Compromise, Transcendent, Zod

The Guardians of the Universe, having lived for billions of years, appeared as tall projections in space. Their aged faces were majestic and indifferent, yet subtly exuded a sense of stubborn decay.

"Return the Lantern Rings.

The Rings choosing you was a programming error. You should never have been chosen in the first place."

Looking at the Guardians of the Universe, who were legendary for forming the Green Lantern Corps and safeguarding cosmic peace for countless ages, Clark felt anger. They had just helped the Guardians deal with Parallax, only to be unceremoniously told to return the Rings.

However, he didn't place much importance on the Rings.

Even if the Rings could help him clear the meteorite radiation.

"Why don't we just give the Rings back to them, David?"

Flying next to David, Clark gazed at the dozen or so figures.

"That would be letting them off too easily."

David also had a nonchalant attitude towards the Rings.

The Green Lantern Rings were hailed as the most powerful weapons in the universe. Whoever was chosen by a Ring could instantly become a cosmic police officer maintaining universal order.

But for him, the Rings offered no increase in his strength. At best, they made certain tasks more convenient, like a handy little tool. However, being asked to hand them over was out of the question.

"After using our strength, you want to take the Rings back and pretend nothing happened? It's not that easy!"

His tone was cold and mocking.

"Before we dealt with Parallax, why didn't you show up to reclaim the Rings?

As soon as Parallax was thrown into the sun, you immediately reacted by calling it a programming error?"

David mercilessly exposed the hypocrisy of these Guardians of the Universe.

Among the crowd, Tomar-Re, who had remained silent until now, his expression shifted slightly. Connecting the events, he looked at the Guardians, whom the Lanterns considered divine and wise, with disbelief.

"It's all a bit too coincidental, indeed."

Clark also realized what was happening, his expression turning grim.

"Without you, Parallax would still have been eliminated in this starry expanse."

One of the Guardians of the Universe spoke, his attitude firm.

"The Lantern Rings are the sole weapons used by the Green Lantern Corps to maintain cosmic order and must not be leaked."

The implication was that the current peace of the universe depended entirely on the Green Lantern Corps. If the Rings were leaked and their weaknesses researched and exploited, the entire universe could fall into danger.

With a single statement, they invoked the greater good of the universe's inhabitants.

With a wave of his hand, green light coalesced into an image. Over three thousand Lanterns remaining on the Green Lantern Corps' headquarters, the planet Oa, formed a formidable army ready for deployment, exuding a powerful aura.

Simultaneously, another image appeared: a living planet entirely enveloped in green light, vast and ancient, even larger than Oa, sprawled across space.

"Green Lantern Mogo."

David's eyes narrowed.

The Green Lantern energy represented "willpower." Therefore, anything with self-will had the potential to become a Green Lantern. The Green Lantern Corps comprised various aliens and unconventional beings.

Like Mogo, a sentient planetoid with a vast, boundless power. It was an ultimate weapon that the Green Lantern Corps rarely deployed.

In the comics, it had once annihilated a quarter of the Yellow Lantern Corps with a single blow.

"Are you trying to intimidate me, Guardian of the Universe!"

He sneered dismissively.

David undoubtedly did not possess planet-destroying power yet. Although Mogo's size was relatively small for a planet, "Today, you won't be taking back these two Rings. You'll be leaving behind a dozen more!"

He reached out and grabbed, immobilizing a dozen Lanterns who had previously attacked Clark and him with the most ferocity.

Tear!

Under the immense power, their arms were ripped off, blood splattering into space.

The Rings, restricted at a location, flew into David's palm. They attempted to break free from his control and return to their owners, but they were as powerless as moths trapped in amber, only able to twitch twice.

Dozens of Lanterns quickly intervened to protect their comrades, who were now without the Rings' protection. They glared angrily at David for harming their allies and colleagues. However, remembering David's earlier display of sweeping them away with a wave of his hand, and with the Guardians present, they hesitated to advance.

"You have a lot of nerve, young lifeform!"

The blue-skinned, large-headed, short-bodied Guardians, all seemingly cast from the same mold, were enraged.

"You are provoking the Green Lantern Corps, which has guarded universal peace for billions of years!"

They had just showcased the might of the Green Lantern Corps, yet David not only failed to appreciate it but also proceeded to snatch over a dozen more Rings right before their eyes. He was utterly audacious!

Although they claimed to have abandoned emotions, these little blue beings had not become emotionless statues because of it.

"When you decided to use us, you should have anticipated this."

David's expression was cold as he spoke slowly.

"If you're not satisfied, feel free to activate your Green Lantern Corps!"

Even if it was for emotional points or to protect Earth, he had eliminated Parallax, but these Guardians of the Universe shouldn't expect to reap benefits and be smug about their plans.

