Chapter 34
Asgard Golden Palace Hall
The golden dome soared into the clouds. Radiant light poured through stained glass, scattering across the central hall.
Handmaidens stood in reverent lines, holding golden trays laden with immortal fruits and mead.
Thor led Yang Jian and Wanda into the hall, his face still carrying a trace of confusion.
He opened his mouth to speak, but King Odin and Queen Frigga had already descended slowly from the throne, gentle smiles on their faces.
"Welcome, guests from afar." Odin's voice was deep and majestic, yet carried a rare warmth.
Frigga's gaze fell on Wanda; surprise flickered in her eyes: "The aura of chaos magic."
Thor froze: "Father? They—"
Odin raised a hand: "Thor, leave us for now."
Thor opened his mouth, then simply gave a slight nod.
Before turning to leave, he couldn't help glancing back at Yang Jian—clearly puzzled by his father's demeanor.
The handmaidens swiftly pulled chairs for Yang Jian and Wanda, offering the palace's finest wines and delicacies.
Wanda sat down carefully. Scarlet magic stirred faintly within her, seeming excited by the dense divine energy around them.
Odin took his seat. His single eye fixed on Yang Jian: "So, what brings the two of you to Asgard?"
Yang Jian gave a slight smile: "To visit—and to learn."
"Learn?" Frigga raised an elegant brow.
"Asgard's magic is renowned across the Nine Realms." Yang Jian said calmly.
"Especially your illusions and rune magic, Queen Frigga—they are truly captivating."
Odin and Frigga exchanged a glance, communicating silently.
After a moment, Frigga smiled softly: "Magic is normally a closely guarded secret, but…"
She looked at Wanda and Yang Jian: "The two of you possess great power. Perhaps we can learn from each other."
Wanda's eyes brightened: "Really?"
Odin nodded slowly: "Asgard welcomes powerful allies, not enemies."
His single eye narrowed meaningfully: "Especially guests who can so easily tear through spatial barriers."
Yang Jian raised his cup in salute: "Then thank you for your hospitality."
Frigga rose gracefully: "Starting tomorrow, I will personally guide you in the mysteries of magic."
Wanda looked at Yang Jian in delighted surprise. He simply gave her hand a gentle squeeze, eyes smiling.
The handmaidens stepped forward again to refill the wine. The hall filled with harmonious warmth, like a banquet where host and guests enjoyed each other's company.
After the feast ended, Odin raised a hand to signal Yang Jian to stay.
He looked at Frigga and nodded slightly: "Take our guests to see Asgard's sights."
Frigga understood. She extended a gentle hand to Wanda: "Come with me, child. You'll love the palace gardens."
Wanda looked at Yang Jian. He gave a light nod: "Queen Frigga's magic is very powerful. This is a rare opportunity."
Once they left, the golden doors of the side hall closed silently. Odin's single eye fixed on Yang Jian, gaze profound.
"I cannot see through you." Odin's voice was low.
"The energy flowing in your body does not belong to the Nine Realms. It is neither divine power nor magic—yet purer than both."
Yang Jian stood before the floor-to-ceiling window, gazing at the radiant Immortal Palace in the distance: "Me? Just a passing Superman."
"Superman?" Odin frowned. The word sounded foreign in Asgard's tongue.
Beyond the window, the Rainbow Bridge's light cut across the sky, reflecting the divine realm's splendor.
Odin walked to Yang Jian's side, overlooking his kingdom together: "What do you think of Asgard?"
"Powerful. Beautiful." Yang Jian said calmly. "But not eternal."
Odin's brow furrowed: "What have you seen?"
"I've seen nothing." Yang Jian turned to face him.
"But I know what you fear—Ragnarok, isn't it?"
Odin's single eye contracted sharply.
This was Asgard's deepest taboo—a prophecy even Thor had never been told.
"How do you know this?!"
"Prophecies come true because the power to break them is lacking." Yang Jian cut him off. Golden light flowed in his eyes.
"All-Father, if one is strong enough, Ragnarok is nothing but a joke."
Odin was silent for a long time. Finally, he spoke slowly: "What do you want?"
"A deal." Yang Jian looked straight at the All-Father.
