Chapter 10.
"I haven't settled the score with you for attacking me, so how could I be willing to die? Today is the day for my revenge," Li Yue said bitterly, his eyes burning with anger.
Shaw, however, remained unfazed. With a smug grin, he responded, "I regret to inform you that your confidence is misplaced. My body now contains the energy of a nuclear bomb. If you plan to run, I won't stop you. But if you intend to kill me, you're far from capable."
He could feel the raw power surging within him, filling him with confidence. If he unleashed it all at once, no one here would survive — not even himself.
Professor Xavier quickly took control of the situation. "Alex, Hank, you handle the Red Devil. Darwin, Angel, keep the Hurricane occupied. Erik, Li Yue, your task is to remove Shaw's helmet. Without it, I'll be able to control his actions."
He then turned toward Mystique and the CIA agent. "Find cover. This battle is not something you can take part in."
Though reluctant, both women nodded in agreement. Mystique, in particular, appeared frustrated, but she understood the stakes.
"Stay safe," the professor added.
Shaw took a step forward, his voice filled with arrogance.
"One last offer — any of you interested in joining my grand vision? It's not too late to switch sides."
The mutants remained silent, their determination unwavering. Only Angel hesitated, her eyes flickering with uncertainty.
"Enough talking. Die, Shaw!" Magneto roared, launching the first attack.
With a fierce motion, he tore a massive chunk of metal from the submarine, hurling it towards Shaw. At the same time, Alex unleashed a concentrated beam of red energy from the specialized device on his chest. After a week of training, his accuracy had greatly improved, and his aim was true — the energy shot straight toward the Hurricane.
The sudden assault caught the Hurricane off guard. However, Shaw reacted instantly. Extending his hand, he intercepted Alex's blast, effortlessly absorbing the energy into his body. The glow of power within him intensified.
With his other hand, Shaw retaliated, releasing a devastating beam of energy aimed at the flying metal. The molten steel disintegrated mid-air, reduced to glowing fragments.
Behind Shaw, the Red Devil vanished in a flash of crimson energy, leaving a lingering, eerie glow. In an instant, he reappeared behind Alex, his hands locking tightly onto the mutant. Before Alex could react, the Red Devil prepared to teleport away with him.
But Hank, now in his feral beast form, reacted instinctively. With a snarl, he lunged, grabbing hold of the Red Devil mid-teleport. Both disappeared in a flash, reemerging high above the battlefield.
The Red Devil, startled by the sudden intrusion, released Alex. Gravity took over, sending Alex plummeting towards the ground.
"To hell with you!" the Red Devil snarled, attempting to teleport away once more.
But Hank had other plans. With a powerful swipe of his claw, he struck the Red Devil across the chest. Gripping Alex tightly with his other hand, he roared, "Then we'll die together!"
As the trio accelerated toward the earth, the air rushed past them. The Red Devil, realizing the fatal consequences, panicked. His fear mirrored Hank's, but neither wanted to face death.
The battle raged on, the fates of the mutants intertwined in the chaos of war.
Sure enough, when they were just over ten meters above the ground, the Red Devil quickly teleported, taking both Alex and Beast with him onto a nearby warship.
Meanwhile, the battle on the coast was raging with increasing intensity. Magneto relentlessly manipulated the surrounding metal, sending it crashing toward Shaw. However, Shaw, now overflowing with nuclear energy, retaliated without restraint. Every blast of energy he released seemed endless, showing no signs of depleting his reserves.
Li Yue, acting swiftly, used his teleportation powers to pull Magneto out of the way whenever Shaw's energy beams became unavoidable. Despite their best efforts, getting close enough to remove Shaw's helmet remained an impossible task. Professor Xavier could only watch helplessly from a distance, his anxiety mounting.
