Ten Rings, Overwhelming Victory

Hearing Kaecilius’s question, everyone turned to Ancient One. They wanted to know the answer as well.

"Because he cast ten spells in an instant."

Ancient One lightly tapped the air with a finger, replaying the previous scene in slow motion. Everyone could clearly see that the ten portals had not appeared simultaneously, but one after another with only tiny intervals between them.

"Blood God can cast ten spells in an instant?"

Everyone was deeply shocked. Strange, the mage apprentice standing in the corner, stroked his chin and said, "In gaming terms, he has a tenfold casting specialty. Wow, the boss is way too powerful, isn’t he?"

Everyone turned to stare at Strange, frowning slightly. Why were he and Doom here? Wasn’t this a meeting only senior members could attend?

Mordo asked Strange, "Blood God is your boss?"

"Yes. I work at the hospital he opened. After I injured my hands, I went to him and asked him to give me a pair of mechanical hands."

Strange nodded and held up his trembling hands. "The boss looked shocked at the time. In the end, he didn’t agree to my request. Instead, he gave me Pangborn’s information."

Ancient One silently brewed tea. Mechanical-handed Dr. Strange? Why did that sound kind of cool?

Doom glanced at Strange and said, "Mechanical hands? I think you should get them. They could improve your combat ability."

Strange shuddered, deeply regretting bringing it up. Everything about Kamar-Taj was great—powerful magic, fast internet, free electricity. The only bad thing was Doom. That bastard beat him up every few days, calling it training.

If he could beat that Iron Mask bastard, Strange would definitely show him why flowers were so red.

Doom ignored Strange and turned to Ancient One. "Master, why didn’t Blood God’s portals interfere with one another? And why were his portals so large from the very start? Shouldn’t they gradually expand?"

"Because they weren’t portals."

Ancient One said, "The principle of a portal is to cut space and connect two points. Blood God only cut space without connecting points, so his spells did not interfere with one another. That is also why his spells were so large from the beginning.

This move should be called Space Cutting, not a space portal."

Doom suddenly understood. "I see. I didn’t expect Blood God to be a magical genius too."

"He actually modified a spell at will? He is utterly reckless, courting death."

Mordo said with great dissatisfaction, "Master, I suggest forbidding Blood God from using magic. Otherwise, he will inevitably bring disaster in the future."

Many mages nodded. "That’s right. Magic is extremely dangerous and cannot be modified casually."

Doom sneered and asked, "If magic cannot be modified casually, where did Kamar-Taj’s magic come from?"

"Of course, it was created by Master."

Mordo looked at Doom and said, "I understand what you mean, but Master is the Sorcerer Supreme. She has the ability to ensure nothing goes wrong with magic. Others do not have that ability.

When Kamar-Taj was first established, several disasters occurred because of modified spells. That is why our predecessors repeatedly warned us not to alter spells lightly. The history books contain these records. You can go read them."

"A few disasters scared you all into submission? If ordinary people were as cowardly as you, it would still be the Middle Ages, and there would not even be electric lights."

Doom said disdainfully, "For hundreds of years, Kamar-Taj has had no innovation or progress. You have been living off Master’s old achievements the entire time. Don’t you find that shameful? Aren’t you embarrassed?"

Everyone flew into a rage. "Doom, what did you say?"

"The truth."

Doom stood up and said, "At first, I thought Master had ruled Kamar-Taj for centuries because she was reluctant to give up power, just like those mortal emperors."

"What did you say?"

Hearing Doom slander Ancient One, everyone could no longer restrain themselves. They stood up and shouted angrily. Ancient One raised a hand and said, "Doom, continue."

"Yes, Master."

Doom nodded and continued, "However, after interacting with her over the past few months, I discovered that Master is not attached to power at all. She longs to retire every day. Unfortunately, all her disciples are useless. Not one can shoulder a great responsibility.

So she can only use some less-than-ideal methods to prolong her life and continue serving as Sorcerer Supreme to protect the world."

Kaecilius angrily asked, "Are you calling me useless?"

"I am not targeting you. I am saying that everyone here, except Master, is trash."

Doom did not hesitate to mock everyone at once. The crowd was furious. If Ancient One had not been present, they would already have come to blows.

Strange could not help backing away. He now deeply regretted sitting beside Doom.

He knew Doom was arrogant, but he had not known Doom was this arrogant. He had actually mocked Kamar-Taj’s senior members all at once. Wasn’t he afraid of being beaten to death in the middle of the night?

