Chapter 201: Hunting the Skrulls
If you can't beat your opponent in business competition, then eliminate them physically.
This was exactly what Ethan was best at and his favorite method to use.
In the past, for the sake of business decorum, he might have chosen to put on a hypocritical show.
But now, Ethan was long past caring about appearances and directly laid his cards on the table.
Anyway, looking across the entire USA, there were plenty of people who wanted him dead.
But the result? Those people still haven't been able to do a single thing to him.
"By the way, regarding the matter of the Skrulls stealing our technology, how is the investigation going?"
Ethan shifted the conversation and inquired.
Raven's originally relaxed expression instantly turned serious: "The resistance in this matter is much greater than I imagined. Nick Fury has completely sided with the Skrulls."
"The intelligence resources that one-eyed man holds are terrifying; his infiltration goes even deeper than our Deep Cold Organization."
"Moreover, there are many forces helping him under the table, causing those Skrulls to slip through our encirclement several times."
Aside from the few unlucky ones locked in the lab, Ravenhadn't been able to capture any other Skrulls until now.
This made her feel very frustrated.
A few days ago, she had harshly reprimanded the Agents of the Deep Cold Organization for this.
However, for these Agents who lived on the edge, getting scolded was nothing.
What truly gnawed at their hearts was the massive bounty on every Skrull's head.
As long as they caught one Skrull, they could obtain a massive amount of organization points.
These points were hard currency, allowing them to exchange for Osborn's enhancement serums to make themselves stronger.
Not to mention, in terms of monetary compensation, the organization had never mistreated these brothers who risked their lives.
This was the driving force behind their frantic pursuit of the targets.
"Nick Fury has been the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. for so many years; did you really think he was a pushover?"
Ethan seemed completely unconcerned and even let out a light chuckle.
"He's arguably the most perfect Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. in history. If he didn't have some tricks up his sleeve, how could he have stayed undercover under HYDRA's nose for so long and completed so many high-difficulty missions?"
"I'm only worried now that those desperate Skrulls might be driven to a corner and publicly leak our Gene Enhancement Technology."
Raven's brow was locked in a frown, her tone filled with worry.
"You should be very clear that once the Skrulls leak the Gene Enhancement Technology and it becomes as common as dirt, we will directly lose the massive income from the gene enhancement sector."
This was currently the Osborn Group's strongest source of cash flow.
Those terrifying profit figures were enough to drive anyone in this World mad.
"Don't worry, there's no way they can release gene technology through online channels."
The smile on Ethan's face vanished, a cold light flickering in his eyes.
"Friday will block all keywords related to our technology on the network 24/7. As for them spreading it by word of mouth in private, they wouldn't dare even if given several times the courage."
"Besides, the Skrulls' secret is no longer a secret. Their unique genetic cells have long been targeted by hungry wolves."
Those lunatics in the Military have long been unable to restrain themselves!
The so-called Sentinel Program has been proceeding in secret all along.
It's just that because Raven has now become the CEO of the Osborn Group, her status and position are there for all to see.
The people in the Military don't dare to easily touch the red line drawn by Ethan.
But if they were to find out that Skrull cells possess magical shapeshifting abilities, the U.S. Military would absolutely pounce like sharks smelling blood.
When it comes to ruthlessness, the U.S. Military's power is not inferior to S.H.I.E.L.D. at all.
In fact, in some lawless gray areas, they are even more reckless than S.H.I.E.L.D.
Because there is simply no one who can effectively restrain those warmongers.
They only care about results, not the process.
Clearly, the characteristics of the Skrulls perfectly match the core requirements of the Sentinel Program.
And that is a diverse genetic map.
"So, out of desperation, they can only pursue that Gene Synthesis Plan themselves."
Actually, the theory of gene synthesis was first proposed by Dr. Connors.
And it must be admitted, he did indeed do an excellent job in this regard.
Peter Parker is also a rare Genius.
With Peter Parker's assistance, Dr. Connors' research progress simply skyrocketed.
If Ethan hadn't acted in advance to forcibly suppress and silence them.
According to the original timeline's development, these two might have truly reached godhood through gene technology in the future.
They might have even become some of the most powerful superhumans on Earth.
"I will order the Deep Cold Organization to do their best to dig out Nick Fury. Now that Nick has lost the umbrella of S.H.I.E.L.D., he's like a clay Buddha crossing a river—hardly able to save himself."
The name Nick Fury was once the gold standard of S.H.I.E.L.D.
Even though he still has deep-rooted and massive influence within S.H.I.E.L.D.
But since Nick lost the official position of Director, if the Deep Cold Organization goes to find trouble with him, S.H.I.E.L.D. won't have a legitimate reason to step in and stop them.
"Nick Fury is a key person; we cannot be careless."
Ethan gave a specific reminder.
In his mind, the figure of that person rampaging through the Universe appeared—Captain Marvel, Carol.
This was the core reason why Ethan truly cared about Director Nick.
The pager held by that Black Braised Egg can directly summon the strongest individual combat power in the Milky Way Galaxy.
That was also one of the prey Ethan had long ago reserved.
If Nick Fury isn't pushed to a dead end, this old fox will definitely not easily summon Captain Marvel, Carol, back to Earth.
Additionally, Nick also has important information regarding the Flerken.
As an extremely dangerous species in the Universe, that orange cat is a major weapon.
Ethan really wanted to see the power of that thing for himself.
"That's the end of official business. You suddenly disappeared for three whole days, completely disrupting the plans of our 'Women's Federation.' Boss, how do you say you should compensate us sisters?"
Raven suddenly changed the subject, her eyes becoming seductive as she stared straight at Ethan.
"Then I'm at your disposal? Is that enough?"
The corners of Ethan's mouth curled up slightly into a wicked smile.
"Hehehe..."
Raven stuck out her tongue and licked her red lips, a bright and dangerous light blooming in her eyes.
"The sisters are all looking forward to it; every one of them wants to carry your seed. We actually made a bet in private: whoever gets pregnant first will have priority control over you in the future."
"Wow, so I've become your betting stake now?"
Ethan spread his hands helplessly, his face a mix of laughter and tears.
Is it too late to take back that 'at your disposal' line now?
The Illuminati is not the most powerful organization on Earth at all.
This group of predatory 'Women's Federation' members is the truly terrifying existence.
"Didn't you just say it yourself? At our disposal?"
Raven blinked and asked back directly, giving Ethan no chance to regret.
"Besides, you still owe me a promise that hasn't been fulfilled."
Chapter 202: The Reunion of the Valkyrie and the Pegasus
Raven shot him a flirtatious wink.
Ethan shook his head with a bitter smile.
It seemed there was no avoiding this ordeal.
The scene shifted to the coastline of Norway.
The Valkyrie, riding the Green Goblin's glider, sped all the way here.
Before her eyes was a lush green grassland, meeting the surging sea in the distance.
The sea breeze whistled, tousling her golden hair.
"Is this Asgard's second home on Earth?!"
The Valkyrie murmured softly, her eyes appearing somewhat dazed.
The wind seemed to carry some familiar information, causing her to fall into a brief moment of confusion.
Could this be the place where the myths of Asgardoriginated?
"Odin, I can even smell your lingering scent here."
"I never thought that the once peerless and powerful All-Father would eventually return to dust."
"Is this the escape route you chose for our people?"
"But did you know? Asgard was not completely destroyed by Ragnarok as you wished."
"Instead, it has entered an era of high-pressure rule under Hela, the Goddess of Death."
The Valkyrie unscrewed a flask and took a large gulp of strong liquor.
She found a random rock to sit on, gazing out at the undulating sea in the distance.
A contemptuous, ironic smile played across the corners of her mouth.
It was precisely Odin's damned decision back then that led to the entire Valkyrie Legion being slaughtered by Hela.
Only those who truly understood that brutal war knew the truth.
It was nothing more than a civil war between a father and daughter over their philosophies of governance.
At that time, Odin clearly did not want the ambitious Helato take power.
But in the eyes of the current Valkyrie, Odin's high-sounding reasons back then were simply ridiculous to the extreme.
You were a butcher yourself, with hands stained with blood, building your legacy on slaughter.
Yet in your later years, you wanted to wash your hands of it and transform into the Universe's Mr. Nice Guy?
"Neigh—"
Just then, a dazzling golden light suddenly flew rapidly from the direction of the Sun.