On the other side, the Hurricane spun violently, forming a massive tornado. Dust and debris swirled through the air, reducing visibility. Darwin, however, stood calmly at the center of the storm. His body adapted to the intense wind; his legs had transformed into thick, rooted tree trunks that anchored him firmly to the ground. His skin hardened like stone, allowing him to withstand the battering of the flying debris.
Above them, Angel hovered, her insect-like wings fluttering rapidly. She maintained her distance, waiting for an opportunity to strike. The Hurricane could not sustain his tornado for long — exhaustion would inevitably weaken him. The stalemate continued, with both sides pushing their limits.
The soldiers aboard the nearby warships watched in stunned disbelief. They had never seen anything like this — a full-scale battle between mutants. Towering flames erupted into the sky, and the whirlwind tore through the coast. Angel's dragonfly-like wings were barely visible as she danced through the air.
The officers, unable to comprehend the scene before them, could only report back to their superiors, waiting for further instructions.
Suddenly, the Red Devil reappeared on one of the warships, dragging Alex and Beast along with him.
"Take this!" Alex shouted, launching a powerful energy blast toward the Red Devil. His aim was slightly off, but the force of the blast left a scorched, glowing mark along the ship's hull.
The Red Devil, sensing the danger, quickly attempted to teleport away. However, Beast, relying on his heightened instincts, lunged at him before he could vanish. In an instant, the Red Devil was teleported once again, this time back onto the submarine.
With the advantage of surprise, Beast grabbed the Red Devil and flung him hard against the submarine's metal shell. Though the Red Devil managed to teleport away just before impact, he reappeared right behind Beast, hoping to launch a sneak attack.
But Beast, anticipating the move, spun around and delivered a powerful punch directly to the Red Devil's face. The force of the blow sent the devilish mutant reeling. His head throbbed in pain, and within seconds, he collapsed, unconscious.
From his vantage point, Shaw witnessed the defeat of his subordinate. His frustration surged, and without hesitation, he fired a concentrated blast of energy at Beast.
The attack came too quickly for Beast to dodge. At that crucial moment, Li Yue appeared in a flash, positioning himself between the blast and Beast. The ball of destructive energy struck Li Yue head-on.
"No!" Beast shouted, his voice filled with dread.
But to everyone's astonishment, Li Yue remained unscathed. The energy had dissipated against him, leaving no visible damage. With a calm expression, he took hold of Beast and the unconscious Red Devil. Then, before Shaw could react, Li Yue flashed a sly grin and teleported away.
Shaw's face twisted with confusion and shock. That smile haunted him. How had Li Yue survived his direct attack? The unsettling thought crept into his mind — could Li Yue possess an ability similar to his own?
The memory of their previous encounter resurfaced, where Shaw had hit Li Yue, yet the latter had emerged completely unharmed. The realization sent a shiver through Shaw's spine.
Li Yue, unaware of the turmoil he had caused in Shaw's mind, reappeared near Mystique and the CIA agent. Gently lowering Beast and the Red Devil, he gave them a reassuring nod before disappearing once more.
There was no time to waste. Magneto was still locked in a desperate battle against Shaw. Without Li Yue's timely intervention, the outcome could be disastrous.
Shaw's relentless energy blasts continued, hammering against the metallic barriers Magneto controlled. The sheer force pushed Magneto back with every hit. Beads of sweat formed on his brow as he struggled to hold his ground.
Despite his determination, the unrelenting power of Shaw's attacks left him at a disadvantage. Every block and deflection only delayed the inevitable. Shaw, unyielding and monstrous with his newfound strength, prepared to end the fight once and for all.
Just as Li Yue was about to assist, the professor's voice echoed in his mind.
"Li Yue, can you hear me?"
"Professor, can't you stay out of my head for once? Why now..."
"I'm not invading your mind, Li Yue. I'm only communicating using my telepathy," the professor calmly explained.
"Li Yue, this situation isn't sustainable. Shaw absorbed the entire reactor's energy. He won't tire, but we will. Sooner or later, we'll be the ones exhausted."
