Chapter 36: Asgard's Summons! The Light of the Bifrost Bridge
New York, Brooklyn.
The golden mist on the banks of the East River had completely dissipated, but the warm energy lingering at Li Heng's fingertips remained clearly discernible.
He stood on the bank, looking at the sparkling river surface, while an old and majestic voice echoed in his mind—"Come to Asgard—to the end of the Eternal Bridge—I am waiting for you there."
"Odin..." Li Heng repeated the name in a low voice, a complex expression flashing through his dark golden-silver slit pupils.
In the Marvel Universe, Odin was the Allfather of Asgard, the Guardian of the Nine Realms, and possessed unfathomable strength.
He was the father of Thor, the adoptive father of Loki, and the source of many myths on Earth.
According to the settings of the Marvel movies, Odin had already fallen in Ragnarök—but that was the timeline of the main storyline.
And the world he was in clearly differed from the MarvelCinematic Universe—the existence of Blade already proved this.
More crucially, the origin of vampires in Marvel was inextricably linked to Asgard.
According to records, the first vampire was Varna, the grand wizard of Atlantis, who transformed himself into a vampire using magic from the darkhold.
And the darkhold was a Black Magic grimoire left behind by the Elder God Chthon.
Chthon and Odin both belonged to the category of ancient deities—could there be some connection between them?
"What are you thinking about?" Wanda's voice came from beside him, interrupting his thoughts.
Li Heng snapped back to reality and found that Wanda had walked up to his side, her green eyes filled with concern and a trace of worry.
Pietro, Blood Baron, Blade, and Morbius also gathered around, everyone's gaze focused on him.
"I'm wondering why Odin is looking for me at this time." Li Heng shook his head, "It's too coincidental—we just finished fighting Mephisto's avatar, and Asgard's signal arrived. It's as if someone was monitoring our actions and sent an invitation right on cue."
"You mean—Odin has been paying attention to you?" Wanda's brows furrowed slightly.
"Not sure. But one thing is certain—Asgard's transmission of information is not random. Odin choosing this time point to contact us must have his reasons."
He looked at Blood Baron: "Old John, you've lived among the vampire for over five hundred years, have you ever heard of any intersection between Asgard and vampires?"
Blood Baron pondered for a moment and slowly spoke: "As far as I know, Lord Dracula had a contact with Asgardduring his peak period—that was about four hundred years ago, when Loki was still in Asgard."
Lord Dracula once tried to reach a deal with Loki, but he never mentioned the specific details.
I only know that the contact ultimately yielded no results. After Lord Dracula returned, he didn't say a word about it and even ordered forbidding vampire members to discuss Asgard.
"Loki?" Li Heng's brows raised even higher, "This is getting interesting. The God of Mischief of Asgard, a rebel of the Nine Realms who had repeatedly tried to invade Earth—Dracula actually had contact with him?"
"Lord Dracula has immense ambition; he not only wants to rule the vampire race, but also wants to expand his influence to other dimensions." Blood Baron's voice was low, "Cooperating with Loki might have been part of his plan. But after that contact, he obviously suffered some kind of warning or blow—since then, he has never mentioned Asgard again."
Li Heng nodded thoughtfully.
In Marvel settings, Dracula possessed a special resurrection ability, capable of perfect resurrection no matter how he was killed—such an immortal old monster would actually be deeply tight-lipped about Asgardbecause of a single contact?
This showed that what he encountered in Asgard made him even more fearful than death.
"Loki... the God of Mischief..." He chewed on the name in a low voice, then looked at Wanda, "What do you think?"
Wanda was silent for a moment, then spoke: "I think we should go."
"Oh?" Li Heng was somewhat surprised, "Aren't you afraid this is a trap?"
"Afraid." Wanda said frankly, "But I'm even more afraid of missing out. Odin is the Allfather; he has lived for thousands of years and seen more things than we can imagine. If he is truly willing to help us—even if it's just giving us some information—then it's worth the trip."
She paused, a flash of firm light in her green eyes: "Moreover, Chthon's mark is still inside my body. If Asgardhas a way to completely clear it, we won't have to worry about Chthon's threat ever again."
Li Heng looked at her, was silent for a few seconds, and then nodded: "Alright—then let's go."
He turned to the crowd: "Wanda and I are going to Asgard. You guys stay in New York—continue monitoring the movements of Hells Kitchen and guard against Mephistomaking a comeback."
"Just the two of you?" Pietro immediately became anxious, "That's Asgard! The divine realm in Norse mythology! You guys are going without backup?"
"Take you?" Li Heng glanced at him, "You don't even know what the Bifrost Bridge is, going there would just be holding us back."
Pietro's face instantly flushed red: "You—"
"Pietro." Wanda pressed his shoulder, her tone soft but firm, "Li Heng is right. Asgard is not an ordinary place, our abilities might be restricted there. You and everyone staying in New York is instead the greatest help to us."
Pietro opened his mouth, but ultimately closed it, only nodding gloomily.
After Li Heng arranged everything, he stood side by side with Wanda on the riverbank, waiting for some kind of guidance.
He tried to infuse Ancestor Power into his fingertips, making the energy that had once touched the golden mist active again—then, he closed his eyes and chanted silently in his heart: "Odin—I accept your invitation—please open the path to Asgard."
A few seconds later, the color of the sky suddenly changed!
A huge golden pillar of light shot straight down from above the clouds, enveloping the location where Li Hengand Wanda were.
That pillar of light was warm and vast, carrying a sacred aura that spanned across the sea of stars—the Bifrost Bridge!
The passage for Asgard to welcome guests!
The crowd on the riverbank was forced to step back by the strong light, and Pietro blocked his eyes with his arm and shouted: "What the hell is this—!"
Morbius pushed his glasses, which were almost blinded by the strong light: "If I'm not mistaken—this is the Bifrost Bridge connecting Midgard and Asgard in Norse mythology—Bifrost!"
"The Bifrost Bridge—it really is the passage to Asgard!" There was a trace of unbelievable vibration in Blade's voice.
Amidst the strong light, Li Heng and Wanda's figures began to blur—their bodies were being decomposed and reorganized by the energy of the Bifrost Bridge, teleporting across interstellar space to Asgard.
Li Heng clenched Wanda's hand tightly, transmitting a sentence through the Soul Contract: "Don't be afraid—I'm here."
Wanda gripped his hand back, a faint smile at the corners of her mouth: "I'm not afraid—this is our first interstellar trip—a little looking forward to it."
The light reached its peak—and then—
Disappeared instantly.
The riverbank returned to calmness, the pillar of light of the Bifrost Bridge dissipated without a trace, as if it had never existed.
