Apocalypse instinctively reached out to feel it.
The God King hurriedly grabbed him. "Prince Tang, don't touch it carelessly."
"When the Eternal Flame erupted, it could burn all things and reduce everything to ashes. But if handled properly, it could become a force of vitality, nourishing life without end."
In the original story, after Hela escaped, she used a tiny spark of the Eternal Flame to revive an army of thousands of ancient corpses, including the giant wolf Fenrir, which could trade blows with the Hulk.
If it could make thousands of corpses rise again, its vitality was truly overflowing. If a man had certain functional problems, wouldn't a little of this flame turn him into an unbeatable stud?
There was also that bull-headed monster, Surtur. He had originally been reduced to nothing but a skull with horns, yet after Loki placed him beneath the Eternal Flame, he grew into a towering giant in no time.
This vitality was more nourishing than pig feed.
"Hey, hey... Brother, why are you smiling so lecherously? What are you thinking about?"
Thor gave the wildly fantasizing Apocalypse a shove, pulling him back to reality.
"Ahem... I was thinking that once I get stronger, I'm going to beat you up properly."
I still haven't settled the score for you cutting off my path to becoming a scumbag. And you still dared to interrupt me?
Odin and Frigga were in no rush. Seeing Thor and Apocalypse chatting and laughing together comforted them greatly.
The God King continued, "However, the method I have in mind for you today is not merely about increasing vitality. That would not be very useful, because the human body has limits."
Odin lightly brushed his finger across the Eternal Flame, borrowing a tiny spark that danced on his fingertip.
"My method is to first use the ferocity of the Eternal Flame to burn the entire body, refining away all impurities and expanding the body's potential. Then, transform the Eternal Flame into gentle vitality to replenish that potential."
"By doing so, not only will every shackle on your body be burned away, but you will also gain boundless vitality. Your future cultivation path will naturally be smooth and unobstructed."
"There is little trouble in replenishing vitality. The danger lies in refining impurities. One slight mistake, and you may be reduced to ashes on the spot."
At this point, both the God King and God Queen revealed worried expressions.
It was not that they cared so much about Apocalypse's life. They had finally seen a chance to reverse Asgard's fate, and they could not let it be burned away in a single blaze.
Yet they had no choice but to do it.
Apocalypse's current strength might seem formidable, but against the powerful beings of the heavens, it was still far from enough.
Moreover, he possessed only physical strength and knew none of the extraordinary methods of divine power or magic. If someone casually threw him into space, he would have no choice but to wait for death.
Apocalypse asked, "God King, have you tried this method?"
Odin smiled, somewhat proudly. "I only managed three refinements and three replenishments before attaining my current strength."
"What about Thor?"
Odin hesitated slightly before saying, "When he was young, I protected him through one refinement and one replenishment. I did not dare let him attempt more."
"Even we of the God Race can only go so far. Prince Tang, your body is that of an Earthly mortal. I am still somewhat worried about this first refinement."
Thor had initially felt discouraged upon hearing that he had only completed one refinement and one replenishment. But when he heard that Apocalypse might not even survive one refinement, his spirits immediately lifted.
He came over to "comfort" him. "Brother, it's fine if you can't do it. Your big brother will look after you from now on. If you meet an enemy you can't beat, I'll lend you my hammer."
Apocalypse ignored Thor and said to Odin, "No matter what, I have to try."
"Good."
The God King did not bother avoiding Sif. Right in front of her, he passed Apocalypse a chant for controlling the Eternal Flame.
Frigga said, "I'll guard the door for you so no one disturbs you. Sif, stay here."
After familiarizing himself with it for a moment, Apocalypse reached toward the Eternal Flame and drew out a tiny spark.
It felt warm and smooth in his hand, completely unlike the temperature of fire.
Apocalypse could feel a thread of vitality seeping in through his palm. However, it was far too weak. At most, it could improve one's complexion; it was not enough to increase his strength.
Then he gently turned his palm, and the spark's temperature gradually rose. Even Sif, standing several meters away, felt the searing heat against her face.
