Chapter 145: A Meeting of Titans

Chapter 145: A Meeting of Titans

"Relax, relax, Tony."

Luk tried his best to calm Tony Stark, flanked by his friends Happy, Rhodey, and Pepper, all of whom looked at Tony with encouraging eyes.

"It's nothing, Tony," Luk said, gently patting his head.

"Just think of it as a normal phase, something every boy goes through. It's no big deal."

"Go to hell, what kind of phase are you talking about? Men don't have phases like that!"

Tony couldn't help but swear, lying on the operating table and staring at the enormous, menacing knife in Luk's hand, his body trembling uncontrollably.

With tears welling up in his eyes, he looked at Pepper, "Pepper, there's something I've always wanted to tell you, but I never found the right moment."

"Don't say it."

Pepper held his hand, looking at him with deep affection, "I understand everything."

"Pepper..."

Tony's spirits lifted for a moment, but then he heard her cold, professional voice.

"You've always worried that if something happened to you, no one would take care of Stark Industries, right? Don't worry, I'll take good care of your business, and so will Happy."

She suddenly glanced shyly at Happy, who pulled her into his arms and gave Tony a guilty look.

"Sorry, Tony. It's not that I don't consider you a brother, but Pepper is just too irresistible. You kept dragging your feet, and I couldn't hold back anymore."

Tony's eyes widened in shock. This was impossible!

He and Pepper were just one step away from a relationship!

He thought he wouldn't give up the forest for a single tree, but hearing they were together still sent a wave of profound sorrow through him.

But he didn't have time to wallow in his pain, as Luk approached with an anesthetic in one hand and the knife in the other.

...

After returning to the modern world, Tony called an impromptu press conference without consulting anyone, announcing the shutdown of Stark Industries' weapons division. This decision caused a massive uproar, even more severe than the "Sonic Stark" incident.

The weapons division accounted for nearly half of Stark Industries' revenue, and the announcement led to a sharp decline in the company's stock and related industries.

The company's shareholders, led by Obadiah, were furious. No one was happy about losing a significant portion of their assets, even if Tony claimed he would develop new technologies.

America had built its wealth on war, and weapon sales were both profitable and stable. They would not allow Tony to make such a decision without their consent.

But Tony had no intention of backing down. Instead, he stayed home and began working on the development of new armor, which left many people frustrated.

Pepper and the others were willing to support Tony, even if his actions seemed a bit crazy to others. However, he should at least explain his decision to the public, reassure the company's internal stakeholders, and outline a new direction for Stark Industries.

Thus, the stage was set for this dramatic scene.

"You have a serious problem that requires a major surgery."

Luk's expression was grave, "My treatment plan involves cutting open your chest, removing the shrapnel, and then healing you."

Tony felt a chill run down his spine and wanted to refuse, but the others desperately tried to persuade him, showering him with praise.

"Be brave, you're Tony Stark!"

"That's not the Tony I know."

"Do you not trust my medical skills?"

"Exactly! Do you not believe in Luk's superpowers? He saved me when I was on the brink of death!"

Under the barrage of flattery and moral pressure, Tony reluctantly climbed onto the operating table, only to see Luk raise the knife that could cut him in half.

...

"He passed out."

Luk poked Tony's head, confirming his state.

Happy released Pepper and smiled, "I never thought I'd see the day when Tony gets scared into unconsciousness. This will keep me laughing for a year."

He wasn't actually involved with Pepper; this was a last-minute addition to the act, clearly intended to provoke Tony. Pepper had grown tired of Tony's constant flirting without commitment and decided to give him a push.

Unfortunately, he only fainted, and Luk sighed in disappointment. He had hoped to collect a photo of Tony wetting the bed, like his predecessors, but under normal circumstances, Tony wouldn't be that embarrassed.

Placing his palm on Tony's chest, a series of squelching and squirming sounds filled the room as a bloody mass was expelled from his body.

"Truly incredible."

Ethan marveled, finding Luk's methods a blasphemy against modern medicine every time he saw them.

After returning, Ethan joined Stark Industries as Tony's personal physician, a position that was mostly honorary due to Luk's presence, allowing him to relax and collect a paycheck.

Pepper, seeing the situation resolved, had Ethan and Happy help her carry Tony out.

"Thank you, Luk. Feel free to visit Stark Industries anytime."

Recently, Obadiah and the others had been pressuring Tony more and more, even considering a plan to oust him, leaving her overwhelmed with work.

She also began to harbor some suspicions about Obadiah, but Tony always regarded Obadiah as a close uncle, so when she mentioned it, Tony just dismissed it as her overthinking.

