Chapter 448: Portents of War
Supergirl's Mastery
Zod was stunned; he couldn't help but be.
Edwin and Faora were born warriors, trained since childhood, and had participated in over a hundred battles large and small. Kara, however, was a Kryptonian raised to be a scientist. Her growth trajectory was that of a scholar, not a fighter. Even with the bloodline advantage of the House of El, she shouldn't have gained such powerful combat ability.
So, what was going on?
Edwin had been struck by her palm, spitting blood and collapsing. Faora had been hit in the head by a punch-light and her condition was unknown.
In mere seconds, she had defeated two elite Kryptonian warriors.
Was this truly the same Kara Zor-El from two years ago?
Compared to his confusion, Linda (Kara) was deliriously excited. For the first time, she truly felt the power of the Ancient Fist Technique. Her master was right: the fists that kill start from within.
"Zod, you're not leaving today."
The girl leaped up, hovering in mid-air. Energy overflowed from her body, circling around her to form a vibrant, tiger-shaped shadow that enveloped her.
"Tiger Cannon!"
A tiger's roar tore through the sky. The white tiger shadow, carrying destructive power, lunged downward.
Fierce Tiger Pouncing on Prey!
The devastating killing intent was chilling.
Zod had no time to dodge. He could only raise his hands to shield his vital areas.
Aooo!!!
The tiger's roar intensified, sounding impossibly real. With a tremendous crash, the moment the tiger shadow met Zod, a violent explosion occurred. A white energy wave rippled outward, churning the soil and cracking the earth. Everything in its path was reduced to fragile debris.
A sudden hurricane materialized, rocking buildings and snapping tree branches. Martha screamed as she was caught by the gale and swept into the sky, like a rootless, floating leaf.
Just then, a figure flew in from a distance, catching Martha and landing on a distant hillside.
"Clark, is that you? You're back."
Martha was both startled and overjoyed, her face extremely pale from the fright.
"It's okay, Mom. I'm here. Everything will be fine."
Clark held her, whispering reassurance. His gaze swept over the scene, and seeing the state of the farm, he clenched his fist.
Zod!
It was bad enough that he came after Clark, but attacking his mother?
You will pay!
Clark was furious. After settling Martha safely, he launched himself skyward, joining Linda in a frantic assault.
Zod was already no match for one of them in a fair fight, let alone two.
The situation spiraled rapidly. The general, who held the title of "invincible" among his kind, was battered on the ground. His armor was shredded, and his body took heavy blow after heavy blow.
If not for the added strength Kryptonians gained on Earth, he would have died already.
H'el Intervenes
"Do you really intend to kill him?"
Just as Linda prepared to deliver the killing blow, a voice echoed in her mind.
Light and shadow flickered, and a figure appeared between the two siblings—it was H'el.
The brother and sister were forced to stop, staring intently ahead. H'el was unlike ordinary Kryptonians, and they were acutely aware of his immense power.
"Kara, Kal, you both disappoint me."
Linda flared up. "Why don't you ask them what they did to me?"
"That is no reason for you to betray your people and stand on the opposing side."
He then looked at Clark, his expression filled with an indescribable complexity. "So, Jor put everything inside you. Kal, you are the Codex, the hope of Krypton."
Linda was stunned. She questioned, "What are you talking about? How can he be the Codex?"
H'el shook his head slightly.
"They Inserted the genetic code of the Codex to Kal's blood. His genes contain the genetic information of all Kryptonians. In a sense, he is the most powerful Kryptonian."
"Zod was right. Jor was selfish, giving the best things to his son."
Clark was confused and didn't understand the implication, but Linda's mouth dropped open, her shock undisguised.
The Codex was the supreme sacred artifact of Krypton, containing the genetic information of every Kryptonian and determining the future of their civilization. Her uncle had put something so vital into his son's body.
Did he intend to forge Kal into a god?
"The war has begun."
H'el raised his hand, summoning Zod and the two unconscious soldiers to him. "Since you have chosen to stand with Earth, you must be mentally prepared."
"Kal, Jor gave you everything. He would never want to see you stand against Krypton. This is my final piece of advice: abandon Earth and join us in rebuilding Krypton."
Clark shook his head gravely.
"I will not abandon my family."
Seeing his resolve, H'el said no more. He took the three men and boarded the spaceship. The ship ascended, vanishing into the sky.
A Call for Strength
The battle was over, but Linda couldn't calm down. The thought of the Codex being inside her cousin made her uncontrollably jealous.
They were both members of the House of El. Why was the difference so huge?
It was one thing to give him the Fortress of Solitude, but to include the Codex as well? Her uncle was far too biased as a family patriarch.
The girl was upset and, without wasting words, immediately flew away.
This battle was a turning point. H'el's departure signified the official commencement of war between Earth and Krypton.
Inside a military base on the western outskirts of Washington, an emergency planning meeting was underway. Attendees included Department of Defense generals, the FBI, the CIA, White House special envoys, and Luke Shaw.
A fierce debate ensued regarding the strategy for engagement.
Several generals suggested a nuclear strike on the enemy warship suspended in outer space, hoping to crush the enemy in one blow. However, this approach carried significant risks.
Earthlings had no clear understanding of Kryptonian technology. If the nuclear strike failed, they would face devastating retaliation from the enemy.
That was an outcome no one wanted to see.
After much arguing that yielded no results, Sam Lane tossed the problem to Luke Shaw, who had remained silent.
"Mr. Shaw, what are your thoughts?"
Luke Shaw responded calmly, "Just prepare the rescue teams."
Rescue?
Everyone frowned, confused by his statement.
Luke Shaw snapped his fingers, and a holographic screen appeared, playing the combat footage of Zod and his soldiers.
"Given the physical capabilities exhibited by the Kryptonians, existing weapons will cause them no harm. Of course, you can try nuclear weapons; they might be effective."
"But I must remind you: you know better than I do what launching a nuclear weapon on your own soil entails."
"Strength must be fought with strength. Your job is not to discuss troop deployment but to find the power that can truly counter them."
Luke Shaw spread his hands. "If you can't find it, prepare to die."
The last remark was highly irritating. The FBI representative couldn't help but say,
"Mr. Shaw, you are an Earthling, too. And that Linda—don't think we don't know who she is."
"And if you do, what of it?"
Luke Shaw sneered. "Do you dare go talk to her? And while we're on the subject: due to certain relationships, she has chosen neutrality. Of course, if you choose to antagonize her because you don't like her, I will have no choice but to withdraw."
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