[This Chapter Is Sponsored by Saito Ito! Everyone, please thank him in the comment!]
"Let's be honest," Fang Mo directly said to Mantis: "I need your ability."
"My... ability?"
Mantis was taken aback, then tried hard to recall what had just happened. However, the ability to rewind time was so bugged that it was impossible for normal people to remember anything.
But Fang Mo had a good grasp of the Time Stone, and he had the Mind Stone in his hand, plus Mantis's own psychic abilities were quite strong, so she vaguely remembered some things, but these memories were very blurry. She could barely remember that Fang Mo seemed to be resisting something.
But what was it? She couldn't quite remember...
It felt like a terrifying sight, just thinking about it made her scalp tingle and her bones chill.
"What do you need me to do for you?"
After pondering to no avail and feeling a bit scared, Mantis spoke to Fang Mo: "I can indeed slightly alter people's emotions, temporarily calm them down, but your mind is too vast, like an abyss! This adjective is really apt, I'm very sorry, even just gazing into your mind would be swallowed up by that 'abyss'."
"My god, what on earth did you see in his mind?"
Rocket Raccoon, hearing this, couldn't help but ask: "You didn't see him destroying the galaxy, did you?"
"I guess it's scarier than that," Drax said. "Maybe she saw the entire galaxy sealed in a frying pan."
"I... I can't remember clearly..."
Hearing the questions from the two, Mantis shook her head with a bit of fear: "But please believe me, it is definitely an ultimate horror that you can't imagine, once that faint light goes out..."
At this point, Mantis suddenly shuddered uncontrollably.
Her face began to look vacant and dull, almost subconsciously mumbling: "It is beyond all scientific understanding... chaos and madness, everything we understand, know of all dimensions, all existences, all tangible things will crumble like foam, those bizarre geometrical bodies pieced together into indecipherable forms, it is the lord of all, and also a boundless demon... it will annihilate all beings... desecrate everything..."
"Hey, hey, what are you saying?" Rocket Raccoon didn't understand and directly slapped Mantis's knee: "Can you speak something we can understand?"
"Ah?"
Mantis looked at Rocket Raccoon in confusion and said strangely: "I... didn't say anything?"
"..."
Rocket Raccoon was stunned.
"Cough, cough, anyway, don't mind these details."
Just when the atmosphere was becoming increasingly eerie, Fang Mo suddenly spoke up, diverting the topic with a laugh: "Anyway, let's all give a round of applause to welcome the Flying Mantis to join the Rockets."
"What?"
Drax looked surprised at Mantis: "This disgusting bug lady can fly?"
"No, I can't."
Mantis quickly shook her head to explain.
"The Flying Mantis is just a metaphor," Fang Mo explained with a helpless palm to his forehead, having just made a joke referring to Pokémon.
"What in the world is a metaphor?"
Drax asked with outspread hands: "You call her Flying Mantis, yet she can't fly... Do you think that makes sense?"
"I...," Fang Mo twitched the corner of his eye and after a moment of speechlessness retorted: "The name Feitian Moutai also contains 'Feitian' (flying), have you ever seen anyone's Moutai flying?"
"You..."
Drax tried to speak.
But then, a green light suddenly shone from Fang Mo's palm.
"...Never mind then," shrugged Drax, turning his head away: "If you want to fly, then fly. I don't care anymore."
"That settles it then."
Fang Mo, with a laugh, dissipated the magic circle in his hand and turned to Mantis not far away: "Ego should have prepared a place for us to stay, right? Take me to the palace first, I want to try you..."
"Huh?"
Mantis was suddenly stunned.
"???"
Even the Rockets and Drax looked at Fang Mo in shock.
"What are you thinking?" Fang Mo noticed their expressions and rolled his eyes, "I'm just suffering from insomnia. Since she can help Ego sleep, she should be able to help me sleep as well. Is there a problem?"
"So... you just purely want to fall asleep?"
Hearing this, Mantis realized what was going on. Previously, when Fang Mo mentioned needing her ability, she was a bit confused, but now she understood... perhaps he had been tormented by inner thoughts for a long time and just wanted to have a good sleep or something.
"It's not just about sleeping," Fang Mo shook his head. "I want to dream. Can you do that?"
"Dreaming?" Mantis hesitated, "I... haven't tried that before, but I can give it a shot. I can't guarantee the result though."