The figure became clearer and clearer in her line of sight.
A pure, flawless Holy Light enveloped its entire body, making it look sacred and inviolable.
It was like the holiest Sacred Beast from legends, descending upon this mundane World.
The Valkyrie stood up abruptly, her face full of pleasant surprise.
Is that a Pegasus?!
That was the life-and-death partner exclusive to the Valkyrie Legion; it had actually sensed her presence and traveled ten thousand miles to find her.
"So this was the special power I sensed on Earth before?"
"Old partner, you've arrived just in time."
The Pegasus flapped its wings and descended from the sky, landing steadily on the grass.
The Valkyrie gently stroked the Pegasus's head, her cheek pressing intimately against its neck.
Feeling the surging and holy power of light within the Pegasus, Valkyrie's heart was so moved she could hardly contain herself.
"Is this where that old fellow Odin is buried?"
A sudden male voice rang out.
The Pegasus seemed startled, its body twitching uneasily.
The Valkyrie gently soothed the restless Pegasus.
She turned around, a meaningful smile appearing on her face.
"Mr. Ice Demon, you're not going to say you're just coincidentally passing through this place again, are you?"
Valkyrie's words carried a hint of teasing laughter.
Ethan wasn't embarrassed either, grinning as he spoke: "Can't help it, I'm usually too idle and like to run around. Of course, the main reason for running around is because a great beauty like Young Miss Valkyrie is here."
"Congratulations, Valkyrie, you've finally found your old partner."
Ethan looked the majestic Pegasus up and down, inwardly marveling.
When myths and legends truly enter reality, seeing this thing with his own eyes still made him click his tongue in wonder.
If this horse were sold, it would be worth at least a thousand bucks, right?
If he threw it onto a human racetrack to run a few laps, would those big wings count as a violation of the rules?
If those wings were cut off and grilled, would they taste better than KFC chicken wings?
Ethan rubbed his chin, looking the Pegasus up and down with ill intent.
The Pegasus seemed highly intelligent and instantly sensed the malice.
It became even more restless, snorting through its nose.
The Valkyrie glared fiercely at Ethan, stepping in front like a protective mother.
"Don't scare it, it's still a child."
Valkyrie complained to Ethan in a dissatisfied tone.
Ethan rubbed his nose awkwardly and smiled.
His little thought of having a barbecue had actually been seen through by this beast.
It seemed this Pegasus's IQ was quite high; it was truly valuable.
"That's more like it; I can see it quite likes you."
The Valkyrie seemed to be having some kind of mental communication with the Pegasus.
Ethan shrugged indifferently.
To his surprise, the Pegasus actually took a few steps forward and intimately nuzzled the back of Ethan's hand with its head.
Feeling the fur as smooth as silk, Ethan was delighted; he was starting to like this Pegasus a bit too.
This is what they call 'the wise man submits to circumstances'!
A horse that knows how to flatter is a good horse!
It knows who the real boss is.
The Valkyrie then let the Pegasus fly into the sky.
They had re-established their Soul contract relationship.
With just a thought, she could summon the Pegasus at any time.
The two sat side by side on the soft grass, quietly watching the distant sea, neither of them speaking.
Until the twilight faded and the stars jumped into the deep night sky.
"I haven't enjoyed such a quiet moment in a long time. It's so comfortable I don't even want to move; I just want to stay in this moment forever."
The Valkyrie was the first to break the silence.
"Let go of the hatred in your heart, and you'll find that this World is actually very exciting. You can always find a place of your own."
Ethan lay on the grass with his hands behind his head, looking at the bright stars.
To be honest, he hadn't enjoyed this kind of single-minded tranquility in a long time either.
"So, can Mr. Hao tell me the story between you and Hela?"
The Valkyrie opened her curious eyes wide, turned her body sideways, and stared intently at Ethan's profile.
"Woman, don't look at me with those eyes, or you'll fall hopelessly in love with me."
Ethan turned his head and teased quite confidently.
The Valkyrie didn't take the bait.
She just stared at Ethan quietly, waiting for him to continue.
"That woman is quite arrogant. I naturally can't stand it when someone is arrogant in front of me, so I wanted to teach her a lesson and ruthlessly suppress her arrogance. No matter how powerful a god is, in front of me, I will knock them off their pedestal."
Ethan turned on his side, a wicked smile curling the corner of his mouth.
Chapter 203: Ice Demon Embraces Valkyrie in the Night
"So, in your eyes, what am I exactly? A Valkyrie?"
Valkyrie suddenly asked, her gaze somewhat complicated.
"The opposite sex, a woman, an object to be used for pleasure."
Ethan said bluntly.
He didn't even bother to hide his naked intentions.
"I've always been curious, why does everyone call you the Ice Demon? I think you should change your title."
"Men, they usually have this problem. I just like making mistakes—the kind of mistake any man in the world would make. I'm just easily tempted by a woman's beauty."
Ethan's gaze suddenly changed, becoming extremely aggressive and overbearing.
Valkyrie smiled, spread her limbs out as she lay on the grass, and slowly closed her eyes, a faint smile playing on her lips.
Ethan was never a man to let an opportunity slip by.
With the vast Earth as their bed and the boundless sky as their blanket.
Dry wood instantly met a blazing fire.
Ethan thoroughly enjoyed the wild passion coming from the Valkyrie.
Looking at the valiant Valkyrie before him, she wasn't the first woman he had encountered who looked exactly like a movie actress.
Her long golden hair seemed to shimmer even in the pitch-black night.
Her powerful physique, flowing with Divine Power, gave her the capital to contend with Ethan.
Afterward, lying in Ethan's arms, Valkyrie spoke softly in a lazy voice, "No wonder you need so many women. With such a powerful physique, few women in this world could withstand your pleasure."
Ethan sighed somewhat helplessly, "This aspect has indeed caused me a lot of trouble. That's why my women must be rare powerhouses in this world. Even if they aren't originally, I will find ways to make them stronger."
Valkyrie didn't care about these romantic affairs.
As a member of the God Race who had lived for countless ages, she had long since become indifferent to such things.
Since the Ice Demon coveted her beauty...
...she likewise wanted to try the abilities of this powerful demon.
As it turned out, he certainly did not disappoint her.
Back when she was in Asgard, she also had a deeply loved partner.
But in that tragic war a thousand years ago, her lover had long since died.
From that moment on, Valkyrie had completely closed off her heart.
Although the world called Ethan the Ice Demon...
...Valkyrie could clearly feel the scorching energy coming from within his body at this moment.
It was a terrifying power that even the Sun God Apollo did not possess.
That body seemed to contain endless Solar Power, forging his supreme Divine Physique day and night.
Making the man before her eyes increasingly invincible.
Even more terrifying was that he seemed to be growing stronger every moment.
That growth seemed to be endless.
The current Ethan had long since surpassed the scope of humanity in terms of life level.
He was the true deity of this world.
To be able to receive the blessing of a true god was, instead, an honor for her as an Asgardian Valkyrie.
After all, Asgardians were ultimately just a long-lived alien race.
Not true deities within the laws of the Universe.
Valkyrie was quite clear about this in her heart.
The true gods in the Universe were terrifying existences who wielded the power to destroy all living beings.
The horror of those ancient intelligent life forms in deep space was something people couldn't even imagine in their dreams.
Ancient intelligent races like the Grandmaster were already strong enough, but Valkyrie understood that even the Grandmaster had beings he feared.
The Universe was truly too vast and boundless.
"This is the power that all life forms dream of, yet it sounds so helpless coming from your mouth. If these words got out, who knows how many people would be so depressed they'd want to kill themselves?"
Valkyrie teased with a light laugh.
At this moment, she finally showed the shy demeanor of a young woman.
"Then let them be jealous. They can't have it anyway."
Ethan pulled Valkyrie tightly into his arms and closed his eyes contentedly.
"Does the God of Fear really exist on this Earth?"
Valkyrie suddenly remembered something and asked.
"Why ask that all of a sudden?"
"Because his existence is dangerous. After all, as the former All-Father, his immense power struck fear into the world. I heard he once forged Seven Evil Hammers; anyone who wields one would possess infinite power."
"No matter, those clowns won't amount to anything."
Ethan said with a firm tone.
There was a reason why he had delayed taking action.
Many crises on Earth had actually already been resolved.
The various governments of Earth had actually been secretly on guard against him, an uncontrollable factor.
