"It's anchored safely," Max replied, smiling faintly. "I'll call it when we need it again."
The girls sat down near him, tired but at ease. There was a long pause, until Max suddenly spoke up again.
"…How about we call it a day? I think we've had all the fun we could in this world."
"So, back to Marvel?" Gwen raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm, yeah, I think it's fine if we go back," Malaika said with a smirk. "We had our fun here."
"Yeah," Max chuckled. "This world isn't all that exciting sometimes. We're already stronger than most of it."
The girls glanced at each other and nodded.
Rize spoke first. "True. Not much of a challenge left here."
Malaika added, "We've seen what it offers. Honestly, it felt more like a warm-up."
Gwen grinned. "Then maybe we should treat it like one."
Max leaned back against the tree, arms folded behind his head, eyes gazing at the clouds above. "Next time, let's aim for a more powerful world."
They were quiet for a moment, each lost in thought.
Then, all at once, they smiled.
"Yeah, but choose something similar," Gwen said thoughtfully. "Like this—an Eastern fantasy world. I kinda liked the whole cultivation vibe here. Even if this one was too weak to really explore it fully."
Max nodded slowly in agreement. "Yeah, I felt that too."
"But what about the girls you got here?" Rize asked, giving him a playful side glance while tossing a coin in her hand.
Max tilted his head slightly. "Hmm… I can bring them with me. If you all are okay with it."
Rize raised an eyebrow. "You're asking us?"
Truthfully, he already knew what he was going to do. Even if they disagreed, he wasn't planning to leave Lan Xue and Mu Qing behind. He liked them. More than he expected to.
The sea, the battles, the quiet nights on deck—those memories were filled with their presence now. Leaving them would feel wrong.
"I like those two," he said softly, a rare note of sincerity in his voice.
The girls didn't say anything at first. Then Malaika let out a chuckle.
"Fine. As long as they don't get in the way."
"They won't," Max said, standing up now. "They're stronger than most."
"Then it's settled," Gwen said, brushing off her clothes as she stood. "Pack up, get them, and then—next jump."
Rize stretched her arms. "Hope the next world puts up a fight."
Max looked out toward the distant mountains that lined the continent's edge.
"Let's make it a world that doesn't just challenge us… but one that can push us."
Though, there are only a few such worlds out there, Max thought to himself. But I can always explore new ones with my power sealed… as long as they're worth it.
The others nodded, silently sharing the same feeling. It was time for something new.
The Next Day
Max stood ready at the departure point, the morning sun casting golden light over the hill they gathered on. The portal stone in his hand shimmered faintly, linked to the multiversal path only he could open.
Everyone was packed and prepared—Gwen, Malaika, Rize, Mu Qing, and Lan Xue all stood by his side, their expressions calm, yet filled with anticipation.
Lumia, however, stepped forward hesitantly.
"I think… I'll stay behind," she said softly. "At least for now. There are still things I want to do here. People to meet. Maybe I'll find something of my own."
"I will stay with Lumia and then we will return together" Peter said looking at him.
Max didn't look surprised. He just nodded.
"I figured you guys might say that," he said, handing her a glowing charm. "This'll take you back to us when you're ready. One use. Just crush it."
Lumia smiled, carefully taking the charm. "Thanks… and good luck."
"See ya Max" Peter said.
"You too," Max replied, stepping back with the others.
The wind picked up slightly as a portal appeared with a wave of his hand. A ring of light spun into existence in front of them, swirling with faint energy, stable and ready.
He looked once more at Lumia, then at the continent behind them—the calm mountains, the blue skies, the sea that had taken them to so many places.
It had been a peaceful world. A good one, in its own way.
But now it was time to move on.
"Alright," Max said, turning to the others. "Let's go home."
As they stepped out of the portal, the world around them changed in an instant.
Skyscrapers towered above them, glowing billboards flashed vibrant colors, and the air buzzed with the quiet hum of traffic and distant city sounds. The skyline of Marvel Earth stretched far and wide beneath a deep blue sky.
Mu Qing and Lan Xue froze in place, their eyes wide.
"This is…" Mu Qing whispered.
"So many lights…" Lan Xue murmured, taking in the sight of flying cars, massive bridges, and bustling crowds below. "It feels like another world."
"Well, technically, it is," Gwen said with a smirk as she gently pulled them forward. "Come on, I'll show you around. Let you ease into things with some shopping."
She winked at Max, who just chuckled as he walked a bit behind, hands in his pockets.
The girls wandered ahead, slowly adjusting to the sight of screens, high-tech towers, and sleek transport drones. Even with their calm demeanor, Mu Qing and Lan Xue couldn't hide their wonder. It was their first time seeing a modern world—an advanced one, so different from the peace and simplicity of Douluo.
Max smiled faintly at their reactions, though he kept his distance. He knew this adjustment would take a while. After all, they were from another time, another rhythm of life. He wouldn't rush them.
They're adapting well, he thought. And it's not like they'll stand out much… people here have seen weirder things walking the street.
He turned and walked off on his own, letting them explore. As he headed to his apartment's high-rise building, he glanced up at the sky. The evening glow was already creeping in, the horizon touched with gold and purple.
By the time he reached his penthouse, the city lights had begun to twinkle. He lay down on the bed, finally alone.
His eyes drifted shut, and he let out a soft sigh.
"…Sleep, Food and sex. Still the best three things this world has to offer," he muttered with a lazy smile before closing his eyes completely.
***
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