The days of being a spiritual mentor in Meiman.

Chapter 4718 X Royal Clash (24)

Chapter 4718 X Royal Family: Fierce Battle (Twenty-Four)

"You must have imagined what it would be like if you met him when he was still the best surgeon, the renowned 'Hand of God'." Strange scoffed. "Stephen Strange is a very skilled surgeon, but he's not exactly a good doctor."

The main universe's Iron Man looked at him, and Strange said, "If he was nice to you back then, it was never because you admired each other, but simply because you were rich."

“How can you say that about him?” The main universe Iron Man flew closer, staring into Strange’s eyes. “How could he not be a good doctor? He could save any patient.”

“Do you know what he would do if he joined your medical team?” Strange recalled briefly, then said, “He would ask you to fire all those idiots, give him all the medical funds, and double the prices. Then he would serve you while calling you a stupid nouveau riche.”

The main universe's Iron Man was completely taken aback, as if his tail had been stepped on. Strange, however, took a deep breath and said, "Of course, he's reformed, you don't need to be upset about it. The point of me saying all this is just to tell you—I didn't! Get lost!"

The main universe's Iron Man nearly choked to death again. Just as he was about to fire his hand cannon and fight this bastard to the death, another figure descended into near-Earth orbit. Stark looked at Strange through his data stream mask and said, "I knew it. The only one who could make a construction crew noise above Earth is you, Stephen. Is your job to put a condom on Earth in every universe?"

The main universe's Iron Man looked at Stark in disbelief, wondering what he had just heard. Something wasn't right.

But he glanced at the Earth's magical defense network and hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but couldn't. While the words were crude but the principle was sound, they were far too crude.

Now it was Strange's turn to look grim. He glared at Stark and said, "Sacrificing your dignity to attack me makes you so smug? You've been here so long, and you still haven't found yourself a proper job?"

“I can’t be bothered arguing with you. I’m just passing by,” Stark said. “Just like our usual division of labor, you take care of the home front while I go to the front lines to fight off the invasion.”

"Ha." Strange sneered. "The alien army has already reached Jupiter, and you're telling me Earth isn't on the front lines? Are you deaf or what?"

“Ahem.” Stark coughed twice. “Anyway, I’m going to do something more useful. I’m just here to advise you not to waste your time here, because with me involved, they won’t be able to defeat us.”

"Are you sure?" Strange squinted. "Schiller let the alien army in to unite the forces on Earth in this universe. How can they unite if you don't let them in?"

“Isn’t Jupiter close enough?” Stark shook his head and said, “I don’t think they have any intention of uniting at all.”

“You’ve been staying home too long; your IQ has atrophied,” Strange said. “For us, the entire galaxy is our doorstep. But this universe doesn’t even have a decent starship, and Jupiter is like another world to them. They have plenty of time to fight.”

“Alright,” Stark thought for a moment and said, “I’ll send a small force over here, and you take care of them in low Earth orbit…”

“Near Earth orbit is too far,” Strange said, looking at the ground. “I need to activate the magical defense network, send this small force into New York, and then have the Avengers fight them on the ground before humanity realizes that aliens are going to invade Earth, understand?”

Stark was speechless: "Put it on Earth? You only think about saving someone when the bullet has already hit their heart? Isn't that too late?"

"In my opinion, New York isn't enough. It has to be Manhattan, and specifically the most prosperous streets. If the police and military can't beat them together, then we'll have to call in the Avengers. After a three-hundred-round battle, they won't realize they're in deep trouble. You've had too many good days and forgotten what kind of people those are."

Stark was somewhat speechless. The main universe's Iron Man, listening to this process, felt a sense of familiarity, as if it had happened many times before. So, when should they begin to perceive it as an invasion? Should they prepare defenses the moment the enemy arrives on Jupiter?

Stark flew away. The main universe's Iron Man didn't want to be around Strange either; he was genuinely annoying. But for the sake of the plan, he had to stay and asked, "You're going to let the Shi'ar army invade New York?"

Strange glanced at him, seemingly impatient to speak, but still gave a nasal "Hmm."

The main universe's Iron Man considered this. If their aim was to force the various factions on Earth to unite, then sending a small team in was indeed the best solution. However, the Shi'ar Empire's intentions were hostile, and their strength was simply too great. What if New York were truly destroyed?

He didn't want to ask, because it would make them seem utterly useless. Strange, however, seemed to read his mind and said, "The original plan required you to put on a show, pretending you were outmatched, so that the ordinary people and the government would have to ask the mutants for help, thus forcing them to sit down and talk. But judging from your current state, you don't need to put on a show; just be yourself."

Iron Man in the main universe was furious again. What was supposed to be an explanation was delivered by Strange in a way that bordered on a personal attack. "We're not that weak!"

