London.
The sky remained dark, and the reflection of the Thames River was a deep, inky black.
However, Dormammu's invasion, thanks to Qingshui's resistance, was no longer spreading.
Though most communication devices in London were rendered useless by the powerful energy above, nearly four days had been enough time to organize the evacuation of most residents from the city.
Of course, a small number of people wanted to stay behind and film something.
However, the energy field interfered with most electronic devices, preventing them from working properly. Only old-fashioned film cameras were still usable.
A few functions on Qingshui's Electrolight Armor were also affected, but fortunately, it had been transformed into a Magic Tool, so most of its capabilities were retained, and its combat effectiveness wasn't significantly compromised.
The Dark Dimension's invasion was confined to a small area of space directly above London.
Qingshui, enveloped in golden-green light and clad in the Electrolight Armor, continued to contend with Dormammu. At the same time, he dedicated part of his mental energy to rapidly recalling and organizing his knowledge related to various abilities.
Black-flamed meteors flew through the dark space, hurtling towards him.
Qingshui simply shifted slightly, his body moving at an incredible speed, almost instantly teleporting to the other side.
This avatar didn't possess Blood Demon Art like Flying Thunder God, nor did it draw teleportation circles; that wasn't a spatial teleportation just now.
It was merely that, in that instant, Qingshui continuously shortened the distance of a portion of the space in front of him, allowing him to traverse a significant distance in the blink of an eye.
"Space... so that's how it works? The superposition of the Krishna function and the Calabi-Yau manifold... it really is abstract, profound, and complex."
Qingshui clicked his tongue. Just as he was about to use the same move again to dodge Dormammu's attack, he found the surrounding space inexplicably stagnate. He then raised his hand and fired a laser from the Mind Stone, which annihilated with a black energy beam in nothingness.
The space of the Dark Dimension was controlled by Dormammu. Although this particular space wasn't the Dark Dimension itself, Dormammu's innate realm allowed him to interfere with space.
In this regard, Qingshui was still a bit too green compared to Dormammu.
Nevertheless, under the Mind Stone's enlightenment boost and the constant high pressure from Dormammu, Qingshui finally, through his own efforts, took a solid step forward in the domain of space, achieving his own breakthrough.
At this very moment, Dormammu also noticed Qingshui's change.
He had to admit that, with two Infinity Stones, Qingshui was more troublesome than the Ancient One.
And the guy was even secretly learning from him.
If it were anyone else, even the Ancient One, facing him, Dormammu, they'd be doing well just to guard their mind, terrified of being influenced by Dormammu's will and falling into the Dark Dimension.
Dormammu would love nothing more than for others to try that.
But this time, his opponent had the Mind Stone, giving him an inherent advantage on the mental level.
The ironic result was that, in fighting, he was making his opponent stronger.
It was a thankless task.
Knowing he couldn't defeat Qingshui and devour this world, Dormammu had already decided to leave.
He couldn't have come all this way just to be Qingshui's practical combat teacher, could he?
Leaving like this felt a bit embarrassing.
But Dormammu was used to it.
In past confrontations with the Ancient One, hadn't it been the same?
Anyway, he hadn't lost much. The souls of those dead dark sorcerers, because they had accepted his power, would eventually fall into Dormammu's hands, unless they encountered a situation like the Ancient One snatching them away permanently.
Souls were the hard currency for these multiversal beings who transcended single universes. Even the demon Mephisto constantly used various deceptions and trades to acquire souls.
Especially "noble souls," "pure souls," and "evil souls"—these were their favorites.
As for more common souls, if the quantity was substantial enough, they would also covet them.
Dormammu's dimensional invasion failed, and the Ancient One also intercepted the souls. However, those dark sorcerers, being mages with a certain level of power and mastery of magic, had souls whose value wasn't as high, but it was still some gain. They were like crops Dormammu had planted in this world, and now was just the time to harvest them.
"I'll be back, sorcerer. Tell me your name."
"Alright, I don't change my name, nor my surname. Just call me King Pleasant Goat of Goat Village!"
Qingshui crossed his arms, raising his head towards Dormammu with a smug look.
