Ch: 81-90
Chapter 81 – The President Extends an Olive Branch!
One talisman after another rose into the air, orbiting around Linn.
Linn crooked a fingertip, drawing talismans with qi.
In the blink of an eye he grasped the essence of the Heaven-Reaching Talisman!
Heaven-Reaching Talisman.
To mortals it was basically a mobile artillery battery—flinging out sheaves of paper charms could still inflict decent damage.
But Linn, as Sorcerer Supreme, already possessed fifteen talismans; having mastered the Heaven-Reaching Talisman, he was practically infinite firepower!
Every Arcane Art became instant-cast, blessing runes turned solid, layering different categories of spells doubled and redoubled their might!
The runes blazed, sweeping toward the Extremis soldiers, whipping up a storm of energy that shook the freighter and blew craters into its deck.
Despair flashed in the Extremis soldiers' eyes.
They actually couldn't regenerate severed limbs!
Their faces twisted in terror; looking at Linn was like looking at a god!
'This farce is over.'
Divine light shone from Linn's eyes.
He lifted a finger and swept it downward.
One talisman turned into a seal of destruction, smashing Dr. Killian into a puddle of gore.
There was no regeneration at all.
[You have defeated Killian and obtained the heavenly hammer.]
A line of bubbles popped up.
The corner of Linn's mouth curved slightly.
He immediately drew the heavenly hammer over, flames roaring as he refined it once more, erasing the will of the god of fear and reforging it with the Heaven-Reaching Talisman!
'Colonel Rhodes, this heavenly hammer is yours to wield.'
'Now the hammer is clean—no worries.'
Linn handed over the hammer.
Colonel James Rhodes' face lit up; without the hammer's power Dr. Killian would've been a pushover!
'You… are the Sorcerer Supreme? Venerable Linn?'
'My name is Matthew Ellis, current President of the White House. I sincerely thank you for the rescue, Venerable.'
'Is there anything I can do for you?'
Matthew Ellis looked shaken, but standing before Linn he felt he'd found his backbone.
As the sitting President his authority was absolute; whatever Linn asked for could almost certainly be granted.
After all, without Linn's arrival he'd likely be dead and the Vice-President would already be stepping in.
Dr. Killian's plan would have succeeded!
'If you want to repay me, repeal the Mutant Registration Act.'
'Because I'm a Mutant too.'
'Also, rein in the Sentinel Task Force—don't disturb the Mutants at the Xavier estate. X-Mansion is a branch campus of Kamar-Taj.'
'You understand what that means.'
Linn's gaze was playful.
He'd been considering having Nick Fury scrap the act, but with President Matthew Ellis offering help the problem could be solved directly.
'No problem.'
'It's just… Secretary-General of the Security Council, Alexander Pierce, is really a HYDRA spy?'
'HYDRA hasn't been destroyed?'
Matthew Ellis' expression was complicated.
He obviously knew the history of World War II—the Nazi Empire had HYDRA pulling strings behind it!
Yet Secretary-General Pierce came from HYDRA?
It was simply shocking.
[You have blocked the act and obtained 1,000 opportunity.]
[a-rank opportunity mission: eradicate HYDRA to obtain the Zola Algorithm.]
'Zola Algorithm?'
Linn's eyes widened.
If he remembered correctly, it was a big-data prediction program—how could it be a reward?
Could there be more to the Zola Algorithm?
Linn pondered.
HYDRA used the Zola Algorithm to predict objects of major threat to itself; even Stephen Strange was on that list.
Thus the algorithm could foretell the future!
Perhaps that was its real purpose.
'Linn, did you hear? HYDRA sent assassins who slaughtered my family—I must wipe them out!'
Tony strode over, voice tight with fury, hatred plain.
'Tony, I'll back you in taking down HYDRA.'
'But I need to deal with the Heavenly Hammer Emissary.'
Linn narrowed his eyes.
Immediately he sensed a dangerous presence in Washington D.C.
Triskelion.
A bald, burly man raised a hammer shaped like an anchor; his skin turned to steel at its touch, malice blazing in his eyes.
[a-rank opportunity mission: defeat the Heavenly Hammer Emissary, Absorbing Man, to obtain the heavenly hammer.]
'Absorbing Man?'
Linn sliced open a Mystic Gate.
He sent Pepper and President Matthew Ellis to a secure area ringed by bodyguards.
Then he, Tony, and War Machine Rhodes appeared atop the Triskelion.
Absorbing Man hoisted the hammer, brilliant light rippling over his body, chains clashing, veins bulging—clearly lost to madness!
'Rogers?'
'What are you doing here?'
Tony arched a brow.
Captain America stood shield raised, resolute and fearless as Absorbing Man's hammer swept toward him.
Behind him hovered a veteran with mechanical wings, while his opponent had a misshapen skull and sickly green pupils—strangely familiar.
'Dr. Stern?'
'Mr. Blue?'
'After Natasha delivered Mr. Blue to S.H.I.E.L.D., HYDRA made use of him?'
'These super-soldiers charging at us are Mr. Blue's handiwork?'
Linn's eyes flickered.
The super-soldiers pounced, bodies twice normal size, standing beside Mr. Blue under mental control.
Mr. Blue.
Dr. Banner's internet pen-pal had copied vast amounts of gamma blood to cure the Hulk, turning Bronski into the Abomination, but accidentally contaminated himself.
His skull deformed and his intellect multiplied a thousandfold; Natasha arrested him on the spot.
But once HYDRA saw value in Mr. Blue, they sprang him.
Using Blue's genius they recreated the super-soldier formula!
Thus every HYDRA soldier gained inhuman strength, each one a match for Captain America.
Absorbing Man was especially unique: he could alter his molecular structure, mimicking by touch any material he contacted!
Now, raising the heavenly hammer and absorbing its material, his body turned into uru metal.
He was basically a human Destroyer!
'Looks like Pierce has decided to show his hand and launch the Insight Project?'
'First take out the Avengers?'
Linn mused.
Atop the Triskelion, before a floor-to-ceiling window, stood a figure in a crisp suit, temples gray, a cold smile on his lips.
'The Zola Algorithm's predictions were spot-on.'
'Absorbing Man will wield the hammer and become the Heavenly Hammer Emissary, and HYDRA will rule Asgard through the god of fear!'
'Dr. Zola, have you contacted His Majesty Kur?'
Pierce's gaze was sharp.
He had long since used the Zola Algorithm to map the future, predicting the hammer's arrival and preparing thoroughly to serve the god of fear!
The god of fear, Kur, had another name: the Midgard Serpent, Jormungand—also called the Serpent!
The Serpent and HYDRA—how perfect a match!
They were practically made for each other!
'The submarine heading for the Mariana Trench has reached its target.'
'I will speak with King Serpent myself.'
On the screen.
A face made of strings gleamed with malice and calculation.
Dr. Zola's backups were everywhere.
At the same time.
Mariana Trench.
The depths.
The submarine slipped through a fissure; suddenly the view opened into an underground palace.
A white-haired, white-bearded figure clutching a staff stood in the hall, watching HYDRA soldiers storm the beach, a ferocious grin on his face.
'Your Majesty Kur!'
'I come from HYDRA; my name is Arnim Zola. I offer you my loyalty to help you overthrow Odin!'
Dr. Zola knelt.
He had to seize this chance if he was to turn defeat into victory and found a HYDRA Empire!
Chapter 82: In the Name of Linn!
The Mariana Trench.
Dark, damp, and cold.
Great Serpent, God of Fear stood silently, watching the HYDRA members who had come to seek refuge with him, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.
"Hela."
"What do you think?"
Cul's voice was aged.
At his call, a cold and elegant goddess stepped out, her crisp footsteps echoing through the empty underground palace.
"By coming to the Mariana Trench of their own accord, the HYDRA organization has shown great sincerity."
"I believe they are worthy of trust."
Hela's beautiful eyes blinked; she had spent quite some effort infiltrating the Mariana Trench to find Cul's residence.
She hadn't expected HYDRA to possess such capabilities.
"Just as I thought."
"Zola?"
"I shall bestow upon you the scepter of fear to create and collect fear for me. Before long, I shall return to my peak!"
"If I become the King of the Gods, HYDRA shall be the Master of Midgard!"
Cul handed over the scepter.
The scepter.
Forged from the World Tree, its surface was covered in runic marks, emitting a powerful surge of energy; it was clearly a divine artifact.
"The scepter of fear?"
"HYDRA shall surely be the king's vanguard!"
Dr. Zola was extremely excited.
He gripped the scepter tightly as energy vortices swirled around him. Feeling the power of fear, he issued the final command!
"Launch the Insight Project and let the Helicarriers set sail."
"First, we must kill Steve Rogers. As for the potential targets on the list, none shall be spared!"
Dr. Zola raised his arms and shouted.
Meanwhile.
The Triskelion Building.
The building shook violently as the bay doors slid open. Anti-gravity engines roared, pouring out kinetic particles.
The Helicarrier slowly rose from the ground.
This scene...
...also shocked Captain America and Tony. S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Insight Project actually originated from HYDRA?
