Shen Mu carefully examined the small blue gem, no bigger than his fingertip, and marveled at the wonders of the Universe.
Just these six small stones, yet if gathered together, they could possess the power to reshape the entire Universe.
"Ding! Major Event 'Redemption of the Infinity Stones' has begun, and the treasure chest is continuously charging."
At this moment, a system prompt suddenly echoed in his mind, and Shen Mu instantly became alert!
"Redemption of the Infinity Stones?"
Shen Mu knew exactly what this Major Event was about the moment he heard it!
The six Infinity Stones, in their original timeline, would be destroyed by Thanos because he did not want his population control plan for the Universe to be undone.
So, the best way was to destroy the tools that could reverse everything: the six stones imbued with infinite energy.
However, it was a great pity that Ant-Man Scott's return from the Quantum Realm led them to discover the possibility of time travel.
Ultimately, they successfully reversed everything by borrowing stones from the past.
It was just that, in the main timeline, the Infinity Stones had already been destroyed.
Therefore, this "Redemption of the Stones" should be about saving these stones from their fate of destruction!
Shen Mu believed he now understood the significance of this Major Event.
"Hmm! Something seems wrong!"
"The Space Stone is currently in My hands. I don't believe Thanos will ever be qualified to take the Stone from Me in the future, much less use its power to destroy the Stones."
"Logically, this redemption event should have been completed by now, but why is there no reaction at all?"
"Something's not right, very not right."
Shen Mu stood there in a daze, his mind racing with possible scenarios.
Standing beside him, the Ancient One watched the series of changes on Shen Mu's face after he received the Stone, feeling somewhat perplexed.
"Shen, is there something wrong with this Space Stone?"
The Ancient One asked, puzzled.
"No problem, I'm just marveling at how such a small Stone possesses such immense energy," Shen Mu replied casually after hearing the Ancient One's question.
The Ancient One was a clever person; she knew at a glance that Shen Mu wasn't telling the truth, but she didn't press further.
"Shen, are you really not considering becoming the Sorcerer Supreme?"
"If you become the Sorcerer Supreme, the eye of agamotto will also belong to you in the future."
Seeing that Shen Mu seemed to have a different emotional connection to the Infinity Stones, the Ancient One couldn't help but tempt him again.
Hearing the Ancient One say this, Shen Mu really wanted to pretend to agree to her.
However, he also knew that someone as shrewd as the Ancient One would surely see through his words, whether they were true or false.
"Sorcerer Supreme can be forgotten, but if you are willing to give Me the Time Stone, then I can eliminate those who dare to cross the line for you."
Shen Mu directly proposed a trade to the Ancient One.
"No, the meaning of Guardian is not just to defeat those visitors from other dimensions."
The Ancient One shook her head, rejecting Shen Mu's proposal.
"Alright! However, I have found a good disciple for you. I will bring her to Kamar-Taj in a few days."
After Shen Mu finished speaking, he didn't give the Ancient One a chance to refuse and instantly vanished!
"Alas! It's completely chaotic!"
The Ancient One sighed deeply, leaving with a look of both surprise and distress on her face!
In the Universe, the Dark Quadrant.
A tall figure in golden armor had just returned from a Carnage, accompanied by a small green-skinned girl.
"My Lord Thanos, your loyal servant welcomes your return!"
Ebony Maw, acting as the chief steward, immediately went to meet the returning figure, kneeling on one knee and offering his highest respects.
This was the ruler of the Dark Quadrant, the last Titan, the director of the Universal Population Control Commission, Thanos.
"Ebony Maw, from now on, this is My daughter. Her name is Gamora."
"All the knowledge she needs to learn will be taught by you."
Thanos took Gamora's hand, preparing to hand her over to Ebony Maw.
When he had annihilated Planet Houzeberry, he had caught sight of this little girl, her face filled with bewilderment after losing her people. Logically, Thanos should not have felt any pity for her.
However, everything in this World is so unpredictable; the cold and cruel Universal tyrant had shown compassion for this tiny child and brought her back to his domain, the Dark Quadrant, even adopting her as his goddaughter.
At this moment, the timid Gamora looked at the unfamiliar surroundings with a hint of fear, her small body clinging tightly to one of Thanos's fingers.
"Yes, My Master, I will train My Lord Gamora to be an excellent warrior."
Ebony Maw simply extended his hand, and Gamora flew towards him, seemingly without control.
This was his telekinetic ability.
"My Lord Thanos, one of the infinity stones you are looking for has appeared on Earth. Should we retrieve it?"
The earlier fluctuation of the Space Stone had, of course, attracted attention throughout the Universe.
"It's not time yet. That small Planet has a group of mystics, which is a huge obstacle."
"Furthermore, the elderly God-King of Asgard has not yet passed away. Although he seems almost decayed due to old age, he is at his strongest in his entire life right now."
Although Thanos believed his strength was no less than either of the two, they would not gain any advantage from him in a one-on-one fight.
However, those two shared a common goal: to protect Earth.
Therefore, Thanos could foresee that if he dared to invade, they would be met with a joint force of mystics and Asgard.
"There's no need to rush with the Stones. Find Me the next living Planet immediately."
"I have been waiting for destiny for a long time."
Thanos slowly sat back on his throne.
"My Master, I have already selected the next target for you."
With that, Ebony Maw opened a star map, marking the Planets with life, which would be the next destination for their blades.
"Corvus Glaive, you and Proxima Midnight take the Outriders and go for Me!"
Thanos had no interest in a Planet with a low level of civilization, so he directly dispatched his generals to randomly slaughter the life on that Planet.
"Yes, My Lord Thanos!"
The two, having received their orders, immediately set off with their fleet!
They were lovers and usually acted together.
…
"Are you Leader Schmidt?"
Meanwhile, Alexander Pierce, who had been teleported away, was now looking fanatically at the Red Skull-faced man in a black cloak, whose face looked as if it had no skin.
"Schmidt, it's been a long time since I heard anyone call Me that name!"
"However, now there is only the Guardian of the Soul Stone."
The Infinity Stones possess a partial self-awareness. The Space Stone teleported Red Skull to Vormir, where he was enslaved by the Soul Stone to become its Guardian and guide, conveying its harsh conditions to all who sought the Stone.