"What should we do? We can't get close to him, let alone remove his helmet," Li Yue responded, frustration clear in his voice. He couldn't help but compare this moment to the movie. Back then, Magneto had seemingly removed Shaw's helmet without too much difficulty. But now, facing the true extent of Shaw's powers, it felt nearly impossible.
If Magneto hadn't had the plot armor of a protagonist, Li Yue thought, Shaw would have killed him multiple times over.
"Li Yue, bring back the Kraken and Alex. Have them attack Shaw together!"
"Won't that just give him more energy to absorb?" Li Yue asked, concerned.
"I've been closely observing Shaw's abilities. His mutation allows him to absorb and release energy, but every power has its limit. If he exceeds his energy threshold, his body won't be able to contain it. Since he already absorbed a nuclear reactor's energy, he's likely near his limit. We need to overload him," the professor explained.
"Understood," Li Yue replied, though he still felt uneasy. Looking over, he saw Magneto barely holding on. There was no time to hesitate.
Li Yue teleported to Alex's location. At the moment, Alex stood surrounded by a group of soldiers, their weapons pointed at him. He had no choice but to stand with his hands up, complying to avoid provoking the soldiers.
In an instant, Li Yue appeared at his side. Before Alex could react, Li Yue grabbed his arm.
"Let's go!"
In a blink, they disappeared, leaving behind a bewildered squad of soldiers who stood confused, questioning what had just happened.
Without wasting time, Li Yue teleported to retrieve the Kraken. When he arrived, he was stunned to see Kraken gleefully diving in and out of the water, seemingly playing.
"Seriously?! We're over there risking our lives, and you're having a pool party?" Li Yue shouted, half in disbelief and half amused.
Just as Kraken prepared to dive once more, Li Yue teleported directly beside him. Before Kraken could process what was happening, Li Yue grabbed him.
One moment Kraken was surrounded by water, the next he was face-first on the beach, sand sticking to his face. He groaned, spitting out the grains as he stood up.
Li Yue couldn't hold back his laughter. "I haven't seen a better 'dog eating dirt' moment in my life!"
But the laughter was short-lived. Magneto's situation worsened. The metal barriers he was using for defense glowed red-hot from Shaw's relentless energy blasts. Another explosion rocked the battlefield, sending Magneto stumbling backward.
"Li Yue! Over here!" Magneto called out desperately.
Without a second thought, Li Yue teleported to Magneto's side, swiftly evading another energy blast.
Meanwhile, the professor's voice guided Kraken and Alex.
"Kraken, Alex, keep attacking Shaw from a distance. Force him to absorb even more energy."
–Shaw, ever confident, welcomed their attacks. Red beams from Alex's chestplate struck him, and Kraken's sonic blasts sent shockwaves through the air. But Shaw absorbed every ounce of it. His body glowed ominously as he channeled the immense energy.
However, the more energy he took in, the faster he attacked. His energy blasts became increasingly rapid and aggressive, forcing Li Yue to stay on constant alert, teleporting from one side of the battlefield to another, saving whoever Shaw targeted.
"Hold on just a little longer," the professor encouraged.
After several exhausting minutes, Shaw abruptly ceased his relentless barrage. Everyone paused, uncertain. He raised his hands, crossing his fingers as a small, glowing red orb formed between his palms.
The energy condensed rapidly, the orb growing from the size of a walnut to that of a basketball. The core pulsed with a deep purple hue, the pressure radiating off it nearly unbearable. Even from a distance, Li Yue felt the immense destructive power.
"He's charging a massive attack," Li Yue muttered, sweat dripping from his forehead.
Shaw's eyes gleamed with malice. Finally, the orb was complete. Without a second's hesitation, he hurled it directly at Kraken.
The energy ball moved like a blazing meteor, cutting through the air with terrifying speed.
"Kraken, move!" Li Yue shouted, preparing to teleport.
