Reynolds felt a chill in his heart, as if he had heard an extremely terrifying death sentence.
He looked at Adam with a face full of terror. "Your words make me think of countless vampires who were chest-bursted by Xenomorphs."
"Don't worry. You're someone I've chosen. I won't let you end up like those vampires. You're completely different from them."
Adam naturally knew what Reynolds was thinking and simply sent out a calming psychic wave.
He wouldn't choose to chest-burst Reynolds. There would be no point in doing so.
If he really got desperate and killed the current Reynolds to turn him into a complete Xenomorph, it was hard to say how much strength and potential that Xenomorph would actually have.
At least not enough to deal with Dormammu right now.
The Ancient One also looked over with interest. She was very curious about the powerful weapon Adam had mentioned.
"His power comes from a pocket universe. How do you plan to amplify his capacity?"
"There are ways, but the success rate is an issue. I can only try."
Adam was also observing Reynolds's full condition, hesitating in his heart. Honestly, if he had any other choice, he really didn't want to take this step.
The path of the Trinity Sentry.
The Sentry's strongest form... as seen in Earth-616, for example... was the human Bob, the heroic persona Reynolds, and the dark persona Void, all fused into one as the red Sentry, stacking the power of a million exploding suns in both positive and negative directions.
Such a Sentry ranked among the strongest single-universe entities across the entire multiverse.
But looking at this universe's Sentry... who should have died young but was born due to Adam's intervention and currently only had the Reynolds persona... Adam needed to find two more personas to unlock the Sentry's maximum potential.
But who should he find? And what was the success rate of fusion?
"The Bob persona was born because the Earth-616 universe's reaper, Doctor Strange, helped, combined with Reynolds himself wanting to restrain his out-of-control Void persona. That's why he began living normally under Bob's identity while wearing Reynolds's body."
"The Void persona is either a power entity from the pocket universe or a split personality born from Reynolds's madness."
Adam had always had a contingency plan in mind. Now was the time to use it.
Adam didn't have Bob and Void personas, but he could find a way to create two new ones.
"Reynolds, you don't even know how much potential is hidden inside you. My job is to activate that potential."
Adam sensed the psychic fluctuations emanating from the Xenomorph embryo in Reynolds's chest.
"That means fusing me, the Xenomorph embryo, and Reynolds... three personas stacked together... to strengthen this body's genetic and mental limits… This universe's Reynolds was born abnormally due to my interference and lacks a dark persona, so I'll manually create one."
Adam hadn't attempted this before and had only theorized it. Facing the threat of Dormammu now, he had to take the risk.
Moreover, this risk wasn't Adam remotely controlling from afar. He was personally participating. Without a reliable dominant consciousness to lead, relying on the timid Reynolds to muster the courage to fight Dormammu felt too uncertain to Adam.
What truly concerned Adam was that if this attempt succeeded, it would have even deeper significance.
"Although I don't know what you plan to do, I've mentally prepared myself." Reynolds was silent for a moment before speaking in a low voice. "I'm just not smart, not stupid. If you've decided to do something, I'll follow you to the end. Because I don't think I'm smarter than you. This power I have was only obtained because of the unknown methods you used."
"I'm honored to hear you say that, Reynolds. I can promise you one thing: I will never allow my subordinates to die for no reason."
Adam officially began the operation.
Notably, even now, Adam hadn't personally moved out. He was still controlling Druig and conversing with the Ancient One.
He also had no intention of sending his true self to the front lines right now. Some things no longer needed to be overthought.
In an instant, as terrifying black mist nearly covered the entire Earth, Reynolds's entire body erupted with brilliant golden light.
What stood out most was that a strong, distinct psychic fluctuation also appeared at his chest simultaneously.
It was as if something was about to break out of its shell but ultimately didn't. It simply maintained synchronization with the Sentry's mind, while additionally bearing the Sentry's power and attempting to stack on top of it.
