American comics: Praising the sun, starting from Gotham!

In the center of the hall, Bruce and Kang's negotiations continued.

The survivor's hand hovered in the air for a few seconds before he casually withdrew it and straightened his cuffs.

His face still wore that warm smile, as if the awkwardness from just now had never happened.

"Oh, never mind, Mr. Bruce. I just haven't seen a variable with independent will in a long time."

He sat back down at the table and refilled the empty cup opposite him with hot tea.

"For a lonely lighthouse keeper, any ship that veers off course is a surprise worth celebrating."

Loki sat down in an armchair nearby. He crossed his legs and watched the confrontation with great interest, like an audience member in a theater.

"The guard?"

Bruce caught the word. He walked slowly to the table, but instead of sitting down, he remained standing, ready to react at any moment.

"As far as I know, the purpose of a lighthouse is to guide, not to dictate, that all ships must take the same route."

Those who remained were very happy.

"Well said! But if only one route in that sea is safe, and all others lead to a destructive storm, then wouldn't my small act of guiding the waters, as the guardian, be considered a necessary act of kindness?"

As he spoke, he picked up his teacup and blew on it, but his gaze was fixed on Bruce through the rising steam.

"Are TVA and the Sacred Timeline just tools for what you call forced guidance?"

"A tool, yes."

Those who survived readily admitted it.

"A tool to fight against my less-than-friendly variants. You see, Mr. Bruce, what do you do when you realize that as long as you exist, countless evil versions of yourself will inevitably emerge, wanting to destroy everything?"

He put down his teacup and leaned forward slightly.

"Do you choose to kill your original self, eradicate everything from its source, and plunge the universe into utter unknown? Or do you choose the most difficult path: to live and then use every means at your disposal to nip all possible evil in the bud? I chose the latter."

"You have built a concentration camp at the cost of countless lives."

"But I prevented a war that could have destroyed the entire multiverse."

Those who remained immediately refuted this.

"It's a simple trolley problem, Mr. Bruce. On one side are countless timelines heading towards destruction, and on the other is a sacred timeline that, though monotonous, is absolutely peaceful. I pressed the switch."

"You have no right to press the switch for anyone."

"That's why I'm tired."

The survivor suddenly sighed and leaned back in his chair.

"I've been guarding this lighthouse for so long that I've forgotten what the sea tastes like. I'm tired of the endless cycle, tired of waking up every day to a predetermined script, checking for any punctuation errors."

He looked at Hugh by the window, then at Bruce in front of him.

"Therefore, I am looking for one or a group of successors."

Upon hearing this, even Xiu En, who was discussing flowerpot designs with Ivy, turned around.

"ha?"

Loki hadn't expected the other person to be so direct.

That damn old man, he doesn't play by the rules!

"You want to retire?"

For the first time, uncertainty appeared in Bruce's voice.

"That's right, permanent retirement."

The survivors breathed a sigh of relief, a relieved smile spreading across their faces.

"I want to go somewhere where there's no time, go fishing, watch the sunset, or just daydream. And leave this mess—no, this great undertaking—to you more energetic and imaginative young people."

When he said this, Xiu En could clearly feel that he was exuding a deathly aura. This person was looking for death.

"Imagine, Mr. Bruce, that you are in charge of the TVA, the ultimate organization that controls the timeline. You can build a truly fair and just order according to your ideals."

He turned to Xiu En, his eyes burning with passion.

"And you will have the highest level of privileges, able to freely travel to any world you want to go to, taste any kind of food you want to taste, and never have to worry about being bound by any boring rules again."

"How is it? Doesn't this job sound amazing?" The benefits and compensation are absolutely top-tier across the multiverse, and you'll be in top management from the moment you join.

"Of course, there's a small test before you can start working."

The flames in the fireplace flickered slightly.

Shuon looked at Loki.

"A test? No need for that."

"Still a test? Still an onboarding process?"

"The process is too complicated. You, the chief director, want to retire, and it just so happens that this Mr. Loki is a god of storytelling, right?"

Bruce's gaze suddenly sharpened as he looked at Loki, his eyes filled with scrutiny and suspicion.

