Chapter 85: Conqueror? You Look Like a Delivery Guy!
End of Time, Void Hall.
The originally dead, purple void was now churning wildly, like a pot of boiling asphalt.
That single, sacred timeline had completely shattered.
Countless branches spread out in all directions like blood vessels.
"Rumble—!!!"
A teeth-grinding vibration came from the thickest red time branch.
Immediately after.
A spaceship with a strange shape, resembling a giant blade, forcibly tore through the space-time barrier.
Carrying an oppressive feeling that intertwined the ancient and the future from the 31st century.
It crashed above this floating castle!
"So this is... the Conqueror?"
John Arthur was still sitting behind the desk that belonged to He Who Remains.
He was toying with the green apple that He Who Remains had taken a bite of.
The corner of his mouth curved into a playful arc.
"Quite the entrance."
"Better than that noseless relative of Voldemort."
"But only slightly."
Beside him.
He Who Remains had already shrunk under the table in fear, hugging his head and shivering.
"It's him! It's him!"
"The most brutal variant!"
"He will destroy everything! He will reset this place to nothingness!"
"Shut up."
John Arthur casually threw the apple core onto He Who Remains' head.
"If you talk nonsense again, I'll throw you out to use as a roadblock."
He Who Remains fell silent instantly.
Compared to the variant who hadn't appeared yet, the Homelander in front of him, who would crush heads at the slightest disagreement, was clearly more terrifying to him.
"Hum—"
The blade-shaped spaceship in the sky lowered a blue transport beam.
A uniform army walked out with heavy steps.
They wore futuristic blue armor and masks with no expression.
And in the center of the army.
A man wearing purple-green armor and a purple cape floated down.
His face carried a cold indifference that had seen through the vicissitudes of the World.
And a kind of arrogance that viewed all things as grass.
Kang the Conqueror.
He landed on the square of the hall.
His gaze swept over the ruins that John Arthur had turned into "Homelander" statues.
Finally, it settled on the blond man sitting behind the desk.
"Variable."
Kang's voice, filtered through the mask, had a metallic texture:
"You destroyed the sacred timeline."
"You brought chaos back to the Multiverse."
"I have spanned thousands of years of time and destroyed countless interferences like you."
Kang slowly raised his hand.
In his palm, a ball of faint blue energy was gathering.
"Now."
"Kneel and accept pruning."
"Perhaps I can turn you into a specimen and put you in my collection."
"Collection?"
John Arthur laughed.
He slowly stood up.
The dark blue suit on his body shimmered, and the red cape behind him moved without wind.
"What a coincidence."
"I also quite like collecting things."
John Arthur pointed at the armor on Kang, and then pointed at the spaceship in the sky:
"I think your outfit is pretty good."
"And your spaceship."
"Although the design is a bit ugly, the material looks quite sturdy."
"How about..."
John Arthur's eyes lit up suddenly.
Red light flickered.
"Give them all to me?"
"As a welcome gift."
"Arrogant!"
Kang snorted.
He stopped talking nonsense and pushed his hands forward violently.
Hum—!!!
A strange blue force field erupted instantly.
That was not an ordinary energy attack.
That was—a time-stop force field!
In the countless timelines he had conquered.
Whether it was the Avengers or Thanos, they had no power to fight back against this move.
Once time stopped, no matter how strong your power was, you were just meat on the chopping block!
The blue ripple swept across the scene instantly.
Magneto's hand, which had just been raised, froze in mid-air.
The smoke from the cigar in Logan's mouth solidified.
The flames in Jean Grey's eyes stopped flickering.
The whole World seemed to have been pressed on a pause button.
A look of disdain appeared on the corner of Kang's mouth.
"Low-dimensional creature."
"You will never understand the greatness of time."
He walked towards John Arthur with elegant steps.
He took out an energy dagger with a strange shape.
Preparing to cut this man's throat like dealing with a lab rat.
However.
Just when he walked three meters in front of John Arthur.
"Snap."
A crisp snapping sound rang out abruptly at the end of time.
Kang's footsteps stopped suddenly.
The face hidden under his mask changed instantly.
He saw the man who should have been frozen by time.
Right now, he was tilting his head, looking at him with a playful face.
The left hand wearing the wristband snapped its fingers gently.
On the wristband.
The green Time Stone was flickering crazily!
"Why?"
"Surprised?"
John Arthur's voice reached Kang's ears clearly.
"Playing with time in front of me?"
"Have you not watched my live stream?"
"Or is it..."
John Arthur stepped forward.
That terrifying sense of oppression instantly broke through the shackles of the time force field!
"Do you think your amateur technology."
"Can compare to the rules of the origin of the Universe?"
"infinity stones?!"
Kang exclaimed, his body retreating instinctively.
"Impossible!"
"In the TVA, infinity stones are just waste stones!"
"magic and cosmic energy are invalid here!"
"This is the rule!"
"Rule?"
John Arthur laughed.
Laughing extremely wildly.
He raised his hand.
The light of the red Reality Stone flared up.
"I said it."
"My rules are the rules."
"If I say it works, it works!"
Boom!!!
John Arthur threw a punch violently.
This punch.
It didn't use Heat Vision, nor did it use super strength.
Instead, it used the power of the Reality Stone!
"Change for me!"
Kang felt his armor wriggle.
The indestructible 31st-century nano-tech armor.
In this instant.
It actually turned into a set of...
Pink ballet skirt!
Even the deadly energy dagger in his hand.
Turned into a fairy wand for a magical girl!
"What the f*ck?!"
Kang looked at his fluffy skirt and the hairy legs exposed outside.
He completely broke down.
What kind of bad taste is this?!
What kind of humiliation is this?!
"Hahahaha!"
John Arthur laughed and slapped his thigh.
"Not bad, not bad."
"This outfit suits you well."
"Conqueror?"
"I think it's a dance floor conqueror, right?"
"Asshole!!!"
Kang went completely berserk.
Although the armor was gone, he still had his own combat skills, and the fire support from the spaceship!
"Fire! Blow this place to the ground for me!"
Kang roared at the communicator.
However.
There was no response.
The huge blade spaceship in the sky just hung there motionless as if it were dead.
"What's going on?!"
Kang panicked.
He looked up suddenly.
He saw an old man in a purple suit floating above the spaceship.
Magneto Eric.
At this moment, Magneto's eyes were as fanatical as if he had seen a naked peerless beauty.
He opened his arms and moved his ten fingers.
The super warship from the 31st century, built of unknown alloys.
Was currently making unbearable groans under his control.
"Creak—creak—"
"It's wonderful..."
Eric muttered to himself:
"This kind of metal structure... this kind of magnetic field feedback..."
"It's ten thousand times stronger than the scrap metal on Earth!"
"This is a gift from God to me!"
"Take it apart for me!"
Rumble!!!
Under Kang's desperate gaze.
The spaceship that represented his highest technological crystallization.
Was like a Lego brick dismantled by a naughty child.
The shell peeled off, the keel broke, and the engine flamed out.
Countless precision parts danced in the air and then reorganized.
Finally.
It turned into a huge, metal-cast...
Toilet.
Floating in mid-air.
Facing Kang below.
"This..."
Kang sat on the ground with a thump.
It was not just the blow of his equipment being destroyed.
It was the collapse of his cognition being subverted.
"Technology..."
"My technology..."
"How could it lose to these primitive Mutants?!"
"Primitive?"
Logan walked over with a cigar in his mouth.
He looked at Kang wearing a pink skirt and couldn't help but laugh "pfft".
"Hey, buddy."
"Your taste is quite unique."
"However..."
Logan bared his steel claws:
"The boss said he wants your equipment."
"Now that the equipment is gone, I can only take your life."
"Wait!"
Kang shouted.
He was, after all, an overlord who had conquered countless timelines.
Even in a desperate situation, he still had trump cards.
"If you kill me, countless of me will come to take revenge!"
"I am eternal!"
"As long as time exists, I exist!"
"And..."
A hint of ruthlessness flashed in Kang's eyes:
"I have a final defense mechanism!"
He pressed a controller on his wrist that hadn't been turned into a toy.
Hum!
A blue force field shield opened instantly.
Wrapping his whole person inside.
This is a space-time displacement shield.
It can transfer any attack to other timelines!
Theoretically speaking, this is an absolute defense!
"Come on!"
Kang hid in the shield and roared hysterically:
"You can't hurt me!"
"I am invincible!"
"Is that so?"
John Arthur walked over.
He looked at the shield that looked like a turtle shell.
There was no fluctuation in his expression.
"Absolute defense?"
"In my life, what I like to break most is the absolute."
John Arthur slowly raised his right hand.
