Chapter 284: Inner Universe
Above the ruins of Chronopolis, Chu Hang sat cross-legged like an eternal statue.
Silence reigned all around; the towers had turned to dust, the platforms had crumbled into powder, and tens of thousands of timelines had been completely devoured by him.
The wreckage floated quietly in the void, forming a grand yet desolate cosmic tomb.
His eyes were tightly shut as his mind sank deep into his body.
The [Void Power] copied from The Remnant, the temporal might of the Council of Kangs seized through Greed, the Nano-Godhood of Black Armor Kang... all these powers were now flowing into his Inner Universe like a supervolcano that had accumulated energy for billions of years and was about to erupt.
The Inner Universe was undergoing a massive upheaval.
The originally sparse embryonic galaxies were now becoming complex and orderly at an unprecedented speed.
Stars moved along invisible orbits, atmospheres swirled above Planets, and tides surged within oceans. The crusts of some Planets tore and collided under the intense wash of energy, forming initial tectonic plate movements.
None of this was from his deliberate control, but rather the inevitable result of spontaneous evolution once the energy reached a critical point.
Chu Hang took a deep breath and began to actively guide this torrent.
The power of the Void Core was the most unruly; that pure termination and darkness attempted to drag all new Lifeback into extinction.
With a thought, the golden-red Phoenix Fire transformed into flexible chains, wrapping around it layer by layer.
Purple and golden-red collided and blended fiercely deep within his origin, eventually coexisting in a delicate balance.
The energy from the timelines was much gentler, permeating every corner of the Inner Universe like sweet rain, nourishing the newborn stars and Worlds.
The fragments of Universes once imprisoned by the Council of Kangs now regained their freedom, turning into the purest essence of time and space to merge into the underlying architecture of the Inner Universe.
By this point, his Inner Universe was no longer just a simple space, but a World with complete physical rules and the ability to self-circulate.
This meant he already stood at the peak of the Single Universe level, only one step away from the vast Multiverse level.
But this step could not be crossed simply by devouring more energy.
He needed to prove that he possessed not only the power of destruction but also the authority of creation.
Chu Hang opened his eyes, his gaze piercing through layers of nebulae to land on a newborn, desolate Planetdeep within the Inner Universe. It had just cooled, magma still churned on its surface, and the air was thick with lethal toxic mist.
"Life..." he whispered to himself, "I need to create Life here."
He extended his right hand, and a complex golden alchemy array appeared in his palm. The runes flowed and quickly reorganized, eventually forming an unprecedented structure—a fused form of Void Power and Phoenix Fire. Purple Void Energy condensed into a core at the center of the array, while the outer layer was tightly wrapped in the golden-red Creation Fire.
The two diametrically opposite forces reached a perfect balance under his will, turning into a violently throbbing sphere of light.
The sphere of light drifted leisurely toward that desolate Planet.
The moment it touched the surface, the sphere of light exploded—not with a roar, but with a silent impact on the level of laws. The Void Power eroded the churning magma, forcibly transforming it into stable solid matter, while the Phoenix Fire ignited this new matter, granting it the most primitive vitality.
The two forces intertwined on the Planet's surface into a magnificent landscape. Magma cooled into hard rock, toxic gases were purified into clean oxygen, and liquid Water gathered in low-lying areas to form azure oceans.
In just a few minutes, this Planet completed an evolutionary path that should have taken billions of years.
But this was still not enough. What he wanted was not just a habitable Planet, but true Life.
Chu Hang raised his hand again, and the pitch-black runes of the anti-life equation appeared in his palm. The runes flew out, turning into a streak of black light that sank deep into the ocean and quickly took root.
The dominating power of the anti-life equation began to take effect. It did not bring Death; instead, under Chu Hang's will, it forcibly defined the concept of "Life"—an energy aggregate capable of self-maintenance, possessing rudimentary consciousness, and having the potential for growth and evolution.
The seawater began to boil.
Countless tiny specks of light emerged from the pitch-black seabed. They were composed of pure Void Energy, their forms blurred like undifferentiated embryos. These specks drifted aimlessly in the water, colliding and merging with one another, gradually forming larger individuals.
Chu Hang could clearly feel their most primitive conscious fluctuations—hunger, fear, and a faint trace of curiosity.
Some specks curiously touched a piece of cold rock, while others retreated warily at the approach of their own kind.
But they were too fragile, liable to collapse at any moment due to energy imbalance.
He mobilized the Law of Life, turning it into invisible threads injected into every speck of light, granting them the ability to self-repair. He then used the Law of Spirit as a skeleton to build the most basic cognitive framework for them, allowing them to learn, remember, and think.
The specks of light began to transform.
Their shapes gradually stabilized, presenting a blurred humanoid outline, though their bodies remained translucent Void Energy entities. Their eyes were two clusters of eerie purple light, and they had no noses or mouths, only smooth faces.
They rose slowly from the ocean, hovering in mid-air, gazing blankly at this brand-new World.
Chu Hang felt their collective confusion—Who am I? Where am I? Why do I exist?
He did not answer directly, but instead implanted an eternal directive deep within their consciousness: Protect.
Protect this Universe; protect their creator.
In an instant, the eyes of all the light specks lit up, the purple light becoming brighter than ever before. They were no longer lost, as if they had found the meaning of their existence.
They turned in unison toward Chu Hang, kneeling on one knee and bowing their heads deeply. Only one individual hesitated slightly; it looked up at Chu Hang, and in those eerie purple eyes, besides obedience, there seemed to be a trace of unspeakable inquiry.
Chu Hang watched this scene, a slight smile playing on his lips.
"Void Walkers," he named this newborn race. "You are the first Kinsfolk of my Inner Universe and an extension of my power."
With a gentle wave of his hand, the Void Walkers turned into streams of light and returned to the depths of the Inner Universe. They were still very weak and needed time to grow. But Chu Hang knew that with enough energy and time, they would eventually become an invincible legion that could sweep across the Multiverse.
Creating Life allowed his understanding of his own power to enter a completely new level. He was no longer a simple Raider, but a true god of creation.
The evolution of the Inner Universe continued, but it no longer required his deliberate intervention. Everything would run on its own, following the rules he had set.
Chu Hang slowly stood up, his gaze casting toward the deeper reaches of the Multiverse.
He could feel that the downfall of the Council of Kangswas like a giant boulder thrown into a calm lake; the entire Multiverse had been disturbed. Countless ancient existences hidden in the darkness were now turning their gaze toward these ruins.
There was awe, there was fear, and there was also Greed.
Chu Hang was completely indifferent to this. He casually tore open a Spatial Rift, and golden light poured out like a tide.
It was time to go home.
---
Time Variance Authority, Central Monitoring Room.
Loki stood before a massive holographic screen with his hands behind his back, his expression solemn. On the screen, countless timelines intertwined like dense blood vessels, and the red lines representing the Council of Kangs were currently trembling and flickering violently.
"What's happening?" Mobius rushed in, holding half a cup of coffee.
"The Council of Kangs," Loki's voice was so soft it was almost inaudible, "is being erased."
As soon as he finished speaking, the red lines on the screen began to go out in large patches.
The coffee cup in Mobius's hand hit the floor with a "shatter," breaking into pieces.
"Impossible... The Council of Kangs controls tens of thousands of timelines. Their power is enough to contend with any Single Universe level existence..."
"It's not a contention," Loki interrupted him, "it's a slaughter."
On the screen, the speed at which the red lines extinguished grew faster and faster. Within just three minutes, that massive red network completely vanished, leaving only a glaring blank space.
The monitoring room fell into a deathly silence.
"He did it," Loki murmured. "Chu Hang... he actually did it."
Mobius swallowed hard with difficulty. "Then... what do we do now? Kang is gone, and those timelines..."
"They will gain their freedom," Loki turned around, "but with that comes chaos. Without Kang's suppression, the timelines will proliferate wildly, and the entropy of the Multiverse will skyrocket at an unprecedented rate."
"So, we have to go clean up this mess?"
"No," Loki shook his head, his eyes sharp. "We need to ensure that Chu Hang doesn't become the next Kang."
He waved his hand, and the screen display switched. A golden Spatial Rift was forming; it was the passage for Chu Hang to return to the Main Universe.
"Notify all departments to raise the alert level to maximum," Loki ordered. "We must prepare a response plan in case he loses control."
"Do you think we... can stop him?" Mobius gave a bitter smile.