Living feels so exhausting.

...

In Kamar-Taj, the Ancient One was lounging in a recliner, sipping tea leisurely.

Thanks to his fearsome... no, his illustrious reputation, Earth was still in a peaceful phase. The protective barriers of the three sanctums prevented powerful foes from invading, and the junior mages under his command could handle the occasional minor threats. Now that he had found Luke, who could take over some of his duties, his life was quite comfortable.

Luke, the elf, was a completely different kind of hardworking individual compared to his original self. He was deeply interested in magic and proved to be an excellent assistant. He quickly learned most of Kamar-Taj's spells and even made some modifications to a few of them.

Suddenly, the Ancient One furrowed his brow and looked up at the sky.

He sighed as he rose from the recliner. The Eye of Agamotto flew out from the secret chamber and hung around his neck, while the Book of Cagliostro appeared in his hands from the depths of the library.

In an instant, his ordinary mage robes transformed into a magnificent, pure white robe adorned with countless stars, turning him from a seemingly unremarkable old man with a white beard into the enigmatic and powerful Sorcerer Supreme. The space in front of him rapidly folded, revealing a massive palace.

Inside the palace were several rooms, each containing countless powerful magical seals. From these seals, pairs or countless pairs of terrifying eyes would occasionally emerge.

Dimensional demons, alien deities, extraterrestrial fiends, ancient lifeforms, and hell lords—each of these sealed enemies was incredibly powerful, capable of easily destroying Earth!

These were the foes he had defeated and sealed over the long years, a wall of honor for his glorious deeds.

After preparing everything, the Ancient One straightened his expression and waved his right hand, releasing a powerful wave of magic. A massive magical screen unfolded before him.

On the screen, a grand hall and towering statues stood against a backdrop of majestic mountains, with a vibrant rainbow spanning the entire realm. It felt like stepping into a fairy tale's enchanted land.

At the center, the one-eyed king, Odin, looked solemn and exuded an aura of authority. He wore the Destroyer armor, held the powerful artifact, the Eternal Spear, and rode an eight-legged steed, with two ravens of death circling in the sky.

The master of Asgard, the ruler of the Nine Realms—Odin!

The two figures on the screen gazed at each other across the vast expanse of space, each trying to outdo the other in terms of presence and authority.

The two powerful auras clashed across the galaxy but, through their mutual understanding, did not disturb anyone, whether it was the warriors of Asgard or the ordinary people on Earth.

"Supreme Sorcerer, it has been a while."

After a long moment, Odin spoke, his voice grand and layered, carrying the authority of a god.

"King Odin, it hasn't been that long. You contacted me twelve years ago."

The Ancient One's voice also became unusually aged, filled with the wisdom accumulated from traversing countless times and exploring countless stars.

Twelve years may seem long, but for the two of them, it was just a fleeting moment in their long lives.

"What brings you to me this time, King?"

"It's not a major matter. My son Thor has been shining brightly in the conflicts of the Nine Realms, single-handedly quelling the rebellions in Alfheim and Nidavellir. He shows much of my own spirit from long ago."

Odin spoke calmly, explaining the reason for his contact.

The Ancient One: ...

"Thor, the God of Thunder, indeed has the spirit of a king."

Damn, I thought it was something important, but it turns out you're just showing off your son.

Your Nine Realms are already under your control, with Heimdall watching over the Bifrost Bridge day and night.

As soon as some insignificant rebels start to cause trouble, you send your son to deal with them. What's so challenging about that?

What's so great about a thousand-year-old brat?

You keep showing off, showing off, what are you trying to prove?

All day long, "My son Thor has the potential of a king," I don't see what's so praiseworthy. Isn't it just because your side has an advantage and my mages don't have anyone to match him?

Thinking this, the Ancient One's gaze pierced through space and landed on Luke's clinic, where his chosen successor was lounging in a recliner, sipping tea leisurely.

It's unbearable to watch!

For someone like that to be his chosen successor, he might as well donate his eyes to Odin.

"Tomorrow, I will be holding a victory banquet for Thor in Asgard. If the Sorcerer does not find my humble abode too poor, I invite you to join us."

Odin stood with his back to the beautiful, picturesque Asgard, his tone sincere.

Following the usual protocol, the Ancient One would decline once, then Odin would invite him again, and the Ancient One would decline once more before Odin reluctantly nodded, indicating he wouldn't insist further.

The Ancient One slowly said, "That sounds good. I've recently chosen a successor myself, and it would be a fine opportunity for us to exchange ideas."

Odin: ( Flame )



The king furrowed his brow.

This script is all wrong!

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end