Who told you to quote Grey Wolf's famous line?
Dormammu was silent for two seconds, processing the memories from the souls of several recently deceased dark sorcerers, then looked deeply at Qingshui.
"I'll remember you, Watt."
This annoying feeling...
It's exactly like the Ancient One.
Well, since he's the Ancient One's successor, it's normal for him to become like this under the Ancient One's influence.
Wait...
I almost forgot, the Ancient One is his junior, and he's the Ancient One's senior. It should be the Ancient One who became so annoying under his influence.
Recalling his past unpleasant experiences with the Ancient One, Dormammu glanced at Qingshui again.
Come to think of it, this guy is the real culprit!
"I'll be watching you, Watt, watching your soul until the moment you die."
Huh?
Buddy?
Qingshui looked like a shrimp craning its neck, hunched over a computer desk.
"You already know my name, so why are you asking? Hey, hey, don't be in such a hurry to leave, what if I want to try a new move? I haven't even mastered it yet!"
Qingshui stretched out his hand, shouting towards Dormammu who was gradually fading into the darkness.
Dormammu didn't reply, simply vanishing into the London sky along with the darkness.
"Tsk, what a shame. I probably won't get another chance like this to practice."
Qingshui shook his head regretfully, slowly descending from the sky.
Not long after, another figure in gold and red armor flew to Qingshui's side, followed closely by a Quinjet carrying all the members of the Avengers.
"Watt, what's the situation? Have the enemies been repelled?"
Tony's Iron Suit mask automatically retracted, revealing his more mature, yet still playful, mustached face, and he eagerly asked Qingshui.
"They've been temporarily repelled."
"Temporarily?"
Tony frowned.
He had previous experience delivering a nuclear bomb to the Chitauri mothership.
Although the changes brought about by a certain person prevented him from having anxiety severe enough to affect his daily life, he still felt hesitant about humanity's situation, constantly using his intelligence to advance technology and build Iron Suits.
Now, with the maturity of the second-generation Arc Reactor and nanotechnology, and the overcoming of major hurdles like energy and materials, humanity truly had the ability to leave Earth, become an interstellar civilization, and possess initial exploration and resistance capabilities against external threats. Yet, he was now told that the threats humanity faced, besides aliens, included "gods" or something similar from other universes who controlled an entire dimension.
At this point, Tony felt he was truly not far from developing anxiety.
"If I don't die, or if I'm not preoccupied by something else and unable to act, then I think knowing I'm here to stop him, that guy probably won't come again."
Qingshui calmly retracted his Electrolight Armor into his Devouring Pouch, nodded to the Shadow Clone walking down from the Quinjet, then clapped his hands, dispelling it and receiving all the information about what had happened outside for the past half-afternoon.
The Avengers were just the vanguard.
Now, outside London, the area was surrounded by units from the nearby US military base, as well as British and French forces.
The entire US Sixth Fleet had also completely encircled the UK.
More forces were rapidly assembling under the coordination of the UN's major powers.
After all, this time the commotion was truly greater than the Battle of New York.
The difference between Dormammu and a galaxy-bottom mercenary corps like the Chitauri was all too clear.
The Chitauri were just interstellar soldiers equipped with energy weapons, and war machines like Leviathans. In a terrestrial environment, even if their numbers were virtually endless, humanity could still put up a fight using conventional weapons.
But Dormammu?
Based on the monitored data alone, if that level of energy reaction appeared on the ground, London would be effortlessly razed.
And as time passed, Dormammu's Dark Dimension's invasion and assimilation of this world would deepen, allowing him to exert increasingly powerful abilities. He wouldn't even need to fully invade; once it reached a certain point, he could easily wipe out a planet.
"Luckily it was resolved. Honestly, I couldn't imagine what good it would do to call me to a battlefield like this. Shoot a god who owns a universe with arrows filled with gunpowder and freezing agents?"
Hawkeye looked at Qingshui's Shadow Clone, which had dissolved into a puff of smoke beside him, shrugged, and scoffed.
"Maybe it's precisely because you came that we won? Haven't you noticed that every battle you've participated in, we've ultimately won?"