Clenched his fist.
Charged up.
At that moment.
The muscle lines on his arm seemed to come alive.
The power of the intermediate Silver Superman.
Combined with the amplification of the Power Stone.
This punch.
Enough to blow up a galaxy!
"Give me—"
"Shatter!"
Boom!!!
The fist slammed heavily onto the shield.
No stalemate.
No confrontation.
It was like smashing an egg with a big hammer.
Crack!
The space-time shield that claimed to be able to transfer all attacks.
Was instantly covered with cracks.
Immediately after.
Completely collapsed!
The blue energy fragments in the sky scattered like fireworks.
And John Arthur's fist.
Did not stop.
It stopped directly one millimeter in front of Kang's nose.
The violent wind from the punch distorted Kang's face.
"Gulp."
Kang swallowed a mouthful of saliva.
Looking at the fist close at hand, he finally understood a truth.
In the face of absolute power.
Any fancy technology.
Is garbage.
"Now."
John Arthur retracted his fist and patted Kang's cheek gently:
"Tell me."
"Who is the Conqueror?"
Kang's lips trembled.
The fear from the depths of his soul made him unable to even stand steady.
"It's... it's you..."
"You are the Conqueror..."
"Very good."
John Arthur nodded with satisfaction.
He turned around and faced the drone lenses (arranged by Wesley) that couldn't fly in but could broadcast through signals.
He revealed that iconic smile.
"Dear audience."
"It seems that our friend from the future."
"Has deeply realized his mistake."
"He wanted to conquer us, wanted to enslave us."
"But."
"As long as I am here."
"As long as Homelander is here."
"Whether it is the past, present, or future."
"The freedom of America is inviolable!"
[Ding! Detected that the host defeated the Multiverse-level villain Kang the Conqueror!]
[Ding! Detected that all TVA staff have surrendered!]
[Ding! Detected extreme shock from observers globally and even in the Multiverse!]
[Ding! popularity points + 20,000,000!]
[Ding! popularity points + 30,000,000...]
The system prompt screen was scrolling crazily.
The pleasure in John Arthur's heart was about to overflow.
Fifty million!
This is more profitable than beating Thanos!
And...
He glanced at Kang who was paralyzed on the ground.
The technology in this guy's brain is a priceless treasure.
The technological level of the 31st century.
If taken back to Earth and given to that tin man Tony to study.
Wouldn't the product line of Homelander Group take off?
"Wesley."
John Arthur shouted.
"Here, boss!"
Wesley trotted over, although this was the end of time, he still maintained perfect professional quality.
"Take this guy back."
"Lock him in the laboratory."
"Let that group of scientists, especially Tony, squeeze everything in his brain out for me."
"Don't leave anything."
"Yes!"
Wesley immediately greeted two Mutant bodyguards (newly recruited), and lifted up Kang who was wearing a ballet skirt.
Dragged him away like a dead dog.
A generation of overlord Kang the Conqueror.
Just like that, he became a prisoner of the Homelander Group.
He didn't even leave a decent last word.
After dealing with Kang.
John Arthur sat back behind the desk.
He looked at the colorful Multiverse time flow outside the window.
Greed flashed in his eyes.
"Earth has been taken down."
"The threat of the single Universe has also been cleared."
"Now."
"Even the Time Variance Authority has changed its surname to Arthur."
"So next..."
John Arthur touched his chin.
"Is it time to visit other Universes?"
"For example..."
"That Universe full of zombies?"
"Or..."
"That Universe with only women?"
"Tsk tsk tsk."
"Just thinking about it makes one excited."
Just then.
"Hum—"
The Space Stone on his wrist flashed suddenly.
Immediately after.
A holographic projection popped up automatically.
It was Tony Stark.
"Hey, John."
Tony's face looked a bit solemn, and the background was a noisy laboratory:
"Although I really don't want to disturb your 'conquest journey'."
"But on Earth's side... something happened."
"Situation?"
John Arthur raised his eyebrows:
"What situation?"
"Did another blind alien come to die?"
"No."
Tony shook his head:
"It's something more troublesome."
"We in Antarctica..."
"Dug out a big guy."
"And..."
Tony paused, his tone became a bit strange:
"On that big guy."
"There is a logo carved exactly the same as the one on your suit."
"A golden... 'A' character."
John Arthur was stunned for a moment.
Immediately.
His eyes narrowed sharply.
Golden A character?
Antarctica?
Could it be...
That man known as the "Million Sun Power"?
The most unstable time bomb in the Marvel Universe?
The Sentinel?!
"A bit interesting."
John Arthur stood up, his red cape flicking violently.
"It seems."
"My 'The Seven'."
"Still missing one who can really fight."
"Tell the people over there, don't move."
"I'll be back soon."
Boom!!!
The golden streamer instantly tore through the void at the end of time.
John Arthur's figure.
Disappeared into the vast river of time.
Target—
Earth, Antarctica!
New leeks... oh no, new partners.
I'm coming!
Chapter 86: The Power of a Million Stars? That's My Power Bank!
Antarctica.
This is the coldest place on Earth, covered in ice and snow all year round.
The cold wind howled, as if it could freeze the soul.
But at this moment.
In front of a giant ice cave in the heart of Antarctica, the temperature was terrifyingly high.
Countless glaciers were melting, and white steam rose up, obscuring the sky.
"Zzzzz..."
All electronic instruments were sounding alarms frantically.
Tony Stark, wearing the heavy mark 42 (though it had a temperature control system, he still felt cold—a coldness in his heart), hovered in mid-air.
Behind him were dozens of quinjets and fully armed S.H.I.E.L.D. Agents (now under the jurisdiction of the Homelander Group).
Everyone's muzzles were pointed at that deep, dark cave entrance.
Everyone was trembling.
Not because of the cold.
But because of that suffocating, terrifying pressure originating from the depths of the cave.
"Sir, the energy readings are still rising!"
"It has already exceeded the peak of the nuclear bomb during the Battle of New York!"
"No... it's over a hundred times! A thousand times!"
Jarvis's voice carried a rare hint of panic:
"Inside... it's like a million Suns have been stuffed in!"
"Damn it!"
Tony cursed, cold sweat sliding down his cheeks from his forehead.
"Hasn't that bastard John arrived yet?"
"If he doesn't come soon, the Earth is going to be roasted!"
Just then.
BOOM!!!
The clouds in the sky were instantly torn apart.
A golden stream of light, like a spear cast by God, instantly pierced through the atmosphere.
That familiar, domineering sonic boom exploded over Antarctica.
"Thud!"
Arthur's figure slammed heavily onto the ice field.
Not even a single crack appeared on the ice surface (his power control was perfected to the extreme).
He slowly stood up.
His deep blue suit was faintly visible in the steam, and his red cape fluttered loudly.
On that handsome face was his signature smile, one that was reassuring (yet made people want to punch him).
"Yo, Tony."
Arthur brushed the ice off himself:
"I heard you have a big guy here?"
"What?"
"Do you have to leave everything you can't handle for me to clean up?"
Tony landed, opened his faceplate, and said with an anxious look:
"Stop joking around!"
"The thing inside... something is very wrong!"
"My scanners show his energy level isn't even lower than yours!"
"Oh?"
Arthur raised an eyebrow.
Not lower than mine?
Interesting.
He turned his head, and his deep blue eyes instantly glowed with golden light.
Super Vision!
His gaze pierced through the thick ice, reaching deep underground.
There.
A man in a yellow skintight suit with messy blonde hair was huddled in a corner, holding his knees.
He was trembling.
He was crying.
And inside his body.
A golden energy and a pitch-black, ink-like dark power were frantically entangling and fighting each other.
That was—
The Sentry!
And his negative persona—The Void!
"Tsk, tsk, tsk."
Arthur stroked his chin, a hint of greed flashing in his eyes.
"The power of a million exploding Suns?"
"If I take a sip of this..."
"Wouldn't that be heavenly?"
He ignored Tony's warning.
He walked straight toward the deep cave entrance.
"You guys wait outside."
"Don't come in."
"I'm afraid I'll splash blood all over you."
Arthur's figure disappeared into the darkness.
...
Deep within the ice cave.
Robert Reynolds, also known as the Sentry.
He was currently on the verge of a breakdown.
"Get out! Get out of my head!"
He clutched his head and let out a Beast-like roar.
"I'm a hero... I'm not a monster..."
"Hey, buddy."
A light, casual voice suddenly sounded in his ear.
Robert looked up abruptly.
He saw a man in a blue suit and a red cape hovering in front of him.
Holding an... apple? (Swiped from Kang).
"Crunch."
Arthur took a bite of the apple and looked down at one of Marvel's strongest powerhouses.
