Puppet Technique, Asgard

"Busy modifying your armor?"

Hearing Tony’s words, Wang Bert scoffed. "Don’t put too much pressure on yourself, because you definitely won’t beat Ivan."

"Who’s under pressure? Bert, I’m telling you, I’ve upgraded too. Just wait and see how I beat Ivan up."

Tony snorted and hung up. Then, he hurriedly shouted to Yinsen, "Yinsen, modify the Anti-Ivan Armor right away. That bastard is using a Magic Suit."

"Pressure creates motivation."

Wang Bert shook his head. He put down the phone and said to Crystal beside him, "Go bring Korath over."

"Yes, Blood God."

Crystal nodded respectfully. The parasite inside her had already been removed by Wang Bert, but something had apparently gone wrong in the process. She had become incomparably devoted to Wang Bert, practically treating him as her god.

Seeing this, Wang Bert simply kept Crystal at his side as a secretary. She was pretty, after all, and she had superpowers.

Before long, Korath was brought over. Wang Bert asked, "No one from the Kree Empire has shown up. It seems Ronan doesn’t care much about you."

Korath stubbornly replied, "Something must have delayed them."

"Perhaps." Wang Bert asked, "Korath the Pursuer, I’ll ask you one last time. What exactly was your purpose in coming to Earth?"

Korath said, "And I’ll answer you one last time: I won’t tell you."

"Then there’s nothing I can do."

Wang Bert flicked his finger, and a drop of blood landed on Korath’s forehead, rapidly seeping inside.

"Blood God, what are you doing?"

Korath asked in shock and fury. At that moment, he suddenly felt a long-lost pleasure, as if he had abruptly returned to his family. His once-empty heart was instantly filled.

Korath said happily, "Blood God, whatever you want to know, I’ll tell you everything."

"What exactly did you come to Earth for?"

Wang Bert asked. What he had just used on Korath was a new spell he had spent more than half a year creating—the Blood God Puppet Technique.

The principle of this spell was similar to that of parasites. It used blood to make the target feel fulfilled, causing them to follow him with utter devotion.

However, the spell had a restriction—for races other than Inhumans, the target had to have drunk the caster’s blood before it could be used.

Despite that limitation, the Blood God Puppet Technique was undoubtedly a spell worthy of being called god-tier.

"We came to investigate in secret."

Korath said without holding anything back, "There are rumors in the universe that Earth possesses the Space Stone, so Ronan sent me to investigate secretly and confirm whether the Space Stone truly exists and who has it.

"Once we understand the situation, Ronan will come personally and seize the Stone as quickly as possible."

Wang Bert was stunned. He asked, "Earth has the Space Stone? Where did that news come from?"

"They say it has something to do with Thanos."

Korath said, "Ronan has been suppressing the news in secret so that he can claim the Space Stone for himself, but he can’t keep it suppressed for long. When the time comes, countless greedy people will swarm toward Earth."

"Thanos? Is he trying to fish in troubled waters, or kill with a borrowed knife?"

Wang Bert narrowed his eyes slightly. "I understand. From now on, you’ll be my adjutant and help me command the Blood God."

"The Blood God?"

Korath froze for a moment, then said, "It would be my honor."

Wang Bert nodded, opened a portal, and led Korath and Crystal through it.

On the other side of the portal was an enormous manufacturing workshop. A warship several hundred meters long was being modified. Korath glanced at it a few times, then said in astonishment, "Isn’t that my flagship?"

Wang Bert looked at Korath with a smile. Korath immediately changed his tune. "Blood God, your Blood God is truly majestic!"

"You know what’s good for you."

Wang Bert smiled. At that moment, Anton Vanko walked over and said excitedly, "Mr. Wang, I’ve transferred the Chitauri bioengineering technology onto the Blood God. From now on, the Blood God will have an endless supply of cannon fodder."

"Very good."

Wang Bert nodded in satisfaction. He asked, "Old Vanko, how much longer until the Blood God is fully completed? It’ll be needed very soon."

"Give me another month, and it’ll definitely be finished."

Anton Vanko said confidently, "By the way, when is Ivan coming back? I have a huge amount of Kree and Chitauri technology waiting for him to inherit. Hmph, Howard only left behind a New Element. What’s so impressive about that? This is what you call a real gift package."

"Soon. In a few days, I’ll go to Asgard and bring him back."

Wang Bert smiled. "By the way, this is the former captain of the Kree flagship. He’ll cooperate with you in modifying it."

