Sumatra's Greatest Fan-Chapter 51: Influence Adhesion

"What?" Runthral shrieked in surprise upon seeing the Empyrean Snapper Pet swallow the hovering quill, "Didn’t you say the quill’s influence would turn even one of us into working for the enemy Celestial?"

"Making it swallow the same..."

"Relax," Torq promptly got into a meditative pose and focused on the Empyrean Snapper Pet, "I know what I’m doing."

’It’s been a while since I last did this.’ Torq broke into a proud smile as the presence emanating from him changed. It no longer seemed to belong to a Cooter Clansman, but someone who remained a Clansman with the genetic attributes of multiple Pranic Beast Races.

Mystic Ravaged Art–Influence Adhesion!

The quill contained a powerful influence originating from Nusantara’s Celestial, which influenced anyone in possession of it to act in the interests of Nusantara Continent, instead of their native Continent.

Moreover, being in possession of the quill elevated their strength to the peak of the Gold Grade, making them the strongest of their kind, which allowed them to govern over or command the rest of their kin.

That’s why the Nirclick Race moved against the natives of Sumatra, because of existences like Narlakk Tirrferryorr that commanded them to behave in a certain way. Just this wouldn’t make them completely subservient, since every individual had their own thoughts, will, and desire.

The Nirclicks were no different. However, their powers made them a perfect prey for Nusantara’s Celestial.

Secondary Nature–Influenced Gobble!

Narlakk Tirrferryorr had infected the Nirclicks and Narlakks under its command with its pollen, through which it influenced them to behave as it wished. Their power structure made them a perfect pawn.

It was why Nusantara’s Celestial had targeted them. Its quill was theoretically indestructible to those born on a Continent. Only the power of Transcendents could destroy it.

’Because of how impossible they are to destroy, you managed to easily conquer Sumatra in the original timeline. And those with the means to stop you were swarmed nonstop, and became unable to stop your takeover.’ Torq thought, ’But since I’m here now, I’ll be making waves to gradually chip away at your strength.’

Mystic Ravaged Art was his original cultivation technique, created primarily to ensure humans with an intermix of genes from various Pranic Beast races could live with sanity and didn’t become messed up existences both mentally and physically.

The Skill of Influence Adhesion overwrote the genetic information of the target with its equivalent from another set of genes. The product, before the Skill takes affect and after it does, remains the exact same.

Only the cause and progression changes.

It was like using AC current through a circuit that lights up a bulb. The circuit has now been changed to convert AC to DC and using DC, light up the bulb. The input and output remains unchanged. The only thing that changes is the process, and the circuit used for the changed process.

Steadily, the quill, within the Empyrean Snapper’s body, began to be replaced by Empyrean Snapper genes at the fundamental level.

Had it been any other creature, the Skill of Influence Adhesion would have failed. Their genetic makeup would be absolutely inferior to Nusantara’s Celestial, ’However, an Empyrean Snapper is different.’

On Sumatra, only two races were worshipped as Deities. It wasn’t just based on the power of these two Races.

No, whether it be an Empyrean Tusk or an Empyrean Snapper, they were termed as Deities for their were existences who were born at the peak of the Gold Grade, but displayed characteristics that far outclassed their Grade.

Their physical characteristic alone was so pronounced, a Mystic Grade cultivation technique could be created out of it.

Cultivation techniques were used to build a human’s body. Depending on the quality of their building capacity, they were classified under the Grades of Iron, Silver, and Gold. Majority of the cultivation techniques were Iron Grade.

A Mystic Grade cultivation technique, such as Mystic Mist Art, was classified as such, when its capabilities reached a level on par with a Nature.

’I have been steadily improving my cultivation technique, and only a few years before my regression could I manage to elevate it to the Mystic Grade.’ Torq thought in praise, ’That’s why Mystic Mist Art is so impressive.’

For it had appeared on Sumatra within a timeframe that could be considered a moment when compared to Torq’s journey.

His reverie was interrupted by screams from the Empyrean Snapper Pet, which suddenly shrivelled up and died. It was because its genetic makeup had been ripped apart and infused into the quill, replacing the original foundation empowering it.

"It’s done," Torq approached the Empyrean Snapper Pet and dug into its body, fishing out a fist-sized turtle shell. It had the same functions as the quill, but had its components replaced by Empyrean Snapper genetics instead.

It could still fuse into a body, and upon fusion, elevate the being’s strength to the peak of the Gold Grade. And best of all, the target would now move according to Sumatra’s interests.

’Technically, they’ll move for the Cooter Clan’s interest, but since the Cooter Clan is an integral part of Sumatra, the result is the same.’ He thought with a grin and swerved his head to face Runthral, "It’s a success."

The turtle shell gradually floated to a metre in altitude, unleashing a pillar of light that spanned a metre in length. It was smaller than before, but still had a similar level of power.

"Now," He pushed the turtle shell into Narlakk Nirrkarrlarr’s body, laughing upon seeing the turtle shell fuse successfully, "This creature will be working towards the Cooter Clan’s benefit."

"Are you impressed?" Torq smugly eyed Runthral, "Come on, don’t remain silent. I know you’re barely able to rein in your awe."

"I...no, what you did is impressive." Runthral commented upon seeing the presence being released by Narlakk Nirrkarrlarr was steadily building up until it was on par with Narlakk Tirrferryorr.

Most puzzling was the fact that Runthral felt he had influence over the Narlakk, just like how he could influence the Cooter Clansmen. What Torq had done went beyond his wildest imagination. And it was all towards the Cooter Clan’s benefit.

It didn’t matter if Runthral could acknowledge Torq’s efforts. Or rather, he didn’t even feel qualified to acknowledge the result, for he felt it outscaled the value of his own existence.

"But I don’t know if I should be excited or concerned." He frowned and eyed the corpse of the Empyrean Snapper Pet, "Didn’t you just sacrifice your talents to achieve this result?"

"I may not know the details, but it feels like whatever you stole from me has been used in it." Runthral expressed his concern, "Doesn’t this mean you’ve squandered our potential?"

"Our?" Torq waved his hand, content to see Runthral’s expression morph into one of irritation as he continued, "No, no, no! I’ve only squandered YOUR potential."

’Once the day resets, I will regain my Empyrean Snapper Pet. At most, I’ll have to spend some Prana to fully recover it.’ He shrugged mentally and relished the string of expletives Runthral blasted at him, ’This guy was acting too mature for his age.’

’It’s better now.’ Staring at Runthral’s pissed mug put Torq at peace, ’This is indeed cathartic.’

He felt his stress ebbing away like the tide as Torq ragebaited Runthral a bit more, before asking the other party to bury the Empyrean Snapper Pet corpse deep underground, so that no one else could find it over the course of a day, until his Primary Nature reset.

After that, the corpse will disappear and appear in his Nature slot, fully functional as a Pet.

"Now, back to reality." Since all preparations were completed, Torq subtly changed his mentality and watched the monochromatic space vanish.

And for the next few hours, he and Runthral waited on the island, with a bound Narlakk Nirrkarrlarr. Soon after, right as Captain Trotro regained consciousness, a ship became visible on the horizon, speeding towards the island.