could it be that the Blue Federation has mastered some special technology capable of attracting the universe's top forces?"
The foreign internet buzzed with speculation.
In stark contrast, Herta's dormitory at The Blue's First University was exceptionally quiet.
Inside the dormitory, Herman was carefully following the Soul Gem design blueprint. Using the materials purchased from Penacony, he began crafting the prototype—Soul Gem V1.