Primary Nature—Sandy-Grey Assimilation!
Tertiary Nature—Cultivator!
The current Maroppa was strong, fearsomely so. All she had to do to fight was create a pinhole-sized region of Sandy-Grey Void under her feet. That would expand voraciously and engulf without limit as much area as she desired. There was no limit, theoretically so.
But she dared not do that. The Mammoth Ancestor, the entity that voraciously hunted her race and caused it to almost go extinct had become a Transcendent. The more she accessed the new data stemming from her race's generational inheritance, the more she became afraid, now armed with the knowledge that all Transcendents originating from Sumatra Continent were capable of observing the continent.
And if necessary, they could actually interfere. They never did this typically since nothing happening on Sumatra Continent warranted their attention and interference. But, the arrival of a Mudropper meant a threat to the entire continent.
After all, at a point in history, Mudroppers came close to destroying Sumatra. Hence, whether it was the Mammoth Ancestor, Mahira Tusk, or the latest Mystic Empyrean Tentacle, Renduldu, they kept their attention here for signs of any revival of the Mudropper race.
If Empyrean Tentacles could be called the blessed race of Sumatra, then Mudroppers were the cursed race of Sumatra.
The fear that she would be hunted by Transcendents was what kept Maroppa in check and prevented her from transforming Sumatra Continent into the Sandy-Grey Void. As a result, she couldn't unleash the true might of her Primary Nature.
If any powerful enemy were to target her, she didn't have a suitable power to retaliate without using her power of grey sand. Her Tertiary Nature merely allowed her to build multiple bodies. Hence, she was in need of a Secondary Nature but didn't have an idea or means to obtain one.
That was why Inala's proposal was impossible for her to refuse, 'Damn him!'
She was angry, knowing the fact that Inala knew her well and targeted her desperate wants. Previously, it was regarding her Ravaged Tribe. He created a suitable cultivation technique for them and allowed them to develop to the peak form possible for a Ravaged Tribe.
It was by devouring them that she was able to reach the Gold Grade. And now, what she desperately wanted was a power alternative to her Primary Nature. The only way to obtain it was through a Secondary Nature.
Inala didn't miss the chance to take advantage of her abilities using that. He knew what she wanted. And he got what he wanted through her using it. That was what made Inala so terrifying for her.
'How the heck did he manage to have so many Natures?' Maroppa felt as if her head was on the verge of bursting from overthinking as she downed a large glass full of water to free up her mind. She then stared at Inala to ask, "Is that all you want from me?"
"Basically that, and this." He pointed at the Inhibition Needle, "Fuse them into my skeleton and make it in such a way that they can influence and interact with my Spirit Container."
"You're mad!" Maroppa cursed in response, "Even someone insane will have thoughts largely conservative in comparison to you."
"Well, are you in or not?" Inala asked, calmly eyeing her.
"I'm in, you shitty bastard." Maroppa grunted, "I have cursed more times in the past few minutes than all my life. Shit!"
"Here's to a successful partnership." Inala shook hands with a grumpy Maroppa. He then started to wolf down on the food and commented, "This is better than I thought. No wonder it seems like you're a regular here."
"Yeah, I meet up with my business partner here once a week." Maroppa exhaled slowly, understanding that she couldn't escape from this situation. She was in the thick of it now. But knowing that Inala was the principal factor behind her spike in strength, she was interested.
Inala was a madman who scared her. But he was also a madman who produced results without fail. So, she could trust him in that regard. As long as she takes measures to ensure he doesn't go back on his words, everything else will turn out alright. 'I can just flee from this place once I get my Secondary Nature.'
"Orakha, right?" Inala nodded, watching Maroppa freeze in response. He stared at her in confusion, "Why are you looking at me like that?"
"I…never told you about him." Maroppa glared at him, emotionally shaken, "Were you stalking me all along?"
"I saw the both of you talk for a couple of hours. But that's not why I know about him." Inala revealed a wide smile, "He's my brother from another mother."
Technically, it wasn't a lie for three reasons. First, they used to be Death Row students, hence labelled siblings associated with death. Second, the parents of all seven were very close and had even made a trip to Earth together.
Third, and the most important reason. They had the fragment disease. Genetically, they were the closest to an Empyrean Tusk and also to each other, being possessors of Mystic Paths. Hence, it wasn't a lie to address Orakha as a brother.
"Orakha…is a Mammoth Clansman?" Maroppa felt her head spin as she tried to argue against Inala's statement, "He doesn't have an Inhibition Needle or the ring made by the Boar King. It's impossible for him to hide his identity as a Mammoth Clansman…"
"His Primary Nature does that." Inala smiled, "I won't reveal his abilities since he hasn't made the decision to tell you. But it seems you're honestly interested in each other, so I'm just telling you a little in advance."
"Whether you like it or not, he'll be fighting the Boar King in a battle to the death." Inala said in all seriousness, "That is an inevitable fate."
"Inevitable…" Maroppa muttered as her face scrunched up in response.
Seeing her expression, Inala gained the full picture, 'It seems Orakha is her type. That explains why the only Mudropper in existence is smitten with him.'
Honestly, knowing this information made Inala's mood brighter. After all, thanks to Orakha, Maroppa would support the Mammoth Clan. It would be easier to get her assistance on a variety of matters.
And in case the Mammoth Clan wished to be reunited with the other Empyrean Tusk herd that had left Sumatra Continent two millennia ago, they would be able to make the journey using her help.
Through what he observed before, it seemed Orakha too liked Maroppa, though not as smitten as her. It wasn't an issue, as their bond would deepen over time.
Beginner Gold Grade Pranic Beast—Mudropper!
With such a terrifying entity on their side, the Mammoth Clan's chances of survival would increase. And since such a chance presented itself, Inala wouldn't miss it. Immediately, he grabbed Maroppa's hands and spoke in awe, "To be brutally frank with you, Orakha is a catch. I always thought that guy would remain single for life because he's dense towards women. But capture his heart, and he'll treat you as the greatest Empress in all of Sumatra."
"Is that…the truth?" Maroppa asked, interested, "How was he back at the Mammoth Clan?"
"I don't mean to brag, but he was a charmer." Inala said in excitement, "Most of the women there had a crush on him. But he didn't know because he's dense as a rock. He can dance, he can sing, he can fight. And most of all,"
"He's a great cook," Inala said, having segregated some data of Lurt and a few others that he planned to feed Orakha later through a Bone Slip. That way, Orakha would truly appear to Maroppa's eyes as a man among men.
Inala planned to hype up Orakha in her mind. He would then do the same to Orakha to ensure this ship sets sail. After all, this ship could very well carry the Mammoth Clan out of destruction.