Chapter 146 - Ivan Vanke’s Final Stand

"Hahaha!!"

Ivan Vanke's maniacal laughter echoed through the chaos. His electric whips shattered the force field, and his armor glowed crimson from the center. Energy overflowed, roasting him from within. His skin took on a terrifying dark hue, blood flowing freely as he became a monstrous figure of red light.

"You go to hell with me!!" Ivan roared, a sound like something from the depths of an abyss. The intense light from the impending explosion spread out before anyone could react.

The situation escalated rapidly. The flashing portal was overwhelmed and unable to transport the crowd in time. The exhibition hall, with its massive 3,000-square-meter area, was about to be engulfed in a catastrophic blast.

In the midst of panic, a steady voice cut through the confusion.

"The seventy-five of Bakudō. Five pillars of iron pipe."

Bang!

Five enormous gray iron pillars descended from the sky, crashing into Ivan's head and limbs. The pillars pierced his head and limbs, causing them to burst apart.

The core of Ivan's armor, the Ark Reactor, continued to unleash energy in powerful waves.

"Bakudō No. 99. Prohibited."

From thin air, a spirit-wrapped leather strap bound the mourning whip armor, with nails appearing to secure it in place.

"The Ninety-nine of Bakudō. The second. The ban, the first song. The tension is stopped."

A massive strip of cloth enveloped the upper armor, its gray light suppressing the fierce red glow.

"Second song. Bailian Lian."

Dozens of iron thorns pierced into the armor, surrounding the energy core.

"Final. The ban is too strong."

A colossal stone tablet with a swastika fell from above, pressing the armor into the ground and causing it to collapse.

But Xu Mo was not finished. His voice continued as he prepared further defenses.

"The gate of Dragon Tail."

Xu Mo advanced, throwing several blue square pillars infused with spiritual power. The pillars expanded into a shield-like city gate, positioned in front of the stone monument.

"The city gate of the tiger's bite."

A white, toothed wheel-shaped gate tore through space, sealing the left side.

"The gate of the turtle armor."

A vast hexagonal gate composed of black light crystal spiritual shields appeared on the right.

"Phoenix Wing's city gate."

A giant crimson blade, connected to numerous long spiritual force latches, formed massive wings to seal the rear.

"The four beasts block the door."

As Xu Mo's command echoed, the blade above transformed into a dark sky cover, and the square enchantment extended from below, completely enclosing the armor. The scene resembled a monstrous beast of divine fury, ready to devour everything.

The stone tablet was now sealed in every direction, and everyone stared in awe at the overwhelming display of Bakudō, formed from spiritual power.

In the next moment, the Ark's energy exploded. The entire area trembled as the fiery blaze erupted from beneath the stone tablet. The intense heat cracked the stone, causing it to groan in agony before shattering into ashes.

The blinding core of white light continued to emit a vast storm of energy, erasing everything in its path. The surface crumbled into nothingness as waves of energy distorted the air, bombarding the barrier with immense force.

Ripples, like water waves, surged outside the barrier, causing everyone to fear a breach.

"Is it all right?" Thunderbird asked Gali timidly, only receiving a Byakugan in response.

The flashing portal had already dissipated, and Uzumaki had abandoned it. Lauren, who had been on the brink of collapse, watched helplessly.

"Have you prepared a portal anyway!" Gali remarked, noting the absence of a functional escape route.

"Sir, the high-energy response is decreasing. Unknown forces are continuously emitting mysterious fluctuations that are suppressing the explosion," Gali reported.

Tony let out a sigh of relief, glancing at Xu Mo. He thought to himself, "It's truly impressive."

Tony remembered their earlier encounters: Xu Mo had used a strange flame to defeat terrorists, and his advanced technology had left Tony in awe. Xu Mo's ion cannon and incinerator cannon were far superior to his own, and Tony was determined to surpass him in technological prowess.

As the visible energy tides receded and the barrier stopped making noise, Xu Mo's four beasts disappeared. The air smelled of burnt residue as Xu Mo waved his hand, revealing a square hole about five meters long.

The hole was now empty, with the air having been completely evaporated and replaced by new air.

"It's finally over," Roddy said, his cold sweat revealing his anxiety.

Outside, police sirens blared as Chief George and his team arrived. Pepper, Hawkeye, and S.H.I.E.L.D. agents joined them, but Tony's mood remained somber.

His earlier armors, except for the first Mark, had been destroyed, prompting him to consider developing an independent support system in space—a prototype for Veronica. It would be more than just an anti-Hulk system, but a multi-part network to enhance the Mark series armor.

Lorna Dane arrived, waiting for the situation to resolve. She approached Xu Mo, hesitant but determined.

"I see, Professor Charles told me. I'll leave now," she said.

Xu Mo turned to Gwen, embarrassed. "I…"

"Go, come back soon. My father wants to invite you over tonight," Gwen said understandingly, then spoke with George, likely wrapping up the situation.

"Let's go." Xu Mo took Lorna's hand, creating an illusion to obscure their presence, and opened a portal to their next destination.

"Crunch."

Target: Sokovia.