Hela's impression of human mages was still rooted in the past—before she was sealed away.
Back then, both humans and their so-called mages were weak.
The fundamental reason was simple: human genetics placed a limit on their potential.
Yet now, Luo Bai had shattered her perception of human limitations.
Why did she feel that the man standing before her was… different?
What was that power that just erupted from his body?
How did he destroy the undead army she had just resurrected… and even Fenrir?
And with just one strike—total annihilation?
Granted, Fenrir and her undead warriors were mere puppets now, far weaker than when they were alive.
But they weren't that weak.
Even if she had attacked them herself, she wouldn't have been able to wipe them out so effortlessly.
What kind of monster was this Luo Bai?!
The shock was so overwhelming that Hela couldn't help but tremble as she exclaimed, "Impossible! This is impossible! You're just a human mage—how can you wield such power?!"
"It's impossible for humans," Luo Bai replied calmly. "And impossible for mages, too. But the power of fairies can."
Hela frowned. "Fairy power? What nonsense is that?"
Luo Bai let out a soft chuckle. "A power born from the universe itself. You don't even know about it? And yet you dream of conquering the cosmos?"
Hela fell silent.
She had never heard of this so-called fairy power.
Although she had led Asgard's armies to conquer the Nine Realms, when she sought to expand beyond, Odin had stopped her—sealing her away before she ever faced the greater powers of the universe.
She had no idea what lay beyond the Nine Realms.
But she had always believed that her power, unmatched in the realms she had known, would be enough to claim the universe.
Perhaps… she had been too arrogant.
Luo Bai continued, his voice steady.
"Fairy power is just one of many forces in the universe. But the true enemies out there… they are far more terrifying than you can imagine.
Have you heard of the Celestials? Do you know of Chaos and the Lord of Order? Have you seen the five great cosmic entities of creation?"
"You know nothing, Hela. And yet, you think you can conquer everything?"
His words cut through her like a blade.
Then, he added: "Hela, your father was not entirely wrong. Being the Goddess of Death in Asgard and protecting the Nine Realms—that is what's best for you and for Asgard."
Luo Bai's tone was calm, but his expression was no longer indifferent. For the first time, he looked serious.
Because what he had just said wasn't only about Hela's enemies—
They were potential threats to Earth. To him.
His words were not only a warning to Hela, but also a reminder to himself.
Luo Bai understood the truth of the universe. He knew what lurked beyond the veil of the Nine Realms.
That was why he was always pushing himself to grow stronger, why he chose to keep a low profile.
But Hela…
Hela had never seen the outside world.
And in her arrogance, she simply could not comprehend what he was telling her.
She felt no fear.
Only humiliation.
She was Hela, the Goddess of Death!
She had won countless battles for Asgard!
She had conquered the Nine Realms alongside Odin and had never suffered a single defeat!
And now… she couldn't even land a single blow against a human mage?
Unacceptable.
Unforgivable.
Seething with rage, Hela roared, "You think I'll submit to you like I did to Odin?! Over my dead body! If you want me to kneel—then kill me first!"
Deep down, she wasn't saying this because she looked down on Luo Bai.
She was saying it because she refused to admit defeat.
Because she couldn't admit it.
Instead, she channeled all her shame, her anger, and her frustration into a reckless assault.
With a furious cry, she launched a barrage of black swords at Luo Bai.
But her fury made her attacks wild and disorganized.
Luo Bai, unlike her, remained composed.
Kamar-Taj mages were not weak in close combat, and against such an erratic offensive—he had no trouble countering her.
Releasing his Aken Form, Luo Bai instantly multiplied into hundreds of clones, surrounding Hela from all sides.
The Aken Form was not just a simple duplication technique—
Each clone possessed the full strength of the original.
Hela was struggling against just one Luo Bai.
Now, she had to face hundreds.
At first, she managed to hold her ground, barely fending them off.
But as the battle raged on, she began to falter.
The "Luo Bais" rained down relentless blows.
Punch after punch, her defenses crumbled.
And no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't tell which one was the real Luo Bai.
Desperation consumed her.
"I can die on the battlefield! But I will never stop my conquest of the universe!" she screamed defiantly.
Her voice echoed across the battlefield.
"I sacrificed countless warriors for my ambition! How can Odin justify their deaths if I abandon my path now?!"
Luo Bai suddenly stopped.
In an instant, his clones vanished, and he descended from mid-air to stand before her.
For the first time, he looked directly into her eyes—and saw something different.
Her gaze was filled with determination.
She wasn't just some ruthless warlord.
She was someone who had been shaped by war. By Odin's teachings.
Since birth, she had been raised to conquer.
