MTS: Marvel and Beyond

Chapter 187: Chapter 187: Multiverse Level

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Alex glanced at his portal skill, which was about to level up. At level 5, the portal could establish long-lasting gates within different universes of the same world. Surely, at level 6, it would allow the creation of stable portals between entirely different worlds.

Confidently, Alex said,

"Don't worry. Of course, you'll be able to come back anytime you want."

Alex's assurance completely eliminated everyone's concerns. Even Xu Si, the head of the Express Delivery Company, hesitated for a moment before resigning his position. He wanted to join Alex's Multiversal Travelers Alliance.

This was no ordinary opportunity—it was a multiverse-level organization! Missing out on this might mean missing out forever.

Afterward, everyone dispersed to attend to their own matters, leaving Alex, Zhang Chulan, Feng Xingtong, and Feng Baobao to continue forward.

As they walked, Feng Xingtong began explaining Zhang Chulan's opponents in the tournament. Eventually, they stopped in front of two people locked in a standoff.

Ahead of them, a man with blue hair wearing a suit jacket faced off against Zhang Lingyu.

Feng Xingtong introduced the scene to Zhang Chulan: "Your real opponents are these two. One is Zhuge Qing, the heir of the Wu Hou family, and the other is your old acquaintance, Zhang Lingyu!"

Seeing the two ahead, Zhang Chulan couldn't muster any confidence in defeating them. So, once again, he turned to Alex and pleaded:

"Boss, come on! I'm already one of your employees. Can't you give me a little help here?"

Alex refused without hesitation:

"No. If you win easily with my help, then the tournament would be too boring.

This is a show I've been looking forward to for a long time. I'm not going to let you ruin it."

Though Zhang Chulan had anticipated this response, he still sighed in disappointment. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

If Alex were willing to help, Zhang Chulan would have absolute confidence in winning. But now, he had no choice but to rely on himself.

Still, aside from winning, Zhang Chulan discovered another possible path to uncover the truth: making Alex laugh.

If he could amuse Alex, satisfy his sense of humor, and lift his spirits, there was a chance Alex might reveal the secret of the Koshin War.

Zhang Chulan firmly believed that what seemed like a profound and unfathomable mystery to him was, in Alex's eyes, nothing more than a trivial ripple in the vast river of time!

As Alex and his group approached, Zhang Lingyu and Zhuge Qing simultaneously paused their actions, turning to look at them.

When Zhang Lingyu saw Alex, his expression drastically changed. He immediately stepped forward, bowed deeply, and respectfully said:

"Zhang Lingyu greets the Grandmaster. Previously, I was disrespectful, but I didn't expect the Patriarch to not hold a grudge. Instead, you allowed my life and cultivation to improve significantly. I am profoundly grateful!"

Seeing Zhang Lingyu's reverence, Alex chuckled and replied:

"Actually, I did hold a grudge. I put you into a state of stupor. If you hadn't reached an epiphany on your own, you might have remained in that sleep indefinitely, with your soul eventually fading away.

So, in the end, your breakthrough was the result of your own efforts. I merely gave you a little push."

Despite Alex's words, Zhang Lingyu bowed again and said, "Still, I must thank you, Grandmaster. Without your test, I would never have been able to overcome the confusion in my heart and truly understand myself!"

Alex waved his hand dismissively.

"Alright, think about it however you want."

Standing nearby, Zhang Chulan looked at Zhang Lingyu with a mixture of exasperation and disbelief.

This guy was so arrogant when dealing with him, but in front of Alex, he was... well, a total bootlicker! Zhang Chulan hadn't expected someone as seemingly proud as Zhang Lingyu to treat people so differently.

But Zhang Chulan also understood—Alex was no ordinary person. First, he was Zhang Lingyu's Patriarch, making any amount of respect entirely justified. Second, Alex's strength was nothing short of awe-inspiring—overwhelming power that transcended the world, the universe, and even reason itself.

In short, Zhang Lingyu desperately wanted to improve.

Even though Zhuge Qing had never seen Alex's face before, he instantly recognized who Alex was. He stepped forward alongside Zhang Lingyu, bowed deeply, and introduced himself: "Zhuge Qing, heir of the Wu Hou family, greets the great Benevolent Immortal Alex!"

Alex nodded slightly and said,

"No need for formalities—just kneel and bow."

"Uh?" Zhuge Qing thought he must have misheard, but a quick glance at everyone else's expressions confirmed that he hadn't. Just as he was about to actually kneel, Alex continued with a smirk:

"Relax, I was just joking. Kid, you don't mind, right?"

