Ability Transfer

"The reason we have to make such a big show of this has three aspects."

Wang Bert ignored Star-Lord and explained, "First, to demonstrate our strength. That way, those planets won’t resist us, nor will they attack Earth because of Thanos’s threats."

Old Tony asked in astonishment, "You’re worried Thanos will force the Three Great Empires to attack us?"

"Yes. Thanos is absolutely capable of doing something like that, and under his threats, the Three Great Empires will most likely submit."

Wang Bert said, "To prevent that, we must show the Three Great Empires just how formidable Earth is. Only then will they behave themselves."

Rocket complained, "The logic makes sense, but isn’t it bizarre for one backwater planet to deter the Three Great Empires?"

"Earth has always been bizarre."

Wang Bert smiled and continued, "The second reason is to give those planets an excuse, so they won’t be implicated by our actions."

Steve nodded in agreement. "The higher-profile we are, the more easily they can clear themselves of responsibility. That’s good. Stealing food is already wrong enough; we can’t drag them into it."

"How pedantic."

S Phastos could not help shaking his head. They said the Blood God was kind-hearted, and it seemed that was true. He had actually considered every angle.

Wang Bert said, "The third reason is that I want to see if we can lure out Thanos or the other Eternals. As long as they’re alive, I won’t have peace of mind."

Tony shook his head. "Not likely. Thanos isn’t that stupid."

"Not necessarily."

Strange suddenly said, "The strongest Eternals aren’t at the peak of the god level. They’re Ancient Gods. They may not be afraid to act."

"Ancient Gods?"

Everyone turned toward S Tina and the others in shock. Thor shook his head. "They aren’t Ancient Gods. Ancient Gods aren’t this weak."

"No, we are Ancient Gods."

S Tina said, "However, to prevent us from rebelling, the Celestial Group placed restrictions inside our bodies. Only when certain conditions are met can we use the power of Ancient Gods."

"With the Celestial Group’s strength, why would they fear you rebelling?"

Wang Bert asked in confusion, "Once the Celestial Group is born, they are at least Ancient God-level. Some among them are even Creator Gods."

"The Celestial Group fears our rebellion not because of our strength."

S Phastos explained, "After becoming Ancient Gods, we gain an additional ability: to command the Eternals. In other words, we can control other Eternals.

"The Celestial Group fears that we might lead all the Eternals into betrayal, so they placed restrictions on us."

Ajak added, "Actually, even if all Eternals joined forces, we still couldn’t overthrow the Celestial Group. But the Eternals handle a great deal of work. If all of us rebelled, it would seriously affect the Celestial Group’s grand plans.

"Simply put, the Eternals are employees, and the Celestial Group is the boss."

"I see. The Celestial Group’s methods of controlling its subordinates are truly crude."

Wang Bert shook his head and asked, "When can you use the power of Ancient Gods?"

"When Arishem grants permission. Also, Thanos has already obtained this authority from Arishem. The reason he didn’t use it before was that he feared we would turn on him, especially since he was severely injured."

S Phastos said, "But now, he won’t have such concerns. He will never allow you to resolve the food crisis. In other words, he will definitely try to stop you."

"Then let them come."

Wang Bert snorted and waved his hand. "All right, everything that needed to be said has been said. I’ll leave the rest to you."

Everyone was stunned. "Leave it to us?"

"Of course. Who do you think I am? How could I go robbing people with you?"

Wang Bert said as if it were only natural, "I’m a Creator God. I have an image to maintain. I don’t know about this, and I don’t want to know about it. That’s that."

With that, Wang Bert waved his hand, vanishing along with the female Eternals and S Phastos.

Tony gave the spot where Wang Bert had disappeared the middle finger. That guy only knew how to play dumb. Did Wang Bert think he cared about face while they did not? They were respectable people too!

Strange said, "The Blood God has already done more than enough for us. The rest really should be our responsibility."

"That’s right. We’ll take responsibility for stealing the food ourselves. Star-Lord, Carol, you two know the universe better. Any suggestions?"

Old Tony nodded. The Blood God’s main consciousness had been trapped in the Mind Sea, so they could not depend on him for everything.

Captain Marvel and Star-Lord both looked a little grim. They were renowned heroes of the Milky Way Galaxy, yet now they were about to become robbers. How were their fans supposed to accept that?

The problem was that they had no choice. If they did not rob anyone, Earth was finished.

Star-Lord raised his hand and said, "My suggestion is that we rob them wearing masks."

Everyone fell silent for a moment, then nodded in agreement.