Li Yue quickly appeared next to the Kraken, grabbing him just in time to teleport away. The two narrowly avoided the incoming energy blast, the heat from it searing the air behind them. The ground it passed over was left charred and smoldering.
Just as Li Yue let out a breath of relief, the professor's voice echoed urgently in his mind.
"Li Yue, no! The Kraken wasn't his real target. He's aiming for the warship behind him!"
Li Yue's eyes widened as he spun around. Sure enough, the massive ball of red energy was hurtling towards a distant warship. As it traveled, the terrifying heat from the blast caused the sea to boil, sending clouds of white vapor into the sky.
"Damn it!" Without hesitation, Li Yue teleported away.
On the warship, panic erupted.
"Sir, the radar has detected a massive energy signature heading straight for us! Interception is impossible!" a soldier reported frantically.
The commander stood at the helm, eyes fixated on the catastrophe approaching them. The sheer destructive force of the energy ball was evident. Knowing there was no time to react, he steadied himself.
"I'm honored to have served with all of you," the commander said solemnly, placing a reassuring hand on the shoulder of the nearest soldier.
"Likewise, sir!" the soldier replied, his voice resolute despite the inevitable doom approaching.
The energy blast was now less than a hundred meters away. Just as despair set in, a figure suddenly appeared between the warship and the destructive force.
It was Li Yue.
With barely a moment's thought, Li Yue stretched out his arms. His hands began to shift and transform, gleaming silver as they morphed into a massive metallic shield. The Adamantine alloy, one of the most indestructible metals in existence, gleamed under the sunlight. The shield was tall and wide, spanning more than a meter, though it was only a few millimeters thick.
Time seemed to freeze as the energy collided with the shield.
BOOM!
A deafening explosion echoed across the sea. The force of the blast was so intense that the crew instinctively ducked and covered their ears. A towering mushroom cloud formed at the point of impact, the heat evaporating the seawater below and shrouding the area in thick white mist.
"Sir, we're... we're alive!" a soldier exclaimed in disbelief.
The commander slowly lowered his hands from his ears, his eyes searching the mist for any sign of their savior.
Li Yue had endured the full brunt of the blast. But as the smoke cleared, the gleaming Adamantine alloy shield stood unscathed, proving its legendary strength. Although the force had been enough to push Li Yue back slightly, he emerged from the destruction unharmed.
He quickly teleported back to the shore, knowing Shaw wouldn't waste any time. True enough, Shaw was already pressing his relentless assault on Magneto and the others.
The battle on the coast remained locked in a fierce stalemate. Energy beams and sonic waves clashed as mutants fought with all their might. Shaw, still radiating immense energy, showed no sign of slowing down.
While the battle raged on, the humans aboard the warships were far from idle. Reports of the extraordinary confrontation had already been relayed to their superiors. In a swift and cold decision, high-ranking officials concluded that the mutants posed an existential threat. Fear gripped them — fear of those with unimaginable abilities, fear of the unknown.
Their verdict was clear: The mutants must be eliminated.
Orders were issued. The commanders onboard received their directives, though some hesitated. The memory of how the mutants had just saved them was fresh.
"Everyone, prepare to engage. Target the mutants on the shore," the commander declared grimly.
"Sir?" A soldier hesitated, visibly conflicted.
"Yes?"
"They... they just saved us. Without that man, we'd be dead."
"I know," the commander replied, his voice low and resolute.
"Then why are we—"
"I am a soldier," the commander interrupted firmly, his expression unreadable.
"Fire."
A volley of artillery shells roared from the warships, their trajectories arcing towards the shore.
The very people who had saved them were now their targets.
The irony was bitter.
The dark muzzles of the warships roared to life, launching missiles into the sky like fiery arrows.
"Everyone, there's bad news. The warships in the distance are firing at us!"
The professor's voice echoed in everyone's minds, though Xiao remained oblivious to it.
