Chapter Summaries

Tony and Qin Xiao fought Ivan Vanko’s super soldiers as a group of armor suits attacked them. Ivan escaped with a laptop, and the suits around Tony began flashing red and sounding alarms.

• Qin Xiao held off two pairs of super soldiers while Tony rushed down the corridor toward Ivan Vanko.
• A female super soldier stopped Tony, slammed him to the floor, and attacked him as Ivan continued typing.
• A dozen armor suits opened fire on Qin Xiao, who survived the barrage and charged toward them as another line of suits prepared to shoot.
• More suits swarmed Tony and the female super soldier, while two suits broke through the ceiling and escaped with Ivan Vanko and his laptop.
• Red lights flashed in the suits surrounding Tony, and alarms began to sound.

Qin Xiao and Tony escaped the explosion at Hammer Industries, but Ivan Vanko fled with several armored suits. As the investigation pointed toward a larger conspiracy, Tony planned to draw Ivan out at the Stark Expo.

• Qin Xiao warned Tony as armored suits surrounded them, while Tony struggled to break free from his own attackers.
• Rhodey arrested Justin Hammer, but a disguised sniper killed Hammer before he could reveal who was behind the plot.
• Alexander Pierce threatened Senator Stern and ordered him to accelerate Project Insight through the Senate.
• Francis watched his wounded super soldiers recover and became interested in Qin Xiao's abilities.
• Tony rescued Qin Xiao from Hammer Industries with a laser, and they escaped together before the building exploded, but Ivan Vanko got away with several suits.
• Tony said Ivan would come after him and planned to use the Stark Expo to lure him out.

At the Stark Expo, Ivan Vanko took control of Rhodey's modified armor and sent it attacking Tony, while Vanko's other suits joined the fight. Tony lured the pursuers back toward Qin Xiao, who prepared to disable Rhodey's armor.

• Tony arrived at the Stark Expo to appear alongside Rhodey and the government’s imitation armor suits.
• Ivan Vanko seized control of Rhodey's armor, which opened fire, and Qin Xiao warned the crowd and S.H.I.E.L.D. agents to evacuate.
• Tony drew Rhodey's attacking armor into the air while Qin Xiao realized that Hammer's modifications had left Rhodey's control system vulnerable.
• Vanko's other armor suits caught up and attacked Tony, who avoided leading them toward people.
• Tony pulled the pursuing suits into a loop and flew back toward Qin Xiao, who planned to use a laser cutter to disable Rhodey's reactor.

Qin Xiao and Tony stopped the rampaging armored suits at the expo, but Ivan Vanko arrived in a powerful three-reactor suit and trapped Tony with his energy whips. As Ivan began pulling Tony toward him, Qin Xiao attacked from behind with his Tang saber.

• Tony and Qin Xiao worked together to disable the attacking suits, with Qin Xiao knocking Rhodey down and stabbing his suit's reactor.
• Tony sliced the remaining suits apart with his laser beams while Pepper Potts and Black Widow arrived at the scene.
• Ivan Vanko opened fire, and Qin Xiao carried Pepper Potts and Black Widow away from the battlefield before returning to help Tony.
• Ivan Vanko wrapped his energy whips around Tony and began pulling him in, so Qin Xiao leaped at Ivan and thrust his Tang saber toward the back of his neck.

Qin Xiao fought Whiplash while Tony Stark remained trapped in his armor, and discovered that Whiplash’s Gold-Titanium Alloy shell could not be cut through directly. After Tony identified the armor’s vulnerable joints, Qin Xiao disabled its wiring and sensors, leaving Whiplash powerless and Tony free.

• Qin Xiao stabbed Whiplash’s armor, but its Gold-Titanium Alloy lining stopped the Tang Dao, and Whiplash’s powered tail struck him across the ground.
• Whiplash explained that Justin Hammer’s Gold-Titanium Alloy had protected his armor, then threatened to kill Tony while Qin Xiao tried to get past the whips.
• Tony told Qin Xiao to target Whiplash’s joints, so Qin Xiao used the Tang Dao to sever the wiring and sensors in Whiplash’s left leg.
• Qin Xiao darted across Whiplash’s armor, damaging its components until sparks spread and all three whips lost power.
• Qin Xiao stood down as Tony got up with his neck armor badly deformed, and Tony criticized Whiplash’s excessive use of Arc Reactors.

