Chapter 111: New System Mission, Battle Apocalypse
"I've crushed more powerhouses than you've ever seen, and I've encountered beings even more terrifying than Apocalypse."
With that, he summoned the System attribute panel that only he could see with a thought.
Scanning through it, his mood instantly improved.
His desire points had surged by tens of millions again, and the numbers were still ticking upward.
The wealth points, showing over a hundred billion, shimmered with the unique luster of money.
Now, both Kryptonian and Human Race blood flowed within him, and his genetic lock had been opened to an astonishing degree.
From the Ice-Ice Fruit to the Mind Dominator, and then to that Steel Body, every ability had been strengthened to its Peak state.
Just as he was admiring his luxurious stats, the System's crisp and pleasant notification sound suddenly rang out in his mind.
The task list had refreshed.
A new mission titled "god among men" caught his eye.
The mission requirement was simple and blunt: strike hard, teach Apocalypse a lesson, and announce to the whole World who the true overlord of Earth is.
The reward was actually a Golden Blind Box, plus a chance for the Steel Body to evolve!
Ethan's breathing quickened slightly.
Golden Blind Boxes were rare items; although they could be exchanged for by collecting Infinity Stones, the advancement for the Steel Body was too tempting.
One had to know that relying on desire points to break the limit of the Steel Body would cost a full four hundred million, a massive sum that had kept him hesitating until now.
Although he could get stronger by basking in the Sunevery day, how could that speed compare to the direct reward from the System?
Psylocke was very receptive to advice and decided to settle down in the Osborn Group for the time being.
She hadn't been on the job long and hadn't fully grasped many business processes yet, which gave her the perfect excuse to refuse the orders from England to steal genetic technology.
Although she was already leaning towards staying in New York permanently, she had spent so many years in Englandafter all, so it was a bit hard to cut ties immediately.
The buffer period Ethan gave her was just enough for her to slowly adjust her mindset.
At this moment, the sky outside the window gradually darkened.
Ethan looked at the gloomy sky and murmured softly, "It's getting dark."
The muffled roar of thunder came from deep within the clouds.
His keen perception captured a powerful energy fluctuation, the commotion caused by an Asgardian forcibly tearing through the spatial barriers.
It seemed that Loki, that crafty fellow, had already obtained the Vibranium.
Right now, he was likely boarding S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Helicarrierwith great fanfare, preparing to set a trap for the Avengers.
As long as the Avengers were in chaos, he would have a chance to steal the reactor energy from Stark Tower.
Once he succeeded, the power of the Space Stone would be fully activated, and it would only be a matter of time before the Portal opened.
Looking at the oppressive haze outside the window made one feel inexplicably irritable.
Ethan knew very well that New York was about to face a catastrophe.
Even those high-ranking Military officials, who were more of a hindrance than a help, were already calculating in their heads about dropping a Nuke on Manhattan.
These future scenes rolled through his mind like a movie.
However, looking down at this war from his current height felt like watching a group of children playing house.
Compared to the World-ending spectacles Apocalypsehad once orchestrated, the Battle of New York was indeed a bit amateurish.
The current priority was still to drag Apocalypse out from his hiding place in the shadows.
If that old fox wasn't eliminated, his friends and family could suffer at any time.
This was the only thing Ethan was wary of; as for a direct confrontation, he had never feared anyone.
"Do I have to go back to Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters?"
"Borrow that Cerebro to search the globe and get a precise lock on Apocalypse?"
But this move might not work; that old schemer Apocalypse would definitely be on guard against Professor Charles's trick.
After all, the old Professor X was no pushover, and it was impossible for Apocalypse not to take shielding measures.
"Forget it, I'll just wait and see for now, like waiting for a rabbit to run into a tree."
He snuffed out that thought as soon as it surfaced.
This wasn't his style; as an Ice Demon, how could he live with his head tucked in?
Once someone dared to disrespect his territory, if he didn't strike back hard, everyone would want to take a bite out of the Osborn Group in the future.
"You look like you have a lot on your mind?"
Just then, a mature and magnetic female voice rang out directly in his heart.
This was telepathy across a great distance.
"Jean? You're back from your trip?"
Ethan instantly switched states, his consciousness stepping directly into the Mind Dimension.
In an illusory space, he saw Jean Grey, dressed in red like fire.
At this moment, she exuded an intellectual charm, and the gloomy, resentful aura she once had was gone without a trace.
She looked completely relaxed, and the light emitted by the Phoenix Force around her was warm and searing.
Ethan really enjoyed the feeling of being bathed in the Phoenix's radiance.
Jean turned around, her beautiful eyes roaming as she sized up Ethan, a look of surprise appearing on her face.
"Hao, you always manage to surprise people."
"How long has it been, and your power has expanded so much again? Even I feel threatened."
The Phoenix Force inside her became restless because of Ethan's appearance, indicating that his strength was now sufficient to rival hers.
"People have to grow, after all. I see you've changed quite a bit too; this state is quite good."
The corners of Ethan's mouth curled up slightly, making no secret of his appreciation for her.
"I tried using the method you mentioned to cut off past ties and forget all those old messes."
Jean smiled sincerely, a look of genuine relief.
"Along this journey, I've seen the tenacity of life. Looking back at the first half of my life, I feel like I've actually been quite favored by Lady Luck."
She was living very comfortably now, having learned to embrace the beauty in life, and the Phoenix Force within her had been soothed by these positive emotions.
"Fate is never something decided by the heavens; it only counts if it's held in your own hands."
In the real World, Ethan grasped the sling ring in his hand, and a sparking circle was instantly drawn in front of him.
In the next second, he stepped directly through the Portaland appeared on a massive rock by the seaside in Norway.
Jean Grey was sitting here, feeling the sea breeze.
The two sat side by side, looking at the surging sea in the distance and the brilliant starry sky above, silent for a moment.
After a while, Jean was the first to break the silence: "I have a strong premonition that something big is about to happen in the Mutant world."
Ethan looked at her sideways and suddenly laughed.
"Just enjoy your vacation time in peace. It wasn't easy to jump out of that quagmire, so don't get sucked back in."
"Leave the remaining mess to me. You should know my strength; a little thing like this won't trouble me."
These words carried a powerful, convincing confidence.
"You have too many secrets; I'm finding it harder and harder to see through you."
"But I can feel that your potential has undergone an Earth-shattering qualitative change. I actually reached out to you just now because I was afraid you were off doing bad things again."
Ethan raised an eyebrow: "Bad things?"
"Exactly!"
Jean was clearly well-aware of the "good deeds" he had done in New York before.
Chapter 112: Igloo Romance and ApocalypseForeshadowing
"That's not called a bad thing; it's to grasp the initiative of fate a little tighter."
"Don't worry, my heart isn't completely black yet. I'm still that money-grubbing, lustful big devil you know."
Ethan's gaze was like lightning; his X-ray vision instantly pierced through layers of obstacles, looking towards distant New York.
He clearly saw Iron Man and Captain America fighting fiercely with Thor.
"What are you looking at?"
Jean curiously leaned in.
Ethan naturally took her soft hand and shared the images he saw through a mental link.
Jean's eyebrows quirked slightly. "That big guy with the hammer is quite impressive; he has immense potential within him."
"Pity he's a brute who doesn't know how to use his power at all, stupidly relying on that hammer to summon lightning."
"That's Thor, a character from mythology."
Ethan introduced with a smile.
"There's really a God of Thunder?"
Jean found it quite novel.
"That tied-up guy with the wicked face is the legendary Loki."
Hearing this, Jean suddenly became interested.
"Don't you plan to join the fun?"
"That's a ragtag team S.H.I.E.L.D. barely managed to pull together; they're still very green compared to the X-Men."
"These people are all arrogant and are currently in a break-in period. If I step in now, it would be kill-stealing; I need to give them a chance to level up."
Ethan stood up and stretched as he spoke.
"Talking with you for a while has cleared all the gloom in my heart."
He was about to say goodbye and return to New Yorkwhen Jean suddenly spoke.
"The moonlight is beautiful tonight, Hao."
Jean's eyes sparkled as she looked at him with a smile, a hint of something more in her gaze.
Ethan understood immediately, and the smile on his face grew wider: "The wind is gentle too, isn't it?"