Loki fell silent for a moment and sighed. "We can't stop him. But we must make the gesture." He stared at the increasingly brilliant golden rift. "He has already exceeded the scope of what we can understand."
---
Avengers Base, Training Ground.
Tony was debugging his armor's energy output, Thor was wielding stormbreaker, Strange was floating cross-legged in the air meditating, and Wanda was practicing Chaos Magic in a corner.
Suddenly, the entire Base shook violently. It wasn't a physical shaking, but a shuddering of space-time itself.
Everyone stopped their actions in unison and looked up at the sky.
A golden rift appeared out of thin air, and a familiar figure stepped out slowly from within.
It was Chu Hang.
He looked no different from when he had left—still with black hair and black eyes, wearing a black robe. But everyone keenly felt that the aura about him had undergone an earth-shattering change. It wasn't a difference in the strength of power, but a fundamental leap in essence, like the chasm between a mortal and a deity.
"You're back." Tony's voice was somewhat dry.
Chu Hang nodded, his gaze sweeping over everyone before finally landing on Nathaniel in the corner. The youth was leaning against the wall, his face pale, and his body was actually showing a translucent phantom, as if he might dissipate into the air at any moment.
"What's wrong with him?" Chu Hang asked with a frown.
"We don't know," Tony walked over quickly, pointing a scanner at Nathaniel. "He suddenly became like this ten minutes ago, and his Life signals are decaying at a geometric rate."
Chu Hang walked over and crouched in front of Nathaniel. He saw through the crux of the problem at a glance—a Causal Paradox. The Council of Kangs had been erased from the source by him, and as a variant of Kang, Nathanielhad lost the foundation of his existence. Like a great tree whose roots had been cut, the branches and leaves would naturally wither.
"Save him," Wanda walked over, her eyes full of pleading. "He's still just a child."
Chu Hang reached out and pressed his hand against Nathaniel's forehead.
He did not immediately infuse power; instead, he closed his eyes and sank his will into the youth's collapsing timeline.
He could feel a corrective force from the foundation of the Universe attempting to completely wipe away this paradox.
"Trying to take him from my hands? You're not qualified." Chu Hang gave a cold snort.
He no longer tried to use energy to repair it, but instead directly mobilized the core of his power—the concept of Greed. Greed was not just about devouring; it was about absolute possession.
He would forcibly possess Nathaniel's destiny!
Golden light suddenly erupted, no longer a gentle healing but an overbearing declaration.
Chu Hang's will transformed into countless golden anchors, forcibly nailing into the youth's dissipating timeline, crudely tearing it away from Kang's causal chain, and then... hooking it onto his own Inner Universe.
This process was not without cost. Chu Hang felt his newly formed and still unstable Inner Universe shudder violently, and several newborn stars instantly dimmed.
But Nathaniel's illusory body finally began to solidify again.
The youth snapped his eyes open, looking at Chu Hangblankly. "I... I'm still alive?"
"Alive." Chu Hang withdrew his hand, his expression normal. "From now on, you are no longer a variant of Kang. You are only yourself."
Nathaniel was stunned. He looked down at his hands; the scar left by the Dimensional Beacon on his wrist was still there, but it no longer glowed.
"I'm free?" he murmured, tears glistening in his eyes.
"Free." Chu Hang stood up. "But the price is that you have lost everything belonging to Kang, including his knowledge and power. Now you are just an ordinary person."
"I don't care!" Nathaniel shook his head vigorously. "I just want to be myself."
Chu Hang patted his shoulder and turned to look at everyone. "The Council of Kangs is resolved, but the threat to the Multiverse has only just begun."
"Anti-Monitor." Strange spoke with a grave expression. "He has been waiting in the Land of Nihility."
"That's right," Chu Hang nodded. "And he has already noticed me."
Before he could finish, the entire Base shook again. This time, it was a gaze from the deepest part of the Multiverse—a cold, hollow power filled with ultimate malice, precisely locking onto this location.
Chu Hang looked up, his gaze seemingly piercing through the ceiling to meet a pair of giant eyes in the endless void.
In that pure darkness, those eyes slowly opened; there was no emotion in them, only pure desire to devour everything.
Chu Hang did not look away, letting that power sweep over him. He even actively expanded his own aura to let the other see more clearly.
The Anti-Monitor, the incarnation of nothingness, an aggregate of resentment from pruned timelines.
"He's testing me," Chu Hang said calmly.
"Then what should we do?" Tony asked, his armor already covering his body.
"Do nothing." Chu Hang withdrew his gaze. "Now is not the time."
He walked toward the Base exit. "I need time to stabilize my World, and you also need time to become stronger. The Anti-Monitor is very cautious; he is waiting for the right moment."
"Waiting for what moment?" Thor gripped stormbreakertightly.
Chu Hang stopped his footsteps without looking back. "Waiting for the new order to reveal a flaw."
He raised his right hand, and a miniature galaxy appeared in his palm. It was his Inner Universe, with countless stars being born and dying within it.
"I have just completed creation, and my foundation is not yet stable. If we go to war now, the outcome is uncertain."
"So you're going into seclusion?" Strange asked.
"No." Chu Hang shook his head. "I'm going to do something even more important."
Chapter 285 Multiverse Assembly
"To be safe, I need to draw some combat power from the Multiverse."
Chu Hang raised his right hand, a miniature galaxy appearing in his palm.
—His Inner Universe.
"I left anchors in other universes; now it's time to call them over."
Strange's gaze sharpened.
"Breaking dimensional barriers?"
"The Time Variance Authority won't just sit by."
"Loki will handle it."
Chu Hang closed his eyes, his consciousness sinking into the depths of his Inner Universe.
Those anchors flickered like lighthouses.
Jean Grey from Universe X-7, Starlight Annie from Universe B-7, the Justice League from the DC Universe... he knew every location clearly.
"Get ready."
He opened his eyes, hands tracing paths in the air.
A golden Alchemy Formation spread out beneath his feet, quickly expanding to the entire training ground.
Space began to tremble.
Thor gripped stormbreaker.
Scarlet magic coiled around Wanda's fingertips.
Tony's armor covered his body instantly.
The first rift tore open, golden-red flames surging out.
Jean Grey stepped out slowly, the Phoenix Force spreading its wings behind her.
Her eyes burned with energy light; with every step she took, ripples appeared in the air.
The Avengers all took half a step back.
Not out of fear, but an instinctive awe.
Thor's hand gripping the axe trembled slightly.
—Not from fear, but excitement.
The Third Eye on Strange's forehead opened automatically, trying to analyze this power, but was instantly hit by backlash, blood seeping from the corners of his eyes.
"Chu Hang."
Jean's voice was very soft.
"I felt your summons."
Her gaze swept over everyone, finally landing on Wanda.
Their eyes met.
The Phoenix Force and Chaos Magic resonated.
—No, it was a confrontation.
The scarlet magic at Wanda's fingertips surged, forming a barrier around her.
The phantom of the Phoenix behind Jean spread its wings, letting out a silent cry.
The two forces collided in the air, stirring up circles of shockwaves.
"Enough."
Chu Hang raised his hand, a golden barrier separating the two.
"Now is not the time for infighting."
Jean withdrew the Phoenix Force, but her vigilance remained.
Wanda took a deep breath, suppressing the restless Chaos Magic within her.
Neither spoke, but the smell of gunpowder in the air remained strong.
A second rift opened.
No flames, no energy fluctuations, only pure light.
A figure in a blue and red suit flew out, landing steadily in the center of the training ground.
Superman Clark Kent.
He looked around, his gaze lingering on Chu Hang for a moment before nodding.
"I felt the threat you mentioned."
"The Justice League is willing to help."
Tony's armor scanners worked frantically, data streams scrolling rapidly.
He stared at Superman's bio-field and cellular structure.
"A perfect genetic sequence... this is impossible..."
Thor gripped his axe, lightning jumping on the blade.
He could feel that the person before him possessed power no less than his own.
Perhaps even stronger.
"Man of Steel."
Thor grinned.
"Let's spar if there's a chance."
Superman replied with a polite smile.
"It would be an honor."
A third rift tore open.
Everyone held their breath.
Stepping out of the rift was a blonde woman who looked somewhat nervous.
In a white-gold armor, the star emblem on her chest glinted in the sunlight.
Starlight Annie.
She stepped out of the rift cautiously, her eyes searching until they finally locked onto Chu Hang.
