[This Chapter Is Sponsored by Cade Atkinson! Everyone, please thank him in the comment!]
In the Fairyland.
Bi Xiao straightened his slightly disheveled clothes. He did not expect Death, that old lady, to invest in him in this manner.
It was almost as if she wanted him to give her a child.
Bi Xiao found it a bit strange. His own Wanda and Bella had chased Thanos to the ends of the earth, and now the goddess he longed for was throwing herself at him and even wanted to have his child.
All he could say was that the situation was very unexpected.
Bi Xiao fully accepted Death's investment. Unlike the Ancient One, Death was more determined, believing that Bi Xiao might completely liberate her, so she simply gave herself to him.
This kind of investment was a win-win for Bi Xiao, with no reason to lose.
He only wanted Death not to be an obstacle. He needed time to grow, and when he reached that point, he could do whatever he wanted according to his own ideas.
Standing by the wooden railing in the corridor, outside the fairyland, a light drizzle had already begun. The misty white clouds created a sense of veiled beauty in the surroundings.
He reached out his hand, and two small birds chirped and flew over, circling in his palm.
Bi Xiao glanced over at Wanda and the others.
He admired Thanos's decisiveness in taking risks, but he still had to die.
Wanda, Bella, Pietro, and Thor's brothers had no intention of letting him go and directly stormed in. As for whether it was dangerous, Loki and Thor might face some danger, but Wanda and the other three had marks left by Bi Xiao. Unless they encountered something beyond his capability, there was no real danger for them.
What surprised Bi Xiao a bit was that Bella actually summoned the Holy Angel, which was a puppet he casually created in his spare time, similar to Odin's Destroyer Armor. Though the Destroyer was armor worn by Odin, it could also be remotely controlled.
Its destructive power was considerable. It was one of the artifacts Odin had created by gathering the power of the gods of Asgard and the craftsmanship of the Dwarves to deal with the Celestials. If not for the damage sustained in the battle with the Celestials, the Destroyer Armor would be one of Asgard's foundations.
Even now, Odin kept it guarding the Odin Vault. If anyone intruded, it would activate the Destroyer Armor.
Therefore, there were no guards outside the vault.
The birth of the Holy Angel was entirely due to Bi Xiao's childhood dream of a goddess. Thinking back to the first time he saw Gatomon evolve into Angewomon, he couldn't resist creating the Holy Angel.
Bi Xiao was already pondering whether to modify reality to create Digimon and place them in the fairyland to attract more people.
But that was for later.
There was no longer any need for Bi Xiao to worry about Thanos. The point that concerned him the most was that Death had completely betrayed Thanos, or rather, had never truly supported him. Thanos was merely a tool for Death.
Bi Xiao felt a bit of sympathy for Thanos, though not much.
Now, Bi Xiao pondered the initial chip Death had given him. What was that energy?
He didn't want to take risks, but it was right there, and in Death's memory fragments, Thanos had invested in it too, which made Bi Xiao pay attention.
The Thanos of the main universe was a sycophant, but a very powerful and lucky one.
Bi Xiao couldn't determine if Death's memory fragments were from the future of the current timeline or the original Sacred Timeline.
If it was the current timeline, it meant Thanos might survive despite being chased, and for revenge, he would seek out that cosmic energy. If it was from the original sacred timeline, there was no need to worry.
After all, the sacred timeline had been broken, and the likelihood of Thanos being killed was high.
If he was dead, cosmic energy would no longer matter.
Bi Xiao thought for a moment. Regardless of the possibility, he had to be cautious. To be safe, if Wanda and the others failed, he would personally kill Thanos.
Then he would find a way to seek that cosmic energy.
Now, he would see which possibility it was.
Bi Xiao narrowed his eyes, a cold light flashing. For someone like Thanos, death was the best outcome.
...
Sakaar is a well-known planet in the universe, located in the Tayo galaxy of the Fornax system. It is an extreme and savage world constantly at war.
However, this savage planet's wars were eventually ended by one individual.
His name is Grandmaster.
Little is known about the Grandmaster's origins, but it is undeniable that he possesses immense power and advanced technology. He transformed Sakaar into an entertainment planet, attracting people from all over the universe.
The most famous of his creations is the arena.