Ethan hadn't directly acted to eradicate those potential villains.
It was all to play the game of fostering a threat to increase his own importance.
Big troubles that others couldn't handle would eventually be solved by him.
Only in this way could he become a truly irreplaceable god among men.
More importantly, the appearance of every powerful villain was a perfect opportunity for Ethan to harvest a massive amount of desire points.
If he nipped all enemies in the bud, it would be the stupidest, most losing business deal for him.
"It seems you've already had your own calculations in mind."
Valkyrie gave a peculiar smile.
The sunny and handsome man before her was indeed never a pushover.
He naturally had his own logic for doing things.
"Those external enemies are no longer enemies to the current me."
Ethan said with extreme confidence.
Because he could still become even stronger.
This was where his greatest confidence lay.
Even if he couldn't continue to grow stronger, with his current terrifying strength and deep foundation, he could calmly handle any enemy that appeared.
Furthermore, even if he lost the System one day, he had already found his own path of evolution.
In the future, he could completely become stronger through self-cultivation.
Therefore, he didn't fear any sudden situations at all.
"Often, internal conflicts within a race are what need the most vigilance and attention. Although humans are weak now, I am not a World-destroyer; I must earn their respect."
Ethan felt there was no need to hide such things.
"The existence of these powerful villains are key pawns I use to unite the internal factions and secure a more comfortable living environment for myself."
Through Ethan's words, Valkyrie instantly understood his deeper meaning.
This was a classic case of fostering a threat to increase one's own value.
"Besides, I might not be able to protect humanity's safety forever. Humans need a sense of crisis and need to grow through blood and fire. All I need to do is give them a hand in times of peril."
"Only in this way will the human race become stronger."
Chapter 204: Deep Cold's Clan Massacre; Nick Calls for Backup
Ethan wasn't doing this purely for his own selfish goals.
Humanity needs to strive for strength to truly become strong.
The crises coming from deep space, and even from the Multiverse in the future, ultimately need to be faced and resolved by humanity itself.
He didn't want to leave this plane one day only to look back and see it turned into ruins, with not even a shadow of humanity left.
"But many people will die this way."
"Sacrifice is inevitable. Hatred brings not just harm, but also the motivation to move forward."
Ethan's voice became somewhat indifferent.
"If these words got out, everyone would truly treat you as a complete demon."
Valkyrie sighed softly.
"It's fine, I don't mind."
Being hated was actually a form of harvesting.
desire points were very valuable things.
Ethan felt he had done his best to reduce the harm while still being able to obtain the desire pointscontributed by humanity worldwide.
If he followed the System's optimal solution for acquiring desire points—that simple and crude method—it would be to directly suppress the World with power and squeeze every bit of value out of humanity.
And then heartlessly abandon them.
But Ethan simply couldn't bring himself to do such a thing.
"The feeling you give me is always complex. You're more like an outsider looking in, trying to find ways to integrate into this World while, for some reason, having to make people maintain their awe of you."
Valkyrie suddenly said thoughtfully.
Ethan gave Valkyrie a deep look.
Then he broke into a bright smile.
With that sentence, Valkyrie had hit the nail on the head.
As expected of someone who had lived so long.
Thousands of years of accumulated wisdom gave her an unparalleled sharp intuition and seasoned experience in insight into human nature.
"What do you plan to do next? Go back to wandering in deep space, or stay on Earth and build a new home?"
Ethan asked Valkyrie in return.
"If I go back to deep space, that pervert Grandmaster will definitely send someone to drag me back," Valkyrieshrugged. "I actually quite miss this carefree life, but this land is calling to me. Moreover, I have a strong premonition that in the future, some Asgardians will flee their home and come to Earth for refuge."
Valkyrie knew very well how great Hela's ambition was.
And Odin's policy of ceasing war for these thousand years had already planted seeds of peace in the hearts of many Asgardians.
They had grown accustomed to this peaceful life.
Cruel war was no longer suitable for them.
They would sooner or later be eliminated by that cruel Universe.
But after all, they were still subjects of Asgard.
"You can build a brand new home here and establish a new Kingdom of Asgard on Earth in the future."
In the original timeline, Valkyrie was the future New Queen of Asgard.
It was only because of his intrusion that a huge variable was created.
Hela did not die in Ragnarok.
Asgard was not completely destroyed.
Thanos didn't even get the chance to wipe out the other ship the Asgardians used to escape.
Because the main body of Asgard still existed.
"I only hope to build a peaceful home. As for those so-called kingdom hegemonies, I'm not interested. Let Hela be her Queen. Her existence happens to deter the strong in the Universe and allows the Asgardians to maintain their status as overlords in the Universe; that is necessary."
Valkyrie, on the contrary, saw things very clearly.
"That silly boy Thor can't do it. He will always be an immature child. His character determines his future; it's impossible for him to become a qualified king."
"He is destined to only be a wanderer."
This sentence was simply hitting the mark.
For a long time, Thor couldn't find his own position.
He would only get lost in endless regret.
But now fate has changed.
What he will become in the future,
Ethan didn't know either.
At least, he wouldn't kill him.
After all, no matter how you put it, he was also his brother-in-law.
"Alright, you can go back now, Mr. Hao. Thank you for your efforts tonight."
Valkyrie playfully winked at him and issued an order to leave.
"I wish you all the best."
Ethan stood up and brushed the grass clippings off his buttocks, not staying for long.
Before leaving, he just glanced at his attribute panel:
wealth points: 566.6687 billion points (Rich enough to rival a nation, can be used to improve various abilities).
desire points: 40.197 billion points (This is the key to a Breakthrough in Realm).
Bloodline: Kryptonian Bloodline (Level 3 genetic lockopened, reached True God level), Human Race Bloodline(Level 3 genetic lock).
The Talent column was even more magnificent: KryptonianTrue God Power, Max-level Speed Force.
In terms of abilities: Ice-Ice Fruit, Mera Mera no Mi, and Glint-Glint Fruit are all third-stage Origin Peak enhanced versions. There's also Divine Dominator, Water Control Magic, Steel Divine Body, Super Flight, Frost Breath, Heat Vision, X-ray Vision, Super Hearing, Super Brain—all are True God level enhanced versions, plus a miniature enhanced version of the Spatial Dimensional Bag.
Skills were also maxed out: Baji Mizong Fist Transcendent, Dragon-Elephant Prajna Skill thirteenth layer Peak, Omega Beams Dominator level, atomic-level Creation and Enchantment Magic, and expert-level Maha Titma.
In the reward column, there were also two Golden Blind Boxes and one purple Blind Box.
The task list showed:
[1. ichisawa kaori: Facing special female heroes, you can have some extra-friendly relationships with them, which will bring great rewards. Task Reward: blue blind box. Task Attribute: Independent side quest, infinite task. (Current task stacked 3 times)]
[2. Infinity Stones Collection: For each Infinity Stone collected, a Golden Blind Box can be obtained. Tasks cannot be stacked. After collecting all six Infinity Stones, in addition to the individual Golden Blind Box rewards, the host can obtain a Black Blind Box. Task completion: (3/6)]
The Divine Dominator's ability has steadily stepped into the True God level.
And that "ichisawa kaori" task had unknowingly accumulated three times.
The reward had also changed from the original blue blind box to a purple Blind Box.
The Queen of Asgard, Goddess of Death Hela.
The Invisible Woman in the Fantastic Four, Dr. Susan.
And the recent Queen of Asgard in memory, Valkyrie.
The quality of these three beauties was simply too high.
Even the seemingly weak Susan contained extremely powerful energy within her body.
And her potential was infinite.
I just don't know if Mister Fantastic Reed knows that I stayed in the New York University faculty dormitory for three full days and nights.
If he knew, would his feelings for Susan be more hatred or more regret?
But Ethan knew very well that Mr. Fantastic would definitely regard him as a mortal enemy.
Although the Illuminati has already appeared,
the personnel are not yet fully assembled.
Ethan looked up at the sky.
"Carol, if you don't come back soon, I'm going to go play with the Eternals."
It's not time for those people from the Eternals to appear yet.
If the other party really has some way to make the Celestials emerge quickly, even if Ethan could kill the Celestials now, he wouldn't be able to save the people of Earth.
Because the entire Earth is essentially an eggshell that exists to nurture the Celestials.
"Nick, we need your support now."
His wife spoke to Nick with a Face full of anxiety.