Her lips moved, but in the end, she just took a deep breath and walked out, holding a small hand beside her.
Everyone's eyes fell in unison on the little boy beside her.
The child looked two or three years old, wearing a simple T-shirt and jeans, with soft black hair and delicate features.
But what drew the most attention were his eyes.
Golden alchemy runes slowly rotated deep within his pupils.
Chu Hang was stunned.
He could clearly feel that the child's body flowed with power from the same source as his own.
The fluctuations of the Alchemy Law, though faint, were unmistakable.
"This is..."
Tony's voice sounded a bit dry.
Starlight took a deep breath and looked directly at Chu Hang.
"His name is Adam."
"Your son."
The training ground fell into a dead silence.
Everyone's gaze shifted back and forth between Chu Hang, Starlight, and the child.
Tony opened his mouth but said nothing.
Thor scratched his head with an awkward expression.
Strange looked at Chu Hang thoughtfully, a hint of amusement flashing in his eyes.
Jean frowned, the Phoenix Force's fluctuations becoming unstable.
She could feel the blood connection between Chu Hangand the child—it wasn't fake.
As for Wanda, her face turned pale instantly.
Scarlet magic surged wildly from her fingertips, twisting and rolling in the air.
She stared fixedly at Starlight, her eyes burning with a rage that was almost tangible.
"What did you say?"
Wanda's voice was very soft, each word squeezed out from between her teeth.
Starlight instinctively shielded Adam behind her but did not back down.
"I know this is sudden, but it's the truth."
"Three years ago, your clone came to my World, and we..."
"Enough!"
Wanda suddenly raised her hand, Chaos Magic turning into a scarlet beam of light, booming straight toward Starlight.
Chu Hang appeared in front of Starlight instantly, waving his right hand as a golden Alchemy Formation unfolded, absorbing the entire beam of light.
He turned and looked at Wanda calmly.
"Calm down."
"Calm down?"
Wanda's voice trembled, her eyes a mix of tears and anger.
"How do you expect me to calm down?"
"You have a child out there, and you're telling me to calm down?"
Chaos Magic surged violently around her, and the training ground floor began to crack.
Tony's armor system issued a piercing alarm.
Strange immediately deployed a defensive formation, shielding the others behind him.
Jean narrowed her eyes, the Phoenix Force ready to strike.
She could feel the Chaos Magic inside Wanda spiraling out of control; if not stopped, the entire Base would be leveled.
"Wanda."
Chu Hang's voice was still calm, but it carried an unquestionable authority.
"Let me finish."
He didn't defend himself or shift blame.
"Yes, Adam is my son."
"But that was done by a clone, not something I deliberately hid."
"A clone?"
Wanda sneered.
"So because a clone did it, you can just be irresponsible?"
"I didn't say I wouldn't take responsibility."
Chu Hang looked at Adam, who was being shielded by Starlight; the child was curiously observing him with eyes flashing with alchemy runes.
"Since he is of my blood, I will take responsibility."
"But now is not the time to deal with private matters."
He looked up, his gaze sweeping over everyone.
"The Anti-Monitor could arrive at any moment; we don't have time for infighting."
Just as he finished speaking, the entire Base shook violently.
Not a space-time fluctuation, but an attack from beyond the dimensional barrier.
The sky suddenly went dark.
—Not obscured by dark clouds, but because the light itself was being swallowed.
Pitch-black rifts tore open in the sky, and countless Shadow Demons surged out, covering the sky.
"It's here."
Chu Hang's gaze sharpened.
The number of Shadow Demons far exceeded the scale encountered in the DC Universe, densely covering the entire sky.
They had no physical form, just pure shadows, but each one radiated a malice that swallowed Life.
Superman was the first to soar into the sky, his Heat Visionsweeping across and instantly evaporating dozens of Shadow Demons.
But more Shadow Demons surged from the rifts, wave after wave.
Thor swung his axe, thunder booming, striking a patch of Shadow Demons into nothingness.
Jean spread her Phoenix wings, golden-red flames sweeping out, turning Shadow Demons into ashes wherever they passed.
But there were simply too many Shadow Demons.
"This isn't a probe."
The Third Eye on Strange's forehead worked at full capacity, trying to find the source of the Shadow Demons.
"This is a full-scale invasion!"
Chu Hang raised both hands, the power of his Inner Universe exploding fully.
A golden Law Domain expanded with him at the center, enveloping the entire Base.
All Shadow Demons entering the domain were forcibly frozen and then turned into nothingness.
The largest rift in the sky suddenly expanded, and a giant arm reached out from it.
That arm was made of pure antimatter; wherever it passed, even space itself was crumbling.
A clone of the Anti-Monitor had arrived.
"Everyone, get back!"
Chu Hang let out a low shout, his figure turning into golden light as he soared into the sky.
He collided with the giant hand in the air, a terrifying energy shockwave spreading in all directions.
The training ground floor was instantly torn up, and buildings collapsed.
Wanda grit her teeth, Chaos Magic turning into a barrier to protect Starlight and Adam behind her.
Her eyes were still full of rage, but at this moment, the instinct to protect the innocent overrode her personal emotions.
Starlight was stunned.
—The woman who wanted to kill her just moments ago was now protecting her child.
"Thank you."
She said softly.
Wanda didn't respond, only staring fixedly at the battle in the sky.
Chu Hang and the Anti-Monitor's clone clashed fiercely, each collision triggering spatial tremors.
But he could feel that this was just an appetizer.
The true Anti-Monitor main body was still waiting in the Land of Nihility.
He channeled all the power of his Inner Universe and shattered the giant hand with one punch.
antimatter energy splashed in all directions but quickly reconsolidated.
The arm reached out again, this time with a blurry face.
That face had no features, only a giant vortex that was frantically swallowing everything around it.
"the greedy one."
A hollow voice came from the vortex.
"I will have your Universe."
Chu Hang did not respond, suddenly pulling back his fist as a golden Alchemy Formation rotated in his palm.
He wasn't going for a head-on clash; he wanted to seal it.
The formation turned into golden chains, instantly coiling around the giant hand, binding it tightly.
The Anti-Monitor's clone let out an angry roar, antimatterenergy surging wildly in an attempt to break free.
But Chu Hang's Alchemy Law had already permeated every atom, locking its existence from the concept layer.
"You want my Universe?"
Chu Hang sneered.
"Then come and take it."
He slammed his hands together, and the golden chains suddenly tightened.
The giant hand let out a piercing shriek and exploded violently, turning into countless black fragments that scattered.
The rift in the sky trembled violently.
A more massive will awakened from deep within the rift.
Not a clone, but a sliver of the Anti-Monitor's main body's gaze.
Just the gaze alone made everyone feel a suffocating pressure.
Superman fell from the sky, kneeling on one knee, cold sweat breaking out on his forehead.
Thor's hand gripping the axe was trembling, and the lightning grew dim.
The phantom Phoenix behind Jean let out an uneasy cry, and Wanda's Chaos Magic barrier developed cracks.
Only Chu Hang remained suspended in the air, confronting that gaze.
"Interesting."
The Anti-Monitor's voice came from the rift, carrying a hint of amusement.
"You are stronger than I imagined."
"But that doesn't change the outcome."
"The end of the Multiverse is already destined."
"Then come and try."
Chu Hang responded calmly.
"I'll be waiting."
The rift slowly closed, and the Shadow Demon army retreated like a tide.
Light returned to the sky, but everyone knew this was just the calm before the storm.
Chu Hang landed back on the ground, his gaze sweeping over everyone.
Superman, Thor, Jean, Wanda, Starlight... everyone's face was filled with gravity.
"This is the enemy we have to face."
He said in a deep voice.
"The Anti-Monitor won't give us any more preparation time."
"Next time, he will descend with his main body."
Wanda took a deep breath, the Chaos Magic fluctuations finally calming down.
She looked at Adam, who was shielded behind Starlight; the child was curiously looking at her with eyes flashing with alchemy runes.
She turned her head away, her voice icy.
"We'll settle this matter later."
Chu Hang nodded, saying no more.
He knew Wanda's rage hadn't dissipated, only temporarily suppressed.
But now, they had more important things to do.
"Everyone, into the Base."
He ordered.
"We need to formulate a battle plan."
The crowd filed in,Only the starlight held Adam in place.,Somewhat at a loss.Everyone filed in, leaving only Starlight standing there holding Adam, looking somewhat at a loss.
