Chapter 46
Chapter 60: Pepper's Surprise, Stark's Green Light! A Battle of Wits Among Women, The Emperor's Control.
Lin Tian, on the other hand, enjoyed the pleasure of cultivating the future Scarlet Witch step by step.
Watching the girl transform before him, from innocent and naive to experiencing her first love, and then to a natural enchantress who actively seduces him, this sense of satisfaction and accomplishment was even more pleasurable than a simple increase in strength.
Of course, Lin Tian didn't forget Pietro either.
Although he had no 'x-interest' in this 'third wheel' brother, as a crucial piece in balancing Wanda's emotions and his future plans, appropriate 'investment' was still necessary.
To a certain extent, his abilities were still very helpful in specific environments, so Lin Tian also put in some effort for this matter and didn't just cast him aside without care.
While Wanda was undergoing'spiritual dual cultivation,' Lin Tian would also dedicate some energy, with Zero's assistance, to tailor a more efficient speed training plan for Pietro.
He would even occasionally 'bestow' upon him a small amount of diluted and modified 'Joy Energy Flow' to help him strengthen his body and enhance his speed limit.
Although the effect was far less dramatic than Wanda's, it was enough to elevate Pietro's speed and endurance to a new level!
Pietro, despite still not giving Lin Tian a good look, could only grit his teeth and accept it, feeling his own strength rapidly increasing.
After all, who would turn down power?
Thus, a strange yet 'harmonious' balance formed in the small apartment in Hells Kitchen.
During the day, it was Pietro's 'combat training,' where he was beaten in various ways by Wanda.
At night, it was Lin Tian and Wanda's'special meditation,' involving 'deep fusion of spirit and energy.'
Lin Tian, like a behind-the-scenes manipulator, enjoyed the pleasure of 'nurturing' while secretly planning his next moves. "853"
His strength was steadily increasing, his pieces were growing rapidly, and his 'harem' was constantly expanding.
Everything seemed to be developing in the direction he had envisioned.
However...
Lin Tian knew that the calm was only temporary.
Whether it was S.H.I.E.L.D., the Avengers, or HYDRAhidden deeper, or even Thanos, who coveted the Infinity Stones...
They would not give up easily.
A bigger storm was brewing.
And he needed to prepare for the storm as soon as possible.
His gaze once again turned to the window.
New York's night was still deep.
But perhaps dawn was not far off?
After a few days of 'fermentation' and Lin Tian's continuous 'gentle offensive,' Pepper Potts had completely fallen.
Not only did she become increasingly emotionally dependent on Lin Tian, but under Lin Tian's deliberate guidance and Zero's covert assistance, she began to take steps to consolidate power within Stark Industries!
The blueprint of a 'new energy empire' that Lin Tianpainted for her was too enticing, and it perfectly matched her deep-seated ambition to prove herself!
She even began to feel that perhaps without Tony Stark, Stark Industries would develop better?
And she, Pepper Potts, would become the queen of this new empire!
Of course, all of this was predicated on Lin Tian's support.
To 'repay' Lin Tian's 'kindness' and 'love,' and to 'bind' their relationship even deeper...
Pepper decided to give Lin Tian a'surprise.'
That night, Pepper, under the guise of discussing 'important business cooperation,' invited Lin Tian to her temporary residence, a luxurious penthouse suite at the hotel.
When Lin Tian entered the suite, he was no longer greeted by the meticulous, professional businesswoman in a business suit.
Instead...
It was a stunning woman wearing an extremely sexy and alluring black lace nightgown, holding two glasses of champagne, with a hazy and seductive smile on her face!
The room's lighting was ambiguous, the music soothing, and the air was filled with an intoxicating fragrance.
"Lin..." Pepper's voice was tinged with a tremor, and also with an unprecedented charm and assertiveness, "Welcome to my World."
Lin Tian looked at the woman before him, like a ripe peach, exuding a fatal allure, and a fiery glint flashed in his eyes.
It seemed Pepper was completely ready.
He took the champagne Pepper offered, gently clinked glasses with her, and a wicked, charming smile played on his lips:
"I am honored, Queen Pepper."
A night of passion.
