Under Little Phoenix's reluctant gaze, Shen Mu directly opened a Space Gate and left.
It must be said that the Space Stone is indeed much more convenient than a sorcerer's teleportation spell in this regard!
On the other side, Apocalypse, who was leading Sabretooth and a small dark-skinned girl, suddenly stopped.
Because he sensed a familiar aura appear!
"You're back, My Master!"
Apocalypse looked at Shen Mu, who appeared before him, with an incredibly humble expression, and knelt down.
After witnessing the great battle between Shen Mu and Mephisto, there was no longer any resistance in his heart to surrendering to Shen Mu.
At the same time, he felt deep shame for his past ignorance.
Back then, he considered himself an omnipotent god, but after witnessing a true God, he realized how ridiculous his previous thoughts were.
Therefore, he decided to diligently be a qualified servant, fulfilling the tasks Shen Mu assigned and gathering talented children for Shen Mu.
In the future, under Shen Mu's glory, they would all become the most loyal warriors, just like his four horsemen once were.
"Apocalypse, I told you to stop calling me Master. I always feel it's a bit jarring for you, with that weathered blue face, to call me Master."
Shen Mu, however, was a little unaccustomed to Apocalypse's address. If it were a cute girl in a maid outfit, Shen Mu wouldn't mind, but the other party was an ancient relic that had lived for tens of thousands of years.
"No, after I swore allegiance to you, you are My Master, and I will always be your servant. Master, please don't call me Apocalypse anymore; I am not worthy of that name."
"My real name is En Sabah Nur; you can just call me Nur, My Master."
Although Apocalypse had accepted modern knowledge, the deep-rooted ideology of 'survival of the fittest' still influenced his actions.
"Alright! As you wish. Is this child the first potential Mutant you've found?"
Shen Mu asked, looking at the timid little girl hiding by Apocalypse's side.
"Yes, Master!"
"Her name is Ororo Munroe. She possesses the ability to control the weather. I can feel immense potential hidden within her. According to modern Mutant classifications, she has the talent of a Level 5 Mutant and only requires some time for guidance."
Upon hearing Apocalypse say this, Shen Mu immediately knew who the little black girl in front of him was!
Storm, a future teacher at the Mutant Academy and a powerful X-Man, capable of changing the weather and climate with a raise of her hand, even stirring up solar Storms. She has the power to instantly destroy a Planet and possesses omega-level potential. As for whether she can convert that potential into actual power, that remains to be seen.
"Ororo, this is the Master you will serve from now on, the great Dragon God, My Lord Shen Mu."
Apocalypse had told Storm about Shen Mu along the way and had been instilling in her the idea of becoming Shen Mu's servant.
"My Master, Ororo Munroe swears allegiance to you."
Storm imitated Apocalypse's actions, doing the same as him.
Shen Mu, though a little speechless, was quite satisfied with what Apocalypse had done.
"I accept your allegiance and bestow upon you the title of Storm."
Shen Mu bestowed her future title upon her in advance.
"Thank you for your grace, My Master."
After hearing Shen Mu's words, Ororo's face showed an excited expression.
She had witnessed Apocalypse's power, but even Apocalypse considered himself a servant in front of this person. She believed Shen Mu must be the legendary God!
And she had received the grace of a God. Even if it was just a title, it indicated that she had been recognized, which completely put her previously anxious heart at ease!
However, Shen Mu felt a little unnatural seeing a child's face express fervent worship towards him. He couldn't shake the feeling that he was running some kind of pyramid scheme.
But this thought merely flashed through Shen Mu's mind before being dismissed!
"Nur, you've done well. Continue your search. All of you have the opportunity to become true gods in the future."
"This is a scale from my true form. Take it with you. I will contact you through it if anything happens."
Shen Mu took out a scale and handed it to Apocalypse.
"Oh, and one more thing. My student is in New York. Her name is Jean Grey. Your other mission is to protect her."
"I need to go into a period of slumber. During this time, if Jean encounters any problems, you can take the scale to 177A Bleecker Street in Manhattan, New York, and find the Sorcerer Supreme Ancient One there. She will help."
After giving these instructions to Apocalypse, Shen Mu left, leaving behind an excited Apocalypse and Storm. Sabretooth, on the other hand, had little presence, as besides his somewhat excellent self-healing ability, he had no other highlights.
This time, Shen Mu chose a place to slumber that was neither on Earth nor in the Elven Kingdom.
He used the Space Stone to create a spatial pocket at a moderate distance from the Sun, ensuring that he could continuously receive solar radiation even while in slumber.
Because Shen Mu had a premonition that his slumber this time would not be too short.
Once everything was ready, Shen Mu returned to his true form and then actively responded to the desire for slumber emanating from within his body.
...
While Shen Mu was in slumber.
On a barren Planet named Mukka, several star systems away, a pale-faced man was holding his daughter, who was on the verge of death from thirst, and praying to the gods for salvation.
"Great Rapu, please answer your faithful and save my daughter!"
The man's name was Gorr, and his family had lived on this Planet for generations.
Three days ago, his wife had died from severe dehydration!
In these three days, he and his daughter hadn't seen a single drop of Water. His daughter could no longer hold on!
In despair, he could only pray to Rapu, the God of Light they had worshipped for generations, hoping he would send down a life-giving rain to alleviate the drought.
Sadly, until his daughter took her last breath, the God he longed for never appeared.
Just then, he suddenly saw two streaks of light, one Black and one Gold, appear in the sky and fly off into the distance.
He, dragging his severely dehydrated and exhausted body, stumbled forward, chasing after them.
Through his blurred vision, he saw a large expanse of green—an oasis. This awakened his will to survive, and he walked towards the oasis without hesitation.
Finally, he reached the oasis. His eyes, which could no longer shed tears, now held wild joy. Gorr collapsed into the pool of Water, drinking greedily.
After climbing ashore, he walked deeper into the oasis. His intuition told him that there he would find God Rapu, whom he worshipped. He would offer him his loyal faith in exchange for grace for this Planet.