Chapter 21
The hunt had begun.
The Infinity Gauntlet was complete.
Now, only one thing remained—the Stones.
Lin Fan sat aboard Temple One, gazing at the stars stretched across the vast void of space.
As the ship drifted through the darkness, he opened his status panel.
A translucent system screen flickered into existence before his eyes.
[Energy Value: 98%]
It had dropped after the battle with Thanos and exposure to Nidavellir's neutron star.
Still, it wasn't anything to worry about. His recovery rate was high.
And if he needed more?
There were countless sources of energy in the universe.
---
Ebony Maw stood before him, hands clasped behind his back. His expression was unreadable, but there was a careful calculation in his gaze.
"The Kree, the Skrulls, and the Shi'ar Empire have all begun their movements, Sire," he reported.
Lin Fan leaned back. "Expected."
Supergiant stepped forward next.
"Spies within the Kree Empire have confirmed that Ronan is searching for the Power Stone," she said. "The Shi'ar are looking for the Mind Stone. As for the Time Stone… its whereabouts remain unknown."
Lin Fan tapped his fingers on the armrest of his throne.
That made sense.
The Sorcerer Supreme and the Masters of the Mystic Arts were notorious for keeping their secrets well-guarded.
Unlike the others, the Time Stone wasn't hidden on some distant battlefield or in the vault of a galactic emperor.
It was protected by people who understood its true power.
And that meant—it wouldn't be easy to take.
---
A holographic map flickered to life before him. The entire galaxy stretched out, major planets marked with key intelligence reports.
Lin Fan exhaled softly.
Even with all his power, he couldn't just walk in and take them.
Not without consequences.
If he started an all-out war, he'd have to fight everyone at once.
And despite everything—he wasn't naïve enough to believe he was truly unstoppable.
Not yet.
For now, he needed to be smart.
His eyes flickered back to his Energy Value.
98%.
At full capacity, there wasn't much he couldn't do.
But if he wanted to push beyond?
If he wanted to operate at limitless levels?
He needed to expand his reserves.
There were plenty of ways. Absorbing cosmic radiation, devouring powerful beings, draining energy from stars…
He'd figure it out as he went.
---
"Sire," Ebony Maw said, watching him closely. "Your orders?"
Lin Fan glanced at the map.
Then, he made his decision.
"Send forces to track Ronan," he said. "Let him do the heavy lifting and retrieve the Power Stone first. Once he has it, we'll take it from him."
Ebony Maw bowed. "As you command."
Lin Fan's gaze shifted to Supergiant.
"The Shi'ar are strong, but they aren't used to dealing with someone like me. I'll handle them personally."
Supergiant smirked. "That should be entertaining."
Lin Fan ignored her amusement.
His eyes moved to the final marker on the map—Earth.
Unlike the others, this wasn't just another planet.
Earth was where everything happened.
Wars, catastrophes, miraculous recoveries.
It wasn't just the home of the Sorcerer Supreme.
It was also where the Space Stone resided.
Lin Fan sighed.
"One thing at a time."
He stood, the shadows of the warship stretching across his frame.
"Set course for the Shi'ar Empire."
The hunt had begun.
And he would survive.
No matter what.
---