Richard examined the green liquid in the glass bottle before addressing Kaguya. "Do you want to drink this now, or return to the hotel first?"
"Drink it now!" Kaguya replied decisively.
Hearing her answer, Richard handed her the glass bottle. Under his watchful gaze, Kaguya uncorked the container and consumed the green liquid entirely.
After drinking the genetic solution, Kaguya immediately mobilized chakra throughout her body without hesitation, releasing blue-white energy around herself.
Perhaps due to the liquid's influence, or for other reasons entirely, Kaguya's chakra quickly shifted from blue-white to light green. Simultaneously, she frowned slightly.
Although she'd conceived this new evolutionary method, Kaguya couldn't be certain it would actually prove effective. After all, she'd conducted no prior testing on this approach—she'd simply felt intuitively that it was feasible.
When Kaguya observed her released chakra turning light green, her frown deepened with concern. However, the chakra color soon returned from light green to its normal blue-white hue.
As her chakra's appearance normalized, Kaguya finally relaxed. While she didn't feel any immediate strength surge, she could confirm having evolved to some degree.
The specific extent of her evolution remained unclear, but one thing was certain: her new evolutionary plan was indeed viable.
After activating her Byakugan to examine her body and confirming no abnormalities, Kaguya ceased releasing chakra.
Throughout this process, Richard remained silent while carefully observing Kaguya's changes. From his perspective, no obvious transformations were visible after she'd consumed the genetic solution containing massive amounts of Xandarian biological information.
However, he'd keenly sensed subtle alterations in Kaguya's life signature—obviously changes brought about by the green liquid, or more specifically, changes caused by the Otsutsuki clan's unique physiology after absorbing other creatures' genetic information.
"Let's head back," Richard said to Kaguya.
"Mm-hmm," Kaguya nodded in agreement.
After departing the laboratory, Richard piloted their flying sports car back to the hotel. Following nearly thirty minutes of flight, they finally reached their accommodations.
Time passed swiftly—a month elapsed before they realized it.
During this period, neither Richard nor Kaguya remained idle. Richard continued perfecting the Divine Realm, while Kaguya visited the biological laboratory on Nova Prime's outskirts every three days to consume genetic solutions provided by the Worldmind.
Additionally, they'd thoroughly experienced Xandarian culture and customs, visiting the planet's most famous attractions and cities.
If anything proved unsatisfying, it was Xandar's lack of challenging opponents for combat or competition. This limitation forced them to simply spar with each other when seeking physical engagement.
After a month's dedicated effort, Richard—with Tifa's clone assistance—had updated the Divine Realm multiple times, making its generated divine energy increasingly similar to his existing magical power.
Furthermore, to enhance the Divine Realm even more dramatically, Richard had conceived a somewhat insane plan: have the Divine Realm absorb Infinity Stones!
On the surface, this represented a dangerous scheme that could easily cause the Divine Realm's collapse. In reality, it was a high-risk, high-reward strategy.
Infinity Stones were cosmic treasures formed during the Big Bang. Each contained infinite energy and could grant users omnipotent control within specific domains.
Simply put, Infinity Stones allowed users to master corresponding universal laws.
Richard's idea of having the Divine Realm absorb Infinity Stones stemmed from two factors: first, the stones possessed unlimited energy; second, the universal laws they represented could perfect the Divine Realm's structure.
According to his calculations, if the Divine Realm could absorb and integrate all six Infinity Stones, it could become an existence similar to a single universe.
Whether he could advance further—breaking through from single universe to multiverse or even omniversal levels—remained uncertain. However, as long as the Divine Realm maintained evolutionary potential, progressing to multiverse or omniversal status wasn't absolutely impossible.
After studying extensively with Tifa's clone for over two weeks and incorporating partial data from the Worldmind, Richard finally initiated this ambitious project.
The Infinite Divine Plan!
He'd even given the endeavor a formal name. While chosen somewhat casually, his attitude remained completely serious.
Additionally, he'd directly used the Space Stone from the zombie universe as his first experimental subject. Since he now possessed two Space Stones total, even if the zombie universe version disappeared due to unforeseen complications, he'd still have this universe's Space Stone as backup.
Richard had mentally prepared himself to lose the zombie universe's Space Stone. However, the situation proceeded much more smoothly than anticipated.
When he transferred the zombie universe's Space Stone into the Divine Realm and allowed absorption to begin, neither the realm nor the stone experienced any complications.
In other words, the Divine Realm was gradually digesting the zombie universe's Space Stone, incorporating its spatial laws and energy as integral components.
While the Divine Realm couldn't completely digest the Space Stone quickly, this progress proved the Infinite Divine Plan's viability.
After confirming success, Richard finally relaxed.
Nova Prime Spaceport - Fantasy Bridge
Richard sat in the captain's chair and addressed Aerith, who was controlling the Fantasy. "Set course for Asgard."
"Understood, sir," Aerith's voice immediately responded. Simultaneously, she controlled the Fantasy's gradual liftoff from the spaceport.
After Kaguya had consumed the final genetic solution provided by the Worldmind, Richard had decided to leave Xandar and head for Asgard.
His destination choice was simple: he was going to acquire the Reality Stone.
The bridge currently housed another person besides Kaguya: Nancy.
Richard initially hadn't planned to bring Nancy along. However, after spending intimate time with her on several occasions, he'd changed his mind. Rather than leaving Nancy with the Nova Corps, taking her seemed preferable.
