"Shattered but not scattered glass."
This was Dr. Helen Cho's colloquial assessment of Hong Fei's current physical condition. This state relied on his own physical strength after several advancements, as well as the peripheral maintenance of Dragon Power. However, at this moment, his body had already repaired significantly compared to right after the battle ended.
Killing Carol caused his energy to surge, which to a certain extent helped accelerate the recovery speed of his physical body. At this stage, his total energy capacity far exceeded his usage requirements. The biggest consumer was Eyes of Death, followed by skill cards ranked purple and above; the consumption of blue and lower-tier skill cards was no longer an issue.
In other words, although he had many skills, he used few on a daily basis, and his mana bar was super long. The biggest regret this time was that the integration level of Dragon Power did not achieve significant growth due to the battle. This might be related to him unleashing Dragon Power beyond his integration level.
At least thirty percent of his current injuries were caused by this over-level outburst that harmed himself before harming others. Seeing Hong Fei lying in the transparent pod, lost in thought, Dr. Helen Cho looked at his body covered in hideous patterns and felt heartbroken. With a plop, a tear fell onto the pod lid. Hong Fei immediately snapped back to reality: "I am fine, I will be better soon."
Dr. Helen Cho turned her back to wipe away her tears and said again: "You almost died."
"I cannot die."
Dr. Helen Cho stamped her foot: "You are still saying that?"
"Fine, I will not say it, but I... well, it is very hard for me to die."
"What if you lost?" Hong Fei said straightforwardly: "Even if I lost, I would not die."
"You..."
Dr. Helen Cho gritted her teeth, turned, and left directly. With half a foot out the door, she looked back and said: "Stay lying down for two hours and come out yourself! Hmph!"
Watching her walk away, Hong Fei sighed helplessly, and large bubbles bubbled up in the liquid once again. A few seconds after the door closed, sparks burst out in the space beside the pod, and Ancient One walked in gracefully with her hands behind her back.
Walking halfway around the pod, she smiled and said: "You do not look very good."
"I do not look good, and in reality, I am even worse."
"You did not need to be so anxious."
"It was an opportunity. If I did not do it this time, I would have to do it later. Instead of waiting, it is better to do it now."
Ancient One shook her head gently and added: "You need at least three months to recover now."
Hong Fei, lying in the pod, nodded: "That is theoretically the case."
"Oh?"
Ancient One raised an eyebrow: "It seems you have another way?"
"I suppose so. However, after I recover, I still need to go to K'un-Lun. Are you interested in going to take a look?"
Ancient One sighed: "You really cannot stay idle for even a moment."
"This is a planned matter. I do not refuse it, nor can I resist the occasional changes in the plan, but I can control the established direction and goals."
"This is exactly what makes you the most steadfast and trustworthy, and worthy of expectation."
"You should have watched the battle just now."
"I watched it. Several times, you almost died."
"You could even tell that?"
"You know that I can see many futures, and you always manage to walk onto the correct path."
"So I am worthy of expectation?"
"You could say that."
As the saying goes, it is easier to get things done with someone backing you up. Although this Ancient One, like Carol, was female, in her consciousness, regarding the choice in this matter, there was no gender, only stance.
The Ancient One observed the entire process with quiet intensity. If things went sideways, she wouldn't stand idly by. This contingency plan—or more accurately, this escape route—had been Hong Fei's own arrangement. Floating in the nutrient solution, Hong Fei cracked a smile.
"I've got a question."
The Ancient One considered briefly before shaking her head.
"Your understanding is flawed. The connection between an object, dimension, or even an entire universe isn't some linear tether as you imagine. It's a fundamental rule. Distance is irrelevant—the bond remains unbroken."
"Quantum entanglement?"
Hong Fei shot back.
"Not quite."
Her lips pursed.
"I can't explain it scientifically—not yet. But understand this: though her power originates in this universe, she won't lose it elsewhere. The rules will simply find her a suitable energy source."
In other words, the white hole fueling Carol's Binary Form existed here—but if she crossed into another universe, the ability would tap into a local equivalent.
The Ancient One continued, her voice measured. "The white hole tied to Carol isn't a single celestial body. It's every compatible white hole across the entire universe."
Hong Fei exhaled sharply. That invalidated all their prior assumptions.
"I see. Makes my timing even smarter—she's growing fast."
"Dwelling on that's pointless," the Ancient One countered. "The past is fixed. Focus on shaping what comes next."
"Exactly why I need to reach K'un-Lun sooner."
"I'm not discouraging you."
Her gaze sharpened.
"But your power is... unfocused."
Hong Fei's brow furrowed. After a beat, he shrugged.
"I'm working on it. Something tells me I'll crack it soon."