Absolute coldness. Absolute rationality. Absolute execution. The Xenomorph began acquiring more power from the pocket universe in Reynolds's name.
Endless stellar energy surged in, precisely landing on the Sentry.
At this moment, the Sentry was essentially the gateway and coordinate for the pocket universe in this universe. Wherever he went was the entrance to the pocket universe.
But this was only the beginning.
The Ancient One, who had been observing, showed a subtle change in her eyes. She suddenly sensed a third psychic activity emerging on Reynolds.
At that moment, the Ancient One realized what Adam intended to do.
But Adam's method of transferring consciousness made the Ancient One suddenly think of a forbidden spell.
"Mind transfer from the Darkhold?!"
The Ancient One said in shock, looking at Reynolds, whose body was now radiating terrifying golden light straight into the sky.
"No, it's not mind transfer. I've never read the Darkhold. But I think the principle should be similar."
Adam's voice rang out. This time, it came from Reynolds's own body.
Reynolds's body trembled violently as he slowly raised his head. Though it was still Reynolds's face, the eyes and expression clearly belonged to Adam when one looked at him.
It wasn't Adam controlling Reynolds through the Xenomorph. It was Adam himself.
Using the Xenomorph embryo as the channel and spatial-temporal coordinate, Adam forcibly implanted his consciousness into Reynolds's body.
"I confirmed something long ago: I can link mentally with every Xenomorph in real time and perceive every host's words and actions through the embryo. This leads to a very interesting question: if my mind uses the Xenomorph embryo as a channel and anchor to directly invade a host's mind, what will happen?"
What belongs to the Xenomorphs belongs to Adam. Since the Xenomorph embryo possesses the host's genes and controls the host's mind, that is theoretically also Adam's.
The current "Reynolds" slowly raised his head. Three distinct consciousnesses existed simultaneously within his body... Adam, the Xenomorph, and Reynolds... and at this moment, they fused into one, with Adam's consciousness as the absolute dominant force.
Honestly, the process was extremely painful. After all, it was three completely different consciousnesses being forcibly fused while maintaining a cross-spatial-temporal connection. If not for Adam's supreme familiarity and control over Reynolds and the Xenomorph embryo's consciousness, it might have collapsed the instant the three minds merged.
It was too difficult. Even now, Adam constantly felt his mind bearing an almost crushing burden, and that pressure was increasing every moment, as if he were truly shouldering an entire universe in full rather than just a portion of the pocket universe that Reynolds had accessed before.
But the results were also enormously beneficial.
The three consciousnesses together completed a new reception of the power of a million exploding suns. The Sentry's power underwent a massive surge. The golden energy brewing within his body instantly doubled in scale and could display even greater strength as Adam directed it.
Every cell now radiated life force to its utmost, absorbing as much stellar power as possible.
When Adam thrust out his chest, the massive S at his waist twisted. As countless energies converged, it etched out a strange symbol resembling a Xenomorph curled into a circle with its head and tail connected.
The body he controlled had even expanded slightly, becoming even more muscular. Every fiber and muscle within it was filled with extraordinary power.
His originally golden form had also changed, gaining some silver-gray tones.
Those familiar with it knew this was the color of Xenomorphs.
"I have to say, you've surprised me again. I never imagined you would use Xenomorphs to create something similar to mind transfer."
The Ancient One repeatedly observed the current Adam, her face full of admiration.
It was too remarkable. Even as the Sorcerer Supreme, far surpassing Adam in absolute power and knowledge reserves, she had never considered that Xenomorphs could be used this way.
Mind transfer was a forbidden spell recorded in the Darkhold.
Theoretically, any life form born in the multiverse would have alternate selves in parallel universes... these were doppelgangers.
In this universe, one might be a hero, but in another, a criminal.
Using mind transfer allowed one's consciousness and soul to cross the barriers between universes and possess one's parallel self.
