Aftermath of War, Undercurrents Escalate

New York's dawn arrived slowly amid smoke and crying. Sunlight struggled through the pervasive dust and lingering mist of death, illuminating the battered city. In the streets and alleys, rescuers' shouts, the roar of machinery, and occasional scattered gunfire intertwined, composing a heavy symphony of survival after catastrophe.

Thunder Temple did not lower its guard because of the chaos outside. Upon returning, Lin Ye immediately entered the medical pod. The residual law power of that death ray was more troublesome than expected. It was not merely energy damage, but more like a conceptual "mark of death" that constantly sought to erode his vitality, slowly decaying his flesh, blood, and even his energy.

He sat cross-legged at the center of the energy matrix. The lightning around him no longer surged violently, instead transforming into countless fine purple-gold electrical serpents, thin as threads. They penetrated every corner of his body, engaging the ashen mark of death in the most precise annihilation and resistance. The power of [Soul-Purifying Thunder] and [Life-Rekindling Thunder] was driven to its limits, like the finest surgical scalpels and the strongest source of life, stripping away and neutralizing that stubborn law of death bit by bit.

The process was slow and painful, but for Lin Ye, it was also a deeper tempering and understanding of his own strength. He gained a more intuitive grasp of the boundary between the laws of "life" and "death."

Several hours later, the last trace of ash-gray decay on his chest completely vanished. His skin regained its luster and even appeared tougher after being tempered by lightning. He slowly opened his eyes. The lightning in his pupils had withdrawn, while his aura became even more profound and steady.

"Remy, report the losses and the global situation."

"Sanctuary energy reserves have been depleted by 37%. The defensive system sustained no damage. New York City casualty figures are still being compiled. It is estimated that more than five thousand people died directly from undead attacks, while indirect casualties and property damage are immense. Seventeen small-scale rifts appeared worldwide and have been contained by Kamar-Taj and local forces. The Endless Bone Graveyard is currently dormant, with energy fluctuations reduced to their lowest level."

Behind those cold figures were countless shattered families. Lin Ye fell silent for a moment. Even though he had seen death often, he could not help feeling a stir in his heart. In the end, part of this karma had to be laid at the feet of the mastermind behind it all—and himself, who had inherited the legacy of the Thunder Lord.

"Continue monitoring. Focus on analyzing the energy patterns of this undead invasion, the structure of the pyramid phantom, and the law composition of that death ray. I want to know what form they might take when they appear next."

"Task established. Analysis will require time."

Lin Ye left the medical pod and came before the control console. The holographic screens shifted between rescue footage from across New York, global energy monitoring maps, and some of the shared data sent by Kamar-Taj regarding analyses of the law of death.

He noticed that the internal communication frequency of S.H.I.E.L.D. and the World Security Council had risen sharply. This incident had clearly shaken them to the core. Though Tony Stark's Stark Industries Tower had also been damaged in the battle, it was already operating at full capacity, continuously producing relief supplies and new detection equipment designed for energy lifeforms.

As for Peter Parker... the young figure was active on the front lines of relief efforts in Queens, using webbing to lift collapsed walls and transport the wounded. Though exhausted, he was still full of drive.

"Not bad material," Lin Ye muttered.

Queens, temporary disaster relief station.

Peter dragged his exhausted body over and handed an injured old woman to the medical staff. Then he collapsed onto a supply crate nearby, breathing heavily. Beneath his suit, every inch of his body ached, yet seeing the civilians around him gradually being settled filled his heart with an indescribable sense of satisfaction—and a lingering trace of fear.

Last night's experience had been nothing short of a nightmare. Those unkillable skeletons, the icy ghosts, and that terrifying giant bone monster... For the first time, he had felt so small and helpless. If not for Mr. Thunder and those golden, gleaming mages who appeared afterward...

Just then, his old phone suddenly vibrated. He had received a new email.

Sender: Stark Industries, Human Resources Department (Special Projects).

Subject: Regarding Your Internship Application and Follow-Up Arrangements.

Peter's heart lurched, and he nearly threw his phone away! He fumbled to open the email.

"Dear Mr. Parker: Thank you for participating in our previous online assessment. In view of the unique physical intuition, agile thinking, and exceptional courage and dedication you displayed during the recent urban crisis, Stark Industries' Frontier Technology Laboratory sincerely invites you to join the Special Summer Internship Program... The internship offers a generous stipend... Reporting time: 9:00 a.m. tomorrow... Please proceed to the reception desk on the top floor of Stark Tower..."

Peter's eyes widened. He read it three times before confirming that he was not dreaming! Stark Industries! They had really sent him an offer! And for the top floor! The email had even mentioned "anonymous feedback" and his "performance during the urban crisis"? Could it be...

