Bai Qi spoke, his gaze fixed on the Mimic Master.
Feeling a chill under Bai Qi's scrutiny, the Mimic Master involuntarily took a step back and said, "Your Majesty, I just returned from the Super God world. Is this too soon?"
"Not at all, not at all."
Seeing the Mimic Master about to argue, Bai Qi immediately cut him off, saying, "My esteemed minister understands my intentions perfectly. Entrusting you with the covert protection of Bai Qi is something I am completely at ease with."
So, there was no escaping it. He had hoped for some relaxation after returning from a world teeming with all sorts of monstrous beings, but unexpectedly, he was immediately assigned a task. Not even a production team's donkey was worked this hard.
Of course, complaints aside, the job still had to be done.
After a brief silence, the Mimic Master spoke, "Thank you for your high regard, Your Majesty. I will not fail your expectations and will ensure Princess Bai Qi is brought back safely."
Hearing this, Bai Qi nodded with satisfaction. However, he also understood the principle of needing to feed the horse if you want it to run. He couldn't be a freeloader.
A shadowy ninja approached the Mimic Master, holding a transparent small box. Through the box, one could clearly see a mass of viscous black liquid. The liquid churned within the box, becoming more agitated as it neared the Mimic Master, as if it were alive.
"Your Majesty, what is this...?"
Bai Qi replied, "This substance is called Star-Mark. It's a symbiote from the depths of the universe. They bond with organic matter, feeding on the host's internal energy. Once bonded, they greatly enhance the host's various strengths and provide many additional effects. Of course, if the host is too weak, the symbiote will take control of the body. This is the gift I bestow upon you. I believe with your strength, controlling Gluttony will be quite easy."
After Bai Qi explained the pros and cons of Star-Mark, anyone would have paused to consider. But the Mimic Master did not. He directly accepted.
"Thank you for Your Majesty's gift."
With that, he directly opened the box containing Gluttony.
The moment the lid was lifted, the already restless Gluttony lunged at the Mimic Master and merged with him at the fastest speed. The Mimic Master offered no resistance, opening himself up and allowing Gluttony to inhabit him.
As the symbiosis was completed, a black symbiote exoskeleton rapidly enveloped the Mimic Master's entire body. The enveloped Mimic Master let out a beast-like roar and swatted away the nearby shadowy ninja.
However, the exoskeleton quickly receded, revealing the Mimic Master's head.
"It seems you have complete control over it."
"Yes, Your Majesty." Regaining control of his body, the Mimic Master knelt and bowed, "I thank Your Majesty for this gift."
Bai Qi was very pleased with the Mimic Master's conduct and bestowed another reward.
A large amount of energy was injected into Gluttony, and then, the symbiote battle suit encasing the Mimic Master began to change at a visible rate.
Wings like those of a Metal Men appeared on its back, with a thruster-like device in the center. A black circular shield materialized on its left arm, and a black power ring condensed on its right index finger. Finally, a large anti-S symbol appeared on its chest.
The modified Gluttony had a very high potential. However, for the sake of control, Bai Qi had intentionally placed a lock on its most powerful ability before activating it.
The lock was not a deletion. Now that Gluttony was given to the Mimic Master, this lock should be opened.
Gluttony's most powerful ability was its outrageously strong mimicry. After merging with a host, Gluttony could acquire the host's abilities. When it transferred to a new host, it could use the previous host's powers.
Back then, after Bai Qi released Gluttony to wreak havoc in the city, it had successively inhabited Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, and even later, Metal Men. Gluttony missed none of these previous hosts, copying all of their powers.
Now, with Bai Qi's activation, the Mimic Master could freely use the powers of all these individuals.
Of course, using these powers would accelerate Gluttony's energy consumption. A lack of energy would cause the symbiote to absorb energy from the host to replenish itself. This was its only drawback.
However, even this minor drawback had been rectified by Bai Qi.
As Bai Qi unlocked the seal, he injected a massive amount of energy into Gluttony, enough for it to operate at full power for three years.
As the wielder of Gluttony, the Mimic Master was naturally aware of its transformation and how much his own strength could be elevated with such powerful assistance.
"Thank you for Your Majesty's gift. I would go through fire and water, without hesitation."
"Alright, alright," Bai Qi waved his hand, smiling. "I'm not some cruel boss. I trust you with this power. Work hard, protect Bai Qi safely, and there will be more rewards upon your return."
"Thank you, Your Majesty."
"Go now."
After the Mimic Master left, the smile on Bai Qi's face vanished instantly.
The matter of the demon dragon was entrusted to Bai Qi, with the Mimic Master providing escort. Bai Qi was truly at ease. As for the remaining three demons, judging by the time, Zhong Su and Di Kui were likely still fighting in hell. As for Ba Sha, due to her unique nature, Bai Qi could only absorb her last.
The powers of these three demons would eventually fall into his hands, but it would take time.
As for what Bai Qi would do during this period to avoid wasting time, he already had a target: Doctor Fate, who presided over justice and order.
Doctor Fate had been on Bai Qi's agenda for a long time. However, with one important matter after another, the capture of Doctor Fate's true form, the extraction of his power, and the usurpation of his authority had to be postponed. Fortunately, he now finally had the time to deal with it.
Just as Bai Qi was preparing to travel to Doctor Fate's spatial dimension to teach that coward a lesson, he suddenly froze in place, his expression becoming complex.
"No way, it has to be now?"
Just moments ago, Bai Qi had received news from Black Energy Mother.
Not long before, Black Energy and White Energy had jointly revived a special world fragment.
Unlike other world fragments that were passively intercepted, this special world fragment had actively approached, and it had done so very stealthily, disguising itself as a harmless world fragment.
By the time Black Energy and White Energy discovered it and tried to intervene, it was already too late.