In the Ancient One's eyes, although Adam's current process of occupying Reynolds's body was clearly crude and unfamiliar, and the duration he could maintain the possession was a big question... unknown how long it would last before collapsing and having to dissipate this form... it clearly had the rudiments of mind transfer.
What was most astonishing was its safety and efficiency. Don't forget, using mind transfer... a high-level dark magic... required borrowing enormous power from Chthon and paying an enormous price. But Adam didn't need that. As long as the target of possession was a Xenomorph, it worked.
Theoretically, as long as there were Xenomorphs in a place and conditions were right, Adam could complete his descent this way.
Right now it was just on Earth. If somewhere in the universe there were also some Xenomorphs, could Adam cross countless star systems' vast distances to complete his descent?
Taking it further, if one day Adam used some method to secretly transport some Xenomorphs to a parallel universe, could he achieve cross-universe descent like true mind transfer?
After all, normal people using mind transfer still needed to spend time and effort first searching for and sensing the location of their doppelganger in another universe.
But Adam didn't need to. As long as there were Xenomorphs, he could extend his mind and will there.
Yes, achieving cross-universe descent would be extremely difficult. But any power that was constantly growing wouldn't become strong out of thin air. It required massive time and wisdom to refine.
The Ancient One was very optimistic about Adam and his Xenomorphs, but she kept having her understanding refreshed, constantly raising her evaluation of Adam and the Xenomorphs. She was truly starting to believe that Adam held many contingency plans in reserve. She also felt Adam would never use all his crisis contingency plans in a single battle.
No one knew how many cards Adam had hidden in his hand, nor when or under what circumstances he would play them.
"I now understand why you're so confident in yourself. It seems you've made plenty of preparations in private for various crises. But I'm still very curious... if someone killed your original body right now, would you live or die?" The Ancient One looked over curiously.
"Good question. Because I don't know either. I also don't want to be killed by some random being before I advance further. That's also why I keep making various crisis contingency plans."
Adam had naturally considered this question in private, but after thinking it over, the result was that he might die, but a portion of his mind might continue in carefully selected Xenomorphs. As for whether he would still be Adam or a Xenomorph with Adam's memories at that point, it was unknown.
But unless pushed to that point, who would know if this hypothesis was true or false? Adam wasn't about to commit suicide just to test it.
"No one can kill him. Absolutely no one." Druig, who had originally existed only as a communication tool, now spoke in a deep voice, his face somewhat frenzied.
Only Druig showed no surprise at Adam's consciousness descending into Reynolds's body and taking control. It seemed that no matter what happened, as long as it concerned Adam and the Xenomorphs, everything was natural and part of the universe's reasonable rules.
"Dormammu has arrived." Adam pointed at the sky.
In the sky, the massive crack had already revealed Dormammu's enormous head. Endless flames raged wildly, briefly raising the temperature of the endless vacuum outside Earth by a large margin.
Compared to the vast Dark Dimension, Earth seemed so tiny. This blue planet was wrapped in endless black mist, stared at by the demon lord from the dark crack, like a candle in the wind that could be swallowed at any moment.
But it was precisely this tiny planet that, in such terrifying despair, bloomed with faint light.
Over the years, how many planets had been swallowed by the Dark Dimension? The dead, barren stars and dried-up life-bearing worlds scattered throughout the Dark Dimension were proof.
Countless powerful beings turned their attention here as well.
The World Tree was especially prominent. The skyfathers of various worlds had already prepared themselves, ready to act against Dormammu at any moment.
The World Tree was the gods' World Tree, not the domain of those cosmic Celestials, dimensional demon lords, or hell demons.
But repelling Dormammu, the exact painful price that would need to be paid, and whether the remaining skyfathers could resist Dormammu after the death of the so-called "All-Father" and strongest skyfather Odin... all of this was unknown.
Other planets and worlds made the worst preparations. As the center of the storm, Earth naturally wouldn't remain idle either.
