Immediately afterward, the electromagnetic waves penetrated the bodies of the parasitic fusions.
Although these parasitic fusion bodies are difficult to kill with brute force, the powerful properties of these electromagnetic waves induce paralysis and exert a certain level of control over them.
While high-frequency sound waves cannot kill these parasitic fusion bodies, and they are resistant to freezing and flames, this does not mean they are immune to external control.
If the energy of the electromagnetic waves is strong enough, it can influence time and space—let alone physical matter itself.
Electromagnetic waves can forcibly interfere with atoms, molecules, and other substances.
Even if these parasitic fusions are not killed, the impact is enough to make them feel "crispy on the outside and tender on the inside."
These parasitic fusion bodies allow the parasites to merge with one another, enhancing their collective combat effectiveness and making their cellular structures highly stable. However, the more stable their material structure, the more susceptible they are to the effects of electromagnetic waves.
This results in them taking even greater damage.
Although the high-frequency soundwave inhibitor has its advantages, it also has significant drawbacks.
If the previous liquid parasites were like ghosts—intangible and resistant to physical harm—then the current parasitic fusions have undoubtedly become solid entities.
While they no longer require hosts to survive, their newfound physicality makes them vulnerable to more forms of damage.
This was something the parasites never anticipated. They had never imagined they could achieve such stability without a host—nor did Rocket Raccoon.
He had merely intended to use this method to compensate for the parasites' weaknesses, never expecting that it would instead introduce even more vulnerabilities.
Then came a blast of the Grandmaster's powerful electromagnetic wave.
Dozens of surrounding parasitic fusions were sent flying, crashing into the outermost wall of the arena.
Chunks of stone shattered from the impact, scattering debris as the parasitic fusions collapsed to the ground. Blue electromagnetic energy continued to surge across their bodies, rendering them temporarily immobilized.
Rhodes sat comfortably on a sofa, sipping fine wine while watching the chaos unfold in the arena.
At that moment, the Grandmaster's intervention in the battle made everything even more entertaining.
Rhodes smirked and remarked,
"As expected of the Grandmaster of Sakaar. Isn't this much more interesting than just watching parasites fight? Hahaha... Go on, Grandmaster!"
The Grandmaster then unleashed his psychic abilities.
A transparent ripple spread outward as he hovered mid-air—an indiscriminate psychic shockwave sweeping through the audience.
This terrifying power sent immense ripples through the minds of every living creature present, dealing a devastating blow to their sanity.
The once-confident gladiators who had united against the Grandmaster fell to their knees one by one, dropping their weapons.
Their faces twisted in agony.
It was evident that they were utterly unable to withstand the Grandmaster's psychic assault.
In mere moments, the entire group of rebel gladiators lost their ability to fight.
The mental shockwave extended to Rhodes and Hela as well.
While Rhodes' mastery over spiritual power was formidable, even the Grandmaster's strength could hardly shake him.
Hela, on the other hand, felt a brief disturbance in her mind, but the effect was negligible—merely a momentary throb.
Meanwhile, the fallen gladiators, overwhelmed by the Grandmaster's mental attack, began descending into chaos. Their thoughts grew jumbled, their unity shattered.
In their confusion, the gladiators picked up their weapons again—but this time, they turned on each other, attacking mindlessly.
At that moment, the Guardians of the Galaxy and their allies emerged from the underground base. Their plan had been to join forces with the parasitic fusion bodies and the freed gladiators to create enough chaos to make an escape.
Using the battlefield to their advantage, they hoped to flee Sakaar.
However, when Star-Lord and the others surfaced, they were stunned by the scene before them.
Star-Lord stared in shock at the parasitic fusion bodies that had been violently thrown aside. The massive creatures twitched on the ground, as if they had just been swept away by an overwhelming force.
As for the gladiator fighters—now drooling and dazed—they suddenly turned, weapons in hand, and charged straight at the Guardians of the Galaxy.
"What the hell?" Star-Lord exclaimed. "Did these guys take the wrong meds or something? Why are they attacking us? Isn't their enemy the Grandmaster?"
Star-Lord raised the laser gun in his hand and took down several gladiator fighters who lunged at them.
The tree-like figure, Groot, plunged his hands into the ground, and moments later, dozens of thick vines erupted from beneath, hurling away the approaching gladiator fighters.
Groot was merciless—he flung the fighters high into the air, sending them soaring tens of meters before they crashed outside the arena.
Rocket Raccoon raised his laser gun and fired rapidly, knocking back the surrounding gladiator fighters who charged at him.
"Who knows? This group seems to be acting strangely, as if they've been influenced by something. It's not safe to stay here any longer. We need to find an opening and break out," Star-Lord said.
Drax the Destroyer lifted a massive boulder and hurled it, sending several gladiators flying.
