Chapter Eight: The Dark Elves!

Overwhelmed with surprise and delight, Hao Yun soared through the sky, heading straight for London… An invitation from Kunlun Mountain? Did this mean that his future backing was even greater? When he thought about the five-thousand-year-old heritage, the human organization of extraordinary abilities that could stand against the Celestial Court… he couldn't help but wonder: did Thanos's snap in the original story truly affect China? Perhaps the depths of the Marvel world were far greater than he had imagined!

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At this moment, London, England.

Jane Foster emerged from the factory with Thor, walking slowly.

“Thor, they’re about to unleash the Aether. He doesn’t just want to destroy Asgard or some planet—he wants to annihilate the entire universe!” Jane said, standing on the streets of London.

Thor’s face was still etched with pain; he hadn’t yet recovered from Loki’s death.

“Everyone? Where are they?”

“I saw him on Earth. Why did he come to Earth?”

“Because of the celestial bodies.”

Thor turned away, avoiding Jane’s gaze… Perhaps deep down, he still blamed Loki’s death on her. After all, if not for wanting to save Jane, he never would have released Loki, nor allowed him to join the escape from Asgard.

“Go and stop him, Thor. Now, only you can do it.” Jane gently hugged Thor, then stepped back.

“What about you?” Thor swung his hammer, about to take flight, but paused.

“Don’t worry, I’ll find Dr. Selvig. We’ve been preparing for the spatial fluctuations.” Jane smiled, offering Thor a reassuring smile.

Thor nodded. Mjolnir spun rapidly, then shot skyward! In the distance, a cross-shaped spaceship—the signature vessel of the Dark Elves—emerged from the sky.

“Malekith, I’m coming!”

At the London Sanctuary… a fixed portal opened, and a group of yellow-skinned Chinese stepped out.

The Ancient One stood before the gate, her expression grave as she watched the descending warship.

“Master, do you need us to intervene?” The leading Chinese man’s gaze was cold as he looked toward the ship. The battle between the Celestial Court and Earth was less than fifty years past, and now someone else was coveting Earth? Did they really think Kunlun had been wiped out?

“No need,” the Ancient One shook her head. “If you alone act, the other nations of Earth will eventually become complacent. This time, let the Illuminati handle it. Their strength is sufficient.”

“Yes, Master.” The leader glanced at the distant suits flying through the sky, nodded, and sat cross-legged with his companions. They were Earth’s last line of defense, its strongest shield. As long as they were present, Earth would never fall into the hands of outsiders.

Landing on the outskirts of London, Hao Yun glanced silently toward the Sanctuary… Hmm, that gaze didn’t seem like the Ancient One’s. Were those the people of Kunlun?

On the outskirts, battle suits landed one after another, and the Illuminati members stepped out.

Tony, Banner, Hao Yun, Angel, Pepper, Rhodey, Thor… aside from Natasha, Steve, and Barton—who had joined S.H.I.E.L.D. in advance to fortify London—the others all gathered outside the city.

Seeing everyone assembled, Hao Yun clapped his hands to signal the group.

Usually, Tony was in charge of research, Rhodey handled training. In combat, with Captain, Natasha, and Barton absent, Hao Yun had to take the lead.

At least he’d commanded ninja armies in another world, hadn’t he?

“Selvig, what’s the situation with the spatial fluctuations?” Hao Yun asked immediately upon landing, addressing Selvig, who was monitoring the instruments in the outskirts.

Selvig looked tense, calculating values incessantly…

“It’s not good. The spatial fluctuation has lasted an hour longer than I previously estimated! If we can’t get into London’s security shield in time, a spatial hole with a diameter of over a thousand meters will open, possibly causing environmental changes on Earth!”

“Rhodey, contact the authorities immediately and report our assessment!” Hao Yun’s expression changed. What did this mean? An extra hour, a spatial hole over a thousand meters wide… Was this going to cause a gravitational tidal event?

Don’t think a spatial hole is just about air and environment exchange—if it’s too large, the gravitational pull between planets will absolutely cause ecological shifts!

Consider the moon’s importance to Earth; a spatial hole must never remain open for more than an hour!

“Alright, I’ll contact them right away!” Rhodey, though not a genius, had genius friends! After Tony explained briefly, he immediately understood the implications of Selvig’s warning and hurriedly called S.H.I.E.L.D. and the US military.

But when he returned after hanging up, his expression was especially grim.

“London’s military won’t let us in. S.H.I.E.L.D. said they can handle it.”

“Damn it!” Tony exploded, “What are these water-headed politicians thinking? Do they need Earth to collapse before they admit their stupidity? What about S.H.I.E.L.D.? What about Steve? How could they let this happen?”

“Hah,” Hao Yun sneered, “They think they have a trump card! Just wait—when the world’s about to be destroyed, will Captain Marvel even make it back in time?”

“So what now? Just watch?” Banner rubbed his head, not wanting to go in. After all, he hadn’t merged into Professor Hulk yet. If he went in recklessly, who could control his destructive power?

“Let me think…” Hao Yun rubbed his brow, carefully recalling the plot… The cosmic warship sliced through the Thames, heading deep into London… Malekith appeared, attempting to destroy the Nine Realms with the Aether…

In between, Thor and the Dark Elves would clash.

“We’ll break in through the subway!” Hao Yun patted his chest, and a projection of the entire London underground tunnel appeared.

“Here, exit eighty-one leads straight into the combat zone! Tony, take Mom and hide inside. If things get out of hand, you protect the civilians, and Mom smashes the enemy!”

“What? Hao Yun, speak plainly! Did you give your mom a cheat again?” Tony suddenly realized—right, Hao Yun had returned from another world, surely he had some good stuff? Why hadn’t he brought it for research?

“Uh… Tony, don’t bother this time. The cultivation method would erode our universe. Next time, I’ll definitely pick a science or spiritual side, and let you research to your heart’s content!”

“You promise?”

“Of course!” Hao Yun patted his chest, pledging to keep his word.

“Alright, I’ll let you off this time.” Tony rolled his eyes at Hao Yun. It wasn’t that he cared too much; his nano-suit still had room for upgrades, and he had no time to study other things. All he wanted was a bit of banter between family.