"System, after devouring the [Mind Stone] in the [Warp], can you directly transmit this portion of its power back to me for use?"
[Yes, but the transmitted energy cannot exceed the maximum limit that the host's current human body can withstand, and the energy consumption is irreversible!!!]
Nice!!!
It actually worked.
Carl's eyes immediately lit up.
This time, the system's answer finally did not disappoint him.
Next, as long as he successfully established Energy Transmission, Carl would be able to directly gain a superpower similar to Captain Marvel's [Energy Manipulation].
Although this superpower seemed a little like a one-time consumable that had been "borrowed."
Carl was not worried about that at all.
After all, every [Infinity Stone] contained nearly infinite amounts of cosmic energy.
Not to mention anything else, just the energy that leaked out after the [Cosmic Cube] exploded had directly created Captain Marvel, Carol Danvers!
So every [Infinity Stone] was, in truth, an inexhaustible treasure trove of energy.
Faced with such vast cosmic energy, even if Carl squandered it without restraint until he died, there probably would not be the slightest problem!
Moreover, since this cosmic energy was not produced by his own body.
Theoretically, Carl himself would not suffer any consumption when using it.
In other words, as long as his physical and mental stamina allowed it, he could fight with unlimited endurance.
This reminded Carl of a slogan: We do not produce water; we are merely porters of nature.
That's right.
I don't produce energy. I'm merely a porter of the [Mind Stone]'s energy!!
Besides, in his view, if it was power that never needed to be repaid, how could it be called borrowing?!!
But none of that was the point.
The real point was...
Who said he could only devour one [Infinity Stone]?
As long as he could raise the [Warp]'s [Dimension Strength] above Lv3.
Then he would have a chance to devour the other [Infinity Stones].
Wouldn't that mean Carl's energy would never run out?!!
He just did not know whether this kind of "borrowing" would grant him the [Mind Stone]'s unique mental abilities—the power to read, manipulate, alter, and create the thoughts of others.
"Just do it!!"
Carl's fighting spirit reignited.
"To keep a record of the entire process, test subject Number 380, Mr. Carl Mala, please state your name and confirm your identity."
At that moment, a staff member's voice sounded through the loudspeaker.
"I, Carl Mala, am a volunteer!!!"
Carl cooperatively repeated the words.
The staff member's voice sounded again. "The experiment may begin. Please step forward and touch the scepter."
Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Carl stepped forward with an unchanged expression.
Then, he extended one finger and gently pressed it against the core area where the [Mind Stone] was located.
Almost at the same instant.
A system prompt appeared before his eyes.
[Cosmic-level special energy substance detected: Mind Stone. It can be devoured. Does the host choose to devour it?!!]
"Yes!"
Without the slightest hesitation, Carl gave his answer in his mind.
Boom...!!!
The blue energy crystal barrier surrounding the [Mind Stone], which served as protection, exploded with a deafening blast.
Finally revealing the [Mind Stone]'s true form.
Its golden-glimmering interior contained endless, majestic energy.
As though it had sensed danger.
The [Mind Stone] began continuously releasing energy, attempting to resist Carl's devouring.
Dazzling golden light, accompanied by an incomparably powerful torrent of energy, instantly swept outward.
The entire Summit Base began trembling violently beneath this overwhelming might.
But in the next instant.
Everything abruptly came to a halt and returned to calm.
The [Mind Stone] and all the terrifying energy it had released were completely devoured by the [Warp].
Then, like a rising morning star, it floated within the dimensional space.
At the same time, the words on the screen before Carl's eyes changed once more.
[Congratulations, host. You have successfully devoured the cosmic-level special energy substance: Mind Stone!!!] [Reminder: Since the host currently does not possess the authority to actively allocate this portion of energy, this energy substance will retain its original form and be placed directly within the Warp Dimension for storage.] [Does the host wish to immediately abandon his physical body, return to his exclusive dimension, and become the omniscient and omnipotent Lord of Dimensions?!!]
"Huh? Retain its original form... Does that mean the [Mind Stone] was not broken down into a pure stream of cosmic energy?"
Carl first rejected the prompt to abandon his physical body.
Then he tentatively ordered in his mind, "System, begin Energy Transmission immediately. I want to experience what it feels like to enter burst mode!!"
The next second.
Boom...!!!
Seemingly endless, immense energy poured continuously from the [Warp Dimension] into Carl's body.
His body slowly rose off the ground and floated in midair.
Dazzling golden light once again illuminated the entire experimental chamber.
But this time, the light bloomed from Carl's body.
Powerful Cosmic Secret Energy continuously washed over his body.
His cells, muscles, bones, and internal organs all underwent astonishing transformations as the energy flowed through them.
However, very soon.
Carl felt the growth of the Cosmic Secret Energy gradually come to a stop.
It seemed to have reached the limit his current body could withstand.
"What a wonderful feeling!"
Carl slowly opened his eyes, and golden light as blinding as the sun burst from his formerly black pupils.
The surging energy filling his body gave him an indescribable sense of exhilaration.
However.
Considering the limits of a mortal body.
Carl was not sure whether he had now reached Captain Marvel's level.
After all, after she had been brought back to the [Kree Empire], she had undergone extensive modifications and fused with Kree blood.
Her physique far exceeded the limits of humanity!
Besides that.
Carl also felt that his mental power seemed to have greatly improved during the Energy Transmission process.
Even without deliberately probing, he could clearly sense the presence of everyone within the entire base.
If he concentrated hard enough, he could even read the thoughts and memories in their minds.
However, when he tried to manipulate or alter their thoughts, every attempt ended in failure!
"Did it only simply enhance my mental power, without giving me the ability of [Mind Control]?"
"Or... can I only use mental abilities through direct contact, like Loki in the movies?"
Carl frowned and thought for a moment, feeling that the latter possibility seemed more likely.
Because in a sense.
The current [Warp] was more like a special vessel similar to the [Infinity Gauntlet] and [Loki's Scepter].
It allowed Carl to safely and confidently wield the [Mind Stone]'s power.
And naturally, different vessels could unleash different amounts of power!!
The clearest example was in the [Marvel Cinematic Universe].
Both Thanos's [Infinity Gauntlet] and Vision's Vibranium body could unleash most of the [Mind Stone]'s power.
By comparison.
The power [Loki's Scepter] could release was pathetically weak by more than just a little!!!
Before you continue