Chapter 046: You Don't Know Anything About This Universe

Killian burst into laughter, as if Jiang Chen's words were the most absurd thing he had ever heard. His expression quickly shifted into a sneer as he glared at Jiang Chen.

"You? Worthy?" Killian spat, his voice dripping with contempt. "You only got this far because of the potion I created!"

He spread his arms wide, flames licking at his skin in a vivid demonstration of power. "But let me make something clear: the potion you took was just an experimental version. I've perfected it and enhanced myself! Now, I'm far stronger than you!"

Red-hot flames roared to life around Killian's body, his entire form blazing with the destructive power of Extremis. It was a statement, a warning—without Killian, Jiang Chen was nothing.

Iron Man, barely standing, coughed painfully. "Jiang Chen, get out of here... you can't win, there are too many of them!" His voice was laced with desperation, trying to save someone who was clearly in over his head.

But Jiang Chen ignored him, shaking his head with a sigh, his eyes fixed on Killian. "You're really trying hard to convince yourself, aren't you?" he said calmly. "It seems you don't understand that my strength doesn't come from some potion. My strength comes from something much more powerful... my luck. And it's 100%."

The statement hung in the air, almost absurd in its delivery. Killian barked a laugh, while Iron Man, Black Widow, and Hawkeye stared in disbelief. Could Jiang Chen really believe that luck was enough to save him in a battle like this?

"Luck?!" Killian snarled. "Let me tell you something—luck means nothing when faced with absolute power!"

He lunged forward, flames burning even brighter. But before he could strike, Jiang Chen's voice cut through the tension.

"Wait!" Jiang Chen shouted, his hand raised.

Killian halted, confusion flickering across his face. "What? Are you scared now? Ready to beg for mercy?" he mocked, his tone condescending.

Jiang Chen smirked, opening the large black bag strapped to his back. "Beg for mercy? No. I'm just here to play smart."

From within the bag, Jiang Chen pulled out a long, gleaming scepter. Killian glanced at the object and scoffed, dismissing it with a wave. "You think that stick will save you? Pathetic."

The spectators watching the live broadcast from all over the world were equally puzzled. "What the hell is he doing with a scepter?!" someone shouted in disbelief.

"Iron Man's suit can't even handle these guys, and he's using a stick?!" another voice rang out, anger and frustration boiling over.

But the real shock came from Nick Fury, his eyes glued to the screen. "Isn't that… Loki's scepter?" he muttered, his face inches from the monitor. "How on Earth did that end up in Jiang Chen's hands?!"

Iron Man, Black Widow, and Hawkeye exchanged glances, their confusion mirroring Fury's. The scepter was supposed to be locked away in S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, not in the hands of some rookie.

Jiang Chen's voice broke the silence again. "You really have no idea what's going on, do you?" He raised the scepter, its tip glowing ominously.

Killian, still confident in his strength, made a move to attack, but it was too late. Jiang Chen swiftly tapped the scepter against Killian's chest. An invisible force rippled out from the point of contact, quickly overwhelming Killian.

His smug expression drained from his face, replaced by a vacant, lifeless stare.

"Kneel," Jiang Chen commanded, his voice steady.

Without hesitation, Killian dropped to his knees, the fire in his body extinguished like a candle blown out in a storm.

The world seemed to freeze. The villain, who had been terrorizing everyone just moments ago, was now on his knees before Jiang Chen. Those watching couldn't believe their eyes. Was it over? Had Jiang Chen really won?

Jiang Chen didn't stop. "Give me the antidote for Extremis," he ordered.

Killian, under the control of the scepter, obediently handed over two small silver tubes. "These are the only remaining successful versions," he said in a monotone voice.

Jiang Chen nodded, satisfied. He took one last look at Killian, then pointed the scepter directly at his chest. A beam of energy shot out, piercing Killian's heart. As the villain convulsed, a brief flash of recognition returned to his eyes.

"W-what did you do to me...?" he croaked, but before he could finish, his body exploded into fiery fragments, scattering across the battlefield.

The remaining Burning Men, witnessing their leader's destruction, hesitated. Instead of continuing their rampage, they turned and fled, disappearing into the smoke and rubble. S.H.I.E.L.D. agents immediately mobilized, chasing after the fleeing enemies.

Jiang Chen stood still for a moment, staring after them. "That's weird," he muttered to himself. "I was ready for a fight, but they just ran away…"

Suddenly, the silence was broken by a wave of cheers erupting from the crowd. The civilians, who had been gripped by fear moments earlier, now rushed forward, shouting their thanks and praise.

"You saved us! You're a hero!" the leader, Matthew Ellis, exclaimed, shaking Jiang Chen's hand enthusiastically. "I don't know how to thank you enough!"

Jiang Chen smiled politely, but before he could say anything more, the crowd parted, and Iron Man, Black Widow, and Hawkeye approached him, their expressions a mix of awe and suspicion.

"Where did you get that scepter?" they asked in unison.

Jiang Chen merely grinned. "You wouldn't believe me if I told you."