"I heard it's a bit noisy here?"
"Do you need me to help you turn off the noise?"
"Who... who are you?"
Robert shrank back warily, the golden light in his eyes flickering.
"Me?"
Arthur smiled.
He smiled with extreme 'kindness'.
"I am your savior."
"I am your—"
"Homelander."
"GET OUT!!!"
Before Robert could speak, another voice inside him suddenly roared.
BOOM!!!
A pitch-black, ink-like energy erupted instantly!
That was the Void!
It transformed into countless black tentacles, carrying an aura of total destruction, and lashed out frantically at Arthur!
"I will tear you apart! False god!"
The Void's voice was raspy and evil, and the entire ice cave trembled.
Facing this strike that was enough to tear a Planet apart.
Arthur didn't even blink.
He just casually tossed away the leftover apple core.
Then.
He slowly raised his left hand.
On his gauntlet.
The yellow Mind Stone suddenly lit up!
"Playing at split personality in front of me?"
"Did you ask this stone first?"
"Vroom—!!!"
An even more domineering and pure mental energy instantly crushed the Void's offensive!
That invisible mental shock pierced directly into the depths of Robert's mind.
Like a giant hand, it forcibly pressed that arrogant Void back down!
"Ahhh—!!!"
Robert let out a scream.
He felt as if his head was about to split open.
That dark power receded rapidly, sealed in the deepest part of his consciousness.
"This... how is this possible..."
The Void's unwilling roar grew weaker and weaker.
Until it disappeared completely.
"call...call..."
Robert gasped for breath, his entire body soaked in cold sweat.
But the madness in his eyes had vanished.
In its place was an unprecedented clarity.
"What... what did you do?"
Robert stared blankly at Arthur.
The demon that had been torturing him... had actually gone quiet?
"Nothing much."
Arthur shrugged with a relaxed expression:
"I just gave you a sedative shot."
"Though the dosage was a bit high."
He walked up to Robert and reached out his hand.
"Get up, Bob."
"The ground is cold."
Robert hesitated for a moment but still took that hand.
That warm, powerful, and secure strength made him feel a long-lost sense of reliance.
"Can... can you help me?"
Robert looked at Arthur like a helpless child.
"Of course."
Arthur pulled him up and casually patted the dust off his tattered yellow suit.
"I can cure your illness."
"That dark guy—as long as he doesn't behave, I'll beat him up."
"Beat him until he behaves."
Arthur leaned in closer, looking directly into Robert's eyes.
In those blue eyes, a bewitching light flickered (the Mind Stone was still glowing faintly):
"But, in exchange."
"You need a job."
"A job that allows you to put your remaining energy to use and earn the admiration of millions."
"A job?" Robert was stunned.
"Exactly."
Arthur snapped his fingers.
The Reality Stone flashed red.
A mirror appeared out of thin air in front of the two.
In the mirror, Robert's tattered yellow suit instantly transformed into a brand-new, glittering gold uniform.
There was still a large "S" on the chest.
But it was in the style of the Homelander Group.
More magnificent.
More domineering.
"The Seven is still missing a grand finale."
"I think you're a perfect fit."
Arthur patted Robert on the shoulder:
"What do you say?"
"Work for me."
"There's wine to drink and meat to eat."
"Most importantly..."
Arthur pointed upward:
"There are billions of people out there waiting to worship you."
"When you are bathed in that kind of cheering..."
"The monster in your heart won't dare to come out."
Robert looked at himself in the mirror.
That golden, Sun-god-like version of himself.
His gaze gradually shifted from confusion to determination.
The desire to be needed and recognized overrode everything else.
"Okay."
Robert nodded heavily:
"I'm in."
"As long as you can help me suppress it..."
"I'll sell my life to you!"
"make a deal."
A satisfied smile curled on Arthur's lips.
He was secretly delighted.
This wasn't just recruiting an employee.
This was clearly recruiting a super power bank!
The power of a million Suns?
If I ever run low on energy in the future, I can just grab this guy and take a few sips.
That feeling...
"Tsk, tsk, tsk."
"Let's go, Bob."
Arthur put his arm around Robert's shoulder like an old friend of many years:
"I'll take you to meet your new colleagues."
"They're all quite interesting characters."
...
Outside the cave.
Tony Stark was nervously staring at the reader.
"The energy reaction has disappeared?"
"What's going on? Is the fight over?"
"Or..."
Just then.
BOOM!
Two figures soared into the sky from the ice cave!
Arthur hovered in mid-air, his red cape fluttering in the wind.
And beside him.
The man in the golden suit was waving at everyone somewhat shyly.
Sunlight bathed his body.
That pure, warm golden light was actually more dazzling than the Sun!
"Let me introduce him."
Arthur's voice spread throughout the area:
"This is our new partner."
"The Golden Guardian—"
"The Sentry!"
Tony's jaw almost hit the ground.
He looked at the monster that had almost blown up the Earth just now, now standing beside Arthurlike a good little boy.
"That's... it's settled?"
"They didn't even have to fight?"
"Is this guy a demon? He can even talk a lunatic down?"
[Ding! Detected the host has recruited the Omega-level superhuman, Sentry!]
[Ding! Detected that the mental states of everyone in S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers have collapsed!]
[Ding! popularity points +5,000,000!]
[Ding! popularity points +8,000,000!]
Arthur heard the notification sounds and couldn't stop smiling.
This trip to Antarctica was totally worth it!
Not only did he pick up a top-tier fighter for free.
But he also earned a massive wave of popularity points.
"Alright, Tony."
Arthur landed in front of Tony, looking smug:
"The crisis is over."
"You can go back to sleep now."
"I should also take my new employee back to handle the onboarding procedures."
With that said.
He ignored Tony's face, which had turned as dark as a pot's bottom.
He directly took the Sentry and turned into two streams of light, disappearing into the horizon.
...
Back to New York.
Homelander Group Building.
When Logan saw the glittering Sentry walk into the conference room.
The cigar in his mouth fell straight to the floor.
"Holy crap..."
"Where did the boss go to pick up such a big lightbulb?"
"This is way too bright!"
Magneto narrowed his eyes, sensing the terrifying energy inside the Sentry.
For the first time, he showed a solemn expression.
"Strong."
"An absolute powerhouse."
The Phoenix Force inside Jean Grey's body was restless again.
It was the excitement of encountering its own kind.
"Alright, everyone."
Arthur sat in the main seat and tapped on the table:
"Since everyone is here."
"It's time for our 'Arthur Empire' territory to continue expanding."
He opened the holographic star chart.
His finger pointed directly at the mysterious coordinates located at the center of the Universe.
"Asgard."
"The domain of Odin, the All-Father."
"I heard there's a treasure vault there, full of good things."
"And..."
A hint of greed flashed in Arthur's eyes:
"The Infinity Gauntlet there (even a replica is fine)."
"I'm quite interested in it too."
"Get ready."
"Next Monday."
"We're going to the God Realm—"
"For a tour!"
Chapter 87: Bifrost Bridge? Looks like a Toll Station to Me!
Monday.
On this workday morning that makes countless corporate drones suffer.
The citizens of New York were not squeezed into the subways; instead, they were all looking up at the Homelander Group Building that towered into the clouds.
There, a massive black warship was docked.
It was a brand-new flagship, modified by Tony Stark through (forced) overtime, integrating Kreetechnology, Earth technology, and some TVA time technology—
"homelander no. 2".
(As for No. 1? That was an old model, not worthy of his current status.)
On the bridge.
Arthur wore his iconic deep blue suit, his red cape draped casually over the command chair.
He held a cup of steaming coffee, watching the Earth gradually shrink outside the window.
"Let's head out."
"Bring our cameras."
"Bring our smiles."
Arthur turned his head to look at the group of "The Seven" behind him, ready to go, along with a World-weary Tony Stark and an embarrassed Thunder God Thor.
"We're going to the Divine Realm—"
"To check the water meter."
...
Deep space.
The end of the Bifrost Bridge.
Asgard, the legendary Divine Realm, still floated in the void, magnificent and sacred.
Heimdall, the loyal gatekeeper, stood at the hub of the Bifrost Bridge, holding his giant sword.
His golden eyes, capable of seeing through the Nine Realms, were now bloodshot.
Because he saw it.
A pitch-black warship, emitting a terrifying aura, was forcefully tearing through space and charging toward Asgard in an unreasonable manner!
And at the very front of that warship.
Stood a man.
A man who made even him, a god who had seen everything in the Universe, feel a sense of dread.
"What... kind of monster is that?"
Heimdall gripped the Bultgang Sword in his hand.
He could feel it.