Qin Xiao and Tony defeated Whiplash, survived his attempt to blow up the battlefield, and collected rewards that Qin Xiao spent on upgrading his Tang saber and buying spatial storage. Qin Xiao then traveled to New Mexico, where he found Thor living and working modestly alongside Jane.

• Tony confronted Whiplash while Qin Xiao prepared to finish him, but Rhodey called for help from inside his disabled suit.
• Whiplash triggered the reactors to explode, so Tony carried Pepper Potts away and Qin Xiao carried Black Widow to safety; Rhodey was thrown clear but remained trapped in his armor.
• After the explosions, Tony kissed Pepper Potts and Qin Xiao kissed Black Widow, while Rhodey called out for someone to free him.
• Qin Xiao received points for Rhodey becoming War Machine and for defeating Whiplash, then upgraded his Tang saber and bought a spatial item disguised as a waistband button.
• Qin Xiao flew to New Mexico and found Thor working as a cook and living near Jane, having settled into a more sensible routine.

Thor's Asgardian friends arrived on Earth to bring him back, while Qin Xiao and Coulson went to meet them. Coulson secured his hair by offering Qin Xiao two cello concert tickets, and the group prepared to hear what Thor's friends wanted.

• Heimdall let Fandral, Volstagg, Hogun, and Sif travel to Earth to find Thor.
• A Bifrost beam appeared outside town, and S.H.I.E.L.D.'s spatial detector sounded an alarm.
• Qin Xiao told Coulson that Asgardians had arrived, then drove with Coulson and Thor toward the outskirts.
• Thor said he might not be suited to rule and thought Loki might make a better king.
• Thor greeted Fandral, Volstagg, Hogun, and Sif, while Qin Xiao made Coulson trade cello concert tickets for his silence about Coulson's hair.

Qin Xiao mocked the Asgardians’ mission to defeat Loki and restore Asgard, then fought Volstagg when he charged him. After Qin Xiao knocked Volstagg flying, Sif and the other Warriors Three drew their weapons to confront him.

• Thor doubted that Asgard was in enough danger to require his return, but Volstagg insisted the Nine Realms needed saving.
• Qin Xiao mocked the Asgardians’ claims and challenged them to say which enemies they could actually defeat.
• Volstagg threatened Qin Xiao, then charged at him with his axe after Qin Xiao mocked him again.
• Qin Xiao dodged Volstagg’s axe, used his beard to launch a knee strike, and sent him flying.
• Sif and the other two Warriors Three drew their weapons, and Qin Xiao challenged all three to fight him.

Qin Xiao was interrupted before he could fight Fandral when Loki sent the Destroyer to attack the town, forcing Thor and the Warriors Three to defend it. After the Destroyer severely injured them and cornered Sif, Qin Xiao blocked its fist and told her to get clear.

• Fandral challenged Qin Xiao to apologize, but the Destroyer's arrival forced the Asgardians to abandon their dispute and fight it.
• Volstagg, Fandral, Hogun, and Sif attacked the Destroyer, and Sif pinned it to the ground with her spear.
• The Destroyer recovered, unleashed repeated flames and powerful blows, and severely injured the Warriors Three and Sif.
• Thor called to Qin Xiao for help as the Destroyer raised its fist over Sif.
• Qin Xiao rushed in and blocked the Destroyer's fist with his arms, then urged Sif to move away.

Qin Xiao fought the Destroyer but could neither damage its metal body nor stop it from breaking free and turning toward Thor. Thor tried to appeal to Loki and protect his friends, but the Destroyer struck him down again, and a golden portal appeared in front of Qin Xiao as the others rushed to Thor.

• Qin Xiao knocked the Destroyer down, tried stabbing and slashing it with his Tang saber, then kept punching its head to stop it from firing at him.
• Fandral, Hogun, Sif, and the other Asgardians watched Qin Xiao’s fight and recognized his strength, while Qin Xiao worried that his fists would not hold up against the Destroyer.
• The Destroyer blasted itself free and headed toward Thor and the others, so Qin Xiao warned Thor that they needed a divine weapon or Thor’s recovered power to stop it.
• Thor ran toward the Destroyer and pleaded with Loki to spare his friends, but the Destroyer struck him and sent him flying.
• Jane and the Asgardians rushed toward Thor as the Destroyer advanced again, while a golden portal appeared and a slender arm blocked Qin Xiao’s way.

The Ancient One explained that Thor would regain his power when his life was in danger, not simply when he became worthy, and then refused to intervene in his fight with the Destroyer. Thor offered himself to save his companions and was struck by the Destroyer’s beam, leaving his fate uncertain.

