Joining Forces

"Did Satan really return to Hell? And even give a concept to Steve?"

Strange stared at the vanished Space Vortex, unable to make sense of it. Entering the Main Universe had been the greatest wish of every Satan throughout history.

And concepts were priceless treasures. Adam had simply given one away? That was far too unbelievable, wasn’t it? He and Steve had no relationship at all.

"This Adam is truly bizarre. What exactly did the Blood God do to him?"

Strange could not help shaking his head. He had no idea that Adam was actually Wang Bert’s avatar. Besides, while concepts were precious to everyone else, they truly meant little to Wang Bert. He had even given a large number of concepts to his projections.

When it came to concepts, Wang Bert was unquestionably a god-tier tycoon.

"I never expected this Hell Lord to be so generous."

Steve could not help saying, "When I get the chance, I have to treat him to a meal."

"A meal?"

Gorr was speechless. That was a concept. Was one meal really enough?

After thinking for a moment, Gorr said to the others, "Knull has been defeated and fled. It is time for me to leave."

Steve hurriedly said, "Gorr, you killed gods to protect all living beings in the universe. Now that the universe is in grave danger, I hope you can join us on the Frontlines against the insect race."

Jessica added, "Gorr, you saw what happened just now. A large number of Demon Gods will appear on the Frontlines."

Gorr hesitated before asking, "How many gods are in your camp?"

"Not many. The alliance mainly consists of ordinary lifeforms. Aside from Asgard, there are almost no gods."

Steve said, "The people of Asgard are all good people. You will understand once you spend more time with them."

"All gods deserve to die."

Gorr snorted. "I will go to the battlefield, but I will not fight alongside you. Also, I will not show mercy to your gods."

With that, Gorr took the Necrosword and transformed into a streak of Black Light, vanishing from sight.

Thor cursed unhappily, "What are you so arrogant about? If you have the guts, don’t leave. Let’s fight one-on-one."

"Thor, the bigger picture comes first."

Steve called out. Given the universe’s current situation, the more allies they had, the better. They could not give up on a powerful fighter like Gorr.

"Alright, let’s head back. Hela and the others may have already learned that we left. If we do not return soon, something could go wrong on the Frontlines."

Tony said. Everyone nodded and used portals to return to the Frontlines.

The ambush against Knull had officially ended. The Super Heroes had won, while Knull escaped with only a single head remaining. However, this great calamity had only just begun.

In outer space, Wang Bert looked up at Galactus and asked, "Galactus, letting Demon Gods enter the universe is extremely dangerous. They will never be satisfied with devouring only half."

"That is the Living Tribunal’s business. It has nothing to do with me."

Galactus said, "The only thing I care about is filling my stomach. I have no interest in conspiracies, schemes, or Universe Balance."

Wang Bert continued, "Then do you think the Living Tribunal will agree?"

Galactus replied, "It will not interfere. This is Death’s matter. If Death messes it up, the Living Tribunal will punish Death."

"So the Living Tribunal is also one to wash its hands of responsibility."

Wang Bert snorted unhappily. With Death’s arrogant personality, she would definitely let the Demon Gods in—Death had never cared about the lives within the universe.

Most of the gods in this universe deserved to die.

Wang Bert said, "Galactus, the universe is very dangerous right now. Can you avoid going to Earth? Or go later?"

Galactus answered firmly, "No. I must go to Earth."

"Fine. I will not ask you this again."

Wang Bert said coldly. At that moment, he developed killing intent toward Galactus. If he got the chance, he would absolutely not spare Galactus.

Then, Wang Bert closed his eyes and contacted Annie, the Avenging Angel in Dragon World. "Annie, gather the Angel Army and dragon army. Be ready to support the Frontlines at any time."

"Master, we have long been prepared."

Annie said. All nine Avenging Angels had already advanced to the god level, and their strength was formidable.

"Very good."

Wang Bert nodded in satisfaction. After thinking for a moment, he contacted Mercury and instructed, "Mercury, have the Blood Clan army prepare for battle."

Neither the Hell army nor the Angel Army was Wang Bert’s trump card. His true trump card was the Blood Clan army: Mercury, Lilith, Blade, Xue Ren, Nissa… Wang Bert had never forgotten these old companions.

Wang Bert could even give Thor the Lightning Origin, let alone his trusted aides and direct subordinates. The Blood Clan army was no longer what it once was. Mercury and the others were no weaker than those Super Heroes.