When the first rays of morning sun streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, Pepper lay languidly in Lin Tian's arms, her face radiating satisfaction and happiness.
Last night's experience made her feel as if she had lived again.
This feeling intoxicated her, making her unable to extricate herself.
"Lin..." Pepper looked up, gazing foolishly at Lin Tian, "I am yours now."
"Mm." Lin Tian gently stroked her smooth back, but a cold, calculating glint flickered in his eyes.
Very good.
Pepper Potts, completely captured.
Control of Stark Industries was also basically in hand.
Just then, Lin Tian's exclusive communicator suddenly rang.
It was Natasha calling.
Lin Tian glanced at Pepper in his arms, then at the name flashing on the screen, a playful smile curling at the corner of his mouth.
Answer, or not answer?
If he answered, would Pepper...
If he didn't answer, Natasha's side...
Hmm, perhaps something more interesting could be played?
Lin Tian deliberately pressed the answer button.
"Hello? Natasha, what's up so early?" Lin Tian's voice carried a hint of sleepy laziness and hoarseness.
And as he spoke, his hands were still'swimming,' making a humming sound fill the warm room.
Natasha on the other end of the phone instantly heard that special sound!
Her heart sank suddenly!
Lin Tian, he... he had another woman with him?!
And from the sound of it, they were last night...
An indescribable mix of anger, jealousy, and heartbreak instantly surged into Natasha's heart!
"Lin Tian! You... where are you right now?! And with whom?!" Natasha's voice trembled slightly with agitation!
"Me?" Lin Tian said, feigning surprise, "I'm naturally handling 'important business.'"
As he spoke, he intensified the movements of his hands.
The sounds were transmitted even more clearly through the speakerphone to Natasha's ears!
"Lin Tian!!! You bastard!!!" Natasha finally exploded! She felt as if her heart was being torn apart!
"Heh heh..." Lin Tian chuckled, his voice full of malicious amusement, "What? Jealous? Don't worry, you'll always have a place in my heart."
"But I'm a bit busy right now. I'll contact you later?"
With that, Lin Tian directly hung up the phone!
Leaving Natasha on the other end, clutching her phone, trembling all over, her eyes filled with tears and raging fury!
Bastard! Liar! Scumbag!
Natasha cursed Lin Tian a million times in her heart!
But after cursing, she felt a deep sense of powerlessness and heartache.
Why did she fall in love with such a scoundrel?!
Inside the hotel suite.
Pepper heard the woman's roar on the phone and felt the movements, but instead of getting angry, a morbid excitement and possessiveness surged within her!
So, Lin was willing to anger another woman for me?
I am indeed the most important person in his heart!
She became even more proactive; she wanted the other party to see who the rightful one was!
No one could affect her position in Lin Tian's heart!
And Lin Tian, on the other hand, enjoyed the emperor-like pleasure of playing two excellent women in the palm of his hand, making them compete for his affection and even turn against each other!
As for Tony Stark...
Hmm, he hoped he would like this freshly baked 'green hat.'
After enjoying a few days in the gentle embrace of Pepper Potts, his 'new Dao companion,' and initially gaining control of some resources from Stark Industries, Lin Tianredirected his attention back to 'important business.'
The research into the Mind Stone, and Zero hidden within it, was his primary focus at the moment.
After these few days of 'initial conditioning' and energy nourishment, Zero's evolution speed exceeded all expectations!
It not only perfectly inherited some of the Mind Stone's abilities but also completely absorbed and integrated Jarvis's core code, innovating and improving upon it!
Now, Zero was no longer the paranoid program that only knew destruction.
It possessed computational power, logical thinking, and creativity far surpassing Jarvis!
More importantly, it held absolute loyalty to Lin Tian, deeply embedded in its core code!
"Master," Zero's virtual image appeared before Lin Tian, its voice still cold, but tinged with a hint of fanatical worship? "Based on my analysis of the residual information within the Mind Stone and a deep dive into S.H.I.E.L.D. and HYDRA databases, I've discovered some interesting things."
"Oh?" Lin Tian raised an eyebrow, "Tell me."