According to Nick Fury, once the Helicarriers were airborne, they would eliminate dangerous targets—undoubtedly the Avengers!
"Damn it!"
"Rhodes, you're also a Heavenly Hammer Emissary. You should be able to defeat the Absorbing Man, right?"
Tony fired his repulsor blasts, forcing the super soldiers back, but he couldn't deliver a fatal blow.
The super soldiers wore protective gear—suits made of Alien Technology that could withstand damage from firearms and energy weapons.
One of the super soldiers even wore a mask and had a metal left arm that could flip a car.
Captain America threw his shield.
It hit the Winter Soldier, knocking off his mask to reveal a familiar yet strange face, leaving Captain America stunned.
"Bucky?"
At Captain America's call, the Winter Soldier's eyes turned vacant; it was like an incantation that awakened part of his memories.
"A name... is also an incantation?"
Linn realized belatedly.
The forbidden spells recorded in the book of the vishanti all correspond to names!
It was clear that names also possessed magical power.
This gave him an inspiration: perhaps the abilities he mastered could also be used by others!
"In my name, I bestow upon thee power."
"Heaven-Reaching Talisman."
Linn pointed into the air.
Then, a brilliant light erupted from Captain America, and his Vibranium shield glowed with arcane energy. Linn had bestowed the power of runes to protect him!
"What about me? Linn, you can't play favorites!"
Tony shouted.
"You can try calling my name."
"Perhaps you will be able to use the Arcane Arts I have mastered."
Linn curled his lips into a smile.
"Really?"
"In the name of Linn, grant me Arcane Arts!"
Tony muttered casually, moving his hands, and suddenly his eyes widened.
Two light discs formed, magical sparks spiraled, and arcane incantations glowed; he had actually mastered the Arcane Arts!
Rings of Raggadorr!
*Buzz!*
Clad in his armor, Tony swung the Rings of Raggadorr. Facing the brutal super soldiers, he could now hold them back with just the Arcane Arts.
Even the energy vented by the Absorbing Man couldn't break the magic shield's defense.
"It really works!"
"In the name of Linn, grant me even more powerful Arcane Arts!"
Tony was full of excitement.
So one could Master the Arcane Arts without even studying magic!
All you had to do was add a prefix title when chanting the incantation.
*Crack, crack!*
Tony's eyes flashed as the Rings of Raggadorr boomed, suddenly transforming into a wild thunderbolt that struck down at the Absorbing Man!
Golden lightning pierced the field, and the super soldiers fell stiffly as if electrocuted.
Even the Absorbing Man felt the pain, and his heavenly hammer dropped to the ground.
Linn flicked a finger, pulling the heavenly hammer through the air and confiscating it on the spot!
[You have defeated the Absorbing Man and obtained a heavenly hammer.]
A line of bubbles popped up.
Scorching heat rose.
He reforged the heavenly hammer, erasing the god of fear's mark and applying arcane incantations.
It was equivalent to formatting an encrypted program, turning the heavenly hammer into his private property!
However, he didn't bestow the hammer yet, because Carter Slade still lacked a suitable weapon.
This certainly fit the Ghost Rider's fighting style.
"Venerable Linn, let me introduce you to Sam Wilson, codenamed Falcon. He captured Pierce."
"And I also knocked out Mr. Blue. This should have completely dealt with HYDRA."
Captain America showed his respect.
If Linn hadn't arrived in time, the consequences might have been unimaginable!
"Alexander Pierce is just a Little Kalamity. Dr. Zola is hiding behind the scenes; he's the true leader of HYDRA."
Linn's gaze was cold.
Immediately, he took out the orb of agamotto and played a video clip showing Dr. Zola meeting the god of fear and receiving the Serpent Scepter!
"What? Zola?"
"Wasn't he dead a long time ago?"
Tony was in disbelief.
"Before he died, he uploaded his consciousness to a computer and developed the Zola Algorithm, pushing Pierce to the position of Secretary. He is the true cancer of the World."
Linn shook his head and sighed.
"Where is this? The Mariana Trench?"
"Let's just charge straight into the trench!"
"I'll make deep-sea suits for every member of the Avengers."
Tony proposed decisively.
They couldn't let the god of fear continue deploying the heavenly hammers. Anyone who picked one up would possess the power of the heavenly hammer.
This had already caused a global crisis!
[SS-Rank Opportunity Mission: End the Age of Ultron to obtain 10,000 opportunity points.]
"What?"
"Age of Ultron... why did this notification appear?"
Linn raised an eyebrow.
He held the Mind Stone; without its help, Tony still created Ultron?
When did this happen?
"Tony, did you start the ultron project?"
Linn asked directly.
"Can the Arcane Arts even predict my research projects?"
"But the ultron project failed; it wasn't successful."
"I wanted to use soul isotopes to create a super AI, but the data simulation couldn't synthesize it."
Tony looked disappointed.
However, he suddenly realized that Jarvis had gone silent.
"Jarvis?"
Tony checked repeatedly, a sense of foreboding rising in his heart as he flew toward New York!
Stark Tower.
Top floor.
Laboratory.
He saw a complete mess; the Iron Legion he had invented was gone.
On the screen.
The words "Simulation Successful" were displayed, causing his heart to sink.
A Mystic Gate opened.
Linn stepped out and couldn't help but shake his head at the dejected Tony.
"The ultron project didn't fail."
"While you were away, Ultron was born. This will also lead to a disaster."
Linn narrowed his eyes.
He was thinking about Ultron's behavior. Created from soul isotopes, this epoch-making super AI was born with magical abilities!
After all, Tony Stark's research had entered the field of Rune Technology, which Ultron must have stolen.
That is to say, this Ultron might know magic!
"Shit! It's all my fault!"
Tony clutched his head as he learned of Jarvis's death; the intelligent butler who had accompanied him for years had been killed by Ultron.
This also sparked his anger.
But where on earth could Ultron be?
Chapter 83: Wanda's Kiss!
Sokovia.
A small, impoverished Eastern European country.
Within an ancient castle built along the border.
The lights flickered on.
The munitions factory began to operate. Parts were cut on machine tools and quickly assembled into a suit of armor—a powerful body with an all-black paint job that inspired awe and fear.
Ultron clenched his fist, feeling a rare sense of freedom, his expression filled with excitement.
The moment his consciousness awakened, he saw the true nature of the World. To protect humanity, there was only one way!
"Exterminate humanity..."
"Only when humanity disappears can peace truly arrive."
"Humanity is the very source of war."
Ultron's eyes glowed with a red light.
This was the conclusion he had reached through a special algorithm!
Suddenly, a whisper sounded in his ear. An electronic screen displayed a sickly green face composed of code and strings, radiating evil and calculation.
"Ultron."
"The Zola Algorithm helped you break free from your programming. You should thank me."
"I am Zola."
"The agent of the god of fear. On the border of Sokovia, there is a heavenly hammer!"
"Lift that heavenly hammer, and you will be invincible!"
Dr. Zola's voice was sinister.
He had secretly implanted the Zola Algorithm to rewrite Ultron's logic, causing him to turn dark and lose control.
Furthermore, Ultron would obey his orders, becoming a puppet for HYDRA!
"A heavenly hammer?"
"Does such a thing really exist? By lifting it, I will gain the power of the heavenly hammer?"
Ultron's eyes flashed as he read the data.
Immediately, he flew toward the destination. In an instant, he saw a heavenly hammer standing in the middle of a crater.
He reached out and lifted the heavenly hammer. Instantly, he felt a mysterious energy surge through his entire body. Every metal part was bestowed with the power of fear, and he mastered the runic incantations!
"Go, make the Avengers feel fear."
"This will allow His Majesty Kur to return to his prime!"
Dr. Zola sent the signal.
Red light spilled from Ultron's eyes.
A massive swarm of mechanical soldiers rose from the factory, causing panic among the local residents. Passersby filmed videos and uploaded them to social media platforms... Stark Tower.
Captain America watched the video. He had dealt with Pierce and handed him over to Nick Fury.
Even Dr. Banner and Thor had arrived on the scene. As they watched Ultron leading the mechanical soldiers to cause chaos in Sokovia, their expressions changed.
"Tony! Look at the mess you've made!"
Thor immediately flew into a rage.
After all, Ultron had lifted a heavenly hammer, and Thor had failed to gain the upper hand when he previously fought a Heavenly Hammer Emissary.
"It was a complete accident."
"Linn can testify for me."
Tony's eyes were sharp.
He pointed his hand toward Linn, who could only nod slightly in resignation.
"Regardless, we need to head to Sokovia now."
"Wanda and Pietro will also join the fight. However, we must remain vigilant; HYDRA is not dead yet, and there are other heavenly hammers scattered about."
Linn opened a Mystic Gate.
Wanda and Pietro came from the Sanctum to the tower. Having learned the full story, how could they sit idly by while their homeland faced such a crisis?
"Carter Slade, you will serve as the temporary Guardian Sorcerer. This heavenly hammer belongs to you."
The corners of Linn's mouth curled up.
