Karl walked over to the stone tablet Thor had just mentioned—the one supposedly connected to Atlantis.
Since there had never been an Atlantis civilization on Earth in the modern era, Karl couldn't help feeling curious about what this object really was.
He carefully examined the strange symbols carved into the tablet.
None of the characters resembled any known language.
After a moment, Karl suddenly remembered something.
He could simply use the system to analyze it.
[Celestial Evolution Stone]
A relic left on Earth by the Celestials in ancient times. Later discovered by Asgard and stored within Odin's Vault.
This stone grants access to a method of advancing to the Single-Universe Level.
Using two or more Infinity Stones allows the stone to merge with the user's body, granting control over the evolution and enhancement of the body.
When all six Infinity Stones are used together, the stone's full power is unlocked and the user gains the conditions required to advance to the Single-Universe Level.
Karl froze after reading the system's annotation.
This tablet actually contained a method for reaching the Single-Universe Level.
Based on the description, it seemed that reaching a certain level of power alone was not enough to be considered truly single-universe level.
The level of life itself also had to evolve.
Even if a Skyfather-level being gathered all six Infinity Stones, they might only reach what could be called a pseudo single-universe level.
In other words—
They would possess attack power at the single-universe level.
But their life level and soul would not truly evolve to that tier.
This tablet was different.
It could directly evolve life and the soul itself to the single-universe level.
Karl couldn't help smiling.
He had not expected that this artifact was not an Atlantean relic at all, but rather the Celestial Evolution Stone Tablet.
This time, he had truly struck gold.
"Thor."
"I'll take this stone tablet and the Casket of Ancient Winters."
Karl casually lifted both objects with telekinesis.
"Let's go."
At the same time, he was already anticipating what the tablet might allow him to do.
Thor looked at him with confusion.
"Why don't you choose something else?"
He scratched his head.
"Even my father couldn't understand that tablet."
"You might end up taking something completely useless."
He pointed toward another pedestal.
"You could take the Eternal Flame instead. At least that has practical uses."
"Or even a branch of the World Tree."
"If you want, I could ask the dwarves to forge a weapon for you using it."
Thor was genuinely trying to help.
From his perspective, Karl was wasting a valuable opportunity.
Karl simply smiled.
"It's fine."
"I'm more interested in this one."
He knew Thor meant well, so he didn't mind explaining further.
After all—
Only Karl knew the true value of the tablet.
Thor could only sigh helplessly and nod.
"Alright."
"If that's what you want."
The group then began walking out of the vault.
As soon as they stepped outside, one of the guards approached Thor.
"The God-King requests that the honored guest come to the main hall."
Karl immediately understood.
Odin must have already learned that he had entered the vault.
So Karl and Thor walked toward the palace together.
When they arrived in the hall—
Odin was already seated on the throne.
"Father."
Thor knelt on one knee.
"Odin, God-King."
Karl simply nodded.
Black Phoenix didn't even acknowledge Odin.
She showed no interest whatsoever in the ruler of Asgard.
The only reason she had come here was because Karl was here.
Odin didn't seem to mind at all.
"Lord Karl."
Odin spoke calmly.
"You should be careful if you intend to collect the Infinity Stones."
"My father once left a prophecy."
"If all six Infinity Stones are gathered…"
"Something terrible may happen to the universe."
He paused before continuing.
"And there is someone in the universe who is currently pursuing those stones."
"He was also the one who manipulated Loki into leading an army against Earth."
Karl nodded slightly.
"Yes."
"I know who you're referring to."
"The Mad Titan—Thanos."
"He believes that the universe suffers from overpopulation and limited resources."
"So his solution is simple."
"To wipe out half of all life in existence."
Karl continued calmly.
"If he gathers all six Infinity Stones, he could erase half the life in the universe with a single act."
He shrugged.
"So it's safer for the stones to remain with me rather than with him."
Odin nodded slowly.
"Yes."
"That has been his method for many years."
"Every planet he conquers—he exterminates exactly half of the population."
"As long as the Ancient One and I are still alive, he does not dare invade Earth."
"But our time is limited."
Odin's voice grew quieter.
"I hope that in the future… you can help watch over Asgard."
Karl understood immediately.
Both Odin and the Ancient One knew their time was nearing its end.
They were already preparing for the future.
"King Odin."
Karl nodded.
"Thor is my friend."
"And I will always be a friend of Asgard."
In truth, Karl knew something very important.
Stopping Odin's decline would come at an extremely high cost.
Odin's power had likely already reached the pseudo single-universe level.
But he could not completely control the immense divine power inside his body.
If he unleashed that power recklessly, his attack might truly reach pseudo single-universe destructive power.
As for the Ancient One—
She had simply grown tired of life.
She was ready to die and move on to another existence.
These outcomes were inevitable.
Even Karl could not easily interfere with them.
Soon afterward, the group left the palace.
Thor's expression looked troubled.
The reason was simple.
Even Asgard had no way to remove the Aether from Jane's body.
Her life force was still being drained.
Although Karl had given her dragon bone essence, that was only a temporary solution.
If the situation continued long enough—
Jane's life would eventually be completely consumed.
This was something Thor absolutely could not accept.
After saying goodbye to Karl, Thor hurried toward the medical chamber.
Karl knew he had gone to see Jane again.
So he said nothing.
Instead, he walked away with Black Phoenix, quietly admiring the scenery of Asgard.
With a beautiful woman beside him and magnificent landscapes around him—
Karl felt unusually relaxed.
He casually pulled Black Phoenix into his arms.
After returning to the guest residence, Karl took out the Celestial Evolution Stone Tablet.
Black Phoenix watched him with curiosity.
Even she could not sense anything special about the stone tablet.
But she said nothing.
She simply observed quietly.
Karl then took out two Infinity Stones:
The Mind Stone.
And the Tesseract containing the Space Stone.
He began channeling the rule-based energy within them.
That energy slowly flowed into the stone tablet.
At the same time, Karl used his mental power to bind himself to the artifact.
Thirty minutes later—
The stone tablet began to transform.
It condensed into a small jade tablet glowing with green light.
Then it suddenly flew forward—
And merged directly into Karl's body.
The moment it entered him—
Karl felt every cell in his body begin to rejoice.
His physical energy became far more stable.
His power completely stabilized at the sub–Skyfather level.
More importantly—
Karl could clearly feel the jade tablet slowly evolving his genes and cells.
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