Chu Hang walked up to her, knelt down, and looked the child in the eye.
Adam blinked, reached out a small hand, and gently touched Chu Hang's cheek.
Golden alchemy runes resonated the moment they touched, a warm energy flowing between them.
"Daddy."
The child spoke in a soft, childish voice.
Chu Hang was stunned, then revealed a rare, gentle smile.
He reached out and ruffled Adam's hair.
"Yes, I am your daddy."
He stood up and looked at Starlight.
"Thank you for raising him."
Starlight bit her lip, her eyes turning a bit red.
"I didn't want to tell you at first."
"But... I felt he had the right to meet you."
"You did the right thing."
Chu Hang said seriously.
"The coming battle will be very dangerous; you and Adamstay in the safest part of the Base."
"I can fight."
Starlight clenched her fists.
"I'm not a burden."
"I know."
Chu Hang nodded.
"But Adam needs you."
Starlight A moment of silence,Finally, he nodded..Starlight was silent for a moment, then finally nodded.
She took Adam's hand and followed Chu Hang into the Base.
Deep inside the Base, Wanda stood alone by the window, watching the sky outside gradually darken.
Scarlet magic threads coiled around her fingertips, her eyes flashing with complex emotions.
Anger, jealousy, resentment, and a trace of fear she didn't want to admit even to herself.
She was afraid of losing Chu Hang.
But she was even more afraid that she had already lost him.
The scene of a Shura Field
Chapter 286: Mission Assignment
In the Avengers Base conference room, no one spoke.
Tony leaned back in his chair, tapping his fingers on the table.
He glanced at the alien in the blue and red suit across from him, then at the fire in the red-haired woman's eyes beside him, finally fixing his gaze on Chu Hang.
"So, are we having a parent-teacher conference or discussing how not to be eaten by the black hole face?"
No one responded.
Thor gripped his stormbreaker, staring at Superman Clark.
Clark smiled politely, but his fingers pressed five indentations into the armrest of his chair.
Jean sat in the corner, the Phoenix Force faintly visible behind her.
Wanda sat to Chu Hang's right, her face calm, nearly invisible scarlet threads entwined around her fingertips.
Starlight stood at the doorway, holding Adam, not daring to enter.
The little boy curiously observed everyone in the room, golden runes swirling deep within his pupils.
"Alright."
Chu Hang spoke.
Everyone fell silent.
He stood up, hands resting on the table.
"Personal matters can wait until after the war."
"Right now, we only discuss one thing—how to win this battle."
Tony shrugged:
"Okay, boss's call."
Chu Hang ignored him.
"The Anti-Monitor's previous attack was just a test."
"He was testing our reaction speed and combat power limit."
"Next time he comes, he'll bring his main body, and his main body is—" Chu Hang paused, then said solemnly:
"Multiverse level."
Strange's Third Eye on his forehead opened.
"I've deduced the future and seen fourteen million possibilities."
"Our probability of winning is—"
"Don't say it."
Chu Hang interrupted him.
"Either we win, or we die."
He raised his right hand, and a miniature galaxy appeared in his palm.
"My Inner Universe has just formed and is still unstable. My strength is at the peak of Single Universe level, so I can't directly defeat the Anti-Monitor's main body."
"I didn't expect everyone to participate in battles of our level, either."
"I want everyone to take the initiative and disable his energy nodes before he's ready."
Thor stood up:
"I agree!"
"It's our turn to attack!"
Superman nodded:
"Cutting off his power source will greatly increase our chances of winning."
Jean frowned:
"But we don't know where those nodes are."
"I do."
Chu Hang waved his hand, and a golden magic circle unfolded in the air, transforming into a map of the Multiverse.
Thirteen red dots flickered.
"These are the Anti-Monitor's energy anchor points in the Multiverse. Each one is connected to the Land of Nihility, providing him with antimatter energy."
"Destroying these nodes will weaken his power by at least thirty percent."
Tony whistled:
"Sounds good."
"But there's a problem—how do we get there?"
Chu Hang looked at him:
"What do you think I called you here for?"
Tony stood up, and nano-particles of his armor spread from his wrist, forming a holographic projection in his palm.
"Wait, are you saying we're splitting up?"
"Thirteen nodes, divided into five teams, each responsible for two to three."
Chu Hang drew routes on the map.
"Superman and I are a team, Thor takes Jean, Strangetakes Wanda, Tony you take Starlight, and the rest stay at the Base."
Wanda hesitated, wanting to say something.
Chu Hang looked at Wanda:
"Your Chaos Magic can rewrite Reality, and Strange's Power of Order can stabilize space."
"You two are the most suitable match."
Wanda didn't speak, and the scarlet threads slowly retracted.
Thor tightened his grip on the battle-axe:
"I have no objections."
"This lady's power is very strong."
Jean nodded:
"Me too."
The two looked at each other, sparks flying in the air.
Tony cleared his throat:
"So I have to take that..."
"Starlight."
Chu Hang said.
"Her energy manipulation ability can counteract antimattererosion."
"You are responsible for technical support, she is responsible for frontal combat."
Starlight walked in, holding Adam:
"I...I can do it."
Tony glanced at her:
"Alright."
"But I have to make you an armor first."
"No need."
Chu Hang raised his hand, and a golden magic circle unfolded in front of Starlight.
Her white and gold battle suit began to change, nano-particles reorganized, forming lighter but stronger armor.
The star symbol on her chest turned golden.
"Alchemy Enhancement."
Chu Hang said.
"Energy output increased by three times, defense increased by five times."
Tony's eyes lit up:
"Wait, you can directly modify equipment?"
"Then my armor—"
"I'll upgrade it for you later."
"Now, listen to me first."
The red dots on the map began to flicker.
"These nodes are not ordinary energy anchor points."
"Each one is guarded by a fragment of the Anti-Monitor's will, possessing Skyfather level combat power, and capable of infinite regeneration."
Superman frowned:
"Then how do we destroy them?"
"With this."
A golden crystal appeared in Chu Hang's palm, sealing a mass of black Fire within it.
"This is the Void Origin that I extracted from The Remnant."
"It can devour antimatter energy, but it will backlash on the user after use."
"Each team can only use it once and must evacuate before the backlash takes effect."
Thor took the crystal:
"Sounds very dangerous."
"It is very dangerous."
"But it's the only way."
Strange's Third Eye on his forehead flickered:
"I've deduced that if we fail—"
"We won't fail."
Chu Hang looked at him.
"Because I will make sure you all come back alive."
He raised his hands, and golden magic circles unfolded beneath everyone's feet.
"Now, I'm going to upgrade you."
Tony's eyes sparkled:
"Finally, this moment has arrived!"
Chu Hang first walked to Superman.
Clark stood up, a little nervous.
"Relax, it won't hurt."
He reached out and pressed his hand on Clark's chest, and golden light surged in.
Clark's body trembled, feeling changes deep within his cells—those gene chains that were originally defenseless against magic were enveloped by an invisible barrier.
"Law Resistance."
"You now have basic defense against magic and Spiritattacks."
Clark clenched his fist:
"Thank you."
Chu Hang walked to Thor.
"Give me your battle-axe."
Thor hesitated for a moment, then handed it over.
Chu Hang held the axe handle with both hands, a golden magic circle spun on the axe blade, and a wisp of Phoenix Force was injected into it.
The stormbreaker hummed softly, and golden-red patterns appeared on the axe blade.
"Now it can self-repair and will become stronger after each battle."
"Don't lose it."
Thor took the battle-axe, feeling the warmth emanating from it:
"This... this is too precious."
"You deserve it."
Chu Hang walked towards Jean.
Jean stood up, the Phoenix Force spreading its wings behind her.
He didn't touch her directly, but raised his hand and drew a rune on her forehead.
The golden rune merged into Jean's glabella, her body trembled, and the Phoenix Force surged.
"I've strengthened your connection with the Phoenix Force."
"Now you can control it more freely."
Jean took a deep breath:
"Thank you."
Chu Hang walked to Wanda.
Wanda looked up at him, complex emotions flashing in her eyes.
Chu Hang squatted down, looking at her at eye level.
"I know you're angry."
"But now is not the time."
Wanda bit her lip.
Chu Hang reached out and pressed his hand on her forehead, and golden light surged in.
An invisible barrier formed deep within her Spirit—it was a defense he constructed with his own will, specifically to resist the Anti-Monitor's mental erosion.