Mercury answered confidently, "Blood God, the Blood Clan will not disappoint you."

At the insect race’s headquarters, Annihilus was shocked when he saw Knull reduced to a soul head. He hurriedly asked, "Knull, what happened to you? Where are your body and most of your soul?"

Hela also frowned. Though she found Knull extremely unpleasant, she did not want him to be severely injured. Maintaining Universe Balance still required him.

"I was ambushed by the Super Heroes."

Knull sighed and briefly explained what had happened. Hela was somewhat astonished, then immediately understood. They had been deceived by the Super Heroes—the aura of powerful enemies on the other side had been an illusion.

Hela cursed, "Knull, you are such trash. A dignified Ancient God was actually defeated by a group of humans."

Annihilus was equally displeased. This Knull really was trash. He had bragged that he was invincible, yet he could not even defeat a few Super Heroes. He had even been beaten into fleeing back in disgrace with only a soul head left.

You were an Ancient God! No matter what, you should have been able to retreat unscathed, right? Hela’s scolding made Knull flush red with anger, yet he had no words to refute her. No matter how one looked at it, his performance this time had been far too pathetic.

"It was not that I was incompetent. Those Super Heroes were simply too despicable."

Knull defended himself, then said, "If we want to deal with those Super Heroes, we need allies."

"Allies?"

Hela and Annihilus were confused. Knull told them about Chthon and the others. After listening, Hela immediately said, "No. I do not agree to ally with them. Those Demon Gods are not good people. Letting them in would be no different from inviting wolves into the house."

"You are afraid they will take your souls, aren’t you? Do not think I do not know. You collected all the souls from the previous battlefield."

Knull sneered. "Hela, do not be so greedy. Be careful not to choke on it."

"You do not need souls anyway. What is wrong with me taking them?"

Hela snorted. "Those Demon Gods are extremely dangerous. Once they devour enough souls, they will definitely want to destroy the universe. We cannot agree."

"Destroy the universe?"

Annihilus’s gaze flickered. In truth, it also wanted to destroy the universe, rather than slaughter half its lifeforms and then be driven back into Negative Space.

Annihilus said, "I think we can invite them to join the war. The alliance is stronger than we imagined. Without them, we may not be able to win, especially now that Knull has just suffered severe injuries.

"Hela, if they can defeat Knull, they can defeat you and me. We need help."

"No. Absolutely not."

Hela firmly opposed it. Knull said coldly, "Hela, you do not get the final say in this. Annihilus, let us build an Altar together and welcome the Demon Gods’ descent. When that happens, the mere alliance will be nothing."

"I said no, and I mean no. If you dare act, do not blame me for being ruthless."

Hela shouted. Annihilus called out in dissatisfaction, "Hela, do not forget that the insect race army is mine."

"I have not forgotten."

Hela glanced at Annihilus and said, "But there is no room for negotiation on this matter."

Knull sneered. "No room for negotiation? Hela, do you think you are Death?"

"I am not Death, but killing you will not be a problem."

Hela gripped the hilt of the Night Sky Sword, ready to draw it. Annihilus hurriedly stepped in front of Knull and shouted, "Hela, do not go too far."

"So what if I do?"

Hela sneered. Just as the three were about to turn on one another, Death appeared out of thin air. The three hurriedly bowed to Death.

It was worth mentioning that only Hela could see Death’s appearance. Annihilus and Knull could see only a skull—this meant Death did not take Annihilus and Knull seriously at all.

"I know about this matter."

Death said, "You may ally with the Demon Gods, but they can only receive souls according to their contributions. Furthermore, their projections or true bodies may descend only with Hela’s approval.

"If they violate the rules, the cooperation will be immediately canceled."

Knull said unhappily, "Death, how could the Demon Gods possibly agree to such harsh conditions?"

"If they do not agree, then there will be no cooperation. They are asking us, not the other way around."

Death snorted. "Also, Annihilus, there is something I must tell you first."

Annihilus said respectfully, "Please speak, Death."

"According to the universe’s rules, I cannot act freely. But you are my subordinate. Killing you does not violate the rules."

As Death spoke, a streak of Black Light flashed through her eye sockets, and Annihilus’s body instantly died.

Annihilus was horrified. Just as its soul was about to beg for mercy, its body suddenly revived and regained its vitality.