Their gazes met in the air, as if sparks were crackling and burning.
The sash at Jean's waist seemed to be gently untied by a pair of invisible hands.
On the sea, a vast amount of seawater rose against gravity and quickly froze into a crystal-clear igloo.
"Ms. Grey, please."
Ethan made a very gentlemanly inviting gesture.
Jean placed her hand in his palm, and two powerful magnetic fields instantly became entangled.
Attraction between the strong is often simple and direct, requiring no convoluted games.
Jean just wanted to release her nature at this moment and follow her body's instincts.
She knew clearly that Ethan had a fatal quality that attracted her.
Just as they were lost in passion, the System's notification sounded, quite the mood-killer.
[Mission Accomplished: ichisawa kaori. Engage in a 'more-than-friends' relationship with a special female hero. Reward: blue blind box (stacked 3 times), 1 million desire points!]
...
The storm subsided, and Jean walked out of the igloo fully dressed.
Ethan lay on the giant ice bed, savoring the experience.
Two Telepathy masters together—the pleasure of Soul-level fusion was a hundred times stronger than physical joy.
This was a journey of the Soul in the truest sense.
Jean left, walking away with ease.
She didn't want to be anyone's subordinate; this brief affair was more like a celebration of her rebirth.
Watching her fading figure, Ethan remarked, "It seems my influence on her is indeed quite significant."
"People who have died once really do live more transparently."
He also got up, dressed, and snapped his fingers; the igloo instantly collapsed and melted, all traces washed away by the seawater.
The only thing left was the again-stacked mission reward.
Purple blind boxes were already quite good, but compared to the Black Blind Box symbolizing despair and hope, they were still lacking.
The potential of the Kryptonian Bloodline was practically a bottomless pit.
Although he had spent a lot of money to upgrade, it was far from over.
Basking in the Sun every day was like charging his cells; he was intoxicated by the feeling of constantly becoming stronger.
Also thanks to this powerful Superman body, otherwise he might not have been able to subdue Phoenix last night.
Activating the sling ring again, a spark portal flashed, and he returned directly to the spacious Chairman's office.
The building was quiet at this time, with only security patrolling.
But the loyal AI butler came online immediately.
"Welcome back, sir. Shall I prepare breakfast for you?"
Ethan looked up at the camera and smiled. "Thanks, Friday."
"I've already ordered your favorites from Chinatown; they'll arrive within ten minutes."
Friday's voice had been adjusted to sound exceptionally pleasant.
"And a cup of hot coffee."
Ethan threw himself into his executive chair, his expression turning serious.
"Also, dig up all the dirty laundry on Worthington Industries."
As the command was given, a giant virtual screen appeared in the office air.
Massive amounts of information flowed as fast as a waterfall; a normal person would get dizzy just looking at it.
But Friday knew the boss's reading speed and specifically adjusted the frequency of the information flow.
"Thanks, Friday."
"It's my honor to serve you, sir."
Ethan closed his eyes, his brain running at high speed, digesting the information on the screen.
Through Friday's deep hacking, the shady secrets of Worthington Industries were fully exposed.
These guys were indeed doing genetic research and were deeply involved.
The father of the Mutant Angel was originally an extreme anti-mutantist.
As it turned out, fate played a huge joke on him; his son was actually a winged Mutant.
The old man almost collapsed, but to 'cure' his son, he spared no expense and used all resources to find that crucial young boy.
Warren Kenneth Worthington III, current Sect Leader of the Worthington Group, also known as the famous Angel.
Looking at this Young Master's resume in the files, it was like a melodramatic drama with many ups and downs.
After the Apocalypse Incident, he returned high-profile, tore off his wings in public, and earned the nickname 'Fallen Angel'.
The media were all praising him blindly, but Ethan saw right through it.
This guy wasn't a Fallen Angel; he had clearly undergone consciousness transfer by Apocalypse!
The current Warren was just a shell; deep in his consciousness slept that old monster.
As the only one of the Four Horsemen of Apocalypse who didn't betray, he was Apocalypse's most loyal gravekeeper.
"This guy has probably been waiting for this day for a long time, right?"
"Hiding his identity for so long just to wait for the opportunity to resurrect his master."
What Fallen Angel? He was clearly a lurking venomous snake.
Records showed that after the Mutant war triggered by Mystique, this guy mysteriously disappeared, and rumors said he was killed by Mutants.
Chapter 113: Ice Dragon Pierces the Sky and Rushes into the Portal
Ethan frowned slightly.
The Angel in the movies looked like a gullible kid, but the one here was clearly a calculating and ruthless character.
No matter which parallel Universe this was, since the System task had popped up, there was no escaping it.
"Find him, and take him out!"
Ethan's gaze turned cold; this wasn't just for the Golden Blind Box, but also to pull the problem out by its roots.
As his strength grew, the frequency of the System issuing tasks became as rare as constipation; now that a big job had finally come along, he absolutely couldn't let it go.
"Los Angeles?"
"It seems that once things are settled here in New York, I'll have to personally visit the City of Angels to meet this old schemer."
Ding-dong.
The sound of the doorbell interrupted his thoughts.
"Come in."
"Hello, Mr. Hao, your breakfast has arrived."
The door was pushed open, and a beautiful receptionist wearing a slim-fitting white suit walked in.
She wore a professional, sweet smile on her face as she respectfully carried a tray.
When her gaze fell upon Ethan's face, a distinct flash of unusual longing flickered in her eyes.
"Thanks, Elma, just put it on the table."
With a casual wave of Ethan's hand, the virtual screen vanished instantly.
The receptionist named Elma put down the breakfast, bowed slightly, and turned to leave.
This was the first time she had the opportunity to enter the Chairman's office; normally, someone of her rank wouldn't be able to come up here at all.
Watching her swaying figure as she left, Ethan smiled playfully.
"Are superhumans so competitive these days? Even a receptionist is a hidden expert."
He didn't expose her identity, but his powerful Mental Energy had already followed Elma's thought trails and found the big fish behind her.
Hellfire Club!
This was the most mysterious and prestigious superhuman organization in New York.
Even Magneto used to be part of it, and the current leader was the famous White Queen—Emma Grace Frost.
"So it's you."
"The White Queen actually went as far as to send her own daughter to be my receptionist just to steal some genetic technology?"
This move was indeed clever.
Elma had perfectly inherited her mother's Telepathy; though her skills were slightly lacking, using them for corporate espionage was like a dimensional strike.
The position of a receptionist seemed insignificant, but it allowed contact with everyone in the company.
She only needed to sit at the front desk to invisibly browse the memories of every passing employee.
This was more effective than any hacking; the security System at Osborn, which claimed to be an iron fortress, was practically non-existent before her.
Even Mystique Raven, who hung around under her nose every day, hadn't noticed anything unusual; this girl really had something.
Ethan picked up his hot coffee, walked to the massive floor-to-ceiling window, and took a sip.
At the top of the distant Stark Tower, a group of men in black were working busily.
That strange device had already been set up, and a blue-white light began to flicker—a sign that the energy was about to go out of control.
"A new era is about to begin."
The energy from the Arc Reactor had already been channeled into the Tesseract.
A gold and red streak of fire flashed across the sky; Iron Man Tony Stark had finally arrived.
He raised his hand and fired a Repulsor Blast, trying to shatter the device.
But the Tesseract's innate pure energy shield deflected the attack directly, without even a spark flying.
"This view is really great, much better than watching IMAX."
Next came the classic "free fall" segment; Loki threw Tonyright off the roof.
Fortunately, the mark armor arrived just in time and caught him on the street.
At the same time, a massive beam of light shot into the sky, violently piercing the heavens.
The sky cracked.
A massive wormhole slowly opened over New York, like the gaping maw of a man-eating beast.
Densely packed Chitauri, riding their flyers, swarmed out of the wormhole like locusts.
"The delivery is here."
Ethan chuckled.
A quinjet roared past, and his X-ray Vision allowed him to clearly see the sexy Black Widow in the cockpit.
"Tsk, even Natasha has taken the field. I can't just stand here and watch the show; after all, this is my territory."
He set down his coffee cup, his gaze instantly becoming sharp.
The hole in the sky was still continuously vomiting out monsters.
These Chitauri were truly eyesores, their hideous faces paired with crimson eyeballs, their whole countenances screaming 'I want to kill'.
