Ten Rings Security Company

For the first time, Avalon’s passage opened inside another Pocket Space.

When similar yet different natural auras met within the passage, Malorne and Guardian Dragon, two Nature Demigods with partial spatial authority, both sensed each other’s presence.

This was clearly an incredibly novel experience for both of them.

"Hello, Shenron."

Malorne’s Soul Projection appeared in Ta Lo through the Space Passage, leaving everyone waiting at the other end momentarily stunned.

"Where’s the tree we were promised?"

"…Welcome to Ta Lo, Malorne."

Guardian Dragon had no time to answer the villagers’ harmless question. He had already noticed Malorne’s unusual life form.

Although Malorne’s power could not compare to his own, since he could move freely, Malorne’s vitality far surpassed his.

Oaks handed the task of maintaining the passage over to Malorne. While the two Nature Demigods conversed, he busily drew upon Avalon’s power to scan Ta Lo’s natural environmental data as quickly as possible.

At the same time, the Sacred Oak, Malorne’s true body, set its enormous roots to work. Outside the computing center containing the Gaia Hypothesis, it rapidly generated root-based computing facilities that simulated Ta Lo’s ecological environment.

Ta Lo’s self-circulating environment had its own peculiarities. Although it could not be directly used to create a ready-made ecosystem, it still held significant reference value.

Avalon was actually somewhat smaller than Ta Lo and lacked such abundant biological resources. This was greatly connected to the Death Qi originating from Hel.

But Oaks was not yet confident he could resolve this issue, so he could only set it aside for the time being.

Ta Lo was far, far smaller than the real world. Thus, with the full cooperation of the two Nature Demigods, Oaks completed the ecological data scan in just over a month.

When the work was finished, Oaks could clearly feel Avalon’s essence growing stronger.

Though it was not as earth-shaking as directly merging an entire Pocket Space, this was an enhancement to its own origin, making Avalon’s rules more compatible with Oaks’ personal power attributes.

The most obvious change was that stars began to appear in Avalon’s sky.

This was a sign that the Pocket Space had grown stronger and had begun reflecting the real world.

From then on, Oaks would be able to guide Astral Energy from the outside world within Avalon.

"What an incredible change…"

Having tasted the benefits, Oaks could not help looking forward even more to the Dream Dimension.

Oaks stepped forward to discuss Wenwu and his son’s situation with Ta Lo, allowing Wenwu to remain there and guard Yingli’s soul.

Even afterward, Wenwu would remain there forever, because in the outside world, he was already a dead man.

Tony had no objections to Oaks’ handling of the matter.

After all, whether in symbolic terms or from the perspective of the Ten Rings, both Wenwu and the Mandarin had truly vanished from the world.

Shaun, who had inherited Wenwu’s Ten Rings, naturally became the new leader of the Ten Rings.

"You really don’t plan to go back?"

As the first Mist Weaver, Xialing had firmly established her position in both Ta Lo and the Ten Rings.

She did not oppose her brother taking over as the leader of the Ten Rings—

In fact, even with the two siblings working together, they had not been able to fully sort out the Ten Rings’ affairs in over a month.

The organization’s direction and form of existence had to be steered by Shaun.

Just as Wenwu had said, since the Ten Rings had fallen into Shaun’s hands, Shaun got to decide what it would become.

But the Ten Rings’ influence was spread too widely. It was not something two young people could sort out in a short time.

Still, they were confident, because their father was still around.

Shaun and Xialing were both at the Ten Rings headquarters. They had just received word that Oaks had left Ta Lo and was on his way over.

"I’ve thought it through clearly over the past month."

A mountain of documents lay before Shaun, making his head spin.

He pinched the bridge of his nose and slumped into his chair.

"The Ten Rings can’t keep engaging in crime, but these people can’t simply be dismissed either. If we let those lawless bastards loose, the whole world will descend into chaos."

The Ten Rings were involved in too many areas and were exceptionally skilled at hiding. If things fell apart, even the Avengers would have difficulty finding them again.

So there had to be a leader.

"I’ll stay here and lead them onto the right path… What do you think of ‘Ten Rings Security Company,’ Lingling?"

Shaun stroked his chin. He had considered the idea for a long time.

"The Ten Rings’ members are mostly experienced combat professionals, and there are people suited for all sorts of industries.

If we establish a security company, we can put their skills to proper use.

As for our business scope, I want to start domestically. First, we’ll provide security services for the Benevolence Society."

At this point, Shaun’s expression turned strange.

"Come to think of it, it’s pretty ridiculous that Brother Zhang, the head of the Asian branch, has a cat and a dog as his bodyguards…"

"A security company? Not a bad idea… The Ten Rings are yours now. Do whatever you want with them."

Xialing was noncommittal. She had no interest whatsoever in the gang’s affairs now. If she had not been afraid that her brother was too foolish to handle such a huge mess, she would have washed her hands of it long ago.

