The Phoenix and the Witch's Confrontation, the Clash of Rank and Status

The cold alloy floor, like ice extending from the depths of the Underworld, mercilessly sucked the last bit of warmth from Jean Grey's knees.

The contact between the bloody wounds and the metal sent sharp, piercing pains through her, but this physical agony paled in comparison to the fervor and anxiety deep within her soul.

All her senses were fixed on the heavy metal door in front of her.

Behind the door lay her Deity, her only refuge.

However, the path to the temple was completely blocked by two figures exuding extreme malice.

Scarlet arcs of Chaos electricity danced uneasily in the air, crackling softly, making Wanda's already eerily beautiful face appear even more dangerous. She looked down at Qin, who was kneeling on the ground, with an expression that didn't seem like she was looking at a fellow human, but rather like she was scrutinizing a filthy and unsightly rat that had intruded into her territory.

Beside her, Hela, didn't even bother to look at the harp. She merely idly toyed with the ends of her jet-black hair, a hint of her usual Deity arrogance and cruelty playing on her lips. But behind her, the dozens of silent, slowly swirling Night Sky Sword, and the Death Energy that permeated the entire corridor, dimming even the lights, already revealed her attitude.

"You want to go in?"

Wanda finally spoke, her voice soft, yet like a poisoned ice pick, each word carrying a chilling malice.

Qin Ge stared intently at the door, offering no reply. All her willpower was locked in a fierce struggle against the Phoenix Force deep within her soul, a power that sought to incinerate the two people before her.

Seeing that she remained silent, Wanda's patience seemed to have run out. She took half a step forward, and Scarlet magic instantly condensed beneath her feet, transforming into an invisible Force Field that slammed down on Jean!

Buzz--!

Jyn's body suddenly sank; the force wasn't fatal, but it carried extreme humiliation and oppression. It seemed to declare that in this place, in this man's territory, she, Wanda Maximoff, was the "mistress" with the "qualification" to judge and punish those who came after her.

"I'm asking you a question, are you mute?" Wanda's voice turned cold, and the Scarlet flames in her eyes flickered even more violently. "Who gave you the audacity to climb up here?"

"This place..." She paused, her gaze sweeping over Hela's icy Hela, her possessiveness and assertiveness almost tangible, "Is this a place you can come to?"

class.

Naked and undisguised class bullying.

This is a "welcome ceremony" that newcomers must accept, and also a cruel game used by these "pets" who have already submitted to divide status and compete for favor.

Hela finally turned her head, glancing at Qin with her dark green eyes that seemed to contain an endless Abyss, a cruel smile curving her lips.

"Wanda, don't waste your breath on a bug." Her voice was languid and arrogant. "Either crush it or get it out of here. Such filthy things shouldn't be kneeling before the master's door, polluting his eyes."

Words are like knives, each one drawing blood.

Jean Grey's body trembled violently under the immense pressure of magic.

Deep within her soul, the Dark Gold flame that she had forcibly suppressed finally roared in anger under such blatant humiliation!

Burn them!

Burn those two ignorant ants who dared to block her from seeing the Deity!

A destructive impulse, powerful enough to erase the entire Baxter Building, and even the whole of Manhattan, from reality, was violently Impact her reason!

A flash of Dark Gold light appeared in Qin's eyes, and the temperature of the surrounding air suddenly rose!

Wanda and Hela sensed the terrifying energy fluctuations almost simultaneously. Their expressions changed slightly, and their magic and Death Energy instantly surged to the critical point, preparing to face a devastating counterattack.

However--

Just a moment before the Phoenix Force was about to burst forth.

"Boom!"

The black Throne deep within Qin's soul trembled violently!

An aura of extreme cold, mixed with absolute desire for control and violent killing intent, descended from the Throne with a thunderous roar, like a basin of ice water from the depths of hell, instantly extinguishing all of Qin's anger and killing intent.

No...

No!

The owner will be angry!

If I make a move here, if I damage his "collection" that he has already approved of, he will definitely be angry!

I can't let him get angry...

Absolutely not!

This thought, like the strictest iron law, instantly overwhelmed everything.

The Phoenix Force, powerful enough to incinerate stars, let out a mournful cry of resentment under the absolute intimidation of the Throne Brand, and was forcibly, inch by inch, suppressed back into the depths of Qin's soul.

The pain caused by this self-suppression is a thousand times more terrifying than Wanda's magical suppression or Hela's death threat!

Beads of cold sweat instantly appeared on Qin's forehead, her body trembled more violently, and her face turned ashen. She bit her lower lip tightly until she tasted a hint of salty, metallic blood, which barely kept her from fainting from the clash of energies.

Slowly, very slowly, she lowered her head.

That once proud head, which even the Deity disdained, now humbly bowed to the cold ground.

It wasn't out of fear, nor because of succumbing to pressure from Wanda and Hela.

Rather, it was because she was afraid of angering the man behind the door.

She withdrew all her power, extinguished all her flames, and like the most docile and obedient sheep, chose the most complete and humiliating submission.

"..."

The corridor fell into an eerie silence.

A flicker of surprise crossed Wanda's eyes.

Hela's cruel smile froze slightly.

They anticipated that Qin would rebel, envisioned a fierce battle, and even prepared to join forces to suppress her.

But what they never expected was that this woman, who had just unleashed Cosmic-Level Energy, would... submit so completely and so readily.

This feeling is strange.

On the one hand, it brought a sense of satisfaction and exhilaration at successfully suppressing new competitors.

On the other hand, the other party's "abnormal" humility aroused an even stronger sense of unease and vigilance.

This woman's possessiveness towards her master seems even more pathological and insane than they imagined!

Wanda's eyes flickered a few times, her killing intent only intensifying. She walked step by step to Jean, her Scarlet boots stopping beside Jean's lowered head.

She didn't step on it.

Because she knew that Lynn didn't like seeing her "collection" damaged beyond repair.

But she slowly lifted her foot and, with the tip of her shoe, gently and with extreme humiliation, brushed against Qin's long, red hair, which was scattered on the ground and covered in dust.

"Remember who you are, newcomer."

Wanda's voice, like the final pronouncement of a victor, was cold and arrogant.

"You're just a dog your master picked up..."

Just then...

Click.

A faint, almost imperceptible sound came from inside the heavy metal door.

That's the sound of the door lock opening.

For a moment, time seemed to be paused.

Wanda's raised foot froze in mid-air.

Hela's arrogance froze instantly.

Qin, kneeling on the ground, her head bowed low, trembled violently.

The three women, who had just been at each other's throats and exuding an aura of destruction, now had all their murderous intent, jealousy, arrogance, and humility vanish.

Instead, there was an absolute silence, a mixture of extreme longing and deep fear.

Like three pets awaiting judgment before their owner, they all held their breath, frozen in place, too afraid to move.

squeak--

The heavy metal door slid open slowly to one side with a low, mechanical hum.

A crack appeared, and the cold, blinding blue light from the laboratory, like a sharp sword, instantly pierced the darkness of the corridor, illuminating their three faces with different expressions.

The door opened.