The slaughter was ongoing.
The Deep Cold Organization finally found the Skrulls' nest.
Who told these Skrulls to recklessly invade Osborn and take away many experimental samples?
They even stole the core genetic technology of the Osborn Group in a unique way.
Nick Fury's Face was so gloomy it looked like it was about to drip water.
He had actually known about the existence of the Deep Cold Organization for a long time.
It was a violent organization specially established by Ethan for the security of his own group.
In addition to being Mutants themselves, the people in this organization had all been strengthened by Genetic Serum.
This made every member of the Deep Cold Organizationpossess top-tier individual combat power.
The light blade in Psylocke's hand swung continuously, heartlessly slaughtering this group of mutated Skrull warriors.
"Damn it, how dare you covet Osborn's technology? Today is the end of your race."
Psylocke was the on-site person in charge of the Deep Cold Organization.
She bore an indelible responsibility for this serious theft incident.
Boom!
A Mutant who already possessed super combat power.
After being injected with the Genetic Serum three times, the potential in her body was fully released, and her physical fitness became extremely abnormal.
The weapon transformed from her psychic energy was like a purple venomous snake constantly moving in the air.
In an instant, it pierced the chests of one Skrull after another.
Nick Fury's scalp tingled as he watched the tragic scene before him.
"Everyone stop!"
Nick Fury finally couldn't help but stand out.
His wife stood closely by his side.
After the other Skrulls saw Nick, they seemed to see a saving grace, and instantly gained a backbone.
That was their only hope for survival.
They naively thought that by stealing the genetic technology of the Osborn Group, they could become invincible.
Then they would truly have the ability to realize their race's grand plan.
To occupy Earth and make it completely the Skrulls' new home.
"Oh, so it's our Officer Fury. I wonder what orders OfficerFury has?"
Psylocke, with her sexy and enchanting figure, had a disdainful cold smile on her Face as she looked at him contemptuously.
"Elizabeth, for the sake of our past acquaintance, please spare their lives. Whatever conditions you need, I will try my best to satisfy you."
Nick Fury said in a helpless tone, keeping his posture very low.
When he initially chose to protect this race, it was because he valued their racial talent.
Now, since a Skrull had become his wife, he was already considered half a leader of the Skrulls.
"You should understand very well that our BOSS has always maintained great goodwill towards you, and even towards the Skrulls. But look at what kind of mess you've made?"
Psylocke sneered, the light blade in her hand not dissipating.
"Stealing the genetic technology was not an order I gave. It was just the private decision of a few radical Skrulls. By the time I knew about it, it was already too late, and it had become an irreversible fact."
Nick Fury explained with a helpless look.
Who doesn't know that the Osborn Group's genetic technology is invincible?
They even mastered the technology to mass-produce genetically modified humans as powerful as an army.
But all governments maintained a respectful distance from Osborn, not daring to easily covet this piece of cake.
Because they all understood that touching the interests of the Osborn Group was to oppose that terrifying Ice Demon.
"You want to dismiss us with just a few words? Nick, you overestimate your Face too much."
Psylocke slowly withdrew the psychic sword in her hand, but her killing intent did not diminish.
"What exactly can I do for you to let them go?"
Nick Fury's Face became even gloomier.
"BOSS asked me to give you a message: it's time for you to call for backup."
Psylocke chuckled, then her eyes turned cold: "Do it. Kill all the Skrulls who were injected with the Genetic Serum."
"Yes!!!"
Nick Fury did not step in to stop it.
This group of hardline Skrulls had always had a lot of opinions about him as a leader.
Their existence indeed seriously threatened the survival and safety of humanity.
"Kill!"
The members of the Deep Cold Organization transformed into beast-like existences and leaped into the crowd of Skrulls, starting another massacre.
The members of the Deep Cold Organization involved in this operation had been strengthened by the Genetic Serum at least twice.
At the same time, they all possessed recovery abilities similar to the undying lizard of the Lizard Doctor.
Blood flowed on the ground.
The remaining two hundred or so Skrulls watched this bloody scene trembling.
The number of Skrulls themselves was not many.
Through their race's continuous reproductive efforts over the years, they had finally reached a scale of several thousand people.
But a large part of them had long since integrated into human society, rather than living here in a group.
They enjoyed their own peaceful lives.
They wouldn't participate in such a suicidal plan at all.
Only these few Skrull madmen delusional enough to want to seize the rule of Earth.
"Nick, this is your last chance, otherwise I will kill all the people behind you. Oh right, of course that includes you too."
Psylocke said in a cold tone, like a judge from Hell.
"I'll make the call."
"I have already done as you requested, why are you still not keeping your word?"
Nick Fury forced himself to stay calm, but he still couldn't help questioning Psylocke.
Psylocke shook her head gently: "Nick, calm down. You should know better than I do that the existence of Skrullsis always a huge threat to Earth."
Nick blocked his wife, trying to obstruct Psylocke's vision.
This time Psylocke did not continue to act: "The radical faction of the Skrulls has been completely eradicated, but for the remaining Skrulls, we will give you enough time to arrange for them to leave Earth. This is also the BOSS's final mercy to you."
Nick Fury painfully closed his one eye.
"I know I made the wrong choice back then, but you should know that humans are animals that cannot completely control their emotions."
Hearing this, Psylocke gave a slight smile. This was the legendary King of Agents.
Now he was acting as indecisive as a saint.
"I've already taken the phone. Your wife doesn't have to follow them and leave Earth. I'll go back and tell the BOSS about this. You should understand my BOSS's character; the decisions he makes are not easily changed. But if emotions are involved, he might still show some mercy for you."
After Psylocke finished speaking, she turned and left without any hesitation.
Nick Fury slowly calmed down.
He knew that everything had completely spiraled out of his control.
From the moment the Deep Cold Organization made a move against him, he had no power to resist.
Carol was the last trump card in his hand.
But now, this trump card had been forced out.
He was well aware of Captain Marvel's strength.
He just didn't know what kind of situation Captain MarvelCarol's return would Face.
Now that his phone had been taken away, he had lost the means to contact Carol again.
"Nick, don't be sad. We've long been used to wandering. This is already the best result. They all have to pay the price for their reckless behavior."
Nick Fury's wife gently held her husband's trembling hand.
"You have done your best."
It was indeed so.
She understood that Ice Demon.
With the Ice Demon's overbearing personality, unless it was a top-tier beauty who could escape under his nose, any other enemy he targeted would only have one path: death.
"One can't always keep everything in the palm of their hand."
Nick Fury's heart was filled with deep unwillingness.
This downfall came too suddenly.
The enemy exerted force from within, seizing on the fact that he was shielding aliens to make a big deal out of it.
Nick Fury had completely lost trust within S.H.I.E.L.D.
The second reason was that there was a problem within the Skrulls.
Nick had always treated them as refugees.
Chapter 205: Nick Returns, S.H.I.E.L.D. Changes Hands
And the Skrulls entering the intelligence organization was also done with his tacit approval.
He believed he could perfectly control them.
Unfortunately, the Skrulls played a massive joke on him.
Of all the things they could have done, they chose to rob the Osborn Group.
They were paying a heavy price for their recklessness.
They couldn't even imagine the extent of the Ice Demon's terror.
Based on the information Nick currently held, the Ice Demon had already mastered psychic abilities like Professor X's; he could easily invade the brains of every living being on the planet and search their memories.
Even more so, he could directly invade their brains and kill them from a vast distance.
There was no need for the Deep Cold Organization to lift a finger.
Having the Deep Cold Organization act was already the Ice Demon's most merciful approach.
At least it gave the enemy a sliver of hope for resistance.
If Ethan personally took action, according to Nick's combat analysis, the Ice Demon would directly use overwhelming power to completely erase them in an instant.
The Ice Demon never had the patience for a war of attrition against his enemies.
If he could kill the opponent in one hit, he would surely send them to Hell in the shortest time possible.
"Thank you for the comfort, but I know we don't have much time. We must leave Earth within the specified time, otherwise, they will all die in the end."
Even his lover would be implicated.
"Regarding the spaceship, we have actually been preparing in secret all along."
Nick Fury's wife revealed a piece of news at this moment that left him extremely shocked.
This meant that the Skrulls had been secretly preparing for a war behind his back.
As the smoke cleared, this long war finally came to an end.
"Don't look back, just go."
"But even if it's only for a second, I want to stay and be with you."
