After the War, Taking a Disciple

In the Kree Empire, the Supreme Intelligence issued an order. "Ronan’s affairs have nothing to do with us. Have Xandar hand over his corpse. Also, invite the Blood God to establish an express delivery business in the Kree Empire."

"Understood."

The Kree higher-ups answered respectfully. The Supreme Intelligence continued, "Reach a complete agreement with Xandar as soon as possible. Also, send people to contact those Inhumans. Kree blood flows through their bodies. Perhaps they will be willing to return to the Kree Empire."

"If the Inhumans are willing to return, we will definitely be able to defeat the Skrull Empire."

The higher-ups said excitedly. The recent battle had proven just how powerful the Inhumans were, especially Black Bolt. He had destroyed at least a dozen Kree warships earlier.

In the Skrull Empire, Skrull Veranke said coldly, "Send people to infiltrate Earth. I want all intelligence concerning Earth. Also, keep a close eye on those superpowered individuals. They are very important to us."

"Our Super Skrulls should be able to imitate the abilities of those superpowered individuals."

A general said excitedly, "Your Majesty, in my opinion, why not replace those superpowered individuals directly?"

Ordinary Skrulls could only imitate appearances and obtain some memories, while Super Skrulls could even imitate abilities.

Veranke asked, "Replace them?"

"Yes, replace them."

The general nodded. "Secretly abduct those superpowered individuals to the Skrull Empire, then have our people take their places and live their lives."

"It can be considered, but first, find out Earth’s true strength."

After thinking for a moment, Veranke said, "Do not act rashly. The Blood God is terrifying. I do not want what happened hundreds of years ago to happen again."

"Yes, Your Majesty."

Remembering that humiliating history, the general nodded. Then he thought of something and asked, "By the way, Captain Marvel is connected to that traitor Talos. Should we do something about that?"

Veranke said coldly, "Not for now. Traitors never come to a good end."

Xandar celebrated for seven straight days, celebrating both their overwhelming victory and the peace Xandar had finally obtained.

The Earthlings received a warm welcome from the Xandarians. Super Heroes such as Hulk and Captain Marvel gained countless admirers. On Xandar’s internet, they were even more popular than celebrities.

Of course, the most popular was still the Blood God. After all, he was the strongest, the most famous, and the subject of the most gossip.

In Earth Express’s backyard, Wang Bert called Tony and Steve over and got straight to the point. "I spoke with Nova Prime. She is preparing to officially send people to visit Earth.

This is the first step. As long as the visit goes smoothly, Xandar will establish diplomatic relations with Earth and become the Earth Federation’s first allied planet."

"Wow, this is a major event. We need to notify the Six Powers immediately and have them prepare."

Tony and Steve’s eyes lit up. "This will be Earth’s first official reception of an alien delegation."

"You can coordinate with the Six Powers. In short, we cannot be discourteous, but there is no need to make too much of it, nor is there any need to hide our true circumstances."

Wang Bert said, "Although there are no true feelings between nations, the Nova Corps is an organization inclined toward justice. If they are willing to help us, we can avoid many detours."

"I agree. The Nova Corps has a good culture."

Steve nodded. Tony said, "Having someone to guide us will naturally make things much easier. By the way, Bert, what about the Resource Stars the Nova Corps promised us?"

Steve also looked at Wang Bert with shining eyes. This was true expansion of territory—an entire alien planet.

Wang Bert smiled. "Don’t worry. They will not break their word. Nova Prime has already prepared several planets. When they visit Earth, they will let Earth choose."

"Excellent. This war was not fought for nothing."

Tony and Steve high-fived, unable to hide their excitement.

"It truly was not fought for nothing."

Wang Bert smiled, then continued, "Resource Stars can not only motivate Earth, but also ease internal conflicts on Earth."

Steve was puzzled. "Internal conflicts on Earth?"

"If we want to enter the interstellar era, countless problems and conflicts will inevitably arise."

Wang Bert said, "For example, the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence will cause many workers to lose their jobs. If they cannot be properly resettled, there will be major problems.

Resource Stars can provide those workers with a new destination."

"That is indeed the case. Stark Industries is preparing to establish a reemployment foundation. Bert, if you are interested, you can invest some money in it."

