All the survivors had been gathered in the Grand Plaza of Atlantis, the massive underwater square illuminated by the eerie glow of Atlantean crystal towers. Despite the light, a heavy tension hung over the crowd like a storm waiting to break. In the center of the plaza, an altar had been erected, and upon it rested three ominous devices that pulsed faintly with alien energy.
Loki stood before the altar, carefully arranging the three Mother Boxes while finishing the final preparations. Strange runic patterns spread across the stone beneath his feet as the ritual circle slowly came to life. He was moments away from opening the Boom Tube that would welcome Steppenwolf and the Parademon army to Earth.
If that happened, the survivors gathered in Atlantis would become the first sacrifices. Their bodies would be twisted and remade into new Parademons, forming the first wave of Darkseid's invasion.
Black Manta stood behind Loki with an obedient expression, as though he were nothing more than a loyal follower awaiting orders. Ocean Master and King Nereus stood nearby as well, watching the ritual unfold in silence. Surrounding the altar was a tight ring of mutated superheroes whose glowing eyes and rigid stances made it clear that they were acting as living guards.
Even Li Jie had been prevented from approaching the altar. The arrangement made one thing obvious: the cunning Loki still harbored suspicions about him.
With a confident smile, Loki lifted the scepter embedded with the Mind Stone. He began channeling energy into the magic circle beneath the Mother Boxes, activating the ancient and alien mechanisms simultaneously.
A blinding white beam suddenly shot upward into the sky.
The force of the beam split the surrounding seawater apart like a blade slicing through fabric. For a brief moment, the entire city of Atlantis was exposed beneath a hollow dome of empty space.
The Boom Tube had been opened.
High above Atlantis, the sky darkened as a swirling cloud of black mist formed in the air. Within the darkness, grotesque winged shapes began to appear. Ferocious Parademons clawed their way through the portal, screeching as they fought each other to descend upon Earth.
The energy in the sky grew denser and heavier as something far more powerful approached.
Finally, within the churning black mist, the towering silhouette of Steppenwolf emerged.
"Loki," his deep voice echoed down from the sky, vibrating through the city like thunder. "You have done very well."
His tone carried a cruel satisfaction that made several Atlanteans tremble.
"Do not worry," Steppenwolf continued. "Once I and the Parademon army descend upon Earth, Darkseid will send his forces to conquer Asgard with you."
Li Jie narrowed his eyes slightly as he listened. So that was Loki's true goal. The god of mischief had struck a deal with Steppenwolf in order to borrow Darkseid's power and attack Asgard.
Although Loki had been adopted and raised by Odin, the truth of his origins had always been a thorn buried deep within his heart. Ever since learning he was not truly an Asgardian, he had nurtured an ambition to replace Odin and claim the throne for himself.
When Thor was openly declared Odin's successor, Loki's hidden ambition could no longer remain concealed.
Loki's lips curled into a cold and twisted smile.
"Steppenwolf," he said calmly, "please pass along a message to Darkseid."
His eyes gleamed with ambition.
"When I become King of Asgard, I will serve as his most loyal vassal."
Steppenwolf let out a strange, rasping laugh that echoed through the sky. The sound continued for several seconds before his expression suddenly changed.
The Boom Tube had begun to vibrate violently.
The entire tunnel shook as if something inside it had lost control.
"Loki!" Steppenwolf roared, his voice filled with alarm. "What is happening?"
Loki's confident expression vanished instantly.
"I… I don't know."
The vibrations intensified until cracks of energy spread across the Boom Tube like lightning fractures. Then, with a deafening rupture, the tunnel collapsed.
The connection to Apokolips was severed.
The swirling black mist above Atlantis rapidly dissipated as the portal closed. Just before disappearing completely, Steppenwolf's furious voice echoed one last time.
"Loki, you idiot! You can't even handle something this simple!"
A loud explosion rang out in the plaza.
One of the three Mother Boxes suddenly burst apart.
It had been a fake.
The overwhelming energy flowing through the system had exposed the counterfeit device, causing it to shatter under the strain.
Understanding dawned instantly in Loki's mind.
His face twisted with rage as he spun around.
"Jack!" he shouted furiously. "You tricked me!"
Before Li Jie could respond, a sharp sound pierced the air.
A dagger plunged straight into Loki's body.
Loki's eyes widened in disbelief as he looked down at the blade buried in his chest. Slowly, he turned his head toward the person holding the weapon.
Black Manta stood there with a cold expression.
"What… what are you doing?" Loki asked hoarsely.
Black Manta yanked the dagger free and swung his arm toward the surrounding warriors.
"Kill the mutated superheroes!"
His voice thundered across the plaza.
"Kill them!"
Ocean Master and King Nereus immediately echoed the command. Although many of their soldiers were confused by the sudden change in allegiance, the battle erupted instantly.
The three Atlantean leaders were the first to charge toward the mutated heroes guarding the altar.
Aquaman, Superman, Batman, and Wonder Woman hesitated for only a fraction of a second before joining the fight. Chaos exploded across the plaza as the two sides collided.
Li Jie ignored the battle entirely.
