Shen He's biggest obstacle right now was his own level.
His low level severely hindered the enhancement speed of his followers. Even when he needed upgrade materials, he had to rely on the tricky method of hiring dungeon natives to gather them for him.
It seemed like the system unlocked new instances based on the total number of Summoning Stones obtained.
As expected, Qi Shen had been too overpowered, which caused Shen He's level to stagnate before the experience instance appeared.
"This kind of monster, called the Desolate God, only needs to have its core destroyed."
Shen He looked at the massive beasts in front of him, as if he were staring at a sea of experience points waiting to be harvested.
"My psychic abilities can't directly attack their insides."
Qimu Nanxiong frowned slightly. He had a variety of superpowers, but only a few were practical for combat. Among them, psychokinesis was the most useful.
For example, when farming monsters in a dungeon, the most efficient method was to use telekinesis to grab their heads and rotate them at high speeds, instantly eliminating them.
"I remember you have the ability to harden objects."
Shen He swiftly dodged another monstrous charge, grabbing a sharp, jagged piece of giant glass from the ruins of a collapsed building.
The Aragami monsters in this world couldn't be harmed by conventional weapons, but that only meant their cores couldn't be destroyed easily. If he could cut into their bodies, Qi Mu Kusuo could use his psychic abilities to crush the cores.
The battlefield roared with chaos. More and more of these creatures began swarming toward them.
"This must be one of their gathering points."
Shen He tightened his grip on the glass blade and grinned.
"Let's fight!"
With adrenaline pumping, he charged at the nearest monster.
His desire to level up burned hotter than ever, filling him with overwhelming excitement and determination.
Even after the hour-long dungeon session ended, he still wasn't satisfied.
To his surprise, upon returning, he received another Summoning Stone. This event not only doubled his dungeon time but also doubled his Summoning Stone rewards.
"Tony, I need some melee weapons."
Shen He stormed into the lab, tossing the damaged Mirage armor onto the workbench.
"Also, I need the ultimate attack system recharged and the outer shell reinforced."
"Did you just—where the hell did you go? A war zone?"
Tony stared at the battle scars covering the armor, particularly the deep bite marks left by the monstrous jaws.
"Something like that." Shen He nodded. "A world dealing with a massive monster outbreak. I was called in to help. Don't worry, I didn't bring anything dangerous back with me."
Tony had long been aware of Shen He's daily one-hour disappearances. According to Shen He, it was to "assist colleagues"—a convenient excuse that conveniently also let him bring back rare and useful items from other worlds.
"Well, Mr. Savior," Tony smirked, crossing his arms. "Can't you take me with you? I'm part of your organization now."
"Yes, as a peripheral member." Shen He sighed dramatically. "Maybe someday, but we have high standards. Keep working hard. Also, I don't have the final say."
The system did. And right now, Shen He couldn't even visit the Servant world.
Despite gaining only an extra hour of combat time from the event, Shen He took it very seriously. He spent the remaining time optimizing his battle efficiency, including designing better weapons.
For Violet, he prepared a three-meter-long weapon resembling Guan Yu's Green Dragon Crescent Blade. With her wielding it, she would be an unstoppable force on the battlefield.
After breaking through the first enhancement limit, Violet and the Two Rituals had developed in different directions.
Violet preferred balanced enhancements, while the Two Rituals focused on agility-based strengthening.
After grinding the experience dungeon for five consecutive days, Shen He's level finally reached 21. His daily magic points doubled to 125.
This directly improved all his followers, with Qimu Nanxiong reaching level 14 on the final day.
It was also on this day that Shen He and Tony received a special delivery from Phil Coulson.
"This is everything we've gathered." Coulson carefully placed a small storage drive on the table. "It also includes the possible frozen location of Captain America. It's a shame I won't be the one to bring him back. This might be my life's biggest regret. Mr. Shen, promise me—you'll bring him back safely, won't you?"
"Of course." Shen He nodded solemnly.
There was nothing ridiculous about this request.
Captain America was more than just a hero—he was a symbol, a pillar of hope for an entire generation.
He embodied the ideals of courage, perseverance, and self-sacrifice.
"So, Fury is finally listening to reason?" Tony mused, tapping the storage drive thoughtfully.
"Yes." Coulson sighed, looking weary. "We investigated. Mr. Shen was right—S.H.I.E.L.D. is compromised beyond repair. Destroying it is the only way to rebuild it properly. So, we're now the undercover agents of the new S.H.I.E.L.D., arranged by the old S.H.I.E.L.D."
It was, in a way, the ultimate irony.
The world's largest spy intelligence agency had been so infiltrated that half of its own agents were actually working for other organizations.
"So, what's your plan?" Shen He asked.
"There isn't one." Coulson shook his head. "S.H.I.E.L.D. is funded by the World Security Council, and we don't know who we can trust. We don't even have enough manpower. Director Fury wants to know—does Chaldea have any plans?"
Of course, Fury wasn't actually helpless. He was testing Chaldea's capabilities.
Shen He thought for a moment. He knew there was no point in trying to convince Fury otherwise.
"We need more time."
According to the original timeline, S.H.I.E.L.D. was ultimately destroyed when Alexander Pierce made his move in Captain America: The Winter Soldier. Hydra struck first, taking over before Coulson managed to kill Pierce and take back control.
Right now, it was difficult to launch a full-scale strike against Hydra. Shen He didn't have enough power to do it directly—otherwise, he'd quickly become one of the world's most wanted criminals.
But there was another way.
And Shen He was very patient. This was his only short-term goal.
Coulson didn't linger much longer. His main purpose was to deliver Fury's message. After he left, Tony quickly got back to work.
Shen He, on the other hand, focused on something more exciting.
He glanced at the thirty Summoning Stones he had accumulated and made a decision.
It was time to draw.
At his current level and upgrade speed, he could afford to summon one or two more Servants.
"Thirty Summoning Stones… I should at least get one or two good ones."
He summoned all his current Servants into the room.
After all, drawing cards was the most exhilarating part of the game.