The Ancient One fought at the front.
S.H.I.E.L.D., which prided itself on being responsible for the globe and protecting the world, naturally took action immediately as well.
"Avengers, assemble!"
Accompanied by Steve's vigorous shout, several new Avengers gathered together. They stood on the Helicarrier's deck, looking up at the terrifying clash in the distance.
Even from thousands of miles away, they could feel the magic storm that pulverized everything.
The battle between humans and a demon lord shook the entire Earth.
This was the Avengers' first assembly... the first team operation for this newly formed alliance, the strongest team in Fury's mind.
"Wait, am I the only one who thinks this is wrong? Our first mission as human superheroes is to deal with an otherworldly god? Don't you all see any problem with this?"
Tony Stark stepped on the Helicarrier's deck. The solid feel beneath his feet brought him no comfort. His face dark, he looked left and right at the few people before him.
The serious-looking Captain America, the Hulk who looked ready to smash everything in his rage, Hawkeye holding a bow like an elven prince but otherwise useless, and Black Widow with a pale face and emaciated figure, looking like she had just recovered from a serious illness.
Tony racked his brain but couldn't understand why Fury had called these people together at this critical moment or what he wanted them to do.
What kind of logic would lead him to form this team called the Avengers, wanting them to accomplish something at this juncture? And who exactly were the Avengers supposed to avenge?
The otherworldly demon lord in space?
Tony had every reason to suspect that Fury's brain had been knocked stupid by a Xenomorph slap or had been quietly parasitized, and Adam wanted to use this opportunity to teach them all a lesson.
Steve's face also looked somewhat helpless. He knew this was an impossible mission, but his sense of duty to obey orders left him no choice.
"I didn't plan to send you to fight that otherworldly visitor. That's not an enemy you can handle. Nuclear warheads from around the world are already prepared and can be launched at any time. I think creating the best opportunity for nuclear launches and achieving the best destructive effect is what we can do." Fury said to the people before him.
Sometimes Fury wondered: if he had just one super-individual in his hands capable of standing alone, would he still be this anxious? Someone like Adam, for example?
If at the very beginning, when Blade had first contacted Adam, he had noticed Adam's special nature earlier and either killed him or recruited him, that would have been the correct choice.
Killing Adam early would have let Fury take over the Xenomorphs and instantly raise an army far stronger and more numerous than the current Avengers.
Recruiting Adam would have been even better. Although Adam probably wouldn't follow many of his orders, at least he could help solve some problems. That would be enough.
Instead, he had done neither and had lost S.H.I.E.L.D.'s credibility and Coulson's life in the process.
"The Sorcerer Supreme is fighting at the front. We must do everything in our power. We can't just watch countless humans being killed by otherworldly enemies."
"Haha, well said. Then why don't we switch? You join the Avengers, and I'll stand in your position. Trust me, my brain is definitely better than yours."
Tony mocked loudly, showing no respect at all.
If given many more years and大量资料 and knowledge, he felt he might be able to build an extremely powerful armor.
Fighting a god head-on? Okay, that was crazy, but not impossible.
But not now. Was he supposed to use the Mark 9 he had rushed to develop by working overtime to fight an otherworldly monster??
He had only been active for a little over a year since his debut. Where was he supposed to build an anti-god armor? That was pure fantasy.
Steve also looked helpless. He could only grip his indestructible shield tightly, suddenly wondering if such a powerful otherworldly visitor could break his shield.
But none of that mattered anymore. Steve had already prepared himself to die in this crisis.
Another terrifying boom rang out. Everyone looked up to see that vast swaths of outer space beyond Earth had already turned into endless haze.
One powerful magic after another clashed violently. The vivid light patterns across Earth continuously provided power to the Ancient One.
Just as everyone was filled with worry, as many of Earth's top powerhouses silently prepared for a desperate fight, something happened.
"Charles, what's wrong with you?"