Only a trace of warm golden energy embers remaining in the air proved that everything that just happened was real.
Pietro stood in place, looking up at the sky, his mouth twitching slightly: "They—just left like that?"
Blood Baron nodded slowly, his voice low: "Left—went to Asgard."
"That's the divine realm..." Pietro muttered, "My sister—went to the divine realm..."
Blade turned around expressionlessly: "Let's go, time to work. New York's hellish creatures won't quiet down just because the Progenitor is not around."
Morbius and Blood Baron looked at each other, each sighed, and followed Blade away from the riverbank.
Pietro stood in place, looked at the sky for another few seconds—and then said in a low voice: "Sister—you must come back."
The Eternal Bridge—the end of the Bifrost Bridge.
Li Heng and Wanda felt their bodies being thrown out amidst a burst of weightlessness—then, their feet stepped onto a piece of golden ground.
They opened their eyes—
The scene before them made both of them hold their breaths simultaneously.
A huge golden city, magnificent enough to be breathtaking, stood before them.
The city's buildings were dominated by gold and white, with towering spires piercing straight into the clouds, and every building was carved with exquisite Norse patterns and runes.
At the center of the city, an even more majestic palace stood proudly—the Golden Palace, where Asgard's throne resided.
The sky was deep blue, dotted with dazzling stars—but further away, gorgeous nebulae and rotating galaxies could be seen—Asgard was not a planet, but a stellar region floating in the Universe, the center of the Nine Realms.
"Oh my god..." Wanda whispered in amazement, her green eyes reflecting the brilliance of the Golden Palace, "This is Asgard..."
Li Heng was also stunned—he had seen images of Asgardin movies in his past life, but those were only special effects and sets after all.
When truly standing here, that kind of shock was indescribable with words—every golden brick was emitting faint energy fluctuations, every stone pillar was carved with ancient runes—the air was filled with a rich energy aura, causing his Progenitor Bloodline to begin faintly resonating.
"Welcome to Asgard—guests of Midgard."
A voice came from ahead—low, majestic, carrying the heavy sense of passing thousands of years of time.
Li Heng and Wanda looked ahead simultaneously—at the end of the Bifrost Bridge, in front of the gates of the Golden Palace—an old man wearing golden armor and holding the Gungnir stood above the steps.
He had only one eye—the position of his right eye was covered by a golden eyepatch.
His beard and long hair were silver-white, flashing with the light of wisdom under the starlight.
His figure was tall and old, but when that single eye gazed at you, you would feel an oppressive sense as if your soul was seen through—not a malicious oppression—but a deity who had lived for thousands of years, scrutinizing a mortal who had broken into his territory.
Odin.
The Allfather of Asgard.
The Guardian of the Nine Realms.
"Li Heng—Complete Progenitor—" Odin's voice echoed in the square in front of the Golden Palace, every syllable carrying a natural majesty, "Wanda Maximoff—vessel of Chaos Magic—Scarlet Witch—"
His single eye swept slowly across the two of them, and then—the corners of his mouth moved slightly, revealing an extremely tiny, almost imperceptible smile.
"You are—much younger than I imagined."
Li Heng took a deep breath, suppressing the shock in his heart, and then spoke—his voice calm and composed: "Allfather—you called us all the way from Midgard, surely you don't just want to praise us for being young, right?"
Odin looked at his expression and suddenly let out a low chuckle—that chuckle sounded like a huge boulder rolling in a valley—heavy and ancient.
"Young man—you truly are extraordinary. No wonder Mephisto suffered a loss at your hands—no wonder Chthon's source blood was sealed by you—"
"There is something about you—that reminds me of myself when I was young."
His smile slowly converged, and the light in his single eye became serious: "I called you here—not to reminisce old times, nor to praise you—"
"It is because—I saw an impending crisis—a crisis even more dangerous than Chthon, than Mephisto—and even than Ragnarök—"
"That crisis—is closely related—to the two of you."
Li Heng and Wanda looked at each other—both saw the same solemnity in each other's eyes.
"What crisis?" Li Heng asked.
Odin did not answer immediately—he turned around and walked towards the gates of the Golden Palace: "Follow me—I will show you some things."
"After seeing them—you will know."
His back dragged a long shadow in the golden light—Li Heng and Wanda followed him without hesitation, stepping into the towering gates of the Golden Palace.
Inside the Golden Palace, it was even more grand than seen from the outside.
The walls on both sides of the corridor were embedded with huge murals—those murals recorded the history of Asgard: Odin leading the Asgardian army to conquer the Nine Realms, Loki's betrayal, the birth of Thor, the prophecy of Ragnarök... Picture after picture recounted thousands of years of glory and suffering.
Odin stopped in front of a huge stone door.
A complex rune was engraved on the door—Li Hengrecognized that rune—it was a variant of the Vishanti Holy Emblem, but with unique Asgardian elements added, forming a completely new pattern.
"This is a seal door that even I cannot completely open." Odin's voice became low, "It was personally sealed by my father—Bor—before Ragnarök."
"Bor once told me—only when two specific souls from Midgard touch this door at the same time will the seal be lifted."
Odin turned around, his single eye gazing directly at Li Heng and Wanda—that gaze carried a waiting that spanned thousands of years—
"I think—you two are those people."
[Ding!! Triggered special quest—'Odin's Request'! Quest Content: Touch the Asgard seal door simultaneously with Wanda! Quest Reward: Unknown—might be related to the secret of Ragnarök! Risk Level: S-Rank!]
Li Heng looked at the stone door, then looked at Odin—and then glanced at Wanda—she was also looking at him, her green eyes filled with the same resolute determination.
He took a deep breath—
"Then let's try."
He reached out his hand—Wanda also reached out her hand at the same time—the palms of both pressed simultaneously onto the center of the complex rune on the stone door—
"Hum————!!!!!"
The runes on the stone door suddenly erupted with dazzling golden light!
The entire Golden Palace trembled slightly at this moment—an ancient and powerful energy surged out from the cracks of the door—
And then—
The door slowly opened.
Behind the door was a pitch-black passage—bottomless—only at the end of the passage could a faint light be vaguely seen.
Odin stood by the door, complex light flashing in his single eye. He said word by word: "Behind the door—is what Borleft behind—the truth about the real reason for Ragnarök—"
"And—"
"The oldest secret about this Universe that he and past rulers of Asgard have guarded for thousands of years—"
"About—Chthon's true purpose."
Chapter 37: Bor's Secret! The Truth of Ragnarök — — Chthon's Millennial Chess Game
In Asgard, deep within the Golden Palace.
