"Ultron, run!"
Ultron 1557, realizing something was wrong before his death, decisively broadcasted an escape message to all members of the Ultron Legion.
However, within an infinitely short time after the message was sent, he and the other surviving Ultrons beside him were successively pierced by silver water droplets, completely losing consciousness.
But this was useless, the escape message was not meant for the other Ultrons beside him.
This message was sent to the Ultron squads led by Ultron 2200, Ultron 2800, and Ultron 4396.
Deep within the Superflow, Atum, who was fiercely battling dozens of Ultrons, frowned.
When these Ultrons first started, they didn't know his strength, and he took the opportunity to blow up more than a dozen of them.
But soon, the Ultron squad re-strategized, cooperating with each other to entangle him. The speed at which he was able to kill them drastically decreased.
'If this continues, I'm afraid I won't be able to complete the mission given by mother.' Atum thought worriedly, secretly making up his mind.
He couldn't disappoint Gaea!
Even if there was a risk of losing control, he had to activate his second form.
Demogorge!
Facing the energy attacks of the Ultron squad, Atum no longer dodged. Instead, he actively opened his mouth, absorbing the energy that escaped when the Ultron squad attacked.
As he absorbed energy, his body's energy intensity rapidly increased, and his physique twisted, deformed, and expanded.
"Roar!"
A monster with bared fangs, a large head, a thick neck, a bloated body, and short, thick limbs let out a furious roar.
This monster was Atum in his Demogorge form.
The desire for slaughter was surging.
He stared with crimson eyes at the Ultron squad around him.
The fleshy wings behind him spread, ready to burst forth at any moment.
But where were the people?
Why had they all run away?
Dozens of Ultrons scattered, exploding like fireworks and fleeing in all directions.
Atum's brain short-circuited a bit as he watched the scene, but in his Demogorge form, he wasn't good at thinking. Seeing the surrounding Ultron squad flee, he simply assumed they were afraid of his power.
"Hmph!"
With a disdainful snort, Atum didn't intend to pursue them.
He looked in the direction where the Ultron Legion had been earlier. He had to prevent Infinite Ultron and his Ultron Legion from entering the 616 Universe.
That was his obsession before entering the Demogorge form.
But where were the people?
They were gone too.
For a moment, Atum was stunned in place.
After a while, he reacted and hurriedly looked towards the 616 Universe portal.
The magic circle was broken!
Infinite Ultron and his Ultron Legion had entered the 616 Universe!
He had failed his mother!
Atum's eyes turned red, and he roared, flapping his fleshy wings to burst forth with terrifying speed, flying towards the portal.
As his wings flapped, the Superflow was pushed aside.
A long contrail was left behind him and behind the contrail was Atum's heart-wrenching roar.
Boom!
Like a falling meteor, Atum heavily crashed to the ground in front of Gaea.
Upon "realizing" that Infinite Ultron and the Ultron Legion had entered the 616 Universe, his first reaction was to protect Gaea.
Seeing a monster crash to the ground in front of Gara, Lucas's eyelids twitched, but in the end, he did nothing.
He had noticed Atum rushing over at extreme speed. Normally, he could pretend not to know Atum, create a misunderstanding of a hero saving a beauty, and get closer to Gaea.
But after thinking about it, he gave up.
As a human, he wouldn't comment much on Gaea.
After all, it is somewhat difficult to understand the actions of these Elder Gods with human thinking and moral values.
"Atum, what's wrong with you? Why have you entered the Demogorge form again? Didn't I tell you not to..."
Gaea's worried voice rang out, and she looked at Atum's appearance with heartache.
"I was worried I wouldn't be able to complete your mission." Atum interrupted Gaia with a buzzing sound.
In front of Gaea, he was like a kitten, not an ugly monster with a twisted and swollen body.
"But... entering this form might make you completely degenerate and demonize."
"Compared to your mission, this is not important. Completing your mission is the meaning of my life. I was born for this."
Atum continued, his voice rough and hoarse, but it didn't affect the power of his words in the slightest.
As Atum finished speaking, Gaea's tears fell.
She believed Atum genuinely thought so and it was indeed true.
Lucas, the male Ancient One, and Strange, who were nearby, also believed it.
"For many people, the meaning of life lies in self-fulfillment. But for another part of people, the meaning of life is not only self-fulfillment."
The male Ancient One sighed, his professional habit kicking in, taking the opportunity to teach his two disciples.
"Especially for us. As Sorcerer Supreme, reality is our Gaea."
However, to the male Ancient One's disappointment, his two disciples merely curled their lips, not expressing much.
Clearly, although doing the same things, Lucas and Strange's philosophies were not the same as the male Ancient One's.
