Chapter Thirty-Eight: The Duel with Carol!

“Alright, I’ll go see her.”

Though reluctant to meet Carol, he had to show respect to the Supreme Leader... well, for Kaliya’s sake!

Following the secretary, Hao Yun arrived at headquarters. Just then, the main hall was filled with food—seemingly celebrating something?

Hey, I’m the one who defeated Ronan, right? You’re holding a victory party and didn’t even wait for me?

“Ah, Hao Yun, you’re awake!” Kaliya was the first to spot him, laughing as she ran over and grabbed his arm.

Hao Yun noticed Secretary Casey’s face darken for a moment beside the Supreme Leader, before quickly returning to a smiling expression...

“Ahem, be careful, there are many people around.”

Hao Yun quietly slipped out of Kaliya’s embrace. With his future mother-in-law watching so closely, he really didn’t want to make his upcoming proposal any harder...

“It’s nothing, just normal etiquette, that’s all.”

Kaliya’s cheeks flushed pink, as if she suddenly realized something. Yet she held him tightly, seemingly staking her claim.

Feeling the astonishing softness of her arm, Hao Yun could only offer an apologetic smile to Casey... It’s not that I’m being inappropriate—it’s your daughter who’s too forward!

The Supreme Leader was delighted. As the planetary ruler, she naturally hoped her people would marry a super-strong individual, especially one who happened to be the secretary’s daughter! So, instead of stopping it, she laughed heartily and teased her own secretary.

“Casey, your daughter has excellent taste! I think we should arrange an engagement for this young couple in the next few days. It’s the perfect way to celebrate the war’s victory and lift the spirits of the people.”

“You flatter me, Your Majesty. It is my daughter’s honor. I leave all decisions to you.”

Casey gave the two youngsters a sharp glance but verbally agreed to the Supreme Leader’s suggestion.

Indeed, considering her daughter’s prospects, it was unlikely she could find a better man than Hao Yun.

“All right, Kaliya, stop clinging to your little lover. Now, let’s all welcome the hero who saved Sandal Star, Hao Yun Potts!”

The Supreme Leader led the applause, and everyone joined in... Hao Yun dared not protest, following Kaliya into the banquet.

During the subsequent social gathering, Kaliya and her mother Casey assisted with the reception. Hao Yun seized a moment, grabbed a large plate of food, and went off to eat in private.

While eating, he marveled at the culture of banquets... No matter the planet, a feast was always the best place for socializing.

A simple man like him was better off staying out of it.

Amid his lively meal, a tall, short-haired woman approached.

“You’re from Earth? Hao Yun Potts?”

Hao Yun narrowed his eyes, sensing a vast energy emanating from her—if measured by system levels, at least above the Heavenly Father tier.

“Carol Danvers?”

“So it was you who saved Sandal Star,” Carol said, exhaling deeply as she comfortably took a seat. She seemed to know him.

“Do I know you? Or rather, do you know me?” Hao Yun was puzzled. Lady, your overly familiar manner makes me anxious!

“Yes, you are indeed that bastard,” Carol stated matter-of-factly. “Don’t worry, you won’t recognize me yet.”

Uh... this conversation is going nowhere! There was too much implied in her words; he didn’t even know how to respond!

So, this meant he would eventually cross time and space to meet Carol? What about Nick Fury? If he’s going back to the past, surely he’d encounter Nick Fury, right?

Then why did he feel Nick Fury didn’t recognize him at all?

“Well, since you’re not going to say much, I won’t ask further.”

Hao Yun shrugged. Carol had already revealed enough. The Ancient One was right—don’t recklessly probe the future. When you stare into the future, the future stares back at you...

Carol seemed accustomed to his style and said no more, merely raising her glass to clink with his.

“I should apologize—you’re not quite a bastard yet.”

“It’s my fault anyway; can’t blame anyone else.”

Hao Yun smiled bitterly and toasted. Lady, if you keep talking like this, I’m really going to figure it out!

They chatted about Earth’s current affairs while downing drinks. After several rounds, both were a little tipsy when Carol suddenly stood, shimmering with energy tides, and raised an eyebrow at Hao Yun.

“Want to spar for a bit?”

“Let’s give it a try.”

A bit drunk and full of confidence, Hao Yun drew the Xuanyuan Sword midair and faced Carol.

“Hm... I suggest you don’t use that sword. The Sword of Humanity is not meant for dueling,” Carol advised without making a move, urging him to put it away.

“Is that so? Well, I don’t really know much about it.”

Hao Yun scratched his head. Right—the legendary human sacred sword wouldn’t be suitable for a fight; otherwise, the Emperor Xuanyuan would have cut him down long ago.

Sheathing the sword, Hao Yun switched to ninjutsu.

“Ahem, Captain Marvel, watch out!”

“As usual, ninjutsu: Supreme Buddha Manifestation, Thousand Hands!”

A massive wooden Buddha statue rose from the ground, thousands of arms sweeping toward Carol.

Twin starlight gleamed on Carol’s body as she activated dual star mode... her energy wave shattered the statue, which vanished like bubbles without a trace.

“Don’t embarrass yourself with these petty tricks. You’re wasting your energy. Use your full strength.”

Carol laughed, commenting lightly and inviting Hao Yun to continue.

Hao Yun was speechless. Is this how a master fights? No wonder Goku in Dragon Ball mainly fought with his fists, only throwing a Spirit Bomb occasionally. So, techniques like ninjutsu and energy manipulation are just minor tricks?

“Then, a plain, ordinary punch!”

He infused energy throughout his body, moving like a hidden dragon unfurling, concentrating power at his fist—one punch to cleave the sky!

“Not bad, somewhat interesting,” Carol replied with a punch of her own, equally unvaried.

Boom!

The seemingly ordinary fists collided and exploded; Hao Yun was blasted back over a thousand meters. When he flew back to face Carol, she remained perfectly still, no sign of preparing another strike.

He lost all desire to continue. The gap was too great—fighting further would be self-torture! He wasn’t masochistic!

Yet why did Carol’s style resemble the “Plain and Ordinary Punch” technique he learned from martial arts? That highest human martial legacy only passed down this single move at the Seven Star level!

“No more, no more. I can’t win. It’s no fun to have such a big gap! Let’s keep drinking!”

Though puzzled, Hao Yun dared not ask further. He invited Carol down, and they spent the rest of the night drinking.

The Supreme Leader exchanged a glance with the others, saying nothing, but her gaze toward Hao Yun held newfound respect.

Carol smiled quietly, said no more, and drank with Hao Yun until dawn... The next day, when Hao Yun woke from his hangover, Kaliya told him Carol had already left the previous night.

Hmm... he suspected Carol came to Sandal Star just to land a punch on him.

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