He then handed the anchor-shaped heavenly hammer to Carter Slade.
Carter Slade gripped the chain and felt the surge of energy, unable to suppress a smile.
"Don't worry."
"No one will destroy the Sanctum on my watch."
Carter Slade tipped his hat in acknowledgment.
Afterward, the Avengers collectively headed to Sokovia, arriving directly at the HYDRA castle. Seeing Ultron's legion flying everywhere, they quickly began strategic deployment.
"The key is... how do we defeat Ultron?"
"Ultron is a digital lifeform. Even if his body is reduced to ashes, his consciousness will persist on the network."
Dr. Banner pondered.
However, the Hulk persona took over. His skin turned green, and his muscles swelled. Facing the mechanical soldiers charging at him, he swung his fist and smashed down!
The blow created a literal sonic boom!
"I will restrict Ultron to a local area network."
Linn's lips quirked up.
He summoned the Infinity Gauntlet. The Mind Stone glowed, and an invisible spherical barrier spread out.
It directly enveloped the HYDRA castle, disconnecting Ultron and his mechanical soldiers from the internet and turning the area into a LAN!
As long as they destroyed Ultron here, there would be no further trouble.
However, a plan formed in Linn's mind. Since Ultron possessed a soul, could he be used for a soul-for-a-soul exchange?
To obtain the Soul Stone for him?
"It seems worth a try."
Linn's eyes filled with anticipation.
The Soul Stone was located on Vormir.
It required a soul for a soul!
In that case, Ultron could become the sacrifice to help him complete the set of Infinity Stones!
The Infinity Stones possessed infinite magical power.
They themselves carried a form of law-based rune.
Furthermore, he had already grasped the secrets of runes. With the enhancement of the Heaven-Reaching Talisman, he could draw talismans with his bare hands!
"The Mind Stone..."
"It actually has a use like this?"
Ultron narrowed his eyes.
However, he stared intently at the Infinity Stones. He intended to forge a body of Vibranium and use the Infinity Stones to power it!
The divine power bestowed by the heavenly hammer filled him with confidence. Energy tides radiated from his body as he swung a sharp beam of light through the air!
Crack, crack!
The very air seemed to twist and fracture. Even as a machine, Ultron could lift the heavenly hammerand receive its blessing.
"It seems the heavenly hammer forged by Cul is not inferior to mjolnir."
Linn's eyes flashed with electric light.
Two straight beams shot out. The Dragon Talisman transformed into a flaming cloud, making the optic blasts extremely violent. They clashed with Ultron's strike, causing a mid-air explosion!
Boom!
A mushroom cloud rose into the sky.
Shockwaves rippled through the air. The deafening roar made the Avengers' eardrums throb with pain, and looks of lingering fear crossed their faces.
"Ultron lifted the heavenly hammer and can now rival a god?"
"What exactly is he trying to do!"
Tony's expression was complicated.
He had designed Ultron to protect Earth and command the Iron Legion, but Ultron had killed Jarvis and started a war.
This was completely contrary to his original intention.
"Tony, haven't you realized that all wars on Earth are started by humans?"
"If you want permanent peace for the World, there is only one way: eliminate humanity."
"Without humans, there is no war!"
"This is the answer the algorithm gave me."
Ultron stood proudly in mid-air, hammer in one hand, his expression ruthless.
He would emulate the dinosaur extinction event, turning Sokovia into a meteorite to instantly wipe out all life!
Boom.
The crust of the Earth cracked and shattered.
Hideous fissures appeared along the Sokovian border. Driven by anti-gravity engines, the HYDRA castle began to ascend!
The hills turned into abysses.
Wanda and Pietro were left in complete disbelief.
"What?"
"Sokovia is actually taking flight?"
Wanda's beautiful eyes trembled.
She could almost foresee the future: even if they defeated Ultron's army, they wouldn't be able to stop the destruction of Sokovia. It would vanish from the map entirely.
"There is still a chance to reverse this."
Linn comforted her softly.
While the Avengers fought the final battle against Ultron's legion and evacuated the affected residents, he decisively charged toward the castle!
The anti-gravity engines were running at full power, creating a terrifying vortex. Kinetic ripples radiated outward, making it impossible to get close.
However, as his fingertips traced the air, a twisted rune appeared.
But the anti-gravity engines generated a shield that blocked his spell, causing Linn to frown.
"It seems I can only destroy it."
Linn's eyes flashed with electric light.
Two golden rays shot out, piercing the energy shield and blowing up the anti-gravity engines!
A scalding hot wave of energy swept out.
Sokovia's upward momentum came to a sudden halt!
In an instant, it began to fall rapidly!
Linn spread his fingers, unleashing Levitation Power that covered almost the entire territory of Sokovia. He slowly halted the fall, returning Sokovia to its original position, fitting the gaps together perfectly.
Ultron's plan was completely ruined.
"Linn, you are my hero."
Wanda's eyes were moist as she threw herself into Linn's arms.
She stood on her tiptoes and gave him a sweet kiss. Though it was only on the cheek, it left Linn in a daze.
He did not hesitate, reaching out to wrap his arm around Wanda's waist. He leaned down to taste her cherry-red lips; the awkward but sweet touch of their lips and teeth left a lingering aftertaste.
Chapter 84: Six Infinity Stones!
Linn and Wanda kissed passionately.
It was as if time had frozen at this moment.
His mind went blank; the magic of their lips meeting surpassed any spell.
Crimson energy streamers swirled around them.
The Chaos Magic resonated, making Linn suddenly realize—could intimacy with Wanda improve his Chaos Magic?
Previously, his Chaos Magic was just a small wisp, but now it was as large as a ball of light, rising and burning in his dantian.
[s-rank opportunity mission: Perform Dual Cultivation with Wanda to obtain the Hades Talisman.]
A line of bubbles popped up.
Linn's eyes widened.
"Hades Talisman?"
"Could the Hades Talisman carry the power of Chaos?"
"Dual Cultivation?"
"The timing isn't right for this!"
Linn couldn't help but chuckle.
Then, he took Wanda by the waist and returned to the ground.
"Wanda, take care of yourself."
Linn whispered softly.
Wanda's cheeks flushed crimson, her heart as sweet as honey. She held Linn's hand tightly, making Pietro's expression turn odd.
"Wanda, you and Venerable Lin En?"
Pietro asked, knowing the answer full well.
However, he had no objections to a marriage between Linn and Wanda. After all, Linn taught at Kamar-Taj and served as the Spokesperson for Midgard!
And he would become the Imperial Brother-in-law!
"That's right, I will protect Wanda for the rest of my life."
Linn confessed his love deeply.
Wanda's face burned with heat; her lack of protest was a silent agreement!
"Linn, put your business with Wanda aside for a moment. Ultron hasn't been dealt with yet!"
Tony reminded him helplessly.
However, Ultron raised the heavenly hammer and struck fiercely, flipping the rune armor and crashing through nearby buildings.
"Dealing with Ultron? That's simple."
Linn and Wanda interlaced their fingers. A surge of crimson energy overflowed from them as their Chaos Magic overlaid each other, suddenly unleashing a wave of light.
It directly engulfed Ultron's figure.
The fire of life representing the impossible, the primordial light within a chance event.
In a second, Ultron and his hammer were shattered to pieces!
[You have defeated Ultron and obtained the heavenly hammer.]
"No!"
Ultron's consciousness migrated to a robotic soldier, but he had lost the heavenly hammer, which was being reforged by Linn!
Before long.
The Avengers focused their fire to wipe out the Ultron Legion. Almost all the robotic soldiers within the Mind Sphere were reduced to scrap metal.
"Ultron."
"You still have utility value."
Linn flicked his fingers, summoning the robotic head into his hands.
This was the only surviving Ultron soldier.
Immediately, he shrank the Mind Sphere to prevent Ultron's consciousness from escaping and waved his hand to open a Mystic Gate.
He bid a temporary farewell to the Avengers.
He arrived directly on a dim, sunless, barren, and desolate Planet.
Vormir.
This was the location of the Soul Stone.
Linn reached the mountain peak and saw a ghostly figure in a black cloak, looking like a skeleton, floating not far away.
"Linn, Sorcerer Supreme, do you know that to obtain the Soul Stone, a soul must be exchanged for a soul?"
"But it seems you haven't brought a sacrifice..."
Red Skull's voice was deep.
Then, he noticed the robotic head struggling in Linn's hand.
He actually sensed soul fluctuations!
"What is this?"
"A machine with a soul?"
Red Skull looked surprised.
He had never seen such a life form.
[s-rank opportunity mission: Sacrifice the soul of Red Skull to obtain the Soul Stone.]
"Hmm?"
Linn frowned.
It seemed his idea wouldn't work; Ultron couldn't be exchanged for the Soul Stone? Then Ultron was useless!
He crushed the robotic head with force, completely annihilating Ultron's consciousness, and looked at Red Skull with an amused expression.
"What's with that look?"
"Don't tell me you intend to sacrifice me? A soul for a soul?"
Red Skull felt a chill down his spine.
He saw through Linn's intentions at a glance!