When the hands of Li Heng and Wanda pressed simultaneously onto the center of the complex runes on the stone door, an ancient and vast energy instantly surged into their bodies — — that was not pure magic energy, but a hybrid mixed with memories, emotions, and willpower, as if Bor had sealed a part of his soul within this door.
The door slowly opened, revealing a pitch-black passage before them.
Deep inside the passage, a faint golden light flickered, like the only lighthouse in the darkness.
Standing by the door, Odin's single eye flickered with a complex light: "Behind the door lies the truth left by Borregarding the true cause of Ragnarök — — as well as the oldest secret of this Universe guarded by Asgard's successive rulers for thousands of years — — concerning Chthon's true purpose."
Li Heng and Wanda exchanged a glance, without hesitation, and stepped side by side into the passage.
The stone door behind them automatically closed after they entered, cutting off all outside light and sound.
Silence filled the passage, with only the sound of their footsteps echoing in the dark, and the faint golden light ahead gradually growing larger and brighter as they moved forward.
After walking for about five minutes, the passage suddenly opened up — — they arrived at a circular stone chamber.
The dome of the stone chamber was dozens of meters high, painted with complex star charts — — not Asgard's starry sky, but the star charts of the entire Nine Realms, and even included some galaxy and dimensional coordinates that Li Heng had never seen before.
In the center of the stone chamber floated a huge golden crystal.
The crystal was about as tall as a person, with a soft golden glow flowing across its surface — — within that glow, countless flickering images could be vaguely seen: wars, flames, weeping people, collapsed palaces, and a blood-red moon.
The scenes of Ragnarök.
"This is the memory crystal left by Bor."
Odin's voice came from behind them — — he had also followed them in, standing at the entrance of the stone chamber, his single eye gazing at the golden crystal, "Inside is recorded the true cause of Ragnarök — — not prophecy, not destiny, but — —"
He paused, his voice becoming extremely heavy: "A chess game planned for hundreds of millions of years."
Li Heng's dark golden slit pupils contracted slightly: "A chess game? Whose chess game?"
"Chthon's."
Odin walked up to the golden crystal, extended his right hand to touch the crystal's surface — — the images inside the crystal instantly became clear: a purplish-black figure stood in a chaotic void, his face blurry, but those eyes — — which Li Heng and Wanda were all too familiar with — — were Chthon's eyes.
"Three billion years ago, to escape Atum's devouring, Chthon fled into other dimensions. But before escaping, he left behind the darkhold — — this is the key to his return."
Odin's voice echoed in the stone chamber, "But what you might not know is — — he left behind more than just the darkhold."
"He also left behind a seed — — a seed that slowly grew within the Nine Realms."
Odin waved his hand, and the image in the crystal switched — — showing a huge black tree whose root system spread across the Nine Realms.
That tree's root system pierced through Asgard, Midgard, Jotunheim, Vanaheim... every world was entangled by its roots.
"This 'world Tree' was cultivated by him using a drop of his own source blood — — it does not absorb water and nutrients, but instead absorbs the energy and vitality of the Nine Realms."
"It grew extremely slowly — — taking hundreds of millions of years to reach its current scale — — but once it fully matures, it will become Chthon's bridge across dimensions."
"At that time, no vessel will be needed, no book, no source blood crystal — — he can directly descend through the root system of this tree into any world entangled by it."
Li Heng's pupils shrank sharply — — he thought of that drop of source blood deep underground in Mount Wundagore.
That was not the only drop left by Chthon — — he had left at least two drops on Earth, one in Mount Wundagore, and one — — right here?
"Does Asgard also have Chthon's source blood?" Li Hengasked.
Odin slowly nodded: "Deep beneath Asgard — — below the energy source of the Bifrost Bridge."
"Bor discovered it thousands of years ago, but he could not destroy it — — so at the cost of his life, he established a seal to suppress it in Asgard's core."
"This is the truth of Ragnarök — — not prophecy, not destiny — — but Chthon's source blood continuously releasing energy deep beneath Asgard, eroding Asgard's foundation and triggering the chain reaction of Ragnarök."
"Surtur, Loki's betrayal, Hela's rise — — these are only surface phenomena."
"The true root cause is Chthon's source blood step by step disintegrating Asgard."
Wanda asked in a low voice: "Then why didn't Bor tell us? Why wait until now?"
"Because the timing is not right."
Odin looked at her, a trace of complex emotion flashing in his single eye, "Bor left a message within the seal — — he said: 'Only when the Complete Progenitor and the chaos container touch the seal simultaneously will the seal open. Before that, anyone who touches the seal will trigger a premature eruption of the source blood — — destroying Asgard.'"
His gaze moved back and forth between Li Heng and Wanda: "You are the two people Bor has waited for thousands of years."
"The Complete Progenitor — — the unity possessing the ancestor core and inherited bloodline; the chaos container — — the carrier of Chthon's mark, and also the only person who can safely touch the source blood without being corrupted."
"Because your body already has Chthon's mark — — the source blood will not repel you."
"You can approach it, touch it, and even — —"
Odin's voice became extremely solemn: "Absorb it."
Li Heng's brow furrowed tightly: "Absorb the source blood? You mean — — let Wanda absorb Chthon's other drop of source blood?"
"The mark inside her has not been completely cleared yet, absorbing another drop — — wouldn't that be even more dangerous?"
"Under normal circumstances, yes."
"But if — — while absorbing the source blood, synchronous purification is performed using the power of the Complete Progenitor, the energies of the mark and the source blood will cancel each other out."
"This is the true plan left by Bor — — not to destroy the source blood, but to utilize it."
"Using Chthon's own power — — to fight against Chthonhimself."
Silence filled the stone chamber.
Wanda looked at the images flowing within that golden crystal — — the flames of Ragnarök, the collapsed Golden Palace, the weeping Asgardian people — — her hands unconsciously clenched tightly.
Then, she spoke: "I accept."
"Wanda — —!" Li Heng immediately turned his head to look at her, "Do you know how dangerous this is? Absorbing source blood — — it's no game! Chthon's will might take this opportunity to erode you again — —"
"I know."
Wanda interrupted him, her green eyes staring straight into his, calm and firm, "But I cannot watch Asgard be destroyed right before my eyes. And — —"
She smiled slightly: "I trust you."
"If you purify synchronously while I absorb the source blood, what else do I have to be afraid of?"
Li Heng opened his mouth, wanting to refute — — but he found himself unable to say any words of refutation.
Because she was right, trust is mutual — — she believed in him, and he should believe in her too.
"... You always have a way to leave me unable to refuse."
"That's because what I said makes sense."