The energy fluctuations emanating from that man were more vast than Odin's and more tyrannical than Hela's back then!
"BOOM—!!!"
No announcement, no deceleration.
The warship, engraved with a giant golden letter "H," jumped directly outside Asgard's atmosphere.
A massive shadow instantly enveloped the Bifrost Bridge.
The hatch opened.
Arthur was the first to fly out.
He didn't bring anyone with him.
Just him alone, suspended above the Bifrost Bridge.
Hands on his hips, his red cape fluttering in the wind.
He looked down at the gatekeeper holding the giant sword, an extremely "kind" smile appearing on his face.
"Yo."
"Is this the Bifrost Bridge?"
Arthur's voice, amplified by the Mind Stone, boomed directly across the skies of Asgard:
"It looks like the neon lights in some rural-urban fringe."
"A bit tacky."
Heimdall's face darkened.
As the guardian of Asgard, he had never been so insulted.
"Mortal!"
Heimdall roared, his voice like thunder:
"This is the domain of the Father of All!"
"Those who trespass into the Divine Realm without permission—"
"Shall die!"
Boom!
Heimdall turned his giant sword, activating the Bifrost Bridge's defense mechanism.
A massive cannon port aimed at Arthur.
Multicolored energy beams began to converge.
This shot was enough to destroy the surface of a Planet!
"Tsk, tsk, tsk."
Arthur shook his head, looking disgusted.
"See."
"I told you the people here have no manners."
"The guest just arrived, and before even offering a glass of water, you're going to shine a flashlight on me?"
He slowly raised his left hand.
On his bracer.
The blue Space Stone suddenly lit up.
"Since you don't know how to treat guests."
"Then I'll teach you."
"What it means to be—"
"Feeling right at home."
Hum—!!!
An instant before the Bifrost Bridge's cannon fired.
The space in front of Arthur suddenly folded like a mirror.
The multicolored torrent, capable of destroying Worlds, had just shot out of the cannon.
When it was directly swallowed by the folded space.
Immediately following.
Under Heimdall's terrified gaze.
The beam shot out from a space rift behind him!
Heading straight for the dome of the hub hall!
"Rumble—!!!"
A violent explosion resounded through the skies.
The magnificent hemispherical dome was blasted into smithereens by its own cannon!
Debris flew everywhere, and energy turbulence spilled out.
Heimdall was blown away by the shockwave, crashing heavily onto the Bifrost Bridge, covered in dust.
"Oh dear."
Arthur suspended in mid-air, clapped his hands, and looked innocently at the ruins below:
"Sorry, my hand slipped."
"But honestly."
"It looks like the ventilation is much better now."
Just then.
"Stop!!"
An anxious shout came from the ship behind.
Thor flew over hurriedly, swinging his hammer.
He glanced at the pulverized hub, then at Heimdall on the ground, his face contorted like a bitter melon.
"John! Homelander! My friend!"
Thor stood in front of Heimdall, pleading:
"Could you... give me a little face?"
"This is my front door, after all!"
"You just got here and already tore down the gatehouse; how am I supposed to explain this to my father?"
Arthur looked at this Asgardian "collaborator" and chuckled.
He slowly descended, landing on the mirror-smooth surface of the Bifrost Bridge.
"Thor."
Arthur straightened his tie, stepped forward, and patted the dust off Thor's shoulder like an elder:
"You need to understand one thing."
"I'm not here as a guest."
"I'm here for an inspection."
"And..."
Arthur pointed to the still-smoking ruins:
"I really don't like this gatekeeper's attitude."
"If it weren't for your sake, that last shot would have gone straight into his forehead."
Thor swallowed hard.
He knew Arthur wasn't joking.
This guy dared to kick Thanos around like a ball; killing Heimdall would be as easy as killing a chicken.
"Yes, yes, yes, you're right."
Thor quickly forced a smile, then turned to the newly risen Heimdall and winked frantically:
"Heimdall! This is Midgard's... uh, Supreme Leader!"
"And my comrade-in-arms! The strongest one!"
"Quickly, move out of the way! Don't be ungrateful!"
Heimdall wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth.
His golden eyes looked deeply at Arthur.
He saw it.
Beneath that seemingly mortal body, terrifying energy brighter than a star surged.
As well as the radiance emitted by the six Infinity Stones, enough to rewrite the rules of the Universe.
He fell silent.
As the gatekeeper, his duty was to repel enemies.
But facing an existence of this level...
That was suicide.
"Please."
Heimdall lowered his head and stepped aside to clear the way.
This was the first time in ten thousand years that Asgard had bowed to a mortal.
"That's more like it."
Arthur nodded in satisfaction.
He turned around and waved to the hovering "homelander no. 2".
"Boys, come on down."
"We've arrived."
"Remember to set up all the cameras."
"Such beautiful scenery; it would be a shame not to live stream it for the hicks on Earth."
The hatch opened wide.
The Seven filed out.
Magneto Erik flew down standing on a metal plate; his eyes lit up as he looked at the Bifrost Bridgepaved with unknown metal beneath his feet.
"This bridge..."
Magneto's fingers were trembling:
"It's all energy-conducting metal?"
"Too extravagant... simply too extravagant!"
"Boss, can this bridge be..."
"No."
Arthur rolled his eyes at him:
"How will we leave if we dismantle the bridge?"
"Dismantle it when we're leaving."
Thor: "..."
He was breaking out in a cold sweat listening nearby.
Are these people Bandits?!
Logan bit his cigar, his steel claws scratching sparks onto the Bifrost Bridge.
"This place is nice, bright enough."
He took a deep breath of Asgard's divine-energy-filled air:
"Just a bit light on the smell of booze."
"Tony."
Arthur called out.
Tony, wearing the latest Mark 85 (a prototype Nano-suit), flew down, followed by Eddie Brock.
Eddie carried the specially-made Quantum communication camera, broadcasting wildly to the lens:
"Viewers! Do you see this!"
"This is the legendary Divine Realm! Asgard!"
"And our Homelander is leading us onto this land of the gods!"
"This is not just a visit!"
"This is a great conquest of divine authority by human civilization!"
[Ding! Intergalactic live stream detected! Earth viewers' shock levels are off the charts!]
[Ding! Panic detected among Asgardian civilians!]
[Ding! popularity points +5,000,000!]
[Ding! popularity points +8,000,000...]
Hearing these wonderful prompts, Arthur was in a great mood.
With his hands behind his back, he strode onto the Bifrost Bridge.
His red cape trailed behind him.
Like a king inspecting his territory.
"Let's go."
"To the Golden Palace."
"To see the Father of All."
"To see just how many good things are hidden in his treasury."
The group marched grandly along the Bifrost Bridge toward the magnificent Golden Palace.
Everywhere they passed, the Asgardian guards held their spears, but none dared to step forward and stop them.
Because of the man leading the way.
Even a single glance from him made their souls tremble.
Finally.
The Golden Palace Hall.
Two golden doors, dozens of meters high, were tightly shut.
In front of the doors stood hundreds of fully armed Einherjar.
The atmosphere was solemn to the extreme.
"We're here."
Arthur stopped.
He looked at the doors, having no intention of waiting for an announcement.
"Erik."
Arthur tilted his head slightly:
"Help His Majesty Odin open the door."
"I think old people have trouble getting around; we should be proactive."
"Happy to oblige."
Magneto stepped forward.
His hands suddenly split to both sides!
"Creeeeak—!!!"
The golden doors, weighing a thousand tons and carved with Runes.
Groaned in pain under the terrifying magnetic force.
Then.
They slammed open!
Deep in the hall.
On the high, Supreme Throne.
Odin Borson, the ruler of the Nine Realms, sat upon it, holding Gungnir, the Eternal Spear.
His single eye flashed with a light like thunder.
Though aged and with fading divine power.
The aura of the God-King still loomed like a mountain, making it hard for people to breathe.
"Mortal of Midgard."
Odin's voice echoed in the hall, carrying endless majesty:
"You have overstepped."
"Leave with your lackeys."
"Otherwise—"
"Under divine wrath, all shall be ashes."
"Divine wrath?"
Arthur strode into the hall.
His footsteps were crisp, echoing in the empty hall.
He looked directly into Odin's single eye.
A contemptuous smile curled on his lips.
"Old man."
"Times have changed."
Arthur slowly raised his left hand.
The light of the six Infinity Stones instantly illuminated the entire Golden Palace.
The radiance even eclipsed the divine light on Odin.
"Now."
"I am—"
"The only god!"
Boom!!!
Two terrifying auras collided fiercely in the air.
All of Asgard trembled violently at this moment!