In a room in Wakanda, S Tina leaned against Wang Bert and asked in a breathy voice, "Blood God, did you bring us here because you want to…"

S Phastos rolled his eyes. "You’re overthinking it. If he really wanted to do something, I definitely wouldn’t be here."

Wang Bert laughed. "You really are overthinking it. Even if I actually wanted to do something, I wouldn’t use Starfox’s body. I don’t have that kind of preference."

The female Eternals looked disappointed. S Phastos asked, "Blood God, you want to study our abilities, don’t you?"

"Something like that. We’ll talk once everyone is here."

Wang Bert shook his head. A moment later, Earth’s Eternals entered through the door. As they looked at the strongest Eternals, their faces were full of surprise.

Although they had long known that Arishem had created many versions of them, this was the first time they had met their counterparts.

S Tina and the others glanced at Earth’s Eternals, then turned away with disdain. In their eyes, Earth’s Eternals were not even fit to carry their shoes.

The strongest Eternals’ gazes made Sersi and the others deeply dissatisfied, but they did not dare show it. Sersi led the group forward and respectfully asked Wang Bert, "My God, what are your orders?"

"The reason the strongest Eternals are so obedient is that I used Starfox’s ability to charm them."

Wang Bert said, "But that is not secure enough. Starfox is simply too weak, so I plan to transfer the strongest Eternals’ power to you."

"What?"

Everyone was stunned. S Phastos shouted in alarm, "Blood God, you can’t do this! You said earlier that prisoners would be treated well!"

"I never promised you anything."

Wang Bert sneered. "Perhaps you see me as somewhat pedantic, but I have never shown mercy to bad people. Phastos, I’ll be taking your power."

S Phastos hurriedly shouted, "There are restrictions on me. Even after the transfer, I’ll only be at the peak of the god level. Blood God, spare me, and I’ll help you study these restrictions."

S Tina and the others snorted coldly. S Phastos was clearly trying to sell them out. Wang Bert said, "No need. How could mere restrictions stump me? I’m a Creator God. Tina, Ajak, restrain Phastos."

"Yes, Blood God."

The female Eternals answered respectfully, with no intention of escaping whatsoever. Even if Wang Bert wanted their lives, it would be the same, because they loved the Blood God far too much.

Watching the female Eternals firmly restrain S Phastos, looking as though they were bravely facing death, Tina and the others felt chills run down their spines. Starfox’s ability was truly terrifying.

Starfox must die. Otherwise, who knows how many women will fall victim to him.

Sersi, Tina, and the others secretly thought. Starfox felt utterly wronged. Though he was indeed the God of Love, at most he could make beautiful women feel more favorably toward him. Perfect control like this was impossible unless the target had exceptionally weak willpower.

What was truly terrifying was not Starfox’s ability, but Wang Bert. How should one put it? Give Wang Bert a fulcrum, and he could pry up the entire Earth.

That was what a Creator God was.

Wang Bert said to Earth’s Eternals, "I can definitely break Arishem’s restrictions. There is no doubt about that. But after the power transfer, some unexpected changes may occur. Tina, decide for yourselves whether you want the transfer. I won’t force you."

Tina and the others looked at one another, then asked Wang Bert, "My God, what kind of changes?"

"Calling it a power transfer is not quite accurate. It is more like fusion."

Wang Bert explained, "You will be influenced by the strongest Eternals’ consciousnesses. If your wills are not firm enough, your personalities will change drastically, and you may even be replaced by their consciousnesses."

Wang Bert was highly proficient in the Fusion Concept.

"Is that so?"

Tina and the others lowered their heads in thought. Simply put, there was danger, but if they succeeded, the gains would be enormous—enough to send them soaring in a single step.

Very quickly, Sersi said, "I’m willing to try."

Tina reminded her, "Sersi, the strongest Eternals’ consciousnesses are far stronger than ours."

"So what? They don’t understand what cherishing or protecting means. I won’t lose to them."

Sersi said with a determined expression, "More importantly, I need their power to protect Earth and save all Eternals."

Everyone was stunned. Even S Phastos gaped. "You want to save all Eternals?"

"Yes. I don’t want the Eternals to continue serving as Arishem’s tools. I want to save everyone. I want justice from Arishem."

Sersi shouted righteously. Though she was somewhat timid by nature, her heart was the firmest among all Eternals. That was why, after Ajak’s death in the movie, she had passed the captain’s position to Sersi.

"I’m willing too."

Sprite looked at S Sprite, who had grown up, and shouted, "I want to grow up."