Odin looked at the two of them, remained silent for a few seconds, and then — — he smiled.
That was an old, gratified smile, like an old man who had carried a millennial heavy burden, finally seeing the hope of lifting the burden.
"You remind me of when Frigga and I were young."
He said in a low voice, "She was always like that too — — using a single sentence to leave me speechless."
He put away his smile, his expression turning solemn again: "Then — — prepare yourselves. Tomorrow at sunrise, I will take you to Asgard's core — — the energy source of the Bifrost Bridge."
"There, you will face the last drop of source blood left by Chthon in this world."
"And — —"
A cold glint flashed in his single eye: "You may also face — — the projection of his will left in the source blood."
"Are you ready?"
Li Heng held Wanda's hand, feeling the temperature and pulse of her fingertips.
Then he looked up at Odin, with no hesitation or fear in his dark golden-silver-white slit pupils, only a near-indifferent conviction: "From the first day I traveled into the Marvel Universe, I have been ready."
Wanda did not speak — — but she gripped Li Heng's hand tightly, giving her own answer with her actions.
Odin looked at them and slowly nodded: "Very good. Rest well tonight — — tomorrow, you will face what might be the hardest battle of your lives."
He turned around and walked toward the exit of the stone chamber — — after a few steps, he stopped again, without turning back, just saying a sentence with his back to them: "Li Heng — — protect her well. She is not only your chaos container, but also Asgard's hope."
"Even without you saying it — — I will."
Odin said no more, stepped out of the stone chamber, and the sound of his footsteps gradually faded away in the passage.
Only Li Heng and Wanda were left in the stone chamber, along with that floating golden crystal.
The images in the crystal had returned to peace — — only soft starlight slowly flowing inside the crystal, like the heartbeat of the Universe.
Wanda leaned on Li Heng's shoulder, whispering: "Do you think we can succeed?"
"Yes."
Li Heng answered without any hesitation, "Because we have a reason we must succeed."
"What reason?"
"I want to take you back to Brooklyn — — to continue living my slack-off life of instant noodles, sleeping in, and watching the sunrise."
Wanda couldn't help laughing out loud: "You are already the Complete Progenitor, and you're still thinking about slacking off?"
"Can't a Complete Progenitor slack off? Who made that rule?"
Li Heng said righteously, "I became the Progenitor just to slack off better — — whoever dares to disturb my slacking off, I'll beat them up."
"Including Chthon?"
"Including Chthon."
Wanda laughed even more happily — — deep beneath Asgard, in the stone chamber sealing the truth of Ragnarök, her laughter was crisp and bright, like a ray of sunlight piercing through the darkness.
Li Heng hugged her shoulder and was also smiling — — but his gaze, from an angle Wanda couldn't see, turned deep and solemn.
Tomorrow — — Asgard's core — — Chthon's last drop of source blood — — and — — the possible projection of will.
He knew that would be the biggest challenge they had faced so far — — stronger than Wyndham of Mount Wundagore, stronger than Mephisto's hell avatar, and even stronger than the suppression of the darkhold original manuscript.
But he would not back down — — because behind him was the person he wanted to protect.
* * *
Asgard, Golden Palace guest room.
Night fell, and Asgard's sky presented a deep purplish-blue, dotted with brighter and denser stars than those on Earth.
Li Heng stood on the balcony of the guest room, overlooking the night view of the golden city — — Asgard's people walked, talked, and lived on the streets, as if completely unaware of the crisis that might happen tomorrow.
Wanda walked out of the room, stood beside him, and looked into the distance following his gaze: "What are you thinking about?"
"Thinking about Asgard's people — — they don't know what will happen tomorrow, but they are still living their own lives. Perhaps this is the meaning of our fighting — — to let ordinary people continue living their ordinary lives."
Wanda was silent for a moment, then said softly: "You've changed."
"Changed?"
"When I first met you, you always said you just wanted to live your own life well and didn't care about anyone else's life or death. But now — —" she tilted her head to look at him, her green eyes carrying a smile, "you've started caring about Asgard's people."
Li Heng was silent for a moment, then gave a light cough: "... That's because Asgard's wine tastes better than Earth's. If they are destroyed by Chthon, where would I go to bum such good wine?"
Wanda laughed out loud: "Stubborn."
"Always been stubborn."
The two stood under the starlight for a long time, chatting about this and that — — about what might happen tomorrow, about where to celebrate if they succeeded, and about whether to return Pietro's share of the cake to him after returning to Earth.
Until late at night, they returned to the room to rest.
Deep beneath Asgard — — below the energy source of the Bifrost Bridge — — a drop of purplish-black blood was slowly pulsing within the seal.
It seemed to have sensed something — — tomorrow, someone would come to touch it.
It was waiting.
Chapter 38 Asgard Core! Chthon's Projection —— Complete Progenitor vs Old Gods Will
The next day, at sunrise.
Dawn in Asgard was different from Earth — the sun did not rise from the horizon, but slowly lit up from the edge of the stellar region, with golden light piercing through the brilliant Nebula and pouring down onto the spires of the Golden Palace like molten gold.
Li Heng stood on the guest room balcony, looking at this scene, yet he had no leisure or mood to appreciate the beautiful scenery — because today, they were going to face the last drop of source blood Chthon left in this world.
"Are you ready?" Wanda's voice came from behind.
Li Heng turned around — she had also changed into a set of Asgard-style light armor, which Odin had people send over last night — the silver-white armor was engraved with pale golden runes, flashing with a soft glow in the morning light. Her long hair was tied into a neat ponytail, and her green eyes were calm and bright.
"You look quite good in this outfit." Li Heng looked her up and down, giving an evaluation that was quite "Li Hengstyle".
Wanda raised an eyebrow: "Is that all you want to say?"
"I also want to say — no matter what happens today, I will be by your side."
Wanda was slightly startled, and then the corners of her mouth curled up into a shallow arc: "That's more like it."
"Thump, thump, thump ——"
The sound of knocking rang out, and the steady voice of an Asgard guard came from outside the door: "Guests of Midgard — the Allfather invites you to gather in the Golden Palace hall."
Li Heng and Wanda exchanged a glance, nodded, and walked out of the guest room side by side.
Golden Palace Hall.
Odin stood before the throne, already wearing his golden armor, holding the Gungnir — Gungnir in his hand. On both sides of the hall stood several Asgard generals, their expressions solemn and grim, obviously already knowing today's plan.
"You are here." Odin watched the two walk into the hall, a flash of appreciative light passing through his single eye, "Your mental state is good — it seems you rested very well last night."
"With free Asgard fine wine and ultra-comfortable guest rooms, of course we rested well." Li Heng shrugged, "It would be great if every day could be like this in the future."