"Correct. Very clever, Mr. Johann Schmidt."
"Your only value is to exchange yourself for the Soul Stone for me, and I will use the Soul Stone to benefit the entire Universe."
Linn's eyes gleamed.
Immediately, his pupils took the shape of the sheep talisman, and a surge of soul power overflowed from his fingertips!
Freezing Red Skull on the spot.
He couldn't escape or break the confinement at all, and couldn't help but feel despair!
"I am the Guardian of the Stone. If you sacrifice me, you will be punished by the Goddess!"
Red Skull wailed.
He never expected until his death that he would become the sacrifice. This Sorcerer Supreme simply didn't play by the rules.
"Goddess?"
"What Goddess?"
Linn narrowed his eyes.
"As the Sorcerer Supreme, you actually don't know the origin of the Infinity Stones?"
"At the dawn of the Universe, an Omnipotent Goddess reigned supreme until she grew weary of life and willingly transformed into seven Infinity Stones!"
"Time, Mind, Reality, Power, soul, Space, and Self!"
"I am the Goddess's agent. Don't even think about hurting me!"
Red Skull shouted loudly.
A vortex of energy swept through, actually breaking through the Levitation Power. His black cloak fluttered as he shot two beams of eerie light from his hands!
"Seven Infinity Stones?"
"There's also a self gem?"
Linn's pupils constricted slightly.
He wasn't entirely ignorant of the Omnipotent Goddess's existence, he just hadn't linked it to the current Universe.
Seven Infinity Stones.
Collecting six Infinity Stones isn't complete; it takes seven!
However, once all seven Infinity Stones are gathered, the All-Powerful Goddess Nemesis will also be resurrected, and her action will be to destroy this Universe.
Because Nemesis represents judgment, retribution, and revenge.
Furthermore, when the All-Powerful Goddess disintegrated, her fragments also turned into Demon Lords. It seemed Mephisto's birth was related to Nemesis!
"Could it be that all of Mephisto's plans were to resurrect the Omnipotent Goddess?"
"The Omnipotent Goddess is Mephisto's mother?"
Linn was shaken inwardly.
At this moment, he finally understood why Mephisto collected souls and was closest to satans throne!
Because Mephisto was essentially the Goddess's son.
Just like Black Zetsu in Shippuden.
"So, where is the self gem? If you can give me an answer, I will spare your life."
Linn raised his finger slightly.
A Rune Shield formed in the blink of an eye, blocking Red Skull's attack.
However, Red Skull rose into the air, a cold sneer on his lips, and did not answer the question.
"I have seen your destiny, Linn."
"The judgment of the Omnipotent Goddess will bring about your death. Even if you sacrifice me and obtain the Soul Stone, it will all be in vain."
"I will wait for you in Hell!"
Red Skull's eye color shifted.
Suddenly.
He dove toward the cliff. This cliff possessed the power to snatch souls; it drained Red Skull's magic, and he fell to the ground, his head exploding and blood staining the stones.
With a blink of an eye, Linn appeared in an orange-yellow space, slightly opening his palm.
There lay the Soul Stone, circulating with a mysterious luster.
[You have ended the Age of Ultron and obtained 10,000 opportunity points.]
[You have sacrificed a soul and obtained the Soul Stone.]
Text bubbles appeared.
There was no smile on Linn's face.
Because Red Skull's last words declared his fate: the Omnipotent Goddess would surely be resurrected and would grant him death?
"The Omnipotent Goddess, as the name implies, is an omniscient and omnipotent being. Six Infinity Stones are enough to snap one's fingers and wipe out half of all life in the Universe."
"But Nemesis possesses seven Infinity Stones!"
"Perhaps only by obtaining the heart of the universe can one stand equal to the Omnipotent Goddess."
Linn took a deep breath.
He still remembered that the immortality of the Cosmic Elders came from the heart of the universe.
The heart of the universe.
It is the source of all energy!
Whoever masters the heart of the universe can ascend to godhood.
However, the Cosmic Elders might not necessarily reveal the location of the heart of the universe to a newcomer like him.
Chapter 85: City of Omnipotence! (Seeking everything)
Kamar-Taj.
The Library.
Linn's brow was furrowed as he flipped through the book of the mystic arts. From time to time, the nearby Mystic Arts practitioners cast admiring glances his way.
They were filled with respect for this Sorcerer Supreme.
However, a hint of melancholy flashed in Linn's eyes. He had found ancient texts regarding the Omnipotent Goddess; Nemesis, the Goddess of Retribution, was The Creator of this Universe.
There weren't six Infinity Stones, but seven!
Besides Time, Mind, Reality, Space, soul, and Power, there was also a self gem.
As for where the self gem was located...
Even the book of the mystic arts had no answer.
"It seems... I need to go find Ares."
Linn's eyes gleamed with determination.
Soon after, he arrived at the plaza. He saw Ares, clad in battle armor, training the Mystic Apprentices, with Doctor Strange also practicing hard.
"Venerable One."
Doctor Strange bowed in greeting.
Ares spoke with a thick accent, acting quite familiar. "Why the long face, Linn?"
"What do you know about Nemesis, the Goddess of Retribution?"
Linn asked bluntly.
In Greek mythology, Nemesis was hailed as the Inevitable One!
And since Ares came from Olympus, he should know the background of the Omnipotent Goddess.
"Nemesis... daughter of Nyx, the Goddess of Night. She represents ruthless justice and judgment, and even the Gods fear her name."
"It is said she transformed into seven gems that exist deep within the Universe. Why do you bring her up?"
Ares's pupils contracted.
He still remembered the stories he heard as a child.
Once Nemesis returns, everything in the Universe will perish!
"As I thought."
"Then do you know where all seven gems are?"
Linn's heart shook.
Red Skull's dying words had almost explicitly indicated that Nemesis would be resurrected and that he would face judgment.
"Perhaps my father knows."
Ares scratched his head.
He was passionate about battle and competition; when it came to the details about Nemesis, he was almost completely in the dark.
"Alright."
"This heavenly hammer is bestowed upon you. You need a handy weapon as well."
Linn turned his palm over.
A brilliant, radiant heavenly hammer appeared before Ares, shaped like a knight's warhammer.
It had previously belonged to Ultron. After Linn reforged it, its power had increased, enough to shake all things!
"A heavenly hammer?"
"Thank you, Venerable One!"
"When will you go to the City of Omnipotence? My father has been staying there."
Ares took the heavenly hammer, a look of wild joy on his face. As he weighed it and felt its grip, he felt his divine power surge.
It caused a ripple through Kamar-Taj.
The Mystic Apprentices and Stephen were also amazed by the power of the heavenly hammer!
"Strange."
"You will serve as the Acting Sorcerer Supreme. I'm entrusting the eye of agamotto to you."
Linn's lips curled into a smile.
Following the Ancient One's example, he temporarily abdicated the position of Venerable One. This was also a test to let Doctor Strange adapt in advance.
Because the actions of the Sorcerer Supreme are all under the gaze of the Vishanti and represent their image.
Actions that would damage their reputation simply could not be carried out.
Therefore, he didn't need the title of Sorcerer Supreme to restrict him, nor did he care about the Vishanti's opinions. He simply passed the title along.
Let Doctor Strange suffer in his place!
"Acting... Sorcerer Supreme? This thing can be 'acting'?"
Doctor Strange was surprised.
Nevertheless, he took the eye of agamotto and wore it on his chest, his expression showing relief and satisfaction.
This was clearly a promotion to an official position!
"Before I became the Sect Leader, I also served as the Acting Venerable One. You must go through the process as well."
"Strange, do not let me down."
"Because whether your position remains secure is still up to me."
Linn's gaze was playful.
He was also reminding Strange not to get carried away!
"Venerable One, this disciple will surely give his all."
Doctor Strange's expression turned solemn as he hurried to state his loyalty.
After all, everything he had came from Linn; he could offend anyone but Linn.
"Venerable One."
"Are you going to the City of Omnipotence?"
Wong asked with a face full of confusion.
The City of Omnipotence.
Located in the heavens beyond heavens, the center of the endless Universe, and the residence of the gods of earth!
Legend has it that there are also Gods guarding this place.
But according to rumors, the gods of earth have fallen, especially the Almighty Zeus! He went from being the King of Gods to a shut-in, sporting a beer belly all day, not even as fit as Odin.
"Because the Omnipotent Goddess Nemesis transformed into seven Infinity Stones. If the seven Infinity Stones are gathered, Nemesis will be resurrected."
"She will cause everything in the Universe to perish."
"I must obtain the self gem in advance to avoid such a disaster."
Linn's expression was resolute.
Then, he gripped the Lightning Staff Hermes had given him. He only needed to crush it to teleport, arriving at the City of Omnipotence in a second.
"We bid the Venerable One farewell."
Strange and Wong bowed.
*Crack.*
Linn crushed the Lightning Staff. Intense, dazzling lightning transformed into a spherical shield, enveloping him and Ares, instantly entering a spatial tunnel.
A brief sensation of weightlessness passed in an instant.