Although the Green Lantern Corps was said to have guarded universal peace for billions of years, sounding impressive, it was just so-so in reality.

In the comics, the Green Lantern Corps was rumored to be invincible in one-on-one fights, but if they encountered more than three, they were like dogs, and if they encountered more than five, they were bound to be wiped out. They had been wiped out many times.

"Under the light of this star, its gravity is everywhere. Your planet Lantern Mogo, if you dare to step into the solar system, I will throw you into the sun!

You can try and see if I can do it."

David pointed at the sun.

The larger the body, the greater the gravitational pull from the sun. In other environments, David might not have been able to deal with Planet Lantern Mogo.

But within the sun's gravitational field, he could use its power to deal with or even kill Mogo!

Space fell silent for a moment, and the Guardians of the Universe had shifting expressions. They didn't dare to gamble on David's gravity manipulation ability.

David's strength was no longer something ordinary Lanterns could handle. Even a larger number now would be useless. As for Mogo, he was the ultimate weapon of the Green Lantern Corps. If other Lanterns died, they could easily recruit more.

It wouldn't be a problem if thousands died.

But they only had one living planet Lantern, Mogo.

"You eliminated Parallax and solved a crisis for the universe.

If we hear that you have used your Lantern Rings for evil, no matter where you flee, no matter the cost, the Green Lantern Corps will hunt you to the death."

The Guardians of the Universe spoke with grim, cold expressions. They had previously not acknowledged the contributions David and Clark made to the universe – solving the Parallax incident was a way to step down.

It was as if they were not wary of David's abilities but were doing them a favor out of gratitude for their great service to the universe.

Then, they uttered a final threat that served no warning purpose. After speaking, they waved their hands and closed the projection, issuing a retreat order to the Lanterns.

One moment they looked determined not to give up until the Lantern Rings were recovered, and the next their attitude suddenly shifted and they gave the order, turning the valiant and wounded Lanterns into clowns.

But for the Guardians of the Universe, this was normal. One of the ten laws recorded in the Book of Oa was that Corps members must unconditionally obey the orders of the Guardians of the Universe.

The injured Lanterns, with varying degrees of wounds, left in a dejected state.

Tomar-Re sighed, his emotions a little complex facing David, who had severely injured over a dozen of his comrades, and followed them, leaving.

"Is that how it ends?"

In the blink of an eye, space was empty. Besides a dozen severed arms and tentacles, there was nothing else. Clark blinked in surprise.

He had been clenching his fists, feeling tense as if facing a great enemy, fearing that his brother's firm stance would lead to a major battle, and that he and his brother would be besieged by the entire cosmic police force.

In the end, the other side just left.

"Those selfish old guys who have lived for who knows how many years, compromising when they can't win isn't their first or second time."

Looking at the starry sky where the Green Lanterns were departing, David wasn't too surprised and let out a couple of sneers.

It was the same when facing Krypton years ago, the same when facing Darkseid, and they could compromise even when upholding the banner of maintaining cosmic peace.

Let alone just a dozen Lantern Rings.

David planned to use willpower to modify the programs of these dozen Lantern Rings and give two to Jonathan and Martha.

"This way, if any unexpected situations arise, Mom and Dad will have the ability to protect themselves."

That green lantern still contained a lot of willpower, enough to sustain dozens of battles.

The rest would be collected for now.

"Kryptonite liquid, the Trident of Poseidon, Green Lantern Rings, Prometheus Metal..."

David's brow twitched slightly, feeling like he could build a collection room.

...

"Thousands were killed, and the space monster was repelled into space by the combined efforts of Purple Light Man and Superman. They saved Coast City!"

Major news outlets across America ran headlines reporting this significant event.

This was the first time the public had encountered confirmed alien life.

As for Superman and Purple Light Man, who had always been rumored to be aliens, there was no concrete evidence, so it was only a rumor.

David, due to his more dazzling and powerful performance in the battle against Parallax, had attracted the attention of many people towards this superhero who was usually inactive in fighting crime.

Many people began to discuss this vigilante hero who was rarely seen.

"Looking back now, the title 'Purple Light Man' is too casual for a hero who saved an entire city."

"Purple Light Man needs a new hero title!"

Some believed that the title "Purple Light Man" was derived solely from the purple light emanating from his body when he appeared. Although it was a distinct characteristic, it seemed somewhat hasty.

Ultimately, after intense online discussions, a new title was decided upon: Transcendent.

This title was undoubtedly related to Superman, as he always appeared with Superman. Following the logic of superhumans, or rather, Superman, they named David with a new title.

Countless people praised the heroic deeds of Transcendent and Superman.

However, they didn't know that Parallax was powerful enough to absorb the energy of an entire life planet, and what David and Clark had saved was not just Coast City.

"Space monster? A hero like Superman and the Transcendent, saving millions of lives?"