He rushed straight toward the altar, quickly collecting the two remaining Mother Boxes and storing them safely away. After securing them, he turned around to check the battlefield.
Then he froze.
Loki was gone.
Only a dark pool of blood remained on the ground beside the fallen scepter.
As a cunning and ancient god, Loki possessed countless methods of escape. The fact that he had fled so quickly that he even abandoned his own scepter showed just how desperate his retreat had been.
Li Jie walked over and picked up the weapon.
The moment his fingers touched it, a mysterious power surged into his mind like a tidal wave. His telepathic abilities instantly expanded more than a hundredfold.
He lightly tapped the scepter against the ground.
The Mind Stone released a massive ripple of psychic energy that spread outward like an invisible shockwave.
Within seconds, everyone in the plaza froze.
Every warrior, every hero, every Atlantean soldier stood motionless with blank expressions.
Li Jie blinked.
Well… it was his first time using it.
He might have overdone it a little.
Adjusting his grip on the scepter, he tapped the ground again. This time he carefully retracted the massive wave of psychic energy and focused it only on the mutated superheroes.
The battle ended before it had truly begun.
The infected heroes collapsed under the overwhelming mental suppression, unable to resist the power of the Mind Stone.
Black Manta, Ocean Master, King Nereus, and all of their subordinates were quickly captured. They were escorted away and locked inside the deepest prisons of Atlantis.
Just like that, the catastrophic invasion led by Steppenwolf and the Parademons had been stopped before it truly began.
To celebrate the salvation of Atlantis, Queen Atlanna hosted a grand banquet in Li Jie's honor.
The palace hall shimmered with golden light and flowing music as Atlantean nobles gathered around long tables filled with exotic food. Throughout the evening, Aquaman's sister Deborah Perkins and Mera's sister Sirens approached Li Jie repeatedly to offer toasts.
Both women frequently exchanged flirtatious glances with him, their smiles carrying clear intentions.
Sitting beside him, Diana Prince remained silent the entire time.
Her expression was dark.
"Jack," Queen Atlanna said as she personally approached with a glass raised in greeting. Her tone carried a teasing warmth as she asked, "What do you think of Sirens and Deborah?"
"They're wonderful," Li Jie replied honestly.
A loud crack echoed across the table.
Diana slammed her glass down hard enough to make several people flinch.
Queen Atlanna pretended not to notice.
"Jack," she continued with a gentle smile, "you may choose whichever one you like."
"If you are willing to take one of them as your wife—or even both of them—Atlantis would be happy to send the Mother Box as part of the dowry."
Li Jie nearly choked.
So this was the real goal. She was trying to use marriage as an excuse to reclaim the Mother Box.
Before he could respond, Diana suddenly stood up.
"I'm afraid that won't be possible," she said firmly. "Jack is already the son-in-law of the Amazons."
Queen Atlanna raised her eyebrows in surprise.
"Oh?" she said with a skeptical smile. "Princess Diana, you claim Jack belongs to the Amazons. What proof do you have?"
Diana calmly took out a blood-red Mother Box.
"This is my dowry."
Queen Atlanna chuckled softly.
"If we're talking about dowries," she said casually, "didn't Jack already receive the Mother Box from Atlantis?"
Li Jie silently sighed.
It seemed the queen really did want that Mother Box back.
Diana suddenly leaned forward and kissed Li Jie directly in front of everyone.
The entire hall froze.
Several guests nearly dropped their wine glasses.
Li Jie's mind went blank.
Had he just lost his first kiss again?
Diana lifted her head and looked at Queen Atlanna.
"Do you believe me now?"
Queen Atlanna still smiled politely, but a trace of annoyance flickered in her eyes. It was obvious she was unhappy that the Amazons had stolen such a promising son-in-law.
"Jack," she said slowly, "it is normal for great men to have multiple wives."
"Even if you marry Princess Diana, Sirens and Deborah could still become your wives."
Li Jie almost laughed.
What an incredibly open-minded mother-in-law.
Queen Atlanna then turned toward Diana.
"Princess Diana, what do you think?"
Diana smiled calmly.
"I don't mind," she said lightly. "As long as Jack likes it."
Li Jie lowered his eyelids slightly.
Wonder Woman's hand had quietly moved to the hilt of her sword.
He cleared his throat awkwardly.
"Your Majesty, thank you for your kindness," he said diplomatically. "But feelings cannot be forced."
"I've only met Sirens and Deborah once. Talking about marriage already feels a little rushed."
Queen Atlanna nodded thoughtfully.
"You're right," she agreed. "Relationships need time to grow."
"Since you don't plan to marry them yet, then—"
Li Jie raised a hand and gently interrupted her.
"Loki has escaped," he said calmly. "This matter isn't over."
"He will definitely seek revenge."
His gaze swept across the hall.
"Atlantis has already suffered a terrible disaster. Leaving the Mother Box here could put your people in danger."
He paused slightly before continuing.
"Why don't I keep it safe for now? I'll return it when the time is right."
....
Want to read ahead by more than 60 chapters. Then join my pa*treon now.
Link: pa*treon.com/Amelie796 (Remove the *)
Also you can read till chapter 17 chapters for free.