Chapter 729

"What? You're saying it was really your world's Deadpool? You just asked? Oh my god, then you…" Spider-Man hesitated, then said: "Actually, it's not really your problem—if he ran away, you couldn't have caught him anyway."

"... ou're saying you want to turn yourself in???" Spider-Man asked, deeply confused: "Have you been under too much stress lately? You have to understand—Eternal is truly a god. Angering him could have serious consequences, and you're not even in the right…"

"Alright, if you've truly made up your mind, I'll send Captain Universe Spider-Man over right away." After hanging up, Spider-Man explained the previous conversation to Captain Universe Spider-Man.

In short, Peter had just sent a message through the web-network to Spider-Man, claiming that the Deadpool who defecated in the Temple of Eternal was from his own universe, and that he now intended to bring Deadpool in to surrender.

Captain Universe Spider-Man also felt confused, because as fellow Spider-Men, they understood each other well—Spider-Man would never capture his own friend to turn him in.

Moreover, in their eyes, Peter was just an inexperienced college student, even more naive than most Spider-Men here, surely valuing friendship and loyalty more than anyone—how could he possibly bring Deadpool in to surrender?

"Could this be Deadpool's scheme?" Spider-Man rubbed his chin. "Maybe it's not Spider-Man holding Deadpool captive—it's Deadpool holding Spider-Man hostage, aiming to get you to bring him to the Temple of Eternal, and then…"

Both spat out disgusted expressions. Captain Universe Spider-Man shuddered—if he actually brought Deadpool to the Temple of Eternal and Deadpool defecated there again, Eternal would surely crush them both to death.

Captain Universe Spider-Man sighed: "I think it's probably fine? Eternal is a powerful god—he shouldn't be unable to stop Deadpool, right? Deadpool wouldn't really dare to…"

The two Spider-Men fell silent, but finally Captain Universe Spider-Man said: "I'll inform Eternal first and see how he wants to handle it."

Back at the Temple of Eternal, Captain Universe Spider-Man recounted the situation honestly, then added his opinion: "I think letting them come over won't hurt—after all, this is your domain. Even if he tries something, you should still be able to stop him in time."

When this issue was raised, Eternal hesitated—for he genuinely wasn't sure he could stop Deadpool.

In his investigations of timelines and causality, Eternal had discovered one recurring image that remained utterly blurred—he saw nothing at all. This meant the being called Deadpool possessed certain mysterious properties he didn't fully understand. This was unusual, because nothing in the universe was truly unknown to the universe itself.

Thus, he was forced to consider Captain Universe's scenario: what if Deadpool was dragging Spider-Man here just to defecate on Eternal's head? Would the mighty Eternal still have any dignity left?

"Can you figure out why Deadpool is doing this?" Eternal asked.

"Wait a moment—I'll ask." Captain Universe Spider-Man replied.

He squinted, contacted Web-Slinger, and connected to Peter. After a few "hmm"s, he told Eternal: "That Spider-Man says Deadpool did it to get revenge for him."

Then both Captain Universe Spider-Man and Eternal were puzzled. Deadpool doing it to avenge Spider-Man made sense—they were friends—but what had Spider-Man to be angry about? Eternal didn't recall ever offending him.

On the contrary, Captain Universe Spider-Man had received Eternal's power and contributed significantly in the battle against Solus. Logically, Spider-Men held a favorable view of Eternal.

Indeed, Captain Universe Spider-Man asked several other Spider-Men, and all gave positive responses. Some weren't particularly fond of deities, viewing Eternal as merely another powerful being—but out of respect for Captain Universe Spider-Man, they still spoke well of him.

First Shiler caused trouble, now Deadpool defecated—Eternal was baffled. Why was this single universe so full of chaos compared to the entire multiverse?

Eternal clenched his teeth and told Captain Universe Spider-Man: "Let them come. If they dare do anything here, I'll kick their universe out."

Captain Universe Spider-Man sighed and stepped out. Over the comms, he repeatedly warned Peter: "Eternal is furious right now—he's my boss, after all. When you arrive, behave yourselves. Don't do anything reckless…"

Seeing Eternal's demeanor, Captain Universe Spider-Man realized Deadpool was definitely a major threat—if anything happened, he'd have to find a new job.

"Don't worry—he won't do anything. I'm the one who wants to talk to Eternal," Peter said.

Captain Universe Spider-Man, half-skeptical, brought them to the entrance of the Temple of Eternal—only to find Deadpool wasn't walking—he was lying down.

He lay curled on the ground, mumbling incoherently, fast asleep with snot bubbles forming at his nose.

Captain Universe Spider-Man stared at him: "What's wrong with him? Drunk? Will he throw a drunken fit inside the temple?"

