When the cosmic force known as the Phoenix Force returned to Earth, it staged a contest to determine its next host, and Shang-Chi was one of many individuals summoned to the White Hot Room for it. The Phoenix empowered the assembled champions and had them fight each other in trials by combat. For his first round, Shang-Chi was pitted against Hyperion. Due to the Phoenix Force's influence overloading his senses to the point of insanity, Hyperion immediately forfeited the match, granting Shang-Chi an easy victory. Second round was against Black Panther and Shang-Chi defeated him with Eight Drunken Immortals style.
Then he defeated Hulk, Angel, American Eagle, Human Torch who eliminated Thor, and Ghost Rider. For his next match, Shang-Chi was pitted against Captain America, who eliminated Namor and then Wolverine . Believing Shang-Chi to be the best suited of all the candidates to becoming the Phoenix's next host, Captain America convinced a reluctant Shang-Chi to defeat him in their battle to help him control its power. During the fight, Shang-Chi was able to draw in and control more of the Phoenix's power. Just as he landed the final blow, Shang-Chi refused to use his powers to kill, which caused the Phoenix to intervene and eliminate him from the tournament, giving Captain America the win.