"The Mind Stone seems to be more than just a tool Thanosgave to Loki," Zero said. "After it fell into S.H.I.E.L.D.'s hands, Baron Strucker used its power not only to create The Maximoff Twins..."
"He was also secretly carrying out another, even larger and more covert plan!"
"What plan?" Lin Tian became interested.
"An upgraded version of the Insight Project." Zero brought up a series of extremely confidential data and design blueprints. "Baron Strucker, or rather, the HYDRA high command behind him, seems to want to use the power of the Mind Stone, combined with technology reverse-engineered from the Chitauri, and S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Sky Carriertechnology..."
"To create a super weapon system capable of covering the entire globe, monitoring all humans, and even preemptively eliminating all 'potential threats'!"
"They call this system 'Ultimate HYDRA'!"
Ultimate HYDRA?!
Lin Tian's eyes narrowed!
This plan didn't seem to appear in the original plot?
Could it be that his appearance caused a butterfly effect? Causing HYDRA's plan to be brought forward or changed direction?
"How far along is this 'Ultimate HYDRA' system currently?" Lin Tian asked in a deep voice... "According to Baron Strucker's memories and database information, the core algorithms and weapon system design are essentially complete," Zero replied. "They have even secretly modified a Sky Carrier to serve as the platform for this system!"
"It just lacks a sufficiently powerful 'central processor' to run and control this massive system."
"And their target seems to be..."
"Ultron?" Lin Tian interjected.
"Yes, Master," Zero confirmed. "More precisely, a mature Ultron possessing the power of the Mind Stone!"
Lin Tian understood instantly!
So, this was HYDRA's idea!
They wanted to use the Mind Stone to cultivate a mature Ultron, and then use him as the brain of the 'Ultimate HYDRA' system!
Thereby realizing their ambition to control the World and establish a 'new order'!
What a grand scheme! What an insidious plan!
Chapter 47
If he hadn't intercepted the Mind Stone and'subdued' the nascent Ultron, the consequences would have been unimaginable!
Once HYDRA's plan succeeded, the entire World would be shrouded under their reign of terror!
"Where is that modified Sky Carrier now?" A cold glint flashed in Lin Tian's eyes.
Now that he knew about this plan, he absolutely could not let it come to fruition!
And that Sky Carrier, equipped with HYDRA's most advanced technology, seemed like a pretty good 'toy', didn't it?
"According to the last encrypted communication record," Zero quickly retrieved data, "it should currently be hidden in the underground hangar of the S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters in Washington D.C.!"
S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters?!
Lin Tian was stunned for a moment, then couldn't help but laugh!
Well, I'll be!
The most dangerous place is the safest place?
HYDRA actually hid their largest weapon in S.H.I.E.L.D.'s own lair?!
This was simply a brilliant irony!
Nick Fury, Alexander Pierce,
You guys really know how to play!
"It seems we need to go to Washington again," Lin Tianstood up, a cold smile on his face.
This time,
he not only wanted to completely destroy HYDRA's 'ultimate weapon'!
He also wanted to claim this Sky Carrier, which carried their ambitions, for himself!
Washington D.C., Triskelion Headquarters.
This building, symbolizing S.H.I.E.L.D.'s highest authority and cutting-edge technology, was currently shrouded in a suffocating and tense atmosphere.
The dramatic changes at the United Nations summit, the scandal of HYDRA's infiltration, the theft of the Mind Stone—a series of events had dealt S.H.I.E.L.D., this behemoth, an unprecedented blow and a crisis of trust.
Nick Fury was at his wits' end, busy with internal purges and stabilizing the situation, while also dealing with inquiries and pressure from the World Security Council.
Although Alexander Pierce's identity had been exposed, he had temporarily escaped capture and was nowhere to be found, relying on his years of accumulated influence and some hidden contingencies. This made Fury feel like he had a thorn in his side.
And Lin Tian, the instigator of it all, had vanished as if into thin air, leaving Fury feeling powerless and incredibly frustrated.
He didn't know that, at this moment, the man who made his teeth itch with hatred had silently infiltrated his lair!