Nick Fury's single eye was filled with a deep affection and reluctance that almost overflowed.
Through decades of weathering the storm together, they were husband and wife in name, but in reality, they were the most compatible partners in the depths of their Souls.
Having to personally send away his beloved was more painful than having his heart gouged out.
"Don't worry, as long as I am still alive, I will never truly leave."
She also made her final vow.
Psylocke's figure disappeared into the New York night.
At the same time, the Deep Cold Organization's net had silently spread, locking onto Skrulls across the globe.
These alien visitors were like driven livestock, forcibly imprisoned in some unknown corner of the Earth.
This cage was precisely the one Nick Fury had personally selected.
Besides the giant crocodile that was the Deep Cold Organization, countless greedy eyes in the shadows were also staring at these Skrulls.
Various forces, like sharks scenting blood, constantly tested the Base's defensive limits.
But the Deep Cold Organization's guards were like walls of iron and bronze, giving no fly a chance to approach.
Even more horrifyingly, the Osborn Group was frantically collecting Skrull blood and cell samples, like harvesting crops.
The resentment accumulating in the hearts of those Skrullscould almost pierce the sky, but it was immediately swallowed by an even greater fear.
Everyone knew that in front of this man named Ethan, if they didn't cooperate obediently, what awaited them was total genocide.
Under the night sky, the Empire State Building was brightly lit.
Ethan sat by the floor-to-ceiling window, having dinner with Invisible Woman Susan.
This was a formal date, and the air was filled with an ambiguous tension.
However, the aftershocks of the previous campus incident had not subsided.
Rumors were flying within New York University, and those harsh words pierced Susan's heart like needles.
Even the way the university's high-level officials looked at her had changed, filled with doubt and scrutiny.
"Susan, as long as you give the nod, you know I have the power to settle everything. After all, we donate so many buildings to NYU every year; the university will know how to behave."
In this era where capital is king, with the current power of the Osborn Group, crushing these rumors was like crushing an ant.
Susan gently swirled the red wine glass in her hand. The alcohol had dyed her cheeks a charming flush, but her eyes were exceptionally firm.
"No need. It seems I'm truly not suited to be a teacher. The university's attitude has made me realize it's time to change my environment, especially after Hammer Industries came knocking last time—I knew the peaceful days were over."
The so-called ivory tower was completely fragile in the face of profit; to protect themselves, the university had sold her out without hesitation.
As for which official had betrayed her, it was pointless to investigate now.
Ethan reached out and held her small, soft hand. The warmth of his palm made her heart tremble.
"I'm an open-minded person. I never interfere with a woman's lifestyle, let alone force you to make any changes. But I have only one requirement for you: you must live happily and follow your heart."
"If you are wronged, I will be very angry."
"And once I get angry, the consequences are usually very serious. Someone will always have to pay a painful price for it."
Ethan wore a gentle smile, but the dominance hidden behind that smile made Susan feel incredibly at peace.
She didn't feel that this man was being dictatorial.
On the contrary, through their time together, and even during the days of being 'disciplined,' she had gradually grown accustomed to this strong protection.
Of course, this habit also included certain embarrassing sleeping positions.
The man's mark had been deeply etched into the depths of her Soul, impossible to remove.
This powerful yet not evil strength gave Susan an unprecedented sense of security.
In her eyes, he was a powerful, mature, and charmingly perfect man.
"Susan? Is that you?!"
A man with a mohawk and a flashy suit suddenly walked over, looking surprised.
"Johnny?"
Susan quickly stood up and gave her brother a hug.
"And this big boss is?"
Johnny looked at the man sitting opposite, his heart actually in a state of turmoil.
But he still had to pretend not to know and asked with a stiff upper lip.
"Let me introduce you. This is the Chairman of the Osborn Group, Mr. Ethan."
Susan was pretending to be calm.
In fact, she knew very well that last time at the Empire State Building, if Ethan hadn't shown mercy, her troublemaking brother would have been long dead.
Even her friends only survived because of her connection to him.
Although she initially had a terrible impression of Ethan, thinking he was just a bully, after truly getting to know him, she discovered he was a bottomless Treasure Trove.
"Hello, Johnny. Don't be so stiff. Just call me Hao."
"Mr. Hao, a pleasure to meet you!"
The smile on Johnny's face looked worse than crying. He quickly pulled his female companion over. "By the way, this is Jenny, my new girlfriend."
"Hi..."
Jenny looked at Ethan, her eyes shining, clearly full of interest in him.
But she wouldn't dare approach him even if she were given ten times the courage.
After all, in New York, who didn't know what Ethan's face represented? He was a walking humanoid nuclear bomb!
"Then we won't disturb your evening."
Johnny's eyelids twitched, fearing he might annoy this bringer of death, and he tugged his girlfriend away to make an escape.
"He's my only brother. Although he's a handful, thank you for looking after him before."
Susan sat back down, her gaze becoming exceptionally soft.
She had come to terms with it.
Since she couldn't resist, she might as well enjoy it. She now had a brighter future than before.
At least with this man supporting her, she didn't have to fear even if the sky fell, nor did she need to worry about any apocalypse.
He was her sky, giving her the right to breathe in the air of freedom.
"Silly girl, your brother is my brother. Rest assured, as long as he stands on Earth's soil, I can keep him unharmed."
Ethan nodded and made a heavy promise.
Susan's eyes shimmered, and at this moment, silence spoke louder than words: "I'm full."
Ethan understood immediately and stood up with a smile to take her hand.
"Put Johnny's table on my tab."
As he passed the front desk, Ethan gave a casual instruction.
"No problem, Mr. Hao. Have a good evening!"
The manager bowed so low his waist almost touched the ground, his tone respectful to the extreme.
This was the uncrowned king of New York, the city's living guardian deity.
To be honest, even if he didn't pay the bill, the people in New York who wanted to pay for him could line up from here to France.
Furthermore, the Osborn Group was now as wealthy as a nation and was conquering territory in the financial sector; that online payment System was practically a money-printing machine.
Mr. Smith of First National Bank was now Ethan's staunch ally.
After two years of infiltration, First National Bank actually belonged to 'Hao' now, although the public change in equity hadn't been announced yet.
But in the shadows, the vast assets belonging to the Vlad Family were undergoing a thrilling secret transfer.
That old fox Smith wasn't easy to deal with either; he remembered the old grudges clearly.
Now, with the Deep Cold Organization as a sharp blade and the Osborn Group's vault, they were going to turn Wall Street upside down.
With an artificial intelligence System that was ahead of its time overseeing it, the security line for online payments was rock-solid.
Now, walking on the streets of New York, who didn't have mobile payment?
And the spokesperson for this era-defining product was Ethan himself.
The advertising slogan was even more dominant: [Your wealth, guarded by me!]
Although those Vampires on Wall Street were envious of this lucrative piece of meat, Smith made it clear: whoever dared to reach out would have their claws chopped off.
The powerful rise of the Deep Cold Organization had almost swept across the entire Underworld.
The reason the Wall Street moguls were behaving was that they had received a promise from the Osborn Group.
As long as they were obedient, they could receive Genetic Enhancement Therapy, and any terminal illness could be cured.
Even the Life-Extending Potions to be released in the future would be supplied to them preferentially.
After all, which death-fearing billionaire in this Worldcould refuse the temptation of life?
The roar of an engine pierced the night sky as Ethansped along in a supercar.
"We're here."
Susan looked up at the endless luxury estate before her and gave him an annoyed look.
"This is your property too?"
"Mm-hm, just finished decorating. No one's lived here yet."
This was a top-tier manor in Long Island. With a wave of his hand, Ethan had bought the neighbors on both sides and connected them.
Naturally, he didn't have to worry about such trivial matters. That woman Julia was originally a real estate Agent, so handling this was like a fish in water for her.
"Susan, the night is long. Why don't we play a little exciting game?"
A mischievous smirk curled at the corner of Ethan's mouth, and his gaze became meaningful.
"What do you want to do?" Susan stepped back half a step warily.
"Nothing much, just want to test if your invisibility skills have regressed!"
Ethan felt the blood in his body begin to boil.
If the Invisible Woman doesn't go invisible, then what fun is there in this game?
Susan understood instantly, two red clouds flying to her cheeks, and she gave him a coy glare.
"...If you can't find me, don't you go crying."
In the end, she agreed half-heartedly.