Strange didn't waste a single word on him. His cloak flew out, tracing a graceful arc in the air, completely enveloping the main universe's Iron Man, along with his suit, into a mummy. With a flick of his wrist, he tossed the mummy into a nearby portal.

"boom!"

"Ouch!" The main universe Iron Man screamed as he crashed to the ground. The Avengers, who had just returned for supplies, were startled.

"Good heavens! Tony!" Spider-Man rushed forward and helped Iron Man up. The main universe's Iron Man, enraged, fired two shots at the cape, but the cape vanished in a flash.

The others quickly helped him up. Thor, still eating his sandwich, turned to look in the direction the cloak had disappeared and asked, "Stephen's back. Did you get him back?"

The main universe's Iron Man waved his hand and said, "Don't mention that name to me for now. Listen, they have a plan..."

"The Clarkia Nature Reserve was officially established at 8:00 AM this morning, along with the Clarkia Nature Conservation Foundation. Foundation spokesperson Charles Xavier stated at a press conference that Clarkia is not only home to mutants but also a jewel of the earth, and they will work together with humanity to build our blue planet into a paradise for intelligent life..."

Nick turned off the television, turned to look at Falcon beside him, and said, "They still succeeded, even won big."

“I don’t care about that,” Falcon said, sitting in his chair with his arms crossed. “I just want to know why Natasha and Clint are stuck in the training area and won’t come out, leaving Bucky and me to handle everything?”

“I’d like to know too,” Nick said. “Those two have been acting a bit strange ever since they got back to the station. I wonder what they need to get into at the training facility. Should I go talk to the captain about it?”

"Can't you go by yourself?" Falcon asked.

“Unrestricted access to the training facility is one of the employee benefits of S.H.I.E.L.D. As the director, I can’t just stop them from using it; that would make me seem too heartless,” Nick sighed. “So much has happened lately: the mutant nation, the Red Gate Orchid factory, another Avengers. They’re probably under too much pressure.”

“Alright.” Falcon didn’t seem to have much hope anyway, and stood up obediently to get to work. Just then, Kate suddenly rushed in: “An armed alien force has suddenly parachuted over Manhattan and destroyed a street, Chief!”

Nick Fury jumped to his feet: "An alien army?! Quick! Assemble the Avengers!"

On the streets of Manhattan, New York, everyone was fleeing for their lives. Fortunately, this was a disaster zone, and everyone was running very fast. By the time that huge green figure leaped into the fray, the screams around him had subsided considerably.

"Hulk!!!"

"Captain, what do we do?" Spider-Man slammed on the brakes and stopped behind Captain America, asking, "These guys are obviously prepared. I've never seen that laser weapon before."

“Don’t rush.” Captain America gripped his shield and said, “Hulk, attack from the front, you flank from behind. First, try to see if your webs can hold them back. If they get in their way, have Natasha give them a good sting with her Widow Sting…”

“Bucky!” Captain America shouted again, “You flank them from the side and draw their attention.”

"Hawkeye, go and take the high ground over there. Once their formation is broken, you can start sniping."

"Thor, you come this way with me. Iron Man will provide aerial fire support, the rest of you attack as needed!"

After saying that, the Avengers launched a full-scale attack, surrounding the alien team from all sides. But the fully armed alien soldiers were no pushovers either. They placed several base station-like devices on the ground, and Hulk immediately stopped in his tracks.

"Stasis field!" Iron Man shouted. "Hawkeye, destroy the base station!"

Hawkeye immediately switched his arrows to high-powered explosive arrows, firing them with thunderous force. However, the stagnant field was the perfect counter to projectiles; the arrow fell before it even reached the base station, nearly blasting the Winter Soldier who was launching the attack.

"I'll do it!" Thor raised his hammer and unleashed a bolt of lightning. The force field seemed unable to stop his lightning, and a base station was instantly charred black. But then a laser beam swept over, and Thor, unable to dodge in time, was struck in the arm, leaving a charred wound.

"Damn it! That's the Shi'ar Empire's energy ray! Don't get hit!" Thor roared. "What are you damned Feathered Clan doing on Earth?!"

"Obey the will of the two gods!" the leading officer shouted. "Kill them! Conquer the earth!"

Thor, enraged, unleashed another bolt of lightning upon the base station. However, he was clearly being targeted as the most dangerous enemy; several soldiers quickly surrounded him, wielding laser guns, laser swords, and a strange crystal weapon. Thor dodged one attack but couldn't avoid another, and soon several wounds appeared on his body.

"Thor!" Captain America beside him and Iron Man above looked slightly anxious. They rushed over, but fell into the Shi'ar's trap. Two more base stations landed, and the two were immediately restrained. Two laser beams shot out, one shooting down Iron Man and the other sending Captain America flying. In just two short exchanges, the Avengers were already in a dire situation.

Nick slammed his fist on the table, about to call for backup, when another golden and red figure sped across the New York skyline. Nick's eyes lit up—it was another Avengers team!