Klebren's face grew dark. He thought he had everything under control in the sacred temple of the Skrulls. However, even after using his most excellent technique, Wang Yan remained unaffected.
He had used the Cosmic Cube to alter the cells of his body, pushing it to its limits. In theory, even a slightly powerful Earthling couldn't possibly have a body that reached such perfection. The Cosmic Cube he possessed wasn't complete, just fragments that the Skrulls had reconstituted using their advanced technology to harness its power. Normally, no one could resist this power, not even other Skrulls, as no one could fully evolve. This was why he had been so confident.
Wang Yan's lack of reaction implied his body was incredibly strong, to the point where it couldn't be altered. This was astonishing—such resilience was unheard of, especially against the most powerful force in the universe.
Klebren began to feel a sense of foreboding. Beside him, Slergurth slowly stood up. Seeing that even the Cosmic Cube was ineffective against Wang Yan, she understood the magnitude of his strength. To maintain the honor of the Skrulls, Slergurth stepped forward.
Her eyes, deep and abyss-like, seemed to draw in all light. "Klebren, leave this person to me," she said calmly.
Klebren nodded. The Skrulls were naturally divided into two groups after being modified by the Celestials: the Eternal Skrulls with strong physical bodies and the ancestors of the common Skrulls with shapeshifting abilities. Klebren was the last Eternal Skrull, while Slergurth was a shapeshifting Skrull. Her genes were more primitive and powerful, possessing both strong shapeshifting and mental abilities. In various abilities, Slergurth was superior.
"Remove the restraints on me," Slergurth demanded.
As an ancient shapeshifting Skrull, most of her power had been sealed during the strengthening process using the Cube. Klebren used the Cosmic Cube to unlock her full power. Instantly, Slergurth's body surged with energy, even growing taller, enhancing her already imposing figure.
She radiated a formidable aura, and Wang Yan could sense the immense power emanating from her. Strangely, he felt a familiar sensation from this energy.
Skrull evolution involved altering their genes to gain permanent power. From Slergurth, Wang Yan sensed the energies of Thor and the Scarlet Witch.
"You will never understand the greatness of evolution or the perfection of my body," Slergurth declared. "This is the power bestowed by the Creator!"
Without restraints, her power peaked. Her body crackled with lightning and crimson energy, merging these two distinct forces. Even Wang Yan found this scene astonishing.
"It is indeed an incredible power," Wang Yan admitted, impressed by the Skrulls' technological prowess in allowing one being to wield two powerful energies. "But combining two powerful forces in one body is just courting disaster."
He knew well that such a fusion often led to conflict and eventual destruction, as demonstrated by his own Chaos Lightning.
"You misunderstand our evolution," Slergurth retorted, shaking her head. Two chains of energy, one of chaos magic and the other of thunder, formed in her hands and lashed out at Wang Yan.
Wang Yan's expression turned serious. He summoned a magical shield to defend himself. The thunder chain struck, creating a crack in the shield. The chaos chain followed, causing a destructive explosion where the two energies clashed.
The powerful impact shattered the magical shield, sending destructive energy toward Wang Yan. His silver-white cloak, a gift from Odin, enveloped him, its ancient magical runes activating. Despite underestimating the Skrull's power, the cloak's defensive capabilities protected him.
"Detection: Chaos Magic and Thunder Fragment. Integrate?" the system prompted.
The system had never detected these abilities from Thor or the Scarlet Witch, indicating Slergurth's higher mastery.
"Integrate," Wang Yan commanded.
A surge of power enhanced his magic. "Bolts of Balthakk upgraded," the system confirmed. Lightning crackled between Wang Yan's hands.
"Is he dead?" Slergurth squinted, convinced no one could survive such a powerful attack. She observed the aftermath, believing Wang Yan was destroyed.
However, Wang Yan, protected by his cloak, emerged unscathed. "A powerful artifact indeed," Slergurth remarked, "but how many times can you use it?"
Just as Slergurth prepared to attack again, Wang Yan's cloak parted. "I thought you'd hide forever, but you've come out to die," she taunted, confident after her initial success.
Wang Yan spread his hands, unleashing a storm of lightning that surged towards Slergurth. "Pathetic," she sneered, "I control thunder, your attacks are futile."
As her lightning domain swallowed Wang Yan's attack, she smirked. But her smile faded as a bolt of lightning broke through, striking her arm and exploding it.
Stunned, Slergurth realized the battle was far from over.