Takumi: [Who knows.] [Let's take a look at other civilizations first.] [I'm going to wander around.]
Takumi wasn't sure either.
He needed to check out more civilizations on other planets.
With nothing better to do, he figured he might as well deal with this now.
With that, Takumi lost interest in the current place.
He messaged Bronya and Houraisan Kaguya in the group chat, telling them to continue playing around.
Then he set off into the vast reaches of space.
He began searching for more civilizations.
He needed to understand their situations before making conclusions.
Takumi closed the group chat and disappeared.
He released all his power and began scanning every speck of dust in the universe.
At full power, the entire universe was within his control.
Takumi's expression remained blank as he scanned the cosmos.
Once he locked onto a star system, he launched toward it.
Some star system civilizations had not yet discovered others and were developing in isolation.
Others had already encountered neighbors and gone to war.
Takumi roamed through these civilizations.
He investigated, trying to find the truth.
As his investigation continued, Takumi began to confirm his suspicions.
Especially after obtaining their technologies.
Many of them followed nearly identical development pathsnot exactly the same, but clearly copied.
It was hard to believe they hadn't been artificially designed.
They were completely different from the path Takumi's people had taken.
Their path seemed pre-written, pre-mapped.
Some civilizations developed their own inner powers.
And those powers resembled superpowers.
If Earth hadn't been destroyed, its power development would likely have gone in that direction too.
After obtaining this information, Takumi was speechless.
So it was true.
Someone had interfered with the development of the universe.
Those traces Takumi had seen outside the world before now made sense.
This was, without a doubt, a Gu-rearing experiment.
He sighed.
There was no need to continue investigating.
This much information was enough.
At once, Takumi returned to his own world.
Once home, he shared his confirmed findings in the group chat.
Takumi: [It's basically confirmed.] [They're really rearing Gu bugs.] [=(*))) sigh]
Life is hard. Looks like everyone will have to hurry up and get stronger.
Who knows what that mysterious mastermind is really like.
But if they can freely travel between worlds, they're definitely not weak.
Their strength might not be much below Takumi's own.
If they meet someday, Takumi will definitely oppose them.
That goes without saying.
shiroyasha: [If there's a fight, make sure to call me!]
shiroyasha immediately shouted.
If there's going to be a battlebe sure to call him in!
Chapter 355: Please Don't Let This Backfire
Takumi grinned as he read shiroyasha's message.
That guy clearly just wanted to pick a fight with someone.
Thinking about it, Takumi couldn't help but ask shiroyasha about his current power level in the group chat.
Takumi: [You've fully recovered and even powered up.] [So... have you reached the single-digit ranks yet?]
shiroyasha: [You underestimate me.] [Single digits? Please.] [Even if the Wind of Decay showed up, I could pin it to the ground and grind it down!!]
Fujiwara Chika: [Big bro is awesome! (Piercing explosion.jpg)]
Yuuki Asuna: [Big bro is awesome! (Piercing explosion.jpg)]
Sagiri: [Big bro is awesome! (Loli voice)]
Matou Sakura: [Big bro is awesome! (Loli voice)]
Takumi: [@Matou Sakura, Sakura, don't stir up trouble!!] [Are you attending school properly?]
Seeing that Sakura had joined in, Takumi was a bit speechless.
Why was this kid joining the chaos?
Matou Sakura: [Takumi-nii, I've been studying properly.] [With Nee-san, Illya, and Yuma.]
She really had been going to school and wasn't slacking off.
She just glanced at the group for a moment and saw everyone chiming in, so she sent one message too.
She didn't expect Takumi to catch her.
After reading Sakura's message, Takumi didn't say anything more.
They chatted for a while in the group chat.
Then Takumi went quiet again.
He already knew what he needed to know.
The next day, he visited Mebius.
At the time, Mebius was buried in work.
Seeing Takumi arrive, Klein greeted him.
"Dr. Mebius is busy." "She's analyzing the aliens you brought back."
Ever since Takumi handed over the aliens yesterday, she'd been studying them.
Comparing the genes of both alien speciesand cross-referencing with magical beasts from Takumi's world.
There was a lot of work to be done.
"Any findings?"
Takumi looked at Klein curiously.