Regarding her departure, he'd consulted Nancy directly. Richard had expected her to hesitate or simply refuse to leave with him. Instead, Nancy had chosen to accompany him without hesitation and with obvious enthusiasm.
While Nancy didn't know Richard's exact power level, she was certain that following him offered better prospects than remaining on Xandar.
If she stayed on Xandar, becoming a Nova Corps Centurion represented her maximum potential advancement. Positions like Nova Prime or Queen were beyond her reach regardless.
Under these circumstances, leaving with Richard made more sense.
In Nancy's opinion, if Richard wanted to build his own cosmic empire, it would be remarkably simple. The Worldmind's demonstrated attitude provided clear evidence—if it hadn't confirmed Richard possessed power exceeding the Nova Corps, the supercomputer would never have granted him authority surpassing Nova Prime Blanco and Queen Adora.
Kaguya said nothing about Richard bringing Nancy along—she'd anticipated this development early on.
Soon, the Fantasy departed Xandar and reached the nearby space jump point. After thirteen hyperspace transitions, Asgard finally appeared before them.
Throughout the universe, planets supporting intelligent life weren't particularly rare. However, unique existences like Knowhere and Asgard were uncommon.
Though Asgard was renowned universally, it wasn't actually a planet but an island-like realm.
After admiring Asgard from the bridge at a distance, Richard didn't direct the Fantasy to continue approaching but maintained their current position.
Asgard lacked traditional spaceports. Unlike inhabitants of other worlds, Asgardians didn't require spacecraft for interplanetary travel—they simply used the Bifrost Bridge, which was not only more convenient but also considerably faster than ships.
After instructing Aerith to hold position, Richard retrieved the Cosmic Cube from his system space and created a spatial gateway to the Bifrost chamber.
When the portal formed, he stepped through first, with Kaguya and Nancy following silently.
"His Majesty did not invite you to Asgard," declared Heimdall, standing at his control station wearing golden armor and holding the Bifrost sword.
"Odin didn't invite me—I came specifically to visit him," Richard replied calmly, then closed the spatial gateway behind them.
Heimdall didn't respond immediately but studied Kaguya and Nancy seriously. If they hadn't arrived with Richard, he would have immediately treated them as intruders requiring elimination.
Just as Heimdall prepared to speak, Thor—wielding Mjolnir—flew toward the Bifrost chamber at high speed.
Soon, Thor, wearing silver armor and a red cloak, arrived at the Rainbow Bridge hall.
"My father knows of your arrival and sent me to greet you," Thor announced to Richard.
"I appreciate the courtesy," Richard replied.
Hearing Thor's words, Heimdall—the Bifrost's guardian—said nothing more and resumed his guard-like stance at the bridge controls.
"Come with me. Father awaits you in the royal study," Thor continued.
"Excellent," Richard nodded.
With Thor leading the way, Richard and his companions reached Asgard's iconic Golden Palace smoothly.
Upon arrival, Thor asked palace attendants to escort Kaguya and Nancy to the main reception hall while he personally led Richard toward the royal study.
"Weren't you visiting Xandar? Why the sudden desire to come to Asgard?" Thor inquired.
"I grew tired of Xandar and have matters to discuss with His Majesty," Richard replied.
He wasn't surprised that Thor knew about his previous Xandarian residence. During their last meeting, he'd made an agreement with Odin to stop Hela, the Goddess of Death.
As compensation, Odin had given him the Casket of Ancient Winters—a Frost Giant artifact—and Surtur's Eternal Flame.
After providing such substantial rewards, Odin monitoring his whereabouts periodically was perfectly reasonable. In fact, doing nothing would have been abnormal.
"What do you want to discuss with Father?" Thor asked with a frown.
"Children shouldn't inquire about adult business," Richard smiled.
"You're only in your twenties, while I'm over 1,500 years old!" Thor replied with disdain.
"The difference between adults and children isn't merely age," Richard responded.
"If you won't explain, forget it," Thor said, no longer pressing the issue as he continued toward the royal study.
After bringing Richard to the study's entrance, Thor continued, "I won't enter—go in yourself."
Without waiting for Richard's response, Thor instructed Golden Palace guards to open the study doors.
When the doors opened, Richard entered calmly and observed Odin, dressed in white robes with flowing white hair.
"I hope Your Majesty will forgive this unannounced visit," Richard said upon reaching the desk.
"No need for formalities. You probably didn't come to Asgard just to meet an old man like me," Odin replied, setting aside his book. "Tell me—what do you want?"
"I want the Reality Stone," Richard stated directly without evasion.
As anticipated, Odin immediately frowned upon hearing this request.
If the Casket of Ancient Winters and Eternal Flame were already extremely valuable, the Reality Stone was several levels more precious.
"What do you want the Reality Stone for?" Odin asked after more than ten seconds of silence.
"I'm working on a project to enhance my own power, which requires all six Infinity Stones," Richard explained. "I already possess the Space, Time, Mind, and Power Stones. I only need the Reality Stone and Soul Stone."
"Isn't the Time Stone in the Ancient One's possession?" Odin asked immediately. "Did you take it from her?"
"No—the Time Stone I possess came from an alternate universe," Richard replied calmly. "I traveled to a parallel dimension and acquired the Space, Time, and Mind Stones from that reality."