Time in the memory world continued to accelerate.
[The Aeon of Elation, Aha, has become one of Pei Guang's subordinates. An Aeon willingly serving under a human left countless beings across the stars in confusion. Aside from Aha himself, no one knows what he's really after. Aha claims he wants nothing: only to loyally serve Emperor Pei Guang.]
[Pei Guang received a distress signal from the Masked Fools. A certain planet was under attack by Tayzzyronth's swarm. The Zerg Swarm dispatched a fleet for support. Pei Guang's insectoid forces clashed with the swarm of the Aeon Tayzzyronth.]
This time, Pei Guang attempted to battle against an entire star system's worth of Tayzzyronth's kin. At the very beginning of the engagement, Pei Guang's insectoid swarm was blown apart like snowflakes in the wind.
The enemy was extremely powerful and vast in number. Moreover, in the midst of battle, they were constantly perfecting their own genetics. However, after a period of combat, Pei Guang discovered a weakness—a fatal one.
They optimized their genes to make themselves, as insectoids, more perfect. They divided roles and evolved accordingly based on those roles. But they had no brains. They couldn't think. And they certainly couldn't strategize.
Pei Guang's Swarm, although not as efficient at reproduction, had something the enemy lacked—intelligence. After Pei Guang dumped a mountain of seemingly useless resources into them, his bugs had developed brains.
Pei Guang's swarm first deployed a batch of high-strength Zergs deliberately engineered with a genetic flaw. This flaw increased physical strength, and to creatures driven purely by instinct, it appeared to be superior genetic material.
Predictably, the mindless "reproduce, propagate, reproduce" bugs took the bait and evolved accordingly.
This gene did indeed enhance overall physical strength, but Pei Guang's swarm had built in a backdoor. With a specific genetic trigger, the enemies' bodies could be instantly dismantled.
Once the enemy had evolved, Pei Guang's swarm began producing Banelings tailored to counter that very gene through the Leviathan.
When the two sides clashed again, the Banelings caused the enemy to collapse instantly. The Leviathans quickly devoured the fallen, analyzing their genetic structure and potential evolutionary paths to produce highly targeted counter-species ahead of time.
[Pei Guang's swarm used tactics against Tayzzyronth's swarm. The enemy failed to detect the strategy and was defeated by the specialized Banelings produced by the Leviathan. Pei Guang's swarm and allied humans eradicated all of Tayzzyronth's kin in an entire star system.]
[Using the enemy corpses, the Swarm replenished its lost population.]
[Pei Guang began a post-battle review. According to the swarm's feedback, most of the Swarm of the Aeon of Propagation are insectoid and fall under the category of lifeforms. However, faced with such powerful enemies, Pei Guang realized his swarm was not yet strong enough. He needed to cultivate his own formidable Swarm.]
[Pei Guang identified that neutron extermination might be highly effective against such enemies. Under his orders, humans and swarm alike began research on neutron extermination. Estimated time to completion: 50 years. Some call the act of eliminating all life on a planet while leaving its inorganic matter intact an evil act of war. Pei Guang, however, called it efficient—especially when facing Tayzzyronth's swarm.]
Seeing this tongue-in-cheek system log, Pei Guang couldn't help but comment, "Alright then, didn't think you'd actually know that meme."
Naturally, the system didn't respond. Just like all players, Pei Guang's system served only to provide convenience: it never answered questions.
Still, as he read the log's prompts, Pei Guang felt it wasn't enough. Neutron extermination was certainly powerful and could wipe out the swarm on a planetary scale.
As for gene pollution? Pei Guang wasn't worried. His Swarm could directly extract the genetic material of these insects, and by analyzing and synthesizing it, they could devise a countermeasure to any contamination.
But it still wasn't enough. Tayzzyronth's kin were simply too powerful. Other Aeons might only have a few Emanators, but Tayzzyronth had so many that even Pei Guang felt a headache just thinking about it.
Though his Swarm continued to evolve and had the support of human technology, Pei Guang knew it still wasn't enough. His Swarm could be even stronger.
And at that moment, Pei Guang had an idea—he summoned Aha.
Responding to the call, Aha appeared before him.
"Oh mighty Emperor Pei Guang, what humble task might you have for this little one?"
Pei Guang: "Nothing major. I just want you to help me find some descendants of the Vidyadhara. Just any small group will do."
Hearing the order, Aha replied cheerfully, "No problem, my dear Emperor Pei Guang. I promise I'll find the Vidyadhara and bring them to our side."
[Aha located a planet inhabited by Vidyadhara. Recalling your command, he seized the entire planet's population and brought them to Ail.]
[The Vidyadhara were furious but didn't dare express it. They couldn't understand what Aha was doing, but none dared question him.]
[Pei Guang met with a Vidyadhara High Elder.]
Standing before Pei Guang was a woman with dragon horns. She was the High Elder of the Vidyadhara.
Though she held that title, she knew full well the terror Aha represented. Because of that, despite having been forcibly taken by the Aeon of Elation, she made no move.
When Pei Guang came to see her, she remained respectful.
To be able to command a Aeon… even if it was the Aeon of Elation, she couldn't quite tell what this Aeon was thinking—after all, anything was possible when it came to the Aeon of Elation.
For the sake of her species' survival, as long as it didn't involve surrendering sovereignty or dignity, most matters were negotiable.
Looking at the white-haired Vidyadhara High Elder standing before him, Pei Guang got straight to the point.
"Greetings, High Elder. I know your species, the Vidyadhara, are unable to reproduce—once one dies, there's one less. But I possess a unique power. For any of my subordinates that lack intelligence or cannot reproduce, they can pair up and give birth to offspring. These offspring inherit abilities from both parents.
If you're willing to become my allies, I can grant your people the ability to reproduce. I won't involve the Vidyadhara in any wars, nor will I interfere with your survival or development. However, I have one condition: you must offer one hundred Vidyadhara to reproduce with my subordinates. These offspring will belong to me and will never be considered part of your clan."
"You have the right to refuse. If you do, I will return you to your homeworld."
High Elder: "Why us?"
The High Elder didn't believe Pei Guang's words. She felt that this entire operation had been deliberately aimed at the Vidyadhara. It was true the Vidyadhara wanted to reproduce, but if it meant being treated like slaves or losing their dignity, even in front of an Aeon, she would fight to the death.
Pei Guang: "Because I'm going up against Tayzzyronth, and my power alone isn't enough. I need the immortal strength of the Vidyadhara. My ability emphasizes nurturing—offspring born from this process can inherit the strength of both parents. Even the Vidyadhara's marrow can be passed down, because it's a trait."
The moment he said that, the High Elder understood Pei Guang's true goal.
[The High Elder of the Vidyadhara is contemplating. She's suspicious of your words, but she's tempted. As she weighs the pros and cons, she notices that you do indeed possess partial reproduction-related authority, and her resolve wavers.]
Pei Guang: "If we work together, you won't be my subordinates—you'll be my allies. Of course, if one day you choose not to maintain this alliance, the Vidyadhara will once again lose the ability to reproduce. But if you're still unsure, you're welcome to investigate."
High Elder: "Fine. If things are as you say, then I'm willing to cooperate."
[After several days of investigation, the High Elder concludes that merely forming an alliance is a fair price for gaining the ability to reproduce. The High Elder agrees to your proposal, and promises that if it proves effective in increasing the Vidyadhara's population, they will participate in the war against Tayzzyronth.]