At that moment, several massive Leviathan beasts emerged from the wormhole like swimming fish, heading straight for the Oscorp Tower.
Ethan raised an eyebrow, and his vast Psychokinesiserupted instantly.
Those massive beasts instantly seemed to hit an invisible wall, frozen mid-air and unable to move.
The Avengers began their counterattack.
On the distant street, Thor and Loki, the pair of brothers who loved and hated each other, were fighting once again.
As the alien army grew larger, the calm sea around Manhattan suddenly began to boil.
Under the pull of some mysterious force, countless tons of seawater defied the laws of physics and flowed backward toward the sky.
In the next second, Ethan's figure appeared out of thin air on the rooftop platform of Stark Tower.
Looking at the Tesseract protected by the energy shield, he didn't rush to act, but stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at the massive portal.
"All forces, attack!"
Loki was still there, recklessly barking orders.
While the Avengers were struggling in the thick of the fight, the backflowing seawater had already accumulated to a terrifying height.
In the command hall of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Helicarrier, everyone stared at the large screen, dumbfounded.
"Officer! A massive tsunami is occurring in Manhattan! The wave height has already exceeded thirty meters above sea level!"
Agent Hill stared intently at the satellite footage; as the lens zoomed in, it caught the man standing next to the portal.
"It's Ethan! He's finally making his move!"
There was a hint of irrepressible excitement in her voice.
"I knew this big shot wouldn't just sit idly by; Loki has really hit a steel wall this time."
Nick Fury's heart, which had been hanging by a thread in his single eye, finally settled.
"It's settled now..."
Before he could finish his sentence, those monstrous waves suddenly transformed into countless crystal-clear water dragons, roaring as they surged toward the sky.
Immediately after, a burst of frigid air erupted!
The originally flowing water dragons instantly froze into indestructible Ice Dragons, emitting a bone-chilling cold.
The sky over New York seemed to enter midwinter instantly, with heavy snow falling in thick flakes.
Countless Ice Dragons lunged at the Chitauri army in the air with bared fangs and claws; wherever they passed, ships exploded and flesh and blood flew.
While everyone was stunned speechless by this scene, Ethan moved.
He took a step forward, treading upon a massive Ice Dragon, and actually surged upward against the flow, rushing into that deep spatial portal!
Chapter 114: Crushing the Tesseract with Bare Hands
Behind the portal was the boundless deep space of the Universe.
There, the Chitauri mothership and an endless army lay anchored.
"Ha!"
Ethan took a deep breath and suddenly exhaled a blast of Frost Breath.
At that moment, time seemed to stand still.
The terrifying, extreme low temperature spread instantly, completely freezing the vacuum of space for tens of thousands of miles.
The Chitauri army preparing to charge into Earth, along with their warships, were instantly turned into ice sculptures, suspended in the deathly silence of space.
Even the violent radiation and particle streams in the Universe were sealed off by this frigid air.
After settling everything, Ethan slowly descended back to the ground as if taking a stroll.
The ice dragons filling the sky transformed back into seawater, obediently receding into the bay.
The originally clamorous battlefield fell silent in an instant, with only the sound of the wind howling.
The Avengers looked up at the figure that resembled both a god and a demon, their hearts filled with nothing but pure shock.
Was this the true strength of the "Ice Demon"?
Those who knew his background felt even more complicated; while this guy didn't usually look like a good person, when the critical moment arrived, he truly was Earth's thickest thigh to cling to.
Ethan returned to the roof of Stark Tower, looking at the Tesseract which was still continuously outputting energy.
Tony Stark, wearing his tattered armor, flew over.
"Hao! We have to shut this thing down immediately, or even more aliens will come rushing in!"
Tony looked anxious; he never wanted to experience a scene like the one just now for a second time in his life.
"Alien threat? Actually, I'd prefer if a few more of them showed up."
Ethan's tone was as casual as if he were discussing today's weather.
"I didn't get my fill of killing just now. This amount isn't even enough to get stuck between my teeth. I want to see where my limit actually lies."
These words, combined with the Killing Intent that hadn't yet dissipated from his body, made Tony shudder all over.
He subconsciously took two steps back, finally remembering that the person in front of him was a master who killed without blinking.
That kind of gaze that could freeze your very Soul was simply too terrifying.
At that moment, Thor flew up carrying Loki, who looked like a dead dog.
"Loki! Turn off the portal immediately!"
Thor roared; this was a major matter concerning the safety of Earth.
Even though Loki had been captured, his mouth remained stubborn, his face wearing that signature wicked smile.
"It's useless. That energy shield is indestructible; no one can break it."
"Even though the Chitauri lost, the Tesseract's signal has already been sent out. Advanced civilizations across the Universe will be eyeing this place. You're finished."
Tony grew furious upon hearing this.
I don't dare provoke Ethan, but I can't handle a prisoner like you?
He directly raised his palm cannon and aimed it at Loki's head: "Are you going to talk? If not, I'll blow a hole in your head right now!"
"Stop! That's my brother!"
Thor, anxious to protect his brother, stepped directly in front of Tony.
Then he turned to look at Ethan with a complex gaze.
He had also seen that world-destroying scene just now, and he still remembered that this man had once lifted Mjolnir.
"It's you? The one who held the hammer!"
Thor felt a bit uneasy; that previous encounter still left him with lingering fears, as the other's strength was simply bottomless.
Ethan glanced indifferently at the two brothers.
"That old man Odin doesn't have many years left to live. How did he sire such troublesome things like you two?"
"Each one is more of a disappointment than the last."
This tone of a senior lecturing a Junior made Loki very unhappy: "Sir, please watch your words. I am not Odin's son!"
"Of course you aren't."
Ethan interrupted him unceremoniously, "Though Odinis muddled, his genes are still decent. How could he possibly father a piece of trash like you?"
"You are of Frost Giant stock, and an abandoned runt at that."
This was arguably Loki's greatest sore spot, and he instantly bristled: "I am the King of Asgard! Not some Frost Giant! And certainly not trash!"
"Normally, given my temper, you would surely die today."
Ethan looked at him with a playful gaze.
"But I've changed my mind. I'm going to let you keep your miserable life."
"I want you to see with your own eyes the scene when Odin dies and his eldest daughter—the Goddess of Death, Hela, whom he personally sealed away—comes slaughtering her way back."
"I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of expression you'll have when Ragnarok descends."
Beside them, Tony silently lowered his hand; this gossip was a bit too much, he needed to process it.
Thor gripped his hammer tightly, looking completely bewildered.
"What nonsense are you talking about? What Goddess of Death, Hela? I've never had a sister!"
He felt this person was simply insulting the royalty of Asgard.
Although Loki didn't believe it verbally, his eyes flickered, and a faint, ominous premonition stirred in his heart.
"It seems Odin did a good job with the secrecy."
Ethan smiled mockingly.
"Odin is indeed cold-blooded enough. Back then, Helaaccompanied him to conquer the Nine Realms and performed great feats, only for him to turn around and erase all traces of her."
"You have no idea that the true glory of Asgard was carved out through slaughter."
"I really want to see if she'll slaughter all of you when Helareturns to the Golden Palace with her sword, facing a populace that doesn't recognize her at all."
That smile made Thor feel uneasy.
He let out a roar, raised Mjolnir, and smashed it toward Ethan.
"Don't do it!"
Tony cried out in alarm, but it was too late to stop him.
Ethan nonchalantly reached out a hand and firmly caught the incoming hammer.
As his five fingers exerted a slight force, deep fingerprints actually appeared on the incredibly hard Uru metal!
But he didn't crush it; he simply kicked Thor away like throwing out trash and tossed the hammer aside.
"Is this how Odin taught you to fight?"
"Are you nothing without your hammer? Truly an overgrown child."
Ethan shook his head and turned toward the energy shield.
"Loki, open your eyes wide and see clearly; the waters of the Universe run deep."
He pressed his palm against the surface of the shield, his lips curling into an arrogant arc.
"The Infinity Stones are indeed powerful, but before me, they are far from invincible."
With a low shout, he suddenly thrust both hands into the energy shield and tore it apart toward both sides!
Screeech—!
That supposedly indestructible pure energy defense was actually torn open like paper, creating a massive gap!