"Don't let him exploit any weaknesses."
"You are one of our strongest combatants."
Wanda opened her eyes:
"I won't let you down."
Chu Hang nodded, stood up, and walked towards Tony.
Tony had already eagerly taken off his armor and placed it on the table.
"Come on, give me something big!"
Chu Hang waved his hand, and a golden magic circle enveloped the armor.
Nano-particles reorganized, and the internal structure was completely rewritten.
A wisp of Phoenix Fire was injected into the core of the reactor, fusing with the arc reactor.
Golden-red patterns appeared on the surface of the armor.
"Now it has self-awareness and can automatically evolve according to combat situations."
Tony was stunned:
"Self-awareness?"
"You mean—"
"Yes."
A mechanical voice came from the armor.
"Mr. Stark, it's a pleasure to serve you."
Tony's mouth hung open, unable to speak for a long time.
A gasp came from the doorway.
Adam broke free from Starlight's hand, ran to Tony's armor, and reached out to touch its surface.
Golden runes surged from his fingertips, covering the entire armor.
The armor vibrated violently, nano-particles reorganizing frantically.
Three seconds later, all scratches and damage on the armor's surface disappeared, and its internal structure was optimized to the extreme.
Everyone was stunned.
Tony stared at the armor, then at Adam:
"He...what did he just do?"
"Alchemy."
Chu Hang walked over and picked up Adam.
"Instinctive level."
He looked at his son's eyes, which sparkled with golden runes.
This child's talent was even stronger than he had imagined.
Wanda stared intently at Adam, the scarlet threads at her fingertips beginning to surge again.
Tony put his armor back on, raised his hand, and the energy fluctuations from his palm cannon were at least three times more stable than before.
"This little guy is a genius."
"If he were a few years older, I'd even want to take him as an apprentice."
Starlight nervously hugged Adam back into her arms:
"I'm sorry, he's still young and doesn't know any better..."
"It's alright."
"He helped."
Chu Hang turned to face everyone.
"Upgrades complete."
"Now, for the battle plan."
The golden map unfolded again, and the thirteen red dots were divided into five groups according to their locations.
"Group one: Superman and I are responsible for the three core nodes, located at the intersection of the Multiverse. Their defenses are the strongest, requiring at least Cosmic Overlord level power to destroy, and one of them even requires Single Universe level power."
Superman nodded:
"No problem."
"Group two: Thor and Jean, head to the two nodes in the Northern Star Field."
"There are a large number of Shadow Demons stationed there, requiring large-scale clearing. Jean's power is very unique; based on her current capacity, I estimate she can reach the peak of Cosmic Overlord level power."
Thor gripped stormbreaker:
"Leave it to us."
Phoenix Fire wings spread out behind Jean:
"I will cooperate fully."
"Group three: Strange and Wanda, you are responsible for the three nodes in the Dimensional Interlayer."
"The space there is unstable, and your power of law is needed to stabilize it."
The Third Eye on Strange's forehead flashed:
"Understood."
Wanda glanced at Jean, then looked at Chu Hang, and nodded:
"I will complete the mission."
"Group four: Tony and Starlight, go to the two nodes in the Edge Universe."
"It is relatively safe, but the distance is the farthest."
Tony shrugged:
"Sounds like we're being taken care of."
"It is taking care of you."
"Because you have to bring Adam."
Starlight was stunned:
"What?"
"Adam is my bloodline. If you take him and something unexpected happens, I can support you through our bloodline connection."
Tony sighed:
"Fine, I guess I'm a babysitter now."
"Group five: Nathaniel, you stay at the Base and are responsible for monitoring the timeline coordinates of all teams."
Nathaniel stood up from the corner, his face pale:
"I... I'm just an ordinary person now. I can't help much..."
"You can."
Chu Hang walked up to him.
"Kang's time perception still lingers within you."
"Although you have lost your power, your sensitivity to the timeline remains."
He raised his hand, and a golden magic circle unfolded before Nathaniel's forehead.
"I'm giving you a locator."
"It will connect to my Inner Universe, allowing you to see the real-time location of all teams."
The golden rune sank into the center of Nathaniel's brow. His body trembled, and countless light spots appeared before his eyes.
Those light spots represented different timelines, and the five particularly bright spots were the coordinates of the five teams.
"I... I can see them."
"All the timelines..."
"You are our navigator."
"Don't disappoint me."
Nathaniel took a deep breath:
"I won't."
Chu Hang turned and scanned everyone with his gaze.
"There is one last thing."
He raised his right hand, and five golden crystals appeared in his palm.
"This is the Void Origin."
"One for each team, to be used to destroy the nodes."
"But remember, there will be a backlash after use."
"You must evacuate within three minutes, or you will be devoured by the void."
Thor took the crystal:
"Is three minutes enough?"
"Enough."
"As long as you act fast."
Superman also took the crystal, feeling the terrifying power sealed within:
"This thing... is very dangerous."
"It is very dangerous."
"But this is the only weapon that can harm the Anti-Monitor."
He distributed the remaining crystals to Strange, Tony, and Jean.
"Remember, you only have one chance."
"Don't waste it."
Everyone nodded.
Chu Hang suddenly frowned.
He could sense an extremely subtle fluctuation in the void, attached to someone.
That fluctuation was very faint, almost imperceptible, but his perception had reached the Single Universe level, and no anomaly could escape his notice.
His gaze swept over everyone, finally settling on Jean.
No, it wasn't Jean herself, but the Phoenix Force within her body.
That fluctuation was hidden deep within the Phoenix Force, disguised as part of it.
The Anti-Monitor had already infiltrated.
But he didn't make a sound.
"Prepare to depart."
"All teams will act simultaneously in one hour."
"Understood."
Everyone stood up and left the conference room.
As Jean reached the doorway, Chu Hang spoke:
"Jean, wait a moment."
Jean turned around:
"What is it?"
Chu Hang walked up to her, his voice very soft:
"Has the Phoenix Force inside you had any abnormalities recently?"
Jean was startled for a moment, then shook her head:
"No, everything is normal."
Chu Hang stared into her eyes, seeing the sincerity in them.
She truly didn't know.
The fluctuation was hidden too deeply, even Jean herself hadn't noticed.
"That's good."
"Go prepare."
Jean nodded and turned to leave.
Chu Hang stood still.
The Anti-Monitor was craftier than he had imagined.
The opponent chose not to attack directly but to lie in wait, anticipating the best moment.
But he wouldn't give him that chance.
He raised his right hand, and a miniature galaxy appeared in his palm.
The power of the Inner Universe began to circulate, and an invisible barrier spread from his body, enveloping the entire Base.
This barrier could isolate all probing by external wills, including the Anti-Monitor.
But this was only a temporary measure.
The real battle was yet to come.
After everyone dispersed, Chu Hang stood alone in the center of the conference room.
He mobilized the power of the Inner Universe, injecting a wisp of his will into the barrier.
The barrier began to contract, shifting from enveloping the entire Base to gradually focusing on Jean's body.
That fluctuation sensed the anomaly, became agitated, attempting to break free and escape back to the Land of Nihility.
But it was already too late.
A golden magic circle unfolded inside Jean, wrapping the fluctuation layer by layer and forcibly stripping it away.
Jean was sparring with Thor on the training ground when her body suddenly stiffened, and the Phoenix Forcesurged.
Thor was startled, holding stormbreaker defensively in front of him:
"What's wrong?"
Jean clutched her chest, her face pale:
"Something... is inside me..."
She could feel a Strange power being forcibly pulled out.
That power struggled desperately, trying to cling to the Phoenix Force.
But Chu Hang's will was stronger.
Golden light erupted from Jean's body, transforming into a mass of black mist that twisted and tumbled in the air.
A blurry face emerged from the mist—it was the Anti-Monitor.
"the greedy one."
The face emitted a hollow sound.
"You think this can stop me?"
Chu Hang's figure appeared out of thin air on the training ground. He waved his hand, and a golden magic circle trapped the mass of mist.
"I'm not trying to stop you."
"I'm telling you to stop playing such petty tricks."
"If you want to fight, do it openly and honestly."
The Anti-Monitor's face twisted, letting out a grating laugh.
"Very well."
"Then I shall grant your wish."
As soon as the words fell, the mass of mist exploded, shattering into countless black fragments that scattered everywhere.
Each fragment transformed into a Shadow Demon, surging toward Chu Hang in an overwhelming tide.