Seeing this, Tina smiled. "Since all of you agree, then I agree as well."

Phastos looked at S Phastos and said, "I believe I won’t lose to this guy. After all, I have a husband and children."

S Phastos rolled his eyes, secretly deciding that he would replace the other Phastos.

"Very good."

Wang Bert nodded in satisfaction. "There is one extra Ajak. Her ability is self-healing, and it can be transferred to someone else. Which of you wants it?"

The male Eternals exchanged glances. Gilgamesh stepped forward and said, "I’ll take it. Ever since learning the truth about Mahd Wy’ry, I’ve wanted to beat Arishem up."

"Good. During the fusion process, if you can no longer hold on, think of the convictions you have now."

Wang Bert did not waste any more words. He raised both hands, and the corresponding Eternals fused together—he would remove the restrictions after the fusion, which would reduce the risk.

On an unknown planet somewhere in the universe, Thanos suddenly burst into laughter. His injuries had worsened, and purple-red blood covered his body.

"Thanos, what are you laughing about?"

S Ikaris asked with a frown. "We just suffered a crushing defeat. Not only was the New Sanctuary destroyed, Tina and the others were taken away."

"I’m laughing because the Blood God was too impatient, and because Iron Man is nothing special."

Thanos said with a broad smile, "The Blood God only used Mind Power this time. That means he truly is trapped in the Mind Sea and cannot leave easily."

S Ikaris thought for a moment, then nodded. "That’s right. If the Blood God were not trapped in the Mind Sea, he would definitely have done everything possible to kill you. In that case, we probably wouldn’t have escaped this time."

"Yes, the Blood God was truly screwed over by the Behind-the-Scenes Manipulator this time. As long as we can confirm that, any loss is worth it."

Thanos said, "I’ll find a way to recover as quickly as possible. Then we will attack Earth. Without the Blood God, they definitely won’t be able to stop us."

"The problem is that those Super Heroes will definitely find a way to resolve the food crisis and free the Blood God."

S Kingo said, "Those planets may have been threatened by us, but they may not obey so obediently."

"That is why we have to stop them."

Thanos took out a Quantum Communicator given to him by the Celestial Group and called out, "Makkari, bring Gilgamesh back."

S Makkari possessed spatial super-speed. She quickly brought S Gilgamesh before Thanos. Seeing everyone’s miserable state, S Gilgamesh was shocked. "What happened? And where is the New Sanctuary? Where is Tina?"

"Ikaris will explain it to you later."

Thanos waved his hand and said, "I will now remove your restrictions and restore your Ancient God-level strength. Your mission is to stop Earth from resolving the food crisis while I recover. No matter what, you must keep the Blood God tied down for me.

"Then, once I recover, I can storm into Earth and kill both the Blood God and Iron Man."

"You’re willing to restore our strength?"

The strongest Eternals were overjoyed. S Gilgamesh bluntly asked, "Thanos, aren’t you afraid we’ll use this chance to turn on you?"

Given Thanos’s current state, if several Ancient Gods joined forces, they absolutely had a chance to keep him there. At the very least, they could tear away part of his Creator God essence.

Thanos said, "Arishem will keep watch over you. Besides, the Blood God is famous for holding grudges. Once he recovers, he won’t let you go. If you want to live, your only path is to follow me and kill him."

S Ikaris said, "Don’t worry, we aren’t that stupid. But don’t forget your promise to us."

"I won’t forget. The rest is up to you. I’m going to recover."

Thanos did not waste any more words. He took out the Crystal Arishem had given him and removed the restrictions on the Eternals.

"My power has finally returned."

S Ikaris could not help letting out a low roar. His fists clenched, and the surrounding space-time faintly warped, as if it could not withstand his power.

The others were equally excited. They had finally regained the power of Ancient Gods. S Gilgamesh was especially eager, itching to immediately find the Blood God and fight him.

"Be careful. Don’t screw this up."

Thanos tore open space and strode inside. The Eternals watched him leave, then everyone turned their gazes toward S Ikaris, waiting for him to make a decision.

"First, let’s see what Earth’s Super Heroes intend to do. We’ll play along and use their plan against them."

S Ikaris thought for a moment and said, "We cannot let our guard down. Our opponent is the Blood God. Everyone just saw how powerful he is."

S Kingo and S Druig repeatedly nodded. Thanos’s caution earlier had been right. The Blood God was truly terrifying.

Fortunately, he had been set up and trapped in the Mind Sea. All they had to do now was ensure he remained trapped there forever.