After Stryker's Death, his experiments were forced to stop, and a large number of imprisoned Mutants were rescued, including a Mutant who could extend metal claws from his hands.
The Military issued a statement, pushing all responsibility for the incident onto the deceased Stryker. They also announced that Apocalypse had been dealt with by the X-Men.
At this time, in the conference room of Zhai Nizi Manor, Nick Fury and General Ross were seated inside.
Zhai Nizi was not present in the main seat.
"Congratulations on officially becoming the Director of S.H.I.E.L.D. I originally wanted to catch up with Pierce today."
General Ross took the cigar from his mouth, exhaled a puff of smoke, and patted Nick Fury's shoulder.
Nick Fury smiled awkwardly, too embarrassed to mention that Pierce hadn't dared to come because he was afraid.
Just then, White Queen walked in and sat down in the main seat.
"Master is out today on business. If you have anything, you can tell me."
Nick Fury and General Ross exchanged glances. They knew White Queen wouldn't act without authorization; she must have received Zhai Nizi's permission.
On the other hand, it also showed that Zhai Nizi didn't put them in his eyes at all.
"Ms. Emma, we are here today to make a deal with Mr. Zhai Nizi."
Nick Fury took out a satellite photo and handed it to White Queen.
"Our satellite captured him taking away Apocalypse's body. We would like to ask Mr. Zhai Nizi to hand over the body to us for safekeeping, and we will agree to all his demands."
After Nick Fury finished speaking, White Queen rolled her eyes.
She didn't need telepathy to know what Nick Fury was planning; he wanted to use the research data from Apocalypse to create weapons.
"Don't overthink it, madam. We want to study that Mutant's body to find a way to protect the people."
General Ross quickly added, and this time White Queen simply laughed.
"Protect the people? When did you ever care about the people? I suppose you only use the excuse of 'protecting the people' at times like these, right?"
"How can you say that? The people are everything to me. Nothing is more important than the safety of the people in my heart." General Ross said this without batting an eyelid.
Yes, he had given this speech countless times.
"Apocalypse was indeed brought back by Master. However, if you want to take him away, you'll have to ask him if he agrees."
After White Queen finished speaking, she clapped her hands.
Apocalypse walked into the conference room from outside.
Nick Fury and General Ross both widened their eyes, instinctively reaching for the guns at their waists.
But after fumbling for a long time, they didn't find them. Looking down, their guns had already been turned to dust by Apocalypse.
White Queen stood up from her seat and blew a kiss to Nick Fury and General Ross.
"You two can chat. I won't disturb you."
White Queen left the conference room and closed the door.
...
While General Ross, Nick Fury, and Apocalypse were having their "business meeting," Zhai Nizi was at Kamar-Taj, drinking tea and chatting with Ancient One.
Ancient One advised Zhai Nizi that his use of magic to kill Stryker and the soldiers was wrong.
Zhai Nizi, however, argued that it was also wrong for those people to kill innocent Mutants.
Ancient One shook her head helplessly and said nothing more. What could she do when Zhai Nizi had someone above him (Living Tribunal)?
Zhai Nizi explained to Ancient One what happened after he was taken away by Living Tribunal. Ancient One calmed down from her shock and slowly began to understand what he was saying:
"So, you possess power comparable to Living Tribunal, but you don't know how to use it, so Living Tribunal took you to meet Eternity and Infinity, two of the five great cosmic entities."
"Yes, under the guidance of Eternity and Infinity, I have mastered the most basic methods of controlling time, space, and reality."
Zhai Nizi moved his fingers, and the empty teacup in front of him refilled with tea. Then, like in the Mirror Dimension, the table twisted and delivered the teacup into his hand.
Ancient One lowered her head, looking at the Time Stone on her chest, and instantly felt it was no longer as impressive. Zhai Nizi could even manipulate reality outside the Mirror Dimension, which was something only possible with the power of the Dark Dimension.
"Then why don't you continue to learn from Living Tribunal?"
Zhai Nizi extended both hands towards Ancient One:
"I am communicating with him at all times."
When she held his hands, the scene before them instantly changed.
She saw herself and Zhai Nizi floating in outer space, and behind Zhai Nizi, Living Tribunal stood there, watching them.
Looking around again, Eternity, Infinity, Death, Oblivion, and Galactus, the five cosmic entities, were also watching them.
As Zhai Nizi released her hands, the two of them returned to their original place.
