As someone from a Transcendent World that was connected to a Sage World, the scar-faced Transcendent was clearly aware of what it meant to become a Sword Master.
Treading on one weapon Path and being awakening a Weaponsoul was a higher achievement than just becoming a Transcendent.
In a way, going from being a Mortal to a Transcendent only needed one's continuous progress until one reached the ceiling. However, being a master of a Sword or any other weapon needed rigorous dedication as well as determination.
Anyone could wield a weapon but only a few could master it. If one failed to understand the intricacies of it, he or she would remain ignorant of what made one a master much less an expert.
"Yes. I'm a Sword Master. Care to try me?" At the moment, not just the Willful Sword but also my whole body was covered with the blue Swordforce.
It's like a burning fire that wouldn't be extinguished. If I added my Flux Energy as well as my Energy Control, that would spell further doom for this Rank 3 Transcendent.
From what he showed in his fight against Zerina, I successfully gauged his current UPL.
1100.
Zerina's UPL with my buff only raised her to around 900. That's a whole 200 UPL of difference. If the scar-faced Transcendent immediately went full force against her, there's a high possibility that Zerina would only fall into a defensive stance.
But if the other two women at my side joined in their fight, there's a possibility for them to defeat him. Although there were slight differences in their strength, the three women were strong enough to hold their ground. Especially with my added support.
The scar-faced Transcendent fell into contemplation. He's now deliberating whether to still present himself as the stronger one. Using my Energy Senses, I could notice that someone was still communicating with him.
Whoever that was, I could only guess that it was either the one above his rank or the brain of the fleet. A strategist or a tactician.
Since our scouting earlier was done rather hastily, I only focused on who was leading the fleet rather than checking each Transcendent in there.
But given that he's like an embodiment of brute force in how he instantly resorted to violence, he's not well-versed with the more complicated things such as negotiation.
"W-we're a detached fleet from the Samsara Cosmic Exploration Brigade. Do you mean to hinder our Exploration Mission?!"
Oh… So, they resorted to intimidation instead.
"Exploration Mission, huh? To what right do you have to conduct it in this Mortal World? This is under our world's protection. Are you telling me you ignored its connection to a higher world?"
"W-wha?! But it's not—"
… not connected to any higher world. That's what he's going to say but I stopped him with a slash of my sword.
The blue Swordforce and Momo raged as it aimed to cut him in two. Seeing that overwhelming force, the scar-faced Transcendent could only raise his arm to defend.
Obviously, it's a simple slash without an accompanying Sword Skill. With his tough hide and abundant Source Energy, he managed to withstand it.
"… That's shameless!"
"Is it? Well then, can you explain why we are here in this world if it's not connected to ours?"
I stretched my arms open and before his eyes, I willed for my Flux Energy to burst forth as it took the form of Level 3 Earth Energy.
With his fight with Zerina earlier, the girl could only show a Level 1 Source Energy. The Pathways she assimilated are System, Physique and Spirit so she didn't have Level 3 Earth Energy. Moreover, without proper observation and higher Energy Senses, it would be hard for anyone to easily deduce what kind of Source Energy someone possessed without them flaunting or using it.
I'm a cheat so I can do that easily.
They failed to notice the connection of this World to Earth simply because Earth still hadn't recovered to its natural state. If they investigated it further, they'd notice that faint connection. Unfortunately, they didn't.
And now we're in this situation. If we didn't encounter and follow them by chance then… this world would be doomed and exploited until they find the trace of what they're searching for.
"…S-someone from a Sage World."
That's all he could mutter as the scar-faced Transcendent retreated at a distance.
He's now a little panicky but still, as a Rank 3 Transcendent and someone who's in charge of a fleet, he tried to regain his composure.
"What now? Will you still flaunt your affiliation or are you willing to talk and tell me what's the purpose of this invasion?"
I ignored what I found out or what he said earlier and intentionally mentioned 'invasion' to get another reaction from him.
I mean, if one observed closely what they were doing, they were literally invading this world to search for that golden statue. They even harassed the denizens of this world that the World's Will became desperate for help.
"You and whoever's communicating with you should answer this carefully. If not, you'll become the spark of a war between Sage Worlds. I'll give you a minute."
After saying that, I created a cushion made of this world's Source Energy and sat down. I then gestured for my Companions to come closer and sat down next to me.
To make another show, I even grasped Lunaria and Zerina's alluring hips while I let Reinys settle down on my lap, resting my chin on her shoulder.
Lunaria and Zerina looked at me helplessly as though they gave up and just decided to accommodate my strange whim. On the other hand, Reinys sent me a chilling glare but still succumbed to it. Making use of this situation to get some quality time with them was really something, I would surely be condemned by jealous onlookers if there were any.
In any case, there was one. The scar-faced Transcendent seethed at what I displayed. It probably felt like I was mocking him when I had the time to be rather intimate with my Companions. He turned around and distanced himself further.
But before doing so, he looked at me and sent a telepathic message, perhaps to not embarrass himself.
"Give me time to relay this to our superior. This exploration… is something of utmost importance! We'll issue an apology for this issue if need be!"
Utmost importance, huh? That golden statue. Is that a key to a Forbidden Ground or Secret Realm? A superweapon that would allow a Sage of Samsara to be stronger than he already is?
I don't know.
But for now, I should give them that time. And while they're doing that, it's also my time to think of our next move. The show of force was a success but to squeeze more information from them, I had to tread on this carefully. Obviously, what I said was a bluff. I wouldn't also let this become a war between two Sage Worlds.
In any case, by the time they finished deliberating, Yuko and the others would be finished wrapping up the scattered Rank 2 Transcendents digging and harassing the denizens of this world.
The next step was to come into an agreement with them… And fortunately, I have my previous life's memories that can aid me in this.
The source of this c𝐨ntent is freewe(b)nov𝒆l