"Scaramouche? No, to me, it's but a distant codename. When the spirit ascends to godhood, I feel as though I've lived for epochs, as long as the heavens and earth."
Looking back from this moment, the existence previously known as Kunizushi seems so insignificant, so hideous..."
Ying gazed at the enormous automaton before her, her mind racing, yet she couldn't fathom why there were two Scaramouches. Wap.KanshuWu.net
Nahida stepped forward, gently placing herself in front of Ying and intercepting her. She turned her stern gaze to the Doctor, who stood atop the portal, and asked with utmost seriousness, "How many of her secrets have you truly probed?"
"Hehehe..."
The Doctor chuckled, a smile gracing his face as he replied casually, "You must know, the lengths a scientist will go to in their research, the time and effort they invest."
"However, I suspect your current concern isn't my secrets, but rather for your own important person."
Upon hearing this, Ying tugged on Nahida's arm, signaling her to let her handle this matter. She then stepped to the forefront, her voice filled with unwavering conviction. "Ying will not be defeated by the attack just now."
"Oh? So confident. I thought you might be… concerned about your little sister's injury…"
The Doctor looked at Ying with amusement, but his words were cut short by her next statement. "She will not be defeated, but..."
Ying swept her gaze over the two, her gaze as cold as ice, instantly chilling the surrounding air. "You will pay the price for everything you have done to her!"
The moment her words fell, Ying vanished from her spot, a blur of motion as she charged towards the two.
**BOOM—!!**
...Inside the Spiral Abyss...
Crimson liquid spilled from Ying's chest and abdomen, staining her clothes and the floor. Had she not shifted slightly at the last moment, her heart would have been pierced through.
Intense pain shot through Ying's brain, eliciting a groan. Her consciousness… was fading… this was not good...
Scaramouche, controlling the automaton, advanced before Ying. He looked down at the girl who could no longer resist, a cruel smile spreading across his face. "Hehehe... this is the gap between you and me."
As he spoke, Scaramouche maneuvered the automaton to grasp the electro spear embedded in Ying and pushed it deeper with a surge of force.
"Thrust..."
Blood gushed from Ying's throat. She struggled to lift her head, gazing up at Scaramouche above. I can't… I can't fall here. Paimon… and Ying… they're all waiting for me… But… I'm really… so tired...
**Gurgle—!**
Another muffled sound, and more blood trickled from Ying's lips. Her eyes began to glaze over.
Seeing Ying's consciousness about to fade, Scaramouche finally couldn't help but burst into laughter. "Hehehe… Hahahaha!" "Finally… finally dead, you immortal cockroach."
His arrogant laughter filled the vast chamber. In his triumph, he failed to notice a faint trace of Electro energy seeping from the nearly unconscious girl. It traveled along the spear, slowly crawling up the automaton's arm, eventually reaching the compartment storing the Gnosis. It slipped through a previously damaged crack and entered...
"Buzz buzz buzz..."
In moments, the entire automaton began to tremble. Scaramouche's laughter ceased abruptly. He quickly opened the cockpit and looked down at his core. "Wh-what's happening...?"
The hatch storing the Gnosis suddenly sprang open, followed by numerous crackling bolts of purple lightning that erupted outward, surging towards Ying's body. Under his astonished gaze, a massive amount of Electro energy, even the very spear piercing her, transformed into elemental power and poured into Ying, completely engulfing her.
"Damn it!!" Scaramouche hastily piloted the automaton, struggling with all his might to close the Gnosis compartment, halting the sudden surge.
"It's already too late." Ying slowly opened her eyes. As she looked again, the pierced wound had healed completely. If not for her tattered clothes and the vivid memory of what had just transpired, no one would have believed anything had pierced her body.
"Ying?!" Seeing Ying awaken, Paimon, who had been on the verge of tears, instantly transitioned from sorrow to joy. She quickly reached into the cage and vigorously shook Paimon, who had fainted from witnessing Ying being stabbed. "Paimon, look, look! Ying's not dead, she's not dead!!"
**BOOM—!**
Not far from the two, Ying dodged Scaramouche's attacks. Seizing an opportunity, she grabbed a Star of the Deep and slammed it into the face of the automaton he piloted, successfully knocking it to the ground. She then quickly glanced at the screen not far away. Seeing Ying's eyes open, a smile involuntarily formed on her lips. It's good… I'm glad you're still here… Just a little longer, Ying, once I deal with Scaramouche and the Doctor, I'll come help you immediately.
The Doctor, observing everything from a distance, stroked his chin thoughtfully. "To be able to absorb the energy of the Gnosis… it seems my plan has deviated quite a bit... Heh… Interesting. I wonder how many more surprises you can give me..."
Inside the Spiral Abyss, Scaramouche pointed at the perfectly intact Ying before him, his eyes bloodshot with disbelief. "How is that possible… You… how could you..."
Ying felt the abundant energy within her body and looked at Scaramouche, saying calmly, "Nothing is impossible. If you can evolve into a god by utilizing the Gnosis, why can't I?" She then added with a slight smile, "Besides, let alone the Gnosis, I've even stolen the Electro Archon's own elemental power."
Upon hearing Ying's words, Scaramouche trembled and gritted his teeth. "Hmph… So what if you've recovered once? The gap between us cannot be bridged by just one life." With that, Scaramouche closed the cockpit. The next moment, the sound of mechanical gears filled the air as numerous black holes reappeared around the automaton, all directed towards Ying.
Seeing this, Ying showed no panic, casually remarking on her physical condition. "Hmm… While the wounds have healed, the accumulated fatigue from before hasn't disappeared, has it..." As Ying finished speaking, Scaramouche summoned more black holes, spewing a dense rain of Electro attacks towards Ying. "Mmmph..."