Senior Apprentice-Brother Comes in Handy Anywhere

Peter had been living quite comfortably these days. He attended classes during the day and stayed at the martial arts school to practice at night. His studies were improving, and his physical fitness was advancing by leaps and bounds.

His originally slender build was gradually developing in the direction of a muscular physique.

This sudden growth made Uncle Ben and Aunt May extremely happy. As for the accompanying surge in his appetite, the martial arts school's allowance meant it was no longer a problem.

The Parkers weren't the only ones astonished by Peter's changes. His classmates were also thoroughly shocked.

In just a week or two, Peter's physique had already begun to take shape. Compared with his former bean-sprout-like body, he was now incomparably sturdier.

"Hey, Peter, are you working out? Which gym do you go to? The results look pretty good."

Fatty Ned stared enviously at the muscles that had already begun to take shape on Peter's arm and reached out to pinch them.

"Wow, that's not all." Peter was still only a high school student, after all, and naturally felt the urge to show off in front of his friends.

"Watch this." Peter mysteriously extended his hand and spread his five fingers apart. Then he activated the current. A tiny electric snake began leaping between his fingers, accompanied by the faint crackle of sparks.

He could now release a colossal Lightning Dragon with ease, but they were in the classroom, so it really wasn't convenient to make such a big spectacle.

Even so, it was enough to shock Ned.

"My God! Peter, are you a Mutant?!" Ned cried out in disbelief, instantly drawing everyone's attention.

"No, of course not! I'm not a Mutant!" Peter panicked and hurriedly began explaining himself to the surrounding classmates.

Mutants had a poor reputation in human society. They were practically hated and discriminated against everywhere, and Peter had no desire to be bullied at school.

"But ordinary people can't have superpowers." Fear filled Ned's eyes as he hastily backed away. The surrounding students also scattered to the sides, and a large empty space immediately appeared around Peter.

When Mutants first awakened, they generally had poor control over their abilities and often lost control, causing accidents. That was when they were most likely to injure the people around them.

Seeing the nervous, frightened expressions on his classmates' faces, Peter hurriedly explained, "I'm practicing martial arts at a martial arts school. These superpowers are unique to those who master martial arts."

"That's a lie, Peter." The class's top female student, Gwen Stacy, began lecturing him without hesitation. "All superpowers originate from genes. Ordinary people's genes can't give them superpowers. As far as we know, every human with superpowers, except those whose abilities resulted from scientific accidents, is without exception a Mutant."

"No, Gwen. I used to think that way too, but I really did gain my superpowers by practicing Ultimate Limit Qigong at the martial arts school. It wasn't just superpowers, either. My body was greatly enhanced as well."

Peter looked at the girl he secretly liked and stammered out an explanation. Unfortunately, once he finished, everyone moved even farther away from him.

"Peter, that makes you look even more like a Mutant. At present, apart from super soldiers created through scientific experiments, like Captain America, all superpowered people whose abilities result from scientific accidents have ordinary physical abilities when they aren't using their powers. Only Mutants experience a major improvement in their physical abilities after awakening."

After a pause, Gwen added, "Even ordinary Mutants don't experience any change in their physical abilities. Only a small number of Mutants can both possess superpowers and enhance their physical abilities."

"No, that's not how it is."

Seeing his dream girl being so merciless, Peter was devastated. In his desperation, he had no choice but to bring up his Senior Apprentice-Brother as a shield.

"Right, the martial arts school's Senior Apprentice-Brother is Mr. Stark, Tony Stark. He's just like me. We both reached the Current Drive Realm. He can control electricity, too, and his physical abilities have improved greatly. You don't really think Mr. Stark is a Mutant, do you?"

Although this Senior Apprentice-Brother wasn't the Monkey King, bringing him up was still just as effective. He was even more useful than the Face Fruit.

When everyone heard that Tony Stark was like this too, their attitudes immediately became uncertain.

"Are you telling the truth?" Gwen asked suspiciously.

Being doubted by his dream girl left Peter deeply hurt.

"Of course it's true. It was reported in the news before. Mr. Stark went to the martial arts school to study under a master, too."

News about Tony had spread everywhere, and more than half the class had heard about it.

"But didn't the news say he went there to pick up girls?... Fine, forget I said anything."

Peter let out a sigh of relief. He had finally convinced everyone.

The atmosphere eased, but the school had been alerted. A security guard "invited" Peter to the office.

Fortunately, Principal Coulson was very understanding. After learning the details of Peter's situation, he let him go and said he planned to visit Uncle Ben's home that evening to learn more about the actual circumstances.

Peter wasn't worried about that. He had already told his uncle and aunt everything. They were willing to give his "Senior Apprentice-Brother" plenty of face and were delighted that Peter had managed to establish a connection with the billionaire Tony Stark.

After Coulson let Peter leave, he immediately called Nick Fury and explained the situation.

"Nick, that alien Zhan Liu is acting far too recklessly. He's actually spreading such a dangerous ability everywhere."

"We could let Tony's situation slide, but now even children can learn it. If this ability falls into the hands of criminals, it will certainly cause enormous trouble. We can't just do nothing."

"Then what do you want to do?" Nick asked coldly.

"Talk to him and bring him under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s control."

"And if he refuses?"

"Then we'll use force to make him submit." Coulson didn't hesitate in the slightest. His words were as firm as iron.

Nick sighed. This was simply how S.H.I.E.L.D. operated. They had grown used to acting like lords and masters, always believing they possessed endless advanced technology and unmatched military force, and they lacked any proper sense of awe toward anyone or anything.

It was the confidence cultivated by decades of being invincible—or rather, the bitter consequence of spending decades as frogs at the bottom of a well.

If Carol hadn't told him about what had happened before, he never could have imagined that Zhan Liu was powerful enough to reach such a level.

Even less could he have known that a terrifying existence like the Sorcerer Supreme existed in this world.

Compared with those dangerous figures, everything S.H.I.E.L.D. had done in the past was nothing more than child's play.

Nick had a splitting headache, and his desire to establish the Avengers grew increasingly urgent.

"Coulson, you can arrange for someone to infiltrate them on a long-term undercover mission and build a good relationship with Zhan Liu. But absolutely, absolutely do not attempt to steal their sect's martial heritage."

"Also, Zhan Liu is an incredibly dangerous person. Under no circumstances are you to use force. Do you understand?"

Nick's tone was heavy, and Coulson immediately understood the gravity of the matter.

"I understand."

After hanging up, Coulson thought it over carefully for a long while. He decided to personally meet this alien first before making a decision.