Chapter 279: The High Celestial and the Mysterious Barber

In the Marvel Multiverse, English is the common language and is widely used for communication in most places. It's especially popular in a context similar to Chinese. At least, that's how it is in the parallel universe that Clark has traveled to.

Using this English, Clark learned from the leader of the scavengers about the location of the main city of Sakaar. He then once again summoned his eight-legged steed and, with Daisy, headed straight for their final destination.

The main city of Sakaar is the largest city on the planet Sakaar, a bustling metropolis of black technology, especially striking on a planet littered with garbage.

At the center of the main city stands a towering building called the Champion's Tower, the residence of the real ruler of Sakaar, the High Celestial.

Beside the Champion's Tower, there are several hero busts made of silver-white metal. Their appearances and attire are vastly different.

They are Beta Ray Bill, who has deep ties with Asgard; a humanoid named Tedsallis; and a strange-looking two-headed being.

Above these three busts is another figure, resembling a Greek warrior, whom Clark does not recognize.

In fact, Clark doesn't recognize any of the three busts below either. Otherwise, he would have undoubtedly boasted about it in front of Daisy, to satisfy his vanity.

Ah... Having been in contact with Tony Stark for a long time, Clark has become somewhat influenced by him, becoming a bit... show-off?

With his white horse and spear, and as an Asgardian prince, Clark easily met with the ruler of Sakaar, the High Celestial. There was no dramatic boasting or face-slapping incident during this meeting.

The High Celestial, somewhat effeminate like the Collector but with a similar aura, greeted Clark with a hypocritical smile. He led Clark around the Champion's Tower and opportunistically asked, "Your Highness, if I'm not mistaken, you've come to my Sakaar for Thor's hammer and Surtur's crown?"

"Yes, you are correct," Clark readily admitted and casually asked, "But from your words, is Surtur's crown also here on Sakaar?"

"I have no interest in collecting useless items, but I do know where it currently is," said the High Celestial, winking at Clark and giving Sheng Ge a chill: "How about we make a bet? If you win, I will give you this information and Thor as a package."

Clark chuckled inwardly and asked, "And if I lose?"

"Simple," the High Celestial replied excitedly. "I love organizing combat tournaments. The stronger the warrior, the better, and a powerful warrior like you is my favorite. If you lose, how about staying as my exclusive gladiator?"

This was a gamble for Clark's freedom!

Hearing this, Clark really felt an urge to turn hostile and kill him on the spot.

However, the High Celestial is not like the Collector. He is deeply interested in combat and has an energy fluctuation not inferior to Thanos. Besides, who knows what unknown methods this million-year-old monster has?

Among the many Celestials, while the Champion is theoretically the strongest, the High Celestial is definitely the most difficult to deal with.

Moreover, this was his territory, and the saying, "Even a mighty dragon cannot suppress a local snake," applies everywhere.

In the end, Clark, the "mighty dragon," wasn't strong enough!

Wary of the High Celestial, Clark decided to play along with his rules for now.

Nodding slightly, Clark continued, "The stake is fair. So, how do you propose we bet?"

"Of course, a gladiatorial fight. I love it the most. If Your Highness participates, it will definitely be a thrilling high-level battle," said the High Celestial without a moment's hesitation.

Clark did not immediately respond. He silently followed the High Celestial, inspecting the arena as if considering his options. The High Celestial did not rush him.

After the tour of the arena, Clark finally gave his answer: "Participating in your combat tournament is not a problem. But before that, I have a different proposal."

Hearing Clark's agreement, a cunning smile spread across the High Celestial's face: "What's the proposal?"

"Let my companion, Daisy Johnson, participate in a match first. The stakes remain the same. If you lose, you give me both Thor and the information about Surtur's crown. If I lose, I pay 20 billion credits," Clark said, curiously awaiting the High Celestial's reaction.

Hearing this proposal, the High Celestial shook his head: "Your plan is to have your companion fight for you. Winning would be good, but even if you lose, it's just a loss of money, and you might gather some information about your opponents in the process. Prince, that's quite a scheme."