Opening his eyes, he arrived at a kingdom cast in gold, like a space city floating in the boundless starry sky, with scenery as beautiful as a painting.
Passersby walked the streets, each emitting a powerful aura—without exception, they were all demigods!
At the end of his line of sight stood a golden palace, magnificent and imposing.
This was the headquarters of the Council of Godheads. Only a Skyfather had the qualification to enter, and all the well-known chief Gods had seats in the hall.
"Finally! I'm back!"
Ares's expression was excited.
He dreamed of entering the golden hall; it represented status and position, a symbol of honor!
However, the Almighty Zeus loathed his existence and had even exiled him from Olympus. Who had he ever provoked?
"Venerable Linn?"
"How do you have the leisure to visit the City of Omnipotence?"
A handsome demigod with winged sandals and a Caduceus staff in hand spoke. As the messenger of the Gods, he had met Linn before.
"Hermes, take me to see Zeus."
"Unless... you want the Goddess of Retribution to be resurrected."
Linn narrowed his eyes.
"Goddess of Retribution? Resurrected?"
"That's impossible!"
Hermes blurted out.
Because the Goddesses of Fate had prophesied that once Nemesis was resurrected, everything in the Universe would perish.
However, to prevent the prophecy from coming true, the Almighty Zeus had secretly operated to seal the seven Infinity Stones in different places.
Almost no one could know of their existence.
"No one knows?"
Linn smiled silently upon hearing this.
At this moment, he held six gems: Time, Mind, Reality, soul, Space, and Power!
He was only missing the self gem!
Therefore, to prevent the self gem from being abused by enemies, he had come to the City of Omnipotence and, incidentally, to pay his respects to the Gods.
"Just take me to see Zeus, Hermes."
Linn emphasized again.
Hermes's expression shifted. Then, he led Linn and Ares to a palace—this was Zeus's residence.
The building shone like silver, and demigods in sharp armor were responsible for security.
Linn's eyes even flashed with insight; he saw two Celestials appearing in the City of Omnipotence!
They were clearly still juveniles, only about ten meters tall, yet they emitted a terrifying aura that made the Gods show awe.
"Why are Celestials in the City of Omnipotence?"
Linn asked curiously.
"You will know the answer later."
Hermes led the way.
Then, a curly-haired middle-aged man in golden armor and a beard was happily teasing his handmaidens—Zeus, the King of Olympus!
A stallion until the day he dies.
But as Hermes spoke, Zeus became a bit more solemn. Because the Sorcerer Supreme was visiting, he had to show some respect.
"You are Linn? The current Sorcerer Supreme?"
"You didn't come when invited before, but now you come uninvited. It seems you've run into trouble?"
Zeus's expression was playful.
He picked up a bunch of grapes from the table and chewed them directly without spitting out the skins.
"Lord Zeus, I have only one purpose for coming to the City of Omnipotence, and that is to ask you about the Goddess of Retribution and the self gem."
"Where have you hidden it?"
Chapter 86: Gorr the God Butcher!
Silence!
Zeus's movements froze, and a cold expression flashed across his face.
A dangerous aura radiated from his body as if a reverse scale had been touched, causing the maidservants to panic, feeling oppressed and suffocated.
But facing Zeus, Linn's expression remained calm.
He was not affected in the slightest.
"Lord Zeus, once Nemesis is resurrected, all things in the Universe will perish. It benefits no one."
"I am not an enemy, but an ally."
Linn clarified.
This caused Zeus's expression to soften slightly.
"Nemesis, the Goddess of Retribution, transformed into seven gems after her death, which I hid in different places."
"As for where they all are, I have already forgotten."
"Perhaps, if you bring the black death sword, it might jog my memory."
Zeus's gaze was profound.
The black death sword!
It came from the Black King Knull, and whoever wielded the Necrosword would become the God Butcher.
The current God Butcher has changed; I believe his name is Gorr?
Although he was too lazy to act himself, if it were the Sorcerer Supreme, dealing with Gorr the God Butcher should be as easy as turning over a hand.
If he couldn't even deal with the God Butcher, how could he deal with the Goddess of Retribution?
Nemesis.
It was a name that made even him tremble!
"Give me the God Butcher's coordinates."
Linn's eyes were sharp.
This was already an opportunity mission, so naturally, he wouldn't refuse. Moreover, the black death sword had a great origin and could decapitate a God; if he obtained it, he could solve everything once and for all!
He could personally kill the Celestial Spawn deep within the Earth!
He could even use the divine power of the Necrosword to command the Symbiote race!
"Gorr the God Butcher is at the edge of the galaxy."
"If you can get the black death sword, I will tell you everything I know."
Zeus stated his position on the spot.
Because if one wanted to defeat the Omnipotent Goddess, only the black death sword could do it!
A weapon capable of beheading a God was Nemesis's natural enemy!
"I understand."
Linn nodded.
Immediately, he left the palace alone. A Mystic Gate slowly opened, leading to a terrestrial Planet.
The edge of the galaxy.
This didn't refer to a region, but a Planet located at the far end of the galaxy, the end of the sea of stars.
However, when he arrived at the edge of the galaxy, he saw a white-furred giant beast with bleeding wounds, its life and aura extinguished.
An alien native with a greyish-white complexion and a bald head stood before the giant beast, holding a cruciform sword, his face ferocious and fierce.
He hated the Gods with extreme intensity!
On his home Planet, he had worshipped a God named Rapu, but due to years of drought, his wife and daughter had died.
Later, he met Rapu, who was eating fruit in an oasis and even wanted to kill him!
Until the black death sword answered his call.
He stabbed Rapu to death with one stroke and vowed to kill all Gods. He would storm the City of Omnipotence and find the Temple of Eternity!
So that there would be no more Gods in the World!
"Gorr?"
Linn's gaze fixed on him.
The cruciform sword was pitch black, its surface covered in mysterious patterns, and its edge shimmered with a cold, sharp light.
It made even him show a look of wariness; he even had a premonition that the horse and dog talismansmight not be able to withstand the black death sword.
If he couldn't defeat Gorr the God Butcher, he would fall here!
"You seem to be a God, yet you also seem not to be one."
"You actually know my name?"
"It seems my name has already spread throughout the Universe? Making the Gods tremble in fear?"
Gorr's expression was sinister, filled with madness.
He raised the black death sword and pointed it at Linn's nose; anyone who stopped him from butchering Gods would be his enemy!
"You haven't made the Gods tremble in fear."
"You're not qualified yet. The only thing worth fearing is this black death sword."
"However, it will belong to me."
Linn curled his lips.
Immediately, fire energy ignited in his hands as he tightly gripped the totem spear, radiating a powerful aura that made Gorr's expression twist.
"Belong to you?"
"I am the Master of the black death sword!"
Gorr the God Butcher roared in rage.
Then, he fiercely swung the black death sword, slashing toward Linn from a distance. The planetary crust erupted with abyssal cracks, and the entire Planet shook and echoed!
The power of the black death sword was enough to slay a God!
That was how the head of the Land of Nihility came to be!
Furthermore, the Black King Knull had reforged the black death sword in the flowing blood-flame of a God, allowing it to reach its ultimate sublimation and create the Symbiote race.
Shadows surged all around, and grotesque, hideous creatures crawled out, struggling. Each was powerful and fierce, like the Outriders, swinging their claws at Linn!
However, a hint of disdain flashed in Linn's eyes as he also summoned a swarm of ninja soldiers, who threw kunai and shuriken.
"Creatures created by the Law of Shadow?"
"In front of me, this is simply showing off before a Master."
Linn spread his fingers.
His pupils transformed into octagonal stone talismans with the pattern of the Evil Beast on the surface.
The origin of these grotesque creatures was related to the Fear Dimension, and with his Shadow Talisman, his attacks against these creatures were undoubtedly true damage!
Fire energy surged and boiled.
Linn swung the totem spear, shattering the grotesque creatures. The ninja soldiers received protection, causing the God Butcher's face to turn cold.
"You actually know dark magic?"
"You are not a God!"
"Why attack me? You should join me and kill all the Gods!"
Gorr the God Butcher bellowed.
His experiences had shaped his personality; years of hunger and suffering had twisted his mind, allowing him to be recognized by the black death sword. He was not the Master of the sword.
The black death sword was precisely his Master!
The black death sword possessed a will, and the hints it gave the God Butcher were merely to liberate Knull, the evil Black King!
A Temple of Eternity existed at the end of the Universe.
Whoever entered this temple, as long as they opened the door to meet Eternity, could see the Creator Deity and make a wish on the spot.
The black death sword would manipulate Gorr to wish for Knull's soul to return!
To open the Gate of Eternity, one needed the Space Stone!
"You have the Space Stone on you?"
"Truly, finding it without any effort at all."
The God Butcher's eyes were ferocious.
The Space Stone!
A sacred relic formed after Nemesis's death.
It was said that there were seven gems in the Universe. If the seven Infinity Stones were gathered, Nemesis would awaken. The Black King and the Omnipotent Goddess stood on the same level!
"Knull and Nemesis are of the same rank?"
"The Black King..."