Odin chuckled, but the smile quickly converged, and his expression turned solemn again: "The road to the core is ready. There is a secret passage below the energy source of the Bifrost Bridge — that is the only channel left by Borback then when he sealed the source blood."
"That road is very long. The closer to the core, the stronger the energy interference of Chthon's source blood will be. When you reach the deepest part, your magic and Ancestor Power may be suppressed — especially you, Wanda."
He looked at Wanda, his single eye carrying a hint of solemnity: "The Chthon mark in your body has been sealed by 89%, but when contacting source blood of the same origin, it may try to reactivate. You need to keep your will firm — you must not be eroded by the Old Gods will in the source blood."
Wanda nodded and replied calmly: "I understand. I will not let the mark control me — because I believe in him."
She glanced at Li Heng — with no extra words, but that look already contained everything.
Odin looked at the unspoken tacit understanding between the two and nodded slightly: "Very well. Let's set off then."
He turned around and walked toward the passage at the back of the hall — Li Heng and Wanda followed closely behind side by side.
The passage continuously extended downward along the spiral stairs, going deeper and deeper. The surrounding walls gradually changed from gold to deep black, covered with ancient Asgard sealing runes. The air was permeated with an increasingly rich energy fluctuation — a kind of energy Li Heng was too familiar with — Chthon's purple-black aura.
After walking for about twenty minutes, the passage ahead suddenly opened up — they came to a huge underground space. The dome of the space was a hundred meters high, and below was a surging ocean of golden energy — that was the energy source of the Bifrost Bridge, Asgard's most important energy core.
And in the center of the energy source — a drop of purple-black blood floated in mid-air, about the size of a fist, with dim light flowing on its surface.
The last drop of Chthon's source blood.
"That's it." Odin stood at the edge of the energy source, his single eye gazing at that drop of source blood, his voice low, "Bor used his life to build a seal to suppress it here — but for thousands of years, it has continuously eroded the seal. In recent years, the speed of erosion has become faster and faster — if it is not dealt with, at most a year, the seal will completely collapse."
"At that time, Chthon will be able to directly descend to Asgard through this drop of source blood — and then enter every corner of the Nine Realms through the Bifrost Bridge."
Li Heng looked at the floating purple-black blood — he could feel the terrifying energy contained within it — that was not only the blood of the Old Gods, but also the carrier of Chthon's will, his last retreat left in this world.
"What should I do?" Wanda asked.
"Approach it — touch it — and then use your Chaos Magicto absorb it into your body." Odin's voice was calm and clear, "When you begin to absorb the source blood, the will projection left by Chthon in it will definitely be activated — it may try to erode your consciousness, or it may directly attack your soul."
"At this time, Li Heng — you need to intervene with the power of the Complete Progenitor — use the Ancestor Power and Moonlight Power to simultaneously purify Chthon's will in the source blood."
"The two of you — one responsible for absorption, one responsible for purification — both are indispensable."
Li Heng and Wanda exchanged glances and nodded.
Wanda took a deep breath — then, she stepped forward, walking toward that drop of purple-black source blood.
Every step closer she took, the purple-black energy in the air became a bit richer. When she walked to a position less than three meters away from the source blood — the source blood suddenly trembled violently — a beam of purple-black light burst out from the source blood, condensing into a humanoid outline in front of her — an exact outline identical to Chthon — the Old Gods will projection!
"Wanda Maximoff —" That projection spoke, its voice low and cold, carrying a kind of antiquity as if from the very beginning of the Universe's birth, "You have finally come — I have been waiting for you for a long time."
"Chthon." Wanda stopped, her green eyes staring directly into the projection's purple-black eyes, without the slightest flinching, "You have hidden in Asgard for so long — it's time for you to be plucked out."
The projection let out a low chuckle: "Pluck me out? Your Chaos Magic can indeed absorb the source blood — but have you ever thought —"
His voice suddenly turned gloomy and cold:
"If your body already has my mark — and you absorb another drop of source blood — what will happen when the mark and the source blood combine?"
Wanda's pupils S-Rank slightly — but before she could answer, Li Heng's voice came from behind her, carrying that signature nonchalance and certainty: "What will happen? It will happen — she will use your source blood and my Ancestor Power to completely strip your mark from her soul."
"This is Bor's plan — not your plan, Chthon."
The projection turned to Li Heng, a flash of cold light passing through its purple-black eyes: "Complete Progenitor — you are indeed a variable. But do you think that with your current level of enlightenment, you can suppress my will?"
"Then let's try it."
Li Heng stepped forward, standing beside Wanda, his dark gold and silver-white vertical pupils staring directly at Chthon's projection, as tri-color light slowly condensed on his right hand —
"Wanda — start absorbing the source blood. This projection — I will block it."
Wanda glanced at him — she did not hesitate — she reached out and directly grasped that floating drop of purple-black source blood — the moment her fingers touched the source blood — the source blood seemed to come alive, turning into a stream of purple-black light that surged into her body along her arm!
"Urgh —!" Wanda let out a muffled grunt, her body trembling slightly — a massive amount of purple-black energy surged within her body — in her green eyes, the purple-black light and the scarlet Chaos Magic were fiercely clashing — Chthon's will was trying to use the power of the source blood to reactivate the mark within her body!
"You have made the wrong choice —" Chthon's projection watched this scene, his voice carrying a hint of triumph, "The moment she absorbs the source blood — the mark in her body will be reactivated — by then, she will become my most perfect vessel — and you —"
He turned to Li Heng, burning cold flames in his purple-black eyes: "Complete Progenitor — you will watch with your own eyes the person you love most — become my vessel — and then, you will end her with your own hands — what a wonderful ending this is?"
"Are you done talking?" Li Heng's voice was terrifyingly calm, "Get lost if you're done."
He threw a punch — tri-color light exploded on his fist peak — dark gold, silver-white, scarlet — the three powers perfectly merged, turning into a meteor-like energy beam — shooting straight at Chthon's projection!
The projection raised its right hand — purple-black energy condensed into a shield in its palm — boom — the tri-color energy beam crashed into the shield — the two violently collided — purple-black energy fragments and tri-color light splashed everywhere — the entire underground space trembled slightly under the impact of this blow!
"Not a bad attack —" Cracks appeared on the projection's shield, but his voice remained composed, "But Complete Progenitor — your power is not fully mature yet — your current level of enlightenment is not enough to suppress my will —"
His words stopped halfway — because — Wanda's chanting echoed in the underground space — her voice was firm and clear, every syllable carrying the power of Chaos Magic — those powers were fiercely merging with the source blood inside her body — her body was glowing — scarlet light and purple-black light flickered alternately — her soul was engaged in a silent tug-of-war between Chthon's will and her own power!