Magneto noticed something odd about Professor X's expression.
"I saw that guy take action. Truly remarkable. He actually thought of using this method. It reminds me of Apocalypse, constantly transferring consciousness to gain endless life and powerful abilities. But the ability he developed is more complete than Apocalypse's method… However, I sense he is in extreme pain right now. He won't last long."
A look of astonishment appeared on Professor X's usually worried face.
Soon, Magneto also sensed that a life magnetic field of terrifying strength had suddenly appeared in the distance. It was as if a bright sun had suddenly risen on Earth, surging upward with terrifying force.
"So we don't need to fight desperately?" Jean Grey's eyes had almost completely transformed into a strange golden-red. The powerful telekinetic force around her spread uncontrollably, causing the surrounding mutants to back away in fear.
"Not for now, unless Adam also fails. At that point, it will be time for us to act without restraint. According to the plan, Destiny will prophesy the future for you and provide several reliable paths for action, directly attacking the enemy's body."
Everyone present turned to look at Destiny, who appeared very rarely.
This mutant was truly difficult to fathom. No one knew what was going through her head.
Destiny lowered her head. The nearly featureless mask tightly fitted to her face made it impossible to see her expression.
Only when the Xenomorphs were mentioned did Destiny tilt her head slightly, as if thinking about something.
Adam saw the battle fall into a brief stalemate and finally took action himself.
When Adam drove this body, forcibly unifying the three consciousnesses... including his own... and carrying the power of a million exploding suns without restraint while attempting to reverse and stack that power, he clearly felt the terrifying burden that nearly crushed him into nothingness.
"Even someone as strong as the Void in Earth-616 couldn't precisely control their own body for long periods. I understand why now."
Moreover, this was Adam's first time attempting something similar to mind transfer, directly transferring his consciousness from a human body to Reynolds's through the Xenomorph embryo.
Adam quickly assessed his condition and confirmed he wouldn't last long. But if he used this power to provide support for the Ancient One and make Dormammu feel a little pain, that should still be possible.
The next second, Adam's entire body shot straight into the sky. The terrifying impact force caused the entire Sanctum to shake violently. Some areas with weaker magical arrays immediately began to collapse.
Adam was like endless brilliant hope. His extreme dominance instantly tore through the black clouds covering Earth.
The red cloak of levitation clung tightly to his shoulders, its hem fluttering from time to time as it cooperated with Adam to the greatest extent, radiating magical energy.
"It's you? I once saw you from afar. At that time, I never put a mere ant like you in my eyes. But I never expected the ant from back then would grow into a strong ant."
Dormammu turned his direction and reached for Adam while continuing to battle the Ancient One. He tirelessly severed the Time Stone's influence on Him.
"I, this ant, am also very happy to bite this demon lord of yours to death."
Adam flew to the Ancient One's side. Countless magical patterns formed golden barriers around him, blocking all external intrusions.
Dormammu shifted direction and grabbed at Adam.
"Don't think I can't tell. You're the source of the Xenomorphs, not that so-called Queen! Kaecilius was wrong from the very beginning!"
Dormammu's eyes also began burning with hellfire.
He saw Adam's current state and knew Adam wasn't the original owner of this body but had used some method to complete a consciousness transfer.
"Mind transfer? Xenomorphs can be used like this?"
A deep greed flashed in Dormammu's eyes. He was already impatient to capture Adam and convert him into one of His followers... or better yet, strip the Xenomorphs from Adam and make the Xenomorphs His followers.
Originally, Dormammu had only wanted to capture all the Xenomorphs, decipher their genes and life traits, and then use dark magic to transform them, creating magical vessels capable of bearing different aspects of His power to complete His infiltration of Earth.
But seeing this scene now, He immediately changed His mind.
Since He could use mind transfer to perfectly descend into countless Xenomorphs, why bother creating magical vessels? It could be simpler and more efficient!
He had to have these Xenomorphs!
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