The War Begins

Just as the war was about to begin, Tivan suddenly shouted over the public channel, "Blood God, come out and answer me."

Wang Bert snorted and cursed loudly, "Tivan, I’ve always respected you Elders of the Universe, yet you actually brought the Ravagers to steal my Space Stone. Do you really think I’m easy to push around?"

Tivan nearly spat blood. He roared, "You’re actually turning the tables on me? Blood God, you occupied my Celestial Head. I came here today to settle the score with you."

"What a joke. When did I ever occupy your Celestial Head? By the time I arrived at Knowhere, you had already fled."

Wang Bert sneered. "All I occupied was ownerless land."

Tivan was furious. He shouted, "If not for you, why would I have left Knowhere?"

"Hey, we may know each other, but if you keep spouting nonsense, I’ll still sue you for slander."

Wang Bert scoffed. "You clearly bought the Power Stone and were afraid the people of Knowhere would steal it from you, so you fled in a panic. What did that have to do with me?"

Tivan gritted his teeth but could not refute him. On one hand, everyone now believed the Power Stone was in his possession. On the other, he had no evidence for any of the things Wang Bert had done.

"Collector Taneleer Tivan, since you want to steal my Space Stone, I won’t show you any more courtesy."

Wang Bert shouted, "I’ll capture you and suppress you for ten thousand years. Even if the other Elders of the Universe come knocking, I won’t back down, because you made the first move."

Tivan really was about to spit blood this time. Thinking of something, he asked through a private channel, "Blood God, all of this was part of your scheme, wasn’t it? First, you forced me away from the Celestial Head, then you had Ronan hunt me down. If Ronan succeeded, or seriously wounded me, you would naturally vent your anger. If Ronan failed, once I learned the truth, I would definitely join Ronan in coming after you. Then you could strike at me openly and without worrying about retaliation from the other Elders."

Inside the Blood God, everyone looked at Wang Bert in surprise. His scheming was actually this deep?

"What utter nonsense. I, the Blood God, act openly and honorably. Why would I use such despicable methods?"

Wang Bert righteously rebuked him. "Collector, stop making excuses for yourself. This time, I won’t let you off."

"Damn it."

Tivan slammed his fist onto the table resentfully. After hesitating for a moment, he asked, "Blood God, did you really do all this just to vent your anger?"

"Earth is an extremely special place in the universe."

Wang Bert fell silent for a moment before slowly saying, "It connects all the universe’s subsidiary dimensions. Simply put, if one wants to enter the Main Universe, one must pass through Earth."

"Is that so?"

Everyone was somewhat surprised. This was the first time they had learned of this. To be honest, they felt a little proud. So Earth really was not ordinary at all.

Tivan asked in confusion, "Blood God, what do you mean by that?"

"Earth is so important that protecting Earth is equivalent to protecting the universe."

Wang Bert said, "In other words, Earth’s protectors are also the protectors of the universe."

Tivan asked impatiently, "So what?"

"So what? Hmph, I’m a dignified protector of the universe. What right do you old bastards have to tell me what to do?"

Wang Bert shouted, "You never lift a finger to protect the universe, but the moment I have a few more Infinity Stones, you start whining. You even dare talk about sanctions. Who the hell do you think you are?"

Tivan froze for a moment, then roared, "Blood God…"

"Quit yapping. What have you ever done for this universe?"

Wang Bert sneered. "You have no right whatsoever to meddle in Earth’s affairs. Do you think I’m merely teaching you a lesson? Wrong. I’m using you to kill the chicken and scare the monkeys, to warn those Elders of the Universe."

"Well said! How many Infinity Stones Earth has is none of your damn business!"

Doom clapped loudly, and the others nodded one after another. People like this were the most annoying. When it was time to contribute, they never showed up. Then one day, they suddenly appeared and arrogantly told you not to do this and not to do that. Annoying as hell.

Carol could not help glancing at Wang Bert. This Blood God seemed a little great.

Tivan gritted his teeth and said, "Blood God, you will definitely die here today. Those who offend the Elders of the Universe never meet a good end."

Wang Bert sneered. "You’ll definitely be sealed away for ten thousand years today. If any other Elder of the Universe dares whine like you, I’ll send them in to keep you company."

Tivan snorted and cut off the communication. Doom asked, "Bert, why not just kill this guy directly?"

"If we seal him, it’s merely a lesson. If we kill him outright, that would be the same as declaring war on all the Elders of the Universe."

Wang Bert said, "I’m not afraid of them, but Earth can’t withstand their influence. Those old fools have lived for who knows how long. They have tremendous power."

"An old man who refuses to die is a thief."

Doom snorted, his gaze icy. Elders of the Universe, Doom has his eyes on you now.

At that moment, a figure flew out of the Dark Aster. Holding a communicator, he shouted, "Captain Marvel, do you dare come out and fight?"

Looking at the figure in a red-and-blue bodysuit with a bright red cape, Wang Bert could not help touching his nose. Other than his appearance and hair, how was this guy any different from Superman? Wang Bert did not know that Gladiator’s abilities were roughly comparable to Superman’s.

Carol looked at Wang Bert. Wang Bert said, "If you’re interested, go have some fun with him."

"I’ll be back soon to support you."

Carol nodded, turned, and flew out of the Blood God. Then she shouted at Gladiator, "I don’t know which empire you’re from, but I guarantee you’ll regret showing up here."

"Sorry, but I never regret anything."

Gladiator snorted and flew toward a distant abandoned planet. Carol fearlessly followed him.

Once they reached the abandoned planet, Gladiator did not waste any words. His eyes lit up red, and two Heat Rays capable of melting everything shot fiercely toward Carol. Carol dodged sideways, then flew in front of Gladiator and slammed a fist hard into his cheek.

