The simultaneous advancement of body and energy brought more than just increased strength. Dragon Power fusion rate: 50.13%.
With the Panther God's power and the bonuses from dual advancement, the fusion rate finally crossed the halfway mark. Even scaled to the complete Dragon Power of this Universe, it stood at an impressive 25%.
Hong Fei gained access to the Dragon Dimension—a vast, boundless space that swallowed his Soul whole. He couldn't see or find its edges, making it essentially a colossal portable storage. For a protagonist, it came late, but it was here now.
The Dragon Dimension couldn't sustain living creatures. It lacked the basic conditions for survival. Even powerful lifeforms that didn't rely on external environments would constantly endure the crushing pressure of the Dragon Power without Hong Fei's restraint. This wasn't a place for life to thrive—it was a realm beyond such things.
His eyes had also transformed. The Eyes of Death grew stronger, slowing time to a near standstill when activated. It wasn't true time-stopping, but it was close. Meanwhile, his eyes themselves had been completely remade during the advancement, replaced from the inside out.
The new eyes brought immediate benefits: sharper vision, adjustable focus, wide-angle viewing, and flawless night vision. By day, he could stare straight at the Sun, zooming in to see the vivid prominences leaping across its surface. By night, he could gaze at the Moon and discern every detail on its surface within his field of view. While it didn't directly boost combat power, the novelty and potential were undeniable.
Passive skill card: Bird Tamer (White) - Sam Wilson: "You will become a qualified bird tamer."
This wasn't Sam's most impressive skill, but in the context of the comics, it tied closely to his superpowers. Thanks to the Cosmic Cube, Sam gained telepathy with birds.
Over time, he expanded this ability, linking it to other birds and eventually controlling them. He could summon birds to aid him and even "possess" over six billion pairs of eyes through them. These eyes helped him track criminals, see through disguises, and access the memories of the birds themselves.
The Bird Tamer skill alone was underwhelming, but its potential was immense. As a dropped skill card, however, it was useless to Hong Fei. Fusion card: Dark Curse: "By fusing with the power of the Dark Curse, you will gain unimaginable all-around enhancement, while also obtaining strength comparable to gods. But it is very likely to ruin your appearance."
The card itself was crystal-colored and lacked a grade distinction. It came from the Dark Elf Cursed Warrior Algrim. While Hong Fei had obtained fusion cards before, their effects were inconsistent, so he hadn't fully utilized their potential. This could be a turning point.
The power of the Dark Curse sounded a bit ominous, but the effect was absolutely outstanding. Although it was highly likely to ruin his appearance, it was also possible it wouldn't. Even if it did, it didn't matter, because looks were simply not worth mentioning in the face of strength.
Master Hong would gladly trade his peerless looks for power in a heartbeat—something like the One-Above-All would do nicely, with any extra abilities counting as a welcome bonus.
Active Skill Card: Dark Veil (Purple) - Malekith
"Summon the power of darkness to transform an area into a realm of absolute night. Strengthens your abilities while weakening enemies within its bounds. Range scales with energy expenditure."
Dark Veil sounded like an overpowered skill—simple in effect but devastating in execution. As a purple-tier card, Hong Fei suspected there might be hidden depths to that "realm of absolute darkness" the description mentioned.
Still, it was embarrassing that Malekith, the supreme ruler of the Dark Elves and monarch of Svartalfheim, didn't even warrant an orange-tier card. No wonder Bor's Asgardian forces crushed him back in the day. Without the Aether's power, Thor could've finished him one-on-one.
Timing was the only thing that saved him—Odin's advanced age left Asgard vulnerable. Otherwise, Malekith's head would've been another trophy mounted on Gungnir, another glorious notch in the All-Father's legacy.
Worse yet, when the Dragon Power consumed Malekith, he left behind no divine essence—unlike Bast, the Panther God. The so-called monarch of Svartalfheim wasn't even a true deity.
Not that it mattered. Power didn't always equate to divinity, and gods weren't always strong. Still, if Malekith had been divine, Hong Fei could've used his lingering essence to accelerate the Dragon Power's fusion rate.