He had no idea Loki had such a title, but Shuen's words clearly touched on some core secret, and it was obvious that Shuen knew something.

The only one seemingly unaffected was Kang, who remained. The weariness on his face vanished, replaced by a curiosity akin to discovering a new toy.

He looked at Xiu En with shining eyes, as if anticipating an even more spectacular performance.

"Since he is already the god of stories, it means that he has already passed all the tests and sat on the throne that he is rightfully on."

Shuen finally turned around and walked back to the round table. He didn't look at Kang, but walked straight up to Loki and looked down at him.

"So here's the question, my dear playwright."

Shuen mimicked Loki's previous tone.

"If your story has already reached its final act, then why is this director, who should have taken his bow in the very first act, still sitting here inviting us for tea?"

"Your script is wrong, Loki."

Shuon reached out and patted Loki's cheek.

"Or are you saying you're not a God of Storytelling at all? Or are you just an imitator who popped out of some cut-out timeline?"

"Me, uh."

"Of course he is."

Kang spoke, his voice filled with delighted laughter, successfully drawing everyone's attention.

The survivor stood up, walked around the round table, and stood between Shuon and Loki.

He looked at Xiu En, his admiration undisguised.

"Fantastic! Absolutely fantastic!"

"I've observed countless timelines and witnessed countless possibilities, but I never imagined there would be a variable that could predict the story's ending before I even opened my mouth! All the effort I put into inviting you here was worthwhile; you're a truly unexpected surprise, a completely unpredictable one!"

He stared intently at Xiu En.

"You're absolutely right! Completely correct! According to the original trajectory of the sacred timeline, this version of Loki, after a series of adventures and sacrifices, will eventually become the new God of the story, replacing me and maintaining the balance of the multiverse. As for me, I should have turned into cosmic dust long ago."

"but!"

Kang then changed the subject.

"Your presence, especially your presence."

He pointed at Xiu En.

"You are the variable, perhaps the only variable in the multiverse! You don't exist in Marvel, and I haven't observed you in DC either! You've shattered that!"

"This Loki is certainly not the Loki destined to become the god of stories. He's just the most interesting actor I found among countless failed Loki variants. I gave him a script, a little help, and asked him to invite you powerful variables to be my guests."

Kang Song's smile became sincere and frank.

"So let's forget all that boring preamble and probing."

"Now, I am formally proposing a real deal to you."

His gaze shifted between Shuen and Bruce.

"I will help you deal with the Council of Kang. I know all about my evil variants, their technologies, weaknesses, and strategic deployments."

He paused for a moment, then threw out his final chip.

"In return, I want you to take my place, or find someone who can take my place, and then let me die."

Faced with Kang's proposal, which was enough to drive any ambitious person mad,

Xiu En shook his head.

"Inherit your position? No interest."

"Relinquishing control of TVA? That's something to consider. But..."

He looked directly into Kang's eyes.

"Most importantly, I refuse to accept your death."

"What?"

Refuse his death?

"What are you talking about?"

"Didn't you understand my deal? I'll get rid of all that endless trouble outside, I'll give you supreme power, and I only ask for one thing. Let me be free! Let me end this damned, endless cycle of reincarnation!"

"I understand."

Xiu En spoke calmly.

But I still refused.

"Why?!"

Kang raised his voice, rushed forward a few steps, and questioned him emotionally.

"Do you know what I've sacrificed to maintain this so-called sacred timeline? Do you know what it feels like to watch countless variants of yourself wreak havoc and plunder across the multiverse, while I can only cut them off one by one like a jailer? Do you know how vicious an immortality curse truly is?!"

"I don't know, and I don't want to know."

Xiu interrupted his impassioned speech.

All I know is that you are still alive.

"This is why you want to kill me! I must die! Only when I die can this cycle be broken! Only then can a new story begin!"

"No."

Shuen shook his head again, his gaze sweeping over Kang before landing on Loki beside him.

"You've got one thing wrong, Kang. Your life, from the moment you decided to scheme against me, no longer belonged to you."

Bruce frowned instinctively at those words. He was about to say something to ease the tension when Shuen stopped him with a gesture of raising his hand.