Chu Hang didn't move, merely raising his right hand, revealing a miniature galaxy in his palm.
[Inner Universe: Rule Domain]
The golden Rule Domain enveloped the entire training ground.
The moment the Shadow Demons touched the Domain, they were instantly frozen and then dissolved into nothingness.
In three seconds, hundreds of Shadow Demons vanished completely.
Calm returned to the training ground, leaving only dense, scorched marks on the floor.
Jean knelt on the ground, panting heavily.
Thor supported her:
"Are you alright?"
"I'm fine."
Jean shook her head and looked up at Chu Hang.
"What was that just now..."
"A fragment of the Anti-Monitor's will."
"He planted a hidden chess piece inside you, intending to control you at a critical moment."
Jean's face turned pale:
"I... I didn't notice at all..."
"It's not your fault."
"His methods were extremely clever; even the Phoenix Force was deceived."
Chu Hang walked over, placed his hand on her forehead, and golden light surged in, thoroughly purifying the Phoenix Force.
"You're fine now."
"However, this also shows that the Anti-Monitor is more difficult to deal with than we imagined."
He turned and scanned the crowd gathering outside the training ground.
Superman, Strange, Wanda, Tony, Starlight... everyone had rushed over.
"What happened just now?"
Tony asked.
"The Anti-Monitor tried to infiltrate us."
"He planted a fragment of his will inside Jean, intending to detonate it during the battle."
"It has been resolved now, but this also means he has been monitoring us the entire time."
Everyone's expression became solemn.
"Should we still proceed with the original plan?"
Strange asked.
"Yes."
"And we must be faster."
"The Anti-Monitor already knows our plan, and he will strengthen the node defenses in advance."
"Therefore, we must strike first before he is ready."
He raised his right hand, and a golden magic circle unfolded in the air.
"Departure time is moved up."
"All teams will act simultaneously in ten minutes."
"Understood."
The crowd responded in unison.
Chu Hang scanned everyone, his gaze finally resting on Wanda.
She stood at the back of the crowd, her face calm, but complex emotions flickered in her eyes.
He knew the knot in her heart hadn't been untied yet.
But now was not the time.
"Go prepare."
Everyone dispersed to make their preparations.
Chu Hang stood alone in the center of the training ground, looking up at the sky.
He could feel that deep within the Land of Nihility, the Anti-Monitor's main body was awakening.
That terrifying power was gradually infiltrating the Multiverse.
Time was running out.
Chapter 287: Five-Front War (Part 1)
At the Avengers Base, the massive training ground was filled with unprecedented, vast energy.
Five magnificent magic arrays constructed from pure light energy lit up in sequence on the ground, complex runes swirling like stars, emitting a power that shook the foundations of space-time.
Chu Hang stood quietly in the center of the arrays, his right hand gripping the air as a miniature galaxy slowly spun into existence and faded in his palm—it was the microcosm of his Inner Universe.
As his thoughts stirred, the power of the Inner Universewas channeled out, and the space in front of him tore open in response, revealing five bottomless rifts leading to unknown dimensions.
"Coordinates locked, all channels calibrated."
In front of the console, a golden time rune glowed brilliantly on Nathaniel Richards' forehead.
In his vision, a vast map of the Multiverse timeline was unfolding in holographic light, with countless rays of light intertwining, representing infinite possibilities.
His slender fingers swiped rapidly through the air, fine-tuning the parameters of each Spatial Rift to ensure their stability.
"Group One, core node, Void No. 7 World, thirty-seven thousand light-years from the Main Universe barrier," he reported in a deep voice.
Chu Hang exchanged a glance with Superman Clark Kent; the latter's azure eyes were filled with determination, and he nodded solemnly.
Without a moment's hesitation, the two stepped side-by-side into the first Spatial Rift.
Golden light instantly swallowed their figures, and the rift closed quietly behind them.
"Group Two, northern star sector, Andromeda No. 9 Perilous Zone, unprecedented density of Shadow monster cluster detected."
Thor gripped his stormbreaker tightly.
On the blade, the six Infinity Stones—Power, Reality, Space, Soul, Time, and Mind—exploded with brilliant light simultaneously, forming a rainbow-colored energy storm around him.
Jean Grey stood beside him, her eyes having turned pure gold, and a pair of massive phoenix wings made of golden-red flames slowly unfurled behind her, the scorching heat causing the surrounding air to distort.
"My lady, are you ready to compose a magnificent poem of Thunder and Fire together?" Thor grinned, his heroic spirit evident.
A cold, beautiful arc appeared on the corner of Jean's mouth.
She raised her hand, and the Phoenix Force transformed into a pillar of light that shot into the sky, nearly burning through the dome of the Base.
"Don't hold me back, Asgardian."
Before she had finished speaking, the two had transformed into streaks of thunder and fire, disappearing into the second Spatial Rift.
"Group Three, dimensional interlayer, Third Chaos Interlayer, spatial structure extremely unstable, Chaos energy concentration exceeds limits."
The eye of agamotto on the forehead of Doctor Strange, representing his status as Sorcerer Supreme, suddenly opened.
The sacred order power of the Vishanti formed a golden spherical shield made of countless magic runes around him.
Scarlet Witch Wanda Maximoff stood quietly beside him, scarlet threads of Chaos Magic winding around her fingertips.
Her expression was terrifyingly calm, but deep within those beautiful eyes burned a rage capable of incinerating all things, yet it was tightly suppressed.
"I will coordinate with you, Wanda. Steady your mind." Strange's voice was gentle yet firm.
Wanda did not respond, not even glancing at him.
She simply turned and walked step by step toward the twisted rift.
With every step she took, the solid ground beneath her feet cracked, unable to withstand the leaking Chaos Magic.
This was not a loss of control, but the silent roar and manifestation of the rage within her heart.
Strange sighed silently and followed.
"Group Four, Frontier Universe, Frontier Universe No. 2, the furthest distance, estimated one-way jump time is seventeen minutes."
Tony Stark was already covered in his armor, its smooth metal lines full of power, and the repulsor cannons in his palms flickering with a steady blue light.
He turned to look at Starlight beside him, who was clutching the sleeping Adam tightly, her beautiful face filled with tension and unease.
"Don't worry, I'm here." Tony patted the arc reactor on his chest, boasting in a relaxed tone, "This little gadget has self-awareness now, equipped with a fragment of the Phoenix Force; it's smarter than all my previous smart butlers combined."
Inside the armor, a slightly cold synthetic voice immediately replied: "Mr. Stark, based on the danger coefficient of the current mission, it is recommended that you reduce unnecessary verbal communication during combat to conserve energy and maintain focus."
Tony was stunned: "Hey, are you lecturing me?"
"It is an optimization suggestion, sir."
Starlight couldn't help but chuckle at this exchange, her tension easing slightly.
She lowered her head to kiss Adam's forehead, held the child tighter, and followed Tony toward the final rift.
"All teams, final confirmation." Chu Hang's voice sounded simultaneously in everyone's mind through the quantum communicator, "Our goal is to destroy the Void nodes the Anti-Monitor uses to draw energy, but these nodes are connected to his origin.
After destroying them, evacuate immediately.
The backlash from the Void Origin will not give you a second chance."
"Understood." Four responses, some calm, some firm, rang out.
As the last rift closed, the training ground returned to silence.
Nathaniel stood alone before the massive light screen, staring intently at the five points of light on the map moving at astonishing speeds toward the dark deep space.
He clenched his fists tightly; this was the first time he had shouldered such a heavy responsibility, and the fate of the entire Multiverse was tied to every movement of his fingertips at this moment.
— Frontier Universe No. 2 —
The moment Tony and Starlight rushed out of the Spatial Rift, they were shocked by the scene before them.
This was a dead star sector; there were no stars, no planets, only countless floating meteorite debris and Spatial Rifts torn open by violence, as if they were the leftovers left behind after a cosmic beast had feasted here.
"This place... it looks like it's been gnawed on by something."
Tony's armor system instantly initiated an all-around scan, "Energy readings are extremely abnormal, the spatial structure is fragile, and... oh, looks like the party has already started."
Before he finished speaking, hundreds of monsters composed purely of shadows surged out from behind the meteorite belt like a tide.
They had no physical form, their shapes twisted and indeterminate, radiating a pure malice that devoured all Life and light.
Starlight subconsciously held Adam tighter, her body retreating slightly as her white and gold suit automatically generated an energy shield.
