#170 - Gathering Divine Power

Franklin's body underwent a transformation; he began to grow, and this growth wasn't merely a change in size.

It was the kind of biological growth one experiences during development. In just a few seconds, Franklin went from an eight or nine-year-old boy to a fifteen or sixteen-year-old teenager. His height finally caught up with his sister Valeria, though he still didn't surpass her.

Valeria didn't believe Franklin had regained his powers simply because of this change. The Techarchy race could achieve what Franklin had demonstrated. She needed to see something more crucial.

Franklin didn't disappoint her this time. Meeting her expectant gaze, he extended his right hand, which he had been keeping in his pocket.

He stretched his right hand out towards Valeria and slowly opened it. Valeria saw the scene she had witnessed years ago once more.

It was a universe within his palm, a transparent bubble filled with countless stars. These celestial sights, which would normally require venturing beyond Earth, were now presented within Franklin's hand.

Tears silently streamed down Valeria's face. Years ago, Franklin often used this to amuse her; she had seen it so many times that she was almost tired of it.

Although she never said it, she thought her brother was the most amazing person in the entire universe. She had never told anyone this, and Franklin, not wanting to use his telepathy indiscriminately, was unaware of her feelings.

However, this belief brought even greater despair and worry for her brother after the zombie crisis, when Franklin lost his powers.

But it didn't matter anymore; all of that was in the past.

Valeria unfastened her safety harness and leaped towards her brother, not even considering that she was on a flying Sentinel robot.

Because she knew her brother would solve this minor problem.

Sure enough, defying the laws of physics, Valeria safely landed in Franklin's arms.

"Be careful, Little Val," Franklin said, catching his sister with a smile.

"With you around, what's there to be careful about?" Valeria winked playfully.

"When I was little and wanted the moon, you could package an entire jewelry box for me. What's wrong? Have you gotten rusty after not using your powers for so long?"

"Not at all," Franklin said, with one arm around his sister and the other supporting the newly created universe in his palm.

"If you still want the moon, of course, I can still give it to you."

As soon as Franklin finished speaking, all the stars in the colorful universe within his palm turned into moons.

"I don't want that," Valeria rolled her eyes.

"Moons aren't pretty at all. You've ruined a little girl's fantasy."

"I'm sorry," Franklin said, beads of sweat appearing on his forehead.

"And didn't you cry and make Mom punish me afterward?"

"I don't remember crying."

"Should I play the recording for you?"

"No, that's spreading false information."

Watching the two engaging in a heartwarming sibling exchange, Yang Le was so touched that tears almost streamed down his face. It was almost too much to bear to interrupt them.

"Ahem!" Yang Le coughed, interrupting them ruthlessly.

"Oh, I'm sorry," Franklin said, putting away the universe in his palm and scratching his head.

"I was a little too excited and only focused on using my powers and talking to Little Val."

"It's nothing," Yang Le waved his hand.

"Now that you've regained your powers, our mission will be much easier."

"How about we just rewrite the world to end this conflict?"

"Of course not," Franklin said, appearing calm, but anyone could tell that he was far from it.

"I want to see with my own eyes those bastards who tormented my parents and turned this world upside down."

"I want them to know that living is also a form of torment."

At this moment, Franklin was like a volcano about to erupt, ready to destroy the city of Pompeii beneath his feet at any moment.

"Okay," Yang Le nodded. He knew Franklin needed an outlet to vent all his anger.

And the mastermind behind this crisis was his target.

"I just hope you don't forget our agreement."

"Of course, I will fulfill my promise," Franklin nodded, the gratitude in his eyes towards Yang Le was genuine.

"I will always remember your help."

"I will also fulfill my promise," Valeria said, breaking free from her brother's embrace.

"Rest assured, the Richards family… at least my brother and I are very trustworthy."

The latest novel is first published at Six/Nine/Books/Bar!

You were about to say that everyone in the Richards family is trustworthy, right? Did you think of your old man halfway through and couldn't bring yourself to say it?

Yang Le remained expressionless, pretending not to notice Valeria's stammer, and continued.

"Then I'm relieved."

"Of course, you can rest assured," Franklin said, patting his chest.

"You should be able to sense that I haven't completely converted the Splitter into a part of my body. If I go back on my word, you can take back my superpowers at any time. This is the sincerity I'm showing you."

Yang Le sensed it and found that Franklin wasn't lying. His body still contained his Splitter, which Franklin had turned into something like blood, circulating in his body.

Does this mean that Franklin's body has my DNA now? No! Don't think about it too much, NTR is unacceptable.

"Your integrity amazes me," Yang Le praised, "You're nothing like your deadbeat dad."

You're a bit like me. I'm also very trustworthy.

Pushing away the whimsical thoughts, Yang Le looked at Valeria without leaving a trace of a flaw.

"Little Val, how far are we from our destination?"

"Almost there," Valeria said, taking out her instrument.

While they were talking, the Sentinel robot Nana had flown out of the mainland and was flying over the vast sea.

"I've already guessed our destination."

"Oh? Where is it?" Franklin squatted down next to his sister. Although he could know everything in an instant, he still gave his sister room to shine.

After all, a brother shouldn't steal his sister's thunder.

"There's only one densely populated city on the sea," Valeria raised an eyebrow and smiled.

"That's Atlantis."

So that's where it is. Yang Le suddenly understood. After all, although Atlantis's owner, Namor, was Marvel's first superhero, his presence was not as significant as DC's Superman.

He didn't even have as many memes as his counterpart, Aquaman Arthur Curry, and could be said to have lost completely, with absolutely no prestige.

Not to mention, Yang Le still had Daddy here. Yang Le even felt that he could watch the whole show.