Tony said. He had once been a playboy, but now he had become a true Super Hero, one who worried about the country and its people in his study.

"Fine. I’ll have Lilith allocate ten billion to your foundation."

Wang Bert said, "Tony, Steve, you and the human elites must prepare for danger in times of peace and plan ahead. At such a critical time, nothing can go wrong within Earth."

Steve rubbed his nose and said, "Ten billion? Being around you tycoons is really stressful."

"Not just you. I feel a little pressured too."

Tony rolled his eyes. Thinking of something, he asked Wang Bert, "Wait, Bert, you are not planning to do nothing again and hand everything over to us, are you?"

Hearing the word "again," Steve could not help laughing. Bert had been like this at S.W.O.R.D., and now that he was Earth’s ambassador, he was still like this.

"I have done things. The Resource Stars and the Xandarian alliance were both secured by me."

Wang Bert shrugged. "I handle the big picture. You handle the details. It is that simple."

Tony unhappily gave Wang Bert the middle finger. Why did this guy get to live carefree every day while he had to work as hard as Old Ox? "By the way, there are two more matters I need to explain to you."

Wang Bert said, "The first concerns Gladiator. The Shi’ar Empire wants to ransom him back, but I refused. Take him back to Earth and hand him over to Dr. Richards. Have him find a way to clone a few Gladiators.

Gladiator’s abilities are extremely powerful. As long as he has enough confidence, he can even rival gods and demons."

"That Gladiator is indeed worth cloning. I will participate in this project."

Tony said with great interest.

Wang Bert smiled. "Not just you. Dr. Banner will participate as well."

Hearing Dr. Banner’s name, Tony and Steve could not help laughing. Tony asked, "Did Captain Marvel beat up Hulk today?"

During the earlier battle, Hulk had carelessly called Carol "Square-faced Woman." Carol bore a grudge over it and beat Hulk up once every day.

"He should be getting beaten up right now."

Wang Bert smiled and said, "The second matter is that I asked Nova Prime for a few spots at the Military Academy."

"Wow."

Tony and Steve’s eyes lit up at the same time. Tony asked eagerly, "Really? Xandar is that generous?"

"The Nova Corps clearly wants to build a good relationship with us."

Wang Bert smiled. "Tony, Steve, you, Natasha, Frank, Barton, and Ivan will all attend the Military Academy. In addition, I will give the Six Powers some spots. Each of them can send three people to join the Military Academy."

"I will make time to attend classes."

Tony agreed without hesitation. Though he was not a soldier, he had to understand the details of interstellar warfare. Only then could he design armor best suited for interstellar wars.

"So will I."

Steve nodded somewhat hesitantly. He had never expected that after so many years of graduation, he would have to continue studying.

"Once we formally establish diplomatic relations with Xandar, I will get more spots. For now, this is enough."

Wang Bert said, "All right, I have said almost everything that needed to be said. You can go back and continue celebrating."

Steve shook his head. "No celebration. Open a portal. I am going back to Earth to discuss receiving the Xandarians with the Six Powers."

"I’ll leave it to you."

Wang Bert smiled, sent Steve back to Earth, then looked at Tony and asked, "Do you have something else?"

"I do."

Tony hesitated for a moment before asking, "Bert, did you have someone secretly research Pym Particles?"

"Not secretly. Openly."

Wang Bert said, "Dr. Pym has a disciple named Darren Cross. He is currently the project director at Osborn Corporation. He is confident that he can develop Pym Particles within two years.

Pym Particles are good stuff. In medicine, they can help us cure many incurable diseases. In the military, they can make us invincible."

"Of course I know how powerful Pym Particles are."

Tony said, "The problem is, Bert, they are Dr. Pym’s research results. Though I really dislike that guy, a scientist’s research results should not be taken away."

"I know, but he is unwilling to sell them to me, so I can only have someone else research them."

Wang Bert said, "Tony, no matter how you look at it, I have not gone too far. If it were someone else, they would have already resorted to force.

Besides, Pym Particles were never patented. What is wrong with having someone research them again? It is not like we copied his technology!"

Tony had no response. After a moment of silence, he said, "Dr. Pym said that Darren Cross has bad intentions."