Ethan stepped inside and reached out to directly grab the Tesseract within.
Crack!
He closed his fingers, and with a slight exertion of force, the blue cube instantly shattered.
Terrifying spatial energy erupted like a bursting dam, but before it could spread, it was suppressed by an even more overbearing power.
Everyone's gaze was focused on the center of his palm.
There lay a stone emitting a faint, eerie blue light.
The Space Stone!
Loki's eyes almost popped out of his head.
How was this possible?!
How could a Mortal body directly touch an Infinity Stone?
Based on his knowledge of the Universe, any creature that dared to grab a stone with bare hands would face only one end—being overwhelmed by energy and blown to ashes.
Yet now, that violent stone was as obedient as a glass marble in Ethan's hand.
"So this is the true form of the Tesseract?"
Tony was also mesmerized by that beautiful light, muttering to himself.
"That's right, the Space Stone."
Ethan ignored their shock.
He casually pulled a metal core out of the instrument, activated his Mera Mera no Mi ability, and the high temperature instantly melted it into a liquid state.
Immediately after, within a few seconds, he used the mass of liquid metal to mold a ring base, perfectly setting the Space Stone into it.
An Infinity Stone ring was born just like that.
He placed the ring on his finger, and immediately felt a vast, boundless spatial power surge into his body.
The Kryptonian genes within him, like a Beast that had been starving for centuries, began to frantically devour this external energy.
Every cell was cheering and jumping for joy, craving evolution.
But he forcibly suppressed this desire to devour.
This energy was too immense; if he absorbed too much in one go, it could easily lead to genetic mutation. It wouldn't be worth it if he ended up deformed.
One must eat one bite at a time; this stone would be his portable power bank from now on.
Loki's gloomy eyes stared fixedly at the shimmering ring between Ethan's fingers.
Chapter 115: Seizing the Gem, Traces of ApocalypseAppear
That azure gem, the size of a pigeon's egg, radiated an alluring luster, instantly stirring the deepest greed within his heart.
He knew very well that his sole mission in descending to Earth across the stars was to seize this Space Stone.
"As for this so-called Asgardian god, I'll leave him for you to deal with slowly."
A playful arc curled at the corner of Ethan's mouth. In the blink of an eye, he transformed into a streak of light and completely vanished into thin air.
Thor Odinson, the God of Thunder, clutched his aching chest, barely managing to catch his breath from that suffocating sense of oppression.
He stumbled, standing once again before his younger brother, Loki.
"Loki, come back to the Heavenly Palace with me. What awaits you is an eternity in prison."
Thor Odinson didn't feel well as he spoke; every breath felt like his lungs were on fire.
Ethan's seemingly casual kick just now felt like being stepped on by a Titan, breaking several of his ribs.
He forced down the metallic taste of blood rising in his throat, struggling to maintain his divine dignity.
At this moment, he finally understood the terrifying power this human man possessed.
Standing before this human, Thor Odinson unexpectedly felt that long-lost sense of trembling he experienced when facing his father Odin's wrath.
The surrounding members of the Avengers looked at each other, the atmosphere awkward to the extreme.
At a time like this, no one was in the mood to bother with Thor Odinson's family matters.
"Just moments ago, I was fighting with all my might, even prepared to sacrifice myself at any moment. Then, with a single move, he cleared out those alien scum instantly."
Captain Steve wiped the dust from his face, his tone carrying a deep sense of helplessness.
The power displayed by the man known as the "Ice Demon" made him instinctively feel a profound unease.
Even the usually hot-tempered Hulk seemed somewhat restless now.
On Hulk's massive face, there was even a rare hint of a micro-expression resembling fear.
Natasha's beautiful eyes remained fixed on the distant Oscorp Tower.
The corners of her mouth curled up slightly as she felt a secret pride; he truly was the man she had set her sights on.
Far away at the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier command center, Agent Hill let out a heavy sigh of relief.
"The battle may be over, but our troubles have just begun. Site cleanup, transporting Loki, recovering the Scepter—not a single step can go wrong."
A deep light flickered in Nick Fury's single eye as he issued orders in a low voice.
Regarding the whereabouts of the Tesseract, Nick Furyhad witnessed Ethan's actions the entire time; he saw everything clearly.
But he felt that the object might be safer in Ethan's hands than with S.H.I.E.L.D.
This brutal alien defense battle made Nick Fury fully realize a reality.
Perhaps the Avengers, which he had painstakingly assembled, wasn't Earth's sharpest spear at all.
The true strongest combat force had been living openly on Earth all along.
Any extraterrestrial civilization wanting to get their hands on the Space Stone would first have to consider whether they could withstand the "Ice Demon's" wrath.
Unless they could kill Ethan.
Otherwise, they could forget about ever pulling that ring off Ethan's finger in this lifetime.
"Remember, Loki's Scepter must be recovered. We've already lost the Tesseract; we cannot lose this dangerous item as well."
Nick Fury's tone grew heavier, his expression grim.
"This thing can bewitch people's hearts. If it falls into the wrong hands, the destruction it causes would be no less than that of the Chitauri invasion."
Agent Hill nodded silently, recording the orders.
But her thoughts had long since drifted away, her mind filled with the image of Ethan just now.
The spectacular scene of ten thousand dragons roaring, the terrifying phenomenon of the sea pouring into the sky, and his domineering posture as he stepped onto a dragon to ascend to the heavens and enter space.
All of this made Agent Hill feel an indescribable heat, her adrenaline surging.
That pressure was simply suffocating.
Even the elderly Odin sitting on the throne of Asgard, or the Sorcerer Supreme Ancient One who vowed never to use the Time Stone, probably couldn't unleash such pure and violent energy fluctuations.
This was a terrifying aura engraved deep within the genes, belonging exclusively to a Mutant Emperor.
Before this, Ethan had only sensed a similar scent on Phoenix Jean, who was on the verge of losing control.
But this newly appeared power was as deep as a bottomless abyss, seemingly carrying the decay and vicissitudes of a thousand years.
"That old monster, Apocalypse, has finally made his move!"
"Location locked... it's in Cairo, Egypt!!!"
Ethan's eyes instantly turned deep. His Mind Dominatorability acted like invisible radar waves, crossing the ocean in an instant and frantically drilling into the mental Worlds of countless humans.
He shuttled rapidly through the ocean of consciousness of billions, all to capture that single destructive figure.
Finally, in a fleeting moment.
Through the perspective of a passerby, he caught a glimpse of a tall man wearing a tattered bamboo hat.
Though it was just a glimpse, that shivering chill made Ethan one hundred percent certain that the guy who called himself a god had returned.
Unfortunately, Phoenix Jean had already embarked on a journey to cleanse her soul.
That pitiful yet powerful woman was determined to sever all past entanglements with the Mortal World.
Even though Ethan had revealed to her that the undying old man Apocalypse had completed a consciousness transfer and crawled back from Hell by possessing a corpse.
Jean only stayed for a moment with a complex expression, and after a brief affair, she resolutely left Ethan's side.
"Since you dare to show your face, this time, I don't plan on leaving your body intact."
Ethan sneered, and the Mind Dominator's field instantly enveloped the entire city of Cairo.
His Super Brain operated at overclocked speeds at this moment, like a precise biological computer, constantly screening and filtering every trace of mental fluctuation.
However, infuriatingly, that terrifying aura vanished into thin air.
Obviously, this old monster had suffered enough at the hands of Professor X Charles and had long ago learned how to shield himself from telepathic searches.
Ethan's attempt to replicate Charles's old method to locate him was simply a pipe dream.
"Truly a slippery old fox."
Ethan made a prompt decision and quickly withdrew his mental tentacles.
He didn't dare to conduct a violent, carpet-style search.
Once startled, Apocalypse would definitely slip away like a loach.
After all, this guy held the trump card of space transfer in his hand.
Those purple spatial portals were exactly like the ones used by that Mutant girl named "Blink."
Chapter 116 Apocalypse's Cairo Plot to take Possession of Charles
That is, the character played by Fan Bingbing in the movie "Days of Future Past".
Clarice Ferguson, code-named Blink!
If nothing unexpected happens, Apocalypse is currently using this cheat-like spatial ability to disappear right under the noses of the World's powerhouses.
