Chapter 253: Asgard Changes Hands
Clark's carefully laid plans were impressive, but the Collector, an ancient fox, wasn't easy to outmaneuver.
Facing Clark's aggressive tactics, the Collector used a single move, forcing Clark to abandon all his prepared plans.
That move was… generosity! Instead of showing any dissatisfaction with Clark's aggressive business tactics, the Collector even congratulated him on the opening of his shop and presented a grand gift, including a large amount of rare materials from the Void and… 4 billion credit points!
4 billion credit points in the universe could buy several life-sustaining planets! To put it in perspective, the Collector had offered the same amount for the Power Stone when purchasing the Orb.
The Collector never intended to hide the value of the treasure, even providing a detailed explanation of the Infinity Stones to the Guardians of the Galaxy before the transaction.
Thus, it's evident that powerful weapons like Infinity Stones are worth this much!
Without Clark making any moves, the Collector generously offered such a significant amount and a batch of valuable local "specialties."
Wasn't this a bit too accommodating?
The Collector had been so cooperative that if Clark continued to pressure him, it would seem excessively tyrannical and against his principles. If he killed the Collector under these circumstances, he might struggle to make friends in the universe later.
After all, there were no previous grievances between Clark and the Collector.
Out of a sense of reciprocity, Clark subtly indicated he had no intention of amassing too many special resources. However, since the shop was already open, he couldn't just shut it down immediately.
Eventually, he decided to limit his purchases to the value of ten Kree ships, and even set his prices slightly higher than the Collector's, not intending to undercut the market.
Clark chose to stay here for a while mainly because of the loose cosmic energy present in the remnants of this ancient artifact, albeit sparse but rare compared to the outside world.
Similarly, in the rare resources of the locale, Clark detected traces of cosmic energy, which was a primary reason for his interest in collecting these materials.
Thanos was approaching!
Every bit of strength increase was essential.
Leaving the shop to Ava and Nebula, Clark entered a semi-closed state, focusing daily on understanding the cosmic laws within the two Infinity Stones. This was the greatest benefit he had gained from the Well of Mimir.
Beyond understanding the location and use of the three Infinity Stones, he had also grasped how to communicate with the stones and glimpse their mysteries.
While contemplating the laws of power and space, he absorbed the materials and cosmic energy from the air, steadily improving his strength.
Time flies in cultivation. Half a year later, Clark had used up almost 99% of the local special resources, and the accumulated cosmic energy had significantly improved his strength. He had reached a level close to late sub-Skyfather, narrowing the gap with Thanos.
With his strength greatly increased, Clark began to make his moves.
After instructing Ava and Nebula to look after his shop, he teleported to Xandar.
News travels fast in the universe. The news of Ronan's death by Clark's hands had spread to every corner of the galaxy (except primitive areas like Earth).
Upon learning that Clark had resolved their big problem with Ronan, the Nova Prime personally met with Clark. In gratitude, she offered him access to some of Nova Corps' technology and announced an official defensive alliance between Xandar and Earth.
Alliances are what they are; their necessity is determined by the situation at hand.
What truly interested Clark was Nova Corps' technology. Though they wouldn't share their top-secret data, the common technology shared among major civilizations wasn't considered precious.
Technologies like interstellar jump and space engine were no secret, not only to cosmic empires like Xandar and Thanos' Dark Order but even to some secondary planetary civilizations.
Nova Corps was generous with these shared secrets, happy to exchange them for the favor of a real cosmic powerhouse.
And these basic technologies were precisely what Earth needed.
Before this, Clark had seen similar technologies in Asgard, even more advanced. However, their reliance on magic made them less applicable to Earth's technological progression.
After establishing trade relations with Xandar, Clark returned to Asgard.
Before leaving, he left a clone on Xandar as a guest scholar with the Nova Corps to learn their technologies, welcomed by the Nova Prime.
Unexpectedly, during his half-year absence, Clark's princely palace in Asgard had been completed, located not far from the Golden Palace.
"Odin, brother, this is a bit… extravagant, isn't it? I was thinking of leaving a clone here for easy communication, but a palace is really too much," Clark said to Odin upon meeting again.
Odin insisted, explaining the palace was more than a gesture of goodwill. With Clark's sudden rise as a prince, people might doubt his authority. In Odin's absence, living in a palace rather than guest quarters made a significant difference in Asgardians' eyes.
Understanding the gravity of the situation, Clark asked, "Do you have any other arrangements for Asgard that require my assistance?"
Odin smiled faintly, noting that the realm needed a ruler, and Thor's strength and reputation were insufficient to deter the wicked.
That night, a riot broke out in Asgard's prison. All prisoners were recaptured, except Loki, who vanished.
To save her lost son, Frigga ignored Odin's advice and left Asgard with Sif and a team to find Loki.
...
In Asgard's Golden Palace, only Odin and Clark remained.
"From today, you are King Odin of Asgard," Clark sternly told the figure on the throne, noting that everyone who could have recognized Odin's disguise had left Asgard. But he warned against touching Heimdall.
Odin (Loki in disguise) asked if he meant Heimdall.
Clark assured that the real Odin had instructed Heimdall not to interfere with Loki's actions. "You may enjoy yourself, but consult me on significant matters," he cautioned. "I won't hesitate to act if you misbehave."
Loki, disguised as Odin, smirked, "Remember, you're just a clone with the strength of an ordinary Asgardian. Killing you would be no harder than crushing an ant. How do you plan to be 'not nice' to me?"
Clark returned the smile, "If you doubt my authority, feel free to try. I welcome it."
Knowing the Space Stone was with Clark's original form, Loki, despite his bravado, dared not challenge him directly. He had already twice suffered the excruciating pain of Clark's "Ceremony" and had no desire for a third round.
He was Loki, the God of Mischief, not a masochist.
After an awkward smile, Loki agreed to heed Clark's advice, assuring him of future consultations.
As Odin (Loki) reassured Clark, the chapter closed on a note of cautious cooperation between the two, setting the stage for new developments in Asgard under Clark's watchful eye.
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