Sovereign

However, Marina did not let Chen Xu push her away. She clung tightly to his arm with both hands, her ample chest pressing intimately against it. Chen Xu's heart instantly pounded wildly, and he panicked. Even when facing Dormammu, the ruler of the Dark Dimension, he had never been this nervous. Yet now, before a weak young woman, he was completely at a loss.

"Women are terrifying."

Chen Xu said in a trembling voice,

"Miss?"

"I'm not called Miss. My name is Marina."

"Marina, you know what you wanted to know now. Can you let go of me?"

"What? Are you trying to drive me away already?"

Marina gazed at Chen Xu tenderly, her beautiful, seductive eyes radiating temptation. If she had been facing any other man, he would have made a move on her long ago. Only a straight-laced man like Chen Xu remained unmoved.

"Won't you invite me to your place for a little chat?"

Marina said to Chen Xu in a coquettish voice. She especially emphasized the last words, "a little chat," speaking with unmistakable implication.

Chen Xu was so frightened that he immediately took several steps back. However, it was useless. Marina held tightly onto his arm and refused to let go.

"Chen Xu, can I learn magic?"

"Of course, but you need one person's approval."

"Who?"

"The Supreme Sorcerer."

"Your boss?"

"You could say that."

"However, I can sense an extraordinary power within you. It is no weaker than magic. Perhaps you do not need to learn magic at all. As long as you develop that power, it will be enough."

Marina was startled inwardly as well.

"Really? Then can you help me develop it?"

Chen Xu was left looking awkward by her question.

"Sorry, that is outside my area of expertise. I can't help you."

Marina looked deeply disappointed.

Seeing her expression, Chen Xu added,

"But there is no need for you to be disappointed. Since this power belongs to you, it will always be yours. One day, you will develop it. It is only a matter of time."

Marina was delighted.

"Thank you, Chen Xu!"

While Chen Xu was still completely bewildered, Marina kissed him again.

Marina looked smugly at Chen Xu. Seeing her expression, Chen Xu could only look at her helplessly. Chen Xu, who had always handled every enemy with ease, was now being made utterly flustered by a young girl.

After that, Marina and Chen Xu exchanged phone numbers. Marina took the initiative to hug him, and when she finally left, she kept looking back every few steps. Chen Xu could only stare in bewilderment and helplessness.

After coming to his senses, Chen Xu hurried back to the New York Sanctum and buried himself in the library, reading to calm himself down. If Marina had seen this, she would surely have mocked him again.

Chen Xu was reading the Darkhold when he was suddenly drawn to a massive burst of energy that appeared out of nowhere in the sky. The force directly tore through Earth's magical barrier and descended not far from the New York Sanctum.

Chen Xu knew Thor had arrived, but he did not know why Thor had come. He immediately opened a portal and teleported toward where the energy had descended.

Before long, Chen Xu arrived at the location. However, Thor had not waited there. Instead, he had gone into a nearby bar. Chen Xu walked inside and saw a burly blond man drinking at the counter. He immediately walked over.

He patted Thor, who turned around and saw Chen Xu.

"Chen Xu, Sage Chen. Long time no see."

"What? Sage Chen? What the hell is that?"

"In Asgard, we usually call people with vast knowledge or great strength sages."

Indeed, ever since Thor had heard his father Odin recount Chen Xu's deeds after their last encounter, his attitude toward Chen Xu had undergone a qualitative change. His gaze had become filled with respect, making Chen Xu feel rather awkward.

"What are you doing on Earth? Don't tell me you did something bad again, and your father threw you down here to punish you."

"No, no, no. Ever since last time, I have turned over a new leaf. I am no longer the Thor I used to be."

"Then why are you here?"

"I came because of Loki. After you left, he and I fought again. In the end, I accidentally knocked him into the depths of space. I thought he was dead, but my father received news that Loki had appeared in other civilizations. He is still alive."

Chen Xu was not the least bit shocked. He had known long ago.

"So you went to look for him."

"Yes. I searched for him among those civilizations. I crossed one star system after another, more than eighty in total. But when I got there, Loki had left behind a huge mess. The civilizations in those star systems kept dragging me in, demanding that I clean up after him."

"What did Loki do?"

"It seems he robbed the civilizations in those star systems. It also seems he was training an army. I suspect he is planning to attack Asgard."

"I do not think he would attack Asgard. No matter what, he grew up in Asgard. His feelings for you may not run deep, but his bond with Queen Frigga is very strong. No matter what, he would not attack Asgard. If I am not mistaken, he is probably planning to attack Earth. He wants to prove himself—to prove to Odin that he is more capable than you and more suited to be Asgard's king."

"Earth is one of the Nine Realms. Because of its unique location at the very center of the World Tree, countless civilizations and powerful beings in the universe have been drawn to it, all wanting to occupy it."

"More than that, the legendary Midgard Serpent is said to exist at the center of the Nine Realms—within Earth itself. Jörmungandr, the giant serpent of legend that devours the World Tree. If Loki finds it, that would mean he possesses the power to threaten Asgard."

"At that point, he could attack Asgard at any time. He would already have that kind of power."

"We must prevent this from happening."

"We?"

"Yes, we."

Thor looked seriously at Chen Xu, while Chen Xu's face twitched as he looked back at Thor. It had to be said that if Chen Xu had not been a transmigrator, Thor's solemn expression might really have fooled him.

"I know about how you defeated Dormammu. You are fully capable of stopping this. I believe neither the Supreme Sorcerer Ancient One nor you would want this to happen."

Thor directly compared Chen Xu to Ancient One. No, it could be said that in Thor's heart, Chen Xu's status had already far surpassed that of the Supreme Sorcerer Ancient One. Thor knew that the Supreme Sorcerer Ancient One was no match for Dormammu, ruler of the Dark Dimension, yet Chen Xu had directly defeated Dormammu. This meant Chen Xu was as powerful as Ancient One, perhaps even more powerful. Thor deeply admired him for that alone.