Dita consumed a Fate System fragment while Compass Carburettor continued hunting for more, strengthening his concepts. Meanwhile, in the System World, Stencil weakened as her strength was absorbed by the Unlucky Tower of Ruin. The war raged on, with Genre Representatives and Systems locked in a brutal war of attrition. Rahakh, Stencil, Gehera, and Rhizen joined the fray, while Technocraft battled the Reincarnation System, aided by Fluff's timely intervention using the Power of Friendship.
"Shit! Argh! Gah!" Shen Ze let out a torrent of groans as he was repeatedly flung away by the onslaught of a Grade 3 System. Once a formidable cultivator within the Immortal's army, and later an even stronger Hero after defecting to Mascot's side, Shen Ze had certainly grown. However, despite wielding power comparable to a Grade 3 System, he found himself unable to secure a victory against them. The Systems possessed the ability to effortlessly mend any damage sustained through Mental Energy. Only a direct strike to their Core Skill posed a genuine threat. Yet, even this could be circumvented as they simply had the capacity to revive. Furthermore, even if they suffered a decrease in level, they could instantly regain it by absorbing the abundant Mental Energy that permeated the System World.
The conflict had already stretched for a grueling century. By this point, he was utterly exhausted. In stark contrast, the Systems remained as ever-present and consistent as beings of pure thought, capable of functioning indefinitely as long as they were sustained by Mental Energy. This was a luxury he could not afford. Moreover, with each fallen ally, the immense pressure on him only escalated. Unlike their adversaries, they could not be brought back once slain. Critically, none of them were Concept Representatives. Shen Ze was purely relying on raw, brute force to contend with a Grade 3 System.
"Do you desire victory?" A voice suddenly echoed within his mind, startling him, as his defenses had always prevented any intrusion. Agitated by this unexpected contact, Shen Ze mentally roared, "Who in the blazes are you? What do you want?"
"I am Compass Carburettor," came the reply. "What is a Compass Carburettor..." Shen Ze instinctively questioned, before realization dawned, "You're the one who eliminated Arnark?"
"Indeed," Compass Carburettor's voice responded with composure. "Now, I present you with an offer." "What might that be?" Shen Ze inquired, his guard heightened, especially since he couldn't discern the origin or method of Compass Carburettor's communication. "Should you return to your rightful owner, I shall fortify your causality. This will enable you to stand evenly against a Grade 3 System and once again reclaim your strength."
"My owner...?" Shen Ze's brow furrowed as he observed Immortal being battered across the void by a cadre of Systems. "The Immortal I once served was not this feeble. And besides, I had my reasons for betraying him..." "Was it not for the pursuit of greater strength?" Compass Carburettor scoffed. "It is the inherent nature of a cultivator. But you see... that is also your fundamental nature." "When you cease to be a cultivator is precisely when you become weak."
His words struck Shen Ze with profound impact, illuminating his mind. He surveyed his surroundings, murmuring softly, "Truly, it goes against my very being to consider my character, to engage in discourse, or to meticulously plot schemes. If something obstructs my path, I sever it. If an individual casts a hostile glance my way, I sever them. If anyone dares impede my progress, I sever them."
Immortal Energy surged through his being as the cheat bestowed by Mascot was gradually expelled, returning to its original proprietor. Instantly, his formidable power radiated throughout the void, and his attire underwent a transformation. His cropped hair elongated, his suit reverted to traditional Daoist robes, and the sword in his grasp shifted from a sleek design to an intricately carved artifact. While he had indeed become less powerful with the forfeiture of the cheat, Shen Ze felt an overwhelming sense of liberation.
It was akin to drawing a deep, cleansing breath after surfacing from a cesspool. With that, he had re-embraced his identity as a cultivator. His return sent a powerful beam of energy slamming into Immortal, causing his strength to surge dramatically. Shen Ze had, in essence, absorbed the vast majority, if not all, of the resources from his home universe. Consequently, his foundation was equivalent to an entire universe, and moreover, one of the most powerful Cultivation Worlds in existence. His resurgence propelled Immortal's might to astronomical levels.
In contrast, Mascot remained unfazed by the development. After all, she had merely recruited Shen Ze with a cheat. All she had gained from him was an influx of power each time he utilized her cheat. Therefore, the loss was insignificant, a mere drop in the vast ocean. The current Immortal's abject weakness was the sole reason why Shen Ze's mere return triggered such a pronounced effect. During Immortal's zenith, even the addition of a million Shen Ze would have been inconsequential.
"I have fulfilled your request, Compass Carburettor," Shen Ze projected mentally. "Now, how will you provide your support?" "In this manner," Compass Carburettor replied, materializing behind Shen Ze. With a pat from his left hand, he unleashed a potent flux of energy. Without any opportunity to resist, Shen Ze became a member of the Secret Society.
Honk!
Carrying a truck in his grasp, Compass Carburettor extracted a System from within.
Grade 3 System—Ancient Strengthening (Level 299)!
Lore and Tell-Tale surged into the Ancient Strengthening System, unleashing a barrage of Psyche Stars that momentarily quelled its madness. He focused all his attention on the Core Skill, extracting its complete essence. The Ancient Strengthening System, with a flicker of clarity, calmly nodded before its madness returned. All the data painstakingly gathered condensed into a sphere as Lore poured into it with his full power.
Tell-Tale began to narrate the extraordinary saga of Shen Ze, his tale echoing across the battlefield: "He embarked on his path as a nobody. Then, he stumbled upon an ancient manual, commencing his journey of body refinement. Consuming one treasure after another, obtained through unfathomable means, he forged and strengthened his physical form, eventually eclipsing those divinely favored. In the end, he ascended to become the very heavens."
"You… when did you infiltrate my domain?" Zaira questioned, her eyes wide with disbelief as she fixed her gaze upon the Ancient Strengthening System clutched in Compass Carburettor's grasp. "I had sealed everyone, so how…"
Before Zaira could finish speaking, her fists shot forward, aiming to crush Compass Carburettor before he could conclude his recitation, recognizing the familiar power he wielded. Yet, an array of magic circles materialized abruptly, intercepting her assault. Magister's cackling voice echoed, "Something captivating is unfolding, Zaira. Do not disrupt the proceedings."
"And today, the multiverse has acknowledged his monumental efforts, bestowing upon him a fragment of its absolute dominion—a Concept, to be precise. It embodies the mortal who has achieved the pinnacle of strength to date," Tell-Tale whirred with formidable energy as the sphere of Lore merged into Shen Ze. He cried out, unleashing a surge of power that propelled everyone in the vicinity backward.
"Hahaha! You are indeed correct, Magister!" Immortal roared with laughter, his strength escalating. The auras of peak Cultivators also began to amplify. Inspired by Shen Ze's display, one by one, the defected Heroes cast aside their pretense and reclaimed their original weapons. They joined Immortal's formidable army, reputed to be the mightiest across the entire multiverse, comprising devoted Cultivators. The spark igniting this widespread transformation was an infamous concept, familiar to all Cultivators who had reached the apex of their power.
