Taking the Thousand-Year Willow Heart
Xu Mo took out a syringe filled with a faint yellow liquid.
This was the mutant "cure" — an experimental antidote originally developed by Worthington Labs. Xu Mo had acquired it two years ago through secret channels, long before it became widely known.
As a baseline human back then, he needed contingencies. With his growing psionic ability, this serum became the perfect trump card: a natural nemesis for mutants.
He methodically packed thousands of syringes into a case before storing them in his dimensional ring. He had already tested the ring with a watch — time inside remained at a complete standstill. No risk of spoilage.
With this weapon secured, Xu Mo no longer feared any mutant, no matter how powerful.
Just as he finished sealing the last vial, the sound of a door opening and closing echoed outside.
"Honey, what are you doing?"
The voice made Xu Mo pause. That wasn't Wanda's tone. Though their relationship had thawed somewhat, Wanda Maximoff had never called him that.
He walked out of the armory and froze.
Standing before him was a tall woman, smiling mischievously.
"…Annie?"
Xu Mo rubbed his eyes in disbelief. The woman before him was Anne Hathaway — his ex.
She stepped closer, her hands sliding behind his neck.
"Why can't I be here?" she teased.
Xu Mo tensed. "No… my wife is downstairs!"
Anne smirked. "Isn't that what makes it exciting?"
…
Half an hour later, the three of them were seated at the dining table.
"It seems someone from the FBI was looking for you earlier," Wanda said casually, sipping her soup. "Did something happen?"
"Oh, nothing serious," Xu Mo replied smoothly. "Just routine inquiries about Pete's situation."
He had no intention of dragging Wanda into his dealings with S.H.I.E.L.D. She was powerful — more powerful than most mutants alive — but for now, she was trying to live an ordinary life.
After a pause, Xu Mo asked, feigning casualness: "You two… seem pretty close?"
Wanda looked up. "Annie? We met at the company."
"Yeah," Annie added with a grin.
Recently, Wanda had grown restless, confined to the villa. Xu Mo arranged a position for her at his entertainment company. There, she and Annie had quickly bonded.
If anyone told Xu Mo this hadn't been orchestrated by Annie, he wouldn't believe it. But it was too late to contest it now.
Under the table, he suddenly felt something soft brush against his leg. He looked up.
Anne winked.
Xu Mo cursed silently. This little devil…
…
After a tense lunch, Wanda escorted Anne out. But the rest of the afternoon was filled with Annie's subtle provocations, leaving Xu Mo rattled.
Has she awakened some new obsession?
He shook the thought away when Wanda returned.
"You might need to leave for a while," Xu Mo said seriously.
Though the Brotherhood of Mutants targeted his assets, not Wanda directly, he wasn't willing to take the risk. He explained the situation briefly.
"I'm sorry," Wanda said softly. "Because of me, you're caught in this mess."
Xu Mo smiled wryly. "It's nothing. You've already compensated me enough."
The implication made Wanda blush crimson. She stood abruptly. "I—I'll go pack."
…
Watching Wanda's car disappear, Xu Mo exhaled in relief.
He then ascended to the top floor, where his private gym had been cleared of equipment and converted into a training chamber.
If he wanted to end the Brotherhood threat, he had to grow stronger.
Pulling up the exchange system, he checked the treasures available.
Heart-Shaped Herb — a Wakandan botanical, granting gradual physical enhancement. (300 points)
Dragon's Blood — distilled from the heart of a king-level beast, boosting vitality 2–4×. (5,000 points; valid only for apprentices)
Millennium Willow Heart — a crystallized spirit core of an ancient tree, brimming with life force. Greatly enhances physical fitness, cellular activity, and regeneration. (18,000 points)
Bibosui — liquid essence that amplifies psychic potential. (100,000 points per drop)
Red Flame Fruit — mutagenic fruit that drastically improves physical durability. (100,000 points each)
There were countless treasures, but with only 20,000 points remaining, his choices narrowed.
A moment later, Xu Mo sat cross-legged before a glowing green crystal over a meter long.
"The Millennium Willow Heart…" he whispered.
Its shell was hard as diamond, but inside, green liquid pulsed like lifeblood. The instructions were clear: crack it open and drink.
Xu Mo drew an adamantium blade and scored a shallow cut. Green sap leaked out. He raised the crystal to his lips, swallowing the viscous liquid.
A refreshing, woody fragrance filled his senses.
Instantly, cool energy spread through his veins. His body thrummed with vitality, muscles tightening, senses sharpening.
At the same time, the dark golden sphere in his mind whirred faster, unleashing surges of psionic energy that his brain hungrily absorbed.
The two forces — body and mind — coursed in harmony, compounding his growth.
A warm, invigorating current suffused every cell.
"So this… is vital energy."
Strength surged through him, overwhelming and exhilarating. Xu Mo clenched his fists, savoring the sensation.
It was intoxicating.
Too intoxicating.