The post-credits scene in Shang-Chi changed the Ten Rings, and it also means the MCU now has two versions of it: a literal one and the crime group.

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings brought the Ten Rings back to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and thanks to its post-credits scene, the MCU now has two versions of the Ten Rings – though not as you might think. The MCU continues expanding now that the Infinity Saga is over, and Phase 4 will see a variety of new characters that have a very bright future in this connected universe. On the movie side of the MCU, the first new superhero to join the fun was Shang-Chi, in Destin Daniel Cretton’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.

Shang-Chi (played by Simu Liu) is the first Asian superhero in the MCU, and in his first solo adventure, viewers got a look at his complicated family backstory, as his father, Wenwu (Tony Leung), was the real leader of the Ten Rings. Shang-Chi saw the title character running away from his family to detach himself from the Ten Rings, but years later, he’s drawn back to it along with his sister, Xialing (Meng'er Zhang). Shang-Chi was a critical and commercial success, and following the MCU’s tradition, it has two post-credits scenes, and the second one shows that there are now two versions of the Ten Rings in this universe.

The mid-credits scene in Shang-Chi is all about the title hero and Katy (Awkwafina) being recruited by Wong (Benedict Wong) to discuss the origins of the ten rings as these showed to be a beacon transmitting a mysterious message, for which Wong also brought in Carol Danvers (Brie Larson) and Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo). The post-credits scene was focused on Xialing, who returned to the Ten Rings headquarters and was shown to have become the new leader of the organization – but as Shang-Chi is the one in possession of the rings, that means the MCU now has two versions of the Ten Rings: a physical one and the crime group.

During the final act of Shang-Chi, Wenwu loses control of the rings to Shang-Chi, who spares his father. However, the Dweller-in-Darkness emerges from the weakened barrier and devours Wenwu's soul, but he’s able to save Shang-Chi by passing the rings unto him. The Great Protector is nearly killed by Soul Eaters and the Dweller but is saved by Xialing and Katy, and with the help of his sister and the Great Protector, Shang-Chi uses the rings to finally defeat the Dweller. Shang-Chi, then, is in possession of the literal ten rings, which are now being studied by Wong, and there’s also the organization, which is now led by Xialing. Even though Shang-Chi was under the idea that she would disband the Ten Rings organization, Xialing was shown training new female warriors, giving a taste of the changes she’s about to bring to the Ten Rings.

As the MCU keeps expanding, many elements continue to branch out and change this universe’s history, and thanks to the events in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, there are now two versions of the Ten Rings, and each is very dangerous in different ways – one is sending mysterious messages to unknown places and people, while the other is recruiting new warriors and their plans remain a secret.

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