The massive manor was instantly brightly lit, like a palace on a lonely island.
The surroundings were quiet, with only the occasional cry of a nightingale, making it feel even more secluded.
The soundproofing here was outrageously good; even if they tore the ceiling down inside, they didn't have to worry about neighbor complaints.
"Nick is back."
Los Angeles, Avengers Base.
The sky was so gloomy it felt like it was pressing down, giving a suffocating sense of oppression.
The news of Nick Fury retaking command of S.H.I.E.L.D.spread to every corner like it had wings.
Agent Hill walked up to the familiar one-eyed man and offered a rare smile: "Welcome home, Officer."
"No, Hill. Now I'm just an ordinary Agent. You are the Director."
Nick Fury looked much more relaxed than before, as if a thousand-pound weight had been lifted.
That air of confidence seemed to have returned to him.
"Is the trouble outside settled?"
Hill lowered her voice, her gaze wary.
"Mostly. Thanks to you, Hill. If you hadn't been in the middle holding off all that pressure, those politicians would have likely swallowed me whole."
Nick Fury knew all about the mess inside S.H.I.E.L.D.
"You deserve this, just as you've taken bullets for us countless times before."
Hill spoke very sincerely.
Since being pushed onto the volcano that was the Director's chair, she had lived under immense pressure every day.
S.H.I.E.L.D. was being questioned by various countries, and some within the UN were even clamoring to abolish the organization.
Even their old boss, the USA, chose to remain silent and play dead.
After all, while S.H.I.E.L.D. was initially fostered by the USA, it later nominally fell under UN jurisdiction.
Many major powers had long found this privileged agency an eyesore, feeling it was both the USA's black glove and not fully under control.
When Nick Fury was in office, he managed to maintain S.H.I.E.L.D.'s independence through sheer maneuvering, bringing it to the height of being the World's number one intelligence agency.
Especially in dealing with extraterrestrial threats, S.H.I.E.L.D. held absolute authority.
This was why all the voices of opposition vanished the moment Nick returned.
Those politicians' hands weren't clean, and the dirt Nick held on them could trigger a political earthquake if he just threw a few pieces out.
But he chose to hold back, which was the deterrent.
"What should we do next, Officer?" Hill asked.
Nick Fury was silent for a moment.
He was very aware of the ambiguous relationship between Hill and Ethan.
Chapter 206: Fury Summons the Strongest Hero's Return
"Officer, you don't need to worry about my personal relationship with the Ice Demon. Business is business, and personal is personal. He never interferes with my work, but if you're going to deal with the Osborn Group, I will apply for recusal. It's best if you don't let me know the details of the plan."
Hill was not only honest, but she also kept things very clear.
Nick Fury sighed. "I was too stubborn before, too guarded against him, which is why we're so passive now. Thinking back, S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers almost finished several times, and in the end, it was always him who saved the day."
"In the end, we're still benefiting from your and Natasha's connections."
Although Hill didn't speak, a flicker of imperceptible displeasure flashed across her brow.
"Carol is coming back; she'll be at Earth soon!"
"Who is Carol?" Hill looked bewildered.
"You know, that heroine who fell from the sky back then. She came to purge the Skrulls, but in the end, she saved a portion of them, and saved Earth too."
"Unfortunately, times have changed. The radical Skrulls are dead, and those who remain are about to start wandering again."
"I once promised to find them a new home."
"But for decades, for the sake of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s interests, I've been exploiting the Skrulls' abilities, making them work themselves to death for us. That's why I'm standing up to protect them now; it's a blood debt we owe."
Nick Fury finally revealed a secret buried for many years.
"Officer, you still haven't told me, who exactly is Carol?"
"She is my close friend, and the strongest individual combat force in the Milky Way Galaxy."
Hill's pupils shrank slightly. "An alien?"
"No, she's a pure Earthling, just taken to another planet and became a warrior of the Kree Empire. She's a true superhero, maintaining peace in the deep reaches of the Universe."
"When will she arrive?"
This was Hill's primary concern; strategic deterrence must have a timetable.
"It's hard to say, but I believe she's already on her way."
Nick Fury looked at the pager in his hand with mixed emotions.
"Actually, I don't want her to come back at all."
His tone was filled with helplessness.
Ethan forcing him to send this page definitely came from no good intentions.
For Carol, this was a carefully laid trap.
He didn't want his old friend to jump into a fiery pit for his sake.
As for why Ethan knew about Carol's existence...
He probably read his memory directly, right?
Thinking of this, Nick Fury felt a chill in his heart.
As a spy chief, when even his own brain was like a sieve, how could he fight this war?
No, he had to find a way to develop technology to block Telepathy; otherwise, everyone was like they were streaking in front of that man.
He thought of Professor X.
That bald man was an authority in the mental Domain; there would surely be a way if he sought him out.
Even though the other party would see through his purpose, it didn't matter anymore.
Didn't Professor X form the Illuminati precisely to guard against some uncontrollable, powerful existence?
The enemy of my enemy is my friend; they were on the same path.
Power!
Only power is the eternal truth!
Nick Fury's mindset had undergone a drastic change.
Before, he never thought about getting superpowers, thinking they were for freaks.
But in this era where gods and demons danced wildly, the sense of powerlessness as a Mortal made him feel like he was suffocating.
He never wanted to taste the flavor of a loser again in his life.
He also saw through the essence of this World.
S.H.I.E.L.D., in the end, was an organization made of people; it couldn't be relied upon at critical moments.
Better to rely on oneself than others.
He thought of those dusty mysterious items in the S.H.I.E.L.D. warehouse, and the genetic enhancement experiments that had been going on in secret.
It was a path of no return, but he had no other choice.
Even though Nick Fury was no longer the Director, his Level 10 Agent clearance remained, and he was still a heavyweight whose word carried weight in S.H.I.E.L.D.
Now, the entire S.H.I.E.L.D. only had him and Hill as Level 10 Agents; Coulson and Natasha were only Level 9.
The situation settled into an eerie quiet.
There was no movement from the USA government either; they clearly knew what had happened to Nick and chose to wait and see.
The Deep Cold Organization acted high-profile and didn't bother to hide anything.
The news of the Skrulls evacuating Earth spread like wildfire, and many forces wanted to catch a few for dissection research.
But intimidated by the fierce reputation of the Deep Cold Organization, no one dared to be the first to stick their neck out.
After all, if they annoyed that "Ice Demon," the entire organization would be buried with them.
The USA government's current stature was too fragile to withstand such turmoil.
"Endure it; don't provoke the Ice Demon for now. The time hasn't come yet."
"Although HYDRA has been crippled, a centipede dies but never falls down; they must be planning something big. When they counterattack, that will be our chance to reap the benefits."
"Exactly. I heard HYDRA is secretly doing something big, even wanting to summon a Loki to deal with the Ice Demon. When the time comes, the fat meat that is the Osborn Group will be ours."
The current Osborn Group was terrifyingly massive.
The business World is like a battlefield; once the Ice Demon shows signs of fatigue, the drama of a pack of wolves devouring a tiger will immediately play out.
This was why those big shots were all acting like cowards now.
HYDRA originally had a chance to create an even stronger Ultron, but Ultron was crushed by Ethan with one hand.
"The day HYDRA succeeds will be the time of our revenge."
A HYDRA mole lurking in the upper echelons of the government stood by the window, muttering to himself.
He wore a strangely shaped metal helmet on his head.
To prevent Ethan from entering and leaving their brains like a backyard garden, these elites remembered Magneto's tactics from back then.
This special metal could block mental intrusion.
As a result, a fashion trend of wearing metal hats suddenly swept through high society; although it looked ridiculous, survival was paramount.
Everyone understood it tacitly, and no one broke the silence.
Nick's return was actually a result of tacit approval from all sides.
Since he had a grudge against the Ice Demon, he was the most useful knife.
At this time, inside the master bedroom of the Long Island Manor.
Ethan looked at the slightly sunken mattress, a smug, wicked smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
Clearly, there was no one in front of him, yet he was enjoying some indescribable service.
Finally, the air distorted, and Susan's figure appeared.
She collapsed breathlessly into Ethan's arms, her face so red it looked like it was about to bleed.
"You're so bad!"
Although she was an open-minded Western woman, Ethan's varied and creative requests still made her so ashamed she wanted to find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
"How come I feel you were more into it than before?"
"Hmph!!"
