Hammerfall City

With just a simple touch, Zhang Ye discovered that with his current energy, let alone forging this eyeball into a Divine Relic, he could not even control it.

It seemed that only after his Time Twister recorded this universe, allowing him to truly draw energy from it, would he have enough magic power to "refine" this thing.

With a wave of his hand, Zhang Ye stored the Eye of the Watcher in his magical space and turned his gaze back to Eyeball Man’s corpse, whose eyes remained wide open in death.

"Zhang, what do we do next?" Pietro slowly asked as he looked around at the bodies scattered across the ground.

After hearing this, Zhang Ye pondered briefly before speaking. "This should be Red Skull’s territory. If someone discovers that this nightclub has been wiped out, Red Skull will definitely send people to investigate. We should leave first."

"Why? Isn’t Red Skull just a little stronger than an ordinary person? Even though I can’t use my former strength right now, it’s not like we need to fear him. Why do we have to avoid him?"

Kara asked in confusion. Back when she had stormed the Hydra base and called out villains one after another, Red Skull had not even dared to make a sound. How had everything become reversed in another world?

Hearing Kara’s words, Zhang Ye chuckled softly. "Kara, we truly aren’t afraid of him, but not everything can be solved through fighting. Do you know why I don’t want our identities exposed?"

Kara shook her head.

"The reason is simple. From a single leaf, one can see the coming of autumn; from a drop of water, one can know the vastness of the sea. From this tiny nightclub alone, we can see how terrible the overall environment of this world is. If we expose our identities, what awaits us will be the endless pursuit of every villain."

Seeing that Kara still only half understood, Zhang Ye continued.

"Perhaps those people are old, perhaps they are weaker than us, but you need to understand that there are still many beings in this world capable of threatening us. You may be a thief for a thousand days, but you cannot guard against thieves for a thousand days. Staying hidden gives us the greater advantage."

Zhang Ye had not forgotten that Galactus would descend upon Earth before long. Against a being of that level, not even Kara at her peak would be a match, let alone Kara as she was now.

"I understand. Just like what you did before, right? Only by staying out of everyone’s sight can we devise the best plans," Pietro said.

When Zhang Ye nodded in approval, Pietro even turned and raised his eyebrows at Kara.

"All right, I understand." Kara nodded thoughtfully. She had merely been blinded by rage, and once she calmed down, she quickly came to her senses.

"It’s good that you understand. If I remember correctly, this place should be on the outskirts of Hammerfall City, but I’m not sure which direction the city is in. There should be a map here. Please go look for one," Zhang Ye instructed after thinking for a moment.

The moment Zhang Ye finished speaking, Pietro’s figure flickered slightly. In the next instant, a battered old map appeared in one hand, while he held a leg of lamb in the other.

"…Good job." Zhang Ye took the map and casually remarked, "Pietro, you seem to be getting faster and faster."

"Both my hands are intact now. When I run, I can unleash my full speed. I don’t have to worry about losing my balance anymore," Pietro said confidently.

Zhang Ye lowered his gaze to the map and checked the surrounding area. Without even looking up, he said meaningfully,

"You’d better be careful. Watch your heart."

"Got it," Pietro said, momentarily stunned.

Perhaps Pietro’s abilities had grown stronger, and perhaps his experiences had become more extraordinary. It had made him subconsciously forget his miserable origins and the danger lurking within his body.

He was not the real Quicksilver. He was merely a criminal imprisoned in Mutant Prison. Compared to the outstanding mutants of other worlds, the power he had gained was less a gift than a curse!

After leaving that despair-filled universe and experiencing so much, Pietro had forgotten the hidden danger within him. He had begun to see himself as a "superhero," building a new persona for himself—a Quicksilver with brand-new abilities who enjoyed everyone’s admiration.

But Zhang Ye’s words were like a basin of cold water poured over his head, dragging him back into reality.

Only then did he realize that he was not a superhero, nor was he Quicksilver. He was merely a "patient."

Noticing Pietro’s poor expression, Zhang Ye instantly saw through his thoughts. He put away the map and patted Pietro on the shoulder.

"Don’t overthink it. You aren’t anyone else. You are you. Never run from that. As for your heart, I’ll find a way."

"Mm." Pietro nodded seriously.

Zhang Ye gave Pietro and Kara another firm pat on the shoulders, then looked at them with unwavering resolve. "Next, we’re going to Hammerfall City. It isn’t far from here. If we’re lucky, we can get there before dark."

The three left Bewildering Blossoms Nightclub, and Pietro asked curiously,

"Zhang, why is that city called Hammerfall City?"

Zhang Ye did not explain. He merely sighed softly.

"I’ll tell you once we get there."

Nevada, Hammerfall City.

Pietro did not have to wait long. As the sun set, before it sank below the horizon, the three entered the boundaries of Hammerfall City.

"The first targets were undoubtedly the famous superheroes. Captain America, Iron Man, and Spider-Man were the first to fall. Later, heroes everywhere came under attack from criminals, and then… Magneto buried the heroes’ last hope."

Along the way, Zhang Ye told Pietro and Kara what Earth in this universe had experienced before it became a wasteland.

"The Avengers team located on the American west coast was a branch of the Avengers, and also the last remaining superheroes at the time. The place where they were finally wiped out was here."

At last, the three stopped before Hammerfall City’s "famous landmark."

In the center of a crude plaza, an ancient, battered one-handed hammer stood silently upon the earth.

"See? That’s where Hammerfall City got its name."