Coughing lightly, Carl rose from the forest floor, a tinge of embarrassment coloring his expression.
Fortunately, his robust physique matched the ferocity of the destructive power unleashed upon him.
Despite the relentless assault, he felt only a surge of adrenaline, unscathed by the onslaught.
"As expected of the Mutant hailed for unparalleled potential. The Phoenix Force awakening remains incomplete yet yields such formidable might," Carl mused, his gaze fixed on the woman restraining Scott in the distance, his demeanor grave.
In his current predicament, he found himself unable to breach the Psychokinesis field erected by his opponent.
"At this juncture, Jean ought to be in a state of chaos. Scott's demise wasn't her original intent but rather her primal craving for energy."
"Otherwise, upon awakening, she wouldn't have succumbed to berserk tendencies due to Wolverine's inquiries into Scott's condition."
"To halt her from consuming Scott, I must dismantle the Psychokinesis field and rouse her consciousness."
Having reached this conclusion, Carl halted his movements.
The preceding assault had undoubtedly marked his pinnacle, his utmost exertion of power.
Bolstered by the celestial alignment, his descent at supersonic velocity had triggered an unprecedented surge of force.
However, without a significant augmentation of his capabilities, breaching the barrier seemed insurmountable.
Contemplating his options, Carl summoned the attribute page, his gaze lingering on the solitary untapped origin point, a hint of reluctance shadowing his eyes.
He had deliberated whether to enhance his abilities now or conserve them to expedite evolution to the silver superman state.
Alas, the course of action appeared evident.
In the absence of immediate alternatives to augment his strength, the Strengthening X-Gene Ability emerged as his sole recourse.
A single level of energy surge could propel him into a state of heightened vigor, quintupling his power while affording a modicum of defense with an energy shield.
How much could further enhancement amplify his abilities?
Time brooked no delay, and with unwavering resolve, Carl declared, "System, One origin point, Strengthening X-Gene Ability."
As his words echoed, the origin point vanished from the property page.
Subsequently, an enigmatic and unparalleled power surged within him, permeating his being.
Under its influence, the X-gene within Carl underwent a seismic activation, undergoing a qualitative metamorphosis as though an incendiary catalyst had been ignited within him.
Boom!
As if an atomic detonation rippled through his form, an inexhaustible reservoir of energy erupted within Carl, imbued with unprecedented purity, dominance, and explosive potential.
The hue shifted, transmuting from translucent to a delicate, gilded hue, coalescing into a spiraling current of air that surged upward around Carl.
The potent air current lifted the foliage and trees surrounding Carl, creating a vacuum within several meters, while the atmosphere above his head was displaced by the majestic current.
Carl's eyes and hair now bore a faint golden luminescence, akin to that of a deity.
In this moment, an overwhelming sense of pressure emanated from Carl's entire being, his aura turbulent, prompting even Jean Grey in the distance to instinctively turn his gaze toward him.
With a slight bow of his head, Carl's eyes, cloaked in a golden sheen, fixated on his hands momentarily before lifting his gaze to meet Jean's in the distance, his stare piercing and frigid.
Boom!
The ground erupted within a few meters in an explosive upheaval, and Carl vanished from his position in an instant, reappearing before Jean and the others at a supersonic velocity of nearly 400 meters per second.
In a fraction of a moment, Carl's right fist clenched, hurtling forward in a devastating blow.
As he struck, Carl's entire being amassed boundless power, manifesting into a golden force that coalesced around his fist.
To Wolverine and Storm, observing from afar, it appeared as if Carl, enveloped in swirling air currents, was descending upon Jean like a radiant sun of gold.
Before the blow landed, the tremendous pressure exuded by this power caused Jean's demeanor to shift, his eyes gleaming with a steely resolve as an astonishing surge of Psychokinesis erupted forth.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
At the point of intersection between the fist and the Psychokinesis force field, a torrent of golden and crimson light erupted forth, followed by a deafening explosion.
Viewed from a distance, the dazzling blaze of golden and crimson light shot upwards, forming a luminous sphere with a diameter spanning tens of meters, its brilliance illuminating the surrounding landscape.
Then ensued a violent shockwave, sweeping through everything in its path.
Wherever it traversed, the earth trembled and cracked, vegetation shattered, and billows of smoke and dust rose several meters into the air.
Witnessing such a cataclysmic display, Storm and Wolverine stood transfixed, incredulous that such a feat could be achieved by a mere young mutant.
It was impossible to discern how much time had elapsed as the wind gradually subsided, and the swirling smoke and dust began to dissipate.
Before them lay a vast crater, stretching over ten meters wide, newly carved into the earth near the lake's edge.
Standing on one side of the pit was Carl, surrounded by a radiant golden aura, pulsating with even greater vigor and intensity than before. His gaze was ice-cold as he stared down his opponent on the opposite side.
Across from him stood the enigmatic violin, encircled by crimson Psychokinesis, emanating an aura of annihilation as it faced off against Carl.
At Jean Grey's feet lay the unconscious form of Scott, felled by a deep slumber.
Confronted by Jean's stoic stare, Carl showed no signs of fear. He met her cold gaze head-on and inquired, "Miss Jean, do you intend to harm Mr. Scott?"
At the sound of Carl's voice, a turmoil stirred within Jean's Psychokinesis, her eyes betraying a hint of internal conflict.
"S... Scott..."
Jean's head drooped with effort as she cast her gaze upon Cyclops, his features drained of life and barely clinging to consciousness, intensifying the struggle within her eyes.
"What...?"
Suddenly, Jean emitted a piercing shriek, her Psychokinesis erupting violently, whipping up a fierce gale.
Yet as swiftly as it had arisen, the Psychokinesis dissipated, leaving Jean collapsed upon the ground, unconscious.
The abrupt turn of events left the trio bewildered.
Sensing the dissipation of the imminent threat, Carl breathed a sigh of relief and, with a conscious effort, released his Ability state gradually.
The golden aura surrounding Carl receded, vanishing from sight.
In its wake, an overwhelming sense of weakness engulfed him. Carl's complexion turned pallid, drained of vitality, his legs quivering as he struggled to remain upright.
In that moment, Carl felt as if he had been hollowed out, his strength sapped beyond measure, leaving him utterly feeble.
****
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