Susan turned her back to him, not wanting to talk to this bastard who was taking advantage of her and then acting like he'd done her a favor.
"I can't see your body, but I can feel your heart. Dr. Susan, you were clearly enjoying yourself just now, yet now you're blaming me. It seems I need to punish you properly."
Ethan reached out his devilish claws once again.
Chapter 207: Superwoman Descends on the Long Island Manor
Just then, a group of uninvited guests quietly crept into the manor.
"Boss, are you sure the owner is back?"
"Nonsense, the surveillance caught it clearly. This kid brought back a top-tier blonde. He doesn't even have a bodyguard with him; probably some rich second-generation heir bringing someone back for an affair."
A burly man in a security uniform stared at the surveillance screen, drool almost leaking out.
"See that car at the door? Only seven in the world. The last auction went for a sky-high price of 25 million pounds! If we pull this off tonight, asking him for a hundred million dollars wouldn't be too much, right?"
The bald bandit leader had a ferocious expression, his eyes full of greedy light.
"Haha, we deserve to get rich!"
"After finishing this job, we'll change our identities and go join the Deep Cold Organization. I have an old comrade-in-arms who's doing well in there. Once we have the protection of the Deep Cold Organization, who would dare touch us?"
The bandits were dreaming big.
"If this wealthy Family dares to retaliate then, it would be slapping the face of the Deep Cold Organization!"
"Hehe, Boss, let's move, lest long delays cause more trouble."
The few men had just hopped over the courtyard wall, still dreaming of getting rich.
In the next second, the shadows on the ground suddenly came to life.
Black frost lunged out like a giant python, swallowing them whole in an instant.
The bandits didn't even have time to scream before they were frozen into lifelike ice sculptures.
The chill of Absolute Zero instantly destroyed their cellular structures, and the fire of life was extinguished in a flash.
A bunch of idiots.
They wanted to commit a robbery but didn't do their homework; this Long Island Villa Complex is now surnamed Hao!
This kind of impolite behavior made Ethan very unhappy.
So, he decided to let them cool off.
The ice melted rapidly, turning into black water along with the corpses, flowing cleanly down the sewers as if they had never existed.
"Consider yourselves unlucky."
Ethan rarely came back for a vacation and hated being disturbed most of all.
But the result was calm enough; a few flies had already been swatted to death.
No one had ever dared to target him; this group was the first, and the last.
After clearing the trash, Ethan turned around contentedly to continue exploring the Profound Truth of life with Susan.
In outer space, it was silent.
Radiating dazzling golden light, Carol pulled that antique-like pager from her waist.
This was her most cherished token.
If Ethan were here, he would surely be surprised to find that the Carol before him was much younger and prettier than the middle-aged woman in the movies.
Her gaze was resolute, her posture heroic; she was simply the perfect combination of power and beauty.
"Nick Fury?"
How many years has it been?
Carol tried to recall the last time she descended to Earth, but her memories were a bit blurred.
But she had never forgotten the promise to her one-eyed old friend.
If this pager rang, it meant Earth had reached a moment of life or death.
But for over twenty years, it had remained silent.
Carol originally wanted to call back, but on second thought, if a special signal was sent out and intercepted by enemies, Nick might be in more danger.
"It just so happens I've been free lately, so I'll go back home and take a look."
She knew very well she was an Earthling.
Though she had once lost her memory, she had now found herself and was no longer a killing machine of the Kree Empire.
She turned into a golden meteor, streaking through the pitch-black Universe, heading straight for Earth.
Meanwhile, on Earth, Nick Fury was still lying low within S.H.I.E.L.D.
But those who knew him knew this old fellow was preparing a big move.
Hill wasn't interested in the Officer's plans; even if he were to deal with Ethan, Hill wouldn't say much.
Because she had absolute, blind confidence in that man.
However, regarding Carol, Hill had been secretly investigating but found the files to be completely blank.
Clearly, this was a top-secret matter thoroughly erased by Nick.
Boom!
A loud roar shook the heavens.
A golden light violently tore through the atmosphere, crashing heavily onto Earth's surface.
Carol hadn't even thought about hiding her movements and landed directly in front of Nick Fury.
"Carol?!"
Looking at the figure walking out of the smoke and dust, Nick Fury revealed a long-awaited, genuine smile.
Reunited with an old friend, Carol was also very excited.
After exchanging greetings, she went straight to the point.
"Nick, what exactly is the big problem?"
Nick Fury gave a bitter smile. "A group of Skrull Radicalswas slaughtered, and the rest were ordered to get off Earth within three days. Since you're back, I want to ask you for a favor: find them a new home."
This was also the reason he had come up with on the fly.
Carol agreed immediately but then frowned.
"This doesn't seem like your style. And I can sense that an impossibly strong existence has been born on this Planet; he's the one who forced the Skrulls away, right?"
Nick Fury's expression changed.
Carol gave a cold laugh. "It seems I guessed right. Nick, don't be afraid; I'll go solve this trouble for you."
"No! Carol, this is a trap! Go! Leave Earth immediately!"
Nick Fury almost roared it out, his voice filled with terror.
However, it was all too late.
Carol's gaze bypassed Nick and looked at the Void Realmbehind him.
A golden magic halo appeared out of thin air, instantly tearing open a spatial portal.
"Don't worry, Nick. There's no one in this Universe who can stop me."
Carol gave a smile as confident as sunlight.
She was surrounded by Holy Light, like a Valkyriedescending.
The members of the Avengers gathered around, and Tony Stark's glasses flashed data frantically, alarms ringing incessantly.
"Who is this woman? The energy readings are off the charts!"
Carol didn't hesitate at all and stepped into the light circle.
Her figure vanished instantly.
In the next second, she had appeared in the luxurious hall of the Long Island Manor.
At this moment, Ethan was leisurely brewing Kung Fu Tea, the tea fragrance wafting everywhere.
Seeing Captain Marvel suddenly appear, he acted as if he were seeing an old friend and made a "please" gesture.
"Captain Carol, you've come at just the right time. Care for a cup of tea?"
"You know who I am?"
Carol sized up the young and handsome Asian man before her, her brow slightly furrowing.
This person was completely different from the ferocious villain she had imagined.
Ethan's smile remained, but he was inwardly nodding.
The Captain Marvel before him, with her short blonde hair and exquisite features, had a Battle Intent radiating from her bones that made her look like a Sun goddess bathed in the scorching Sun.
"I forced Nick to call for backup because I wanted to see for myself exactly how much that invincible Superwoman in his memory is worth."
Ethan's tone was flat, as if he were talking about a trivial matter.
"Then you see it now."
Carol crossed her arms, her chin slightly raised, full of pride.
Since her Awakening, she had walked across the Milky Way Galaxy without ever encountering an opponent.
"Even more outstanding than I imagined."
Ethan nodded with satisfaction.
"I don't care who you are. Since you used Nick to lure me here, you'd better give me a reasonable explanation. Otherwise, I don't mind beating you so hard your mother won't recognize you." Carol's gaze turned cold. "I've seen plenty of sorcerers who play with magic; most are just showy amateurs."
"A legend created by an accident."
Ethan gently stroked the ring on his finger. "I thought you relied on the Tesseract to become strong, but that's not entirely correct. The Tesseract's energy was just a catalyst; it was your own potential being triggered that allowed you to evolve into this Universe-level energy being."
Chapter 208: Giving Captain Marvel a Brutal Beating
After speaking, he slowly stood up.
A terrifying, suffocating sense of pressure erupted instantly, and his figure seemed to tower infinitely high at this moment.
"But, that's all it is."
Ethan suddenly clenched his fist.
The surrounding space shattered instantly.
The light of the Space Stone shone, directly pulling the two of them into an unknown Mirror Dimension.
Carol's expression finally changed.
"That's... the Tesseract?"
Looking at the gemstone set in the ring emitting a faint blue light, her pupils shrank sharply.
What shocked her even more was that this human was actually wearing three gemstones that radiated the same source of Aura!
"A lunatic collecting Infinity Stones? It seems you want to follow in the footsteps of that Thanos from Titan?"
Golden light surged around Carol as she floated in the Void Realm, entering a combat state.
"Thanos? I know he's looking for the stones, and he'll definitely come to Earth. After all, what he dreams of is here."
Ethan shook his head, looking somewhat disinterested. "Unfortunately, I'm not him. I hold these stones just to prevent idiots like him from snapping their fingers recklessly."
