Who could it be?
Alex was genuinely curious.
He had just entered Ta Lo himself—and he knew exactly how difficult it was to get in.
Without the map, it was basically impossible.
Yet now someone else had arrived.
And the map?
Was still in Alex's pocket.
So… who had the ability to force their way in?
"Alex, what's wrong?"
Seeing Alex's expression shift slightly, Ying Nan immediately stepped forward, speaking in a low, cautious tone.
"Someone else is coming."
Alex answered honestly.
Ying Nan's expression froze—shock and seriousness instantly replacing curiosity.
"Ying Nan! The formation's been triggered again—someone else has entered!"
Guang Bo ran out, shouting anxiously.
Ta Lo's defensive array had reacted.
Ying Nan nodded gravely and looked toward the entrance.
Alex did the same.
They all waited to see who would emerge from the fog-shrouded path.
Rumble… Rumble…
Soon—
A column of military vehicles burst through the swirling mist, engines roaring, dust flying.
Alex narrowed his eyes and activated his X-ray vision.
And instantly understood.
Wenwu.
The wielder of the Ten Rings had come.
In the movie, Wenwu had indeed forced his way into Ta Lo.
But this time?
He didn't even have the map.
How did he get in?
Still—
Alex didn't dwell on it.
Wenwu had lived over a thousand years.
Of course he had his own methods.
Even without the map, he'd find a way inside.
Rumble… Rumble…
The convoy finally screeched to a halt as Guang Bo's people blocked their path.
Wenwu stepped out, flanked by elite Ten Rings soldiers wielding heavy weapons.
They strode forward, imposing and aggressive.
"Wenwu! What are you doing here? You don't belong in this place!"
Guang Bo barked angrily.
He never had a good attitude toward the man who kidnapped his younger sister.
"Watch your tone, boy."
Wenwu pointed at him, eyes sharp like blades.
"This isn't your place either," Ying Nan said coldly as she approached.
And Alex?
He didn't leave.
He followed Ying Nan to stand directly in front of Wenwu.
Because Alex had his eyes on the Ten Rings.
He didn't know whether the Rings were energy cores…
But if they were?
He wasn't missing that opportunity.
And even if not?
Something like the Ten Rings was a priceless power source for Krakoa.
Besides—
Wenwu was no hero.
Alex had zero moral hesitation.
Wenwu, seeing Alex, visibly tensed.
Why was the infamous Homelander acting so friendly with Ta Lo?
And why had Ta Lo accepted him of all people?
Even Wenwu didn't understand.
But he knew one thing—
If Alex sided with Ta Lo, his mission would become ten times harder.
Still—
Wenwu made his decision instantly.
No one would stop him from retrieving his wife.
Not even Alex.
He straightened his spine.
"If you people are keeping my wife locked away, don't blame me for my tone."
Wenwu glared at Ying Nan.
"I'll say this once. Hand over Ying Li."
Everyone in Ta Lo froze.
What wife?
Ying Li was dead.
Ta Lo had never imprisoned her.
A beat of confusion swept through the guardians.
Then realization.
The Dweller-in-Darkness.
Its whispers again.
"Wenwu, you misunderstand," Ying Nan said.
She quickly explained the demon's manipulations—and that it had been slain by Alex.
But Wenwu had already fallen too deep into obsession.
Ta Lo took his wife.
That was the truth he believed.
"You expect me to believe that?" Wenwu scoffed coldly.
"Fine then—I'll burn this place to the ground!"
He raised a hand.
Instantly—
CLICK!
His Ten Rings soldiers lifted their weapons in unison.
Guang Bo's defenders braced themselves.
Tension surged—
One spark away from exploding into war.
"Alex!"
Before giving the final order, Wenwu turned toward him.
This was the only man he truly feared.
"This is between me and Ta Lo. Are you sure you want to interfere?"
Alex shook his head.
"I don't care about your feud with Ta Lo."
Wenwu exhaled slowly in relief—
Until Alex continued:
"But I am very interested in your Ten Rings. So, I'm going to take them."
His tone was casual.
Almost conversational.
Like he was discussing the weather.
Wenwu's expression instantly darkened.
Behind him, every Ten Rings soldier bristled in fury.
Everyone knew Homelander was powerful.
But to say something like that?
He might as well have spat in Wenwu's face.
"Alex, I gave you respect," Wenwu growled.
"But don't mistake that for fear."
His aura surged, the Ten Rings glowing with blue cosmic energy.
"If that's your choice—then I'll destroy you along with them!"
BOOM!!
A blinding flare ignited—
Wenwu thrust his arm forward, and one of the Ten Rings shot off his wrist like a comet, hurtling straight toward Alex at supersonic speed.
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