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◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
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Although he was already one of the strongest beings on Earth, the thrill of unboxing still made his heart pound.
"It has to be something good... even Kryptonite would be fine, at least I'd know what it looks like."
"Ding! Draw complete!"
Two orbs of light floated in his consciousness.
The first orb exploded, revealing a delicate blue test tube.
Item: Compound V (Purified Version) x 1
Description: Vought International's core technology. System-improved, with all side effects removed.
Effect: Upon use, grants random superpowers to ordinary people, or enhances the existing abilities of superhumans.
Note: Due to the removal of side effects, its potency has been reduced. For the host's current physique, the enhancement effect is negligible, equivalent to drinking a can of Red Bull.
"..."
Anthony looked at the small blue bottle that had appeared out of thin air in his hand, a little speechless.
"True Vought functional beverage?"
"Useless for me... but no side effects either."
He toyed with the test tube, his gaze unconsciously drifting towards Ashley, who was looking at her tablet, then to Jessica, who had an 'approach at your own risk' expression.
"Next."
The second orb emitted a black and white intertwined glow.
Item: Combat Module - High Martial Arts Tai Chi
Description: Still troubled by only using brute force? Still mocked for fighting like a street thug? After loading this module, the host will instantly master Grandmaster-level Tai Chi principles and combat techniques.
Effect: Using an opponent's force against them, deflecting and neutralizing force. Combining hardness and softness. Significantly enhances the host's micro-control over strength and adaptability in close-quarters combat.
Passive: "Calm Mind" significantly increases mental resistance.
"...Martial Art??"
Anthony was stunned.
This was also from the Lottery box? He thought it would be an Infinity Stone fragment or Batman's utility belt.
"Homelander doing Martial Art..."
The image was too beautiful; he dared not imagine it.
But then he thought.
"Wait... this could even slightly substitute for a biological force field, preventing me from tearing people to shreds casually."
Moreover, if he encountered several trained fighters like Soldier Boy and Butcher ganging up on him, he wouldn't be pinned down and thrashed if their attributes weren't too far apart.
With a thought, Anthony immediately chose to load it.
"Ting ting—!"
A cool current instantly flowed through his entire body, then converged in his brain.
Countless memory fragments emerged: listening to force, neutralizing force, issuing force.
Ward off, rollback, press, push, pluck, split, elbow, shoulder strike.
That profound and mysterious feeling actually created a wonderful chemical reaction with the violent destructive power within him.
He tried wiggling his fingers.
Before, his power was like a surging flood, either bursting its banks and overwhelming everything, or being completely blocked.
But now... he felt like the dam's dispatcher, that power flowing through his fingertips, smooth and effortless.
"Hoo..."
Anthony exhaled a long, steady breath.
"Sir," Ashley, sitting diagonally, was still frantically scrolling on her tablet, "Twitter has gone wild, the top three trending topics are all about us!"
"The current top trend is: #The Seven#."
"The second top trend is: #Queen Jones#."
"The third top trend is: #With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility#."
Ashley looked up, her eyes full of admiration: "That line is amazing! Our copywriting team couldn't come up with such a profound line! Did you improvise that?"
"Of course." Anthony took a sip of champagne, his face calm, "It was just a spontaneous thought."
Just then, the car slammed on its brakes!
"Screech—!!"
"fuck!" The driver cursed from the front seat, "A drunkard ran out!"
The inertia was immense.
The unprepared Ashley screamed, her tablet flew out of her hand, and she tumbled forward clumsily, about to hit the hard table inside the car.
Jessica Jones reacted quickly beside her, just about to reach out.
But someone was faster than her.
Anthony remained seated, his back not even leaving the seat.
His left hand, as if boneless, floated out lightly.
Just as Ashley was about to collide, the back of his hand gently touched her shoulder.
A 'wipe' and a 'pull'.
In that instant, Ashley's forward momentum vanished without a trace, like a mud ox entering the sea.
She felt herself being gently guided by a soft force, settling back into her original position steadily, without even a hair out of place.
"..."
Ashley, still shaken, touched her face, "I... I'm okay?"
Jessica Jones's hand paused in mid-air, her eyes wide. She had strength; she knew how much inertia that sudden brake had generated.
If she had acted, she would have grabbed Ashley's clothes, possibly even bruising Ashley from using too much force.
But Anthony... his move just now was as light as brushing away a speck of dust.
"You..." Jessica swallowed, "Was that... also a Superpower?"
Anthony retracted his hand, straightened his cuff, and slowly closed his eyes, feeling the yin and yang flow of energy within him.
"No, Queen."
"This is called... Martial Art."
...Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel, ballroom.
The celebration dinner for homelander: origin was being held here.
Compared to the clamor of the premiere, this was a carnival of power and capital.
Hollywood moguls, Wall Street titans, and political dignitaries mingled, clinking glasses and exuding elegance.
Anthony changed into a deep blue velvet suit, holding a wine glass, moving effortlessly among these "big shots."
"Mr. Starr! Congratulations! This is definitely a cinematic miracle!"
"Anthony, we are very optimistic about the Starr Group's stock price next quarter..."
"Homelander, I have a niece who works at the Pentagon and greatly admires you..."
He smiled and socialized, but his eyes drifted to Jessica Jones in the corner.
The newly crowned "Queen Jones" was clearly extremely uncomfortable in this setting.
She held a glass of champagne as if it were poison, standing stiffly.
Several wealthy businessmen were surrounding her, their gazes brazenly wandering over the tight battle suit she hadn't yet changed out of.
"Oh, Miss Jones, that outfit really shows off your figure..."
"Interested in taking some photos on my yacht?"
Jessica's fists were clenched; she felt like she was about to lose control and shove these old perverts' heads into the champagne tower.
Just a second before she was about to explode.
A hand gently rested on her shoulder.
"Excuse me, gentlemen."
Anthony appeared behind her, his face bearing a smile that felt like a spring breeze, yet the flicker in his brows deterred anyone from acting rashly.
"This lady, tonight, is mine."