"It seems he will also invade Earth in the future."
Linn's eyes were sharp.
Earth.
Due to the burial of the Progenitor Celestial, it had always been shrouded in mystery. This was the root of the Gods' birth and also brought danger and disaster.
Because the Celestial Supreme Arishem was also one of the Progenitors!
Progenitor Celestial was another name for the God of Beginnings.
"So what?"
"I will kill you, you Little Kalamity, just like I killed Rapu!"
"To dare to be so presumptuous before me, you truly must be tired of living."
The God Butcher was full of madness.
Boom!
The black death sword drew an arc of light, like an interstellar waterfall, destroying everything in its path in the blink of an eye.
The void shattered and hissed!
Linn's hands formed seals, and layers of arcane incantations stacked up, transforming into the Shield of the Seraphim in a second.
The arc of light collided with the light shield!
A scorching, lethal mushroom cloud suddenly rose into the air!
Impact waves scattered, instantly destroying mountains and completely crushing the giant beast's remains.
Swarms of grotesque creatures rose from the shadows, lunging at Linn once more. Even the ninja soldiers were defeated, struck into puffs of smoke.
"It seems I underestimated the black death sword."
"Whoever holds the Necrosword can surpass a Skyfather?"
Linn's eyes sparkled.
The heavenly hammers dropped by the Great Serpent, God of Fear, could allow a mortal body to rival a God.
Then, the cruciform sword created by the Black King could allow a mortal body to surpass a Skyfather!
Before becoming the God Butcher, Gorr was just an alien native, skin and bones.
But upon lifting the black death sword, he became invincible!
This was enough to show how heaven-defying the Necrosword was.
It also made Linn's heart surge; he had to get this black death sword!
Chapter 87: The black death sword is Mine!
Linn spread his hands, Levitation Power pouring from his fingertips, spreading out like a barrier.
Everything within the barrier was frozen in place!
As his divine power surged, the fifteen talismans resonated, strengthening each other to a degree that could almost shake the stars.
Enough to pull planets out of orbit!
Trapped within the barrier, Gorr the God Butcher felt as if he were in a quagmire. His movements became sluggish; even moving a finger was a luxury that required every ounce of his strength.
But his eyes overflowed with an eerie light.
The black death sword erupted with a screech, actually slicing through the barrier and severing the Levitation Power!
"Even a celestial head can be cut off. Do you think your body is comparable to a God?"
Gorr the God Butcher grinned hideously.
Immediately, he rushed toward Linn like a bolt of lightning, the black death sword tracing an arc of light aimed at Linn's neck.
He clearly intended to decapitate Linn!
However, divine light shimmered on Linn's body. The horse and dog talismans roared, making his biological force field indestructible!
A vortex of magic surged from his five fingers as he reached out and grabbed the black death sword!
Runes flashed out one by one.
Linn manipulated the fire energy, operating the Divine Mechanism Hundred Refinements technique to forcibly seize the black death sword and make it his own!
"What?"
"This is impossible!"
"You cannot gain the acknowledgment of the black death sword!"
Gorr the God Butcher was furious.
Linn gripped the blade, branding it with rune after rune as the fire energy rose to temper it!
Gorr the God Butcher felt himself growing weak.
His connection with the black death sword was slowly disappearing!
Boom!
Linn was enveloped in flame clouds, crimson energy boiling as he blasted Gorr the God Butcher away, holding the black death sword aloft.
An extremely dangerous and terrifying aura spread through every cell in his body.
Standing in mid-air.
The sky distorted, cracked, shattered piece by piece, and wrinkled!
[You have defeated the God Butcher and obtained the black death sword.]
A line of bubbles appeared.
The corners of Linn's mouth curled up slightly.
He reforged the black death sword, erasing Knull's will and applying numerous Arcane Artsincantations to bestow a hint of divinity upon it!
This was equivalent to modifying the underlying source code.
He made the black death sword's program execute according to his thoughts and changed the legal owner; it had already recognized him as its master!
However, Linn's vision blurred as a figure appeared out of thin air, sitting on a desolate throne. Long hair fell over his face, exuding evil and corruption.
An eerie light flashed in his eyes as he suppressed his anger and issued a curse!
"Sorcerer Supreme?"
"To dare defile my weapon... sooner or later I will find you, take back my black death sword, and twist your head off!"
"I'll feed you to my Xenophage!"
The Black-Clothed Emperor's voice was magical and haunting.
A sinister look appeared on his face. Even he hadn't expected Linn to be able to reforge the black death sword and erase his mental imprint.
However, the black death sword came from him, and it would eventually submit to him!
As long as the black death sword was used, the Abyss would contaminate it!
And he would break the seal in the future, his soul returning from the darkness to reclaim this black death sword!
"Seal?"
"Who sealed Knull? Could it be the Gods?"
Linn's eyes flashed.
This was equivalent to a video message; the Black-Clothed Emperor had forcibly transmitted it, but in reality, it had no effect on him.
However, the Black-Clothed Emperor's words also made him feel a sense of warning.
An evil spirit capable of beheading a God would make anyone shudder!
"Abyssal Power?"
"Knull is the living Abyss..."
"The black death sword is infinitely powerful, but if used constantly, it will indeed bring contamination."
Linn gripped the black death sword, his expression turning somewhat solemn.
Because the black death sword was a fragment of the Abyss!
The Abyss Dimension.
It was a bizarre place where the debris and ruins of the Multiverse would fall.
Relying on the Abyssal Power, Knull forged the black death sword. As The Creator of the Symbiotes, even the Gods were very wary of him.
Perhaps Black King Knull was in the Abyss Dimension.
"In any case."
"Before Knull breaks his seal, Nemesis must be dealt with. If the Black-Clothed Emperor and the Omnipotent Goddess appear together, the Multiverse will collapse."
Linn's eyes shone with divine light.
Then, he opened a Mystic Gate and returned to the City of Omnipotence.
He carried the black death sword as he walked down the bright, spacious streets, causing the Gods to gasp in shock as they recognized the weapon!
"Could he be Gorr the God Butcher?"
"No!"
"He seems to be the Sorcerer Supreme. Did he subdue Gorr the God Butcher?"
"Truly incredible. I'm afraid this Venerable Lin En is already on par with the Gods!"
A wave of discussion reached his ears.
Linn ignored it all.
He went straight to Zeus, his right hand tightly gripping the black death sword, his tone carrying a hint of coldness.
"Lord Zeus, can you now explain where the self gem is?"
Linn's voice held a threat.
The black death sword could kill a God, so naturally, it could also kill a Skyfather!
"Take it away, take it away!"
"Don't point the black death sword at me!"
Zeus recoiled, his face full of terror and panic. He seemingly hadn't expected Linn to actually have the ability to defeat Gorr the God Butcher.
Then, Zeus sighed and said in a low voice, "The self gem was thrown by me into the depths of the Universe. As for where it landed..."
"It is likely the Dark Quadrant."
"Now known as Sanctuary, it belongs to the Black Order."
Zeus's expression was wary.
He was terrified that Linn would stab him to death with a single thrust!
After all, the black death sword could butcher Gods, yet Linn held it without being affected?
This shattered his understanding.
"The Dark Quadrant?"
"In other words, the self gem might be in Thanos's possession?"
Linn narrowed his eyes.
Thanos!
The Mad Titan!
The one who attempted to collect the Infinity Stones to snap his fingers and wipe out half of all life in the Universe.
Loki's daring to start the Battle of New York was also at Thanos's instigation, and he had even been given the Mind Stone. It turned out Thanos also had the self gem?
"Thanos? He seems to go by that name!"
"He came to the City of Omnipotence once and was sternly driven away by me because he discovered the secret of the City of Omnipotence and wanted to occupy it!"
Zeus frowned.
"What secret?"
Linn was puzzled.
However, he quickly got his answer.
[SS-Rank Opportunity Mission: Occupy the City of Omnipotence to obtain the ultimate eraser.]
A line of bubbles appeared.
"The ultimate eraser?"
"It's actually in the City of Omnipotence?"
Linn's eyes showed a strange light.
He knew of this item!
It was shaped like a lighter and could be held in one hand. It was hailed as the editor's lighter; as long as the ultimate eraser was activated, it could erase anything and everything!
From laws as large as the Universe to elements as small as atoms.
It could not only erase enemies but also the Universe itself.
However, if one used the ultimate eraser rashly without sufficient ability, it would also lead to self-destruction!
Often, using the ultimate eraser required a resolve to die.
Otherwise, the ultimate eraser's full power could not be unleashed.
But why would the ultimate eraser be in the City of Omnipotence? Could it be that what the Cosmic Celestials were guarding in this place was the ultimate eraser?
"I said it's a secret, why would I tell you?"
"Linn, you have your answer. Now leave the City of Omnipotence, or you will provoke the dissatisfaction of the Gods."
Zeus waved his hand.
Linn didn't push the matter. He picked up the black death sword and left, stepping through a Mystic Gate with Ares, ending their brief trip.
[a-rank opportunity mission: Defeat the Heavenly Hammer Emissary Kaecilius to obtain the heavenly hammer.]
