A Better Choice

Inside a certain base, Dr. Selvig was writing and drawing in his notebook, frantically scribbling and calculating something.

After being controlled by the energy of the Mind Stone, during the process of the Supergiant using the Tesseract to teleport away from the underground base, he also became tainted by the energy of the Space Stone. The combination of the two energies unfolded countless mysteries of space before his eyes, truths that countless people yearn for.

"Dr. Selvig, we need to build a stable portal."

Due to prolonged use of her mental abilities to communicate with others, the Supergiant's language function has deteriorated, so she basically relies on her guards to speak for her. It was Hawkeye Clint who spoke.

"I'm sorry, my knowledge is insufficient to fulfill your requests; my wisdom is far too insignificant compared to the truth of the universe." Dr. Selvig continued recording data and formulas without pause. This wasn't an excuse; after Loki twisted his mind, everything he did was considered the best option from Loki's perspective. "However, I can recommend someone to you, Dr. Clark. He was previously the research director of the Tesseract project, and it was he who improved the energy weapons."

Knowing that the person in charge was Supergiant, Dr. Selvig looked at the female alien and said, "I once had the privilege of seeing half a page of Dr. Clark's formulas. At the time, I didn't understand what they were, but now I understand. Dr. Clark had already designed a portal device with the Tesseract at its core. Those were the key technical points for stabilizing the portal. In fact, my understanding of the Tesseract is not as complete as his plan."

After searching through Hawkeye's memories and finding recollections of Wei Xiuming, he discovered that Wei was indeed the scientist Dr. Selvig described. He then agreed to Selvig's suggestion, "Where is Kent Clark now?"

"Dr. Clark is the director of the Osborn Group's industrial base, where he has his own laboratory. He's a research fanatic, and it's very likely he'll be there doing research." Dr. Selvig paused his note-taking, pulled out a tablet, and located the Osborn Industries base on it.

This outpost is the base of an organization that is at odds with S.H.I.E.L.D.., and as a senior agent, I am aware of this information.

Even if it's a losing proposition, someone will do it to make S.H.I.E.L.D.. uncomfortable; they'll provide resources and manpower as needed.

"Loki, let's go find Kent Clark." The reason Supergiant had Loki distort Dr. Selvig's consciousness in the first place was because he discovered Selvig's identity as an astrophysicist when he used his mental powers to probe him, which would later help him open the portal and launch an army invasion. Now that there's a better option, of course, we'll choose the best.

As for bringing Loki along, it was simply too much of a burden to use the Infinity Stones. She was the weakest of the Black Order of physical strength. If it weren't for her terrifyingly powerful mental strength and Thanos's backing, it wouldn't be impossible for Loki to knock her out halfway and escape on his own. The Tesseract, which was of utmost importance in this mission, had to be in her hands, so she wouldn't have the energy to use the Mind Scepter.

"Yes, ma'am," Loki said in a measured tone.

On the other side, inside the Osborn Industries base.

"Remember to bring Captain America. The Avengers need to assemble, and he's an indispensable core member."

"Wait a minute, I have a guest here. Go find someone else for Captain America." After saying that, Wei Xiuming hung up the phone without waiting for Nick Fury's reply and put the phone back in his jacket pocket.

"Welcome everyone! What would you like to drink? Coffee or milk tea?"

Before him, a cloud of black smoke appeared out of thin air, mixed with a ghostly blue energy, and the air ionized by the high energy, generating currents. Someone used Tesseract to open a portal to his laboratory.

Three figures emerged from within: Loki, Supergiant, clad in armor, wearing a horned helmet, and wielding a scepter; and Hawkeye Clint was temporarily a traitor.

"Doctor, I need your help." It was Hawkeye who spoke, controlled by the Supergiant. He said, "My master needs to open a stable spatial portal. Your wisdom is an indispensable aid. After my master obtains Earth, he will bestow upon you infinite wisdom and the truth of the universe."

"Yeah?"

Wei Xiuming casually picked up something from the workbench filled with various parts and tools. It looked like a child's bubble gun, but with a more complex structure and a more futuristic design. "The offer is very good, but I refuse. You can't give me what I want, and I usually get it myself."

As he spoke, Wei Xiuming pulled a small bottle from his pocket, shook it gently to activate the dark blue particles inside, and then attached it to the slot in the bubble gun. "Bye-bye..."

"Stop what you're doing, Doctor, I don't want to hurt you." Loki appeared behind Wei Xiuming at some point, pressing his Mind Scepter, which had transformed into a spear, against his back—due to the height difference, Loki could only pierce his lower back.

"I surrender."

Wei Xiuming wisely raised his hand and then gently tossed the bubble gun, which flew in an arc and landed in Hawkeye's arms.

When someone throws something to you, you instinctively reach out to catch it; this is an unavoidable instinct for everyone, regardless of what you're holding at the time.

Hawkeye was like that; although he was being controlled by the Supergiant, his body instinctively caught the bubble gun, and then he was pulled down to the ground by it.

"It's so heavy!"

This was Hawkeye's own idea. The small bubble gun weighed more than ten kilograms. His body was not prepared to catch such a heavy object, and he immediately lost his balance. When he landed, the bubble gun almost broke his hand bones.

After throwing the bubble gun, Wei Xiuming turned around and punched Loki in the face, but his fist passed right through Loki's body—it was all an illusion.

Back in New Mexico, Loki had seen Wei Xiuming forcibly lift Mjolnir before. Only a fool would approach him; that would be suicidal. Creating a phantom clone as a token gesture would have been enough.

However, Wei Xiuming had no intention of letting Loki go. He slightly sensed the air flow and heat radiation, then waved his hand in a certain direction. The magnetic force pulled Loki out of what seemed to be an empty place and instantly dragged him in front of Wei Xiuming.

"You shouldn't mess with me, even if you offend heaven and earth."

With a roar, Wei Xiuming punched Loki in the face, sending him spinning backwards and crashing into the laboratory wall before coming to a stop.