"Oh, that's fine." Fang Mo nodded, not wanting to press her too hard. "Let's just try. If it doesn't work, we'll think of something else."
"Please follow me," said Mantis, nodding her head and leading everyone towards another building not far away.
During the walk, Rocket Raccoon also spoke up to Fang Mo: "Hey, man, you just scared me there. I thought you had some other ideas…"
"Right," Drax chimed in. "Just thinking about it makes me...you know..."
"Could you two show a little respect?" Fang Mo sighed, touching his forehead. "Different species have different aesthetics. Maybe she even thinks you two are downright ugly. By the way, my aesthetic is something like this."
With that, Fang Mo took out the Rahab Sword. A chill spread, and Ah Xue walked out from the frost.
At that moment, she was wearing a pure white kimono, wooden sandals, and a large scarf wrapped around her neck, covering most of her cute, rosy face. She stood next to Fang Mo, her golden hoop eyes curiously taking in the surrounding scenery.
"Master, is this the new world?" Ah Xue asked after observing the surroundings.
"Oh, more or less," Fang Mo nodded. "But unlike the previous two worlds, the big backdrop here is the universe. You might encounter some things you don't understand. No worries, just learn slowly..."
"Wait, who is this girl now?"
After Rocket Raccoon met Ah Xue, he couldn't help but ask, "Am I seeing this right? She's been sealed inside a weapon too? And she even calls you master? How many girls have you sealed inside weapons?"
"Also, this girl looks very thin and not pretty," Drax focused on a different point. "But that Supreme Intelligence seems even thinner than her. Now I see, this must be Fang Mo's aesthetic preference... Strange, such a strong person like him actually doesn't like muscular women."
"Wait until I go to the League of Legends universe next time, I will introduce Illaoi to you."
Fang Mo hit back, "By then, I won't even need the Time Stone. That one can whip your crap out with a single lash..."
"Supreme Intelligence?"
Ah Xue had, of course, heard the conversation and turned to look at Fang Mo directly, "Master? Did you summon other servants from our world?"
"Oh, no,"
Fang Mo shook his head upon hearing this, "It's a semi-artificial intelligence from this world, similar to... something like a computer. But its abilities are quite special; it can project images that deeply influence people's subconscious. Of course, it doesn't look like this itself, it's just a bald brain."
"Is that so?"
Ah Xue nodded, "Then Master, you summoned me out this time to...?"
"It's mainly because of this one." Fang Mo pointed at Mantis. "Her abilities are said to make people have good dreams. I want to try it, and I feel more at ease with you taking care of me."
"Don't worry, Master."
Getting Fang Mo's trust, Ah Xue also showed a heartfelt smile, "This is my job after all, I will do it conscientiously."
As they talked, they quickly arrived at the side hall.
Even the side hall was decorated very beautifully, each room with its own unique style.
Clearly, the side hall should be the resting palace, specifically for guests to rest. After all, Ego himself is a planet, he doesn't need such a big resting palace.
After walking around the resting palace for a while, Fang Mo chose a room with a particularly bright style. The room wasn't big, with an independent bathroom, a sofa, and of course, a bed. But what attracted Fang Mo the most was the ceiling designed in a hollow style, through which the outer space was visible.
"Alright, this place will do."
Fang Mo sat down on the sofa and waved to Mantis, "Come, try to make me have a good sleep."
"I can only do my best…"
Mantis seemed a bit nervous, too, as Fang Mo's inner world was terrifying. Just one glance nearly drove her insane. In comparison, that Ego was no different from a baby.
"Come on, put me to sleep," Fang Mo said, seemingly relaxed and even in the mood for a joke.
Mantis nodded seriously and then placed her palm on Fang Mo's brow. Her own forehead's antennae emitted a white light, "Sleep, have a good dream..."
With her effort, Fang Mo immediately felt a wonderful sensation. It was like falling into a pile of pillows, soft and light, giving a very relaxing feeling. However, Fang Mo's own spiritual power was too immense. He could clearly feel that the lightness enveloping him was an illusion, a fragile fantasy constructed from spiritual power. Even a slight struggle would cause this world to collapse instantly. Truthfully, Fang Mo didn't like this feeling.
This dream was too fragile, but considering Mantis's power, he had no choice but to cooperate fully. He relaxed as much as possible, accepting the special mental signals transmitted by the other party, trying to immerse himself in this illusory dream.
With their joint effort, Fang Mo's breathing slowly calmed down. Drax, Rocket Raccoon, and even Groot and his spiky grandson were all curiously watching Fang Mo.