At that moment, four people were fighting against Shaw. Angel and Darwin had finally exhausted the hurricane's strength. Angel had used her acidic spit on the hurricane, forcing him to retreat in pain. Now, she had joined the fight against Shaw, hovering in the air where she was safer.
Despite the relentless attacks, Shaw's body was nearing its limit. His energy absorption had pushed him dangerously close to his maximum capacity. He felt like a reservoir overflowing — energy poured into him faster than he could release it. The pressure was unbearable.
Meanwhile, Li Yue acted like a battlefield strategist, assisting wherever he was needed. Magneto and Alex, with their destructive powers, served as the primary attackers. Siren and Angel provided support from a distance. Li Yue's teleportation ability allowed him to protect them when necessary.
Victory was almost within reach. Shaw's body couldn't take much more. But just then, the humans launched their missiles.
"Li Yue, take the others away! I'll handle the missiles," Magneto commanded.
Li Yue hesitated. "Can you manage it alone?"
"Trust me. I can hold out for a while." Magneto's eyes burned with determination. He gave up attacking Shaw and instead manipulated the surrounding metal, forming a massive, thick shield to block the incoming missiles.
Without further argument, Li Yue sprang into action. He teleported rapidly, moving Alex, Siren, and the professor far from the battlefield. Angel was left on her own, but she could fly, making her relatively safe.
Shaw, noticing that the attacks had suddenly ceased, felt a sense of relief. Yet, his expression twisted as he saw Magneto standing alone. He sneered, unleashing relentless bursts of energy at him.
"Eric, I'm sorry about your mother," Shaw –said mockingly. "But without me, you wouldn't have become who you are. You should be thanking me!"
Magneto's face contorted in anger, but he didn't respond. His focus was on the warships and the missiles streaking toward him. Sweat dripped down his face as he used all his strength to control the incoming projectiles.
Just then, Li Yue reappeared beside him.
"Everyone's safe," Li Yue reported. "What now?"
"I never intended to harm you, Eric," Shaw continued, his voice filled with twisted sincerity. "Every choice I made was to make you stronger. We are the future of humanity. This world belongs to us!"
Magneto's hands clenched into fists. "I know everything you've done made me stronger, but you killed my mother!" His voice trembled with rage. "Li Yue, now!"
Li Yue didn't hesitate. In an instant, he teleported both himself and Magneto away. At that very moment, Magneto released his magnetic hold on the missiles. Freed from his control, they screamed through the air, heading straight for Shaw.
Boom!
A thunderous explosion shook the coast as the missiles collided, engulfing Shaw in a massive inferno. Flames soared into the sky, and thick black smoke billowed upward. The shockwave rippled across the shoreline.
But as the dust settled, a terrifying sight emerged.
Shaw still stood. His body, however, was visibly damaged. Cracks spread across his skin, and glowing red energy seeped from the fissures like molten lava. He staggered, his breathing ragged. Yet, his eyes gleamed with an unsettling resolve.
He knew his body couldn't endure much longer. The energy he had absorbed was too much. But if he was going to die, he intended to take as many people with him as possible.
"I'll show you... my true power," Xiao muttered.
Without hesitation, he began to channel all the remaining energy within his body. The cracks widened, and his entire form glowed ominously.
From a safe distance, Li Yue, Magneto, and the others watched in horror.
"What's happening now?" Li Yue asked aloud.
The professor's face paled as he scanned Shaw's mind. "No... he's planning to release all his energy at once. If he does that, the resulting explosion will destroy everything within a thousand-kilometer radius."
The realization sent chills through them. The warships, the coastline, and even distant cities would be obliterated.
"Li Yue," the professor pleaded desperately, "can you save those people? The humans on the warships—they won't stand a chance."
Li Yue's expression darkened. "Sorry, Professor. I can't. Even if I could, I wouldn't. They fired missiles at us without hesitation. They made themselves my enemies."
"But they're people too, Li Yue! They made a mistake, but—"
"They didn't hesitate to kill us," Li Yue interrupted, his voice cold. "I can save strangers. But I won't save my enemies."
