章 138: Phoenix Blood Elixir
Authors Note-
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Under Thor's leadership, Ivan soon arrived at the magnificent Palace of Asgard. Upon a high platform, an old man with white hair and a single eye occupied the throne—the supreme ruler of the God-king Odin.
Thor approached to bow before Odin, ready to report the incident. However, Odin raised his hand, signaling Thor to step back, saying, "I already know what happened. Step back; I will deal with it."
Thor, confident in his father, immediately stepped aside. In his eyes, his father Odin was omnipotent, and he followed his instructions without hesitation. Odin then turned to the woman, conversing with her in a hushed tone.
Ivan had long noticed the unparalleled beauty, recognizing her as the famous goddess Frigga. Witnessing Thor's emotional state, Ivan sought to offer comfort, noting the kindness Frigga directed towards Thor.
At this moment, Odin directed his gaze at Ivan, emanating a high-ranking aura. Under such pressure, most would tremble and struggle to stand steady. However, Ivan seemed unfazed, wearing a faint smile. Confronting Odin's formidable presence and piercing one-eyed gaze, Ivan placed his right hand on his chest and bowed slightly, saying, "Hello, Your Majesty, the esteemed God King. Earthman Ivan Shaw salutes you."
Ivan didn't dare underestimate Odin. Though aged, for gods with lifespans in the hundreds of thousands of years, his age might seem significant, but appearances can be deceiving. One must pay attention to the potential cards he may still hold. In his prime, the God King Odin was an all-father-level powerhouse. Even facing a weakened Odin, Ivan showed no disrespect, recognizing the former's formidable history compared to Thanos, who was only considered quasi-All Father level before obtaining the Infinity Stones.
Observing Ivan's resilience to his presence, Odin's pupils contracted slightly. He spoke Thoremnly, "I am genuinely surprised to see a formidable being as you reappear in Midgard."
"Thank you for the praise, Your Majesty the King of God! However, I prefer the term Earth. Frankly, Midgard feels a bit confusing to me."
Odin's gaze turned slightly cold. "Are you claiming sovereignty over Earth? I won't delve into Earthly matters, but this is Asgard. While it was a misunderstanding, you did intrude, and consequently, you will be banished from Asgard..."(T/N- Why does that matter)
"Wait, Father! I have something to say!" Thor, interrupting Odin, stood up abruptly.
Odin, displeased with Thor's interruption, turned to look at him.
Despite the pressure from his father's gaze, Thor, driven by a plan, spoke under duress: "Father, I faced him before and suffered a defeat, but I am not reconciled. Please allow me to fight him again. If I win, I will end him myself; if he wins, cancel his punishment. Father, please grant me this chance."
Thor's willfulness irritated Odin, who was on the verge of scolding him. However, considering Thor's status as his heir and Odin's limited time left, he suppressed his anger. Faced with the public eye, Odin reluctantly inquired, "Are you serious?"
"Yes, Father. Allow me the opportunity to redeem my honor," Thor said, feeling a twinge of regret but ultimately resisting the pressure to make his plea.
In reality, Thor had his considerations. During his conversation with his mother, Frigga, he recounted the story of his defeat and analyzed Ivan's ability to absorb energy. Frigga, far from being a mere figurehead, swiftly assessed Ivan's power and identified potential weaknesses. She proposed various solutions, boosting Thor's confidence and convincing him of a high probability of victory in a rematch. Thus, Thor brought this request to Odin.
Observing the determination in Thor's eyes, Odin was inclined to accept his request. However, Ivan unexpectedly declared, "Sorry, I refuse this meaningless challenge!"
"What! You can't just refuse a challenge! We must determine the winner and loser," objected one of the warriors. Refusing challenges was viewed with disdain among their kind.
"Why should I accept your challenge? Is winning or losing truly that crucial to you? Fine, I concede."
"Concede? You insolent person! What glory is there in being a warrior if you readily admit defeat? You lack the courage to face a challenge and are unworthy of being a warrior."
"The glory of a warrior? What does that have to do with me? I never claimed to be a warrior; I was a scientist. Strength is merely a by-product of my scientific pursuits, never my goal." Ivan's nonchalant demeanor stirred hatred among the Asgard warriors.
"A scientist? What's that? I've never heard of it!" Thor, looking puzzled, felt deceived.