He suddenly recalled that, amid last night's chaos, he seemed to have called Mr. Thunder using that one-use communicator... Had Mr. Lin put in a good word for him?

His enormous surprise and gratitude instantly washed away his exhaustion! He almost jumped to his feet! But he quickly calmed down. Looking at the still-chaotic relief station around him, his eyes became resolute.

He quickly replied to accept the offer, then took a deep breath, rose to his feet again, and shot out a web.

Before becoming a Stark Industries intern, he was first and foremost New York's Good Neighbor, Spider-Man. This place still needed him.

Kamar-Taj.

The Ancient One stood before the window, watching the busy mages in the courtyard and the buildings being repaired. Her expression was calm, but a trace of worry lay hidden deep in her eyes.

Baron Mordo stood behind her and reported, "...All rifts have been temporarily sealed, but the spatial structure remains fragile and will require long-term maintenance. The cost of this battle was immense. Seven apprentices were killed in action, and thirteen were severely injured."

The Ancient One sighed softly. "Death is not the end, but those who live must still bear their burdens and press forward. Leave the compensation arrangements entirely to you. Make sure they are generous."

"Yes." Mordo nodded. After hesitating for a moment, he asked, "Master, are we relying too heavily on that 'Thunder'? His power may be formidable, but its origins are unknown, and his actions are difficult to predict. This disaster in New York may have been caused by him..."

The Ancient One turned to look at Mordo. "Mordo, power itself is neither good nor evil. What matters is the one who wields it. Lin Ye may not be a traditional protector, but his presence has indeed relieved pressure that Kamar-Taj could scarcely bear. Faced with a threat on the level of the Endless Bone Graveyard, we need every force we can unite, even if it is imperfect."

She paused, her tone growing heavier. "And do you believe this disaster would not have happened without him? The awakening of those ancient beings was an inevitability brought about by shifting tides of multiversal energy. His appearance may not have been the cause, but the result—the variable meant to confront this calamity."

Mordo lowered his head. "I understand. I will strengthen our cooperation with him."

The Ancient One nodded and waved him away. She looked once more at the Orb of Agamotto. Chaos filled the sphere, and the visions of the future had become even more blurred. Lin Ye, this variable, was stirring the river of predetermined fate.

Thunder Temple.

Lin Ye received Dr. Banner's latest report. Though Banner had been unable to participate directly in the Battle of New York, he had gathered a large amount of energy data and combat footage of undead creatures through the Sanctuary's monitoring system.

"Mr. Lin, I discovered that the energy structure of these undead creatures contains a peculiar 'resonance frequency.'" Banner's holographic projection pointed at a complex energy chart. "They are not completely chaotic. Rather, they are coordinated by some unified, extremely high-level 'command.' If we can simulate an opposite 'purification resonance frequency,' we may be able to develop a large-scale, nonlethal defensive device that can effectively disperse low-level undead and reduce pressure in future battles."

Lin Ye's eyes lit up. "Excellent direction! Apply directly to Remy for whatever resources you need. Get a prototype out as soon as possible."

"No problem!" Banner rubbed his hands excitedly and threw himself back into his research. Finding a way to help others made him feel as though he had come one step closer to controlling Hulk.

After handling the internal matters, Lin Ye pondered for a moment and had Remy connect him to The Ancient One through an encrypted communication channel.

"Mage, any new findings about that 'big one'...?" He was referring to the owner of those cold eyes.

The Ancient One's projection appeared and shook her head. "Even the Orb of Agamotto cannot glimpse its full form. We can only confirm that it is one of the most ancient rulers of the Endless Bone Graveyard, perhaps known as the Bone Monarch or the Deathspeaker. Its move this time was more like a probe and a means of pinpointing us. Next time, I fear it will be the true wrath of a monarch."

She looked at Lin Ye. "We need more preparation. The restricted area of Kamar-Taj's library, concerning ancient contracts and undead wars, may contain the answers you need. Your [Thunder Pact] may be the key."

Lin Ye's gaze shifted slightly. He had indeed sensed that the laws contained within [Thunder Pact] possessed a natural suppressive power over the undead.

"I'll make another trip."

The communication ended. Lin Ye knew that the brief period of rest was over. He had to seize every opportunity to increase his strength and uncover the Bone Monarch's secrets.

Meanwhile, within a distant and unknown dimensional rift, a pair of cold eyes slowly opened and closed. Their gaze seemed to pierce endless time and space, once again locking onto that blue planet radiating a thunderous aura that was alluring yet hateful to it.

A storm was gathering destructive power in silence.

(End of Chapter Forty-Nine)