Xiu En took a step forward, and the aura of the sun emanating from his body was released without reservation, making the temperature of the entire castle seem to rise a few degrees.

"I will save ordinary people who want to survive, even if they have to wallow in the mud. Because that's life yearning to continue."

"I will save ordinary people who want to survive, even if they have to wallow in the mud. Because that's life yearning to continue."

"And you, a being who has lived for billions of years and wields the power of time, are here crying and begging for death. You are trampling on life itself."

"you……"

"The sun shines on all things, and it won't withhold light and heat from a blade of grass just because it doesn't want to grow. I won't grant your request just because you want to die."

"I want you to live, so you'd better live well. Want to die? You don't have that right."

A sunflower clone emerged from his shoulder, its two leaves folded against its chest. It tapped the flower head and echoed in a voice only the two of them could hear, "That's right, you need to queue up and apply to be used as fertilizer. Your complex energy composition makes you troublesome to process; you're hazardous waste."

"You're insane! You're a complete madman!"

Kang staggered back two steps, gripping the edge of the round table, his eyes filled with disbelief as he looked at Xiu En, as if he were looking at a monster more outrageous than all his evil variants combined.

"Wait a moment."

Bruce finally found an opportunity to interject.

"Xiu En, your decision was too hasty. Mr. Kang, your condition is also unstable. We first need to clarify one point: what logic is behind your conclusion that you must die?"

"Logic? Logic is this! As long as I live! As long as this throne exists! The timeline will inevitably slide towards the only endpoint. That is the birth of the Council of Kang! They are my variants, my shadow! We share the same origin, the same root, and the same existence! As long as this singularity of good exists, it will forever attract countless variants of evil to try to devour me and replace me! It's an infinite closed loop! I've tried! I've tried countless times! The only solution is for me to disappear! To let this singularity collapse!"

"And then plunge the multiverse into an even larger war of freedom?"

Bruce countered with a question.

"That's still better than being ruled by a tyrant!"

Loki, who was standing nearby, finally couldn't help but interject.

"Who said war is inevitable?"

Xiu En spoke again, and all eyes were once again focused on him.

"If he doesn't want to do it anymore, then he can quit. Pack him up and take him to the Ximu Realm. Find a place where he can sunbathe, fish, and grow flowers every day. Ivy will watch over him and make sure he doesn't die or run away."

He added, "I'll persuade Afu to occasionally send him some cookies."

The sunflower obediently poked its head out and gave Kang a kind smile.

Xiu En then looked at the empty throne as if it were a product.

"As for this position, and that TVA outside. Since this Kang is so knowledgeable, let him hand over all the technology, as well as the dark history and weaknesses of everyone in his Kang Council."

He finally looked at Bruce and shrugged.

Xiu En gave no one time to react; the golden projection transformed into an almost elusive streak of light, its target clear.

That's Loki, still sitting upright in his armchair.

Xiu's ideas have always been simple and direct.

Since someone absolutely has to sit in this broken chair and manage all this mess, why can't it be this guy who's been stirring things up and making trouble from the start? Anyway, according to the original plot, this guy was supposed to sit in this position.

"Hey, actor, it's your turn to go on stage!"

His hand was about to grab Loki's shoulder, and golden divine fire was even beginning to gather in his palm, ready to give him a physical blow.

However, his hand reached nothing.

Loki's figure twisted like an illusion and then silently appeared at the other end of the room, far away from the throne.

He remained seated as if he had never moved, except that he now held a glass of golden liquid in his hand.

He raised his glass to Xiu En, who looked completely bewildered.

"My dear male protagonist, the joy of the story lies in watching, not in personally playing every role."

"Especially this kind of drudgery that inevitably involves dealing with endless, boring documents. I'd much rather see you sit in that position and then write an epic called 'The Birth of the Sun God King' for you."

"Come on."

Sunflower bluntly retorted.

"He just wanted to slack off and watch the show without taking any responsibility. That guy is wicked."

Shuen glanced at the slippery Loki, pursed his lips, and lost interest.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Kang, one of the survivors, burst into laughter.