"Don't be afraid, small fry."
Tony raised his arm, his palm cannon instantly finishing its charge, "Watch my specialty."
A thick, golden-red beam of energy whistled out, instantly piercing through three Shadow monsters.
However, the dispersed shadows merely twisted a few times before re-forming in the surrounding darkness.
At the same time, more Shadow monsters surrounded them from all directions.
"Their recovery ability is too strong! There are too many of them!"
Starlight gritted her teeth, her eyes erupting with brilliant light, and beams of energy shot from her hands, shattering a group of Shadow monsters, but with little effect.
"Don't panic, time for the main course."
Tony's voice calmed down.
The nanoparticles on the surface of his armor rapidly reorganized, revealing countless gorgeous patterns interwoven with gold and red.
The reactor on his chest shone brilliantly, and a sacred and scorching Phoenix Fire erupted from it.
He slammed his hands together, and the golden-red flames instantly exploded, turning into a circular wall of fire that swept across the sky.
All the Shadow monsters touched by the flames turned completely into ashes with a shrill shriek, without even a chance to re-form.
Within three seconds, hundreds of Shadow monsters were wiped clean.
Starlight stared, dumbfounded: "What... what kind of power is this?"
"Phoenix Fire," Tony said proudly, "An exclusive upgraded version given by Chu Hang, cool right?"
"Energy reserves dropped by 12%, output power too high, suggest using sparingly."
The armor's AI reminded him at an inopportune moment.
"Got it, you little butler."
Tony waved his hand impatiently, his gaze turning to Adamin Starlight's arms.
Somehow, the little boy had woken up and was staring with a pair of pure golden eyes, curiously at the golden-red patterns flowing on Tony's armor.
He suddenly reached out his tender little hand, specks of golden runes emerging from his fingertips, and touched the surface of the armor lightly.
"Hum—!"
The armor emitted a violent buzzing sound, and the nanoparticles reorganized crazily as if boiling.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, he's doing it again!" Tony exclaimed.
In just three seconds, the golden-red patterns on the surface of the armor became brighter and deeper, as if injected with new Life.
"Overall armor performance increased by 372%. Phoenix Force affinity corrected, energy utilization efficiency optimized. Analysis complete... The talent level of this Lifeform exceeds the calculation range of the database."
For the first time, there was a hint of something akin to "shock" in the AI's voice.
Tony stared at Adam, unable to speak for a long time.
Starlight nervously pulled Adam back, apologizing repeatedly: "I'm sorry, Tony, he's still little, he didn't mean to—"
"Don't apologize."
Tony interrupted her, slowly crouching down to look Adamin the eye, his eyes shining with unprecedented light, "This kid... is a monstrous genius, more than I was when I was little... no, more than I've ever been."
He looked at Adam and promised solemnly: "Kid, when you grow up, come find me at Stark Industries. I'll teach you how to build the coolest armor in the World."
Adam blinked, seemingly sensing something, and said in a milky voice: "Uncle... don't cry."
Tony was startled and instinctively touched his chest plate, as if only now realizing that the residual energy purified by the Phoenix Fire actually carried a faint trace of sorrow.
He then laughed out loud: "Ha! I like this kid! He can actually perceive the emotions in energy!"
Just then, Nathaniel's voice sounded in the communicator: "Group Four, node reaction detected three kilometers ahead, Shadow monster density is increasing exponentially, please speed up."
Tony immediately stood up, his back thrusters emitting dazzling light: "Received. Starlight, stick close to me, we're going to dismantle a big one!"
Chapter 288: Five-Front Battle (Part 2)
Meanwhile, in the Northern Star Sector, Andromeda No. 9 Perilous Zone.
Thor and Jean charged out of the rift, greeted by a magnificent Nebula completely eroded by darkness. What should have been colorful dust and gas now appeared as an ominous grey-black. Countless Shadow Demons swam through it like schools of fish, their density far exceeding that of the Border Universe.
"The situation is worse than imagined." Thor gripped stormbreaker, lightning dancing on the blade with a crackling sound.
Jean didn't speak; the Phoenix wings behind her fully unfurled, their golden-red flames dispelling the darkness for several kilometers around. She closed her eyes, her powerful telepathy allowing her to clearly perceive that these Shadow Demons were not pure creations of darkness.
"They... were all once living, intelligent beings." Jean's voice carried a faint, imperceptible tremble. She could feel the lingering, endless pain and despair within those Soulfragments.
The smile vanished from Thor's face. He fell silent for a moment, then raised his battle-axe high, lightning blazing in his eyes. "Then let us... grant them release!"
He swung the axe down fiercely, letting out a roar: "For Asgard!"
A massive pillar of lightning, as if capable of tearing the sky apart, descended from above and crashed into the most densely packed area of Shadow Demons. Thousands of them were instantly reduced to ash in the violent thunder. But from the depths of the Nebula, even more Shadow Demons emerged, seemingly without end.
Jean took a deep breath, no longer suppressing the power within her. The Phoenix Force erupted completely, and golden-red flames condensed behind her into a giant Fire Phoenix that blotted out the sky. The Phoenix let out a clear, high-pitched cry, sweeping its wings across the battlefield as a sea of holy fire engulfed everything.
Unlike Thor's pure destruction, the Phoenix Fire purified the imprisoned Souls within the Shadow Demons even as it burned them. Every Shadow Demon touched by the flames dissipated in an instant, turning into specks of light dust that returned to the cycle of the Universe.
Thor watched the giant Fire Phoenix soaring through the sea of stars. Even as a god, a hint of awe flashed in his eyes. "My lady, your power... is truly breathtaking."
"Don't get distracted," Jean interrupted coldly. "The big one is coming."
From the depths of the Nebula came a Soul-shaking roar. A giant Shadow Demon, a hundred times the size of a normal one, slowly revealed itself. Its body was forcibly stitched together from countless wailing, twisted Soulfragments, each piece letting out a silent scream that formed a nauseating spiritual pressure of despair.
Thor gripped his axe, the light of the six Infinity Stonesshining brighter than ever before. "It seems this is the Guardian of this place—a mobile graveyard pieced together from countless Souls."
The Fire Phoenix behind Jean let out a high-pitched battle cry, its mind in sync with its Master.
The two exchanged a look, their silent understanding needing no words. Simultaneously, they turned into two streaks of light—one of thunderous might, the other of heaven-burning flames—and charged toward the giant Shadow Demon.
---
Border Universe, Third Chaos Interlayer.
Strange and Wanda stepped out of the rift, and the Worldbefore them immediately made the former frown. This was a gap between dimensions, where there was no up, down, left, or right, and no passage of time—only endless, constantly changing and reorganizing chaotic energy and shattered spatial fragments.
"Steady your mind; I will stabilize the space." Strangeformed hand seals, the eye of agamotto operating at full capacity. A massive golden magic circle rapidly expanded with him at the center, attempting to use the power of order to anchor this chaotic region. But the chaos here was too violent; for every inch of space the formation stabilized, it would be nearly torn apart by the surrounding turbulence in the next second.
Wanda stood quietly within the small safety zone he had constructed, the scarlet threads at her fingertips dancing faster and faster.
She thought of Chu Hang, that powerful, rational man who was always in control of everything.
She thought of Xingguang, that beautiful, gentle woman loved by Chu Hang.
She thought of Adam, that child... the child that should have belonged to her and Vision.
Why?
Why did they get to have a complete family while she could only embrace false phantoms in endless nightmares? Why, after giving everything, did she only have the right to stand by and watch their happiness?
An uncontrollable surge of jealousy and resentment crashed through her reason like a bursting flood. Chaos Magic surged wildly within her, becoming more violent and dark than ever before.
"Wanda!" Strange immediately noticed the drastic change in her energy, a power that even made his heart palpitate. "Calm down!"
"I... am very calm." Wanda's voice was as soft as a whisper, but every word sounded as if it were squeezed out from a frozen abyss.
She suddenly raised her hands, no longer suppressing herself. Scarlet Chaos Magic erupted instantly, turning into a thick pillar of light that barreled forward with brute force. Wherever the light passed, the Space Law was forcibly rewritten and distorted. Hundreds of Shadow Demons just forming from the chaos didn't even have time to react before they were crudely torn into the most primitive energy turbulence from the very root of their conceptual existence.
Strange was stunned. The intensity and nature of this power had completely exceeded his estimations. This wasn't a battle; this was pure, reckless venting.
