Which Matters More, the Process or the Result? (Bonus Chapter)

Since ancient times, there had been no first in literature and no second in martial arts.

Artifacts had always looked down on one another. The moment they met, naturally they had to determine who was superior.

Thor’s Hammer came from Asgard and had followed generations of masters in slaying countless powerful beings, including Skyfather-level and even Skyfather Level powerhouses. Its might had shaken the universe, so naturally it was full of pride.

An artifact took glory from its wielder. The stronger its master, the stronger Thor’s Hammer became.

Other than Gungnir and Heimdall’s divine sword, it looked down on every other artifact.

The Crimson Magic Belt came with the title of "Cyttorak." Although it had merely acquired naming rights and did not belong to the Crimson Cosmos or have much to do with the big boss Cyttorak, it still had deep foundations. It could draw an exceedingly tiny trace of power from the Crimson Cosmos and borrow the tiger’s might to intimidate others.

Even that nearly negligible sliver of power had allowed it to rise to artifact level.

It had spent so many years in the New York Sanctum that it even looked down on the Cloak of Levitation, let alone Thor’s Hammer, which had nothing to do with it.

The two proud fellows sparked a flame of love the instant they met.

Lightning and blazing fire.

There was nothing else to say.

One word: fight!

Though they had never dealt with each other before, both were quite famous. They had known of each other for a long time and had some understanding of one another’s abilities.

Artifacts also came in different tiers.

The Infinity Stones had been born at the dawn of the Big Bang and contained the universe’s primordial energy. They stood above all artifacts, and required extremely profound ancient knowledge to wield.

So far, Thanos understood the Infinity Stones best, followed by Odin, Malekith, the Sorcerer Supreme, Ronan, and the like. Even they could only use a portion of a single Stone’s power.

Knowledge was power.

Before one had mastered enough knowledge, the Infinity Stones were, to Skyfather Level beings, even less useful than lower-tier artifacts suited to their hands:

Gungnir, Eternal Fire, Casket of Ancient Winters, Stormbreaker, Nightsky Sword, Twilight Sword…

That was the true reason Odin and Hela never used the Cosmic Cube or Aether:

It wasn’t that they didn’t want to.

They fucking couldn’t use them properly!

The Crimson Magic Belt and Thor’s Hammer were not top-tier artifacts. They were roughly in the same league, barely qualifying as mid-tier.

Thor’s Hammer had just been abandoned by Odin’s enchantment, then thoroughly beaten by Old Wang. Full of resentment, it flew over with overwhelming momentum, intending to catch that shameless fat bastard off guard with a hammer blow, vent its anger, and wash away its humiliation.

It definitely couldn’t beat him. How could Captain America, a mere mortal, compare to Odin?

Even Odin controlling it from afar hadn’t been able to defeat that fat bastard, so Thor’s Hammer naturally held no hopes for Captain America.

Unless that ignorant little brat Thor figured out what his deadbeat father meant, broke Odin’s enchantment, and became one with the divine hammer. Only then, relying on Thor’s absolute control over the god of thunder, would it have a chance to take down that fat bastard.

But being afraid was out of the question.

Its material was tough, on the same level as Vibranium, and it had Odin’s enchantment protecting it. As long as someone’s strength did not surpass Odin’s, they could not harm it. On the entire Earth, only Ancient One had that ability, and a being like her probably had no reason to pick a fight with a shabby little hammer like me.

Fat bastard, I’m going to hammer you! Even if I can’t hammer you to death, I’ll hammer you flat and make you lose face.

What, you gonna bite me?

Dreams were full; reality was skinny.

Before it even met its target, it was stopped by a lousy strip of silk.

A counterfeit knockoff with a licensed name—what are you showing off for?

Thor’s Hammer immediately wanted to teach the Crimson Magic Belt an unforgettable lesson, to let it know why lightning was so bright.

However, it quickly realized something was wrong.

Why was that thing so hard to beat?

Its abilities seemed stronger than the legends claimed.

Most importantly, a strange energy flowed through the Crimson Magic Belt.

It was an energy that seemed familiar somehow. Its level was extremely high, even higher than Odin’s divine power. It was a difference in essence, beyond the limits of creatures in this universe, perhaps on the same level as the Infinity Stones.

Though there was not much of it, it had significantly enhanced the Crimson Magic Belt’s elasticity, defense, flight speed, and magical resistance.

No matter how it hammered, it was useless. No matter how many billions of volts its lightning carried, it could not harm it. Instead, the Crimson Magic Belt wrapped tightly around it, binding it up completely.

At that moment, Thor’s Hammer’s resentment soared to the heavens.