Gladiator did not dodge. Instead, he kicked toward Carol. The next moment, both of them flew away like meteors.

"Carol, you haven’t disappointed me. Unfortunately, you’re destined to lose today, because I am invincible."

Gladiator laughed loudly as he stopped in midair, then rapidly flew toward Carol. Carol snorted coldly and charged back at him. The two collided violently in the air, then fought from the sky to the ground. Energy flew everywhere, and even the ground was easily torn apart.

Everyone could not help swallowing. These two were truly terrifying. They might even tear the abandoned planet apart.

"Gladiator is sure to win. There’s no need to worry."

Tivan said confidently. With that treasure he had given Gladiator, there was no reason Gladiator could lose.

"That’s good."

A Ravagers leader looked at Tivan and said, "Tivan, it’s time for you to make your move."

Everyone nodded. Tivan snorted and said, "No rush. You fight first. In any case, I’ll definitely hold back the Blood God."

Everyone was somewhat dissatisfied. They were eagerly anticipating Tivan and the Blood God dropping Stones.

"There’s no need to pay much attention to the battle over there. Our target is Xandar."

Ronan ordered, "Noble Pirate Group, you will lead the charge and break through the left flank of the Xandar Alliance."

The Earth Federation was responsible for the Xandar Alliance’s left flank. The members of the Noble Pirate Group looked at each other, then nodded in agreement.

Tivan smiled. "With the strength of the Noble Pirate Group, victory is guaranteed if they lead the charge."

"Of course."

The people of the Noble Pirate Group answered arrogantly and ordered through their communicators, "Move out."

As soon as the order was given, a large number of black-painted remote-controlled drones rapidly flew toward the left flank. Everyone secretly scoffed. Did they think they would not recognize the fighters just because they painted them black?

These remote-controlled drones undoubtedly belonged to the glittering Sovereign. At this moment, their High Priestess Ayesha was commanding the battle on Sovereign, with a large number of operators before her.

"A treasure like the Space Stone is something only we noble Sovereign are qualified to possess. That upstart is merely delivering the treasure to us."

Ayesha said arrogantly. Sovereign was also called the Supreme Star, which showed just how narcissistic these people were.

On the Blood God, Wang Bert ordered, "According to the intelligence, these are Sovereign remote-controlled fighters. Shuri, leave them to Wakanda."

"Got it. I’ve been wanting to test them for a while. Phantom Legion, take off."

Inside the Revenge, Shuri shouted the command. The Wakandan warriors lying in their control pods immediately activated the Vibranium ships and guided them toward Sovereign’s remote-controlled fighters.

"Quantum remote-controlled drone fighters?"

Ayesha immediately discovered the Phantom Legion’s true nature and smiled disdainfully. They actually dared use quantum remote-controlled fighters in front of Sovereign. They really did not know their place.

A Sovereign general immediately ordered, "Launch quantum interference bombs and make them lose control of their aircraft."

Someone immediately complied. Several quantum interference bombs exploded beside the Phantom Legion, and the connection between the Phantom Legion and the Revenge immediately became intermittent. Many ships began to "dance" through space.

As for Sovereign’s own ships, they were completely unaffected. Their technology was already mature and would not be easily disrupted by quantum interference.

"I knew you’d use that trick."

Shuri snorted and immediately strengthened the quantum signal. All Phantom ships quickly stabilized again. Seeing this, Ayesha became even more disdainful. "Their main ship is actually nearby? What idiots. If they need a main ship, what’s the point of remote control?"

The general laughed. "They really are idiots. They must be amateurs at this. Pilots, destroy those ships first, then blast their main ship to pieces. Let them understand just how stupid they are."

"Yes."

A group of pilots answered in unison and skillfully controlled their ships to attack. Dense golden energy beams shot toward the Phantom Legion.

This was the Phantom Legion’s second real battle. Technically, they were far inferior to Sovereign’s pilots, and several ships were soon hit. However, those ships did not explode. Instead, they counterattacked as if nothing had happened, blowing up several Sovereign ships.

"That’s impossible!"

The Sovereign pilots stared at the red lights on their controls, their faces full of disbelief.

There was nothing impossible about it. The outer shells of this batch of Phantom ships were all made of Vibranium. Those energy attacks simply could not break through their defenses.

Thanks to Vibranium, the Phantom Legion fought Sovereign’s ships evenly and did not fall behind at all.

"Damn it, what kind of metal are their warships made of? How can they be this tough?"

The Sovereign general cursed angrily. Whether in technology or tactics, Sovereign was far superior to the other side. The problem was that those bastards’ defenses were simply too strong, so strong that they directly negated technology and tactics.

"This is a good thing. Once we defeat Earth, we’ll have this powerful metal too."

High Priestess Ayesha said excitedly. Was defeating Earth difficult? Of course not. They were merely a group of natives who had only just begun developing.

"That’s true."

The general nodded and ordered, "Don’t get tangled up with those ships. Concentrate our firepower on their main ship."

Inside the Revenge, Shuri laughed smugly. "Ha! Sovereign is nothing special after all. My Phantom Legion is still stronger."

Black Panther said helplessly, "Vibranium is stronger, not your Phantom Legion. Shuri, the elders are quite dissatisfied that you mobilized so much Vibranium this time."

"Why should I care about them? Erik will support me anyway."

Shuri said disdainfully, "Those elders have something wrong with their brains. They would rather hide all that Vibranium in mines than take it out and use it."

"Shuri!"

Black Panther shouted in dissatisfaction.

"Fine, I’ll stop talking. Huh? They’re actually coming this way? They’re courting death. Activate the Black Hole Cannon."

Seeing Sovereign’s remote-controlled ships charging toward the Revenge, Shuri smiled disdainfully and shouted.