"External power is, after all, just external power."
Golden lightning began to dance across Ethan's body.
"I've been looking for that Purple Sweet Potato Essence for a long time," Carol snorted coldily.
"Then you underestimate him too much. His strength is enough to make half the Universe tremble."
"Of course, that doesn't include you, and it doesn't include me."
Ethan casually took off the ring and tossed it into a Pocket Dimension.
"This way, we can call it a fair duel."
In truth, in Ethan's heart, although Carol was strong, she was not invincible.
Ancient One's magic could run circles around her, Hela's Divine Power of death could face her head-on, and a fully erupted Dark Phoenix could truly teach her a lesson.
But in terms of pure physical combat power, Carol was indeed top-tier.
She was like a female version of Superman, but compared to that Steel Body, she was still lacking a bit of heat.
Ethan's current Steel Body had already evolved twice.
From the Steel Divine Body to the current True God level, even he didn't know where his upper limit was.
In this Marvel Universe, many existences are bugs in themselves, ignoring the Laws of physics.
"You went to all the trouble to call me back just for a fight?"
Captain Marvel found it somewhat unreasonable.
Although she remained wary of this young man, she felt no fear.
The Universe is vast and filled with the strong; she had encountered too many unkillable monsters.
But that didn't mean she enjoyed such meaningless combat.
There were countless lives in the Milky Way Galaxywaiting for her to save them; this guy was simply wasting her life.
"Fighting is just incidental; I mainly wanted to see the legendary Captain Marvel for myself." Ethan spread his hands with a punchable expression. "You know, being invincible is very lonely. When you stand too high, it's hard to find a reference point. Bringing you here is both to test my depth and... to test yours."
Looking at the heroic female war god before him, the admiration in Ethan's eyes was undisguised.
Even among his many female confidantes, this one was an absolute top-tier beauty.
Especially that sharp vigor radiating from her entire body.
It made Ethan feel as if he were seeing a shadow of Hela for a brief moment.
This was likely that inexplicable magnetic resonance between top-tier powerhouses.
"Stop the nonsense, it's a pure waste of time."
Captain Marvel, Carol, let out an angry shout, her voice laced with a strong scent of gunpowder.
"Carol, don't hold back. Show me all your trump cards."
Ethan casually scanned the deathly silent Void Realmaround them, his gaze indifferent.
"In this godforsaken place, you don't need to worry about collateral damage to innocents, nor do you need to fear losing control and destroying Earth. Just go wild."
Carol's eyes were instantly filled with golden flames, like two burning stars.
She was indeed moved by those words, and Battle Intentsurged frantically in her chest.
"Very well, your provocation worked. I hope when you're beaten to the ground later, you don't cry too pathetically."
A cold smile hung on the corner of Carol's mouth as her Aura rose steadily.
"By the way, I don't have any other special hobbies."
Ethan's tone was flat, as if discussing the nice weather.
"I only have a soft spot for strong women, and you are naturally no exception."
He paused, his gaze roaming over her body without restraint.
"In my view, beating you into submission, then making you completely surrender, and finally stripping you bare to enjoy the fruits of victory—that is a perfectly natural process for me."
"You shameless bastard!!!"
The fury in Carol's eyes almost erupted, her fists clenching with a series of cracks.
"Want to shut me up? Then kill me, or defeat me completely."
Ethan's lips curled into a playful, wicked smile that was exceptionally irritating.
"After all, simply winning against you is boring. Only by trampling you underfoot and doing as I please can I justify sparing that old dog Nick's life."
"I will cripple you with my own hands!"
Carol erupted instantly, her entire being turning into a dazzling Sun that illuminated the originally pitch-black and lightless void dimension.
This was a special void layer, originally without the concepts of time and space.
At this moment, she was the sole Dominator and light source here.
Terrifying energy fluctuations overflowed like a tsunami, causing this special void to tremble violently.
"Interesting. As expected of the only freak who merged with the Space Stone's energy, survived, and even developed a unique power."
A powerhouse of this level was a rare existence even in the entire Universe.
Even if one searched through countless galaxies, they might not find more than a few.
He wondered if she in this state could go toe-to-toe with a Thanos who didn't have the Infinity Gauntlet?
After all, Thanos himself was a top-tier powerhouse.
If he had the enhancement of the Infinity Stones, he would be a terrifying existence surpassing the Five Great Primordial Gods.
In his eyes, the Universe would be nothing more than a glass marble that could be kneaded at will.
Unfortunately, the current Thanos no longer had the chance to gather the stones.
A stream of light tore through the darkness as a heavy fist carrying the Aura of destruction smashed hard against Ethan.
Ethan only took half a step back, not even raising a hand.
The impact on his chest gave him a negligible sense of stuffiness, and that was all.
"Not bad, the strength is acceptable. You didn't disappoint me too much."
He still kept his hands behind his back, having no intention of counterattacking, as if strolling through his own back garden.
Combos powerful enough to pierce starships and tear the Earth apart landed frantically on Ethan.
But other than making him constantly step back to dissipate the force, she couldn't break through his defense at all.
Carol's heart grew colder as she fought, cold sweat breaking out on her forehead.
The man before her was like an immovable divine mountain.
Blocking her path firmly, no matter how hard she tried, she could barely leave a mark on him.
She knew a man who controlled three stones would be strong.
But she never expected it to be to such an absurd degree that she couldn't even break his defense.
"If your skills end here, then I'll have to give you a bad review."
Ethan suddenly smiled, a smile that made one's skin crawl.
His hands were like lightning, instantly grabbing Carol's wrists.
Immediately following was a brutal headbutt.
Thud!
The void vibrated violently, even cracking open strange fissures that revealed phantoms of the Multiverse.
Carol felt as if her brains were boiling, her vision went black, and her mind instantly stalled.
It took a good while before she recovered from the dizziness.
"Argh!!!"
With a shrill roar, the energy within her body erupted like a river breaking a dam.
Golden brilliance saturated every cell as she completely entered an energy-based form.
At this moment, her strength increased by more than tenfold.
Rampaging energy pierced through her Physical Bodywithout restraint, wrapping her into a being of pure light.
"I said, losers have to accept punishment."
Ethan wore the smile of a victor.
He looked at Carol in her battle-worn state without restraint, his eyes burning.
This terrifying energy allowed him to truly feel the potential contained within this legendary Captain.
That was the endless might belonging solely to an Infinity Stone.
"Then just go to hell!!!"
Carol's eyes shot out golden light, like an enraged female war god.
She condensed blinding energy blades in her hands and slashed down at Ethan's head.
The intensity of this strike was such that even the void was sliced cleanly open.
Ethan used his hands like blades, parrying every move with fluid, seamless motions.
This time, the combat techniques Carol took pride in appeared so clumsy before him.
She simply couldn't penetrate his airtight defensive web.
"Not enough! Not fast enough! Not strong enough! Not ruthless enough!!!"
A trace of Battle Intent finally appeared in Ethan's eyes.
This feeling was something even Hela hadn't given him back then.
The woman before him, like a blazing Sun, could no longer be defined by human standards.
If categorized by life level, she herself was a god.
Carol had completely lost herself to the heat of battle, with no way to retreat.
The sense of humiliation made her erupt with all the potential hidden deep within her genes.
But before the absolute chasm of power, all of this was in vain.
The figures of the two grew faster and faster, becoming impossible for the naked eye to track.
The sky was filled with light and afterimages clashing frantically.
It seemed like they were evenly matched.
In reality, it was more like Ethan was acting as her free sparring partner.
This battle lasted for three full days and nights.
Carol finally knelt powerlessly in the void.
Her breathing was as heavy as an ox's, yet her gaze remained resolute, staring fixedly at Ethan.
"Seemingly infinite power actually has an upper limit."
Ethan also stopped, looking down from above at the disheveled Carol.
"It seems this is your limit."
"What exactly do you want?"
"Are you ready to face the next battle?"
"What?"
"The punishment from the victor."
Ethan laughed wildly and uninhibitedly.
"Bastard!!!"
Carol just tried to struggle to her feet.
Only to find herself falling limply into Ethan's embrace.
"Let me open the door to a New World for you."
...
Everything settled down.
Ethan unhurriedly put on his clothes, looking at Carolwho was lying on the bed questioning her life.
She was currently plunged into deep pessimism, not wanting to move even a finger.