Even if it's just an incomplete fragment of the Phoenix Force, it's already tempting enough for Lin Fan.
Because once the complete Phoenix Force appears in this universe, the host of the fragment will be naturally drawn to it—like a magnet—and seamlessly absorb the entirety of the cosmic entity.
And then… they'll become the true Phoenix.
A power strong enough to dominate the multiverse.
But Lin Fan couldn't help wondering—was Jean Grey still teaching at the Xavier Institute?
Unfortunately, Psylocke—knew nothing about the X-Men. She couldn't help him on that front.
"You've heard of the mutant school. Take me there," Lin Fan said, eyes locked on Psylocke.
"No! We need to get out of here—fast!" she replied urgently. "You just killed members of the Hellfire Club. Their leader—the Black King, Sebastian Shaw—won't let us go!"
Her voice trembled with panic, yet she instinctively reached for Lin Fan's hand.
"Oh? Is the Black King that strong?" Lin Fan asked, amused. "Do you think he's stronger than me?"
Psylocke hesitated, then shook her head quickly. "No… I think you're stronger. But Shaw is dangerous. His power is almost perfect—he can absorb kinetic and energy-based attacks, converting them into his own strength. So far, nothing has been able to hurt him."
Her voice lowered as if recalling a nightmare. "It's said he once survived a direct nuclear explosion without a scratch…"
Lin Fan grinned. "Sounds fun. I'm short on subordinates lately. Maybe I'll make him one."
With that, he grabbed Psylocke by the waist, blasted into the air, and disappeared into the night sky.
High above the city of San Francisco, the wind roared around them. Psylocke tried to speak but was silenced by the sheer force of their ascent. In moments, they had cleared the city and were accelerating across the countryside.
She didn't realize it yet, but Psylocke had never told Lin Fan the location of the Hellfire Club's headquarters.
And yet, he was flying straight toward it—guided by the faint glow of the Mind Stone embedded in his Infinity Gauntlet.
---
Over 300 kilometers away, nestled in the mountains, stood a dark and ancient castle—the Hellfire Club's stronghold.
Inside, the elite were gathered around a massive round table. Seated at the head was Sebastian Shaw, the Black King, dressed sharply in a black tuxedo. Around him sat his inner circle: Selene the Black Queen, the Black Bishop, the White King, the White Queen—Emma Frost
Their codenames mirrored chess pieces, representing rank and strategy.
"The White Rock is dead," Selene announced. "The life force I absorbed from him is fading."
Selene scoffed. "Pathetic. Killed while chasing a low-level mutant?"
Emma narrowed her eyes. "That means we've lost the vibranium we just acquired. That shipment was worth a fortune."
"We can bicker all night," said the Black Bishop, "or decide who's going to finish what he started. We can't let Hellfire's name be trampled like this."
The room erupted in arguments.
Then—BOOM!
The ceiling exploded.
Lin Fan descended through the smoke, holding Psylocke casually as he floated in midair.
"So this is the Hellfire Club," he said with a smirk. "Figures villains would hide out in a gloomy old castle in the mountains."
Shaw's eyes narrowed. "Psylocke. You dare return here?"
Then his gaze turned to Lin Fan. "And who the hell are you to cross the Hellfire Club?"
"Why?" Lin Fan shrugged. "Short on manpower. I figured I'd borrow a few of yours."
Shaw's nose flared in rage.
Without another word, Lin Fan extended his arm—and punched.
The air itself seemed to shatter as a shockwave exploded from his fist, slamming into Shaw.
BOOM!
The tuxedo ripped to shreds. Shaw staggered, blood trickling down his face—but he stood his ground, eyes burning with rage.
He had survived.
"Amazing," Lin Fan murmured. "You really are tough. Nearly omega-level, huh? You might be worthy."
But Shaw was trembling internally. That punch—casual as it was—had nearly overwhelmed his ability to absorb force. Another one like it, and he knew he'd be pulp.
A nuclear blast couldn't hurt me… but that punch… was stronger?
Shaw refused to believe it. He bared his teeth, igniting with crimson energy. "Let's see how you like this…!"
His body glowed red-hot. Then—ROAR!
From his mouth erupted a searing shockwave shaped like a fire dragon. The heat melted the granite floor; walls cracked; the entire castle groaned under the sheer destructive force.
Lin Fan watched it approach, calm and grinning.
"Alright then. Let's play."
He pushed Psylocke to safety and cupped his hands together.
A white orb of energy formed between his palms.
"Kame…hame…ha!"
With each syllable, the energy ball grew, condensing into a swirling mass of unimaginable power.
Animals across the countryside fled in terror as a divine aura filled the air.
A power unlike anything they had ever felt…
The wrath of a god was about to be unleashed.
---