In this arena, powerful warriors from across the universe are captured or recruited and controlled via neural devices to fight in brutal, bloodthirsty battles for the entertainment of the masses.
After crowning one champion after another, a championship battle is held. The true champion's visage is immortalized on a tower, earning them universal reverence.
The powerful warriors enjoy luxurious treatment bestowed by the Grandmaster, as long as they do not attempt to escape. On Sakaar, they can enjoy every conceivable benefit and privilege.
The Grandmaster's motivations are not money or fame, but purely his own interest.
Such an entertaining and lucrative planet naturally attracts many covetous eyes. However, most who dare to challenge the Grandmaster meet their deaths, while a few are captured and thrown into the arena.
True power brokers know the Grandmaster's background.
He belongs to an ancient, highly intelligent race that emerged shortly after the Big Bang and is a member of the Elders of the Universe, along with his kin, the Collector, who is also one of the race's immortal remnants.
Having lived for so long, the Grandmaster finds amusement in designing various games and competitions, compelling other intelligent species to participate for his entertainment.
The Grandmaster possesses near-immortal life, immune to aging and all diseases, and impervious to physical attacks, with formidable regenerative abilities.
He can convert his cosmic energy into levitation, energy projection, telekinesis, matter reorganization, and time and space manipulation.
His resurrection ability is potent, able to revive any lifeform within 30 hours of death, and his psychic perception is extraordinarily strong.
As a powerful deity, the Grandmaster's tier is just below that of the Celestial.
The Celestial is one of the universe's mightiest deities, immune to harm from ordinary technology or armies, capable of easily destroying planets and, at their peak, even entire galaxies. Such a deity is rarely provoked.
Moreover, the Grandmaster is not alone; he is part of a high-intelligence species and a member of the Elders of the Universe, a council with varying degrees of influence.
Besides the Grandmaster, another member of his tier is the Collector, his kin.
If the Grandmaster truly faces danger, the Collector will not stand idly by.
Two beings of Celestial level together are formidable, making anyone think twice before provoking them.
One day, the Grandmaster was in his tower palace, enjoying a massage from his maidens and eating fruit, while boredly reviewing some information on a holographic display. A strong middle-aged woman in armor approached him.
"Grandmaster, someone seeks your help."
"I'm resting, Topaz. I do not wish to be disturbed at this time," the Grandmaster, in a lazy manner, showed no interest in other matters.
He just wanted to rest and enjoy his massage.
However, Topaz, the burly middle-aged woman, ignored his words and continued, "It's Thanos. He is being hunted and seeks your help, offering a price."
At the mention of Thanos, the Grandmaster paused, then waved his hand, dismissing the maidens.
The Grandmaster sat up and looked at Topaz.
"Thanos? That guy isn't dead yet?"
"Not only is he alive, he's on one of our merchant ships. The ship's captain contacted our command center with his request," Topaz replied expressionlessly.
The Grandmaster stroked his well-trimmed beard thoughtfully, "Interesting, the so-called Child of Destiny isn't so easy to kill after all."
"The sacred timeline has been altered, and Thanos is on a different path, in dire straits this time. What about those pursuing him?"
After muttering to himself, he directed his last question to Topaz.
Topaz shook her head, "No sign of the pursuers, but Thanos's plea suggests they are alive, just lost."
"I suspect they will find him again soon."
"How pitiful, the Child of Destiny," the Grandmaster murmured.
Topaz looked puzzled, "Child of Destiny? Thanos?"
She couldn't see how the wretched Thanos could be any kind of Child of Destiny.
If anyone deserved that title, it would be those hunting him.
"You wouldn't understand. If no one had tampered with the sacred timeline, my brother and I would have to respect him. My brother would have even suffered some setbacks. Now, that's unnecessary, and I believe he will be quite pleased," the Grandmaster waved dismissively, not explaining further.
The Celestial could see through time, and the sacred timeline was no secret to them.
Of course, some weaker Celestials might not perceive it clearly.
As members of the Elder Council of the Universe, the Grandmaster and his brother, the Collector, naturally understand what the Sacred Timeline is. These two have lived for countless years.
According to the original timeline, Thanos, the destined child, had quite a conflict with his brother, the Collector.
Of course, the latter might have had to put on an act.