• Qin Xiao introduced Coulson to the Ancient One, who told Qin Xiao that Odin had arranged matters and that Thor’s power would return when his life was threatened.
• The Ancient One deflected the Destroyer’s fire beam with a magic shield, then told Thor that he needed to know what he was fighting to protect.
• The Ancient One returned the Destroyer to Thor’s group and explained to Qin Xiao that she had intervened to show Odin she had looked after his son.
• Thor ignored his companions’ warnings, faced the Destroyer, and asked Loki to kill him rather than harm the others.
• Loki fired the Destroyer’s beam at Thor, burning him badly and leaving him motionless.

Thor regained his strength when Mjolnir returned to him and defeated the Destroyer. As Thor reunited with Jane and the others, Qin Xiao learned that Odin’s power had helped Thor and discovered that his own system called itself Daddy System.

• Jane and Sif stood between the fallen Thor and the Destroyer as Loki prepared to kill them.
• Thor’s finger twitched, summoning lightning that sent Mjolnir flying from S.H.I.E.L.D.’s camp into his hand.
• Thor healed, transformed into his armored form, and used Mjolnir to lift and smash the Destroyer.
• The Ancient One explained that Odin’s power let Mjolnir defeat the Destroyer, and Qin Xiao complained that family connections mattered more than hard work.
• The system called itself Daddy System, prompting Qin Xiao to demand an explanation.

After the Destroyer was defeated, Thor prepared to return to Asgard while Qin Xiao and The Ancient One traveled there through a portal. They watched Loki kill Laufey and race to the Bifrost, but The Ancient One drew Qin Xiao’s attention elsewhere as the real confrontation began.

• The system awarded Qin Xiao one thousand points and told him to collect Odin’s friendship in Asgard.
• Thor thanked Qin Xiao and The Ancient One, pledged an alliance between Asgard and Earth, and promised Jane he would return for her.
• Thor called for Heimdall, and the Bifrost carried him and the Asgardians home after Qin Xiao teased him about raising his hammer.
• Qin Xiao and The Ancient One opened a portal for themselves, leaving Jane behind as she realized she wanted to go too.
• The Ancient One showed Qin Xiao Loki killing Laufey, driving Thor from the Golden Palace, and heading for the Bifrost.
• Qin Xiao watched Loki race toward the Bifrost, but The Ancient One told him to look elsewhere for the real show.

Qin Xiao and The Ancient One watched Odin’s family drama unfold and discussed Odin’s political plans for Loki and Thor. Thor smashed the Bifrost to stop Loki, leaving Odin worried about Loki before he insulted Qin Xiao in Chinese.

• Frigga reassured Odin that Loki’s rebelliousness would pass, while The Ancient One explained how Loki’s actions would weaken the Frost Giants and strengthen Thor’s claim to the throne.
• The Ancient One took Qin Xiao through a portal to Odin, where Frigga greeted them and left the bedroom.
• An explosion sounded outside, and Odin rushed away after realizing the Bifrost had been destroyed.
• The Ancient One told Qin Xiao that Thor had smashed the Bifrost to prevent Loki from destroying the Frost Giants, an outcome Odin had not planned.
• Odin returned worried and asked about Loki, and The Ancient One assured him Loki would be fine before Odin insulted Qin Xiao in Chinese.

Qin Xiao survived Odin’s anger after insulting the All-Father and learned that Loki was alive. After Thor showed him around Asgard, Odin and the Ancient One offered him a reward for taking care of Thor: he could choose one item from Odin’s vault.

• Qin Xiao admitted he had insulted Odin and tried to excuse himself with a story about a twin brother, but the Ancient One intervened as Odin raised Gungnir.
• The Ancient One told Odin that his family’s destruction was a real future, then proposed that they discuss the future of Earth and Asgard.
• Odin sent Qin Xiao through a portal to the damaged Bifrost, where Thor was grieving; Qin Xiao told him Loki was alive and that the Ancient One had informed Odin.
• Thor cheered at the news and gave Qin Xiao a tour of the Golden Palace and its surroundings.
• Odin and the Ancient One summoned Qin Xiao and offered him one item of his choice from Odin’s vault as thanks for looking after Thor on Earth.

Qin Xiao explored Odin’s Vault with Thor and discovered its hidden inner chamber, where the Eternal Flame suddenly surged into his body and transformed him into living fire. As Odin and The Ancient One reached the vault, a rune tied to Asgard’s fire laws broke through the defenses and flew toward Qin Xiao.