The temperature continued to climb. Then, with a sudden sizzle, Apocalypse's flesh was burned through.
Before his blood could even spill out, it was burned into nothingness.
The fire gradually intensified and formed a ring of flame, spreading from his palm up his arm. Wherever it passed, flesh and blood melted away, leaving only white bone behind.
The God King was horrified and shouted, "Your body can't withstand it! Cut off your hand, quickly!"
Above the arm were the shoulder, neck, and head. Once the fire reached those places, it would be too late to cut it off.
Sif drew her sword and was about to step forward when Apocalypse stopped her. "Don't rush. Let me try another method."
As he spoke, he took a Recovery Potion from his storage space and poured it into his mouth.
Green light surged across his body. In the blink of an eye, the arm that had been burned down to bone regrew its flesh.
Moreover, the flesh was crystal-clear and visibly different from his other arm. It had clearly been refined by the Eternal Flame.
But the Eternal Flame did not cease, continuing to refine its way toward his shoulder.
Seeing this, Apocalypse hurriedly took out another Recovery Potion and drank it.
Once he saw that he could recover, he finally breathed a sigh of relief. He began considering how not to waste the Recovery Potions, deciding to wait until a larger area had been burned before drinking one.
When the Eternal Flame reached his neck and mouth, Apocalypse tried to pour a Recovery Potion into his mouth, only to discover that the moment the potion touched the Eternal Flame, it was immediately burned into nothingness.
He poured out several bottles in succession, but none of them worked.
By then, only stark white bones remained of his neck and mouth.
The flames were about to spread to his head. In desperation, Apocalypse snatched Sif's sword, stabbed it into his abdomen, cut open a wound, and poured the Recovery Potion inside.
Thankfully, it worked!
A flash of green light passed, and the flesh of his mouth and neck regrew.
As the fire continued upward, his eyes were refined away, and he was instantly plunged into darkness.
Apocalypse no longer dared to conserve the potions. He poured bottle after bottle into his stomach, even forgetting to drink through his mouth after it had regrown.
When the flames reached his brain, Apocalypse instantly fell into nothingness!
No thoughts, no awareness, no sensation, no pain!
Fortunately, both his hands continued mechanically pouring Recovery Potions into his abdomen. He had no idea how many he used.
After an unknown length of time, Apocalypse felt as though he had come back to life. His mind began to think again, and his eyes could see once more.
Then, the Eternal Flame burned downward.
Now that he had experience and a working mouth, Apocalypse remained calm. He waited until as much of his body as possible had been burned before drinking a potion.
The Eternal Flame burned through Apocalypse's entire body before finally vanishing beneath his feet.
Apocalypse let out a breath. The most dangerous refinement process had finally been endured through sheer force with the Recovery Potions provided by the system.
At this moment, Apocalypse's blood and vitality were abundant. The discomfort in many parts of his body, caused by his excessive strength, had vanished. His entire body felt clear and unrestrained, as though all his meridians had been opened.
It just did not look very proper, since he was completely naked.
Not only had his ordinary clothes been burned away, but even his golden Vibranium boxer shorts had been reduced to nothing, leaving no trace behind.
"Don't stop! While your flesh hasn't stabilized yet, quickly replenish your vitality!" the God King shouted.
"Yes!"
With a flick of his finger, Apocalypse borrowed another wisp of flame from the Eternal Flame.
This time, it was much more comfortable. Gentle, soothing vitality continuously poured into his body, swiftly merging with the newly formed flesh before settling and transforming into indescribable potential.
Thus, one refinement and one replenishment were finally complete!
"Congratulations, brother!"
Thor excitedly stepped forward and was just about to hug him when he suddenly remembered that Apocalypse was completely naked. He recoiled in disgust, leaving Apocalypse standing there awkwardly with his arms spread open.
Sif approached with a set of clothes in her hands, her face flushed red. She had clearly prepared them in advance.
No wonder the God Queen had voluntarily gone outside earlier. She had expected this all along.
Apocalypse grabbed Sif's hand and said, "Not yet. I've only completed one refinement. I want to try again."
Before you continue