Klein didn't hide anything and explained what she knew.
"These aliens' genes are indeed related to magical beasts." "To be specific, they're similar to one kind of magical beast." "Not all magical beasts share similar genes."
Klein began explaining in detail.
She even pulled up Mebius' research from yesterday.
Some genes were highly similar to one species of magical beast.
Approximately 60% similar.
Takumi was surprised to see the data.
Those gene fragments had been collected by humans long ago.
After Takumi arrived in this world, the Honkai had descended.
Magical beasts absorbed Honkai energy, and their genes changed.
Although some records remained, the genes had mutated to some extent.
So only older databases could be used for comparison.
After extracting the alien genes, Mebius had cross-referenced them against the database.
Eventually, she found that one magical beast's genes closely matched those of the aliens.
As for the second alien species, analysis was still ongoing.
After skimming through the info, Takumi was speechless.
"As expected!"
"Those magical beasts were made using alien genes."
"Otherwise, how could they be so similar?"
He sighed.
"You're not wrong." "Did you retrieve more aliens?" "If not, get me more."
"Their evolutionary process is fascinating." "They were clearly forced to evolve in a specific direction."
At that moment, Mebius entered the room.
She'd heard Takumi and Klein talking.
"Doctor!"
Klein greeted her immediately.
Mebius nodded and looked toward Takumi.
"I didn't collect any more aliens myself." "But if you want more, I can grab them anytime."
If needed, Takumi could act immediately.
After all, it wasn't difficult.
"Then grab me a few more!!"
"I really need them!!"
Of course Mebius would agree.
Why else would she bring it up?
Now visibly excited, she was clearly very interested in the aliens.
Hearing this, Takumi didn't waste time.
He opened a virtual channel right away.
He'd already visited those star systems yesterday.
So catching aliens now was child's play.
He opened a portal,
Scooped a few up,
Wiped their consciousness,
And donemission complete.
In no time, Takumi brought Mebius five more aliens.
Looking at their appearances, Mebius couldn't help but comment,
"Just look at these facesthey practically scream 'I'm related to magical beasts.'"
Not identical, but the resemblance was uncanny.
Takumi quickly checked the gene database and nodded.
"True!"
Then he activated his authority to extract one of their genes.
After that, he did a comparison in the database.
"As expectedthis is the work of some shady figure."
"Absolutely ridiculous!!"
Takumi shook his head.
The conclusion was almost certain now.
"So it's confirmed?"
"Looks like someone incredible is using our world as a testing ground."
Mebius looked at the aliens with great interest.
An enemy!
Like fighting against the Honkai, right?
She was instantly excited.
"So what if we know?"
"We don't even know where they are."
"This whole universe is a Gu-rearing setup."
"If that's the case, then let's be the Gu King."
"Let Kosmo conquer the two civilizations and send him to attack more."
"Some of those civilizations are strong, thoughdon't get wrecked."
"There are probably around ten thousand civilizations in the universe."
Recalling what he'd scanned yesterday, Takumi explained to Mebius.
"Got it."
"Let Prometheus handle the briefing."
"I'm heading back to work."
"Klein, move these subjects to the operating tables."
Mebius clearly had no intention of chatting further.
Now that she had new experimental material, she wasn't going to sit idle.
Klein immediately sprang into action, moving the aliens.
Takumi didn't linger either.
After a brief stroll around the Academy, he left.
He began wandering aimlessly through his world.
When he arrived at Liyue Harbor, it was already bustling with people.
It even looked like some outsiders had started settling there.
Takumi noticed the visitors from other worlds.
Curiosity stirred in his heart.
Chapter 356: Miko? Here, Take a Holy Gatling Gun
Every new city Takumi built inevitably attracted people to move in.
Liyue Harbor was no exception.
Aside from the steady stream of newcomers that Zhongli kept sending over, Liyue Harbor also drew individuals from other worlds.
For example, people from the world of Food Wars or even from Suna.
Some folks just loved that style.
Once Inazuma gets developed, maybe people will move there too.
Shops in Liyue Harbor had already started opening up.
While strolling through the area, Takumi quickly spotted Keqing.
She was seated outside a teahouse, working on official matters.
