Rustle, rustle, rustle.
The sound of cracking ice echoed in the silent space as Mandarin walked to Venom, slowly bent down, and picked it up.
"What is this thing? Some kind of parasite that can grant its host powerful strength."
Mandarin carefully examined the Venom in his hand; he sharply perceived that the parasite in his hand wanted to parasitize him.
The blue ring instantly lit up, a cold light flashed, and Venom's originally soft body instantly became incredibly hard, followed by being encased in a layer of crystal-clear solid ice.
"Although it's not a demon's head, it's a good collection."
"Give me back Venom."
Qinuo appeared in Mandarin's path at some unknown moment, his body shivering from the cold, each tremor bringing down a shower of tiny ice crystals.
If not for Venom having injected him with self-healing factors beforehand, he would have frozen to Death in this icy wasteland long ago.
"A Mutant?" Mandarin looked at the already healed wounds on his body.
"Your abilities cannot defeat me; they will only cause you more suffering."
"None of your business!" Qinuo cursed, charging at Mandarin recklessly.
"Nonsense." Mandarin's ring shot out a dazzling White light, which, like a sharp sword, instantly pierced through Qinuo's heart.
Qinuo's body stiffened abruptly, then stumbled and fell to the ground.
"Fearless, thoughtless, ignorant."
Mandarin shook his head in disappointment, about to walk past him.
Slap.
A frozen hand gripped Mandarin's shoe tightly, the fingers of that hand stiff to the point of being almost unable to bend.
"Give him back to me." Qinuo lay on the ground, his voice weak but firm.
"Why? Isn't it better to just play dead and survive?" Mandarin looked down indifferently, his eyes devoid of any pity.
"Are you very disappointed, always encountering opponents you can't fully enjoy fighting?" Qinuo lay on the ground, answering irrelevantly.
"So what if I am?"
"Then how about I find you a worthy opponent?"
"Who?"
"The God of Man."
As soon as the words fell, Qinuo disappeared from the spot with Mandarin, without any warning, leaving behind only a patch of deep blue in the center of the yellow desert.
A man and a woman suddenly appeared there.
"I said, is it really okay for you to screw yourself over like this?"
"This isn't really screwing over; it's just a small error in the plan, but this is good too. Mandarin's appearance can also make him understand that this World isn't safe. Otherwise, with his personality, it would probably take him several years to go to DC."
"As if you're any different. If it weren't for Iron Man's Death, triggering the extraordinary World war, you'd still be wasting away."
"Hehe, that's because I have you, My Venom."
---
DC
Lux Bar
Two Shadowy figures abruptly appeared in the hall. It was daytime, and the bar was empty, with only the owner and a waitress.
The bar's decor was full of retro style, with wooden tables and chairs exuding the marks of time, and old photographs hanging on the walls seemingly telling stories of the past.
The bar owner looked at the suddenly appearing figures, raised an eyebrow, and lifted a hand to stop the woman who wanted to approach.
"I really underestimated you, spatial movement." Mandarin looked at the changing surroundings, a hint of surprise flashing in his eyes. This ability was indeed rare.
Everything around him was completely different from before; the dim lighting and old decorations all made him feel a sense of novelty.
Qinuo stood up, escaping the low-temperature environment, and the horrifying large hole in his chest slowly began to repair itself.
"So where is the God of Man you spoke of? Those two mortals over there?"
Mandarin glanced at the bar owner and the waitress, his eyes full of disdain.
"Of course not, My Lord. I'm sorry, I need to borrow your place for a fight. I'll pay to rebuild it for you afterward."
Qinuo relaxed after arriving in this World.
"It's alright."
The bar owner smiled slightly, a smile full of the charm of a mature man. His voice was deep and magnetic, sounding exceptionally clear in the quiet bar.
"Clark, I have information about the last Kryptonian city here. Come and save me quickly!"
Qinuo shouted loudly, his voice echoing in the empty bar.
After the words fell, Qinuo waited quietly.
One second passed, very normal, it takes time to receive information.
Three seconds passed, he should be on his way.
Five seconds passed, and Qinuo finally couldn't remain calm. His brows furrowed, and a hint of unease began to well up in his heart.
Damn it, what's going on? With Superman's speed, it's impossible for him not to come after hearing this news.
Could it be that Superman in this World hasn't appeared yet?
Mandarin's eyes grew colder and colder, as if they could freeze the surrounding air.
"Is this the Clark you are looking for?"
The bar owner handed over a newspaper. Qinuo took it and felt his vision go dark.
Superman Dies Saving the World, City Mourns.
The date was one year ago.
"Holy crap, how did I end up at this point in time?"
Qinuo couldn't help but curse, his expression filled with despair and helplessness.
If only it were a little earlier or a little later, he could have called Superman, but it's stuck right in the middle, neither here nor there.
"Sigh, the God of Man is dead. Is this really fate? Fate is a bitch; it always gives you an uppercut when you least expect it."
Qinuo sighed dejectedly; he really had no other options. Venom was in the opponent's hands, his World-traveling ability was useless for going back, and Superman was also dead. He really had no moves left.
"Hahaha, well said. Is there anything I can help you with, Qinuo?"
The bar owner nodded in agreement, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
"Go to Bruce Wayne and tell him what happened here. I'm sorry, I've brought trouble to your World."
Qinuo completely failed to notice that he had never mentioned his name.
"What about you?"
"I probably can't leave, and I might not be able to compensate you for your bar either."
Watching the two mortals completely ignore him.
"It seems you can't summon that God of Man, so compensate me with your life then."
Mandarin raised his fist; this time, he wouldn't hold back. His eyes were filled with killing intent.
"My Lord, take your employee and run. I can only hold him off for a while at most."
Qinuo charged straight forward. Since Death was on both sides, he might as well punch him.
Mandarin's ring glowed, like a flashbulb, instantly illuminating the dim bar. The intense light made it almost impossible to open one's eyes.
Qinuo closed his eyes, aimed at the remembered position, and punched hard, only reacting when his fist made contact.
Hit him?
I'm not dead?
Opening his eyes, Mandarin still showed no reaction, not even a slight movement of his body.
Qinuo's fist smashed into Mandarin's face, distorting his features. When he withdrew his hand, there was no sign of recovery.
"Time stopped?"