The live stream camera faithfully recorded this historic moment—
The confrontation between the new god and the old king.
And in Arthur's mind.
The system prompts rang out wildly once more.
[Ding! Host detected provoking the Father of All Odin!]
[Ding! popularity points +10,000,000!]
[Ding! Congratulations to the Host! Cumulative popularity points have exceeded two hundred million!]
[Silver Superman (Advanced) Template—]
[Unlock Progress: 100%!]
Arthur laughed.
Laughing with utter arrogance.
"Odin."
"Are you ready..."
"To retire?"
Chapter 88: So this is the so-called All-Father?
The Golden Palace.
The air seemed to have solidified into a physical substance.
On one side sat the All-Father, Odin, atop his supreme throne, clutching the Eternal Spear, with thunder and divine majesty flickering in his single eye.
On the other side was the god among men, Arthur, floating in mid-air, his cape fluttering behind him, wearing a 'kind' smile on his face.
Two terrifying auras clashed silently in the air.
"Crack, crack, crack..."
The surrounding golden pillars, carved with Runes, actually began to show fine cracks, unable to withstand the pressure.
"Mortal."
Odin slowly stood up.
Though his body was somewhat hunched, at this moment, the domineering aura that had ruled the Nine Realms for thousands of years still made people dare not look him in the eye.
Gungnir struck the ground heavily.
Boom!
All of Asgard seemed to tremble for a moment.
"Do you want my throne?"
"Or do you want the treasures of Asgard?"
Odin's voice was aged and majestic:
"Greed will eventually consume your soul."
"Greed?"
Arthur laughed.
He slowly descended, his feet landing on the mirror-smooth floor with a crisp sound.
"Old man."
"You've got one thing wrong."
Arthur extended a finger and shook it gently:
"I'm not here to rob you."
"I'm here to... take delivery."
"Since the entire Universe is meant to tremble under my radiance, Asgard is naturally no exception."
"And..."
Arthur glanced at the surrounding magnificent decorations, a trace of disdain flashing in his eyes:
"This decoration style of yours is too tacky."
"It feels like someone wearing big gold chains and small watches."
"It doesn't fit modern aesthetics at all."
"Presumptuous!"
Odin barked angrily.
As the All-Father, when had he ever suffered such humiliation?
Buzz—!!!
The Eternal Spear, Gungnir, suddenly lit up with a dazzling light.
That was the Odinforce!
An ancient divine power capable of rewriting reality and destroying galaxies!
"Since you do not understand reverence."
"Then let the All-Father teach you!"
Boom!
A thick golden beam of light, carrying the attribute of an inevitable causal law, blasted straight toward Arthur!
This was no ordinary energy attack.
This was divine punishment imbued with the rules of magic!
"Father! No!"
Thor was pale with fright and wanted to rush forward to stop it, but with a casual wave from Magneto, several metal pillars pinned him directly to the wall.
"Be quiet, big guy."
Magneto looked at the spear in Odin's hand with fanatical eyes:
"Is that... Uru metal?"
"Top grade! Absolute top grade!"
Facing Odin's wrathful strike,
Arthur didn't even dodge.
He didn't even bother to raise a hand.
"Teach me?"
"Are you even worthy?"
Sizzle—!!!
Arthur's eyes suddenly widened.
Two beams of red-gold Heat Vision instantly erupted!
This time,
not only were they empowered by the Mind Stone and Power Stone,
they were also fused with the rule-based power of the Reality Stone!
Rumble!!!
The Heat Vision and Odin's divine beam collided violently in mid-air.
There was no stalemate.
There was no tug-of-war.
It was like a high-pressure water gun washing away mud.
Arthur's Heat Vision, with overwhelming force, instantly pushed Odin's attack back!
"What?!"
Odin's single eye suddenly contracted.
He felt that power.
It was something that transcended Asgardian divine power...
Infinite power!
Bang!
The Heat Vision blasted directly onto the tip of Gungnir.
The massive impact sent Odin, spear and all, flying backward!
Boom!
Odin crashed heavily into the golden throne behind him.
The chair that symbolized the highest authority in the Nine Realms instantly collapsed, shattering into a pile of golden debris.
Pfft!
Odin spat out a mouthful of golden divine blood.
He seemed to age ten years in an instant.
Instantly defeated!
Even the All-Father, in the face of Silver Superman holding six stones,
was nothing more than a slightly stronger old man.
"This is the... God-King?"
Arthur slowly walked up the steps.
His red cape trailed behind him like a flowing river of blood.
He looked down condescendingly at Odin, who was slumped in the ruins.
His eyes were full of disappointment.
"Too weak."
"Really too weak."
"Is this it?"
"You dare call yourself the All-Father?"
[Ding! Detected that the host has defeated the Lord of the Nine Realms, Odin! Caused the collapse of faith for all members of the Divine Realm!]
[Ding! popularity points +20,000,000!]
[Ding! popularity points +30,000,000!]
Hearing the notification tones in his mind, Arthur's mood improved slightly.
Although the fight wasn't satisfying, the popularity points were quite generous.
"You..."
Odin struggled to stand up, but the divine power within him had been completely shattered by that strike.
"The Infinity Stones..."
Odin stared intently at Arthur's wrist:
"You have gathered them all..."
"Do you intend to destroy this Universe?"
"Destroy it?"
Arthur crouched down, reached out, and gently patted Odin's wrinkled old face.
"No, no, no."
"I'm here to save this Universe."
"Under my rule, the Universe will welcome true peace."
"Just like Earth."
Arthur stood up and stepped on the broken throne.
"Now."
"Hand over the key to the vault."
"Don't force me to do it myself."
"You know, I don't have a very good temper."
Odin closed his eyes.
He knew Asgard was finished.
Even Hela back then had never brought him this sense of despair.
"It's... under the throne."
Odin's voice was raspy, as if he had instantly lost all his spirit.
"Smart."
Arthur snapped his fingers.
"Wesley, take some people to move things out."
"Remember, don't even leave the floor tiles behind."
"Yes, Boss!"
Wesley excitedly directed The Seven to rush toward the underground vault.
Magneto even rolled the remaining gold from the throne into a ball and stuffed it into his pocket.
"Father..."
Thor broke free from his restraints and rushed over to help Odin up, tears welling in his eyes.
"It's alright."
Odin waved his hand and looked at Arthur's back with a complex gaze:
"This is an... existence we cannot contend with."
"Thor, endure."
"Only by staying alive is there hope."
...
Asgard's underground vault.
It was filled with the spoils of war Odin had plundered from the Nine Realms over thousands of years.
Things like the Casket of Ancient Winters, the Tablet of Life and Time, the Warlock's Eye...
In Arthur's eyes, these were all shiny popularity points.
"Boss! There's a glove here!"
Logan, with a cigar in his mouth, held up a golden glove encrusted with fake gems, looking disgusted:
"It looks like some cheap street-side junk, and it's for the right hand."
Arthur walked over and took a look.
It was indeed that fake Infinity Gauntlet.
"Keep it."
Arthur said casually:
"Even if it's fake, the craftsmanship is okay."
"Take it back and put it in the company lobby as a decoration."
"Boss, there's a big guy here!"
Electro pointed to a huge brazier in the corner.
Inside burned a flame that would never go out.
The Eternal Flame!
"Oh?"
Arthur's eyes lit up.
Now this was good stuff.
It could resurrect the dead and let that big guy Surtur transform.
"Take it."
Arthur waved his hand.
He activated the Space Stone, directly swallowing the Eternal Flame, brazier and all, into a pocket dimension.
"Wait!"
While everyone was busy moving things,
Tony Stark stood before a massive display case, looking obsessed.
"Is this..."
"The Destroyer Armor?"
The big guy that had once breathed fire on Earth was now standing there quietly.
Although it was somewhat damaged, its unique metallic structure and magical circuits still made a tech geek like Tony drool.
"John!"
Tony turned his head and looked at Arthur expectantly:
"Can I have this?"
"I want to study the combination of Asgardian metal and magic technology."
"If I can apply this technology to the Anti-Homelander... ahem, to the new armor, the performance would definitely double!"
Arthur gave him a half-smile.
"Anti-Homelander Armor?"
"Tony, I can hear your little schemes from half a galaxy away."
Tony coughed twice awkwardly:
"Slip of the tongue, slip of the tongue."
"Fine."
Arthur shrugged indifferently:
"Take it and play with it."
"Anyway, you can't build anything that can hurt me."
"But remember, all patent rights belong to the company."
"Deal!" Tony immediately directed Jarvis to start scanning and modeling.
Just then,
Arthur's Super Hearing suddenly captured a faint sound of breathing.
It came from the deepest part of the vault,
behind a wall that appeared to have no gaps.