"Cough, cough!" Heimdall, unable to bear it any longer, coughed twice and awkwardly explained, "Scientists are knowledgeable individuals who invent magical equipment and items. The top ones are equivalent to the Sages of Asgard."
"A sage?" Thor needed clarification. "Aren't they wise individuals who master mysterious powers, predict the future, and guide the world's development? But aren't many of them weak?"
Heimdall continued, "While most scientists are relatively weak, they share similarities with sages. However, the two worlds are fundamentally different, and distinctions naturally exist. They are all wise individuals, and scientists sometimes use unique means to enhance their or others' strengths. On Midgard or Earth, there was a scientist who, due to an experiment gone awry, underwent a mutation, gaining tremendous power."
Listening to Heimdall's explanation, Thor gained a general understanding of the existence of scientists. However, facing Ivan, his opponent, who seemed to avoid the fight entirely, Thor grappled with inner conflict. Although he had identified a way to defeat Ivan, the latter refused to give him the opportunity. Thor's face underwent various changes, reflecting his inner turmoil.
Observing Thor's dilemma, his mother, Frigga, intervened, addressing Ivan, "As a scientist, you must have a thirst for truth and knowledge. Don't miss the chance to acquire knowledge, right?"
Ivan nodded, stating, "Yes! I believe knowledge is the most precious wealth in the universe. I am willing to sacrifice everything for the truth."
"In that case, let's make a wager. Fight in a battle with Thor. If you win, I will arrange for Asgard's Library to be open to you. I believe you won't refuse," Frigga proposed.
Ivan readily agreed, "I have no reason to refuse. I accept the challenge."
Wearing a successful-conspiracy smile, Frigga continued, "But since it's a gamble, the stakes are two-sided. We offer Asgard's knowledge; what can you offer as a bet?"
"This..." Now, it was Ivan's turn to be in a quandary. Revealing Asgard's scientific and technological knowledge was undoubtedly a significant offer. Coming up with something of equal value posed a real challenge for Ivan.
After contemplating, Ivan's face lit up with a hint of joy. He retrieved a peculiarly shaped small bottle from his bag, containing a red liquid with an emerald-like brilliance, resembling a group of flames.
"I'll use this as the bet. It's a Resurrection potion derived from the blood of the ancient mythical beast Phoenix, combined with various precious magical materials. If someone dies, as long as it's within three hours and the soul hasn't yet departed, pouring it on the deceased will turn them into flames and grant them a second chance."
Ivan's explanation astonished everyone, including Odin, the king of gods. Even Odin, with his divine power, couldn't accomplish resurrection. The small bottle of potion held the promise of such a feat, instilling a sense of incredulous awe. Confidence in this unusual gamble grew.
"Is this potion truly as miraculous as claimed? Reviving someone surely comes with complications. What are its drawbacks?" Frigga, intending to corner Ivan, aimed to establish specific conditions for using this magical concoction.
"As expected of the Queen of the Gods, always quick to inquire." Ivan purposely revealed his awareness of Fury's identity, indicating his astuteness.
"Yes, indeed. While this potion can bring people back to life, it demands a cost. Those revived using this potion lose their original powers. For instance, after the resurrection, a wizard would see their magical prowess reset to zero and require re-cultivation. However, there are advantages as well. Post-resurrection, the individual's physical qualities are sublimated, and the power gained through re-cultivation is purer."
Ivan, holding the bottle, exhibited a rare trace of proud affection. Reflecting on the painstaking effort he invested in refining this potion, Ivan felt a twinge of sadness. Despite his busy schedule, he dedicated time each month to visit the home of magical creatures on Skull Island to extract Phoenix blood. This process left the Phoenix sluggish, and it took decades of unwavering perseverance to succeed.
Observing the potion in Ivan's hand, Frigga inquired, "May I test the drug's efficacy?"
"Of course!" Without hesitation, Ivan handed the bottle to Frigga, confident that it wouldn't be misused. Given the Asgard Palace setting and the presence of many onlookers, including Odin, any inappropriate action would likely result in swift retribution. God, King Odin could not afford to lose face. As Frigga opened the bottle, a peculiar brilliance emanated from her palm as she began to assess the potion using a mysterious method. Ivan maintained a confident smile, equally assured of the potion's efficacy.
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