Anton glanced at Korath and asked, "Wasn’t he refusing to cooperate?"

"I’ll cooperate obediently from now on."

Korath said, "Blood God, I alone am not enough to command a flagship. I need a large number of qualified crew members."

"I understand what you mean. The other Kree will return to their posts one after another."

Wang Bert said. Korath was overjoyed. "Please rest assured, Blood God. I’ll make them obey your orders obediently."

"I’m very reassured."

Wang Bert smiled. With the Blood God Puppet Technique, what was there for him to worry about? After settling matters with the Blood God, Wang Bert called Black Bolt—using Kree communication technology.

Wang Bert said, "Black Bolt, monitor the Solar System. If you spot any alien spacecraft, notify me immediately."

"No problem. After acquiring Kree technology, our detection capabilities have improved dramatically. We can monitor the entire Solar System."

Black Bolt typed, "Mr. Wang, thank you for all your help during this time. Attilan has been fully rebuilt, and the people’s standard of living has also greatly improved."

Wang Bert smiled. "You are part of the Earth Federation. Helping you is only right."

At that, Black Bolt looked speechless. "Mr. Wang, the Earth Federation hasn’t even been established, okay? The Inhuman Kingdom only joined the United Nations."

Wang Bert smiled. "Don’t worry. Within ten years, the Earth Federation will definitely be established. I said so."

"Mr. Wang, your assurance is naturally trustworthy."

Black Bolt typed, "By the way, Mr. Wang, Attilan is ready to welcome tourists and immigrants."

"As long as those Inhumans agree, I won’t stop them."

Wang Bert understood what Black Bolt meant. "As for tourists, I’ve already established the Moon Tourism Company. We can begin promoting it at any time."

Black Bolt beamed and typed, "Thank you, Mr. Wang."

The Inhuman side should be settled now.

Wang Bert hung up and thought to himself. During last year’s battle on the moon, he had obtained the Kree flagship, Kree elites, the allegiance of the Inhuman Kingdom, and the Blood God Puppet Technique. The gains had been quite substantial.

After thinking for a moment, Wang Bert sensed his projection and said, "I’m going to Asgard in a few days. Work properly and don’t mess anything up."

"Under normal circumstances, shouldn’t the projection go as an envoy while the main body remains on Earth?"

The projection said, "What if something happens to you out there?"

"Are you cursing me?"

Wang Bert complained. "Don’t worry, Odin can’t kill me. Speaking of which, the Reality Stone should be appearing soon, right?"

"Appearing my ass! Jane hasn’t returned to Earth in over a year. As for Daisy, she films every day. She’s probably forgotten how many planets there are in the Solar System."

"That does seem to be the case."

Wang Bert had a headache. "It’s fine. There’s still Dr. Selvig. I’ll have him investigate London. Keep a close eye on him then. The moment you discover the Reality Stone, seize it immediately."

The projection reminded him, "With the Reality Stone included, Earth will have four Infinity Stones. By then, Earth will definitely become a target for everyone."

"Even with only three, it’s still a target for everyone."

Wang Bert said, "If anyone really dares to come, we’ll use their corpses to pave my path—the path of a protector, just as Master did back then."

The projection laughed loudly. "How can Earth’s protector avoid slaughtering mountains of corpses and seas of blood?"

Wang Bert laughed as well. "Exactly."

Asgard, Bifrost. A flash of seven-colored light appeared, and a group of people materialized out of thin air.

Looking at the fairyland-like scenery around them, everyone could not help but marvel. "So this is the divine realm? It really is beautiful."

"Blood God, welcome to Asgard. I am Heimdall, the guardian god. God King Odin is waiting for you."

Heimdall bowed. Whether in terms of strength or status, Wang Bert deserved his solemn respect.

Wang Bert returned the bow, then asked, "You’re too polite. Has Thor not returned yet?"

"Soon. With your help, the rebellion has been suppressed smoothly."

Heimdall said. At that moment, he sensed something and looked toward someone in the group.

Everyone else turned as well, only to discover that Dr. Richards was excitedly scanning the surroundings with an instrument. They could not help covering their faces. Wasn’t he being far too blatant? Tony hurriedly grabbed Dr. Richards and said to Heimdall, "Sorry, my friend has something wrong with his head."

"Who has something wrong with their head? Let go of me. I’m about to calculate the Bifrost’s transmission frequency."

Dr. Richards shouted unhappily. Everyone became even more embarrassed. Stealing was one thing, but stealing right in front of the owner’s face was simply too arrogant. Wang Bert chuckled. "There’s something wrong with his head. Please forgive him, guardian god."