"Hmm?"
Arthur raised an eyebrow.
"A secret room?"
He walked to the wall, raised his hand, and gave it a light tap.
Thump!
The seemingly solid wall instantly crumbled,
revealing a dark, damp dungeon behind it.
In the center of the dungeon,
a woman was locked up.
She wore a tattered green bodysuit, her hair was a mess, looking like a madwoman.
But those eyes held a heart-stopping aura of Death and killing intent.
Hela!
The Goddess of Death!
Odin's eldest daughter!
"Who are you?"
Hela looked up at this intruder.
Her voice was raspy, yet it carried a natural queenly air:
"Did that old geezer Odin send you to kill me?"
Arthur looked at this legendary Goddess of Death.
Though she looked a bit disheveled now, that ruthless streak of hers was quite to his liking.
"Kill you?"
Arthur laughed.
"No, no, no."
"I'm here to bring you some warmth."
"By the way,"
Arthur leaned against the doorframe, playing with an Infinity Stone in his hand:
"Are you interested in a career change?"
"For example..."
"Becoming the security director for my company?"
Hela froze for a moment.
Then she let out a burst of piercing, wild laughter.
"Hahahaha!"
"Mortal, do you know who you are talking to?"
"I am Hela! The Executioner of Asgard! The Master of Death!"
"You want me to be your security guard?!"
"Tsk."
Arthur shook his head.
"It seems being locked up for too long has made your brain a bit sluggish."
"In that case..."
Arthur's eyes suddenly glowed with red light.
"Let's clear your head."
Sizzle—!!!
Two beams of Heat Vision shot directly at the chains on Hela's body.
Those runic chains empowered by Odin's divine power instantly melted under the millions of degrees of heat!
Hela regained her freedom.
She flexed her wrists, her killing intent surging.
"Good! Very good!"
"Since you've freed me, I shall grant you Death!"
Swoosh!
Two black nightsky swords appeared out of thin air in her hands.
Hela pounced toward Arthur like a Black Panther!
"Too slow."
Arthur didn't even move.
He just extended one hand.
Clap!
He steadily caught Hela's incoming blade.
Catching the blade barehanded!
And he was pinching the edge!
"What?!"
Hela was pale with shock.
This was a magical sword capable of piercing divine bodies!
"Your strength is too low, haven't you eaten?"
Arthur applied a little pressure with his fingers.
Crack!
The black longsword was instantly crushed into fragments!
Immediately after,
Arthur delivered a backhand slap.
Slap!
The crisp sound of the slap echoed in the narrow dungeon.
Hela was sent spinning three times in the air before crashing heavily against the wall.
"You..."
Hela clutched her swollen cheek, her face full of disbelief.
She had been slapped?!
"Are you clear-headed now?"
Arthur walked over, looking down at her.
In those eyes flickered a pressure more terrifying than that of a God of Death.
"I'll give you two choices."
"First, sign the contract, become my employee, and help me conquer the Universe."
"Second."
Arthur pointed outside:
"I'll stuff you back in and weld the door shut while I'm at it."
"Letting you rot here until the Universe ends."
Hela looked at Arthur.
From that man's eyes, she saw true invincibility.
It was an absolute self-confidence that even her father, Odin, never possessed.
"You..."
Hela gritted her teeth.
"You're even more of a bastard than Odin."
"Thanks for the compliment."
Arthur smiled.
He pulled a contract from his coat (Wesley carried them everywhere, so professional).
"Sign it."
"Welcome to The Seven."
"Though it seems to have become The Eight now."
...
Half an hour later.
The 'homelander no. 2' returned fully loaded.
Not only had they emptied Odin's vault,
they had also casually abducted a Goddess of Death.
Looking at the receding Asgard,
Arthur sat on the bridge in a great mood.
"This trip was a total jackpot."
"popularity points have surpassed two hundred million."
"Silver Superman advanced template unlocked."
"Infinity Stones gathered."
"And I've even recruited such a capable female enforcer."
He glanced at Hela, who was in the corner having a staring contest with Jean Grey.
"Hmm, with a bit of a makeover, she could probably serve as a face for the company too."
"Next..."
Arthur opened the system panel.
He looked at the unlit [Golden Superman] icon.
The ultimate form that required a full billion popularity points to unlock.
"Looks like I'll have to keep stirring things up."
Arthur rubbed his chin.
"Earth is too small."
"Asgard is too poor."
"It's time..."
"To set my sights a bit further."
He turned his head toward Wesley:
"After we get back."
"Issue an announcement for me."
"Say..."
"The Homelander Group is about to launch the 'Great Cosmic Era' plan."
"We are going to liberate the suffering people of the entire Universe!"
"And while we're at it..."
A red light flashed in Arthur's eyes:
"Ask that Planet called Ego."
"If he's willing to become my colony?"
"I heard he's also a god?"
"Heh."
"I like hitting gods the most."
Chapter 89: I Heard You're a Ball?
The "homelander no. 2" battleship was currently shuttling through the light of the Bifrost Bridge at a speed hundreds of times faster than light.
Inside the bridge.
The atmosphere was a bit subtle—
Awkward.
The newly hired "Security Chief," Hela, was sitting on the sofa that originally belonged to Logan, her long legs crossed.
She was playing with a newly condensed nightsky sword in her hand, her eyes scanning the "colleagues" around her as if she were looking at trash.
"A bunch of mortals."
"A mutated Beast."
"A Joker playing with magnets."
Hela snorted coldly, her gaze finally landing on Jean Grey.
"Only that bird inside your body is barely worth looking at."
"But you're still too green."
"If it were that old fogey Odin in his youth, he might have been able to trade a few blows with me."
The cigar in Logan's mouth was nearly bitten in half.
With a "clang," his pair of adamantium claws snapped out.
"Hey, you crazy woman with the antler helmet."
Logan blew a smoke ring, his face full of displeasure.
"Have you still not figured out the situation?"
"This is the Homelander Group, not that glittering nursing home of yours."
"Here, I am a senior employee, and you are an intern."
"Understand? Intern!"
"You seek Death!"
Killing intent surged in Hela's eyes.
The black sword in her hand instantly turned into a streak of light, stabbing straight for Logan's throat!
"Enough."
A flat voice rang out, yet it seemed to contain supreme authority.
Without any movement.
The black sword in Hela's hand shattered into dross just a centimeter away from Logan!
It dissipated into specks of black energy powder.
Arthur sat in the command chair, without even turning his head.
He just looked at the magnificent starry sky outside the window, holding a cup of iced cola in his hand.
"Hela."
"I don't like infighting."
"If you have so much energy, there will be plenty of places for you to vent in a moment."
"But if you dare touch my employees..."
Arthur turned his head slightly.
In those blue eyes, a flicker of red light flashed.
"I wouldn't mind stuffing you back into that dungeon."
"And adding the seal of the six Infinity Stones."
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"Even if it's Ragnarok, don't dream of coming out."
Hela's entire body stiffened.
That fear originating from the depths of her soul made her instantly restrain her killing intent.
She snorted coldly, turned her head away, and stopped speaking.
But she noted down this debt.
"Boss."
Only then did Wesley dare to walk up, wiping cold sweat, and handed over a tablet computer.
"We are about to arrive at the target coordinates."
"According to the star chart, this Planet... is very strange."
"It has a life reaction."
"But this reaction... covers the entire Planet."
"We're here."
Arthur put down the cola.
"Start the live stream."
"Let the family back on Earth take a look."
"At what is called a true—"
"Grand spectacle."
...
Boom—!!!
The battleship exited hyperspace jump.
A huge, beautiful Planet emitting a weird red light appeared in everyone's vision.
Planet Ego.
It didn't have natural textures like ordinary Planets.
Its surface was covered with peculiar vegetation and rock layers, as if a giant human face were sleeping.
"This is... a Living Planet?"
Tony Stark looked at the holographic scan, his brow furrowed.
"Jarvis, the energy readings of this thing are wrong."
"Its core... is like a giant brain."
"This simply violates biological common sense!"
"Common sense?"
Arthur stood up and straightened his cape.
"In this Universe, common sense is meant to be broken."
"Let's go."
"To meet this—"
"Biggest scumbag in the Universe."
...
The surface of Planet Ego.
The scenery here was picturesque and colorful.
Giant bubbles floated in the air, and peculiar plants swayed in the wind.
When the "homelander no. 2" hovered in the air.
On the ground.
A white-haired old man, who looked kind and gentle, was waiting with a smile, accompanied by a girl in green with antennae.
Ego.
And that poor Mantis.
The hatch opened.
Arthur descended slowly with his "super team."