"Wanda —!" Li Heng called out to her through the Soul Contract.
"I... still here —" Wanda's voice was transmitted back through the contract, although carrying pain and strain, it remained firm — her Chaos Magic was erupting fully, trying to suppress Chthon's will in the source blood — but the will in the source blood was too strong — that was the residual origin of the Old Gods — not something her single person's power could easily suppress!
"Need help?" A trace of a smile curved the corner of Li Heng's mouth — his right hand pressed against the blood contract mark on his left chest — dark golden light lit up on the mark —
"Complete Progenitor Soul Resonance — full power output!"
"Hum ————!!!"
The dark golden Ancestor Power surged into Wanda's body like a tidal wave through the link of the Soul Contract—
Wanda's body suddenly shuddered — in her twin pupils, the scarlet light abruptly overwhelmed the purple-black — tri-color light flowed across the surface of her body — her momentum was continuously climbing — A-Rank — A+-Rank — until S-Rank Intermediate — synchronized with Li Heng!
"This — impossible —!" Chthon's projection showed loss of composure for the first time — his purple-black eyes were filled with disbelief, "Soul Contract — how could it withstand the backlash of the source blood — the bond between you two — how could it possibly be this strong —!"
"Because you don't understand." Li Heng stood in front of Wanda, his dark gold and silver-white vertical pupils staring straight at Chthon's projection, his voice calm and firm, "You don't understand what trust is — you don't understand what protection is — you don't understand what it means to be willing to burn oneself for the other person —"
"You are just a lonely, pathetic Old Gods that has lived for over three billion years —"
"You created all Black Magic — but you have never created — love."
He extended his right hand — tri-color light condensed into a translucent spear in his palm — that spear exuded the perfect fusion of three powers — Ancestor Power, Moonlight Power, Chaos Magic — the three powers reached an unprecedented unity under the harmonization of the Soul Contract!
"This blow —"
"Is not the power of the Complete Progenitor —"
"Nor is it the power of the Chaos Vessel —"
"Instead, it is —"
"Our shared power."
He threw the spear — the tri-color spear turned into a stream of light, tracing a brilliant optical track in the void — piercing straight at the core of Chthon's projection!
Chthon's projection let out a deafening roar — he tried to condense a purple-black energy shield to block it — but that spear was like an unstoppable starlight — piercing through his shield — piercing through his projection core —
"Boom ——————!!!"
The projection exploded into countless purple-black fragments — slowly dissipating amidst Chthon's unwilling roars —
And at the same time the projection dissipated — the absorption of the source blood in Wanda's body completed its final fusion at this moment — dazzling light erupted from her body — energy intertwined with scarlet and purple-black gushed out from her body — and then converged in an instant — flowing back entirely into her body — her eyes slowly opened —
In her green eyes —
There was an extra circle of extremely faint purple-gold halo.
The source blood — was absorbed by her.
Chthon's mark — inside her body — completely disappeared.
Wanda lowered her head to look at her hands — the Chaos Magic flowed freely in her palms — without purple-black impurities — only pure scarlet — she was free — from Chthon's curse — truly, completely — free.
She looked up at Li Heng — her eye sockets were slightly red, but the corners of her mouth wore a smile —
"We... succeeded."
Li Heng looked at her, was silent for two seconds, and then —
"Do you know you almost scared me to death just now? Next time can you tell me in advance that you are going to burst out — so I can mentally prepare —"
Wanda was stunned for two seconds, and then couldn't help letting out a "pfft" of laughter, throwing herself into his arms while crying and laughing.
Li Heng hugged her, resting his chin on top of her head — deep in the Asgard core, beside the energy source of the Bifrost Bridge, on the battlefield where they had just defeated the Old Gods will projection, they hugged tightly together.
Odin stood not far away, watching these two young people from Midgard — a flash of gratified light passed through his single eye.
"Bor — did you see this?"
"They did it."
He said in a low voice — carrying the relief and emotion of an old man who had lived through a thousand years —
"The Complete Progenitor and the Chaos Vessel — the two of them together — can truly create miracles."
Chapter 39 Return to New York! Abnormalities in Hells Kitchen — The Vampire Baroness's Invitation
Asgard, Golden Palace Hall.
When Li Heng and Wanda returned from the core of the Earth, the hall was already packed with Asgardian generals and nobles.
Everyone's eyes were focused on the two Midgardian guests — they had just completed the mission that Bor had sealed for thousands of years, defeating the last drop of source blood Chthon left on Earth.
Odin stood before the throne, his single eye filled with approval and gratification.
"Li Heng, Complete Progenitor — Wanda Maximoff, Scarlet Witch —" Odin's voice echoed through the hall like a giant bell, "You have not only saved Asgard, but also the future of the Nine Realms. From this day forward, you will forever be honored guests of Asgard — anytime, anywhere, as long as you need Asgard's help, the Bifrost Bridge is always open for you."
Li Heng looked at Odin, but what he was thinking in his heart was something else — Asgard's crisis was resolved, but the trouble over in New York was probably just beginning.
"Allfather," he spoke, "Thank you for your hospitality and trust. But we have left Midgard for some time now — there is still some trouble over there that needs to be dealt with."
Odin nodded knowingly: "I understand. You have your battlefield — Asgard will not forget your kindness."
He raised the Gungnir — Gungnir — and golden light erupted from the tip of the spear, shooting straight into the sky.
"Bifrost Bridge — activate!"
A huge pillar of golden light descended from the sky, enveloping Li Heng and Wanda.
Warm energy wrapped around their bodies, and the familiar feeling of decomposition and recombination came over them once more — the next second, they crossed the sea of stars and returned to Earth.
New York, Brooklyn.
Li Heng and Wanda landed steadily on the banks of the East River — right at the spot where they had left.
The sun was shining, the river breeze was gentle, and everything was no different from when they left.
The only difference was — their phones kept ringing continuously, as if someone had been calling until the batteries were almost dead.
Li Heng took out his phone to check — Pietro's missed calls: 37; Blood Baron's missed calls: 12; Blade's missed calls: 8; and an unfamiliar number he hadn't saved, which had called 5 times.
"It seems New York was quite lively while we were away," Li Heng said as he dialed Blood Baron's phone.
The call was answered almost instantly.
"My Lord Progenitor — you're back?!" Blood Baron's voice carried an obvious sense of relief, "That's great — if you hadn't come back soon, I was going to go to Asgard to look for you!"
"What happened?" Li Heng asked straight to the point.
