"So it was Gamora and Nebula, the two sisters."
After hearing Coulson's explanation, Leo recalled for a moment and realized that Thanos had sent his adopted daughters, Gamora and Nebula, this time. At the same time, he lamented that everything was truly in chaos.
Jane Foster hadn't met Thor, and now Gamora and Nebula had been dispatched to Earth. Who knows if the Guardians of the Galaxy will even be formed later.
"The Tesseract can open long-distance space portals. Those two aliens want to use the Tesseract to bring an alien army to Earth, and that scepter can control people's minds.
So, you'd better find them quickly; otherwise, prepare to go to war with the aliens!"
After giving a few brief warnings, Leo hung up the phone.
If the Chitauri army's invasion of Earth could be avoided, that would naturally be a good thing. After all, the Mind Scepter was already on Earth, and once S.H.I.E.L.D. retrieved it, he could borrow it for a bit.
Even if S.H.I.E.L.D. couldn't handle it, he could personally take it from Gamora and Nebula when the time came.
For now, with Jane Foster out of the picture, the priority was figuring out how to deal with Loki and the Destroyer. Gamora and Nebula could be left to S.H.I.E.L.D. for now.
However, just as he was planning to take Li San and the others out to find Thor, a mission notification suddenly rang in his ear.
[New main mission, please check the taskbar.]
Upon hearing it was a main mission, Leo immediately stopped in his tracks and quickly opened the panel to check.
A main mission is different from a side mission; it rewards the opening of a new small world, which is extremely important to him.
[Main Mission: Next month, without using any technological weapons, kill the invading Chitauri army with your own abilities.
Drawn World: "Legend of Zu Mountain"
Primary Completion: Independently kill 25% of the Chitauri soldiers.
Mission Reward: Low-level cultivation aptitude, ordinary mortal identity.
Intermediate Completion: Independently kill 50% of the Chitauri soldiers.
Mission Reward: General cultivation aptitude, entry-level disciple of a cultivation sect.
Advanced Completion: Independently kill 80% of the Chitauri soldiers.
Mission Reward: Genius cultivation aptitude, disciple already accepted into a cultivation sect.
Initial Small World Duration: Twelve months.]
Looking at the small world displayed on the panel, Leo's mood instantly became excited.
"Zu Mountain Legend" is a high-ceilinged world of immortal cultivation and a world where true immortality is possible. Even the lower realm's cultivation sects are very powerful, not to mention the even higher celestial realm above.
The idea of flying swords, spells, and various magical artifacts within this world was thrilling.
Of course, the danger level is relatively much higher than the previous two worlds. Those evil cultivators could seize bodies and absorb blood essence at any time; a slight mistake could turn one into another's cultivation fodder.
And there was that Blood Demon of the Nether Springs—simply terrifyingly powerful, with a sea of blood covering the entire world.
"Next month, there's still time to learn some more powerful ninjutsu."
This time, the main mission prohibits the use of any technological weapons to kill the invading Chitauri soldiers. So, the original plan of using a nuclear bomb to blow up the Chitauri mothership wouldn't work.
But he was determined to achieve the advanced completion reward this time.
Unlike the previous wizarding world, aptitude in the world of immortal cultivation are extremely important. Without good aptitude, even if you cultivate in seclusion 24 hours a day, you might only make minimal progress over hundreds of years.
In contrast, someone with good aptitude could become a core of their sect within a few decades.
In the world of immortal cultivation, the difference in aptitude also means different levels of attention from the sect, different resources, and different techniques. Over time, those with poor aptitude are left further and further behind.
However, it's not absolute; there are those with poor aptitude who, through luck, fortune, and various strategies, rise to the top and become elite. But such cases are rare.
If one can have a perfect start, why choose the hardest path?
But completely relying on one's abilities without technological aid to kill 80% of the Chitauri soldiers is not an easy task.
So, he needed to complete this side mission first, which would give him an additional three months of time in the small world as a mission reward.
Three months in the small world, plus one month in the main world, would give him a total of four months to enhance his strength and absorb the ninjutsu he had acquired before.
...
After circling the town and not finding any sign of Thor, Leo headed directly to the location fifty miles away where Thor's hammer had landed.
In a desolate field with some yellowish weeds, there was a large, conspicuous crater with an ancient-looking hammer lying flat in the center.
Around the crater, there were a dozen cars parked, with bottles of alcohol and various food items strewn about. Dozens of burly men and women, still drunk from last night's revelry, lay scattered around.
"Thor Odinson!"
Leo drew his wand and pressed it against his throat, casting a Sonorus charm on himself.
Instantly, a voice like thunder boomed out from his mouth.
The snoring drunks were jolted awake by the loud noise, standing up one by one.
"Hey, who are you? What are you shouting about so early in the morning?"
The burly men, still grumpy from yesterday's hangover, were clearly unhappy about being awakened so early. A few of the hot-tempered ones stormed angrily towards Leo.
However, before they could get close to Leo, they were intercepted by Li San and his group.
These burly men, each strong and robust, were not about to give up easily. Swearing and ready to fight, they tried to take down Li San and his group. Unfortunately for them, they were no match for Li San and the others, who had undergone enhancements, and were quickly subdued.
"Alright, don't hurt them; it was our fault to begin with."
Leo waved his hand at Li San and the others, signaling them to take it easy, and smiled at the burly men, saying,
"Sorry for disturbing your rest. How about this: tonight at the town bar, drinks are on me, the best and most expensive ones, drink as much as you like."
The burly men's anger quickly turned into cheers upon hearing the offer.
Some people are like that; if you come at them hard, they'll push back just as hard. Show them a bit of courtesy and generosity, and they'll consider you a good friend.
"Now, may I ask if any of you know someone named Thor Odinson? I have some business to discuss with him."
"Thor? He's over there!"
Hearing Leo's question, one of the burly men immediately pointed behind the crowd. Following his direction, Leo saw a blond man sprawled out on a blanket beside the crater, sleeping soundly.
The earlier loud noise from the Sonorus charm and the commotion hadn't disturbed him at all.
...