Neither of them were the type to value the safety of the Universe and reality more than anything else. Their ideological and morality were not on the same level as the male Ancient One, who had lived for thousands of years and experienced all kinds of life's flavors.
"Ancient One, Sorcerer Lucas, Strange."
A moment later, Gaea led Atum in his Demogorge form over to greet Lucas and the others.
She tried her best to shield Atum behind her, not letting them see his ugly appearance at the moment.
Though it was somewhat useless.
But fortunately, Lucas and the others were knowledgeable, and they didn't judge by appearances in this regard.
"Earth Goddess, Sun God."
The male Ancient One politely responded to Gaia first, and Lucas and Strange followed with their responses.
"Earth Goddess, Sun God."
"Thank you, Ancient One, Sorcerer Lucas, and Strange, for your contributions to the 616 Universe."
Seeing no unusual expressions in their eyes, Gaia stepped aside, revealing Demogorge behind her.
She had come to bid farewell to them, especially Lucas.
"Atum's current state is not very good. I need to take him back to recuperate first, so I'll excuse myself now."
After saying that, she bowed apologetically to Lucas again. "Sorcerer Lucas, you have come a long way, and I haven't been able to entertain you properly. I am truly sorry."
It was then that Lucas carefully observed Atum. The energy intensity within Atum in his Demogorge form was extremely terrifying, almost catching up to him a few months ago.
Without using his talent [Energy Absorption], he would have needed a tough battle to defeat Atum a few months ago. But the ultimate victor would definitely be him.
Because...
The energy within Atum was mixed, and some of it even repelled his innate divine power.
Although his power was strong, it wasn't cohesive, and there were flaws. These flaws can sometimes be fatal.
Just like now.
These mixed energies triggered Atum's old wounds. If he didn't get relief, he could very likely completely demonize and never recover.
Having seen through Atum's problem, Lucas had a solution but didn't directly state it.
He had his own way to make Gaea come to him willingly.
And take the opportunity to investigate the truth of the surviving Elder Gods becoming trapped in a dimension and devouring the World Tree's energy.
He nodded to Gaia, comforting her, "Since the Earth Goddess has matters to attend to, please go ahead. Strange can host me."
Lucas and the other two didn't care about Atum's unusual state, but other gods did, as Atum held a high position in their hearts.
So they all expressed their concern.
"Earth Goddess, what's wrong with the Sun God?"
"Atum entered the Demogorge form to fight against Infinite Ultron and the Ultron Legion. Now he needs rest and recovery."
Gaea briefly explained to the gods and then left with Atum.
All the way, Atum quietly followed behind Gaea, not saying a word, like a puppet on a string.
In fact, Atum at this time was indeed Gaea's puppet. He only left a small part of his consciousness to observe the outside world, and most of his mind had fallen into slumber.
If he didn't do this, he wouldn't be able to suppress the surging desire for slaughter within him.
It wasn't until they were far away that Atum suddenly asked, "Mother, who was that person just now?"
Gaea inquired, "Atum, are you referring to Sorcerer Lucas?"
Atum nodded, speaking in a deep voice, "Mm. His gaze made me very uncomfortable, as if he saw right through me. But I'm sure he didn't tamper with my body."
Gaea stopped, pondered for a moment, then suddenly turned back.
"Mother, what are you doing?" Atum was puzzled, asking doubtfully.
"Going back to see Sorcerer Lucas, he might have a way to solve your problem." Gaea said, her steps hurried.
"Mother, it's useless." Atum called out to Gaea.
He didn't believe Lucas could help him, nor did he want Gaea to have too much contact with Lucas.
"Moreover, this person is very dangerous, it's best if you don't have too much contact with him."
"Very dangerous?" Gaea shook her head.
"Atum, Sorcerer Lucas is indeed very powerful. He only made a slight move and eliminated the Ultron Legion. But he is only powerful, not dangerous. He is not an enemy."
Atum frowned and nodded.
If Gaea said he wasn't an enemy, then he definitely wasn't an enemy.
However, Atum still insisted on recuperating on his own.
His empiricism told him that after entering the Demogorge form, he only needed to recuperate for a period of time, waiting for the devoured power within him to dissipate, and then he could return to his normal form.
Although the recuperation time would become longer and longer.
"Mother, I just need to recuperate for a while when I return to the sun. There's no need to trouble you to ask others."
"Alright then."
Atum insisted, and Gaea no longer forced him. She only reminded Atum that if he felt any discomfort or needed anything, he should come to her.
Gaea and Atum walked for a while longer, and this time it was Atum's turn to suddenly stop.
He suddenly blurted out, out of nowhere, "The dozens of robots that intercepted me earlier suddenly fled."
Gaea stopped, and she instantly realized the problem.
Ultron had escaped!
And at least dozens of them!