Zhuge Qing quickly responded,

"Not at all, not at all! Having the chance to bow before the great Benevolent Immortal would be an honor—many would envy the karmic connection!"

Zhuge Qing didn't dare look directly at Alex, only stealing glances from the corners of his eyes. He realized that Alex was nothing like what he had imagined. This Benevolent Immortal wasn't the stern elder he had pictured.

At that moment, a chubby man in a pink shirt came running from a distance. Sliding on his knees when he got close, he knelt before Alex and bowed repeatedly, saying:

"Great Benevolent Immortal! I have admired you for so long. May I ask, do you see any potential in me? Is there a chance you would accept me as a disciple?"

Feng Xingtong, wide-eyed, dragged the man up and scolded him to stop pestering Alex. "Canglong, you're utterly shameless! Kneeling like that the moment you meet the boss—anyone would think he's not the Patriarch of the Taoist Master Hall but your actual ancestor!"

Canglong didn't mind Feng Xingtong's sarcasm. Instead, he keenly picked up on a key detail from Feng's words: "Boss, why do you call the Benevolent Immortal Alex 'boss'?

Could it be that the Benevolent Immortal has started a company in the mortal world? Can I join?"

"Uh..." Feng Xingtong realized he had misspoken and awkwardly tried to change the subject. He didn't dare make promises to Canglong—after all, even his own position in Alex's Multiverse Traveler Alliance wasn't secured yet.

At that moment, Alex laughed and said: "After the Tournament ends, I'll hold an interview event at the Taoist Mansion. Anyone who meets the qualifications is welcome to attend.

But my standards are high. Apart from those I personally appreciate, only the most exceptional beings will pass the test. So don't get your hopes up too much."

Canglong's face lit up. As long as there was an interview, he believed he could pass. While his combat abilities weren't impressive, his skills in gathering intelligence and information were unmatched in the world of the Outcast. He was confident this talent alone could earn him a place in Alex's organization.

Alex's words didn't just excite Canglong; the surrounding crowd was equally thrilled. Although they hadn't witnessed Alex's abilities firsthand, a Patriarch acknowledged by the Taoist Hall and rumored to have lived for millennia was undeniably formidable. Joining Alex's company would be almost equivalent to entering a prestigious sect.

One by one, people exclaimed:

"After the Tournament, we will definitely come to support the Benevolent Immortal!"

Suddenly, a commotion broke out. The crowd instinctively parted, making way for several figures approaching from a distance. Someone gasped: "It's some of the Ten Elders! But who is that leading them? He looks no older than his twenties—why is he at the forefront?"

Among them, a few elderly beings studied the leader closely. Suddenly, one of them exclaimed in shock:

"Wait a second—what's going on? That man looks exactly like the Taoist Master in his youth!"

The other elders also noticed and were equally stunned. "Could it be... is he a descendant of the Taoist Master?"

"That's not right. We've never heard of the Master starting a family!"

"I have a bold theory," one of them hesitated before continuing. "Could it be that the Heavenly Master has reached an entirely new, unfathomable level, just like the Benevolent Immortal Alex, achieving immortality?"

At this suggestion, everyone fell silent and turned to look at the Taoist Master, awaiting his explanation.

The Taoist Master stroked his now jet-black beard, smiled, and said:

"That's right. Due to the recent transformation of heaven and earth, the total amount of spiritual energy has increased tenfold. As a result, my power has grown significantly, allowing me to regain my youth."

When the Taoist Master confirmed the seemingly unbelievable theory, the crowd erupted into excited discussion.

If Alex's return after his ascension had felt surreal, like a dream, then the Taoist Master's apparent rejuvenation brought the idea of immortality firmly into reality. It was no longer just a myth or the fantasy of ancient people—it was real and attainable!

The Taoist Master, accompanied by several of the Ten Elders, approached Alex. Bowing deeply, he said: "We greet the Benevolent Immortal Alex!"

Alex nodded slightly in acknowledgment and replied:

"Rise."

Suddenly, Alex turned his gaze toward a short, chubby man among the Ten Elders. This must be Wang Ai. Alex could sense a dense malice emanating from him.

If his assumptions were correct, Wang Ai would make a move against him once the Tournament concluded. What remained uncertain was what kind of method Wang Ai would use.

