The aliens who were picked up by Superman at the beginning

"Okay, what's already happened isn't the most important thing right now."

Constantine had little doubt.

Li Zhen knows some magic but isn't proficient, while Jason is a complete novice in magic.

Constantine didn't think the two of them had any means to trigger one of the few conditions that allowed Nero to reach the real world.

Besides, his purpose in coming here this time wasn't entirely to interrogate or punish.

Constantine came to offer help.

"I know that you and the Justice League contacted some third-rate magicians to build a transdimensional magic defense network in order to prevent Ares of Olympus from repeatedly causing trouble on Earth."

Constantine put away the gold coins and extended a hand towards Li Zhen.

"The situation is urgent now. Although I don't expect you to know how serious this matter is, I still hope you can cooperate with me."

Constantine finally revealed his purpose.

"I need command of that transdimensional magical defense network, its token, and the power to modify it."

Li Zhen was taken aback. He instinctively wanted Constantine to go to Batman, because that magical defense network was built by Zatanna and several other sorcerers recruited into the Justice League under Batman's orders.

Moreover, Li Zhen had no idea whether the consequences of Nero achieving the ritual's content were worse.

It would have been worse to have so easily trusted Constantine.

Batman has the ability to see into people's hearts; only he can quickly determine a person's trustworthiness in a critical situation.

But Batman is not in this world at this moment.

Why don't you just go find Zatana?

Li Zhen was not keen to take on the responsibility of making this judgment.

He had no idea whether Constantine was telling the truth or not.

Should I directly refuse?

What if it's true?

Given Constantine's nature, the fact that he's now getting involved in this matter means there must have been something between him and Nero that he didn't mention back then.

If you refuse Constantine, given that guy's temper, he'll definitely turn around and leave, avoiding the matter altogether. Then Nero might one day descend upon Earth invincible glory.

Who will take charge?

Constantine was very impatient.

"Zuba and I have had some disagreements lately, and we've had a bit of a falling out. In fact, she won't give me any chance to be alone with her anymore, and she won't listen to a single word I say."

Seeing that Li Zhen did not react, Constantine urged her again.

"Nero only needs to complete one more transaction, and his ritual will be finished."

Jason was also very serious at this moment. This matter had undoubtedly dragged all five people who had made deals with Nero into the mess.

Lee Jung has always maintained that he does not consider himself a superhero, and morally speaking, he can ignore this matter.

But Jason certainly couldn't stand idly by.

"What will happen after that?"

"That depends on what Nero ultimately wants. Last time, he wanted to become the true ruler of Hell, so his focus wasn't always on Earth. But this time, he is already the ruler of Hell."

Constantine, still staring at Lee Jung, reiterated, "No matter what, I cannot watch Nero succeed."

"...I'll go and tell Zatana about this."

Li Zhen returned to the Hall of Justice alone, and then first spoke with Zatana privately.

As is customary, he briefly explained the background of the matter to Superman and Diana, so that these two giants, who are on par with Batman, could judge the severity of the situation.

While Superman and Wonder Woman were talking in hushed tones, Lee Jung-ho turned to stand next to Zatanna.

Zatana didn't have time to pay him any attention. Instead, she used magic to begin discussing the ownership of the transdimensional magic defense network with several other mages.

Li Zhen took some time to confide in Rachel.

"There's just more and more going on."

"Batman is missing, the Green Lantern Corps is destroyed, the Anti-Monitor who killed the Emperor, the giant remnants wandering the universe, Apokolips and Darkseid, Nero, the Lord of Hell, and that imposter from some unknown universe that Mongo mentioned."

Li Zhen didn't know why these things, which couldn't be ignored at all, kept popping up, even though he didn't consider himself someone who needed to shoulder too much responsibility related to Earth.

Yet I still felt a bit suffocated by the pressure.

The pressure is almost as intense as when I was working like a beast of burden in my past life. Rachel reached out from the shadows and gently stroked Li Zhen's cheek.

"What I see is a person who is increasingly learning to take responsibility."

Rachel bluntly stated that Lee Jung had actually been shirking all possible responsibilities in the past. This does not simply mean that the greater one's ability, the more one should act. Rather, it means that as long as one is alive, one must continuously interact with the environment.

Responsibility will then naturally arise.

"Didn't you tell me before that the fisherman who saved you suggested that you should live a secluded life in the mountains, cut off from the world, unless you were willing to do so?"

"Only a person who completely withdraws from the world doesn't need to consider the issue of responsibility."

Li Zhen placed her palm on Rachel's hand, her gaze softening.

He began to understand what the emperor had said about Rachel always being able to soothe him and calm him down whenever he felt he was about to collapse.

Zatana, who had just finished discussing with the other mages, turned around and saw this scene, and almost had a heart attack.

It wasn't until she recognized that the hand growing out of Li Zhen's neck belonged to Rachel that she slapped her chest in annoyance.

"You two young lovers are really doing something weird."

Li Zhen didn't respond, but calmly placed Rachel's hand back into the Shadow Dimension. Zatana rolled her eyes and pulled over a mage dressed in something resembling a patchwork robe.

Noticing that Li Zhen's gaze towards the other person even seemed somewhat unfamiliar, she simply began to introduce them.

"He is a ragged man, skilled in soul magic and protective magic. The transdimensional magic defense network is built around his magic."

It has to be said that the level of shabby attire this person is unprecedented.

His clothes, pants, and the cloak that are standard for magicians were all pieced together from old pieces of cloth of different colors, sizes, and shapes.

The ragged man stretched out a hand towards Li Zhen.

Li Zhen assumed the other person wanted to shake her hand, and was afraid that if she was a step too slow, the other person would think she was being disliked or discriminated against.

He quickly extended his hand and shook hands with the ragged man.

The ragged man then shoved something into his palm.

Li Zhen looked at it and saw that it was a broken lock covered in rust.

The ragged man spoke, his voice sounding like he'd been holding in phlegm for over a decade.

"This is the core of the transdimensional magic defense network. I heard that before Batman disappeared, he entrusted most of his worldly possessions to you—I believe in Batman, so I trust you too, and it should rightfully be entrusted to you for safekeeping." Li Zhenren was completely dumbfounded.

He suddenly felt an invisible mountain pressing down on his shoulders.

Li Zhen looked at Zatana in disbelief.

Zatana spread her hands and pouted.

"I don't want to have any further contact with that bastard (Constantine), but as the Ragged Man said, before Batman disappeared, he finally expressed his unwavering trust in you. Now, all of us sorcerers who belong to the Justice League are at your command and in your direction."

Li Zhen slowly closed his five fingers, gripping the rusted lock. Before he could even gather his strength, Steel Bone came again.

"We've deciphered the coordinates Hal left for Kyle, which point to another universe. Superman and Wonder Woman would like to hear your opinion."

Li Zhen, who was trying to boost her morale, suddenly felt a rush of blood to her head and became dizzy.

Wonder Woman—no, Diana Prince—walked over as an individual and patted him on the shoulder.

"Your divine office and authority are all prepared. You are needed to go to Olympus to claim them. You can set the time."