Eddie Brock, carrying a camera, rushed to the front immediately, the lens aimed at Arthur's grand figure.
"Welcome, guests from afar."
Ego opened his arms, a kind smile typical of an elder on his face.
"I am Ego."
"The Master of this Planet, and also a... God."
"I feel the surging power within your bodies."
Ego's gaze lingered on Arthur for a moment, an imperceptible trace of greed flashing in his eyes.
"Especially you, young man."
"Your level of existence seems to have surpassed that of a mortal."
"Are you interested in exploring with me—"
"The true meaning of life?"
These words were spoken with such propriety and elegance.
If it were that silly boy Star-Lord, he would probably have called him 'Dad' on the spot.
But.
He was facing Arthur.
A Homelander who could act even better and was even greedier than him.
"The true meaning of life?"
Arthur smiled.
He walked up to Ego, with less than half a meter between them.
That terrifying sense of pressure made Mantis's antennae tremble with fear.
"Old man."
Arthur reached out to straighten Ego's collar, as if he were organizing a piece of merchandise about to be put into storage.
"Put away your tricks for deceiving children."
"I know who you are."
"I also know what you've done."
"Sowing seeds across the Universe, and then bringing your own children back to use as batteries?"
"Tsk, tsk, tsk."
Arthur shook his head, his face full of disdain.
"Even a vicious tiger doesn't eat its cubs."
"Isn't your behavior a bit too unsightly?"
As soon as these words were spoken.
The smile on Ego's face instantly froze.
In his originally kind eyes, a trace of ruthlessness flashed.
"How... do you know?"
"That's not important."
Arthur turned around, facing the camera, and opened his arms.
"What's important is."
"I, Homelander."
"On behalf of Earth, on behalf of justice, and on behalf of all the single mothers abandoned by you across the Universe!"
"Have come to repossess your property!"
"From today on."
Arthur pointed to the ground beneath his feet.
"This ball."
"Is now surnamed Arthur!"
"Presumptuous!!!"
Ego could finally no longer keep up the act.
He let out a roar.
The entire Planet instantly changed color!
The originally beautiful scenery instantly turned into hideous tentacles.
The ground split open, and countless giants made of rock rose from the Earth!
In the sky, clouds gathered to form a giant human face, roaring at everyone.
"I am a God!"
"I am the ruler of this World!"
"You ants, how dare you covet the authority of a God?!"
The energy on Ego's body surged crazily, and the pressure coming from the Celestials made the members of The Seven feel a sense of suffocation.
Except for Hela.
The Goddess of Death licked her lips, an excited light appearing in her eyes.
"What a big tombstone."
"Boss, can I kill this one?"
"You can,"
Arthur nodded, looking indifferent.
"But don't damage the land."
"This will be our company's interstellar resort in the future."
"Boys!"
Arthur snapped his fingers.
"Time to work!"
"Give this old gentleman a full-body massage!"
"Yes!"
"Roar—!!!"
Logan was the first to rush out.
He jumped directly onto the face of a rock giant, his steel claws outputting crazily, slicing that stone head into pieces.
Magneto hovered in mid-air.
He pressed his hands downward.
"The metal content here... is a bit low."
"But it doesn't matter."
Magneto summoned those few Asgardian metal plates from the battleship.
They instantly turned into countless sharp blades, raining down upon those tentacles on the ground.
Jean Grey went all out.
The Phoenix Force erupted, directly annihilating a large area of attacking energy tentacles into ash.
"Mantis!"
Arthur paid no attention to those small fry.
His figure flickered, appearing directly in front of the shivering Mantis.
"Ah!"
Mantis screamed in fear.
"Don't be afraid."
Arthur showed a "gentle" smile.
"I'm here to save you."
"And incidentally, give you a new job."
"From now on, you are my Personal Hypnotist."
He grabbed Mantis's arm and threw her directly to Tony behind him.
"Tony, keep an eye on her!"
"She's a very useful tool!"
After doing all this.
Arthur turned his head.
Looking at that still-raging avatar of Ego.
"Had enough of a tantrum?"
The red light in Arthur's eyes began to gather.
"I heard you're a ball?"
"Perfect."
"I haven't played ball in a long time."
Zzt—!!!
Two beams of Heat Vision, empowered by the Mind Stone, shot out instantly!
This time.
Arthur did not hold back.
The power of the Silver Superman Advanced Template was fully unleashed!
That Heat Vision directly pierced through Ego's avatar, through the crust, pointing straight at the glowing brain in the center of the Planet!
"Aaaahhh—!!!"
The entire Planet was screaming in pain.
The Earth collapsed, and magma gushed out.
"No! This is impossible!"
Ego's voice was filled with fear.
"How could you be this strong?!"
"What on Earth are you?!"
"Me?"
Arthur hovered above the sea of fire.
The cape behind him was reflected a bright red.
He faced the camera and straightened his hair.
"I am Homelander."
"And I am your—"
"Landlord."
Boom!!!
Arthur slammed a fist into the ground.
The entire Planet instantly went quiet.
[Ding! Detected host has defeated the Celestial Ego!]
[Ding! The universal live stream effect is explosive! popularity points are skyrocketing!]
[Ding! popularity points +30,000,000!]
[Ding! popularity points +50,000,000...]
Arthur looked at the frantically jumping numbers.
He smiled with satisfaction.
"This trip wasn't in vain."
"Not only did I get a Planet to use as a Base."
"But I also gained a Master hypnotist."
"One step closer..."
"To Golden Superman."
Chapter 90: Galaxy Dance Troupe? I think it's a circus!
Planet Ego.
This living Planet that once overflowed with "paternal love" and conspiracy.
At this moment, it has completely changed.
The original eerie red vegetation had been cleared away, replaced by a complex of golden buildings filled with Homelander's aesthetic style.
A massive statue thousands of meters high—
Specifically, a statue of Arthur himself, standing at the very top of the Planet.
Hands on hips, cloak fluttering, overlooking the entire sector.
"Tsk."
"Tony, your aesthetic sense is finally on point for once."
Arthur floated on the statue's shoulder, holding a cup of iced cola flown in from Earth.
He looked down at the busy "renovation crew" and nodded with satisfaction.
Below.
Magneto Erik was miserably manipulating tens of thousands of tons of metal, laying floor tiles for the plaza.
A man of grand spectacles, reduced to a high-end bricklayer.
And Hela, the Goddess of Death from Asgard.
Was currently holding her nightsky sword, boredly trimming those tentacle plants that grew too fast.
"Damned mortal..."
Hela muttered while she hacked away:
"Once I recover my strength... once I find an opportunity..."
"Keep dreaming."
Logan passed by with a cigar in his mouth, carrying a massive Vibranium pillar on his shoulder, mocking her mercilessly:
"Even that golden guy (Sentinel) is acting as a power bank for the boss."
"You? Give it a rest."
Hela's teeth itched with rage, but she was helpless.
Because she could feel it.
The man floating in the sky was watching everything with a playful gaze.
That sense of oppression was even heavier than Odin's seal.
Just then.
"Beep beep beep—!!!"
Outside Planet Ego's atmosphere, a piercing alarm suddenly sounded.
It was the planetary-scale defense system Tony had set up.
"Sir."
Jarvis's voice spread through the area via broadcast:
"An unregistered ship has been detected forcibly entering the atmosphere."
"Model: The Milano."
"Affiliation: Raiders... or perhaps the Guardians of the Galaxy?"
"Oh?"
Arthur raised an eyebrow.
He took a sip of cola, a hint of playfulness flashing in his eyes.
"Are they finally here?"
"The Universe's biggest street loiterer."
"And that idiot who only knows how to dance."
He slowly descended, landing on the massive plaza.
"Stop working."
Arthur clapped his hands:
"Listen up, everyone, assemble."
"We have guests."
"Let's give them a... little Homelander shock."
...
"Boom—!!!"
A gaudily painted spaceship, trailing thick black smoke, stumbled through the clouds.
Then it skidded across the plaza, creating a long trail of sparks before crashing quite ungracefully into the metal floor tiles Magneto had just laid.
"Clang!"
The ship stopped.
The hatch opened.
A burst of upbeat retro music drifted out from inside.
"Come and get your love~"
Accompanied by the music.
A man wearing a red leather jacket and a Walkman mask walked out with incredibly flamboyant dance steps.
Star-Lord, Peter Quill.
Behind him.
Was an upright raccoon carrying a big gun, a tree-man who could only say one sentence, a cold and beautiful green female assassin, and a shirtless man covered in red markings.
The Guardians of the Galaxy, all present.
"Wow!"
Star-Lord took off his mask, looking at the magnificent plaza and the giant statue.