Wanda didn't stop. The scarlet magic swept through the entire area like a storm, erasing all Shadow Demons that tried to approach.
"Wanda! Stop!" Strange had to increase the output of Vishanti power just to barely maintain the stability of the space beneath their feet. "You're using too much force! You'll drag the entire dimensional interlayer into complete annihilation!"
Wanda turned a deaf ear; she only wanted to vent, to pour out all the pain and anger in her heart. Chaos Magicformed a scarlet domain around her, and within that domain, all things were disintegrating. The entire dimensional interlayer began to let out groans of being overburdened, vibrating violently.
Strange gritted his teeth, the eye of agamotto on his forehead shining brilliantly. The golden formation of order expanded crazily, clashing fiercely with Wanda's violent chaos domain in an attempt to stop this internal collapse.
---
Core Node, Void World Seven
When Chu Hang and Superman stepped out of the rift, the sight before them caused both powerhouses, who were accustomed to cosmic wonders, to stop in their tracks.
There were no stars, no light—only endless darkness. But that darkness was not a void; it was matter compressed to the extreme—the remains of hundreds of dead Universes. They had been forcibly distorted and compressed by the Anti-Monitor's unimaginable power into hundreds of slowly pulsing black spheres, each no more than ten meters in diameter.
Every sphere sealed within it the mass and entropy of an entire Universe.
They floated quietly in this absolute void, connected to one another by countless invisible black threads, forming a massive and evil energy network. At the center of the network was a profound, massive black hole from which even light could not escape. It rotated slowly, devouring everything around it—the very source of the Shadow Demons.
"This isn't an energy node..." Superman's voice trembled slightly with shock. "This is... a graveyard of Universes."
Chu Hang didn't speak, but his powerful perception allowed him to'see' more. He could clearly feel that within those black spheres, the consciousness fragments of countless lives still remained. He could even catch fleeting images: intelligent Life singing on a planet with twin Suns, followed by the instant despair of the star exploding and the entire World turning to ash. He 'heard' the innocent laughter of a child turning into a heart-wrenching scream the moment Reality was forcibly erased... The pain, fear, and resentment of trillions of lives at the moment of Deathwere forever sealed within these ten-meter-wide cages.
"The Anti-Monitor is using entire Universes as his batteries." Chu Hang's voice was low and cold. "He devours all Life and matter from these Universes, compressing their 'Death' into energy cores to sustain his existence and power his Anti-Life Army."
Superman clenched his fists, his Man of Steel body trembling slightly with rage: "We must destroy it."
"We can't destroy it directly," Chu Hang immediately countered. "These dead Universe cores are interconnected. If one is detonated, it will immediately trigger a chain reaction. The energy released would be enough to instantly destroy more than ten healthy star systems in the vicinity."
"Then what should we do?"
"First, sever the connection of wills between them, then 'disassemble' them one by one."
Chu Hang mobilized the power of his Inner Universe. A massive golden Alchemy Formation expanded from him, rapidly spreading across the entire space. Those black threads connecting the spheres were not matter, but extensions of the Anti-Monitor's will, each connected to his main body.
"Superman, you're responsible for containing whatever comes out of the black hole," Chu Hang ordered. "I'll handle these 'batteries.'"
Superman nodded heavily. His eyes instantly burst with searing light as two precise beams of Heat Vision swept out, vaporizing dozens of Shadow Demons that had just emerged from the black hole.
Chu Hang took a deep breath, his hands tracing profound trajectories in front of his chest. Small golden Alchemy Formations expanded simultaneously around each black sphere. His goal was not to destroy, but to analyze their structure and find the anchor points of the Anti-Monitor's will.
The first formation was completed, and Chu Hang's consciousness instantly plunged into it.
In an instant, the Death wails of billions of beings surged into his mind like a tsunami. Chu Hang let out a muffled groan, his face turning pale instantly, but he forcibly suppressed the Impact of these consciousness fragments with his god-like iron will, continuing to delve deep into the core.
At the very heart of the sphere, he found a writhing black rune—the Anti-Monitor's will imprint.
"Found it."
He immediately mobilized the concept of 'Greed' from the Alchemy Law. Golden light turned into countless chains, tightly binding the black rune. The rune struggled violently, trying to backfire on his consciousness, but Chu Hang's will was far stronger. He forcibly stripped the rune from the sphere's core.
The rune let out a piercing, non-material shriek and shattered violently.
The black sphere, having lost its will anchor, began to expand unstably, and the energy compressed to the extreme within began to leak. Chu Hang immediately mobilized the Space Law, sucking all the leaking energy along with those consciousness fragments into his Inner Universe. The moment this energy, filled with pain and despair, entered the Inner Universe, it was purified by the Law of Life, turning back into pure origin energy.
First sphere, neutralized.
Chu Hang didn't stop for a moment, immediately beginning to analyze the second, the third... With every sphere neutralized, his Inner Universe absorbed a portion of the massive energy, becoming more stable. But at the same time, he clearly felt a cold, evil attention from beyond the Multiverse focusing on this location.
On the perimeter, Superman was locked in a bitter struggle. The number of Shadow Demons was increasing, seemingly endless, pouring out of the black hole in a steady stream.
"Chu Hang!" Superman shouted. "There are too many of them! I'm about to reach my limit!"
"Hold on for three more minutes!" Chu Hang gritted his teeth, his hands moving so fast they almost left afterimages as his analysis speed increased again. The golden Alchemy Formations spun crazily, with several dead Universe cores being successfully neutralized every second.
Just then, the central black hole suddenly stopped rotating.
An indescribable, terrifying will awakened from the depths of the black hole, turning into a giant black arm composed of pure antimatter. Ignoring space and distance, it reached straight for Chu Hang. Wherever the arm passed, space itself wailed and disintegrated.
Chu Hang's pupils shrank. Without hesitation, he mobilized all the power of his Inner Universe, and a thick golden barrier instantly unfurled in front of him.
"BOOM—!"
The arm and the barrier collided violently, producing not a sound, but a shockwave that distorted the entire space. Cracks instantly covered the golden barrier, but it ultimately managed to block the strike.
"the greedy one..." A hollow, grand voice devoid of any emotion came from the black hole. "Do you think that by severing a few threads, you can prevent my existence?"
Chu Hang didn't respond, merely staring coldly at the arm. This wasn't the Anti-Monitor's main body, merely a projection of a sliver of his will, but even so, this power was already infinitely close to the Single Universe level.
"Superman! Use the Void Origin!" Chu Hang roared.
Hearing this, Superman immediately pulled out the golden crystal Chu Hang had given him and crushed it without hesitation. A surge of pure black fire erupted from the crystal, instantly devouring all surrounding Shadow Demons. The giant black arm was also touched by the flames, immediately letting out a piercing shriek as it began to rapidly disintegrate.
However, this act seemed to completely enrage the being deep within the black hole. The Anti-Monitor's will began to go berserk, and more black arms reached out from the black hole, blotting out everything as they lunged for the two of them.
Chu Hang took a deep breath, a flash of determination in his eyes. He mobilized the last of the Inner Universe's power, and the massive Alchemy Formation covering the entire space expanded crazily, shining with ten thousand beams of light.
"Get—back!"
He pushed forward violently, and a pillar of golden light that pierced through heaven and earth shot up from the center of the formation, shattering all the incoming black arms with absolute dominance.
The black hole vibrated violently, and the Anti-Monitor's will was forcibly expelled by this power.
But Chu Hang had also reached his limit. The energy of his Inner Universe was nearly exhausted. His Vision went dark, and he collapsed onto one knee in the void, gasping for breath.
Superman immediately flew to his side, supporting him: "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Chu Hang shook his head, forcing himself to stand up. "The node... hasn't been completely destroyed yet. We must continue."
He looked up at the still-operating black hole, determination flashing in his eyes.
Just then, Nathaniel's voice, terrified to the extreme, exploded in everyone's communicators:
"Warning! All teams, attention! It's a trap! we've been played!"
"All energy nodes are simultaneously initiating self-destruct sequences! The Anti-Monitor is going to detonate them!"
"Estimated total explosion in three minutes! Evacuate immediately! Repeat, evacuate immediately!"
Chu Hang's expression changed drastically.
He knew it was already too late. From the very beginning, the Anti-Monitor had been waiting for all of them to step into this carefully prepared, massive graveyard capable of burying several star systems.