Su Sheng had developed an odd obsession: seeing Superman in his iconic red trunks.
Look at Lex Luthor, the young billionaire who had reluctantly shaved his head. Su Sheng stared at Superman, contemplating whether to give him a "helpful" nudge toward the classic look.
As Su Sheng's gaze shifted, Superman sensed an inexplicable unease. Just as he was about to act, he heard something and turned to look at the distant sky. Soon, a massive object appeared—a spaceship, much larger than Fiora's, heading toward them.
"The enemy will arrive on the battlefield in five seconds!" Su Sheng smirked as he shouted the warning.
Swish, swish!
Immediately, the human soldiers behind them raised their weapons, ready for battle.
The enormous Kryptonian spacecraft hovered in mid-air before two smaller ships shot out, zooming off into the distance.
Then the Kryptonian spacecraft slowly descended.
The ramp extended, and several black-armored soldiers emerged.
With a click, the soldiers' black helmets retracted, revealing faces similar to Fiora's, complete with air masks. The leader was a middle-aged man with sharp, chiseled features, a scar on his face, and a moustache on his chin. His presence exuded authority and intimidation. The sudden appearance of so many aliens made the human soldiers tense. Zod's gaze briefly rested on Fiora's fallen form before shifting coldly to Superman and Su Sheng.
Finally, his eyes settled on Su Sheng.
"Did you kill Fiora?" Zod's voice was hoarse and cold.
Su Sheng raised a finger, pointing at Zod. Everyone thought he was about to say something, but instead, he simply counted, "One."
Zod blinked in confusion as Su Sheng's finger moved past him, pointing at the soldiers behind him.
"One, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight. After losing Fiora, who's down for the count, there are still eight of you left. And I assume two of your men just flew off to Superman's hometown to search for the Codex?" Su Sheng asked casually.
Zod and Superman's expressions changed instantly.
"How do you know how many of us there are?" Zod asked, surprised.
"You sent someone after my mother?" Superman asked, his voice filled with anger as he glared at Zod.
"Go save her. Martha's frail body won't last long," Su Sheng suggested to Superman.
With a bang, Superman shot into the sky, heading to save his mother.
Zod didn't attempt to pursue Superman. Instead, he focused on Su Sheng, his voice icy as he ordered, "Activate the World Engine."
Two Kryptonians turned back toward the spaceship, which slowly lifted off the ground.
The powerful gusts from the ship's ascent howled across the battlefield, forcing the human soldiers to brace themselves. General Swanwick struggled against the wind and shouted, "What are they doing? What is the World Engine?"
"It's a technology that will alter Earth's ecosystem to make it suitable for Kryptonian life," Su Sheng explained, his voice cutting through the wind effortlessly.
"What?!"
General Swanwick's eyes widened in shock. If they succeeded in changing Earth's environment, it would spell disaster for humanity.
"Go! Stop them now!" General Swanwick shouted. His orders were relayed quickly, and soon, fighter jets were taking off in pursuit of the Kryptonian ships.
"Gideon, tell them to get ready to collect the bodies," Su Sheng said with a chuckle, activating his weather control abilities.
In an instant, the howling wind dissipated.
Su Sheng pointed at the remaining Kryptonians. "I'm not targeting anyone in particular, but I have to say, everyone here... is trash!"
"Is he seriously that arrogant?" General Swanwick murmured to Lois Lane. "Calling these aliens trash...how bold! But why does it feel so satisfying?"
"Hmph."
General Zod sneered, and the remaining Kryptonians immediately charged at the human soldiers.
Da-da-da! Da-da-da!
Gunfire erupted, but the bullets had no effect on the Kryptonians, as they scattered and tore through the human forces like predators among sheep. Zod, however, fixed his gaze on Su Sheng and began walking toward him.
Step by step, his expression was filled with confidence, disdain...and rage.
"You killed my adjutant. You're worthy enough to die by my hands," Zod declared, charging at Su Sheng with a powerful punch aimed straight at him.
Too slow.
Su Sheng casually dodged the punch and retaliated with a quick strike to Zod's lower abdomen.
Boom!
Zod's vision blurred as the force of Su Sheng's punch sent him flying back several kilometers before he crashed to the ground.
A huge crack split across his armor.
Zod grunted and looked up, only to find Su Sheng standing right in front of him. Startled, Zod threw another punch, but Su Sheng swiftly dodged, countering with a strike that sent Zod hurtling into the sky.
Su Sheng shielded his eyes from the sun and watched Zod's airborne trajectory. Then, lightning sparked around Su Sheng as he activated his speed.
Swish!
A Kryptonian who was attacking a human soldier was instantly knocked out of the fight, leaving the soldier bewildered. Where had his opponent gone? The soldier turned just in time to see a flash of yellow lightning dart across the battlefield, sending the remaining Kryptonians flying through the air in unison as if struck simultaneously.
Boom!
Zod crashed back down to Earth, landing heavily.
Five Kryptonian warriors lay beside him, all defeated.
Zod looked up in shock, seeing Su Sheng descending from the sky, bathed in sunlight like a god.
Su Sheng's feet touched the ground lightly.
He glanced at Zod and the other Kryptonians, then smirked. "There's no one here who can put up a fight."
Not a single one of you can beat me!
The disdain in his voice and the mockery in his eyes ignited Zod's fury. With a loud roar, Zod grabbed his armor and tore it off, revealing a black bodysuit similar to Fiora's. Following his lead, the other Kryptonians shed their armor as well.
As the sun's rays touched their skin, they began to feel the changes in their bodies—strength surging through them, accompanied by painful tremors and groans.
They were ready to absorb the sun's power and fight back!