"Something big has happened in Hells Kitchen." Blood Baron's voice grew solemn, "During the time you left, those shattered Mephisto avatar fragments — they didn't completely disappear. The fragment remnants aggregated underground, forming a new —"
He paused, as if searching for the right phrasing.
"— A brand-new hellish creature. We temporarily call it the 'Aggregate'. It's not completely Mephisto's avatar, nor is it completely an independent individual — it is somewhere in between. Its power is constantly growing, and — it is expanding."
"Expanding?"
"It is devouring the dark energy of Hells Kitchen — including human negative emotions — and then growing stronger with it." Blood Baron's voice dropped lower, "Even more troublesome is — it seems to have a special reaction to Wanda's Chaos Magic."
Li Heng glanced at Wanda beside him — she had evidently also heard Blood Baron's words through speakerphone.
"What do you mean by 'a special reaction'?" Wanda asked with a frown.
"It... is calling you." Blood Baron's voice carried a hint of confusion, "We didn't tell anyone you went to Asgard — but that Aggregate, it seemed to know you weren't in New York. Every night it emits a low-frequency sound — a sound that only those with magic perception can hear — and it repeats a single word."
"What word?"
"Door."
Wanda's pupils shrank slightly — she and Li Hengexchanged a glance, both seeing the same solemnity in each other's eyes.
Door — that was the word Chthon had once used to describe Wanda.
And now, the monster formed by the aggregation of Mephisto's fragments was also using this word to call her.
"We're coming right over." Li Heng finished speaking and hung up the phone.
The river breeze of the East River blew past, stirring Wanda's long hair.
She looked at Li Heng, her tone carrying a hint of complexity: "Mephisto's Aggregate is calling me — do you think it's a coincidence?"
"It can't be a coincidence," Li Heng shook his head, "When Chthon's source blood in Asgard was devoured by us — Mephisto's residual power on Earth sensed it. Although they are different dimensional lords, their energy-level perception is mutual."
"Mephisto knows that Chthon's layout on Earth has been completely dismantled by us. Therefore — he wants to test us."
"Test what?"
"To test — whether we have become weak from defeating Chthon."
Li Heng clenched his fists, a flash of cold light crossing his dark golden-silver vertical pupils: "So we are going to let him see — not only have we not grown weak, but instead — we have become stronger."
He dialed Blade's phone: "Eric — where is the Aggregate right now?"
"In the center of Hells Kitchen, deep underground at the intersection of Ninth Avenue and Tenth Street — it used to be an abandoned subway station," Blade's voice was as concise and crisp as ever, "It hasn't moved, but its energy field is constantly expanding. At the current rate, in another three days — it will be able to turn the underground of all Hells Kitchen into its domain."
"Three days," Li Heng repeated the number, "That's enough — within three days, beat it back to hell."
He hung up the phone and turned to look at Wanda: "Ready?"
Wanda extended her hand, and scarlet Chaos Magicdanced at her fingertips — that magic was purer and more condensed than before — although the process of absorbing the source blood was difficult, it had given her power a qualitative leap.
"Ready," she replied with a smile, "Just right — I also want to test how strong I am after absorbing the source blood."
Li Heng held her hand — three-colored light circulated within his body, forming a perfect resonance with her Chaos Magic.
"Then let's set off — to Hells Kitchen —"
"And dismantle that Aggregate."
Hells Kitchen, deep within the abandoned subway station.
The air was filled with a heavy smell of sulfur and the scent of decay.
The walls were covered with a layer of black, viscous substance — that was a gelatinous body formed by the mixing of Mephisto's dark energy and human negative emotions, constantly writhing like the internal organs of some creature.
The three of them passed through a pitch-black passage, and the front suddenly opened up — it was an abandoned platform.
In the center of the platform hovered a huge, constantly twisting mass of black matter — its surface was covered with purplish-red cracks, resembling a beating heart.
The Aggregate.
The moment Li Heng and Wanda stepped onto the platform — that mass of black matter suddenly trembled violently — a crack split open on its surface — and a purplish-red eye was revealed within the crack — exactly identical to Mephisto's eyes — but even more frenzied, even more hungry.
"Complete Progenitor... Scarlet Witch..." A deep and hoarse voice came out from the Aggregate, sounding like countless voices overlapping together, "You... have finally come..."
"I have waited for you... for so long..."
That voice carried an indescribable craving — not a craving for battle, but a craving for something deeper — a craving that caused Li Heng's ancestor core to tremble slightly.
And Wanda's pupils suddenly constricted at that instant — because she sensed it — within that Aggregate, besides Mephisto's remnants, there also remained an energy aura she was extremely familiar with —
Chthon.
Inside Mephisto's fragments — a trace of Chthon's residual energy was mixed in.
That trace of energy was extremely weak; if she hadn't just absorbed the source blood, it would have been completely impossible to detect — but it did exist.
Was it a leftover trace — or —
Some deeper — connection?
The Aggregate did not give her time to think — its surface suddenly exploded — countless purplish-black tentacles stretched out from within its body — attacking the three of them like a rainstorm!
"Here it comes!" Li Heng stepped forward and stood at the very front — the dark golden Ancestor Power condensed into an energy barrier in front of him, "Wanda — can you sense the source of that trace of Chthon's energy?"
Wanda closed her eyes, her Chaos Magic extending outward like a probe, gently contacting those purplish-black tentacles — then, she suddenly opened her eyes, her voice carrying a hint of astonishment: "It's deep within the core of the Aggregate — that trace of Chthon's energy — it's not a residue — it was deliberately sealed inside!"
"This is a bait — Mephisto deliberately used Chthon's remnants to lure us here!"
The moment her voice fell — the Aggregate suddenly expanded — purplish-black energy surged out from its core like a tsunami — the sense of oppression contained within that energy caused Li Heng's dark golden vertical pupils to suddenly contract —
That was — Chthon + Mephisto — a mixture of energies from two dimensional lords!
And above the Aggregate — a purplish-red crack slowly opened —
On the other side of the crack —
Is hell.
Countless demon figures swarmed within the crack — their gazes locked uniformly onto Li Heng and Wanda —
Mephisto's voice came from deep within the crack, carrying a sense of triumphant pleasure —
"Complete Progenitor — you defeated Chthon's source blood — but you overlooked one thing —"
"Hell — has never had only one Master."
"And I — Mephisto — the oldest of the hell lords —"
"Have been waiting for you — to step into this trap."
The roar of countless demons poured out from the crack —
The platform was trembling — the walls were cracking — the Aggregate was expanding —
A true — battle of hell —
Is about to erupt.