"Just now, to show off in front of you, I made them all manifest physically. Under normal circumstances, they are omnipresent energy bodies, which is why I can communicate with them at all times."
Ancient One then suddenly grasped Zhai Nizi's hand again,
"Please, you must protect this World."
"Don't worry, my setting isn't that of a villain."
Both of them laughed.
Afterward, Ancient One stood up and said she wanted to take a walk in the courtyard. Zhai Nizi also felt he had been sitting for a bit too long, so he went for a walk with her in the courtyard.
In the courtyard, Ancient One's disciples were training. Mordo and Kaecilius saw them and greeted them proactively.
Wong was also in the courtyard. After bowing expressionlessly to Ancient One and Zhai Nizi, he went back to his own business.
Ancient One's disciples were training to transform magic into weapons. Mordo and Kaecilius sparred, evenly matched, making it difficult to determine a winner.
Everyone stopped to watch their duel, and applause and praises constantly rang out. Ancient One looked at her two proud disciples, smiling contentedly.
After a round of sparring, Mordo won, and everyone applauded again. Only Zhai Nizi stood there expressionlessly, which annoyed Mordo.
Although he had heard that Zhai Nizi was strong, he had never witnessed his power, and his rebellious nature decided to test the Water.
"How about it? Want to give it a try?"
After Mordo spoke, Ancient One smiled at Zhai Nizi and said, "Go easy on him."
Mordo pointed to the surrounding weapons, "Come on, pick a magic artifact."
Zhai Nizi looked around but didn't pick anything.
"What? Nothing to your liking? Then you can also create a weapon with magic."
"I'm curious about something. You even have Wi-Fi installed, so why don't you know how to use guns? Times have changed."
"Are you kidding me? The essence of magic is the language that forms this World, which is spells.
Although we create weapons through spells, it's still within the rules. If you simply create a gun, it's just a shell no different from a brick. Are you going to hit people with a shell?
Unless you know the precise structure of a gun and are familiar with every single part, only then can you successfully create a gun."
Zhai Nizi nodded and said with sudden understanding, "So that's how it is!"
Immediately, he cast a spell and conjured a gun in his hand.
"Coincidentally, I am indeed very familiar with the structure of a gun."
Bang, bang, bang...
Zhai Nizi fired several shots into the sky, and Mordo was stunned.
"What if the bullets run out?"
No sooner had Mordo spoken than another series of bangs sounded.
"Couldn't I just keep casting magic and keep creating bullets?"
Mordo began to doubt his life. He turned to look at Ancient One.
Ancient One walked over, smiling, and said to Mordo, "Mordo, you're already very good. Creating a gun is indeed possible, but it's more difficult.
The strength of a weapon is determined by the strength of the magic, and the strength of the magic is determined by the person casting the magic."
Ancient One cast a spell and created her favorite fan-shaped weapon.
"Using magic to create weapons is an extension of the application and control of magical skills."
She threw the fan, and it flew in a circle before returning to her hand.
"To make magic leave the body and remain active requires arduous training, and to make the flying magic maintain its power requires even more arduous training.
Therefore, practicing the creation of a delicate and complex weapon like a gun, and then making the bullets fire with power, is much less efficient than creating and using cold weapons, and it also consumes more of the body's energy.
So, guns don't quite align with our magical philosophy and responsibilities.
Unless you possess powerful magic like him, I don't recommend doing this."
After Ancient One's patient explanation, her disciples felt greatly enlightened and nodded vigorously.
Zhai Nizi looked at the gun in his hand and asked Ancient One, "So, it's still just for show and doesn't do much damage?"
"Theoretically, yes."
Zhai Nizi fired a shot at a magic artifact, and it immediately shattered.
Mordo's eyes widened again, and he shouted, "You destroyed the Living Tribunal's Staff!"
That magic artifact was Mordo's favorite...
"I didn't say anything."
Ancient One awkwardly turned and left.
Zhai Nizi looked awkwardly at the heartbroken Mordo and said to him, "Don't worry, I'll pay!"
...
General Ross and Nick Fury walked out of the manor, supporting each other. Their subordinates quickly rushed to help their leaders.
Nick Fury gripped the pager in his pocket, silently cursing "motherfucker" countless times.
General Ross got into the car with the help of his subordinates and said to them,
"Get Banner to see me. It's time to start the Super Soldier research!"