Let me show you a new way Chapter 209

The trio’s radiance merged, and an imperceptible hint of terror crept into the giant python’s expression. It watched the intense light uneasily, for within it lay the positive emotions of will, hope, and compassion. As they fused, a certain dread manifested within the python’s body.

“You’ve always been a coward, Schmidt!” Captain America roared. The three’s light coalesced into a dazzling flame, which, at Captain America’s command, shot forth.

“Boom—” The flame struck the giant python fiercely, forcing its head back and blasting a massive gash directly into its neck. Translucent orange energy, like blood, continuously seeped out.

“How is this possible, how is this possible!” The giant python bellowed. The massive lantern battery in the distance erupted with a powerful energy storm, transmitting energy through the air to the python’s body, rapidly repairing it. The gash on its body healed at an astonishing speed.

“Boom—” The trio once again condensed a flame. Although this light appeared tiny compared to the python’s colossal body, it inflicted immense damage upon the orange light python. It was easily knocked flying again by the flame, swaying in the air, its head instantly blown apart, only to recover in a blink of an eye.

“It’s useless!” The giant python shrieked arrogantly. Only now did it realize that while the combined flame from the trio caused it tremendous harm, it was utterly incapable of killing it. For it was connected to the universe’s collective greed, and the greed of the entire universe could help it restore itself. It was an immortal god.

And they, they were merely mortals.

But Captain America, Thor, and Doctor Strange said no more. They simply, silently, condensed their emotions and launched their attacks.

Tri-colored flames continuously shot forth, creating one massive wound after another on the giant python’s body, only for them to be repaired in an instant.

“Useless, useless, useless, useless, useless!” The giant python roared arrogantly. Under the continuous assault, the trio’s spirits were gradually overdrawn. Their faces were pale, their bodies trembled slightly, but their eyes shone brighter than ever before.

“Why? Why do you keep going when you know this attack won’t work…” The giant python slowly lowered its head, its massive head once again shattered by a flame, only to be repaired in a blink of an eye.

“Because I am a doctor, and I swore from the very beginning to use my hands to protect life!” Doctor Strange’s hand trembled, but he showed no fear, no hesitation.

“Because I am Steve Rogers, and I want to bring hope to others!” Captain America gritted his teeth, the blue light of hope spreading, like the most beautiful color in the world.

“Because I am Thor, God of Thunder, and I must protect people. This is my duty, and the path I have walked my entire life!” Thor shouted, large beads of sweat streaming down. In this consumption of spirit and will, a god was not much stronger than a mortal.

But they did not give up. They showed no cowardice. Even if it meant burning their lives to the last, they would fight to the end, because they were…

Heroes!

“This is what a hero is, Schmidt! You will never understand!” A voice utterly unfamiliar to the giant python echoed from high above.

The giant python quickly turned its head, looking in terror at the small figure floating beside it.

“Who are you? How did you get here?” The giant python cried out in alarm, then directly opened its gaping maw and fiercely lunged at the figure.

“Stop!” The figure extended his right hand, on which a ring was worn. Orange light of avarice emanated from it, enveloping the giant python’s body. Bathed in this light, the giant python actually stopped, its body motionless.

“What’s going on? Who exactly are you? How did you do that?” The giant python shouted, its voice filled with fear and unease. Despite its body being filled with immense power, despite it supposedly being the most powerful life form in the world, under the illumination of that ring’s light, its body was uncontrollable, rigidly suspended in the air.

“Everyone, relax, leave this to me!” Lin Dong said to everyone present. He released magic from his hand, awakening the controlled heroes and slowly sending them back to the ground, even thoughtfully casting a protective spell on them to prevent them from being frozen by the Arctic cold.

“My name is Lin Dong, and I am a magician.” Lin Dong looked at the giant snake before him, a faint smile in his eyes. The orange light between his fingers effortlessly controlled the giant python; its every movement was under Lin Dong’s command.

“And at the same time, I am the creator of the world’s first Lantern Ring.” Lin Dong looked at the giant python and slowly stated.

The orange giant python’s body trembled slightly. It seemed to be trying to break free from Lin Dong’s control, but upon hearing Lin Dong’s words, it froze instantly.

“Impossible, impossible, I should be the chosen one, I should be the child of destiny, I should be Jörmungandr, the devourer of worlds!” The giant python squeezed out the words through clenched teeth, staring fixedly at Lin Dong, as if wanting to bite him to death.

“Do you still not understand?” Lin Dong sighed with a touch of helplessness, speaking to the giant python.

“You were never Jörmungandr. You were John Schmidt, then you were Red Skull, and now…” Lin Dong scrutinized its serpentine body, shaking his head slightly.

“Now, you are merely the Serpent of Desire…”

“You believe you possess an immortal body and immense power, but in reality, that power does not belong to you, but to the Lantern Battery, to the Central Power Battery.”

“You think you control the avarice of all intelligent life in the universe, but in reality, you are controlled by all intelligent life in the universe!” Lin Dong looked at the giant python, then extended his right hand, the orange light of avarice shining between his fingers.

“John Schmidt, your heart’s desires are insatiable. From this day forward, you shall become the Lantern Beast, Ophidian, the Serpent of Desire…”

Under Lin Dong’s command, the giant python’s massive body continuously shrunk and condensed. The python began to emit mournful howls, twisting its body incessantly, but under the control of the orange light, it helplessly drew closer and closer to the colossal Lantern Battery.

“The fire of avarice will forever burn in your heart. You will forever crave what does not belong to you, and you will never be satisfied.”

“And from today onwards, the avarice in your heart will not extinguish. You will become the Lantern Beast of the Lantern Battery and be permanently imprisoned. Everything you crave will never be yours to possess, and the immense power within your body will only be wielded by the Lantern Ring wielder!”

“You will have infinite life, yet possess nothing but life and avarice!”

“No matter who obtains the Orange Lantern Ring, you can only enviously watch as the Lantern Wielder acquires what they desire.”

Lin Dong watched the giant snake being sealed into the Lantern Battery, the orange light of avarice slowly dimming.

“Enjoy your endless life…”