Shrugging, Clark didn't deny it: "In fact, if your warrior can't even beat Daisy, what qualification do they have to challenge me?"

Shaking his head, the High Celestial refused: "No, I cannot agree to your proposal, as I find it unfair to me. If you insist on your companion fighting, that can be an appetizer unrelated to Thor. You bet 1 billion credits for the information about Surtur's crown."

"After the three-day tournament, on the fourth night, I'll arrange for you to fight my strongest warrior. If Your Highness wins that match, I'll immediately release Thor and return him to you. How about that?"

Clark smiled slightly: "Agreed. But I hope Thor won't appear as Daisy's opponent."

"No problem."

After settling the conditions, the High Celestial arranged for a maid to guide Clark and handle their accommodations and other arrangements.

After bidding farewell to the High Celestial, Clark went to see his nephew Thor.

The reunion was emotional for Thor, who felt a mix of feelings like "a guest above, a prisoner below." Tears almost streamed down his face.

Although Clark was annoyed that Thor had wandered off and ended up here, he comforted his nephew and then asked the questions he had been pondering.

First, why didn't Thor use the Bifrost to return to Asgard after obtaining Surtur's crown but instead went to Xandar?

Second, as the God of Thunder, what kind of interstellar thieves could capture him and sell him here?

Thor had to answer, despite the embarrassment.

The second answer was more plausible: Thor was ambushed by interstellar thieves and incapacitated with a neural speed electric shock device. It's well-known that his weakness is this. Being caught off guard once is forgivable; it's a lesson learned.

As for why he went to Xandar with Surtur's crown, it was laughable.

It all started with Clark.

Before Clark returned to Earth and was invited to England by Sharon, he had offered her a beverage from Xandar. Sharon enjoyed it and bragged about it to Jane Foster.

Jane asked Thor about it, but he had never tried such a drink. In Asgard, he only drank mead.

However, to please his beloved Jane, he planned to buy some from Xandar.

Then, he encountered interstellar thieves, and the rest is history.

The device that incapacitated him was still embedded in his neck, unable to be removed.

"Just wait here peacefully," Clark said sternly to Thor. "I'll find a way to get you out in a few days."

After leaving Thor, Clark asked Daisy, "Do you want to eat something, or go back to rest?"

"After all the hustle in space, my hairstyle is a mess," Daisy complained, then made a request: "If possible, I'd like to get my hair done."

Before Clark could respond, a maid interjected, "If the lady wants a hairstyle, there's no need to go outside. The best hair stylist on Sakaar is right here in the Champion's Tower. I can take you there anytime."

Clark was initially reluctant to accompany a woman for a hairdo, but Daisy changed his mind with a single sentence: "As a prince with gentlemanly manners, isn't it proper to maintain your companion's image?"

Feeling Daisy's "you dare not agree, let's talk about the companion's matter" look, Clark agreed, curious about the best stylist on Sakaar and how aliens handled hair.

Thus, they met a mysterious white-haired old man dressed like the King of Hearts, holding a special hair-cutting tool resembling a combination chainsaw, cutting a prisoner's hair while he wailed.

Seeing the "King of Hearts" greet the prisoner with an indifferent expression, Daisy shuddered and quickly declined: "I think I'll pass. My current hairstyle is actually quite nice, no need for trimming."

As the tool stopped, the prisoner's hair was neatly done, surprisingly unharmed by the fierce tool.

The old man turned and smiled kindly at Clark and Daisy: "Would you like a haircut?"

Daisy shook her head: "No, we were just looking... Yes, just looking."

The old man sighed regretfully: "That's a pity. I actually enjoy helping others. It brings me joy too."

"If you ever face an unsolvable problem, try helping others. Sometimes, solving their big problems can make your own troubles disappear."

After these cryptic words, the old man returned to his next "customer."

Clark received an impression value from the cosmic will, converted into a 'Random BGM Lottery Card'.

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