Chapter Thirty-Seven: The Late Arrival of Carol...

"Supreme Leader, we have won!"

The moment the Dark Aster fractured, its engines died, and it could no longer threaten the Nova Corps' defenses, a roar of cheers erupted from the observers in the great hall of Xandar. They had won!

"Well done! Quickly, go and bring our heroes back! Do not let them remain injured or weeping!"

The Supreme Leader issued orders loudly, overseeing the post-battle relief efforts. An hour later, the Nova Corps successfully retrieved the strike team members, returning Hao Yun and the others to the surface.

As for the Kree soldiers who survived on the Dark Aster... the fact that the Nova Corps didn't execute them on the spot was testament enough to their status as the righteous side. Bring them to Xandar? They weren't entitled to such treatment.

After landing, the group was immediately ushered away to rest by the Supreme Leader. By the time Carol, the Guardian of the Galaxy, arrived from the jump point, she was greeted by the scene of the post-battle cleanup.

Carol grabbed a nearby soldier to ask, "Where is Ronan? What happened to the Kree invasion fleet?"

"Ronan? He’s scattered everywhere now," the Nova Corps soldier said with a sigh, gesturing to the surroundings. "As for the fleet, aren't we taking care of them right now?"

Following the soldier’s gaze, Carol saw the warship severed in two. So, Ronan had already failed? Was she too late? Could the Nova Corps actually defeat a Kree fleet now?

"I am Carol. Take me to your Supreme Leader."

"You are the Guardian of the Galaxy?" The soldier’s expression shifted instantly. Carol’s reputation in the galaxy was immense; she was known for rescuing weak planets, especially those devastated by the Kree, and was renowned for her righteousness. Realizing who stood before him, the soldier’s expression turned solemn, filled with honor.

Carol nodded with satisfaction. Her reputation over these years was still quite good. "Yes, I am the Guardian of the Galaxy. My apologies, I am late."

"No, you are not late. A hero born from your same planet saved Xandar!" The soldier said excitedly, "Are all the people on your planet such powerful warriors? Ronan couldn't even withstand a single strike from his sword..."

"My planet? Earth?" Carol frowned slightly. Apart from herself, had Earth produced another cosmic-level powerhouse? Nick Fury had never mentioned it to her... No matter, she would ask the Supreme Leader directly. "Please take me to the Supreme Leader. I need to speak with her regarding the Kree."

"Of course, I’ll take you right away!"

Hearing the mention of the Kree, the soldier didn't dare dawdle and quickly led Carol to the Nova Corps headquarters.

Setting aside the conversation between Carol and the Supreme Leader, Hao Yun had returned to his quarters to rest. After a shower, he prepared to examine his system.

The monthly check-in reward had come at such a critical moment that Hao Yun couldn't help but have some unexpected thoughts. Was there someone behind the system? Did the system possess sentience? Was that why it had suddenly granted a check-in to help him when he was in danger?

Even the upgrades—while seemingly reducing the trigger probability and imposing restrictions—felt like they were constantly adjusting and integrating based on his own cultivation, and now, they had even added a failsafe. Everything felt as if an invisible hand were manipulating events.

"System, I don't think I had checked in for a full month yet. Why was I suddenly able to check in?"

"Host, please be advised: monthly check-in rewards and holiday rewards are calculated based on Earth time. The system has not violated any protocols."

"Is that so? What about the Strength Pill? I recall that never appearing in the store before."

"The Strength Pill is a unique system item, obtainable only through special check-in rewards."

"Fine, you’re the system, you’re always right. By the way, how many points do I have? Do you have any good methods to recommend for increasing my cultivation?"

"The host currently has 29,480 points. It is advised not to increase the energy within your body directly; a sudden influx of large amounts of energy would disrupt your control. It is recommended to complete missions in other worlds and exchange for a special physique to integrate into your martial arts path; that would be more appropriate."

"Oh? Open the store and let me see!"

The store page opened. This time, the refreshed worlds were *Journey to the West*, *One Piece*, and the *Chinese Paladin* world, along with the already-locked Cultivation Store.

He checked the prices for techniques and bloodlines.

"Nine Revolutions Mysterious Technique: One billion points."

"Primordial God-Demon Bloodline: One hundred million points."

Even the cheapest cultivation technique, the Shushan Sword Control Art, cost 30,000... Damn, compared to the last time he checked, cultivation techniques and bloodlines seemed to have become even more expensive! Well, Hao Yun was looking at the low-tier ones. The high-tier ones were well out of his budget anyway.

He looked at the prices for Devil Fruits that could be integrated into his martial arts system... well, a single Devil Fruit cost ten million points, and Logia-types were over a hundred million!

The store even provided an explanation: Logia-type fruits contained a trace of the power of laws, hence the higher price.

Right, no need to say more; this was clearly an attempt to lure him into doing missions in other worlds. After all, the price dropped to one-tenth if he went in person, and he could earn a large amount of points. If he over-performed, he could get ten times the mission points—who could resist that?

If anyone said the system didn't have ulterior motives, Hao Yun wouldn't believe it even if he died! The system was really going to great lengths to cultivate him!

He closed the system. For now, Hao Yun had no intention of taking on any missions... At the very least, he had to wait until the business on Xandar was finished and he returned to Earth.

After marveling at the system's meticulous planning, Hao Yun couldn't be bothered to guess at the mastermind behind it. Whether he was a pawn in someone's game or not, it wasn't something he could control. Instead of overthinking and getting depressed, he decided it was better to have a good sleep and restore his energy.

...

Night fell slowly. Hao Yun, having fully recovered his body and spirit thanks to the T-virus serum's powerful regenerative properties, stepped out of his bedroom.

"Whew, that was a great sleep!"

He stepped out, poured a glass of water, stretched, and sighed. He planned to head out to find something to eat. However, upon opening the door, he saw a tall, beautiful woman dressed in a Nova Corps uniform standing there.

What was this? Looking at her, it seemed she had been standing there for quite a while, waiting for him?

"Uh, does the Supreme Leader have something for me?"

"Yes, the Guardian of the Galaxy, Carol, has arrived on Xandar. She would like to see you."

The secretary answered with a smile. Hao Yun curled his lip. Carol? That piece of work?

To be honest, after watching the *Avengers* series in his previous life, he wasn't exactly a fan of Carol! Thinking back to the original plot—especially after *Avengers: Infinity War*—as the "hope of the entire village," she spent all her time guarding other planets, abandoning her own home! Then, when she finally came to support Earth, she got punched into unconsciousness... You aren't hope; you’re just making Earthlings more desperate!

If it weren't for Iron Man sacrificing himself to snap his fingers... he really didn't know how Carol would have faced the people of Earth.