"So what? As long as he develops Pym Particles, I can give him whatever he wants: power, status, money, beautiful women, honor. Isn’t that what people pursue in life?"

Wang Bert sneered. "Once he has those things, would he still commit crimes or turn against society?"

Tony was speechless again. Wang Bert continued, "Tell Dr. Pym that if he is willing to sell Pym Particles, I can give him anything he wants. If he is unwilling, then he should not interfere with me. I will not show him mercy."

"I will talk to him."

Tony sighed. Bert had indeed done nothing wrong in this matter. He could even be called quite restrained. With his methods, obtaining Pym Particles would truly be effortless.

Wang Bert said, "Try to persuade him. Tell him not to be so stubborn."

"I will. All right, I’m going to visit the Military Academy."

Wang Bert nodded and had someone take Tony to visit the Military Academy.

Not long after Tony left, Carol and Dr. Banner entered Wang Bert’s room together.

Wang Bert smiled. "You two are actually this peaceful? Did the sun rise in the west?"

"Xandar’s sun rises in the west to begin with. Also, the one I have a grudge against is that big guy, not Dr. Banner."

Carol snorted. "Dr. Banner is a good person, completely different from that suicidal idiot."

"Hulk is going through a rebellious phase. Please be understanding."

Dr. Banner said awkwardly. Then he said to Wang Bert, "Bert, I came to ask how you plan to deal with Beta Ray Bill. Hulk wants to plead for him."

Wang Bert asked, "Is he willing to surrender to Earth?"

Banner shook his head. "No. He still has his people to care for, so he has to return."

"I see."

Wang Bert thought for a moment, then said, "Since Hulk is pleading for him, I will deal with him lightly. As long as he is willing to let us study him for three months, I will let him leave. However, the Gravity Hammer is our spoils of war and cannot be returned to him."

"Study him? That is good. The machinery on his body is very advanced."

Dr. Banner’s eyes lit up. "With him, Osborn Corporation’s mechanical prosthetics project will definitely advance by leaps and bounds."

After a pause, Dr. Banner said somewhat embarrassedly, "As for the Power Hammer, Hulk has already claimed it. There is no way he will return it."

Carol said disdainfully, "Even with a hammer, he is still a weakling."

A green light flashed across Dr. Banner’s face as Hulk shouted unhappily, "Square-faced Woman, who are you calling a weakling?"

Wang Bert and Dr. Banner were both speechless. Hulk was truly asking for death.

Before Carol could explode, Wang Bert asked her, "Carol, what did you come to see me about?"

Carol hesitated before asking, "Can you really increase my strength?"

Wang Bert smiled and spread his arms. Dazzling spatial light shone from his body, and the energy within Carol’s body was drawn out, flying toward Wang Bert like weary birds returning to their nest.

Wang Bert absorbed Carol’s energy, purified it, then sent it back into her body. Carol sensed it and discovered that though the energy had decreased slightly, its power had doubled.

Carol no longer had any doubts. Imitating scenes from kung fu movies, she knelt before Wang Bert and shouted, "Greetings, master."

"No need to kneel. Although I am several thousand years old, I do not like people kneeling before me."

Wang Bert raised his hand, and Carol involuntarily stood up. She smiled. "I do not like kneeling before people either, especially men."

"Too much is as bad as too little."

Wang Bert did not elaborate. He said, "Carol, besides purifying the energy in your body, I will teach you an extremely powerful ability that only we can use."

Carol’s eyes lit up. "An extremely powerful ability?"

Dr. Banner asked, "Should I step aside? According to the movies I have watched, secretly watching someone practice martial arts seems to get you killed."

"Don’t worry. My school has no such rule."

Wang Bert smiled, then introduced it to Carol. "The energy in our bodies is Space Energy. It possesses a special ability: connecting to other spaces.

As long as we find a space compatible with us, we can draw upon its power for our own use.

Human strength is limited, but space is infinite."

Carol asked impatiently, "Master, what do I need to do to absorb energy from other spaces?"

"No rush. You have a great deal of homework to do, such as sensing spatial fluctuations."

Wang Bert smiled. "Your power came too easily. If you want to improve, you must start over with cultivation and study. Carol, this is a test for you."