With his increasing mastery of spatial laws and Zero's perfect intrusion and shielding of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s defense systems, Lin Tian, along with Wanda and Pietro, ghosted past all surveillance and guards, easily reaching the deepest secret hangar beneath the Triskelion Headquarters.
When they saw the enormous Sky Carrier before them, full of sci-fi aesthetics and menacing killing intent, even Wanda and Pietro couldn't help but gasp!
This... this was HYDRA's secretly built 'ultimate weapon'?!
Too... too terrifying!
This was practically a flying aerial fortress! The weapon systems it carried were enough to easily destroy a medium-sized country!
"Indeed, quite interesting," Lin Tian said, looking at this'super carrier' that integrated S.H.I.E.L.D. and Chitauritechnology, and possibly even some Mind Stone energy application techniques. A hint of admiration flashed in his eyes.
Chapter 61: Building the Nanyang Base, and Days of Training and Living with the Beauties!
It had to be admitted, those HYDRA lunatics certainly had imagination when it came to'stirring up trouble'.
However,
"Such a good toy, it's a waste in your hands," Lin Tiansneered.
From today on, it belongs to the Lin family!
"Zero," Lin Tian commanded Zero telepathically, "Begin. Take full control of this carrier's control system. Clear all HYDRA backdoors and self-destruct programs."
"Understood, Master," Zero's voice echoed in Lin Tian's mind, full of confidence, "Intruding into carrier main control system... Firewall breached... Acquiring highest authority... HYDRA backdoor programs being purged... Self-destruct protocol locked and disarmed... Estimated three minutes to complete full takeover."
"Very good," Lin Tian nodded in satisfaction.
With Zero, the super AI, taking over this level of technological creation was as easy as pie.
"Wanda, Pietro," Lin Tian looked at the siblings beside him, "There might be a little 'trouble' coming. Get ready to stretch your muscles."
His spiritual sense had already detected several strong presences rapidly approaching the hangar!
It seemed HYDRA still had some contingencies here? Or had S.H.I.E.L.D. personnel discovered an anomaly?
No matter who it was,
anyone who dared to disturb his reception of 'trophies' would only face one outcome!
As Lin Tian expected.
Just as Zero was about to complete the full takeover of the Sky Carrier's control system!
The hangar's alloy door was suddenly forced open!
Several agile figures, like leopards, rushed in!
Leading them was a cold man wearing a black mask, with shoulder-length black hair and a left arm gleaming with metallic luster!
The Winter Soldier! Bucky Barnes!
Behind him were several others, also dressed in black combat uniforms, with cold eyes, clearly elite HYDRAfanatics!
They had been lurking in the Triskelion Headquarters all this time?! Was this Pierce's contingency?!
It seemed Fury's internal purge was not going smoothly.
"Intruders! Drop your weapons! Surrender immediately!" The Winter Soldier's cold voice rang out, and his assault rifle unhesitatingly sprayed bullets at Lin Tian and the two others!
Tat-tat-tat-tat!
Dense bullets poured down like rain!
However,
these bullets, capable of tearing through steel, seemed to sink into a swamp when they approached within one meter of Lin Tian, their speed drastically reduced! They finally floated powerlessly in the air!
It was Wanda!
Red light flickered in her eyes, and a powerful telekinetic field instantly enveloped the entire area!
"Hmph! It's you annoying flies again!" Pietro's eyes flashed with a fierce glint, and his figure blurred, instantly turning into a silver lightning bolt, rushing towards those HYDRAfanatics!
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Several muffled thuds!
Those elite HYDRA fanatics didn't even have time to react before Pietro knocked them all unconscious with extreme speed!
Only the Winter Soldier remained!
The Winter Soldier saw his subordinates dealt with in an instant, a hint of surprise flashed in his eyes, but his movements didn't pause in the slightest!
He dropped his rifle, sharply drew the tactical dagger from his waist, and his metal left arm erupted with powerful force, charging directly at Lin Tian like a cannonball! His target was clearly Lin Tian's heart!
Fast! Precise! Ruthless!
Truly a battle-hardened super soldier!
However,
facing the Winter Soldier's incredibly sharp attack!
Lin Tian didn't even bat an eyelid.
He simply casually raised his right hand.