The professor's face twisted with disbelief, but Magneto's eyes gleamed with approval. He understood Li Yue's resolve. To him, it wasn't cruel — it was justified.
The battle wasn't over. And now, it would be up to fate to decide the outcome.
Li Yue remained silent, unaffected by the approving or disapproving gazes around him. He wasn't truly a part of this world, and he didn't know when he might suddenly leave it. Whatever others thought of him, it wouldn't change his decision.
"Let's go. It won't be safe here for much longer. Of course, if anyone wants to stay, I won't stop you," Li Yue said calmly, extending his hand.
Magneto was the first to step forward and clasp Li Yue's hand. Without hesitation, Mystique and Angel followed.
"Professor, won't you come with us?"
Unsurprisingly, the professor hesitated. His gaze fixed on Li Yue, silently pleading for him to reconsider. He believed that Li Yue must have a solution, something he was withholding. But Li Yue's expression remained unwavering. After a long pause, the professor sighed, finally extending his hand.
In an instant, they vanished.
Boom!
A massive explosion erupted behind them. A gigantic mushroom cloud ascended into the sky, and the resulting shockwave consumed everything in its path. The blast left only destruction in its wake.
On a distant warship, a soldier, his face pale, turned to his commander.
"Sir, do you regret it?"
The commander didn't respond immediately. He watched the devastation with hollow eyes, the weight of his choices sinking in.
"No regrets," he murmured. "But... I wish I had the chance to say sorry."
Back at the luxurious manor of the professor, the mutants appeared in a flash. The air was tense as the weight of what had just happened settled on them.
"Li Yue, those were human lives. How could you…" The professor's voice trembled with disbelief. "This will only drive an even deeper wedge between mutants and humans. Peaceful coexistence will become impossible."
Li Yue's expression remained stoic.
"I don't save my enemies."
The professor's disappointment was palpable. He had always believed that understanding and compassion could bridge the gap between mutants and humans. But now, the deaths of countless soldiers would –only breed fear and hatred. The mutants had revealed their power without restraint, and the world had witnessed it.
"Professor, I think Li Yue was right."
The unexpected voice came from Magneto, his eyes filled with resolve. "Sooner or later, we mutants will stand against humanity. If Shaw hadn't been our common enemy, I would have joined his cause."
The professor's expression shifted to one of disbelief. "Eric, how can you say that?"
"Humans will never accept us," Magneto continued. "They fear us because we are more powerful. They tolerate animals because they are inferior, but if an animal were to evolve intelligence like ours, humanity would destroy it without hesitation. That's how they see us."
The harsh truth lingered in the air. The professor wanted to protest, but the conviction in Magneto's voice made it difficult.
"Charles," Magneto said, addressing the professor by his name, "I joined you to stop Shaw. Now that he's gone, our paths must part."
He then turned to the rest of the mutant team, his voice commanding.
"Charles' vision of coexistence will never work. But we can build a kingdom — one where mutants rule, not cower in fear. If humanity declares war on us, we will fight back."
He extended his hand. "Who will stand with me to create a future for mutants?"
Angel was the first to respond. Despite the protests from some of the others, she stepped forward and joined Magneto without hesitation.
The Mystique wavered. Magneto's words stirred something within her, yet she glanced back at the professor, torn.
"You should go," the professor said softly, though pain flickered in his eyes. "That is what your heart desires."
"You promised not to read my thoughts," Mystique replied, her voice laced with frustration.
"I promised many things," the professor said with a faint, bittersweet smile. "But some promises are hard to keep."
Mystique's eyes shimmered with unspoken emotions. Finally, she hugged the professor tightly, lingering for a moment before stepping back.
"Take care of yourself," she whispered.
"Goodbye, Raven," the professor said, using her true name.
With her decision made, Mystique joined Magneto.
And so, the fracture between mutants grew wider — one side clinging to the hope of peace, the other preparing for the inevitable war.
