Bitten

Ten Rings

They were original to the Marvel Cinematic Universe and only appeared in the comics later.

Qin Yi did not know much about them. He had only wanted to take a look at them, but before he could make a move, they flew over to him on their own.

He muttered inwardly,

Could this thing have its own consciousness too, like Stephen's cloak and that golden rope I swiped from Kamar-Taj?

Qin Yi extended his left hand toward the Ten Rings hovering before him, signaling for them to go around his wrist first.

But the Ten Rings flew back and forth before Qin Yi as though they were afraid of his left wrist. After hesitating for a while, they settled around his right wrist.

Qin Yi nodded in satisfaction. Shang-Chi could get lost now. Who told him to choose such an ugly character back then, one that had even insulted his homeland?

After losing the Ten Rings, Wenwu gradually became somewhat unhinged.

The precious treasure that had accompanied him for so long had actually changed sides. Wenwu found that impossible to accept.

He furiously raised his fist and charged at Qin Yi.

Qin Yi merely waved a hand, and a surge of energy knocked him to the ground.

Watching Wenwu struggle continuously, Qin Yi sighed.

This guy was pitiful too. Judging by the timeline, his wife should still be alive, right?

With a casual gesture, he drew a glowing portal and tossed Wenwu and a white magic card through it together.

"This card can save your life. When you use it is up to you.

"And forget about ruling the world. You're far too weak."

After closing the portal,

Qin Yi waved his hand and undid the chains binding Tony and Bucky. As he cast a Healing Spell on them, Tony walked over and embraced Qin Yi.

"Hey, Morgan and Pepper must be worried sick."

Hearing that, Tony released Qin Yi and shook his head with a foolish grin.

Qin Yi drew another portal behind him and said to Tony and Bucky,

"You two should go back and take a shower first. You both stink to high heaven. Also, prepare more food tonight. It's been a long time since I last tasted good food."

Tony still asked,

"You're not coming back with us?"

Qin Yi surveyed his surroundings as he answered,

"I have something to deal with. I'll be back soon."

Tony and Bucky returned to Howard Estate through the portal.

After finding some paper and a pen nearby, Qin Yi quietly sat at a table and drew up the design blueprints for Mark I.

A long while later,

Qin Yi stretched and put away the blueprints.

Closing his eyes, his mental power instantly spread across Wenwu's Ten Rings base. In a small tent, he found that bald minor leader.

What was that guy's name again?

With a ripple of space, he transported all the nearby Ten Rings members into that cave.

Inside the cave,

Qin Yi looked at the hundred or so Ten Rings grunts before him. They stood motionlessly in place, their eyes clouded.

Rubbing his chin, Qin Yi muttered to himself,

"Before you die, I'll weave a fantastical dream for you."

As Qin Yi snapped his fingers, the Ten Rings grunts fell into a strange dream.

In the dream,

They captured Tony Stark and gave him a savage beating. They had to admit, beating up the richest man in the world felt pretty great.

The bald minor leader nodded excitedly. He remembered that Stane, the fat man from Stark Industries, had paid them to kill Tony Stark.

But now he had changed his mind. He wanted Tony to make weapons for him so that he could unite Afghanistan.

Very soon, they were slaughtered to the last man by the steel monster Tony Stark had created.

Only the bald minor leader remained, breathing weakly. From the corner of his eye, he spotted several blueprints inside the cave.

He feebly crawled over to the blueprints. After taking one look, he burst into excited laughter.

Inside the cave,

Qin Yi watched the Ten Rings grunts collapse one after another because they had died in their dreams, then waved his hand.

He created an environment inside the cave identical to the one from their dream.

After a long while,

Only the bald minor leader remained, sprawled on the ground and laughing excitedly while clutching the blueprints Qin Yi had drawn.

Qin Yi rubbed his chin and muttered,

"This should be enough. Given this little baldy's greed, he'll definitely contact Stane."

Before leaving, Qin Yi was still not entirely at ease, so he cast several more spells on the minor leader to ensure the man would not forget the memories from his dream.

With another ripple of space, Qin Yi returned to Howard Estate.

In the living room,

Tony was cuddling Morgan in one arm and Pepper in the other.

Seeing the familiar spatial vortex, Morgan broke free from her father's embrace and ran toward Qin Yi as he stepped out of it.

Qin Yi scooped Morgan up and rubbed her little head.

Now seven years old, Morgan began whispering secrets to her uncle.

Qin Yi looked at the familiar surroundings and his familiar family.

He had to hurry and find the Death Goddess.

The Death Goddess who controlled death was not Asgard's Hela.

"Death" was the embodiment of Marvel's law of death, the final destination of all the dead.

Unlike "Eternity," "Infinity," and "Oblivion," who possessed abundant divinity, "Death" was fond of wandering the mortal world.

But where was she?

A figure surfaced in Qin Yi's mind. Perhaps that collector-loving fellow would know.

After all, The Collector's immortality came from losing a bet with the Death Goddess, leaving him forbidden from ever setting foot in the realm of death.

"Uncle."

Morgan's voice beside him pulled Qin Yi from his thoughts.

"Uncle, Wanda has missed you so much these past two years. Just like I missed you."

Qin Yi smiled and kissed the little girl on the forehead. Then, with a ripple of space, he vanished from Morgan's side, leaving her pouting. Once she came to her senses, she punched the air a few times.

Kamar-Taj

The Sorcerer Supreme had been gone for two years, but with Ancient One still around,

Kamar-Taj continued as usual, safeguarding Earth's dimensions.

Ancient One nodded at Wanda and Jean Grey, who stood obediently to one side.

"Although you were a little slower than Qin Yi, you've finally mastered all of Kamar-Taj's magic. Now I can truly retire for a few years."

Clearly, Ancient One had already known the instant Qin Yi returned to Earth.

Upon hearing this, Jean Grey and Wanda both became saddened.

Until Qin Yi suddenly appeared behind them and swept them both into his arms.

Jean and Wanda jumped in fright, then lowered their heads to look at the familiar figure.

Jean Grey smiled and tapped Qin Yi on the forehead.

After setting down Wanda and Senior Sister Jean,

Wanda hugged Qin Yi tightly, unwilling to let go, as though afraid he would leave again and never return.

A moment later,

She released him, kissed him, and then bit him hard.

Qin Yi rubbed Wanda's head and pulled her into his arms as she wore an aggrieved expression.

"This time, no matter what, I won't leave you again, Wanda."

Ancient One shook her head with a smile and turned to leave.

At last, she could retire in peace and enjoy a few years of retirement.

Jean Grey knocked Qin Yi on the head as he held Wanda and said,

"Don't forget to make time to take me out and have some fun."

Then she turned and left.

Amid a ripple of space, Qin Yi carried Wanda back to their new home on the top floor of Mokong Tower.

After embracing for a long time, the two finally separated.

Qin Yi raised a hand to wipe the tears from Wanda's eyes, and then they kissed passionately.

Just as Qin Yi, his heart stirring, prepared to go one step further, a golden portal appeared in the living room.

Morgan skipped out of it, shouting,

"Uncle, hurry home! Mom says Dad has something wrong with his head!"