Qingshui joked.
How does that saying go?
If you don't bring Hawkeye to a team fight, you're likely to lose.
Well, good thing he was fighting Dormammu one-on-one earlier; that doesn't count as a team fight.
"Alright, gentlemen, it's over. Time to figure out the aftermath, especially you, Director. You've got your hands full this time."
Black Widow, sitting in the Quinjet's cockpit, spoke into the comms channel.
It went without saying.
With Qingshui demonstrating power beyond all humanity using two Infinity Stones this time, the attitudes of high-level officials in various countries toward him would change.
Especially in America, there would undoubtedly be people trying to gain benefits from him or climb the ladder through his connections.
In the future, Qingshui probably wouldn't be able to live a peaceful life—though he never intended to live one anyway.
While the life of a decadent super-capitalist might be boring, it was truly exhilarating.
He expected to live an even more exhilarating and decadent life in the future.
Of course, there would certainly be people who disliked him, believing he posed a threat to them or even to humanity, and would be hostile towards him.
But Qingshui already possessed power beyond human civilization thanks to two Infinity Stones.
At least on the surface, with humanity's current strength, they had no way to deal with him. At most, some people might resort to petty tactics, trying to annoy him through those connected to him.
However, such people weren't just appearing now.
He was the director of S.H.I.E.L.D., one of the world's top billionaires, possessing power and resources beyond most people's wildest dreams or reach.
A tall tree catches the wind.
Many people had already disliked him and wanted to cause him trouble.
Before, they couldn't do anything to him, and now it would be even harder.
"Those people… Just let them be for now. Tell them to keep doing what they were doing before. I'm pretty tired, so I'm going to rest. If there are any reports, just make them up yourselves."
Qingshui yawned, opened a Portal, and stepped through.
Even though he had the Time Stone to restore his physical state and the Mind Stone to calm his mind, he still wanted to rest and take some time to organize his combat experiences from this period.
After that, he could rightfully take over as Sorcerer Supreme. While gaining the karmic luck he needed, he could also fleece the various magical factions, big and small.
Dormammu had retreated, and communications were restored.
Far away at S.H.I.E.L.D.'s headquarters in Huaxia, Hill Maria sighed helplessly when Black Widow relayed Qingshui's message.
You're the director, and you're going to rest now? Then those people won't be able to find you, and they'll come bother me, the deputy director, instead, won't they?
The ice queen rubbed her temples in frustration.
Why did they originally give Qingshui that personality profile, thinking his inner character had many similarities to Nick Fury?
The feeling of being Qingshui's assistant was completely different from being Nick's assistant!
...
...
In the World of One.
Capital City, Wang Weiguo's mansion, owned by Zhonghai Group.
On the lawn, a gentle morning breeze swept across the green grass and sleeves, carrying the fragrant scent of earth, refreshing the mind and spirit.
Dew still clung to the yellow leaves, not yet evaporated, as the morning sun's rays spread across the lawn.
"One watermelon… cut—in—half."
"Uh… cut, cut in half."
Wang Weiguo swayed his portly body, practicing Tai Chi with Wang Ye on the lawn.
His pajamas clung to his body, and as he lifted his leg to stand on one, he looked like a plump seagull.
Compared to Wang Ye's fluid "White Crane Spreads Wings," Wang Weiguo's movements resembled a waddling penguin.
"Half for you, half for me."
"Half for you, and half for me… Huh, is this really authentic Tai Chi that you learned in the mountains?"
"Of course it is, Dad. Authentic Tai Chi is just like this. These are all metaphors. When you move, you have to imagine hugging a watermelon or kneading dough late at night. Shall we do it again, Grandpa and I?"
Wang Ye scratched his head, chuckling.
Wang Weiguo wiped his round, sweaty nose.
"Is this watermelon of yours ripe? Hugging a watermelon, and then cutting a watermelon? Did you practice cutting melon with Tai Chi at the Wudang cafeteria?"
As he spoke, he lowered his legs and made a horse stance gesture as if cutting a watermelon.
Because his stomach was too big, a button on his pajamas popped open again.
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