This was Death. If she wanted you to live, you lived. If she wanted you dead, you died.

Annihilus was terrified. It hurriedly said, "Please rest assured, Death. I will never violate the contract we signed before. I will definitely help you maintain Universe Balance."

"That would be best."

Death nodded in satisfaction and waved for Knull and Annihilus to leave. Knull was somewhat unwilling, but Annihilus forcibly dragged him out of the room.

"What a fool who does not know whether he is alive or dead."

Death smiled disdainfully, then turned to Hela and asked, "Are you wondering why I agreed to cooperate with the Demon Gods?"

"Death, cooperating with those Ancient Gods is too risky."

Hela nodded and said bluntly, "Those Ancient Gods are not far from becoming Creator Gods. Once they obtain a large number of souls, they may advance into Creator Gods. At that point, the universe will be in danger."

"Advancing into a Creator God is not so easy."

Death smiled. "Besides, you will decide how many souls they receive. My cooperation with them is merely buying insurance."

Hela did not understand. "Insurance?"

"Yes, insurance."

Death nodded. "Your Master, the Blood God, is a child of miracles. Although I have made all kinds of arrangements, such as limiting his ability to act and having Galactus restrain him, I still do not have absolute confidence that I can defeat him and complete my mission.

"The Blood God always manages to do things that seem unbelievable. Take Knull, for example. Who could have imagined that an Ancient God older than the universe itself would be crippled by a group of Super Heroes?"

Hela nodded. "My Master truly accomplishes what others cannot."

"That is why I need insurance. Those Demon Gods are the insurance I found. If the insect race army is defeated, I will let the Demon Gods enter and have them help me deal with the Blood God."

Death said, "No matter what, the universe’s balance must be completed."

"Death, Demon Gods are a double-edged sword. They can hurt Master, but they can hurt us as well."

Hela said, "Especially the Great Demon God Chthon. He is considered the strongest among the Ancient Gods and is only half a step away from becoming a Creator God."

"I know. That is why you must suppress them and give them as few souls as possible."

Death said, "Also, unless necessary, their projections and true bodies are not permitted to descend."

Hela knew Death would not change her mind. "I will do my best."

Death instructed, "Hela, increase your strength as quickly as possible. If you can advance into an Ancient God, our chances of victory will greatly improve."

"As long as I slaughter enough planets, I will eventually advance into an Ancient God."

Hela said confidently. Death nodded and said no more before disappearing.

"This is a dangerous move. I hope Death and I will not regret it in the future."

Hela sighed, then shook her head and went to the Frontlines to command the war—the more people died, the stronger she became.

The Great Demon God Chthon also had a dimension of his own. This dimension was enormous, like a Little Universe. At this moment, Chthon, his entire body shrouded in black mist, sat upon a divine throne made of countless souls and spoke with Knull’s light projection.

"Chthon, I am sorry. I failed to accomplish what I promised you before."

Knull said with an embarrassed expression. Chthon smiled. "As expected. I agree to Death’s conditions. Our Demon God Alliance will fight for her."

"You are not angry? That is great."

Knull sighed in relief. He hesitated before asking, "What you promised me…"

Even Knull felt somewhat embarrassed, since he had failed to get the job done.

"Do not worry. I have already prepared the benefits I promised you."

Chthon chuckled. The black mist around him churned, and a headless corpse appeared in the void. "This is the remnant of an Ancient God. After you fuse with it, you will not be able to return to being an Ancient God, but you will at least possess the strength of a Half-Step Ancient God."

It was worth mentioning that although this was an Ancient God’s remnant, it did not contain any concepts. Even someone as powerful as Chthon could not casually give concepts away, because he did not have many himself.

Not every powerful being was a god-tier tycoon like Wang Bert.

"That is enough. I will definitely kill those Super Heroes and take revenge."

Knull beamed with joy. He said, "Chthon, thank you. Do not worry, I will do my best to help you obtain souls. That woman Hela cannot stop me."

"Then I will leave it to you. Once we personally descend into the universe, we will help you reclaim your soul and return you to being an Ancient God."

As Chthon spoke, he teleported the corpse into the Main Universe—the corpse was not a living thing, so it faced fewer restrictions.

"I help you, and you help me."

Knull smiled and canceled the communication spell—he could not wait to fuse with the Ancient God’s corpse.