"Right now, I just want to properly experience the happy, peaceful, meaningful life in the Benevolence Society that you told me about."

She sighed and crossed her arms.

"So when exactly will you be able to handle these matters yourself? If Teacher comes, I’m definitely leaving with him!"

"…Actually, you can experience life in the Benevolence Society here too."

Shaun grew anxious the moment he heard that. If he had to rely on himself, he would be worked to death before he could manage everything.

He truly had no idea how his father had controlled such a massive criminal empire before.

"Why not just go directly to the Asian branch? I know Brother Zhang very well, and you’re the president’s disciple, with healing abilities unlike anyone else’s…

If you run off overseas, I won’t be at ease."

"Oh? You just became the leader, and you’re already acting like a parent?"

Xialing shot her smiling brother a disdainful glance.

"I never said anything stupid like ‘I’ll be back in three days,’ so I’m not sticking around to watch you keep being stupid—

I’ll follow Teacher first, then… come back with Mom!"

"…"

Shaun opened his mouth, then could only smile bitterly.

"Yes… That really is extremely important. Then I’m counting on you."

"Reporting, Boss! President Lin has arrived!"

Razor Fist personally came to report. Shaun and Xialing exchanged a glance, then rose solemnly to their feet.

"I’ll go welcome him personally!"

Oaks sat facing the siblings once again.

The difference was that last time, they had been at the Benevolence Society. This time, they were in a reception room at the Ten Rings headquarters.

"Mm… Shaun, your idea is very good. Go ahead and do it. If there’s anything you don’t understand, you can go back to Ta Lo and ask your father. He has a thousand years of experience managing organizations."

Oaks approved of Shaun’s philosophy. With the nearby Ten Rings—now called Ten Rings Security Company—giving their full support, the Asian branch’s development would accelerate once more.

After all, they could be considered local power brokers.

As for the authorities, the Ten Rings had originally hidden themselves deeply and possessed countless ties to official circles.

But now that they were going public, they would probably encounter enormous resistance from the authorities.

However, after Oaks called Director Zheng and explained the key issues, the latter agreed to help resolve all official matters.

The condition was that the Ten Rings’ operations had to be affiliated with the Benevolence Society.

Director Zheng had made a fine move. The person capable of keeping the Ten Rings on the right path was no longer its new leader, Shaun, but Oaks, the president of the Benevolence Society.

Shaun himself had no objections.

Compared with having the organization completely eradicated by the authorities, this was already quite good.

After all, he himself was technically still subordinate to the Benevolence Society.

Having somehow acquired Wenwu’s thousand-year foundation, Oaks could only sigh that he had struck it rich this time.

"Then I’ll take you to Zhang’s place in a bit. Work closely with him and get this settled as soon as possible."

Oaks put down the phone. Just as he was about to say a few more words, he turned to look to one side.

Shaun and Xialing widened their eyes as well—

A trail of reddish-gold magical light appeared in the air there, and a Portal opened.

The Sorcerer Supreme, Ancient One, dressed in yellow robes, stepped out with her hands behind her back. Her gaze immediately fell on the Ten Rings around Shaun’s arm.

"So they really are the Ten Rings…"

"The Sorcerer Supreme?"

Oaks rose to his feet. His form of address also revealed the visitor’s identity to Shaun and Xialing—

This was the Sorcerer Supreme who had been so powerful that their father had turned to seek Ta Lo’s power?!

"Oaks, you’re here too. That makes things even better."

Ancient One looked solemnly at Oaks.

"You… should come with me. Now that the Ten Rings have changed owners, it seems something has changed."

"A change?"

Shaun looked baffled as he glanced at the Ten Rings on his arm. They were as quiet as ever, glowing with strands of golden Dragon Qi.

"Did the Sorcerer Supreme sense something…"

Thinking of his own deductions regarding the Ten Rings’ characteristics, Oaks’ expression also turned serious.

"Shaun, come on. The Sorcerer Supreme is currently the highest authority in Earth’s white magic community. It seems the Ten Rings are not as simple as we thought."

"Yes, president!"

"Xialing, you should come too. Get a look at the world of sorcerers."

"Yes, Teacher!"

"It’s only been a few months, yet it seems you’ve made considerable progress."

The group passed through the Portal. Seeing the excited expressions of the two young people, Ancient One chuckled and glanced at Oaks.

"You really do love bringing surprises to people."

"I just hope it won’t be a fright instead."

Oaks looked around and discovered that this was the library where Wong was stationed—

Because Wong and Master Mordo were each guarding a pile of books, carefully cross-checking something.

The place seemed to have been temporarily closed again, as there was no sign of any other sorcerers.

"Let’s thoroughly investigate the matter of the Ten Rings…"

The Sorcerer Supreme turned around and looked at Shaun.

"When you previously used the Ten Rings in another dimension, we were able to sense it from here."