Otherwise, with the Collector's strength, killing Thanos wouldn't be much of a problem.
Now, with the Sacred Timeline being altered by some major figure, the Grandmaster and the Collector no longer have to fear the so-called destined child. What destined child? He's nothing but a dog to them.
The two brothers went on their way, unconcerned, and had no intention of getting involved in this matter.
Whether the Sacred Timeline was altered or not didn't matter much to them, but unexpectedly, Thanos has come looking for them now.
This took the Grandmaster by surprise.
The Grandmaster thought for a moment and then asked a seemingly unrelated question: "Perhaps we should expand our arena?"
"Hmm?"
Topaz, who had been following the Grandmaster for a long time and was familiar with his personality, still couldn't follow his train of thought. Weren't they talking about Thanos? Why did he suddenly bring up expanding the arena?
"Do you think it would be interesting to have Thanos and those five guys compete in the arena to decide the champion?" the Grandmaster said enthusiastically.
Topaz frowned immediately and reminded him, "Thor and Loki are Asgardians. We don't even know the origins of the other three."
Her meaning was clear: she hoped the Grandmaster would show some common sense.
The Grandmaster was powerful, but capturing Thanos as a gladiator was one thing. Thor and Loki, the two Asgardian princes, were another matter entirely, especially since Odin was still alive.
No matter how powerful the Grandmaster was, he couldn't surpass Odin.
If Odin got angry, whatever fate befell Thanos would be the same for the Grandmaster, maybe even worse.
Moreover, regarding the other three individuals, while some might still be guessing, the smart ones had already figured out who was behind them.
Such powerful beings could probably annihilate the Grandmaster with just a thought.
Topaz had finally found a job she was satisfied with and didn't want her boss's reckless actions to cost her this well-paying position.
The Grandmaster didn't care about Topaz's warnings and reminders. If she could think of it, so could he.
However, the Grandmaster was inherently proud, arrogant, and brutal.
Having lived for so long, he had grown weary of it.
Live or die, it didn't matter.
He preferred excitement. What could be more thrilling than having Thanos, the destined child, Thor and Loki, princes of Asgard, and three warriors likely nurtured by a being who could alter the Sacred Timeline gather in the arena for a unique battle?
Besides, he might not be courting death after all.
He could always act as a mediator, providing a fair and just platform for a true life-and-death fight in the arena.
At most, there would just be a larger audience.
How wonderful.
Without his destined fate, Thanos could be easily manipulated by him.
As for the remaining five, they could be negotiated with, even if it required some firmness.
The Grandmaster believed that as long as he handled it well, it could be a triple win.
"Hurry, hurry! I've accepted Thanos's request. Let him come to Sakaar quickly. I need to prepare a grand feast for him," the Grandmaster said, his excitement making his breathing rapid as he imagined the fierce battles.
It was so wonderful that he urged Topaz impatiently.
Topaz, feeling helpless, complied because the Grandmaster was her boss. She could only advise him against his reckless behavior but couldn't truly go against his will.
However, she was still muttering about the Grandmaster's reckless behavior in her heart.
Following the Grandmaster's instructions, Topaz sent orders to the caravan outside Sakaar, while the Grandmaster eagerly prepared for a luxurious and grand banquet in his tower palace.
Of course, the so-called banquet would only have the Grandmaster and the arriving Thanos as the main participants.
Before long, at the docking port of the tower, a special transport spaceship landed, and a familiar, robust figure with a somewhat disheveled appearance disembarked, not undergoing any inspection.
While the Grandmaster might not care about Thanos, the other soldiers certainly didn't dare to.
Under Topaz's direction, Thanos, who didn't receive any special treatment, didn't rush to meet the Grandmaster but went to freshen up first.
In a very spacious and luxurious room, Thanos removed his armor. All his injuries had already healed thanks to his powerful physique.
On the surface, Thanos no longer bore any visible scars, and the blood and dust on him had been shaken off by his energy control.
Sitting in the large bath, Thanos glanced out the floor-to-ceiling window at the city of Sakaar.
With his senses, he could hear the bustling noise of Sakaar.
He frowned, looking a bit tired.
He was indeed exhausted.
No matter how strong his physique or resilient spirit, the high-intensity pursuit and the risky venture into the unstable cosmic gate for so many days had taken their toll.