Chapter 176: Enlightenment

"Finally decided to show yourself?"

Attacked by surprise, Clark's lips curled into a barely there cold smile as he lightly pressed his left hand downwards.

"Divine Imprisonment!"

The dozen unmanned combat drones were instantly slammed back to the ground under the repulsive force, being compressed into a pile of scrap metal. Even the originally well-decorated exhibition hall suffered, instantly blasted into a semi-circular deep pit!

After all, Justin Hammer would foot the bill for anything damaged today, so Clark felt no remorse in his destruction.

Even so, he deliberately controlled the attack's range to avoid injuring the bystanders and journalists, as well as their precious filming and photography equipment.

The show was meant to boost his presence before the election, making their equipment invaluable.

Now that the situation was ripe for conclusion, Clark swiftly dealt with all the unmanned drones. With a casual side-step, he dodged the attacker's energy stick, countering with a punch straight to the opponent's torso.

"Boom!" The vibrational force exploded, shattering the attacker's armor and causing instant death from internal injuries.

Impression from Suwan Zonda +1000!

A member of the Hand's Five Elders, when did these remnants start colluding with Ivan Vanko? Have they abandoned their headquarters in Japan?

As for why Clark was certain the colluder was Ivan Vanko and not Justin Hammer?

Please, that guy was just a scapegoat, lacking the nerve for such schemes.

Turning to the other side where Captain America and Yi Long were battling the armored swordsman, the attacker's identity seemed obvious.

Alexandra, the last of the Hand's Five Elders. But now, she was about to meet her end, pinned down by the combined might of Captain America and Yi Long.

Following the principle of fully committing to his role, Clark didn't rush to assist but instead appeared to struggle breathlessly in the air. After a moment, he finally spoke, "I'll leave this to you. I need to check on Tony." With that, he swiftly left the scene.

Both Alexandra and Suwan Zonda wore simpler armor suitable for combat and were enveloped in dark energy waves.

Killing Suwan Zonda allowed his dark energy to seep into Clark, boosting his own dark energy levels.

Clark had little interest in Dormammu's power and preferred to keep it at bay, unafraid of Alexandra escaping as long as her dark energy didn't transfer to him.

However, as Clark flew from the expo hall, Yi Long crushed the Hand's last Elder's skull with his staff.

Impression from Alexandra +1000!

Clark's dark energy surged again.

This was unexpected.

Sighing internally, Clark's speed didn't decrease but instead soared to supersonic speeds, tracing Tony's path of destruction.

Clark didn't blame Yi Long for killing Alexandra, never having shared his concerns about dark energy with his allies. His approach always favored eradicating threats, leaving no room for criticism.

This is why Marvel's civilians sometimes resent superheroes, given the property damage caused along their path. Unlike other superheroes, Tony often compensates for damages, making him more popular in public battles.

But today's costs would undoubtedly fall on Justin Hammer, the scapegoat.

Soon, Clark found Tony and Rhodey in an abandoned stadium, battling alongside several unmanned drones against a gray-suited figure wielding energy whips.

Thankfully, Tony's armor had improved significantly since their airport battle, making it more powerful than the suit designed to counter Clark, enhancing its combat capabilities.

Despite being outnumbered, Tony held his own, prompting Clark to observe without immediate intervention, arms crossed, enjoying the spectacle below.

"Qin Feng, check if this stadium is government or privately owned and its price," Clark casually inquired.

"Sir, the stadium was government-owned but was purchased by Tony Stark three minutes ago. It's now his private property."

Clark could only abandon his scheming with a grimace as Rhodey regained control of War Machine. Soon, five more drones arrived, the Queen's Knights, reinforcing Tony's side and turning the tide against Ivan Vanko.

Clark, amused, watched as the addition of these drones made the battle overwhelmingly one-sided.

Tony seemed to prefer teamwork over solo heroics after their previous encounters.

Ivan Vanko, seeing defeat, attempted to escape with some drones, likely planning a devastating farewell for Tony.

Universal Attraction!

Clark, present at the scene, prevented any escapes, recapturing the fleeing drones and leaving them to be demolished by Tony, Rhodey, and Jarvis's firepower.

After witnessing Rhodey's display with an "ex-wife" bomb, the battle turned decisively in their favor, showcasing the superiority of Tony's armors over Ivan Vanko's.

In a one-on-one fight, Ivan Vanko stood no chance against any of the armors present, let alone against seven.

Even if he activated the Sharingan, overcoming such odds was impossible.

The battle ended with Ivan Vanko's failed attempt at self-destruction, causing no further trouble.

With the conflict resolved, Clark landed, looking at Tony with a mix of amusement and inquiry, "Do you know who this guy with the whips was?"

Tony, removing his helmet, expressed his reluctance to accept the truth about his attacker's identity, hesitating to delve into the past grievances.

Clark wasn't seeking to console Tony but wanted him to acknowledge the problem's origin.

Tony, appreciating Clark's timely intervention but changing the subject, teased, "Heard your computer got hacked?"

Clark's mood stiffened, "Today's incident leaves Justin Hammer with undeniable responsibility."

Seeking to divert the conversation, Clark found Tony's persistence on the computer hacking amusing yet frustrating.

After sending Tony a BGM-enhanced "A Spray of Plum Blossoms," Clark soared away, heading home without looking back.

It took him a while to remember to use a portal for a quicker return, then he dived into intense training to vent his frustration over being mocked by Tony.

Emerging from training two hours later, Clark, devoid of any appetite, flew to the rooftop. Sitting there, he pondered over his increasing energy needs with his growing power.

As dawn broke, a realization hit Clark. He could absorb natural energy from the surroundings to replenish himself and enhance his abilities, a fact he had overlooked until the sunrise enlightened him. He also awakened a related BGM, marking a moment of double joy.

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