• Thor showed Qin Xiao the outer vault and explained its unusual artifacts, including a preserved Groot person and Dragonfangs.
• Thor revealed the inner vault, where Qin Xiao examined the Infinity Gauntlet and the Casket of Ancient Winters.
• The Eternal Flame erupted from its vessel and rushed into Qin Xiao through his mouth, nose, and pores.
• Qin Xiao’s body became flame, and he screamed a blast of fire that melted a hole through the wall.
• Odin and The Ancient One arrived as a dark red rune burst into the inner vault and flew toward Qin Xiao.
• Odin reached for the rune and ordered it to stop.

The fire god's divine seat origin rune escaped Odin's control and entered Qin Xiao, weakening the seal that suppressed Hela. Odin and the Ancient One examined the damaged seal beneath the Golden Palace as the rune's missing power threatened to let Hela break free.

• Odin confronted the Ancient One after the fire god's rune vanished, warning that its loss would weaken the seal suppressing Hela.
• Thor tried to stop the rune but recoiled from its simulated flames, and it entered Qin Xiao's forehead.
• Thor recognized the rune as the fire god's divine seat origin and waited while Qin Xiao absorbed it.
• Odin showed the Ancient One the portal beneath the Golden Palace and the cracked chain that had lost the fire god's rune.

The Ancient One negotiated a ten-year safeguard for Odin’s seal while Qin Xiao absorbed the Eternal Flame and awakened the Fire God’s origin. Qin Xiao regained consciousness with enhanced strength and fire control, then saw Odin and the Ancient One beside Thor.

• The Ancient One offered to guard the seal but said Qin Xiao could repair it after absorbing the origin rune, giving Odin’s seal about ten more years.
• The Ancient One showed Odin a vision of Qin Xiao engulfed in flames, and Odin admitted he might not live another ten years.
• Qin Xiao regained awareness as the system announced that he had absorbed the Eternal Flame and awakened the Fire God’s origin.
• The system explained that Qin Xiao could create and control flames reaching about 1,500 degrees Celsius and now had greatly enhanced strength and regeneration.
• Qin Xiao saw that a small amount of the Eternal Flame remained, and the Ancient One told him it would recover by absorbing Cosmic Energy.
• Qin Xiao opened his eyes and found Odin and the Ancient One standing beside Thor.

After returning from Asgard with the divine position of a fire god, Qin Xiao accidentally set Coulson ablaze and struggled to control flames appearing unpredictably on his body. Tony and JARVIS tested Qin Xiao’s powers, and he stayed at the New York base to practice as the story left him trying out small fire attacks.

• Qin Xiao returned to the New York base with Tony, where Coulson’s hair and clothes caught fire as Qin Xiao’s new powers flared up.
• Tony extinguished the flames, but Qin Xiao’s fingers caught fire, prompting Coulson to grab his gun and Tony to knock Coulson unconscious with a fire extinguisher.
• Qin Xiao explained his Asgard experiences to Tony and Coulson, and Coulson believed him after a flame appeared on Qin Xiao’s head.
• Qin Xiao answered Coulson’s questions about Hela, then a flame appeared at his crotch as Tony teased him.
• Tony and JARVIS tested Qin Xiao and found that his flames appeared unpredictably and could reach temperatures between roughly 280 and 1,500 degrees Celsius.
• Qin Xiao stayed in Tony’s fireproof room for several days to practice, eventually producing tiny flames while shouting attack names.

After mastering his awakened flame powers, Qin Xiao went out with Black Widow and they enjoyed a rare evening together. A missile attack wounded Black Widow, and the attacker, watching from a hotel, abandoned the operation against Qin Xiao and planned another way to target Natasha.

• Qin Xiao spent nearly a month learning to control his flames, then left seclusion after discovering he could add fire to his melee attacks.
• Qin Xiao accompanied Black Widow to a cello concert, and afterward they walked along the waterfront and kissed on a bench.
• As Qin Xiao went to buy Black Widow a hot dog, a missile struck the bench, and he shielded her from the blast.
• Qin Xiao found shrapnel embedded in Black Widow's back, called Coulson for urgent medical help, and tried to keep her conscious until she passed out.
• A middle-aged attacker watched the footage from a hotel, recognized that Qin Xiao was far stronger than expected, canceled the operation, and ordered his people to leave the United States.