Eric's gaze lingered on Li Yue as he extended his invitation.
"Li Yue, what about you? Your thoughts should align with mine. Will you join us?"
Li Yue shook his head, his decision resolute.
"I'm sorry, Eric. I won't join you, nor will I join Charles. I've decided to walk my own path," he replied firmly. Li Yue wasn't truly part of this world — the conflict between mutants and humans wasn't his battle to fight.
Eric's face showed a flicker of disappointment, but he quickly masked it with acceptance.
"I respect your choice. Until we meet again," Eric said, his tone carrying both regret and respect.
Turning to Charles, Eric's expression grew solemn.
"Charles, I hope we won't be enemies when our paths cross again."
"Eric," Charles responded, his voice soft but steady. "Take care of Raven."
"I will," Eric promised.
With those parting words, Eric turned and walked away, Mystique and Angel following him without looking back. The remaining mutants watched their departure in silence until the trio disappeared from sight. When they turned to look at Li Yue, they were startled to find that he, too, had vanished without a trace.
The fallout from the battle was swift.
"Just yesterday, a species called mutants mercilessly took the lives of countless soldiers in Cuban waters. They are declaring war on us, and we humans will not stand idly by!"
These inflammatory words echoed across media channels, further igniting fear and hatred towards mutants.
In response, Professor X established the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters — a sanctuary for mutants, offering them protection and guidance. His goal remained unchanged: fostering peaceful coexistence between mutants and humans.
Meanwhile, Eric, now fully embracing his identity as Magneto, formed the Brotherhood of Mutants. Unlike Charles, he sought to gather powerful mutants to stand against human oppression, believing that the inevitable conflict would determine their fate.
Li Yue, however, had no knowledge of these developments.
Far removed from the world of mutants, he sat comfortably at a bustling night market in China, enjoying freshly grilled skewers. The smoky aroma of barbecued meat mingled with the chatter of locals. Just as he was about to savor another bite, a strange sensation washed over him.
Without warning, his spirit was violently pulled from his body. Panic gripped him as an invisible force dragged him through the vast expanse of the starry sky. Before him, a glowing spot of light grew larger and larger, its pull irresistible.
Then, everything blurred.
Back at the barbecue stall, a blue wormhole suddenly materialized behind Li Yue. Its swirling vortex resembled a black hole, its depths obscured in darkness. Brilliant blue energy spiraled from the wormhole, wrapping around Li Yue's body like tendrils of light. Within seconds, his form began to glow, and the wormhole yanked him inside.
In an instant, both Li Yue and the portal disappeared — as if they had never existed.
Only a single witness remained. An elderly man, –with more gaps than teeth in his mouth, stared dumbfounded at the empty space where Li Yue had been. After a moment of stunned silence, he blurted out in disbelief:
"Woah! That's ruthless!"
Then, realization struck.
"Wait… that guy didn't pay for his skewers!"
Unlike his previous unconscious crossings, Li Yue was fully aware this time. But it was far from a pleasant experience.
He felt as though his soul was forcibly wrenched from his body. Weightless and vulnerable, he drifted helplessly through the unknown. Before he could gather his thoughts, an overwhelming force seized him.
It was as if invisible hands began kneading him like dough. He was stretched, flattened, and reshaped repeatedly. Occasionally, the force seemed to smash him down with a metaphysical rolling pin. It was a strange sensation — equal parts painful and itchy, yet neither fully describable.
Time lost all meaning. It could have been thousands of years or a mere heartbeat. Eventually, the torment ceased.
Li Yue's mind cleared, and he felt himself plummeting. The sensation of freefall ended abruptly, and with a jolt, he was back in his body. For a moment, he lay still, struggling to catch his breath.
"Finally," he thought, opening his eyes to assess his surroundings.
But as soon as his vision adjusted, all he could see was a massive, bloodstained fist hurtling straight toward his face.
"Not again!"
Boom!
....
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