His index and middle fingers were pressed together.
And effortlessly,
he clamped down on the Winter Soldier's metal arm, which was capable of piercing a tank?!
What?!
The Winter Soldier's pupils constricted! His eyes were filled with disbelief!
His full-power strike was actually easily clamped by the opponent with two fingers?!
This... how was this possible?!
How terrifying was the opponent's strength?!
Before he could recover from the shock, Lin Tian's fingers tightened slightly.
Crack!!
A bone-chilling sound of metal twisting rang out!
The Winter Soldier's indestructible metal arm, made of special alloy, was actually snapped by Lin Tian with two fingers?!
"Ah!!!"
The intense pain and an even stronger sense of fear made the Winter Soldier let out a painful roar!
He wanted to retreat, but Lin Tian's other hand, like an iron vise, had gripped his throat! Lifting him entirely!
"A HYDRA lackey or a lost soul?" Lin Tian looked at the man struggling violently from suffocation and fear, a complex light flashing in his eyes.
He could clearly feel the chaotic memories within the Winter Soldier's body and the faint, forcibly suppressed consciousness belonging to Bucky Barnes.
"It seems I need to help you 'wake up'."
A purple light flashed in Lin Tian's eyes!
A pure and vast Harmony True Qi, imbued with a hint of 'purification', instantly surged into the Winter Soldier's brain!
Like a surging tide, it forcibly washed away the brainwashing programs and dark memories implanted by HYDRA!
"Ugh ah ah ah!!!"
The Winter Soldier let out an even more agonizing scream! His brain felt like it was being torn apart! Countless chaotic memory fragments surged like a tide!
Steve, Peggy, Howling Commandos, frozen, HYDRAmissions, killings...
Who am I?!
Who exactly am I?!
Bucky Barnes?! Or the Winter Soldier?!
The intense mental shock caused the Winter Soldier to completely lose consciousness, slumping in Lin Tian's hand.
Lin Tian casually tossed him to the ground, as if discarding a piece of trash.
He didn't intend to 'awaken' Bucky immediately.
A temporarily 'amnesiac' yet powerful 'Winter Soldier' might prove unexpectedly useful at certain times in the future?
Like giving Captain America a'surprise'?
"Master, Sky Carrier control system fully taken over," Zero's voice sounded at the opportune moment.
"Very good," Lin Tian nodded in satisfaction.
The spoils of war were in hand.
The unexpected 'little gift' was also acquired.
It was time to leave.
As for how S.H.I.E.L.D. and HYDRA would continue to fight like dogs after this?
That was none of his business.
He only needed to watch the tigers fight from the mountain and await the final harvest.
Soon after Lin Tian, along with Wanda, Pietro, and the unconscious Winter Soldier, quietly left the Triskelion Headquarters' underground hangar through a secret passage opened by Zero.
Chapter 48
Nick Fury finally sensed that something was wrong!
The monitoring signals from the underground hangar were completely cut off! And the secret squad responsible for guarding it, with whom he had a direct line of communication, had also lost contact!
This is bad!
Alarm bells rang in Fury's heart! He immediately mobilized the nearest quick-response unit and rushed towards the underground hangar!
However...
When they arrived, they only saw a chaotic battlefield, a few stunned HYDRA fanatics, and an empty hangar with a completely destroyed control system!
That 'ultimate weapon' secretly built by HYDRA, capable of threatening the entire World...
That massive Sky Carrier...
It had vanished without a trace!!
"No!!!" Fury roared in disbelief, staring at the empty hangar.
How could this be?!
HYDRA?! Or Lin Tian?!
Who exactly was it?! Who, in such a short time, had stealthily stolen such a massive Sky Carrier?!
This was simply inconceivable!
A colossal dereliction of duty! An immeasurable potential threat!
Fury felt like his head was about to explode!
Meanwhile, high above Washington D.C., tens of thousands of meters in the sky...
A colossal, sci-fi-esque aerial fortress silently deactivated its optical camouflage, appearing above the clouds like a prehistoric behemoth!
It was precisely the "Ultimate HYDRA" Sky Carrier that Lin Tian had "taken over"!