"What on Earth is that old geezer doing back in that godforsaken place like Cairo?"
Ethan tapped his fingers gently on the table, falling into deep thought.
In the current USA, the vast majority of Mutants have been forcibly injected with the so-called "the cure".
Although it hasn't been long, most people haven't noticed the flaws in the potion yet.
But this thing simply cannot completely erase the x-gene. As time goes by, those guys who thought they had turned back into ordinary people will sooner or later find their abilities resurfacing.
In contrast, the chaotic and backward African continent, especially around Cairo, definitely hides a large number of untreated wild Mutants.
Not to mention those Mutant refugees who were unwilling to accept government neutering and fled from Europe and the U.S.
That place is simply a lawless land for Mutants.
"Could it be to reassemble his new generation of the Four Horsemen of Apocalypse?"
"Or does he want to recruit all those Mutants full of hatred for human society and raise an army of vengeance?"
Ethan was almost certain that Apocalypse's ambition this time was definitely greater than the last.
In his eyes, the so-called Avengers were just a bunch of Jokers in tight suits playing house.
Looking across the globe, the threats that could truly make him feel like a thorn in his side...
...were few and far between.
And the arrogant Ethan was definitely at the top of his hit list.
If Apocalypse wanted to realize his chuunibyou dream of ruling the Earth and enslaving all of humanity, the first stumbling block to be removed would inevitably be himself.
"In that case, there's no need for me to go looking for him in a hurry."
"I'll just sit at home and wait for the prey to come to me."
A playful curve hooked Ethan's lips as he completely withdrew the fluctuations of his Telepathy.
Meanwhile, tens of thousands of miles away in Cairo.
Deep inside a cold and damp pyramid.
Apocalypse slowly lifted the hood off his head. His grayish-blue face was filled with ferocity and greed, and his gaze seemed to penetrate the walls, staring fixedly in the direction of New York.
"Charles Xavier... that cripple really didn't die completely. Although the Phoenix was killed by that Beast Logan, no one in this World can stop me from seizing that most perfect brain anymore!!!"
Apocalypse's features twisted with anger, and a raging fire of betrayal burned in his eyes.
When he personally executed Magneto back then, it wasn't his original intention; it was only because he saw a perfect opportunity.
Originally, he was reluctant to kill Magneto.
After all, the man who manipulated magnetic forces had lost his abilities and become a useless Mortal.
For the proud Magneto, living itself was a torture more cruel than death.
But as it happened, Magneto's abilities began to show signs of recovery.
This proved one thing—the cure that humans were so proud of was nothing but a joke.
It could only temporarily suppress the activity of the x-gene but could not reverse the essence of life.
Once the effect wears off, the power of Mutants will return in an even more violent manner.
"Back then, the card I held in my hand even made me feel a trace of fear; I almost let that idiot Angel kill that child."
"To break the stalemate, I had to use the hands of Worthington Industries to let humans temporarily gain the upper hand, so as to filter out the true believers."
"Only those who crave power in despair and are willing to embrace the darkness are qualified to follow in my footsteps."
"As for those traitors who weakly accepted the injection and attempted to integrate into human society... once I take control of the overall situation, I will personally use Charles's ability to burn your brains into mush one by one!!!"
Charles Xavier's talent is simply a gift from the Creator.
It is a miracle that transcends all telepaths in the World.
In Apocalypse's view, Charles is a Mortal shell without divinity, containing the authority of God.
As long as he took Possession of Charles's body, he can easily connect to the brain of every person in the Worldand build a true theocratic rule.
Although the Mutant forces were almost wiped out in the battle of Alcatraz...
...it also helped him get rid of one of his biggest threats—Jean the Phoenix.
Jean is dead!
Although it was a bit of a pity, after all, the power within her was something even Apocalypse coveted; it was the ultimate answer to evolution.
But he had self-knowledge.
That was the Phoenix Force, the oldest destructive force in the Universe.
Once he dared to try transferring his consciousness into Jean's body, he would probably be burned to Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering by that domineering power in an instant.
Perhaps the young Jean still had mental flaws.
But the Dark Phoenix after going berserk was simply synonymous with invincibility.
Only someone like Wolverine Logan, who had a special emotional bond, could awaken the last trace of humanity remaining deep within her.
Only by taking advantage of the moment when the two personalities were fighting in the mental World did the opportunity to kill her arise.
That personality even went as far as self-destruction.
All of this was within Apocalypse's calculations.
However, despite all his calculations, he didn't expect another monster to pop up on Earth.
The Ice Demon.
The source of this guy's power is a mystery, and so far no one has been able to find out his background.
On what basis could he erupt with that terrifying power that freezes time and space?
"However, that kid named Iceman has good potential; perhaps I am qualified to let him become one of the new Four Horsemen."
He even had the title ready—the Frost Knight!!!
The current Iceman is only a Level 4 Mutant.
But in Apocalypse's sharp eyes, this kid contains the potential of Level 5, or even Omega-level.
Apocalypse happens to possess an ability of "Enlightenment" blessing, which can maximize the potential of Mutants.
As long as he undergoes his transformation, Iceman's strength will infinitely approach that damn Ice Demon.
As for whether he can surpass him, that depends on the kid's own luck.
Anyway, Apocalypse never took the Ice Demon seriously.
Even if he couldn't kill the opponent, he was absolutely sure he could retreat unscathed.
The only thing that made him slightly wary was how many trump cards this Ice Demon was still hiding.
During this period of dormancy, Apocalypse has not been idle; he has been frantically absorbing information about this World through the internet.
With just a touch of a finger on a computer, his consciousness can follow the network cables and invade data centers around the globe.
He learned about those flies in S.H.I.E.L.D.
He also learned of the existence of those alien gods in the realm of Asgard.
This made him realize that three thousand years ago, he was indeed looking at the sky from the bottom of a well.
But this instead stimulated his even greater ambition.
Since Odin is old, he will take his place and become the King of Gods.
In his view, Odin is not invincible.
"Then I'll start with that kid named Robert Louis Drake, the Iceman."
What if he refuses to submit?
Then he'll just drain his life force as nourishment to strengthen himself.
This is the Law of survival for En Sabah Nur over these three thousand years.
In that ancient era, the number of Mutants was scarce, far from the explosion seen today.
Chapter 117: The Professor's Remnant Soul Warns, Apocalypse Returns
But like a diligent farmer, he had harvested and accumulated countless eerie superpowers bit by bit over three thousand years.
If not for underestimating the enemy back then and being sneak-attacked by the Phoenix Force—which showed no regard for martial ethics—Jean Grey wouldn't have even been worthy of being his opponent.
He didn't want to experience that life-threatening fear a second time.
This time, he had to ensure everything was foolproof.
The Ice Demon entrenched in New York had already become a stumbling block.
And then there was that incident where the Vatican was frozen.
Apocalypse knew very well how deep the Holy See's heritage was; if that old fellow God hadn't manifested back then, he wouldn't have gradually fallen into a disadvantage.
Now that the number of Mutants on Earth had exploded, as the progenitor of Mutants, this was practically his buffet.
As long as he absorbed the power of these descendants, he would evolve into the ultimate lifeform.
"A pity that kid Iceman isn't in New York right now."
A cruel smile appeared at the corner of Apocalypse's mouth.
The news that Professor Charles wasn't dead gave him immense room to maneuver; he could use this to crush the X-Men's psychological defenses, defeat those powerful Mutants one by one, and take them all for his own use.
He walked with heavy steps through the dark corridors of the pyramid, searching for the coffins of his former offspring.
Most of the pharaohs of Egypt's successive dynasties carried his Bloodline.
Even if they weren't his biological offspring, they were spare shells he had prepared long ago.
As the only True God of this ancient civilization, he had buried too many backup plans beneath these yellow sands.
The horn of war had already sounded.
This time, Apocalypse was going all-in with all his cards.
Starting with ruling Earth, he would establish an immortal Dynasty.
The scene shifted to the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters.
Outside the window, the wind howled as Storm, Ororo Munroe, processed a mountain of documents with a face full of worry.
Beast Hank from the Department of Mutant Affairs sent bad news: the high-level government intended to shut down the school completely.
All students must be forced to undergo the "Cure," even if the X-Men were willing to be incorporated.