Chapter 40: Gates of Hell! Complete Progenitor vs. Mephisto, The Final Gamble Under the Blood Moon
Hells Kitchen, abandoned subway station.
Purplish-black energy erupted like a volcanic explosion from the core of the aggregate, tearing a huge rift above the platform — on the other side of the rift were endless hellfire and twisted demonic figures, and Mephisto's low laughter came from deep within the rift, carrying a sense of long-suppressed pleasure finally released.
"Complete Progenitor — — you defeated Chthon's prime blood — — but you overlooked one thing — —"
His voice was like thousands of demons whispering at once, making the entire platform tremble:
"Hell — — has never had only one Master."
"And I — — Mephisto — — the oldest of the Hell Lords — — have been waiting for you — — to step into this trap."
Those demonic figures surged wildly in the rift, their eyes like countless burning coals, locking onto Li Heng and Wanda in unison.
Blade drew the silver sword from his back at the first moment, the Blade smeared with a special ultraviolet coating, emitting a dazzling cold light in the dark. He stared closely at the rift and said in a deep voice: "This trap — — was not set just today. Mephisto began plotting from the moment Chthon failed."
Li Heng's dark golden-silver vertical pupils stared at the rift, but there was not a shred of panic. He looked down at his own hand — — tricolor light flowed in his palm, the ancestor core pulsed steadily at his heart, and the Moonlight Body and Chaos Magic resonated perfectly within his bloodline.
"Mephisto — — you are indeed smarter than Chthon." He raised his head, the corners of his mouth curling into a mocking arc, "Chthon only knows how to charge in, snatch by force, and brute force — — while you know how to plot, how to wait, and how to use other people's power to achieve your own goals."
"But you overlooked one point — —"
In his palm, the tricolor light suddenly solidified, transforming into a translucent energy spear.
"Wanda and I — — just returned from Asgard."
"There — — we absorbed Chthon's last drop of prime blood."
"You think you are facing a Complete Progenitor and a chaos vessel?"
"No — — you are facing a Complete Progenitor who has devoured Chthon's prime blood — —"
"And a Scarlet Witch who has absorbed the core power of the Old Gods."
He threw the spear — — the tricolor spear dragged a dazzling trail of light through the void, crashing like a meteor into that purplish-red hell rift — —
"Boom — — — — — — — — !!! "
The moment the spear hit the rift, the tricolor light burst open fiercely — — the dark golden Ancestor Power, the silvery-white Moonlight Body energy, and the crimson Chaos Magic — — the three forces intertwined into a huge sealing net, wrapping layer upon layer around the edges of the rift!
Under the suppression of the sealing net, the hell rift contracted sharply — — those demonic figures let out terrified screeches, trying to pour out from the rift, but the sealing net blocked them all back like a red-hot branding iron!
Mephisto's laughter turned into a furious roar: "What power is this — — a Complete Progenitor cannot possibly have this kind of power — — what did you do — —!"
"I learned in Asgard — —" Li Heng's hands maintained the energy output of the sealing net, his voice as calm as if chatting about daily life, "how to use the power of the Old Gods — — to beat the Old Gods themselves."
"Chthon's prime blood — — was your biggest misjudgment."
He turned his head to look at Wanda: "How long can you seal it?"
Wanda's hands were also maintaining the sealing net, the crimson Chaos Magic intertwining with Li Heng's tricolor light, compressing the hell rift bit by bit. Fine beads of sweat seeped from her forehead, but the corners of her mouth carried a trace of a confident smile: "As long as you want — — as long as I am burning Chaos Magic, it won't even think about opening a single seam."
"Then keep it sealed — — once I deal with that aggregate — — I'll come back to settle with Mephisto."
Li Heng let go of his hands maintaining the sealing net, turning around to walk toward the frantically vibrating black aggregate — — it seemed to sense the aura of devouring Chthon's prime blood on Li Heng, and was trying to shrink back.
"Want to run?" The corners of Li Heng's mouth hooked into a sneer, "Weren't you always waiting for me — — I am here now — — what are you running for?"
He extended his right hand — — the dark golden Ancestor Power condensed in his palm into the shape of a claw — — five dark golden spikes extended from between his fingers, each emitting destructive energy fluctuations.
The aggregate let out a sharp hiss — — its body burst open suddenly, transforming into countless purplish-black tentacles, launching an attack on Li Heng from all directions simultaneously!
Li Heng did not dodge — — he took a step forward — — a dark golden light trail exploded beneath his feet — — the Moonlight Body made his speed so fast it almost turned into an afterimage — — he shuttled, dodged, and counterattacked in the rain of tentacles — — every claw could tear apart a tentacle — — those purplish-black fragments splashed in the air, purified and evaporated by the Ancestor Power before they even hit the ground.
Three seconds — — merely three seconds — — all the tentacles were completely torn apart.
The aggregate lost all its tentacles, leaving only a bare core suspended in mid-air — — that core was like a purplish-red eyeball, right in the center of which was a constantly writhing pupil — — Mephisto's eye.
"Complete Progenitor — —" Mephisto's voice came from the eye, no longer with the previous banter and smugness, but carrying a hint of genuine dread, "You are indeed stronger than I imagined — — but you cannot guard Earthforever — —"
"The day the dimensional barrier completely shatters — — I will return — — by then — — the entire Hell will trample it flat — —!"
Before he finished speaking — — Li Heng's claw had already pierced through its core.
"Boom — —!"
The purplish-red eyeball shattered into countless fragments, and Mephisto's voice dissipated in a screech — — the aggregate — — completely collapsed.
And in the process of those fragments drifting away, an extremely tiny fragment was not purified — — it fell into the shadow at the corner of the platform, like a dormant seed, quietly waiting for something.
No one noticed it.
Li Heng retracted his claw, and the platform was permeated with purplish-black energy embers and the smell of sulfur. That hell rift had completely closed under the suppression of the sealing net — — Wanda withdrew her Chaos Magic, panting slightly, but her eyes were filled with the light of victory.
"Done?" She walked to Li Heng's side, looking at the messy platform covered in debris.
"Done — — at least for now." Li Heng patted the dust off his hands, "Mephisto's attack this time has been repelled — — but he won't give up. He said the day the dimensional barrier shatters he will return — — that is no empty talk."
Blade put away his silver sword, his voice as concise as ever: "Then get ready for his return."
Li Heng nodded — — his gaze fell on the shadow where the neglected fragment was hiding — — but he said nothing.
He merely silently noted that position in his heart.
Under the night sky of New York, the anomaly in Hells Kitchen temporarily subsided.
But Li Heng knew — — this war with the Hell Lords had only just begun.