The Ancient One's lips curved as she looked away from the jagged markings on his face.
"Anything else?"
"Yeah. Any way to speed up my recovery?"
Her eyebrow arched.
"The faster I heal, the sooner I'm out of your hair. Then you can get back to... whatever it is you do."
A dry chuckle escaped her as she stepped toward a shimmering portal.
"I'm a sorcerer, not a medic. Ask one of your girlfriends."
Hong Fei snorted. She'd definitely been spying on him—who knew how much she'd seen?
Checking the time, he closed his eyes. Rest was vital now. Later, he'd absorb both fusion cards. If Binary Form's white hole wasn't universe-locked, he'd exploit that mercilessly.
Maybe merging "Photonic Energy Control" and "Binary Form" simultaneously would forge the ultimate Marvel superman.
Outside the castle, the living room hummed with uneasy silence. Earlier conversation had died the moment Dr. Helen Cho returned from settling Hong Fei. Now, everyone studied the carpet like it held cosmic secrets.
Helen sat directly across from Sif, her gaze unblinking as she scrutinized the warrior. Sif, who'd been examining her sword, finally lifted her head to meet that stare. Neither woman flinched.
Tony lounged in an armchair, swirling a drink as he watched with amused detachment.
It was Steve who finally broke the tension. He coughed lightly to attract everyone's attention and then asked Dr. Helen Cho: "Dr. Cho, how is Hong's physical condition?"
"Not good."
Dr. Helen Cho did not even turn her head.
"Then how long will it take for him to recover?"
"One year."
"That long?"
Not only Steve, but the others also showed signs of astonishment and shock. Dr. Helen Cho sighed secretly, turned to look at everyone, and said: "One year is already very short. His body is currently shattered, and the cyan dark patterns appearing on the outside of his body correspond to the injuries inside. Each pattern represents that he is now like porcelain about to shatter. One year already includes the Regeneration Cradle, which is not yet perfectly complete. Even if the Regeneration Cradle is successful, I think it will take at least half a year."
Steve was silent for a moment, and finally sighed: "Half a year... that is fine, it is also time for him to have a good rest."
The others also nodded. In the past year, especially in the second half of last year, they had hardly rested at all. As the leader, Hong Fei had participated in all the events and was far busier than them. Suddenly, Sif asked: "If there is help from Asgard, this time should be able to be shortened further."
Dr. Helen Cho asked in return: "Are you an Asgardian?" Sif said seriously: "I come from Asgard, but I am a god."
Dr. Helen Cho narrowed her eyes slightly, and after a short while, she nodded: "If that is possible, thank you." Sif pursed her lips and smiled gently: "This is what I should do."
Subsequently, Sif stood up, preparing to return to Asgard, and Dr. Helen Cho, seeing this, also stood up and returned upstairs. As the two left, sounds of relief came from the living room.
Tony laughed: "Two very interesting women, are they not?" Frank smoked his cigar and said: "He is not a good man."
Tony nodded in agreement; he even thought that Hong Fei was not even a good person. Xu Wenwu smiled faintly: "But he is very free."
"Do you feel you are not free?" Natasha looked back. Xu Wenwu's smile instantly vanished: "No, I am very free, and very happy."
Jessica shrugged on the side: "I thought they would fight; I was just worrying about not knowing who to help."
Banner said thoughtfully: "The best way should be to watch from the side, or leave directly."
"You are right. If they fought, helping is wrong, and not helping is also wrong. It would be best to become blind. Sorry, Matt, I did not mean to say that about you."
Matt waved his hand miserably. At night, Hong Fei left the pod and opened a Portal directly to North America, where the sun was shining brightly. In the desolate wilderness, Hong Fei stood on the top of a lonely mountain, and the golden Dragon Power suddenly covered every corner of his body. Two crystal cards appeared at the same time.
With his thought, the cards immediately decomposed rapidly from bottom to top, and then extremely fine particles poured into his body one after another. Hong Fei opened his arms, welcoming and looking forward to the changes to come. Time moved forward irreversibly. After the two cards were completely integrated into his body, Hong Fei's body began to emit a bright light from the inside out.
That was a milky white light, without any impurities. Beams of light went from few to many, and the color went from light to dark. Gradually, every inch of his bones and flesh was wrapped in the glowing white light. Finally, the whole person turned into a pure white ball of light. At this instant, Hong Fei felt that he had become light.
Suddenly, the Dragon Dimension opened, and Dragon Power surged out, pouring into Hong Fei's body like a swallow returning to the woods. Beams of straight golden light gradually shone through the white light. As the fusion process progressed, the white light and golden light gradually intertwined, with light and shadow flickering and jumping, as if they were merging.