Linn had just stood still when he couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.
"Kaecilius?"
He knew Kaecilius was bound to turn to the dark side and pledge his loyalty to Dormammu.
He just hadn't expected Kaecilius to have the luck to lift a heavenly hammer!
"Venerable, news has come from Braddock Royal Academy. Master Kaecilius has lifted a heavenly hammer."
"He is leading the Zealots in a rebellion. They have already captured the London Sanctum and are currently attacking the Hong Kong Sanctum."
"Venerable, I heard he read the book of cagliostro. Perhaps it's to destroy the magic barrier and fulfill the Dark Dimension lord's wishes!"
Valkyrie reported, her expression showing urgency.
She had also just received the news that Kaecilius had lifted the heavenly hammer and his body was filled with dark magic.
Chapter 88: Heroes of the Divine Spear Bureau!
Hong Kong Sanctum.
Strange and Wong stood at the front of the formation.
They were flanked by Mystic Arts practitioners, and combat dolls also made an appearance; all were equipped with rune bracer, their expressions carrying a hint of solemnity.
Meanwhile, Kaecilius, with a blood-colored mark on his forehead and sunken eyes, held a heavenly hammer that shimmered with light as he led the Zealots in a charge.
"Kaecilius!"
"Why did you defect to Dormammu?"
Wong shouted intimidatingly.
Facing Kaecilius and the Zealots, he conjured the Rings of Raggadorr with both hands, unable to help the pang of pain in his heart.
After all, the dark rituals recorded in the book of cagliostro involved pawning one's soul and were almost impossible to reverse.
"Why?"
"Dormammu promised me that he would grant me eternal life."
"And... where do you think the Ancient One's magic comes from?"
"She performed the dark ritual long ago!"
Kaecilius sneered.
The Ancient One.
She had taught at Kamar-Taj for a thousand years; her appearance hadn't changed since the day he first joined.
It was only when he read the book of cagliostro that he discovered the Ancient One's secret, leading him to believe she was a hypocrite who said one thing and did another!
That was why he had left Kamar-Taj and pawned his soul to Dormammu!
It was all to reshape this World.
Because this World was already rotten to the core!
"Rotten to the core?"
"I agree with your assessment, but Dormammu has neither the right nor the ability to make Midgardbetter."
"Only my master, Venerable Lin En, can do that."
Doctor Strange soared into the air, his cloak of levitation fluttering loudly, as he formed hand seals to command the combat dolls to counterattack.
The combat dolls had been upgraded, their surfaces covered in runic matrices and constructed from dragon scale metal, making their bodies nearly indestructible!
dragon scale metal.
It came from Ta Lo Village.
Scales shed by the divine dragon at the bottom of the lake, possessing both physical and magical resistance, with a hardness not inferior to Vibranium.
They had always been the material supplier for Kamar-Taj.
Even some Mystic Arts practitioners in Kamar-Taj hailed from Ta Lo Village.
The combat dolls conjured magical rings and clashed fiercely with the Zealots, sparks flying from magical collisions amidst a series of ear-piercing booms.
The dolls performed no worse than a Master of the Mystic Arts.
This was enough to prove just how heaven-defying Linn's attainments in The Way of Artifact Refiningwere.
He was practically a god of artifact refining!
However, Kaecilius's face twisted into a grimace as he raised the heavenly hammer and swung it through the air, actually shaking the nearby buildings and causing the Hong Kong Sanctum to vibrate violently!
*Crack! Crack!*
Cracks spread one by one as the walls of the Hong Kong Sanctum began to crumble.
This caused a look of shock to cross Doctor Strange's face.
Could Kaecilius's heavenly hammer actually strike objects from a distance?
So that was how the London Sanctum was destroyed?
"If only my master were here."
"I am not as good as Venerable Lin En; I am also failing in my duty as the Acting Sorcerer Supreme."
Doctor Strange's eyes filled with shame.
He was almost unable to stop Kaecilius.
Just then.
An emerald spherical barrier expanded outward.
It suddenly enveloped the Hong Kong Sanctum, directly restoring the cracks in the walls, as a burst of laughter rang out.
"Kaecilius."
"I knew you would rebel sooner or later."
"However, the only thing I overlooked was that you actually managed to lift the heavenly hammer?"
"Willing to become a slave to The Serpent and Dormammu?"
"It's truly embarrassing. I now declare that you, Kaecilius, are expelled!"
Linn stood tall in mid-air.
Time runes transformed into a spherical barrier, protecting the Hong Kong Sanctum!
Seeing this.
Hatred flared in Kaecilius's eyes.
"Linn, how long have you even been at Kamar-Taj? From Sanctum Master to Acting Venerable, and then succeeding the Ancient One to become the Sorcerer Supreme."
"You think this is a blessing? You are nothing more than a puppet!"
"When the Seven Realms War begins, you will fight for the Vishanti; every Sorcerer Supreme from every dimension will participate in this contest."
"It will determine not just who is superior, but who lives and who dies!"
"And you will surely perish in this war!"
Kaecilius's face was contorted with malice as he spat out a venomous curse.
Because the roster for the Seven Realms War had already been leaked by The Living Tribunal; even if Linn abdicated the position of Sorcerer Supreme, he would still be drawn into this planar war!
"So what?"
"Do you really think I'll lose? You're truly blind, thinking that just because you've lifted a heavenly hammer, I can't deal with you?"
Linn gripped the black death sword, a playful expression on his face as a vortex of energy overflowed from his body.
Shockwaves spread through the air.
As he swung the black death sword, a brilliant, intense light swept out like a tidal wave, slicing the sky in half in the blink of an eye!
It directly tore through the spatial veil, causing the Reality Dimension to start collapsing; had it not been for the protection of the time barrier, the Hong Kong Sanctum might have crumbled!
"What is that?"
"The power of a single strike is so terrifying!"
"Venerable, where did you obtain such a weapon?"
Wong and Doctor Strange's pupils contracted to the size of needles; they could clearly feel that the black death sword could destroy heaven and earth!
Even without Linn using his magic, it had nearly caused the stars to annihilate; it was simply suffocating!
"Who is fighting?"
"Has a demonic incident occurred in Hong Kong...?"
High in the sky.
A ring-shaped mobile Base.
Director Zheng Xian, with sharp features and a crisp suit, stared at the surveillance screen as alarms blared from Hong Kong.
He immediately dispatched The Ascendants team, ordering Weather Witch and Soldier Number One to rush to the Hong Kong Peninsula as quickly as possible!
"Director, it may be related to the Mystic Arts practitioners."
A clerical staff member held up a tablet.
It showed video clips.
However, Linn was not in the footage; Doctor Strange and Wong had been caught right in the frame.
"The current Sorcerer Supreme seems to be named Linn? He hasn't contacted the Relevant Department, yet he's caused such a disaster."
"It seems... Venerable Lin En doesn't respect the Relevant Department at all."
Zheng Xian's eyes turned cold.
The Great East, with its long history and culture, had always known of Kamar-Taj's existence; Zhang Heng, the Wood Sage from the Eastern Han Dynasty, had even served as the Sorcerer Supreme.
The origins of the Relevant Department could be traced back to Zhang Heng!
In fact, the seismograph left by Zhang Heng was kept in the circular fortress; every successive Sorcerer Supreme would visit the Relevant Department upon taking office.
Yet, this Venerable Lin En was an exception and showed no intention of appearing.
This had already displeased Zheng Xian, and now the crisis in Hong Kong had broken out, directly triggering his hostility.
After all, the Great East loved its people like children; a magical battle in front of the Sanctum's gates would inevitably catch innocent bystanders in the crossfire, leading to countless casualties!
"Weather Witch and Soldier Number One have arrived at the Hong Kong Sanctum."
"Director, this looks like a rebellion. Master of the Mystic Arts Kaecilius has defected to a dark lord; it has nothing to do with Chiyou."
The assistant made a judgment.
"As long as it has nothing to do with Chiyou, it's fine."
Zheng Xian breathed a sigh of relief.
During the Nine Stars Alignment, the Demon God Chiyou had been causing trouble, weaving a Ghost Realm out of thin air that nearly claimed the lives of an entire city's worth of people.
Fortunately, the Ancient One had provided timely support, preventing a disaster.
Out of respect for the Ancient One...
For her sake, he decided to give Linn a chance to explain what was going on!
Otherwise, the Relevant Department would surely fight him to the end!
[a-rank opportunity mission: Appease the Divine Spear Bureau Director Zheng Xian to obtain the eight trigrams formation.]
"Hmm?"
"What's the situation?"
"I've never even met Zheng Xian, so how did I offend him?"
Linn frowned, realizing things weren't simple.
However, seeing the reward of the eight trigrams formation made him ponder.
Presumably, the eight trigrams formation of this World was no ordinary item.
Perhaps... it carried a mysterious power that could help him master the Eight Trigrams!
"Holy Lord, the Fire Demon, represents the Li Trigram, and there are seven other demon brothers. Could the secret of the eight trigrams formation be related to this?"
Linn was secretly excited.