Eitri, Eitri! When you forged me, why did you have to make me a hammer? A cone or a pair of scissors would have been so much better! At worst, you could have made me an axe!

It was helpless.

Even Earthlings knew rock-paper-scissors countered one another.

A hammer was destined to lose to paper.

In less than thirty seconds, Thor’s Hammer had been wrapped into a rice dumpling by the Crimson Magic Belt. Then, after being pulled and tugged, it half-willingly flew toward Old Wang.

It really was only half-willing.

Its essence was similar to that of the Crimson Magic Belt, but it had Odin’s enchantment empowering it. If it truly refused, no one could drag it anywhere.

The reason it allowed itself to be dragged was because it thought, It can’t hurt me anyway. It wanted to see that fat bastard and find out just what he had done to give that lousy strip of silk such an essential upgrade—

If this kept up, it might someday reach the level of Gungnir!

That’s the level I want to reach too!

"Is that Thor’s Hammer?"

Seeing the Crimson Magic Belt floating before her and the corner of Thor’s Hammer exposed from within it, Jane’s eyes lit up. "Wang, can I touch it?"

Thor’s Hammer shuddered, utterly resistant.

How could just anyone touch me?

No, no!

"Little Red, come back."

Old Wang beckoned, and the Crimson Magic Belt turned back into a belt, revealing Thor’s Hammer’s true form.

It looked like a silver, square-headed hammer. It was not very large, and its appearance was nothing special, though it was practical.

Jane subconsciously reached out.

Thor’s Hammer hurriedly tried to dodge.

Old Wang touched the belt, and a stream of Azeroth Essence flowed out.

Thor’s Hammer abruptly froze.

Then, unwillingly, it adjusted its handle and aimed it toward the beautiful young woman.

Jane curiously touched it, thinking that it did not seem particularly special.

The feel is ordinary. The uneven runes all over it are a little rough on the hand. The main thing is, I can’t lift it. It’s ignoring me…

Old Wang smiled.

Just as he was about to say something, a calm, gentle voice suddenly sounded in his ear.

"Wang, don’t go too far."

"Odin and I have an agreement: neither of us interferes with the other. Since the moment I became the Sorcerer Supreme, Odin has never descended upon Earth, and I will not interfere with Asgard’s internal affairs."

"Since you are using my name, you must follow my rules."

"Thor’s Hammer does not belong to you. I have seen three trillion futures, and Thor’s Hammer will shine brilliantly in the future. It concerns Thor’s awakening and the peace of the universe. Do not interfere too much."

Old Wang smiled and replied silently, "Rest assured, I know my limits. Please tell Odin that I’m helping him, helping Thor, and helping Asgard. Earth and Asgard are both part of the Nine Realms. I’ll definitely help wherever I can."

Ancient One: "…"

This brat has gotten cocky. He actually dares to ignore me!

Fine. He has a big shot backing him, and it seems like he has never listened to me anyway. So annoying.

Forget it.

Little Wang has always known his limits. He probably won’t go too far.

Dormammu is making trouble again. I have to make another trip to the Dark Dimension. I can’t be bothered dealing with this mess of yours!

"Playing with fire is fine, but don’t burn yourself. Wang, know your limits."

"Odin’s body may be asleep, but his soul has always been awake. He has always been watching Loki, watching Thor, and watching you."

"Any attempt to make the situation slip out of control will draw his attention."

"If he disregards everything, forcibly interrupts Odinsleep, and wages war on Earth, you will not be able to bear the consequences!"

After leaving behind several warnings, Ancient One’s voice vanished.

Old Wang gently shook his head.

I know all that even without you telling me. A big shot who had roamed the universe for thousands of years had gone into slumber who knew how many times, and nothing had happened any of those times. The waters ran deep here.

The Asgardians’ divine power was proportional to their age. Once their divine power became strong enough, they needed to regulate it through sleep.

Odin’s divine power was far too powerful, so he periodically used Odinsleep to adjust it.

That old man really was close to death, but the older an Asgardian got, the stronger they became. Odin was at his strongest now; he just couldn’t last very long.

It was fine to provoke him, but he absolutely could not be enraged. Otherwise, if Odin forced himself awake at the cost of his lifespan, Ancient One, whose body was already nearing its limit, might not be his match.

Besides, I haven’t gone too far. Sorcerer Supreme, I’m protecting your authority. When the critical moment comes, you’d better take my side!

Odin’s goal was for Thor to mature as quickly as possible and become qualified to be Asgard’s king.

As long as the result was right, nothing else mattered—like scamming a few artifacts or something…

Old Wang turned to look at Thor’s Hammer, his gaze burning.

Thanks to "Hellcat" for the 2,000 donation.