"That's right! Let's make a run for it. Where's the ship?"
"It's just past the arena," Rocket Raccoon replied.
"Ha! Seems like getting parasitized actually made you a bit smarter," Star-Lord teased.
Though chaos filled the entire arena, making the Guardians of the Galaxy less noticeable, the Grandmaster still spotted them.
His sharp eyes locked onto Rocket Raccoon, immediately recognizing that he carried the device that allowed the parasites to remain fused and resistant to high-frequency sonic waves.
Without hesitation, the Grandmaster charged toward the four Guardians.
Rocket Raccoon's expression shifted in panic.
"Oh no, we're screwed. The Grandmaster has his sights on us. Time to run!"
He knew they had no real chance of defeating the Grandmaster with their current resources. Their plan had been to create enough chaos to slip away unnoticed.
Star-Lord fired two shots at the Grandmaster.
But the laser blasts had no effect. Just before impact, a transparent energy shield materialized around the Grandmaster, absorbing the shots with barely a ripple.
In response, the Grandmaster raised his hand and unleashed several electromagnetic waves.
Star-Lord and Drax had no time to react—the waves struck them with lightning-fast precision. Their bodies convulsed as if electrocuted before they collapsed, completely powerless.
Groot, being a plant-based lifeform, fared slightly better. Though his body crackled with blue energy arcs, he managed to resist for a moment.
Groot extended his arms, turning them into thick vines in an attempt to restrain the Grandmaster.
But he had underestimated his opponent.
With a casual flick of his wrist, the Grandmaster sent another wave of energy surging forward. It tore through Groot's vines, obliterating them instantly.
The attack was so powerful that even Groot's body shattered into splinters.
Had the Grandmaster intended to kill them, the Guardians would have been wiped out in a single move.
Rocket Raccoon, thanks to his enhanced reflexes from the parasite, barely evaded the Grandmaster's attacks.
But just as he was about to make his escape, the Grandmaster immobilized him with a wave of his hand, using the power of space itself.
Rocket Raccoon's small body was lifted off the ground, completely frozen in place.
Defeated, he dropped his laser bazooka to the floor.
"Well, that's it. We're totally doomed this time," he muttered.
The Grandmaster appeared beside him, smirking.
With a mere flick of his fingers, the anti-high-frequency sonic device attached to Rocket Raccoon's waist detached and floated into the Grandmaster's hand.
Examining the device, the Grandmaster chuckled.
"What an interesting little gadget. You really went through the trouble of inventing something like this? But its effects are negligible. If you thought you could use this to steal people from my planet, Sakaar, you were being foolishly naive."
He deactivated the device.
Instantly, the parasitic fusion bodies began to collapse and disintegrate.
Without the low-frequency sound waves stabilizing them, they could no longer maintain their form.
The parasites scattered across the arena, their black, fluid-like bodies melting into lifeless puddles.
With the parasites neutralized, the remaining gladiator fighters collapsed as well.
In mere moments, the Guardians lost the distraction they had hoped to use as cover.
Rocket Raccoon sighed, spreading his paws.
"I knew these guys were unreliable," he grumbled.
Seizing the opportunity, the Grandmaster's guards retrieved their high-frequency sonic weapons and unleashed an indiscriminate assault.
The parasites writhed helplessly, their forms shifting and contorting under the sonic blasts, shrieking in agony.
The four Guardians were tightly bound in heavy chains, but Groot suffered the worst fate.
Recognizing that chains alone couldn't restrain his shapeshifting abilities, the Grandmaster had him locked inside a massive metal cage laced with electromagnetic barriers.
Any attempt to touch the bars would result in a painful surge of energy.
The Guardians of the Galaxy had been completely captured.
The Grandmaster sneered at them.
"You've ruined my arena. Now, you'll pay a steep price for your actions. I won't kill you—no, that would be too easy. Instead, you'll fight my strongest champions and make me a fortune."
"You'll make up for all the damage you've caused in today's event."
"I hope you survive long enough to pay off your debt," he added with a smirk.
Despite their dire situation, Rocket Raccoon remained oddly optimistic.
"So, if we win enough fights and pay off the damage, will you let us go?"
The Grandmaster scoffed.
"Hah! Not a chance."
"Yeah… I kinda figured," Rocket muttered, his ears drooping.
At that moment, a sudden burst of energy illuminated the room.
Rhodes and Hela teleported in.
Rhodes glanced at the Guardians, unimpressed.
"Not bad, Guardians of the Galaxy."
Star-Lord, still recovering from the Grandmaster's electromagnetic attack, managed to slur out a response.
"You… you know us?"
"Of course," Rhodes replied. "Your name is known across the universe."
Star-Lord grinned smugly.
"See? I told you we were famous."
Rocket Raccoon, however, rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, sure. Famous for getting caught," he grumbled.
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