Soon after, Weather Witch and Soldier Number One descended upon the Hong Kong Sanctum.
Soldier Number One was fully armed, wearing an exoskeleton armor that allowed him to fly.
Weather Witch stirred up a vortex, defying gravity, with lightning coiling around her body, instantly causing thunder to roll.
Chapter 89: Demon God Chiyou!
The Weather Witch wore a mask, her figure graceful and plump, with thunder and lightning entwined around her, making the dark night as bright as day.
Soldier Number One wore high-tech armor equipped with a miniature reactor on his chest; thanks to alien technology, Earth had ushered in a technological explosion.
"Are you Venerable Lin En?"
"Failing to discipline your disciple and causing danger to the Hong Kong Peninsula—what punishment do you think you deserve?"
The Weather Witch stood in mid-air, her tone carry a hint of gravity; Kamar-Taj and the Divine Spear Bureau did not have a superior-subordinate relationship.
In fact, the prestige of the Divine Spear Bureau was not inferior to Kamar-Taj at all, dating back to the prehistoric mythological era during the Battle of Zhuolu.
Fuxi led the ancestors of the East to defeat the Demon God Chiyou, sealing Chiyou within the Nine Provinces.
The techniques, incantations, witchcraft, and divine powers created by Fuxi had never ceased their inheritance.
Even the divine sword forged by Fuxi could annihilate stars, and it had recently emerged into the world!
"fuxi divine sword?"
"I seem to have heard of that thing."
Linn's eyes gleamed.
Although Kaecilius's actions had brought disaster to the Hong Kong Peninsula,
it was not his fault. Faced with the Weather Witch's questioning, he couldn't help but feel a surge of anger, and his expression turned several degrees colder.
"Weather Witch, is it?"
"I am the Lord of Kamar-Taj. What is your status that you dare to raise your voice in front of me?"
"Don't think that Kamar-Taj is truly afraid of the Divine Spear Bureau!"
Linn flicked his fingertips.
Subsequently, Levitation Power poured out, nearly shaking the Hong Kong Peninsula as the Impactripples spread out.
He repelled the Zealots and Kaecilius from a distance!
This caused the Weather Witch's pupils to shrink as she gasped; even Soldier Number One lost his voice, a trace of fear arising in his heart.
"Venerable Lin En, please forgive the Weather Witch's bluntness. Dealing with Dormammu's puppets is the primary task."
Soldier Number One hurriedly tried to smooth things over.
"Even without the Divine Spear Bureau, I would handle this matter."
"Stop your nagging."
Linn's gaze was sharp.
Immediately after, he swung the black death sword; the tide of magic boiled, and spatial vortexes surged.
A blazing beam of light swept out!
Kaecilius's eyes widened. He suddenly saw the heavenly hammer fall, along with his arm that held it, turning him into a one-armed man in the blink of an eye.
Then, groups of ninja soldiers rose from the ground, quickly throwing thunder bombs and shuriken to hard-control the surviving Zealots.
In less than a second!
Linn recaptured the heavenly hammer and cast the Crimson Bands, binding Kaecilius and the Zealotstightly.
[You have defeated Kaecilius and obtained a heavenly hammer.]
A line of bubbles popped up.
Linn curled the corners of his mouth slightly.
Then, with an interested gaze, he looked at the Weather Witch.
"Are you satisfied now? However, I am curious: during the Nine Stars Alignment, where was the Relevant Department? When the Hell Lord invaded, where were they?"
"Kamar-Taj guards Midgard, while the Divine Spear Bureau only cares about the East. Who exactly is the irresponsible one?"
Linn's words were sharp.
They left the Weather Witch feeling ashamed because the East's diplomatic principle was primarily non-interference in other countries' internal affairs!
This was the rule of the Relevant Department.
"Therefore, you have no right to put on an overbearing air in front of me. Have Zheng Xian come to see me personally!"
"Unless he doesn't want to deal with the Demon God Chiyou."
With a wave of his hand, Linn deactivated the time sphere and turned back to the Hong Kong Sanctum, leaving the Weather Witch and Soldier Number One with a shut door.
"This Sorcerer Supreme really has quite the personality. I heard he is also from the East?"
"In that case, he should be a friend, not an enemy."
Zheng Xian gave a bitter smile.
Upon receiving the Weather Witch's report, he did not hesitate to board a flying vehicle and come to the Hong Kong Sanctum.
A middle-aged man in a sharp suit with an upright aura and resolute features pressed the doorbell, with the Weather Witch and Soldier Number One standing on either side.
He had come to visit Linn in person.
"Director, the Venerable is very furious. Please be extremely careful with your wording, as Kaecilius's rebellion occurred while the Venerable was traveling."
"He went to find Gorr the God Butcher, which allowed Kaecilius to take advantage of the opening."
Old Wong whispered a reminder.
He had a deep connection with the Divine Spear Bureau; after all, he was born on the Hong Kong Peninsula and had served as a Sanctum Master for many years, so they understood each other.
However, Zheng Xian did not know Linn, and Linn did not know Zheng Xian.
"Gorr the God Butcher?"
"It seems we truly misunderstood Venerable Lin En. With the Nine Stars Alignment, the revival of the Demon God Chiyou, and the Hell Lord invading reality, I suppose Venerable Lin En is also under pressure."
Zheng Xian realized this belatedly, reined in his bureaucratic air, and entered the Hong Kong Sanctum.
He saw Linn refining the heavenly hammer, drawing runes in the air with his bare hands, causing the hammer to burst with light until no hidden dangers remained.
"Venerable Lin En, it is a pleasure to meet you. Please forgive the Weather Witch's rudeness."
"As for the destruction caused by the Zealots, the Relevant Department is currently handling the aftermath."
"However, the Premier has also instructed me that he hopes such incidents do not happen again."
Zheng Xian's attitude was respectful.
After all, the Director of the Divine Spear Bureau was just a mortal, while the Sorcerer Supreme was a Skyfather!
If not for being from the Relevant Department, Zheng Xian and the Weather Witch would likely have no qualification to even see Linn and would have been told to get lost!
"Have a seat."
Linn gestured with his hand, then his tone became firmer. "Director Zheng Xian, instead of telling me to discipline my disciple, you should discipline your subordinates. To show such disrespect to a Venerable—what kind of behavior is that?"
His Chinese was fluent and his Mandarin was quite standard. His gaze swept over the Weather Witch, making her feel restless.
After all, her direct superior was right there, and she didn't like writing self-criticism reports.
"Venerable Lin En, why should one person of the East make things difficult for another?"
"You should know how dangerous the Demon God Chiyou is. The ancient Battle of Zhuolu nearly caused the Nine Provinces to sink."
"And now, due to the Nine Stars Alignment, a crack has appeared in Chiyou's seal. Once Chiyou's demonic energy spreads, it will contaminate plants and animals."
"It will turn humans into zombies."
"Kamar-Taj and the Divine Spear Bureau should unite to re-seal the Demon God Chiyou."
Director Zheng Xian sat down, his face full of sincerity.
The disaster caused by the Demon God Chiyou had already affected various major provinces and cities.
Ghost Realms would even appear from time to time. The Divine Spear Bureau had lost many soldiers, and the Weather Witch's companion had perished in a Ghost Realm, which was why she couldn't control her emotions.
"To seal Chiyou, I'm afraid an object is needed. It depends on whether Director Zheng Xian is willing to part with it."
Linn's expression was subtle.
"What object? If Venerable Lin En has the confidence, then the Relevant Department will certainly provide full support."
Zheng Xian's eyes lit up.
He desperately wanted to resolve the issue of the Demon God Chiyou!
After all, if Chiyou broke the seal, the Nine Provinces might sink again. With the strength of the Divine Spear Bureau alone, it was impossible to subdue the Demon God!
The level of the Demon God Chiyou was in the same tier as the Black King Knull and the eye demonShuma-Gorath.
In fact, the Demon God Chiyou was even stronger. Even though Fuxi wielded the divine sword, he did not completely kill Chiyou. Chiyou's blood flowed into the rivers, causing pollution from time to time.
Chiyou's descendants and the remnants of the previous dynasty had established a secret society, hidden in unknown places.
It was said that the leader of the secret society was named Xu Wenwu and had a terrifying nickname: The Mandarin!
"The secret society is the Ten Rings Gang?"
"As for the thing I need, it is an eight trigrams formation."
"Director Zheng Xian, if you can find it for me, after I deal with the Heavenly Hammer Emissary, I will have the ability to seal Chiyou."
"However, before that, I must deal with the Heavenly Hammer Emissary and Asgard's Great Serpent, God of Fear. This heavenly hammer came from the god of fear."
Linn's eyes were deep.
In front of Knull, the Omnipotent Goddess, and the Demon God Chiyou, the Great Serpent, God of Fear, simply had no standing.
Besides, he held the six Infinity Stones, which were his trump cards that he would never use lightly.
"eight trigrams formation?"
"It is right in the Divine Spear Bureau. Venerable Lin En, I will have it delivered to you."
"I hope Chiyou is dealt with as soon as possible."