Confrontation

Drawn together by the pull of their auras, two figures who had both lost their minds unconsciously converged amid the storm ravaging the universe. Yet as they drew closer, the world did not calm with them; instead, it grew ever more violent. Vast, unbearable energy erupted from both of them. The collision of two evenly matched forces further intensified the cosmic storm, even blowing a smaller planet out of its original orbit!

Far away, the remaining Nova Corps members retreated again and again. They could no longer see the battle between Alex and Adam, only feel the Energy Shockwaves constantly sweeping over them.

Dai barely managed to steady himself. Cold sweat covered his slightly plump face, and he raised a hand to wipe it away before saying slowly, still shaken, "We’re already this far away, and the shockwaves are still this powerful. It’s utterly unbelievable!" Dai could understand Adam being this powerful. What he could not understand was that Alex possessed such immense energy as well, enough to stand on equal footing with Adam.

No one answered Dai’s question. Everyone relied on Nova Force to keep constant watch over the battle between Alex and Adam.

Yet unlike the vast majority of battles in the universe, the fight between Alex and Adam seemed exceedingly dull. There was no exchange of blows, nor were there any dazzling energy attacks. They merely stood face-to-face, competing in raw energy, much like martial artists comparing inner strength in a wuxia novel.

Their contest lasted a very, very long time. Just as the Nova Corps members were about to lose interest, something unusual finally appeared on the battlefield. A figure abruptly emerged beside the two of them, standing firm amid the violent energy and cosmic storm.

"Th-That’s Thanos!" At the sight of the sudden figure, nearly everyone in the Nova Corps cried out at the same time. Although many of them were fresh recruits who had not participated in that earlier battle, Thanos’s name resounded throughout the universe. There was no one who did not know of him.

The Director cried out as well, his expression exceptionally grave. Without saying a word, he captured the image, then immediately used the power of Worldmind to send the news back to Xandar. With a bitter sigh, he said, "The universe is about to descend into chaos once more!"

After his initial panic, Dai grew tense again. Turning toward the Director, he asked worriedly, "What do we do now? Should we go save Alex?" Alex was alone, while there were two enemies on the other side, one of whom was the infamous Thanos. Dai could not help worrying.

The Director immediately hesitated. In their current situation, if the Nova Corps charged in recklessly, they would certainly be wiped out. Adam alone was already enough of a headache; with Thanos added to the mix, the Nova Corps would have no chance of survival.

Just as the Director was about to reject Dai’s proposal, Thanos made his move in that storm-ravaged stretch of cosmic sky.

Unlike the two who had lost their minds, Thanos retained his own consciousness. As Alex and Adam remained locked in their energy standoff, he reached for Alex’s head. A faint silver glow flickered in his azure palm, as purer Cosmic Energy seemed ready to erupt at any moment.

Alex was still unconscious. Everything he had done earlier had merely been his body’s instinctive response. Facing Thanos’s attack, Alex showed no reaction at all.

Thanos’s massive hand finally seized Alex’s head. The restrained Cosmic Energy immediately passed through the skin of his palm and entered Alex’s head.

Yet after waiting for quite some time, something that surprised Thanos happened. The scene he had expected did not occur. Under the assault of Cosmic Energy, Alex’s head showed no change whatsoever.

"Hm?!" Thanos exclaimed in surprise. A trace of confusion flashed across his face before he smiled faintly and declared smugly, "In that case, you shall become my second servant from this day forward!"

As he spoke, a green gemstone suddenly emerged from Thanos’s palm. The emerald-like gem gradually lit up, and a faint green line shot from it, instantly sinking into Alex’s head.

In the place where the Nova Corps had retreated, the Nova Corps members immediately noticed the change on the battlefield. The Director froze for a moment before realizing what was happening. Without a second’s hesitation, he ordered everyone to retreat at once—as far as possible!

Dai did not want to abandon Alex like this, but as he watched the entire Nova Corps withdraw under the Director’s shouted command, there was nothing he could do alone. He could only sigh inwardly and follow the main force as they kept retreating.

On the battlefield, Thanos paid no attention to the Nova Corps’s retreat. All his focus was on Alex. The upward curve of his lips had now flattened into a straight line, and the smile on his face had long vanished, replaced by solemn gravity.

"I never expected Psionic Power to be so strong!" Thanos snorted softly and moved his hand. The green gemstone in his palm radiated an even more brilliant green light, while the green line connecting to Alex’s head deepened and thickened.

As the green gemstone erupted, the expressionless Alex finally showed some change. His face tightened into a grimace, revealing traces of pain, and fine beads of sweat seeped from his smooth forehead.

After a brief stalemate, Alex’s expression grew increasingly agonized. His face turned deathly pale, white as paper. Yet even so, the green line connected to his head never broke.

As long as the green line remained unbroken, it meant Thanos still could not control Alex’s soul.

"What an unexpected surprise!" Rather than becoming angry, Thanos was delighted. He looked Alex up and down, his face full of approval.

As he spoke, Thanos activated the green gemstone once more, determined to make Alex his own.

Yet Thanos, focused on activating the gemstone, did not notice that at the moment he lowered his head, Alex—whose eyes had remained tightly shut—suddenly opened them. Brilliant starlight flickered in his pitch black eyes, as though an entire galaxy had been gathered within them, utterly captivating.

Alex looked around in confusion after opening his eyes. The starlight in his gaze flashed away, and his eyes returned to their normal black. His mind cleared as well, as though he had remembered something.

Alex moved. His hands shot out like lightning and pressed against Thanos’s body in an instant. Vast energy rapidly surged into Thanos through his palms. The world-destroying force tore through even Thanos’s resilient skin, and streams of blood flowed from the wounds.

Thanos instantly came to his senses. With a swift motion of both hands, he knocked Alex’s arms aside and rapidly retreated, staring at Alex in shock. "You’re awake?!"

"I have you to thank for that, Thanos!" Alex flashed a radiant smile. His gaze toward Thanos was somewhat casual and mocking, without the slightest hint of tension.

Thanos frowned slightly and looked Alex over again for a long while, clearly puzzled. "Who exactly are you?"

"Me?" Alex shrugged and answered casually, "Alex!"

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