"Yes. I was worried he'd do something reckless, so I got him drunk before bringing him," Peter shook his head, looking at Deadpool. The man was so deeply intoxicated he didn't react to their conversation—still lost in a dream.

"You drink?" Captain Universe Spider-Man eyed Peter up and down. "Aren't you just starting college? I remember when I started, I didn't drink at all."

"No, I didn't get him drunk," Peter shook his head.

It was Shiler who gave Peter a cup of Crazy Wine. Peter forced it down Deadpool's throat—and now Deadpool was riding a merry-go-round in his Genius Deadpool Paradise.

Seeing Deadpool was truly unconscious, Captain Universe Spider-Man finally exhaled. He led the way as Peter dragged Deadpool into Eternal's temple.

Of course, the place had been thoroughly cleaned, restored to its former glorious splendor. The towering ceiling was covered in intricate murals; massive Roman columns supported the ceiling beams; enormous firepits blazed with roaring flames. As Peter walked through this grandeur, his figure appeared insignificantly small.

Eternal's form appeared above the central fountain. For some reason, today he floated higher than usual—as if deliberately keeping distance from the fountain.

His entire body was composed of vast starfields. Gaze closely, and you'd see countless stories unfolding across infinite universes. Just one glance left one dizzy and entranced.

"You say you wish to speak with me, child?" Eternal's solemn voice echoed through the temple. As Peter looked up at him, he couldn't help but believe—Eternal truly was the god of this universe, for in him Peter saw infinite cosmic truths.

Yet the more he saw it, the more the fire burning in his chest tightened his breath with heat—a flame that had gathered and never faded.

"First, I'm deeply sorry this has turned your home into a mess. Regardless, this was wrong. No one should enter another's home without permission," Peter said with remorse.

Eternal sensed his sincerity, yet still said: "This has nothing to do with you. You shouldn't apologize for anyone else. Why didn't he come himself?"

Peter lowered his head: "No, it's not entirely unrelated. Wade did this to avenge me, so I should bear some responsibility."

"Wade has endured many terrible things—war, terminal illness, human experiments. Too many life failures crushed him, damaging his mind," Peter cleared his throat. "Just now, a highly professional psychiatrist issued him a formal psychiatric diagnosis."

"The report states he suffers from epilepsy caused by untreated combat trauma. During seizures, he loses control of his bodily functions."

"Of course, he remains conscious during these episodes. His reason for coming here to relieve himself was simply a prank—a prank meant to avenge his friend…"

"And that friend… is me."

The instant Peter finished speaking, a faint halo of light emanated from both Peter and Deadpool.

Peter looked down at the thin layer of white light on his own body and whispered: "Shiler's talk about psychiatric patients and friendship halos… it's real? How is this even possible??"

Seeing the white light radiating from Peter and Deadpool, Eternal suddenly felt a bad premonition—but he couldn't help asking:

"Why would he avenge you?"

Peter glanced down at Deadpool, his tone suddenly growing somber. If earlier words had been taught to him by Shiler, these now came from his own heart.

"Earlier, Web-Slinger contacted me, saying Spider-Men were in grave danger—a malevolent entity was hunting them, and they asked me to lend my strength to all Spider-Men. So I went."

"I joined the battle, but before it, I spent time with them, listening to each of their stories."

"In their stories, I heard too many tales of death. Many were Peter Parkers who lost their uncles or aunts, or their girlfriends."

"Many weren't Peter Parkers—some lost their boyfriends, some lost their fathers, others lost their uncles and aunts."

"And every single one of these deaths had one thing in common: the deceased had once told them, 'With great power comes great responsibility.'"

"Could this be coincidence? I lay awake all night wondering. But my knowledge of probability told me—the odds of this exact thing happening in every universe are impossibly low."

Peter turned to look out the temple window at the starry sky. "My aunt was a devout believer. Every week she went to church, praying to God, pouring out her love and care for her family."

"When I was young, she told me—whether before meals or at bedtime—always pray with sincerity and stillness, because God hears every word. If you're honest, kind, and helpful, God will help you."

"For a long time, I believed this wholeheartedly. My uncle and aunt weren't wealthy, but over the years, they never suffered great disasters. I thought—this was their reward for goodness, God's blessing upon them."

"On Christmas when I was seven, my aunt held up the Gospel of John and taught me to recite one line: 'God so loved the world.'"

"Today, I've finally met the God she believed in so deeply."

"So I came here for only one question."

Peter lifted his head, gazing at Eternal, floating in midair.

Through Spider-Man's mask, Eternal saw Peter's tear-filled eyes—still so young, naive, pure, like the righteous soul described in the Gospels.

He heard Peter's voice echo through Eternal's temple:

"God loved the world—but why doesn't he love Spider-Men?"