Instead, the Dark Elf vanished completely—devoured by the Dragon Dimension, erased without a trace. Only the Aether Particles he'd absorbed earlier remained. Hong Fei extended his hand, and dark red tendrils of energy coiled from his palm.
Thor recoiled instinctively, eyes wide.
"They're inside you now?"
"No."
Hong Fei shook his head. The illusion fooled even the God of Thunder—the Aether wasn't in his body, but drawn from the Dragon Dimension's depths.
While bonding with the Aether could grant immense power, Hong Fei knew better. It came at a cost—a constant drain on the host's life force. No fair trade at all.
Besides, the Aether was just the Reality Stone in another form. Infinity Stones were tools, not crutches. Use them sparingly, but never make them part of yourself.
Hong Fei gestured, and Big Head hurried forward with a vibranium case. With a flick of Dragon Power, he guided the Aether inside. The box sealed shut without protest.
He slid it toward Thor.
The prince blinked.
"What's this?"
"Yours."
Thor shook his head vehemently.
"No. This is your prize. The Aether was never Asgard's to claim—it belonged to the Dark Elves first. When they reclaimed it, they nearly doomed us all."
He drew himself up, voice firm.
"It was thanks to your intervention, so this is your item; I can't accept it."
The unspoken message was clear: Thor was granting Hong Fei rightful claim over the Aether, even by Asgard's laws. With his endorsement, not even Odin could contest it.
But Hong Fei didn't want it.
"It's not particularly useful to me. In fact, it would just become a burden."
Seeing Thor's lingering confusion, Hong Fei elaborated, "The Aether Particle is incredibly powerful. Anyone who obtains it gains tremendous strength overnight—exactly the kind of thing that makes others greedy."
He shrugged.
"I've got my own path. Don't need the Aether's help. Taking it would just paint a target on my back. And I doubt Asgard wants to keep it either. Best to find someone trustworthy and hand it off."
Thor nodded slowly.
"That... makes sense. I'll inform Father. He'll arrange things properly."
Hong Fei smiled, then changed the subject. "Where's your mother?"
"With Jane."
"How are they?"
"Doing well."
Thor ducked his head with a shy grin.
Hong Fei clapped him on the shoulder. Queen Frigga surviving was another critical change. The future would shift, but even without foreknowledge, he wasn't worried. His strength could carve a new path through the fog.
Soon, Frigga and Jane approached together. The queen offered Hong Fei a gracious smile.
"Thank you for your assistance."
"Of course. Thor and I are friends."
"Brothers!"
Thor interjected.
Frigga rolled her eyes at her son before adding, "You must visit Asgard more often."
Hong Fei's smile warmed like spring sunlight.
"Count on it."
As the trio prepared to depart, Hong Fei caught Thor's arm and pulled him aside.
"When you get back, see Loki first."
"I will."
Hong Fei hesitated.
"Actually... I might've lied to him during my last visit."
Thor's face lit up.
"Really?"
"You seem thrilled."
"Ha! Do I?"
"Never mind. I told him Frigga had died."
Thor sucked in a sharp breath.
"Yeah. So he might be... unstable."
"Probably already insane," Thor declared.
"Right. So maybe bring your mother along when you see him."
Thor shook his head, grinning.
"No, no. I want to savor his reaction first. Might even record it."
"Whatever makes you happy."
Thor practically skipped away. Hong Fei didn't know how he'd handle Loki, but this ordeal would likely deepen their brotherhood.
I really am a good person.
As the Bifrost's light faded, Hong Fei frowned. Something nagged at him.
Big Head shuffled over, shoulders slumped.
"Boss... that Black Panther's hide is too tough. I can't skin it."
"Use Vibranium. If that fails, use your teeth. I don't care how—I want a complete pelt in the hall within three days."
Big Head trudged off miserably.
"And no help from others! Consider this training."
"Yes, Boss."
Alone again, Hong Fei stared at the sky, still puzzling over what he'd forgotten.
A moment later, he slapped his forehead hard.
"Where is Sif?"