Shang-Chi held his hands in a loose embrace. Between his palms, the Ten Rings spun faster and faster, the golden light growing ever more brilliant.
At last, a golden sphere of energy formed at the center of the Rings. Surrounded by their rapid orbit, it shone like a radiant dragon pearl.
For a brief moment, it seemed as though the "dragon pearl" would burst forth from Shang-Chi's grasp—
But just then, he suddenly dispersed the Qi in his hands.
The Ten Rings dimmed instantly and clattered to the ground.
In the end, Shang-Chi couldn't bring himself to do it. He neither wanted nor was able to kill his father.
No matter what—no matter that his father was the world's most powerful terrorist, no matter how many atrocities he had committed—he was still his father.
And so, Shang-Chi chose to let go.
Without his control, the Ten Rings lay scattered like worthless scrap metal—so unremarkable that even a beggar passing by wouldn't spare them a glance.
Wenwu was equally stunned. He couldn't understand—Shang-Chi had clearly gathered enough power just now, so why abandon it at the last moment?
But then, realization dawned on him.
Wasn't he the same?
The one standing before him was his son—the son he had raised with great expectations, the one meant to inherit everything from him.
If Ying Li hadn't died, perhaps he would have lived like an ordinary father—watching his son grow into a man, seeing his daughter laugh and circle around him, even worrying over their futures.
But none of that belonged to him anymore.
Without Ying Li, he was still that ruthless, bloodthirsty terrorist—an immortal shell who had lived for a thousand years yet remained nothing more than a walking corpse.
"Son… I have to save her. I must save your mother… she's calling me…"
Wenwu's voice was hoarse.
He had never regretted trying to save Ying Li. He would even destroy all of Ta Lo if necessary—so long as she could return to him.
And once she did, he would seal away the Ten Rings without hesitation, live out the rest of his days with her, and die by her side.
Tears welled in Shang-Chi's eyes.
The greatest regret of his life was not standing beside his mother when their enemies came—watching helplessly as she died before him.
If she truly could come back, he would join his father without hesitation… perhaps even become the most ruthless among them.
But he knew—
She wouldn't return.
There was no mother behind that seal.
Only a monster that had deceived his father.
"I wish it were true too, Father. I want her back even more than you do… but it's not. Behind that door, there's nothing but more monsters. Look at what's coming out of it right now—don't you understand?!"
Tears streamed down Shang-Chi's face. He couldn't bear to see his father reduced to this madness because of his mother.
He was still trying to make him stop—there was still time.
But Wenwu couldn't hear him anymore.
His mind was set on breaking the seal. He refused to believe anything else.
At this point, Wenwu had already been deeply manipulated.
This wasn't something mere words could accomplish. Brainwashing a person normally required a long, brutal process—like what HYDRA had done to Bucky.
But under the influence of a mysterious force, things were different.
That force could directly interfere with the mind, twisting perception and judgment. A few whispers—or even none at all—were enough to control someone completely.
That was exactly what had happened to Wenwu.
Though he appeared rational, his deeper consciousness had already been ensnared. The creature had exploited the weakness in his heart, reinforcing it with supernatural influence until even the most absurd lie felt like undeniable truth.
"Father, you still have a family! You still have me and Xialing! We need you!"
Shang-Chi called out desperately.
He had realized the truth—Wenwu was being controlled. The only way to reach him now was through what he cared about most: his children.
And it worked.
Wenwu hesitated. His gaze wavered, softening as he looked at Shang-Chi. Yes… besides Ying Li, he still had his children.
"Help me… please… let me out…"
Just as his resolve faltered, Ying Li's voice rang out again.
In that instant, the manipulative whisper crushed his hesitation, snuffing out any thought of giving up. His eyes hardened once more.
This time, everyone heard it—not just Wenwu.
Shang-Chi. Karl. Even those fighting across the lake.
And Shang-Chi and Xialing recognized it instantly—it was their mother's voice.
Yet neither of them wavered.
Because they knew—
It wasn't her.
Rumble—!
Rumble—!!
Suddenly, the dragon-scale seal trembled violently. The entire mountain shook, stones cascading down its sides.
The already dim scales turned completely black.
Then—
A massive creature burst through the seal, tearing out of the cavern.
It opened its gaping maw, jagged horns like blades, enormous bat-like wings lined with spikes, and a tail of writhing tendrils covered in barbs.
Its sheer size blotted out the sky—larger even than the Azure Dragon.
At that moment, everyone on the battlefield froze, looking up in horror.
The grotesque form of the creature struck fear deep into their hearts.
On the platform, Wenwu stared blankly at the monster.
He couldn't believe it—wouldn't believe it.
The "voice" calling to him… was this thing?
The creature looked down at him and let out a mocking roar—laughing at his ignorance, his weakness, his blind devotion.
Then, it dove straight toward the platform—
Its target: Wenwu and Shang-Chi.
Boom—!
In an instant, a towering wall of ice rose before them, blocking the creature's descent—only to shatter immediately under the impact.
At the same time, thunder roared across the sky. Dozens of massive purple lightning bolts crashed down, striking the monster's enormous body.
Then came countless wind blades and fireballs sweeping past Shang-Chi and Wenwu, while the shattered ice transformed into a storm of sharp icicles that shot toward the creature.
Boom—!!!
"ROAR—!!!"
Explosions erupted across its body as fire, wind, and lightning detonated upon impact.
Foul, putrid blood rained down from the sky.
The creature was blasted backward, its massive form riddled with wounds, its flesh scorched black.
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