"If Ragnarok ever arrives in the future, I will intervene. In exchange—the Solar Godhead."
Odin's grip tightened on Gungnir. The staff's base struck the floor with a dull boom.
The air in the side hall seemed to solidify.
"That is Balder's legacy!"
"It's also the only bargaining chip you have worth offering." Yang Jian's tone was calm.
"Besides, it's useless in your hands."
Odin's breathing grew heavier.
His single eye stared fixedly at Yang Jian, trying to find any flaw in this mysterious visitor.
But all he saw was an unfathomable ocean of energy.
That seemingly human body contained power far greater than his own.
"How can you guarantee you can stop Ragnarok?"
Yang Jian smiled: "Because I am stronger than so-called Ragnarok."
Outside the window, Thor seemed to sense his father's emotional turmoil and paced restlessly in the distance.
Odin let out a long breath. The light on his staff gradually calmed.
"Before you leave Asgard," the All-Father's voice was hoarse.
"I will give you the Godhead."
Yang Jian gave a slight nod and turned toward the door.
Just before pushing it open, he said without looking back:
"Rest assured, Odin. Your kingdom will endure—until it chooses its own end."
In the distance came the sound of Wanda and Frigga's laughter, while Thor strode toward them, face full of confusion.
Thor pushed open the heavy golden doors and strode into the hall.
His father Odin stood with his back to him, single eye gazing at the eternal twilight beyond the window. Gungnir rested quietly at his side.
"Father." Thor bowed slightly, voice carrying a trace of confusion.
"Why are we treating that Midgardian with such courtesy?"
Odin did not turn. His ancient, majestic voice echoed through the hall: "Thor, strength can win wars, but wisdom sustains kingdoms."
He slowly turned; his single eye reflected his son's figure. "To be a worthy king, you need not only the power of thunder, but reliable allies."
Thor frowned: "You mean that Midgardian?"
"He is far more than a Midgardian." Odin walked toward the throne, fingers tracing the patterns on his staff.
"His power is beyond even my sight."
Thor looked up in shock: "Impossible! You are the All-Father!"
"Precisely why I understand his value more clearly." Odin cut him off.
"Go. Take him and the witch to the library, and allow them each to choose one treasure from the vault."
Thor opened his mouth, seeming to want to argue, but ultimately only gripped Mjölnir tighter: "As you command, Father."
He turned and strode out, cape billowing behind him.
Just as he was about to step out of the hall, Odin's voice came again.
"Thor, remember—a true king knows to forge alliances before the storm arrives."
Thor's footsteps paused slightly. Then he closed the heavy doors with a resounding thud.
Immortal Palace Corridor
Thor found Yang Jian and Wanda. Frigga was showing Wanda how to weave chaos magic into Asgardian rune patterns.
Scarlet and golden energy intertwined in the air like a silent fireworks display.
"Mother." Thor bowed, then looked at Yang Jian.
"Father commands me to take you to the library and treasury."
Wanda looked at Yang Jian in delighted surprise. He only gave a slight smile: "Let's go, Thunder God."
The three passed through corridors inlaid with star maps. Thor remained mostly silent along the way.
Only when the massive golden doors of the library appeared did he suddenly speak.
"What did you use to bewitch my father?"
Yang Jian raised an eyebrow: "Honesty and strength."
Thor was speechless. He pushed open the library doors.
Thousands upon thousands of ancient tomes floated in the air, emanating ancient magical radiance.
Wanda sucked in a breath. Her chaos magic instinctively resonated with the scrolls; several high-level spell books flew automatically toward her.
"The treasury is on the next level." Thor began to explain.
"Choose what you want and that's it."
His words abruptly stopped.
Yang Jian was standing before a mural depicting the prophecy of Ragnarok.
The flame giant Surtr wielded the Twilight Sword; the entire Immortal Palace collapsed in a sea of fire.
"Do you know what this mural is missing?" Yang Jian suddenly asked.
Thor frowned: "What?"
"A variable."
Yang Jian's fingertip lightly traced across the mural. A thread of golden light seeped into the painting.
In an instant, the entire mural twisted slightly. Amid the flames, the faint outline of a figure in a black cape appeared—single-handedly blocking Surtr's giant sword.
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