At this time on Earth, it was the 1970s.
World War II had ended, and the current global situation was one of Cold War between the two superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union.
However, due to the unignorable power of superhumans seen during the war, as well as threats from beyond Earth,
the International Security Council established the Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division, currently headed by Director Alexander Pierce.
This deepest-hidden HYDRA old mole, step by step, climbed to the highest executive Officer of a global security agency; one has to say, the World is full of uncertainties.
United States, New Mexico.
In a rarely visited desert, the usual tranquility reigned.
However, a brilliant rainbow beam descending from the sky added a touch of commotion to the quiet time.
After the light dissipated, a circle of mysterious symbols was left on the ground.
And accompanying the rainbow was Shen Mu.
"Careless!"
"I didn't tell Heimdall to choose a suitable destination. Let's see where this place is first?"
Shen Mu flew into the sky and looked down, seeing a long desert highway winding into the distance.
There seemed to be a signpost by the roadside. Shen Mu didn't hesitate and flew directly towards it.
"Warning, warning, high energy reaction detected in New Mexico, energy values are continuously climbing."
At this time, inside S.H.I.E.L.D., which was not yet called S.H.I.E.L.D., an alarm suddenly sounded.
"Lamas, pull up the satellite surveillance. I need to know what's happening in New Mexico."
Director Pierce immediately ordered his Agent after hearing the alarm.
"Officer, according to satellite surveillance footage, a giant rainbow descended in New Mexico half a minute ago. The energy value of that rainbow was close to the value of a conventional missile's full explosion."
"Furthermore, the local magnetic field was disturbed and altered by an unknown force."
Hearing the report from his subordinate, Pierce felt a headache coming on.
"This can't be another one of those freaks' doing, can it!"
A few years ago, a group of self-proclaimed Mutants almost triggered a nuclear war between the U.S. and the Soviet Union.
On that Cuban island, the terrifying figure who, with a wave of his hand, manipulated hundreds of missiles in his palm, was still etched in their minds.
It was from that time that the government had secretly intensified its research on these freaks.
"Officer, the energy values at the monitoring point are returning to normal, and the magnetic field is also back to normal."
"Notify the field team to investigate on-site and see if any clues were left behind."
"Yes, Officer."
Upon receiving the order, the Agent immediately drove a fighter jet to the scene of the incident.
And similarly, at the moment Shen Mu descended, a certain red-skinned demon in the Hell Dimension, draped in a scarlet cloak, revealed an evil smile.
"A nascent God who controls the true Sun God Power, with weak divine power but unparalleled terrifying physical body, truly a perfect incarnation to bear my power and descend upon Earth!"
"If I can harvest all the souls of humanity on Earth, then the throne of Satan in the future is not something I cannot sit upon."
"Perhaps I should go negotiate a deal with him."
While the demon spoke, he quietly activated one of his demon incarnations he had left on Earth.
This was Mephisto, an ancient Greater Demons in the Hell Dimension.
His Hell Dimension was not ruled by him alone; there were also fallen Angels like Lucifer and other demons like Beelzebub and Asmodeus.
Each of them claimed to be a Hell Lord of the Hell Dimension, but in reality, they only controlled a portion of the entire Hell Dimension.
The true controller of the Hell Dimension could only be Satan, yet no demon dared to openly claim the title of Satan in Hell.
Because Satan represented not just a title, but also the actual control of the entire Hell Dimension.
Once someone claimed the name of Satan, what awaited him was the siege of the entire Hell.
However, if one possessed absolute power, then subduing the other Hell Lords one by one was not impossible.
And while Mephisto, this cunning old fox, was taking action, in the Sorcerer Supreme's sanctuary on the Himalayas.
The Sorcerer Ancient One, dressed in bright yellow robes and holding a small folding fan, was teaching a new batch of apprentices who had entered the sanctuary to learn magic.
Suddenly, her brows furrowed slightly, and the movement of her hand flipping the small folding fan also stopped.
"Is this the giant dragon that made all known timelines chaotic? The future I've seen has become a chaotic mess because of his intervention."
"Hmm! And that nauseating stench of demons."
"Has Mephisto set his sights on him so quickly?"
"Well then! It's a good opportunity to see what's so extraordinary about this guy."
Ancient One thought to herself.
She discovered that Mephisto's incarnation had already gone after Shen Mu, but she didn't care in the slightest.
She also wanted to see what secrets Shen Mu was hiding; it was a good opportunity to let Mephisto probe him.
With her power, even if Mephisto's true body descended, he wouldn't gain any advantage from her.
A mere incarnation, there was no need to worry about it at all.
"Teacher, has something happened?"
Beside her was the young Baron Mordo, who, seeing his teacher suddenly stop, couldn't help but ask.
"Nothing, continue studying!"
Ancient One began to teach the new apprentices while also paying attention to Shen Mu and Mephisto's actions.
At this time, Shen Mu, after checking the signpost by the roadside, already understood where he was and what time it was.
"1973, New Mexico, United States. The time is a bit earlier than I expected."
"But, where should I go now!"
"Should I go greet Ancient One first, or wait for her to come find me?"
Just as Shen Mu was thinking this, he suddenly felt something was amiss around him.
A familiar smell of sulfur entered his nose.
Shen Mu didn't particularly dislike this smell, as his dragon's breath also carried this scent.
The next moment, Shen Mu saw an old man appear before him, wearing a top hat, a black suit, and leaning on a gentleman's cane.
The old man's eyes were one yellow and one green, appearing somewhat demonic.
This image instantly reminded Shen Mu of Mephisto's human form he had seen in the movie Ghost Rider.
"It seems you recognized me!"
"But out of courtesy, I should still introduce myself!"
"New God, I am the strongest Hell Lord of the Hell Dimension, Mephisto."
Mephisto took off his top hat and placed it on his chest as he introduced himself, his demeanor exuding gentlemanly grace.
"It seems Odin was right!"
"You old demon really came for me at the first opportunity!"
Shen Mu looked at the other party and knew it was an incarnation. Although he felt a hint of wariness, he didn't feel fear.
"Odin, a fellow whom even Death cannot escape, is nothing more than a pathetic worm struggling in his Death throes!"
An old antique like Mephisto, who had lived for countless years, naturally held no reverence for Odin.
"New God, I've come this time to propose a collaboration with you."
Mephisto stated his intention to Shen Mu.