"Am I wrong? If you were not trash, Master would have retired long ago to enjoy her life."

Doom said arrogantly, "You are not just trash. You are the kind of trash that does not even know it is trash. Every one of you acts high and mighty and self-righteous, yet you do not realize that without Master’s protection, you are nothing."

Ancient One finally spoke. "Enough, Doom. Go outside first."

"Yes, Master."

Doom did not object. He turned to Strange and said, "Let’s go."

"I’m not going. I’m not going."

Strange repeatedly waved his hands. If he left with Doom now, how could he continue getting by at Kamar-Taj afterward?

Doom did not care what Strange thought. He dragged him toward the exit. Everyone inside was useless. Only this kid had some talent and was worth cultivating a little.

Ancient One has shown me immense kindness. I will cultivate a Sorcerer Supreme to repay her.

Doom thought to himself. Doom always repaid kindness, and he could repay it. Even if the other party was the Sorcerer Supreme or Blood God, it made no difference.

"Damn it."

Watching Doom’s back, Mordo and the others gritted their teeth in fury. Only Kaecilius’s eyes flickered. Less-than-ideal methods to prolong her life? Is that the secret behind Master living for centuries?

Thinking of something, Kaecilius suddenly felt deep jealousy. He had followed Ancient One for decades without discovering her secret, yet Doom had seen through everything after only a few months.

The gap in their talent was simply too great. With Doom around, can I really become the next Sorcerer Supreme?

Kaecilius frowned deeply. If I do not become the Sorcerer Supreme, how can I live forever?

Everyone had their inner demons. Kaecilius’s was his fear of death. Whenever he thought of dying, his whole body could not help trembling.

He did not want to die!

"Alright, let’s continue watching the battle."

Ancient One glanced at Kaecilius and spoke to the others. They all nodded, but their minds remained on what had just happened.

Doom’s words had indeed enraged them, but after calming down and considering them carefully, they seemed not entirely without reason. Master Ancient One was definitely not someone attached to authority, so why had she never relinquished the position of Sorcerer Supreme? Were they truly trash?

At New York Harbor, Mandarin could no longer hold back. He flew into the sky and shouted at Wang Bert, "Blood God, where is my Extraordinary Dragon?"

"Extraordinary Dragon? That is hardly a good name."

Wang Bert also flew up and asked Mandarin, "How does its meat taste? How long would it take to roast?"

"How would I know?"

Mandarin came to his senses and asked in astonishment, "You want to eat it?"

"Who wouldn’t want to eat Dragon Meat?"

Wang Bert said, "I’ll give you a share. Want some?"

"Go to hell!"

Mandarin roared and raised his left hand. The Lightning Ring on his middle finger lit up, and a massive bolt of lightning blasted toward Wang Bert.

"You’re the one who’s going to die."

Wang Bert snorted and opened a portal in front of himself. All the lightning flew into the portal. Immediately afterward, a portal appeared behind Mandarin, unleashing a barrage of lightning.

Although Mandarin sensed the situation behind him, he did not move. The next moment, an invisible barrier blocked all the lightning, which dissipated into the air.

Wang Bert said, "There really is something around you. If I’m not mistaken, you were waiting for me to run into it myself?"

"That’s right. Your speed is renowned throughout the world."

Mandarin said, "I simply did not expect you to be proficient in magic as well."

"There are plenty of things I can do."

Wang Bert smiled faintly. He made several elaborate gestures with both hands, then forcefully pushed forward. A lifelike, hundred-meter-long crimson divine dragon roared out, carrying a Dragon Roar as it viciously lunged at Mandarin.

"Dragon Subduing Palm from the novels? No, you summoned a divine dragon."

Mandarin froze for a moment before reacting. He raised his right hand, activating the Whirlwind Ring on his middle finger. A massive tornado appeared out of thin air and swept toward the crimson divine dragon.

Wang Bert drew a circle with one hand, and a portal appeared before the crimson divine dragon. It immediately flew through it and appeared in front of Mandarin.

The divine dragon then swung its claws, rapidly attacking the air barrier. The barrier shook continuously under the blows, cracks spreading across it.

"So spirited. It truly is a divine dragon."

Mandarin snorted. The Ice Ring on his little finger lit up, and a massive wave of freezing energy enveloped the crimson divine dragon.

A trace of contempt appeared on the crimson divine dragon’s face. Blazing flames ignited across its body, instantly evaporating all the cold energy.