Heimdall said meaningfully, "I can see that."

"Of course I know you can see it."

Wang Bert smiled. "I once really wanted a pair of eyes like yours. Then I could watch women’s bathhouses every day… Ahem, then I could admire magnificent mountains and rivers, beautiful scenery every day."

You were about to say women’s bathhouses, weren’t you?

Everyone silently complained. Heimdall gave Wang Bert a speechless look. My lofty, all-seeing eyes have become peeping eyes in your mouth? Heimdall said expressionlessly, "The God King is waiting for you."

"Just as I was about to pay my respects. Dr. Richards, stop scanning. Be careful, or Heimdall might throw you down."

Wang Bert said. Dr. Richards finally came to his senses, gave an embarrassed laugh, put away his instrument, and said, "There’s something wrong with my brain. Please don’t hold it against me."

Heimdall said, "The Bifrost is the combined product of magic and technology. No matter how you imitate it, you can only obtain the surface."

"That’s enough. My target is only the Solar System."

Wang Bert said, "Heimdall, since you’ve brought it up, I won’t beat around the bush. What would it take to let us study the Bifrost?"

"You’ll have to discuss that with the God King."

Heimdall said.

"Fine."

Wang Bert nodded. Then everyone mounted the warhorses Asgard had prepared and galloped toward the divine palace under Heimdall’s lead.

Tony was deeply puzzled. "Why are we riding horses? Aren’t there spaceships around?"

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do. Asgardians like riding horses, just like how they clearly possess advanced technology yet enjoy close-quarters combat."

Wang Bert said.

"Strange hobby."

Tony shrugged. Asgard was completely different from the high-tech alien civilization he had imagined. It was more like a medieval nation possessing black technology.

Before long, Wang Bert and the others met the one-eyed Odin. After exchanging pleasantries, Odin said with displeasure, "There are some matters I wish to discuss with the Blood God alone."

Everyone was somewhat worried, but Wang Bert smiled. "I happen to have some matters to discuss with the God King alone as well. You should leave first."

"Alright."

Everyone exchanged glances and left as instructed, leaving only Wang Bert and Odin in the palace.

Once the doors closed, Odin immediately demanded angrily, "Didn’t you say you would teach my daughter properly? Teaching her to play games every day and taking her around to have fun every day counts as teaching her properly?"

"Why doesn’t it?"

Wang Bert said, "Isn’t she happy now? Isn’t she joyful? Only happiness and joy can make someone love life, love living, and love the world. When Hela was with you, did she ever truly smile?"

"Of course she did."

Odin said somewhat guiltily, "At least before she turned six."

Wang Bert sneered. "What about after she turned six?"

"After she turned six, I began training her so she could inherit the title of Goddess of Death."

Odin sighed. "To make her ruthless, I even killed her pet with my own hands. From then on, she never smiled again.

"I succeeded. She became the most outstanding Goddess of Death, but I also failed, because she was no longer my daughter. She was only the Goddess of Death."

Wang Bert scoffed. "And you think you’re qualified to question my methods of education?"

"Even if I had problems, I still know that normal children shouldn’t play games every day and run around having fun every day."

Odin roared, "She’s become a gaming addict now. Last time she went to a shop to buy clothes, she even asked the owner how much a Silverscale Chestplate cost."

"She only plays games three or four hours a day. How does that make her a gaming addict?"

Wang Bert protested. "Besides, she hasn’t fallen behind in her studies. Her history grades are especially excellent."

"She only studies for the knowledge competitions so she can win treasures."

Odin said, "You’ve completely ruined her, Blood God."

"You’re the one who ruined her."

Wang Bert said, "Hela is doing very well now. She no longer talks about ruling the world through death and fear. Now, she’s no different from an ordinary girl."

Odin shouted, "How can Odin’s daughter be so ordinary? Even if she doesn’t become the Goddess of Death, she should still be a favored daughter of heaven, the kind who draws countless cheers and worship wherever she goes."

"Like Thor?"

Wang Bert said disdainfully, "What good is that? What does he have in his head besides muscles?"

Odin was greatly enraged. "Are you looking down on my methods of education?"

Wang Bert sneered. "After raising three children like this, don’t you have any self-awareness?"

"Blood God, you’re courting death!"

Odin flew into a rage. Gungnir slammed down upon the ground, and lightning filled the air out of nowhere, shooting densely toward Wang Bert. Every bolt was powerful enough to easily destroy a small mountain.