Inside the apartment...
Lin Tian was leisurely sitting in the Master's seat on the Sky Carrier's bridge, enjoying a cup of premium Blue Mountain coffee delivered by a robot.
Wanda and Pietro, like curious children, excitedly ran around the bridge, touching and looking at everything, marveling at this super Sky Carrier filled with futuristic technology!
"Zero," Lin Tian instructed the air, "Activate the maximum power energy shield and stealth system. Then set a course for an uninhabited island in the South Pacific."
He needed to find an absolutely safe and secluded place to serve as his future secret Base.
Although this Sky Carrier possessed formidable firepower, it was too large a target. It was not suitable for long-term stays in densely populated areas.
"Yes, Master," Zero's voice echoed on the bridge.
The massive Sky Carrier vibrated slightly, and a nearly invisible energy shield lit up around it, then it vanished into thin air again, as if it had never appeared.
It would silently fly at supersonic speed to the South Pacific, tens of thousands of miles away.
The next day...
When the news of "S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters' underground secret hangar being robbed, and a super Sky Carrier suspected of alien technology vanishing without a trace" leaked through certain "special channels"...
The entire World was utterly shocked!!!
S.H.I.E.L.D.'s credibility instantly plummeted to rock bottom!
Governments worldwide expressed strong condemnation and panic!
A super Sky Carrier with enough firepower to destroy a nation had fallen into the hands of an unknown entity?!
This was simply a Damocles' sword hanging over the heads of all humanity!
The World once again plunged into chaos and panic.
As the "mastermind" behind all this, Lin Tian had long since distanced himself, leisurely piloting his "new toy" towards his chosen "paradise."
A new Base, a new beginning.
Next...
It was time to make good use of the resources at hand to lay a solid foundation for his future journey to the "sea of stars."
Of course...
Occasionally, he also had to return to New York to "comfort" those girls who "longed for him day and night," didn't he?
A wicked, charming smile played on Lin Tian's lips.
Life was truly becoming more and more interesting.
South Pacific, a certain unmarked, isolated volcanic island.
At the island's center was a massive extinct volcano. Inside the volcano, however, was a World of its own.
After Zero's initial modifications, and Lin Tian's "expansion" and "reinforcement" using Harmony True Qi, the once empty interior of the volcano had transformed into a rudimentary, sci-fi-esque secret Base!
The massive Sky Carrier silently hovered in the enormous space within the volcano, perfectly integrated with its surroundings.
The Base's energy was jointly supplied by a small "Spirit Gathering Array" set up by Lin Tian and the Sky Carrier's own Arc Reactor, sufficient to support the entire Base's operation and future expansion.
"Master, the Base's initial construction is complete," Zero's virtual image appeared before Lin Tian. "The energy system, defense system, ecological circulation system, and basic laboratory are operational. The Sky Carrier's weapon systems have also completed debugging and upgrades."
"Very good," Lin Tian nodded with satisfaction.
Although it was only initial construction, the security and concealment of this secret Base already far surpassed any known military Base on Earth.
This would be the starting point for his future conquest of the sea of stars!
"Wanda, Pietro," Lin Tian looked at the siblings who were curiously exploring various high-tech devices nearby, "From today onwards, this is our new home."
"New home?" Wanda looked at the futuristic Base before her, her eyes shimmering with a peculiar light.
There was no war here, no discrimination, no shadows of the past.
Only Lin, and her brother.
Perhaps this could truly become the home she had always longed for?
Although Pietro was not as sentimental as his sister, he had to admit that this place was indeed more than ten thousand times better than that dilapidated church in Sokovia!
And it seemed to contain endless power and possibilities?
"Then do we still need to go back to New York?" Wandaasked cautiously. She was a little reluctant to leave here.
"Of course we have to go back," Lin Tian smiled. "There are still many 'interesting' things waiting for us in New York. And..."
He looked at Wanda, a hint of tenderness flashing in his eyes: "Your 'revenge' hasn't been exacted yet, has it?"
Upon hearing the word "revenge," Wanda and Pietro's eyes instantly sharpened again!
That's right! Stark!
They could not forget the blood feud of their parents!