Trained to be Asgard's sword, its ultimate weapon.
And when Odin decided she was no longer needed, he cast her aside.
Hela was a victim.
And yet, there was no turning back for her now.
Luo Bai sighed.
If she refused to abandon her ambition…
If she truly wouldn't stop until she conquered the universe…
Then keeping her alive would only bring endless disaster to Earth.
"I didn't want to fight you," he admitted. "Because your death could mean the destruction of Asgard itself."
His voice grew colder.
"But since you're so determined—since you'd rather die than give up—then I have no choice but to rewrite Asgard's fate myself."
As his words fell, Luo Bai unleashed the full power of the fairies.
A wave of celestial energy spread across Asgard, consuming everything in its path.
Hela felt the overwhelming force envelop her—and then, the impossible happened.
Her power was being drained.
Faster than she could resist.
No matter how she struggled, how she fought, the fairy power kept devouring her strength—bit by bit.
For the first time, fear flashed in Hela's eyes.
"What… what is this?! Why is it absorbing Asgard's divine power?!" she cried out in shock.
Luo Bai didn't answer.
He simply let the fairy power continue its work.
Hela could feel it—her power slipping away.
It wasn't instant destruction.
It wasn't a quick death.
It was far worse.
Her strength was being slowly, painfully drained from her body.
She had always been able to draw energy from Asgard itself, but now—
Now, she realized something terrifying.
No matter how much divine power she absorbed… she couldn't keep up.
The fairy power was simply stronger.
Perhaps sensing Hela's thoughts, Luo Bai taunted her: "The little divine power you've absorbed might not even be enough to satisfy the fairy power. Why not try absorbing more?"
Hela: "..."
At this moment, she finally understood why Odin had agreed to sign such a contract with Luo Bai.
Before Luo Bai unleashed these abilities, Hela hadn't thought much of it.
But the moment the fairy power appeared, she realized something was wrong.
What the hell is this? This power... it's terrifying.
It was absorbing her strength—and she couldn't stop it.
Now, Hela had only two choices.
One was to have all the energy drained from her body and await death.
The other was surrender.
Hela was tough. She was proud. She was arrogant.
But in the face of absolute power—
If she wanted to live, she had to make the right choice.
Since ancient times, the victors have been kings, and the losers have been bandits.
No one understood this better than Hela.
So, after realizing that she was completely powerless against the fairy power, she immediately decided to... adapt to the situation.
"I surrender," Hela said sincerely. "I swear to give up on conquering the universe."
At this moment, all her previous arrogance had vanished. The speed at which she admitted defeat was a stark contrast to her earlier bravado.
There was no other choice.
No matter how proud she was, her life was more important.
Of course, Hela had admitted defeat—
But Luo Bai didn't order the fairy power to stop. Instead, he sighed and said with regret, "Unfortunately, it's too late. I gave you a chance earlier, but you didn't cherish it."
Hela froze for a moment before continuing, "If you let me live, from this day forward, I will follow your orders. To me, you will be the only ruler of Asgard!"
Luo Bai remained silent.
Hela gritted her teeth and tried again.
"I am far stronger than both Loki and Thor. Keeping me alive will be useful to you."
"But they are much simpler than you," Luo Bai replied flatly.
Hela clenched her fists. "If you don't trust me, we can sign a contract. Just like Odin did. As long as you stop absorbing my power, I'll swear absolute loyalty!"
For the first time—Hela begged.
This time, Luo Bai finally withdrew the fairy power.
By now, it had absorbed most of Hela's strength. She was noticeably weaker.
The moment the power stopped, Hela dropped to one knee, her face pale as she gasped for breath, struggling to absorb Asgard's divine energy to recover.
Luo Bai didn't acknowledge her weakened state. He simply handed her a contract.
"Sign it."
Hela barely glanced at the contents before immediately signing her name.
Luo Bai retrieved the contract, gave it a quick look, and clicked his tongue.
"You should have done this earlier. You just had to waste some strength on resisting... Tsk, tsk."
With that, he turned and left without another glance, heading back toward the great hall of Asgard.
At this moment, Odin was seated on the throne.
Upon seeing him, Luo Bai pulled out the contract and said, "Alright, your daughter has come to her senses. She swore she won't try to conquer the universe again and is willing to stay in Asgard, be a good goddess, and even protect Earth."
Odin: "......"
Did she really 'come to her senses'?
Didn't you just beat her half to death?!
"Is this what you meant when you said... you're good at 'reasoning' with people?" Odin asked, his expression complicated.
Luo Bai raised an eyebrow. "Of course. Just tell me—is she convinced or not?"
Odin: "..."
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