"See that? Mr. Bruce, see that! That's the joy of free will! Unpredictable! Full of surprises!"

As he watched this farce unfold before him, it was as if he were witnessing the scene he had longed for most for billions of years.

He walked briskly back to the lonely throne. He stroked the cold armrests of the throne, as if bidding farewell to an old friend who had accompanied him through countless years.

"That's enough, that's enough."

He said softly, satisfied.

"My mission, my curse, come to an end."

After he finished speaking, his body began to become transparent, turning into specks of golden dust from his feet upwards.

Xiu En found the scene very familiar, just like the Ancient One. So Xiu En didn't stop him.

"Wait! You haven't handed over your work yet!"

Bruce shouted, trying to stop him.

"Handover? Oh, no need."

Kang wore a mischievous grin, his upper body almost completely dissipating.

"All the data has been left in TVA's database. Consider it my welcome gift to the new CEO. Have fun."

His figure gradually disappeared into the air, leaving only a faint echo.

Goodbye, my friends.

The moment Kang's figure disappeared, an alarm sounded throughout the entire TVA headquarters, and even in all dimensions connected to the sacred timeline, like shattering glass!

The scene before Xiu En and the others began to flicker wildly, with countless colorful lines representing new branches of time sprouting out from the lonely main line and spreading throughout the entire multiverse!

"Damn it!"

Loki cursed aloud, and the wine glass in his hand vanished into nothingness.

"That madman! He actually just gave up like that!"

"He severed all stabilizing mechanisms between TVA and the Sacred Timeline!"

"He's broken all the restrictions! The timeline is out of control!"

Before everyone could recover from this sudden turn of events, several orange square portals abruptly opened around them!

Emerging from the door were squads of soldiers clad in silver-white high-tech armor and wielding peculiar rifles that emitted a blue glow.

Their masks all bore the same emblem representing Kang.

The Kangzhi Council's pursuers!

"The signal of an Alpha-level time-criminal survivor has disappeared!"

The leading commander announced in a cold, electronic voice.

"The Sacred Timeline Protocol has collapsed! Supreme Order: Purge all unauthorized biomorphs within this area!"

"biu! biu! biu!"

The soldier's rifle fired blue beams.

Wherever the beam of light touched, whether it was the castle walls or the stone slabs on the ground, they became translucent the moment they came into contact with it, and then disappeared completely from existence as if they had been erased by an eraser!

"Space Jump!"

Loki roared and grabbed Bruce, who was closest to him, instantly teleporting to the other side of the hall.

Xiu En's Golden Crow Divine Fire erupted, forming a golden shield that burned several blue beams of light aimed at them into nothingness!

"These weapons are erasing cause and effect!"

Bruce immediately analyzed the principle behind the opponent's weapon.

Just as they were preparing to counterattack, a green rift, belonging to neither side, suddenly tore open in the center of the battlefield!

A lithe figure stumbled out of the crevice, dressed in a tattered TVA uniform, wearing a golden headband with a broken horn, and clutching a short sword that shimmered with green magical light.

As soon as she landed, she rolled over and looked around warily.

It was a woman with short, neat blond hair and emerald green eyes filled with an indomitable rage and weariness.

She and Loki look remarkably alike!

"Ha! Another one!"

The soldiers of the Kangzhi Council immediately pointed their guns at her.

"New Loki variant detected! Eliminate target first!"

Dozens of blue beams of light instantly converged on the woman!

The female Loki raised her short sword, seemingly preparing to take the blow head-on.

Why do all Lokis, who are clearly sorcerers, prefer melee combat?

"Hey! New guy!"

Xiu En's voice rang in her ears. The next second, a golden figure blocked her path.

Xiu En spread his five fingers, and a huge shield made of divine fire appeared out of thin air, blocking all the incoming beams of obliteration. He even used the time energy in those beams as fuel to make the fire burn even brighter.

He turned around, gave the astonished Loki a friendly smile, and pulled an Alford chocolate chip cookie from his trench coat pocket.

"A newbie on a film crew being chased? Don't worry, I have some welcome snacks here. Want one?"