Mandarin raised his hand, intending to use his other rings. At that moment, his eyes met the dragon’s, and his entire life involuntarily replayed in his mind.

Penance Stare.

Mandarin had committed countless sins in his life, and his soul quickly began to burn. Just then, all ten rings lit up at once, stopping the Dragon Fire from burning Mandarin’s soul.

Mandarin shuddered and abruptly regained consciousness. Before he could do anything, ten spatial rings contracted around him, instantly cutting both his barrier and body into eleven pieces.

The divine dragon immediately opened its mouth and swallowed Mandarin’s two hands. The ten rings struggled frantically, trying to escape the dragon’s body.

At the same time, powered by the Ten Rings, Mandarin’s body gathered back together. As long as the Ten Rings returned, he would immediately be resurrected.

"Pretty impressive. But no matter how impressive you are, can you compare to the Space Stone?"

Wang Bert sneered and used the Space Stone’s power to seal the divine dragon. All ten rings were trapped within it, unable to escape.

With their power cut off, Mandarin’s corpse scattered once more and fell toward the ground. The divine dragon breathed out Dragon Fire, burning both the pieces and Mandarin’s soul to ashes.

Sensing Mandarin’s death, the Ten Rings completely fell silent.

Mandarin was dead!

"Mandarin, you were actually very strong. Unfortunately, I’m stronger."

Wang Bert said calmly. A few months ago, Mandarin might truly have been able to fight him. But now, Mandarin was far from being his match.

God Blood, the Space Stone, Dragon Bone—Wang Bert’s strength had been advancing by leaps and bounds.

"Not bad."

Ancient One nodded in satisfaction. Wang Bert had not disappointed her, but this was far from enough. He needed to become even stronger.

"Mandarin is dead? The mighty Mandarin actually died?"

Seeing Mandarin die without even leaving an intact corpse, the High-Temperature People were terrified beyond measure and fled in all directions. Even Dr. Killian did the same.

They had been utterly defeated in this war.

At that moment, an Electric Whip came howling through the air and tightly wrapped around Dr. Killian’s body. Ivan raised his axe and sneered, "Trying to run? Did you ask me first?"

Dr. Killian shouted, "Spare me! I can help you deal with Tony Stark!"

"Do I need your help to deal with that sissy? And are you even worthy?"

Ivan smiled disdainfully and brought his axe down. Dr. Killian’s head burst like a watermelon.

This time, Dr. Killian could not resurrect. He was completely dead.

"Ivan, lead the team and hunt down these High-Temperature People. Don’t let a single one escape."

Wang Bert ordered, "Max, take the Super Heroes and rescue the hostages. The navy is already standing by nearby."

"Alright."

Ivan and Electro nodded at the same time. The war had essentially ended. Only the final cleanup remained.

After thinking for a moment, Wang Bert traced a small circle with his finger. On the other side of the circle was S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters.

Through the circle, Wang Bert sensed the situation there. Seeing the Helicarriers take off once again, he could not help shaking his head. It seemed he still had to step in.

"In that case, I’ll go take a look. I can also see Lizard Doctor’s ultimate creation."

Wang Bert enlarged the circle. The divine dragon dove down from the sky, passing through it to S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters.

Then, without any courtesy, the divine dragon rammed a Helicarrier in half before soaring freely through the air.

"There is something wrong with this divine dragon’s size."

After his initial terror, Pierce quickly noticed the difference in the divine dragon. His heart stirred, and he said excitedly, "This divine dragon is not in its complete form. We still have a chance. Black Spider, transform immediately. Kill the divine dragon and protect the Helicarriers as they take off."

"As you wish."

Black Spider shouted. His entire body wildly expanded and transformed. Seconds later, a giant black spider with eight legs, brimming with brutality and madness, appeared before everyone.

Meanwhile, inside the secret base, Lizard Doctor watched the giant black spider appear on the screen and burst into laughter. "My strongest creation has finally appeared! So what if it is a divine dragon? My Black Spider will definitely defeat it."

At that moment, a guard ran over and shouted anxiously, "Doctor, the defensive line has fallen. We must leave immediately."

Lizard Doctor was not worried at all. He asked, "Have everything been packed?"

The assistant immediately said, "It’s all packed."

Lizard Doctor picked up a tablet and stared at it without blinking. At the same time, he ordered, "Let’s go. I prepared an escape route long ago. Also, activate the self-destruct system. No matter who has come, make sure they stay here forever."

The guards were greatly reassured and nodded. "Yes."