"Professor, you left too soon... If you were still here, could you tell me where the future of this school actually lies?"
Ororo tiredly rubbed her temples and let out a long sigh.
Westchester County, where the school was located, wasn't far from New York.
And now, New York was occupied by a suffocating demon.
That powerful sense of oppression forced Ororo to strictly forbid the students from approaching Manhattan, fearing they might provoke those lunatics from the Osborn Group.
Without the great tree of Professor Charles to provide shelter from the wind and rain, the school was like a lone boat in a Storm, liable to capsize at any moment.
Suddenly.
The scenery before Ororo's eyes began to twist and stretch.
The next second, she found herself standing in a pure, flawless World.
All around was a vast expanse of white—no sky, no Earth, only endless light.
And Professor Charles was sitting in that familiar wheelchair, a kind smile on his face, quietly watching her.
"Professor?! Is it really you? I... I'm not dreaming, am I?"
Ororo's eyes widened, and she rushed over, filled with a mix of surprise and joy.
"Child, what you see is only my remaining spiritual body; my Physical Body has long since turned to ash."
Charles's voice was as gentle as ever, and in those wise eyes, not a trace of resentment toward death could be seen.
"Professor! Jean... Jean is dead, and her body was taken by that damn Ice Demon!"
Ororo spoke urgently, as if grasping at a lifeline.
"What are you worried about?"
"The Osborn Group, controlled by the Ice Demon, is conducting gene-enhancement experiments. I fear... I fear they will desecrate Jean's body and create an uncontrollable monster."
Ororo voiced the deepest fear in her heart.
"No, Ororo. Jean is not dead; she was saved by the Ice Demon. The Phoenix Force is far more miraculous than you imagine; it is both destruction and Rebirth. That Mr. Haoactivated the side of vitality within Jean's body. Now, she is like a Phoenix undergoing Nirvana, reborn from the flames."
Professor Charles pondered for a moment before deciding to tell her this shocking truth.
Ororo's mouth hung open in surprise, unable to close for a long time.
This news was even more outrageous than an alien invasion.
"Then... since Jean is alive, can she come back? Or... or help you with your Rebirth?"
A spark of hope ignited in Ororo's eyes.
"My Physical Body is destroyed; my spirit persists because of my obsession. To achieve Rebirth, one would have to use an evil art like Apocalypse's—Possession of another's body. Ororo, you know me; I would rather die than do something that violates ethics."
Professor Charles's tone was firm, immediately cutting off that thought.
The light in Ororo's eyes dimmed instantly as sadness flooded her heart.
"Child, don't be sad. The moment I faced Jean, I foresaw my own fate. I don't blame her; she sacrificed herself to save everyone. Now, the Dark Phoenix personality within her has subsided; Logan's claw awakened her humanity."
Professor Charles comforted her softly.
"But Logan is also leaving; he said he's going to Canada for seclusion... His body has been overextended too severely, and he's entering his twilight years."
Ororo's voice was choked with sobs.
Old friends were leaving one by one, the X-Men were falling apart, and the ideals they once fought for seemed to have reached their twilight.
"Perk up, child. I sense darkness approaching. We thought we had eliminated Apocalypse, but we didn't. At the last moment, he used my telepathic abilities as a springboard to transfer his consciousness into Angel."
"What? Warren Kenneth Worthington III?!"
Ororo cried out in shock.
That partner who once fought alongside them, that poor rich kid whose wings were severed?
"Warren doesn't know a demon is lurking within him; by the time he realizes it, I fear it will be too late."
Professor Charles sighed; he could feel the void in Warren's heart, and it was precisely this void that gave Apocalypse the opportunity to slip in.
"Once Apocalypse completes the assimilation and fully occupies that body, a catastrophe for humanity will truly descend!!!"
Ororo's face instantly turned ashen.
She actually had to thank Apocalypse for his enhancement of her skills back then; otherwise, she would just be a minor character who could play with wind and rain.
Because of this, she understood the horror of that monster even better.
"So, I pulled you into this mental World this time to warn you. Although Erik was killed, that old fellow is full of tricks and surely left a backup plan; who knows where he's hiding and playing dead."
Professor Charles knew his old friend, with whom he'd had a lifelong love-hate relationship, inside and out.
"Professor, I'll gather the remaining X-Men right now! We must find Apocalypse and take him out; without your power to amplify him this time, he definitely won't be as strong!"
Faint arcs of electricity flickered around Ororo's body, and she was filled with Killing Intent.
"No, don't be impulsive. Jean must not be disturbed either; she is in a critical period of reshaping herself, and any outside interference could cause her to lose control again. Mr. Hao saved her was also to restrain the Phoenix Force. If Jean truly died and that power went berserk, Earthwould be finished."
Professor Charles quickly spoke up to stop her.
Chapter 118: Professor's Dream Visitation
"Relying on your current remnants alone, you simply cannot kill Apocalypse. The last time you won, it was entirely due to luck and a sneak attack."
"Then what should we do? Should we just watch helplessly?"
"It is not only Jean who can deal with him. As far as I know, the Ice Demon is also searching the World for Apocalypse."
"Find that... Ice Demon to cooperate?"
Ororo's eyes widened, her face full of disbelief.
Didn't the Professor usually despise those who bullied the weak?
Charles seemed to see through her thoughts and revealed a mysterious smile: "Ororo, after dying once, I have seen many things clearly. That Ice Demon is not purely evil. During the incident at the Vatican, it was the other side that struck first."
"Regardless of the reason, slaughtering the innocent is simply not acceptable."
Ororo's face was cold; she still harbored resentment over Raven being "kidnapped" by Osborn.
"Now, only he can save the situation. If he is willing to act, the peaceful coexistence we strive for might actually be realized."
Charles's eyes twinkled with a wise light, as if he could see through the future: "This man has a grand vision. His gaze has long transcended the strife between races and looked toward the vast starry sky. In the future he envisions, all of humanity will evolve and be invincible in the galaxy."
Ororo listened, stunned.
"How come I don't see that? In the Battle of New York, wasn't he just protecting his own territory?"
Although she was stubborn, her tone had clearly softened significantly.
"Judge by actions, not intentions; he did indeed save Earth. Go and try, child."
Charles's figure began to fade.
"I understand, I will go find him... Professor, about the school..."
"Don't put too much pressure on yourself. If you really can't hold on, just let it go. That is my responsibility; it shouldn't become your shackle."
The voice gradually became ethereal.
Ororo opened her eyes abruptly and found herself still sitting in the office.
That conversation felt like a real dream.
She walked to the window and looked at the sparse children on the playground, her heart filled with mixed emotions.
Although many students had been taken home by their parents to get injections, as long as there was still one child left, she could not retreat.
"Professor, this place is already my home. How could I bear to leave?"
Ororo's eyes were slightly red.
Only after truly sitting in this position did she realize how much pressure the Professor had carried.
Once the school collapsed, these children would either become lab rats for the government or turn into military machines that only knew how to kill.
Thinking of this, she remembered Jean, and remembered that self-exiled Logan.
Should she tell Logan the truth?
Forget it. With Logan's explosive temper, if he knew Jean was in the hands of the Ice Demon, he would definitely slaughter his way back to New York.
At that point, not only would he be unable to save anyone, but he would also get himself killed.
Besides, Jean probably didn't want to see anyone right now, especially Logan.
That memory was too painful.
"Raven should be doing quite well at Osborn. Before seeing that ice-faced guy, I need to test the waters with her first."
Ororo took a deep breath and pushed open the window.
The next moment, she harnessed the gale and soared into the sky, heading straight for that most dazzling skyscraper in Manhattan.
At the Osborn Group, the top-floor office was brightly lit.
Raven was buried in handling a pile of messes from the Tesla Lighting and Energy Group.
Ever since Ethan took over, the company's upper management had been replaced batch after batch, like harvesting leeks.
Those guys who weren't clean-handed were all sent to prison by Raven.
Some people still thought they had incredible connections and could put on airs in front of Raven.
As a result, Raven told them with actual actions: besides prison, Hell was also a good place to go.
The current Osborn was just that overbearing.
Rumble—!
A bolt of lightning like a silver snake tore through the night sky, instantly illuminating the figure in front of the floor-to-ceiling window.