At this moment, Fang Mo, with his eyes closed and expressionless face, seemed not so much sleeping as he was in some kind of sleep-like ritual. This expressionless, almost indifferent Fang Mo somehow gave everyone an unusually strange feeling.
If the awake Fang Mo was like a joke-loving, somewhat neurotic friend, then the currently sleeping Fang Mo seemed more like a real dimensional demon god. He was emitting an indescribable aura. This unconsciously emitted aura was not strong, but it gave people a feeling of wanting to worship.
It was as if the one sleeping before them was a sovereign who created everything.
"Is this his true form?" Rocket Raccoon couldn't help but whisper, "Or rather... the form he has always resisted?"
Seeing Fang Mo fall asleep, Mantis also sighed in relief. But just as she withdrew her hand, the previously sleeping Fang Mo suddenly opened his eyes. His emotionless divine appearance startled everyone. Fortunately, it wasn't long before Fang Mo returned to his familiar self.
"No good, girl," Fang Mo said to Mantis, somewhat headache-stricken, "I did fall asleep, but I didn't dream. What's the use of just sleeping?"
"I did my best," Mantis replied guiltily, bowing her head, "Sorry, my abilities are limited..."
"Oh, don't blame yourself, I'll think of another way on my end."
Fang Mo waved his hand and then concentrated in deep thought. Soon after, he figured out a method and opened a portal, reaching into it.
Next, he took out the Sword of Wisdom (a sword sealed with supreme intelligence).
"Hey, isn't that our spaceship's AI?" exclaimed Rocket upon seeing this. With the supreme intelligence pulled out, who else could pilot the Milano to pick them up?
"Come on, hold it," Fang Mo said.
Ignoring Rocket Raccoon, Fang Mo handed the Sword of Wisdom to Mantis, "This is called the Supreme Intelligence. Try communicating with it, and then both of you figure out a way to get me to sleep..."
"I..." Mantis began, but before she could finish, her forehead antennas lit up faintly, seemingly communicating with the Supreme Intelligence on a conscious level. She quickly nodded, "I understand now, Mr. Fang Mo, please allow me another try..."
"Come, one more time."
Fang Mo, filled with anticipation, lay down on the couch and gestured.
"Please... have a nice dream..."
Holding the Sword of Wisdom in one hand and touching Fang Mo's forehead with the other, Mantis's antennas lit up faintly, and the neon patterns on the surface of the sword turned white, as if both were exerting their power in unison.
This time, Fang Mo finally entered his dreamland.
With a light and floating sensation, he found himself in a pure white dream. In the dream, he didn't die from a truck accident but instead pulled Fang Xin to safety. They bought ice cream together and happily returned home.
Upon reaching home, his mother returned with groceries and busied herself in the kitchen. Fang Mo instinctively wanted to help but was shooed away by his mother, who told him to rest and join everyone for dinner later. Knowing he couldn't disobey his mother, Fang Mo obediently rested.
When he woke up again, the sky had already dimmed.
Fang Xin gently pushed the door open, calling Fang Mo to come out for dinner. He rubbed his eyes and joined his sister in the living room, where their parents were already seated at the table. The table was laden with beef radish soup, scrambled eggs with tomatoes, and spicy shredded potatoes, filling the house with a familiar aroma.
His place at the table was set with steaming rice and chopsticks.
His mother looked at him fondly, "Xiao Mo, don't stay up late anymore. Look at those dark circles under your eyes. Go wash your face and freshen up, let's...eat...f...a..."
However, her words trailed off oddly.
Her speech suddenly stretched out indefinitely.
Like a machine malfunctioning or a tape stuck, her voice stiffly hung on the last syllable.
Fang Mo looked up sharply, only to see his parents and sister, Fang Xin, turned monochrome, as if the world had frozen at that moment. Then, the sound of shattering resounded, and the beautiful dream cracked like a mirror, collapsing all around him.
As if the aroma of the beef radish soup still lingered in his nose, the warm world was no longer visible.
Various loud noises grew closer, awakening Fang Mo from his dream.
Opening his eyes, Fang Mo saw white tentacles waving wildly nearby, Ah Xue maintaining a barrier beside him awaiting his awakening, and the Guardians of the Galaxy fighting off the tentacles in the distance.
Seeing this scene before him, a boundless irritation surged in Fang Mo's heart.