He couldn't help but whistle:
"This place is decorated pretty well!"
"Though the taste is a bit... well, nouveau riche."
"I'm Peter Quill! The legendary Star-Lord!"
Star-Lord struck a pose he thought was cool:
"I heard some old man named Ego here is my dad?"
"Where is he? Tell him to come out!"
"I want to ask him why he left me on Earth and ignored me!"
However.
What responded to him was dead silence.
Star-Lord was stunned for a moment.
He looked around.
He found a group of strange-looking people standing around.
Each of them emitted an aura that made his scalp tingle.
Especially the blonde man in the dark blue suit and red cloak directly in front of him.
He just stood there quietly.
With a smile on his face.
But that smile made Star-Lord feel like a rabbit being targeted by an eagle.
"This is that Star-Lord guy?"
Tony Stark walked out in casual clothes, a look of disdain on his face:
"Good God."
"Aren't there enough idiots on Earth?"
"Why are we exporting this variety into the Universe?"
"What's with the taste of those pants? 80s disco style?"
"Shut up! Tin man!"
Rocket Raccoon raised his big gun, baring his teeth:
"This place looks like it's loaded!"
"Quill! Stop talking nonsense!"
"Make that old man Ego hand over the inheritance!"
Rocket's shifty eyes instantly locked onto the bracer on Arthur's wrist.
There, six Infinity Stones were shining brightly.
"Gulp."
Rocket swallowed hard.
As a mechanical expert, he saw at a glance that the thing was extraordinary.
"I want that!"
Rocket pointed at Arthur's wrist and said to Groot beside him:
"I am Groot." (I want it too.)
"No, you don't, that's mine!"
Looking at this group of people who were like circus clowns.
Arthur finally couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"Heh."
"Interesting."
He slowly walked forward.
With every step, the air around them grew heavier.
"Since you're here."
"Then don't leave."
"In my zoo, I happen to be missing a trash panda and a firewood stick."
"Who are you calling a trash panda?!"
Rocket's fur bristled.
He pulled the trigger without hesitation.
"Boom!"
An energy shell powerful enough to blow up a tank headed straight for Arthur's face.
However.
Arthur didn't even dodge.
He didn't even open a shield.
He just slightly opened his mouth.
"Whoosh—"
He blew out a breath.
Not an ordinary breath.
But—Super Breath!
A violent wind!
Even without using much force, this airflow was comparable to a Category 12 hurricane!
That energy shell was blown right back in mid-air!
"Holy crap?!"
Rocket cried out in fear and quickly jumped away.
Boom!
The shell exploded next to The Milano, making the ship shake three times.
"That's it?"
Arthur shook his head, looking disappointed.
"Too weak."
"You're not even qualified to make me warm up."
His figure flashed.
He instantly appeared in front of Star-Lord.
Extending one hand, he directly grabbed Star-Lord's neck and lifted him up like a little chicken.
"You're Peter Quill?"
Arthur looked at this face that was still trying to make a grimace even while being choked.
"I heard you have half-Celestial blood?"
"Cough... let... let me go..."
Star-Lord struggled desperately, firing several shots from the Element Gun in his hand at Arthur's chest.
Clang, clang, clang!
Not even a mark was left.
"Peter!"
Gamora drew her longsword and rushed forward.
Drax also roared and brandished his dual blades.
"Scram!"
Arthur didn't even spare them a glance.
Red light flashed in his eyes.
Zzzzt—!!!
Two Heat Vision beams instantly carved a charred trench on the ground.
It stopped exactly one millimeter in front of their toes.
That terrifying heat hitting their faces made Gamora and Drax stop in their tracks.
Cold sweat poured down.
"One more step."
"And you die."
Arthur's voice was cold, without a hint of emotion.
Dead silence filled the area.
This group of outlaws who ran rampant in the Milky Way Galaxy finally realized the gap in strength.
"Bring Ego up."
Arthur casually threw Star-Lord to the ground and instructed Wesley.
A moment later.
An old man in tattered robes, looking somewhat listless, was brought up.
It was Ego's avatar.
At this moment, he didn't have even a shred of a God's majesty left.
He looked completely like a bullied, lonely old man.
"Peter..."
Seeing Star-Lord, a glint flashed in Ego's eyes.
It was the light of seeing hope for a comeback!
As long as he devoured Peter's divine power, he could escape the control of this damned Homelander!
"My child! You're finally here!"
Ego opened his arms, trying to show paternal love:
"Quick! Come to your father!"
"These demons have occupied our home!"
"We must join forces to drive them out!"
Star-Lord climbed up from the ground, looking at this strange old man.
Although his bloodline was calling out, he believed the facts before his eyes more.
And that was—this old man seemed to be doing even worse than he was.
"Trying to cause trouble?"
Arthur sneered.
He walked behind Ego and pressed a hand on Ego's shoulder.
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"Behave yourself."
Buzz!
The Power Stone flashed with purple light.
A terrifying gravity instantly pressed down on Ego.
"Thud!"
Ego knelt directly on the ground, his knees smashing two pits into the metal floor.
"Ah—!!!"
"Don't move."
Arthur patted Ego's face:
"Did I tell you to speak?"
"Mantis!"
Arthur snapped his fingers.
Mantis, who had been hiding in the back, walked out tremblingly.
"Boss..."
"Make him quiet."
"Yes..."
Mantis placed her hand on Ego's head.
"Sleep..."
The light in Ego's eyes instantly vanished, becoming cloudy and vacant as he slumped to the ground like an Alzheimer's patient.
This smooth sequence of operations left the Guardians of the Galaxy dumbfounded.
That's a God?
That's the Master of a Planet?
Being trained like a dog just like that?
"Alright."
Arthur clapped his hands and looked back at Star-Lord and the others.
His face wore that familiar smile he had specifically practiced to earn popularity points.
"Everyone."
"Welcome to the Homelander Group."
"I am the boss here. You can call me Homelander, or you can call me—God."
Arthur pointed to the cameras around them (Eddie was already sensibly broadcasting live):
"I'll give you two choices."
"First."
"Join my company."
"I will package you and give you traffic."
"For example, you, Peter."
Arthur pointed at Star-Lord:
"You dance quite well."
"I can set up a special show for you called 'Galaxy Dance Troupe'."
"As for that raccoon..."
"He can be a mascot or a technical consultant."
"That tree... being a potted plant is also quite good."
"What?!"
Star-Lord's eyes widened:
"Dance troupe? I'm Star-Lord! A great thief! A lawless rogue!"
"You want me to go dance?!"
"I am Groot!" (I am Groot!)
"He said he's definitely not a potted plant!" Rocket translated.
"If you're unwilling..."
The smile on Arthur's face instantly vanished.
Replaced by a despairing coldness.
"Then there's the second choice."
He raised his hand.
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The light from the six Infinity Stones instantly illuminated the entire plaza.
A terrifying pressure bore down like a mountain.
"I will take you."
"Along with this junker ship."
"And throw you all into the Sun."
"As fuel."
"I'll give you three seconds to consider."
"Three."
"Two."
"Um..."
Star-Lord instantly raised his hand, his face showing a smile that looked worse than crying:
"Actually..."
"I've had a dream since I was a child."
"And that was to become a great dancer."
"Boss, do you think my slide is up to standard?"
As he spoke, Star-Lord actually performed a Michael Jackson Moonwalk on the spot.
Rocket Raccoon covered his face.
"So embarrassing..."
"I don't know him."
But in the next second, Rocket also raised his furry little paws:
"Um... Boss."
"Does the technical consultant position include room and board?"
"I think that bracer of yours is pretty good. Can you lend it to me to study for a couple of days?"
Arthur laughed.
A very bright laugh.
"[Ding! Detected that the entire Guardians of the Galaxy has submitted!]"
"[Ding! Harvested the laughter and shock of the entire Universe's audience! popularity points+5,000,000!]"
"[Ding! popularity points +8,000,000!]"
"That's more like it."
Arthur walked over and put his arm around Star-Lord's shoulder (though Star-Lord was trembling):
"We're all family."
"As long as you follow me."
"There will be bread."
"And there will be popularity."
"Wesley!"
"Here, Boss!"
"Take them to sign the contracts."
"Remember, make the penalty for breach of contract very high."
"The kind that they couldn't pay back even if they sold the entire Milky Way."
"Yes!"
Watching this group of new employees being led away.
Arthur was in a great mood.
"The team is getting bigger and bigger."
"Next..."
He looked up at the starry sky.
"It's time to collect that biggest debt."
"Dormammu..."
"Your Dark Dimension."
"Should be quite suitable to use as my—"
"Private cinema, right?"