The silver-haired Ororo, like a goddess of thunder descended to the World, hovered outside the window, her body wreathed in electric light.
Raven calmly pressed a button, and the window slid open slowly.
Ororo walked in, bringing with her dampness and static electricity. The perfect curves outlined by her tight suit made even Raven, a woman herself, unable to resist taking a few extra looks.
She secretly grumbled in her heart: If this piece of black chocolate fell into the boss's hands, who knows what kind of tricks he would play with her.
After all, the boss's taste... was quite omnivorous.
Just look at that lucky little girl, Midono; she was practically spoiled to the heavens.
"Ororo, you shouldn't have come here."
Raven's skin rippled, and she shifted back to her blue original form, sinking lazily into the sofa.
"Osborn isn't a den of dragons and tigers; why can't I come? What, not welcoming an old friend?"
Ororo didn't stand on ceremony either and sat directly opposite Raven.
"This place is much more terrifying than Hell. You know what kind of person my boss is, don't you?"
Raven skillfully poured a cup of hot tea and pushed it over.
"The Ice Demon? Then guess why I came?"
Ororo took a sip of tea, raised an eyebrow; the taste was actually quite good.
"You are a proper headmaster now; who could order you to run errands?"
Raven scrutinized her carelessly, her gaze slightly unscrupulous—this bad habit was definitely contagious from Ethan.
"Charles."
Ororo put down the teacup and stared fixedly into Raven's eyes.
"Charles?!"
Raven's movements paused.
Even though she knew Charles was dead, this name could still touch the softest part of her heart.
After all, he was her childhood sweetheart brother; although their philosophies were different, that bond could not be severed.
Now, of the old generation's big three, she was the only one left.
"Yes, he visited me in a dream. You know his Mental Energyis enough to allow him to exist in a Soul state." Ororo tried to play the emotional card.
"If he were still alive, why wouldn't he come find me directly?"
Raven quickly regained her composure, crossed her legs, and revealed a playful smile.
"Because he doesn't want you to get involved. But he told me about Apocalypse."
Hearing the word "Apocalypse," Raven's expression finally changed.
"It seems you've also heard the rumors."
Raven put down the teacup, her expression becoming serious.
"Jean is gone, Erik is dead; no one can stop Apocalypse. Except... your boss."
Ororo said through gritted teeth, "I know you were once one of Apocalypse's horsemen; you don't want to go through that nightmare again, do you?"
"Don't mention that; that is a stain on my life."
Raven snorted coldly, "Charles must have sent you to ask the Ice Demon for help, right? Because apart from him, no one can handle it."
"That's right. And I also know that Jean isn't dead; she was saved by your boss."
Raven was stunned, then burst into laughter: "Haha, I knew it! This damn stamp-collecting fetish! Boss, you are truly a pervert; you don't even spare the dead!"
"Alright, Ororo, you want to get my boss to join in?"
"Yes, the X-Men can provide an intelligence network, but we need high-end combat power."
Chapter 119 The Ice Demon's Promised Deal
Save it. My boss has no interest in being a superhero. Unless that blind fool Apocalypse provokes him, he will just pull up a small stool and watch the show."
Raven poured a bucket of cold water on her without mercy.
"What are the conditions? Name them!"
Lightning surged over Ororo, her patience clearly wearing thin.
"You want to move this big Buddha? Unless you can get his 'promise'. As long as it is within his capabilities, there is nothing he cannot accomplish."
Raven was like a fox luring its prey, guiding her step by step.
"A promise? Making a deal with an Ice Demon, I am afraid I cannot afford the interest."
Ororo sneered.
"You only need to pay a little 'price' to exchange for a wish. What a fair deal. Don't want to do it? No one is forcing you."
Raven laughed until she shook.
"So you sold yourself too? Became his lackey?"
"Lackey? No, no, no, this is a sense of belonging." Raven's eyes were firm, "Here, I don't need to hide and skulk like a rat in a gutter. This is my home."
"Shameless!"
Ororo rose abruptly.
"This is the gospel bestowed by the Lord, you don't understand!"
Raven also stood up, her Aura not weak in the slightest, "You need qualifications to get a promise. The women who want to crawl into my boss's bed could circle the Earthonce. You'll have to wait in line."
"You..."
Ororo was about to explode when she suddenly felt a chill behind her neck.
A humming sound of energy vibration came from the air.
A psychic blade emitting a purple, eerie light was silently placed against her neck.
A hot-bodied, beautiful woman wearing a high-cut battle suit stepped out from the shadows, her eyes cold.
"Watch your attitude, Weather Witch."
Psylocke said coldly, "This is not a place for you to act wild."
Storm Ororo Munroe's signature white pupils shimmered with cold light, her tone harder and colder than the wind and snow outside.
"Back then, we were scared out of our wits by the power of that old monster Apocalypse, and like fools, we believed his evil."
"But now, my mind is clearer than ever."
"Since the boss can protect me and has given me the only stable nest in this chaotic World, and I am, after all, a queen who controls Storms, why should I go back and be a slave for Apocalypse?"
Psylocke leaned against the wall, her eyes as indifferent as if she were looking at a dead person.
Storm Ororo Munroe pressed her lips tight and did not reply.
To tell the truth, she was indeed intimidated by the man known as the "Ice Demon" in her heart.
Whether it was Psylocke or Raven, weren't they both top-tier Agents with heaven-defying means?
Which one of them wasn't a proud and powerful Mutant?
But what was the result?
They were all like they had been drugged with a love potion, wholeheartedly bewitched by that guy!
If she really went to see that Ice Demon, could she really keep her heart and not be swallowed by his terrifying charm?
"Ororo, what are you afraid of?"
Raven slowly stood up from the sofa, the sound of her high heels hitting the floor particularly harsh in the empty room.
"From beginning to end, have we even once forced you?"
"To put it bluntly, you don't even have the qualifications to see the boss's true face right now."
Raven's words were extremely heavy, hitting Ororo's heart like a hammer.
"It is you begging Mr. Hao to do things, not Mr. Haobegging you."
"If you are unwilling to pay the price, Mr. Hao will never force anyone."
"No, that's my phrasing, even if you are willing to pay, the boss might not necessarily value this deal."
"After all, only those who can enter his Dharma Eye have the opportunity to receive that My Lord's favor."
Raven scrutinized Storm Ororo Munroe from a position of superiority.
She knew clearly in her heart that Ethan indeed had a soft spot for those special superheroines.
Just like the few of them.
But it definitely wasn't just any superheroine who could crawl into his bed.
He was a man with normal aesthetics, and even more so, a hunter who understood taste.
Only those beauties with extraordinary powers could bring the boss a stronger desire for conquest and a sense of reward.
Raven knew her weight in Ethan's heart too well.
She also understood how tolerant and doting Ethan was towards them.
But the nickname "Ice Demon" was not just for show.
That man's heart, when it hardened, was colder than ten-thousand-year black ice.
Even if it was a superheroine, if she made a small mistake occasionally, he could laugh it off.
But if she really became Ethan's enemy, he would absolutely wipe the other person out from the physical level without hesitation.
As for what attitude Storm Ororo now had, Raven didn't care at all.
The current situation was very clear: it was Ororo asking for help.
Not them begging Storm to join.
The positions of host and guest had long been reversed, and the initiative was firmly grasped in their hands.
Actually, Raven still had a little scheme in her heart.
Having one more person to share Ethan's affection, from a woman's instinct, she was ten thousand times unwilling.
Unfortunately, she also knew that her little thoughts could not influence Ethan's decisions.
If she really angered Ethan, he could completely cast her aside and go hunting for beauties secretly.
Storm Ororo Munroe took a deep breath, forcing herself to calm down.
"Since you can't make decisions for Mr. Hao, then arrange for me to meet him."
"I will talk to him personally and persuade him to take action to kill Apocalypse."
Storm Ororo Munroe raised her chin, recovering her queen-like arrogance.
Whether facing Psylocke or Raven, she was not afraid.
But the man standing behind these two women was the most terrifying existence in this World today.
He was different from any villain in history.
He had no ambition to conquer the World, nor did he form cliques.
He stood aloof from the World, and no force could influence his will.
Anyone who dared to block his path had only one end—to be reduced to ashes.
How many arrogant superhumans were hidden in New York before?
