"Just give up on your futile resistance."
Martial's voice resounded coldly as the universe-rending slash bore down on the trio of Stencil, Earth Star, and Ying. Earth Star grunted in response as he siphoned the energy of the universe with utmost power to condense a supernova before him, one that he exploded to create an expanding sword to slash outward.
Martial's slash and the supernova beam slammed into each other to fully crack the space, causing energies from the nearby universes to flood into the place.
Immediately taking advantage of the opportunity, Earth Star grabbed Stencil and Ying to harness the shattered spatial forces to slip into the nearby universe and be carried by the collapsing powers for as far as possible.
It was apparent that Earth Star was expecting such a result, which was why he attacked like that.
"Next time, refrain from attacking." Arnark patted Martial's shoulder upon observing the targets flee, his voice cold and focused as he vanished, "You're not useful."
"Did this bastard just say that?" Veins popped all over Martial's face as he oozed bloodlust, gradually enveloping himself with a bloody demonic aura.
"Calm down. You know how he is." The Waning Essence System hurriedly calmed him down, fearing an internal conflict, "That bastard is just as arrogant as usual. Don't worry about him."
It then communicated stealthily, "Besides, you saw the powers of that guy names Earth Star, right?"
"Yes," Martial nodded in response, calming down as he recalled the opponent's actions, "They were strangely…familiar."
"Don't the enlightened martial artists at the peak of each Murim Worlds become capable of harnessing the raw power of nature? The power they could harness is super weak, but isn't it the same as what Earth Star exhibited?" It continued.
"You mean…?" Martial's eyes lit up in surprise, "If I gain control of him…"
"You figured out my plan." The Waning Essence System grinned, "His body itself is a world, one that could naturally harmonise with the energy of the universe. Gaining that would further complement our plans and strengthen you further. You might even have a possibility of reaching half of Immortal's strength at his peak."
"That's terrifying indeed." Martial nodded in shock, "I'll be on the same playing field of the likes of Magister in that case."
"Yes, you'll finally become a major player in the multiverse." The Waning Essence System's words were akin to the devil's whisper as Martial was soon convinced.
'Yes, he's pretty gullible as his genre indicates. Information is severely lacking in the Murim Worlds as compared to the technological worlds that I've birthed. So, it's easy for me to play him like a fiddle as to my wishes.' The Waning Essence System was pretty content throughout the whole ordeal.
After all, through Martial himself, it was gaining a tremendous volume of Mental Energy. And with the launch of their recent plan, it was akin to the waning of the essence—Qi—that formed the core of their martial arts world.
So, the majority of the Mental Energy formed as a result was suitable for its consumption. Moreover, with Martial acting as the filter, it was able to use the power of a Genre Representative to convert some of the power funnelling into him into Mental Energy.
It absorbed all Mental Energy suitable for its consumption and supplied the rest to Zaira. That was how the System World was still able to stay afloat under Mascot's ridiculous rampage.
Moreover, with the return of Truck-Kun, Mascot's strength began to increase. After all, it was Truck-Kun that took care of transmigrating protagonist level characters to Mascot. With that, she resumed her plan of building up an army of cheat-wielding braves.
"Let's resume the chase. We'll target Earth Star." The Waning Essence System spoke as Martial passed through the spatial cracks to chase after their target.
Zaira had instantly switched over to the nearby universe as she resumed attacks, preventing Stencil and group from fleeing afar.
"Why don't you come for a cup of coffee?" Arnark shouted as he stretched his hand out to condense the powers sourced from a hundred world, muttering, "Hundred World Grab."
Boom!
The dozens of rings revolving in a protective embrace around Stencil exploded as a chaotic energy hand grabbed them.
"Leave her…alone!" Earth Star bellowed as he caused minor black holes to form on the exterior of the energy hand, numbering in the millions, covering the entire hand. The sheer gravitational pull they unleashed prevented the chaotic energy from moving forward, preventing them from crushing the trio.
In the meantime, Stencil snapped her finger, unleashing a bolt of lightning that burrowed into Arnark, causing him to grunt in pain as she was in the process of affecting his nervous system.
Thump! Thump!
Arnark slammed his chest twice to dissipate the lightning bolt, staring at Stencil in all seriousness, "You're grown a lot stronger as compared to before. But, that's all you amount to…"
His figure exploded and reformed right before her, extending his hand to grab her by the neck, "Before me, that is."
"Now die."
Swoosh!
Arnark stared in surprise to see Stencil's figure dissolve into Mental Energy and vanish. He tried to absorb them, but it evaded his absorption somehow and reformed into the figure of Stencil farther away.
Stencil extended her hand to reform the figures of Earth Star and Ying, panting immediately in response.
"Affecting Cause and Effect through time…impressive." Arnark muttered as he continued, "Did you learn this from Rhizen? It indeed is a potent ability, unfortunately…"
He stared above her head, "You don't have the means to replenish your massive luck values. The more you use this ability, the less lucky you get. And before me…"
"That's a death sentence."
"Rightly said so!" The Invader System laughed as it arrived at the scene and unleashed a beam of light that penetrated the slightly off-guarded figure of Stencil, startling her as her chokers were struggling to move under her command.
The Invader System was vying for authority in controlling her body. Though, a couple of seconds later, the beam shattered as the Invader System was sent flying.
It stared at Stencil in shock, shouting upon sensing her body turn hazy, her figure almost glazed over, "How the heck are you using the power of Regression?"
"Are you truly Stencil?"