Alex glanced at him briefly before averting his eyes. Although Wang Ai was sinister, he was also cautious. If he became suspicious and decided not to act, the fun would be ruined. Without proper buildup, simply slapping the Wang family into oblivion would be far too dull.

Noticing that everyone except the Taoist Master was eyeing him curiously, Alex waved his hand dismissively and said to the Heavenly Master: "Zhang Zhiwei, go handle your responsibilities. I don't want to be disturbed by too many people."

The Taoist Master bowed deeply again and replied, "As you command!"

He then led the other Ten Elders to the stage and announced the official start of the Tournament.

The participants began drawing lots to determine their upcoming opponents. Meanwhile, the Taoist Master and a few elders returned to Alex, who had moved to a quieter location away from the crowd.

This time, the Taoist Master pushed an elderly man forward and bowed deeply once more. "Patriarch, this is my junior brother, Tian Jinzhong. Decades ago, he was grievously harmed by treachery and is now crippled. I humbly ask you to restore his body in light of his decades of tireless dedication to the Taoist Master Hall."

Alex lightly tapped the air, and the RCT activated on Tian Jinzhong. His body underwent rapid transformation—his limbs regrew, and his injuries healed completely.

In just a few moments, Tian Jinzhong was fully restored.

Alex then voiced his curiosity:

"Among the Eight Arts, the Hands of Creation has the ability to shape both flesh and soul. If a practitioner of the Hands of Creation were present, they could have easily restored Tian Jinzhong's body. So why didn't you use the Hands of Creation to heal him?"

The Taoist Master explained:

"Since the chaos of the Koshin War, the Hands of Creation has been lost. No one today can wield it."

Alex shook his head.

"From what I know, the Lü family's Soul Illumination Technique is part of the Hands of Creation. Once the Soul Illumination Technique fully awakens, it will manifest as the complete Hands of Creation. Any practitioner of the Hands of Creation can easily shape flesh and soul at will, making it possible to restore Tian Jinzhong's body effortlessly."

Before the Heavenly Master could respond, Lü Ci, a man with a scar running across his face, was stunned.

"What? The Soul Illumination Technique can awaken into the Hands of Creation? Apologies, Immortal, I lost my composure. I only knew that the Soul Illumination Technique was a part of the Hands of Creation. Ever since my Lü family inherited the Soul Illumination Technique, no one has ever awakened it into the full Hands of Creation."

Hearing this revelation, Lü Ci's respect for the Soul Illumination Technique deepened. He also recalled his grandson, Lü Liang, and resolved to bring him back after the tournament to explore this potential.

After expressing his gratitude to Alex, Tian Jinzhong left with the Taoist Master and the others to oversee the Tournament.

Alex altered his appearance to avoid attracting unnecessary attention and went to the spectator stands to watch the matches while continuing to practice his skills.

The first match featured Feng Baobao against Zhang Cai, Guan Ling'er, and Liu Fang. Having been taught a harsh lesson by Feng Baobao in the past, the trio immediately surrendered upon seeing her as their opponent, allowing her to secure an easy victory.

Subsequently, Zhang Lingyu and others also won their matches with minimal effort.

When it was Zhang Chulan's turn, his protagonist aura came into play, lowering his opponents' intelligence and causing them to turn on each other. In the end, a blue-haired young man emerged victorious from the infighting.

Zhang Chulan then cunningly convinced the young man to meditate in the arena to recover his energy, promising not to attack during his rest. However, Zhang Chulan broke his promise, attacking while the young man meditated and defeating him easily.

Zhang Chulan's underhanded tactics earned him the nickname "Shameless Zhang," which quickly spread following this battle.

After Zhang Chulan's match, it was Zhuge Qing's turn. Facing three random opponents, Zhuge Qing also achieved an effortless victory.

At the same time that Zhuge Qing won, Alex, seated in the spectator stands, suddenly raised an eyebrow. One of his skills had just leveled up again—this time, it was a skill of even greater significance than the others.

[Third Tree · Abyss EXP +1]

[Third Tree · Abyss EXP +1]

[Third Tree · Abyss EXP +1]

...

[Congratulations! Your skill "Third Tree · Abyss" has leveled up!]

[Third Tree · Abyss lv4 (1/5000): You have transcended the abyss, merging magical technology with the soul and integrating all the abilities of the Unknown Wings. You now wield the power of the phase, providing extraordinary amplification to the user. Attacks ignore immortality.]

With the upgrade of the Third Tree · Abyss, Alex's power officially ascended to the level of the multiversal levels of power.

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