Seeing her, Takumi's eyes lit up.
Without hesitation, he shamelessly walked over and sat down across from her.
Keqing looked up, puzzled by someone taking the seat in front of her.
When she saw Takumi, she blinked in surprise.
"Mr. Takumi?"
Seeing it was Takumi, she was clearly caught off guard.
"Keqing."
"Are you settling in alright?"
Takumi smiled warmly as he greeted her.
Hearing his words, Keqing waved her hand, closing the light screen in front of her, then began chatting with him.
"It was a bit uncomfortable at first."
"But I've gradually gotten used to it."
"So many things here are incredibly convenient."
"The people from Liyue are also adapting to life here."
"Many of them have even started their own businesses."
"Overall, things are going well."
"No one really resents immigrating to this world."
As she spoke, a smile bloomed across her face.
She really liked Takumi's world.
Especially meeting all kinds of unique people.
And she didn't have to stay in an office to work.
She could work wherever she wanted.
Orders could be issued from anywhere with ease.
It was wonderfully comfortable.
Even if her workload increased, she felt she could manage it all.
Thanks to Prometheus, everything was just so efficient.
Seeing her smiling, Takumi nodded.
"As long as you're comfortable."
"That's all I could ask for."
"That's great to hear."
"Takumi, how come you have free time today?"
"You actually came all the way here?"
Keqing looked at him curiously.
Wasn't Takumi usually a homebody?
What brought him out today?
"Just wandering around."
"Everyone at home is busy. I was the only one left, and it got boring."
Bronya had gone off into space.
Xiaoji had locked herself indoors.
Gabriel was still with the Godslayers.
Liliya was managing Velrie's affairs.
He was alone at home.
So, feeling bored, he stepped out.
Hearing this, Keqing nodded in understanding.
"I see."
"No wonder."
"Being home alone really is boring."
She would feel the same way.
Takumi's wandering made sense now.
"Want to go for a walk with me?"
Takumi invited her.
Since they were both free, might as well walk around together.
"Sure!"
"I was actually planning to head over to Wuwang Hill."
"To check out the Underworld."
"Want to come with me?"
Keqing's eyes lit up.
Without hesitation, she mentioned her destination.
She knew about the Underworld, but hadn't visited it yet.
That was Hu Tao's jurisdiction.
Recently, Hu Tao had taken Xingqiu and the others there.
Keqing had originally planned to visit today.
Now that Takumi had shown up, she suggested they go together.
"You're going to the Underworld?"
Takumi was a bit surprised.
Why the sudden interest?
"Yep."
"Hu Tao said it's the place for the dead."
"We'll inevitably interact with it someday."
"I was thinkingif a murder ever happens, could we go to the Underworld to ask who the killer was?"
"These things need to be thought through carefully."
Keqing explained her reasoning with a serious face.
This was part of her job, after all.
Takumi's expression turned strange.
"Well... fair enough."
That was a solid idea.
There were no rules in his world about the living avoiding the Underworld.
If you needed answers, just ask Eiki.
No wonder she wanted to check it out.
Without further thought, Takumi accompanied her.
He opened a spatial rift, and the two of them stepped into Wuwang Hill.
There were a lot more tombstones here now.
It seemed more people had died recently.
Takumi could even hear the sound of a suona horn.
Clearly, a ritual was happening.
The atmosphere had become eerie.
Yin energy was gathering.
Takumi sensed it and realized Hu Tao was the one performing the ritual.
Poor Chongyun had been roped in as a helper.
Seeing this, Takumi chuckled.
"If you want to talk to Hu Tao, you might have to wait."
"She's busy right now."
Keqing shook her head.
"Let's go to the Underworld directly."
Since Hu Tao was occupied, no point in disturbing her.
With Takumi there, they could go directly.
She only needed Hu Tao to get access anyway.
Now she could just chat with the Underworld folks herself.
"Alright."
Takumi didn't argue.
A magic circle appeared beneath them, and they vanished.
They reappeared in the Underworld.
It was still under construction.
But some residents had already moved in.
For instance, people from Gensokyo who originally lived in the Underworld.
Keqing looked around with great curiosity.
There was no sun, but there was still light.
Truly a mysterious place.