Last time, that group of reckless guys gathered together wanting to scheme against Ethan.
And the result?
How many big shots who made the World tremble died like ants in Ethan's hands.
That terrifying Heat Vision was something completely in another dimension compared to the sizzling beam skill of Cyclops.
That strike directly evaporated over eighty percent of the superhumans in New York.
Now, which of the superpowered beings still jumping around isn't scared of the Ice Demon to their bones?
Either they are Trash that poses no threat to him.
Or they are tools that can still bring him some future benefits.
Being able to breathe and live is the greatest mercy that guy has shown to this group of instigators.
Ororo Munroe did not want to waste breath with these two women in front of her.
As fellow women, she knew too well how difficult these two guys were.
To solve the problem, she had to go straight to the point, face Ethan directly, to have a chance to kill that nightmarish Apocalypse.
Apocalypse had always been her inescapable nightmare.
Chapter 120: Storm Meets Ethan to Talk About Apocalypse
Storm hadn't mentioned this to anyone.
Since she betrayed Apocalypse's camp, that old monster had been like a lingering demon, torturing her in her dreams every night.
When Charles was still around, he could use his powerful Telepathy to help her channel her negative emotions.
But since hearing about Apocalypse's resurrection, Ororo Munroe felt that suffocating pressure drawing closer and closer.
He was back.
He would definitely come to settle the score with her.
When it came to traitors, Apocalypse never knew the meaning of mercy.
He would absolutely make her wish she were dead.
Magneto's encounter was just the beginning.
Storm took a deep look at the silent Psylocke beside her.
As a telepath, Psylocke's intuition was the sharpest; she had likely smelled the scent of crisis long ago.
However, Psylocke was now clinging to the Ice Demon's leg; if Apocalypse wanted to touch her, he would have to get past Ethan first.
Moreover, Psylocke hadn't truly betrayed him during that great battle back then.
As soon as Apocalypse died, this woman had slipped away.
She only made the wisest choice after seeing that the situation was irreversible.
Raven just opened her mouth to offer a few more sarcastic remarks.
Suddenly, Ethan's unquestionable voice reached her ears.
"Raven, bring Storm to my office."
At this moment, Ethan really didn't have any romantic thoughts in mind.
Storm was indeed famous and had a great body, but it wasn't enough to make him impatient.
He just glanced indifferently at the attribute panel popping up on his retina:
wealth points: 105.53675 billion points (meaning abilities could be upgraded at will).
desire points: 3.2679 billion points (the hard currency dedicated to breaking through Realms).
Bloodline: Kryptonian Bloodline (first-order genetic lockopened), Human Race Bloodline (third-order genetic lock).
The talent column was blinding: Power of the Giant Elephant, Dragon Vein, Bio-electric Field.
The ability list was an even longer string of top-tier configurations: Ice-Ice Fruit, Mera Mera no Mi, and Glint-Glint Fruit had all reached Third-order Origin Mastery+; Mind Dominator and Water Control Magic were also at the Dominator level; Steel Body, Heat Vision, and X-ray Visionwere all at the Peak+ level; even the Space Bag was at Micro+.
In terms of skills: Baji Mizong Fist at Transcendent level, Dragon-Elephant Prajna Skill at the Peak of the thirteenth layer, Omega Beams at entry level, and even casting and enchanting had reached the atomic level.
Looking at the task bar, a purple blind box was shining.
[Task 1, ichisawa kaori: Face a special female hero and have some deep exchanges beyond friendship for a huge harvest. Reward: blue blind box (can be stacked 3 times). Attributes: Independent side quest, infinitely repeatable.]
[Task 2, Infinity Stones collection: Collect one for a Golden Blind Box, collect all six for an additional Black Blind Box. Current progress: (1/6).]
Just then, the System's pleasant prompt sounded again.
[Task 3, god among men triggered: Strike hard! Let Apocalypse know who the boss of Earth is and who the real god among men is! Reward: Golden Blind Box, Steel Body advancement!]
As for how to win over Storm, Ethan wasn't resistant at all.
Now the first task had stacked three times, reaching the purple blind box tier; with a bit more saving, it would be golden and then black.
As long as he dealt with two more female heroes, the legendary Black Blind Box would be his.
The value of that thing was simply off the charts.
One hundred billion wealth points and 3.2 billion desire points were his greatest source of confidence right now.
No matter what kind of thing Apocalypse was, he couldn't possibly be his match.
This was Ethan's confidence as a cheater.
Right now, he was actually suppressing the power surging within him.
He was already at the ceiling of Skyfather-levelmetahumans.
Once he promoted again, he would be a Universal-levelexistence.
At that Realm, his life form would undergo a qualitative change.
It might even disturb the entire timeline, bringing a bunch of uncontrollable butterfly effects.
This was why Ethan had been holding back his level and not upgrading.
But it didn't stop him from planning ahead.
As long as there was enough money and enough points, becoming stronger would be a matter of an instant.
There was no cultivation process at all; it was all about achieving success in one stroke.
Now he just wanted to lower his presence a bit.
Currently, his influence was still limited to the small patch of land that was Earth.
If it spread to the entire Universe, this tiny Earth probably wouldn't be able to accommodate this great Buddha.
Storm, Ororo Munroe, also heard Ethan's summons.
A curve formed at the corner of her mouth.
"Raven, I'm going to see him. I believe Mr. Hao will definitely be interested in the information on Apocalypse, especially the top-secret news I just received today."
Ororo Munroe's face was full of confidence.
Raven sneered disdainfully.
"Elizabeth, please take Ororo upstairs."
Psylocke put away her weapon and nodded expressionlessly.
As she turned, a hint of mockery appeared at the corner of her mouth.
Did this foolish woman really think she could persuade that guy just by talking?
He's a complete lecher, okay!
A lecher always considers his lower body first when doing things.
Only after entering Sage Mode would he use his brain to think about the enemy.
Psylocke's inner contempt was based on quite a bit of life experience.
The top floor.
This entire floor was Ethan's private Forbidden Land.
Aside from the secretariat, his office was completely physically isolated from other areas.
His personal secretary, Julia, was still lying at home recovering at this moment.
Even a Physique injected with the super soldier serumcouldn't withstand Ethan's animalistic ravaging.
Storm walked in wearing a tight leather suit, her steps brisk and her aura fully unleashed.
Anyone who saw her for the first time would often overlook her skin color and be intimidated by that thunder-and-hurricane-like pressure.
Her control over her own power had reached a Realmwhere she could release and retract it at will.
Years of battle baptism had made Storm a World-renowned tough character.
She was the true face of the X-Men.
Ethan's tall figure was standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the brilliant New York night view outside.
Although it had just experienced a disaster, compared to the original plot, the New York before them was quite well-preserved.
And the person who turned the tide was none other than Ethan.
Now the whole World knew he was the big boss behind the Osborn Group.
His legendary story had long spread through the streets and alleys.
As a top tycoon in New York, his personal assets rivaled those of Tony Stark.
The once-failing Osborn Group, after being privatized by him and swallowing Tesla Lighting Energy, had transformed into a global energy giant.
That unique biological eco-friendly power generation technology made him the hottest business leader in the U.S.
But what truly deified him was the great battle not long ago.
He descended like a god, crushing the alien invasion, and his prestige soared to the Peak.
This was also the fundamental reason why Ethan's desire points skyrocketed by over 300 million in just a few days.
Moreover, tens of millions of desire points were now flowing in every day just by sitting around.
Psylocke after bringing her in, she sensibly and quietly withdrew.
She didn't want to be a third wheel and affect the boss's performance.
Ororo Munroe stared intently at the man with his back to her, that tall silhouette instantly occupying her vision.
If she hadn't been annoyed by Raven and Psylocke just now, her first impression of Ethan might have been better.
"Do you want to deal with Apocalypse?"
Ethan didn't turn around; his voice was low and magnetic.
"Apocalypse's ambition is even greater than you imagine. Your existence has become a thorn in his side. Once he makes a comeback, the first person he'll want to kill is you."
Ororo Munroe said in a low voice, trying to create anxiety.
"I know he wants to deal with me. To be honest, I'm also waiting for him to come to New York to seek his own death."
Ethan slowly turned around, a smile as warm as sunlight on his face.
Under the soft light, he was as dazzling as a deity in the night.