In the secret underground laboratory of the fortress, Lex Luthor sneered as he looked at the freshly printed newspaper, still smelling of ink.

"Are two alien monsters chasing away another alien monster worth cheering and adulation?"

Brown tree snakes, introduced to the American mainland after World War II, caused the extinction of many native birds and reptiles; cane toads, sent to Australia to control pests, ended up causing the extinction of various creatures and significantly reducing local biodiversity…

"There are too many such examples."

"These fools seem unable to see that local species, given the slightest opportunity, can destroy the entire natural ecosystem, whether intentionally or unintentionally."

Luthor toyed with the globe on his desk, a cold, unfeeling glint in his eyes.

He had to eliminate Superman and Purple Light Man, not just because they wouldn't let him appear in the sunlight, but also because his Luthor Group's operations had run into problems.

It was also because of the threat posed by these two aliens, who were as powerful as nuclear bombs!

"People only grow when they feel pain."

"This attack on Coast City, if successful, would instill a sense of crisis worldwide, and all countries on Earth would begin researching defenses against extraterrestrial threats.

With the Sword of Damocles hanging over their heads, humanity would shed its arrogance of being the masters of this planet for years, perhaps even ushering in another technological explosion in a short period."

"But now, it has become a farce where short-sighted, ignorant people celebrate other alien invaders."

Luthor's gaze was mocking as he casually tossed the newspaper aside and clicked his mouse.

A video he had watched dozens of times, which excited him immensely, began to play.

It was a video of Superman fighting a Green Lantern, who looked like a painter. After analyzing it with his sharp and intelligent mind, he re-extracted and summarized information about the destruction of steel and walls in the scene.

"A guy whose strength barely reaches a hundred tons can send Superman reeling and spitting blood!

There's no doubt that the green light weakened our great hero!"

He muttered softly, filled with an unspeakable mockery, and took out a can of green fluorescent battery solution, examining it and stroking his chin.

"Interesting!

The radiation emitted by meteorites, which can grant humans mutated abilities and also come from outer space, actually restrains you."

He seemed to have discovered Superman's fatal weakness.

Also…

"And there's Purple Light… no, the Transcendent now."

Luthor's lips curled, like a vulture about to leave its nest to hunt, his eyes sinister.

"I wonder if meteorites restrain you too?"

Just two days ago, his Typhon Project had been declared a complete success.

...

A fleet of massive, dark gray spaceships with a rigid style sailed through the starry sky.

Before the transparent porthole, Zod, with his robust physique and steel-needle-like beard, exuded the iron will and majesty of a soldier. He gazed at the boundless galaxy outside, a complex, mocking smile on his lips.

"How ironic.

We were sentenced by the council to two hundred years in the Phantom Zone for rebelling against them. When we escaped the Phantom Zone, we discovered that we, the 'traitors,' were the only survivors of Krypton."

Just moments ago, Zod and his officers had departed from an abandoned outpost that Krypton had established in the universe.

As always, they had obtained some resources, but found no surviving kin.

"The universe is vast, but our homeworld is no more."

Beside him, Faora, the tall, beautiful, and heroic adjutant, placed her hand on the porthole, a hint of sadness in her eyes.

Krypton was destroyed, and everything she was familiar with vanished in the explosion. Now, these homeless Kryptonians had become wandering cosmic refugees.

In the vast universe, there was no harbor for them to dock.

"Krypton was destroyed by corruption!"

Zod suppressed the emotions that had briefly surfaced. He turned back, once again appearing as an imposing, iron-willed general, facing the officers inside the ship. His voice was resonant and inspiring, making one want to submit.

"A corrupt council, a corrupt system!

They indulged in comfort and complacency. They feared our potential and power, abandoned the vast territories that had once almost ruled the known universe, and retreated to Krypton.

Ultimately, this led to the destruction of Kryptonians and Krypton alike."

He paused, sweeping his gaze over the agitated and angry officers, and declared with unwavering determination.

"But I will rebuild Krypton. The Kryptonian Empire will be reborn from its ashes.

Let the mighty Krypton once again rule this universe!"

"Rebuild Krypton, rebuild Krypton!"

Upon hearing of Krypton's past glory, so great that it made the entire universe tremble, the Kryptonian officers' faces flushed with excitement. They knelt on one knee, placed their hands on their chests, and shouted.

"Rule the universe, rule the universe!"

"Now let's go retrieve the Codex that Jor-El launched into space. Jor-El discovered Krypton's crisis but didn't warn any of his people.

He injected Krypton's most precious Codex into his son's body and launched it into space, preparing a new life for him far beyond the stars."

"That should have been our new life, Krypton's new life!"

Zod roared, pointing like an arrow towards a direction in space.

"Let's go get it back together, my soldiers!"

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