If it weren't for Leon's barrier, the aftermath of this battle could have leveled everything around them.
The ground disintegrated inch by inch under the annihilation of antimatter energy, and Adam's energy shield flickered violently under the immense physical impact.
Finally, with a crack, it shattered.
Adam grunted, once again blasted away by the impact, tumbling several times in the air before he could regain his balance.
Hulk seized this opportunity, pushing off with his legs again, his massive body soaring into the sky, once more appearing before Adam!
This time, Adam could no longer dodge!
"It's over!"
Leon watched this scene, the smile on his lips deepening.
Very good.
Banner's growth rate far exceeded his expectations.
He had begun to understand how to utilize Hulk's power, rather than being enslaved by it.
He started to think, to employ tactics.
A Hulk with intelligence... this was far more interesting than the green brute from the original story who only knew how to smash, smash, smash.
As for Adam, his performance was equally outstanding.
Even when suppressed, he could still unleash such powerful combat capabilities.
He truly lived up to his reputation as the man who almost became Marvel's Superman.
His strength and will were impeccable.
It's just a pity... Leon sighed softly in his heart.
He watched the two about to collide again, slowly raising his right hand.
It was time to end this farce.
Just as Hulk's fist was about to strike Adam, and Adam was preparing to detonate the energy within him for one last desperate struggle...
A powerful will suddenly descended.
Buzz!
The World seemed to have truly been paused.
Hulk's furious fist stopped in front of Adam, the wind from his punch ruffling Adam's hair, but unable to advance another inch.
The energy about to erupt in Adam's eyes also solidified; he could feel the antimatter energy particles within his body stop moving.
Time, space, energy, everything, all fell into stillness.
The only thing that could move was their thoughts.
What's going on?!
Adam's heart was filled with shock; he found himself losing control over his body and his own energy.
He could do nothing but think.
Banner was equally shocked.
He could feel Hulk's rage being firmly confined, unable to move.
The two laboriously turned their eyeballs to look at the ground.
They saw Leon slowly retracting his raised right hand, the gentle smile still on his face.
"It seems you two had quite a bit of fun."
Leon's calm voice rang in their ears.
"The warm-up before joining is over. Now, I think we can talk about serious matters."
As his words fell, the power that had constrained everything instantly vanished.
Hulk and Adam simultaneously regained their freedom.
But neither of them made another move.
Hulk was panting heavily, the anger within him rapidly receding before Leon's will.
He glanced at Adam, who was within arm's reach, his eyes still angry.
Then he looked at Leon on the ground, and well, he couldn't win.
Finally, Hulk let out an unwilling growl, his massive body quickly shrinking, transforming back into the somewhat scrawny Bruce Banner.
Banner staggered slightly, quickly took out his glasses and put them on, looking at Leon with nothing but profound reverence.
Adam lost all his strength, slowly descending from the air.
He lost.
He lost even more thoroughly than last time.
If the first time he was forced to his knees by Leon's pressure, he still harbored resentment, believing the other party had merely used a trick.
Then this time, he truly felt an insurmountable chasm.
This was not something physical strength could overcome.
The other party didn't even need to lift a finger; just a thought was enough to toy with him and Hulk.
This wasn't a gap in power level; it was a dimensional crushing of life.
His pride and dignity were laughable in the face of absolute power.
"Now, do you understand, Adam Bernard?"
Leon slowly walked up to him, looking down at him.
"In front of me, your resistance is meaningless."
Adam fell silent.
He lowered his head, his shoulders slumped.
Inside the house, his wife, Kevin, watched everything through the broken window, her hands tightly covering her mouth, her eyes filled only with tears and fear.
Their two children huddled behind her, trembling.
Adam felt the gaze of his family.
He slowly raised his head to meet Leon's eyes, the blue light in his eyes extinguished.
"I, join."
He squeezed these two words with difficulty from his throat.
After speaking, he seemed to have been drained of his spirit, his body slumping.
"A wise choice."
Leon smiled with satisfaction.
He reached out and gently patted Adam on the shoulder.
"Welcome to my legion, Blue Marvel. From today onwards, you no longer need to hide, no longer need to suppress. Your power will shine on a vast stage."
After speaking, he turned to look at Banner.
"And you, Banner. Your performance today was good, keep up the hard work. I look forward to seeing the birth of a perfect Hulk."
Banner gave a wry smile and nodded.
Leon looked around; the surroundings were already in ruins.
He smiled slightly, casually waving his hand.
A miraculous scene unfolded.
The shattered ground began to heal, the collapsed fence re-erected, the withered rose bushes bloomed again, and even the church's damaged wall was restored to its original state.
In just a few seconds, the entire town returned to its former tranquility and peace, as if the cataclysmic battle had never happened.
Adam and Banner watched this scene, already numb.
Creation and destruction seemed to be at the other party's whim.
"Alright." Leon clapped his hands.
"Your first mission..." His gaze swept over Adam and Banner.
"Is to clean up the battlefield, and then, write a detailed battle report for me. I need to know that you understand the limits of your respective abilities, and areas for improvement."
"Battle report?" Banner was stunned.
"Yes." Leon nodded as if it were the most natural thing.
"What do you think I had you fight for? Entertainment? No, Dr., this is science. Every battle is a valuable data collection.
I need precise data to tailor subsequent enhancement plans for you."
He looked at the two bewildered men and added.
"Remember, be detailed. Include energy output values, peak strength, recovery speed, and psychological activity during combat. Over five thousand words, submit it to the Villa tomorrow morning."
After speaking, he ignored the petrified two, turned into a golden light, and vanished from the spot.
In the courtyard, only Blue Marvel and Hulk... no, Adam and Banner, were left, looking at each other.
After a long while, Banner pushed up his glasses and cautiously spoke.
"Um, Mr. Bernard, regarding the battle report. Why don't we find a place to sit down, have some coffee, and chat about it slowly?"
Adam glanced at his home, which had been restored to its original state but whose interior was a ruin, and let out a long sigh.
"I think I need to explain to my family first."
....
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