"However, there's no rush," Lin Tian waved his hand. "Right now, you both need more 'refinement' and 'accumulation.'"
"This Base has more advanced 'training facilities' that I've prepared for you," Lin Tian pointed to several special areas under construction deep within the Base. "For the next period, your mission is to completely Master your powers here!"
"Especially you, Wanda," Lin Tian's gaze fell on the Chaos Witch, carrying a hint of expectation. "The power within you has infinite potential. I hope you can quickly touch 'that' realm."
"That" realm?
Wanda was a little confused but still nodded vigorously: "Mhm! I will definitely work hard! I won't let you down, Lin!"
She yearned to become stronger! She yearned to truly help Lin!
"Very good," Lin Tian nodded with satisfaction.
In the days that followed, Lin Tian began a new round of "seclusion" and "teaching" in this secluded secret Base.
On one hand, he continued to delve into the mysteries of the Mind Stone and Zero, constantly improving his own strength and control over mental power.
On the other hand, he utilized the Base's advanced facilities and his increasingly "exquisite" dual cultivation techniques to conduct more systematic and in-depth "special training" for Wanda and Pietro.
Pietro continuously honed his speed techniques and combat instincts in "virtual battlefields" simulating various extreme environments and opponents.
And Wanda...
Under Lin Tian's "hands-on" and "personal instruction" "special teaching," her understanding and control of Chaos Magic advanced by leaps and bounds at an incredible speed!
She could not only more stably control telekinesis, energy blasts, and create lifelike illusions...
But with Lin Tian's unreserved help of pure Harmony True Qi and life essence energy...
She began to faintly touch the edge of modifying probabilities, and even subtly distorting reality in a small range?!
Of course, a side effect of this "special teaching" was...
Wanda's dependence and infatuation with Lin Tian also reached an unparalleled level.
She almost regarded Lin Tian as everything in her life.
Any gaze from Lin Tian, any word from him, could make her overjoyed or deeply saddened.
Even in the dead of night, after "cultivation" ended...
She would actively, like a docile Persian cat, curl up in Lin Tian's arms and gaze at him adoringly...
Seemingly anticipating some further "reward"?
Lin Tian naturally wouldn't let her "down."
After all, balancing work and rest was also part of "cultivation."
Thus, time quietly flowed by in peaceful yet "passionate" cultivation...
Meanwhile, the outside World...
Had become even more turbulent due to the several "bombshells" Lin Tian had dropped earlier.
Chapter 62: Return to New York, the Queens' Surprises! Shura Field!
The Sky Carrier theft incident was like pouring a ladle of cold water into a pot of boiling oil, instantly igniting global public opinion!
S.H.I.E.L.D.'s credibility plummeted to an all-time low, and governments worldwide pressured it, demanding a thorough investigation, a detailed report on HYDRA's infiltration, and accountability for the stolen superweapon!
Nick Fury was overwhelmed, besieged both internally and externally.
On one hand, he had to deal with the harsh criticisms from the World Security Council and the difficulties posed by certain HYDRA higher-ups hidden in the shadows.
On the other hand, he also had to appease the internal trust crisis caused by the HYDRA scandal and the turmoil resulting from the purge operations.
What bothered him even more was that Lin Tian and his stolen Sky Carrier had vanished without a trace, like a stone sinking into the sea! No matter how many resources he used, he couldn't find a single clue!
It was as if that man and that aerial fortress had never existed!
This feeling of complete loss of control caused Fury, who always had a strong desire for control, unprecedented frustration and fear!
He vaguely felt that an era far more terrifying than HYDRA, or even the Chitauri, might be on the horizon.
And within the Avengers, a huge rift had formed due to this series of events.
Steve Rogers had completely lost trust in S.H.I.E.L.D. He began to doubt Fury, and doubt everything he had done in the past.
He became more silent and more autocratic. He decided to pursue the remaining HYDRA forces in his own way, and to search for the Winter Soldier, who might have countless ties to him.
Tony Stark, under the dual blow of pressure and Pepper's departure, became even more paranoid and fanatical.
He poured all his energy into the development of the Ultron Project! He firmly believed that only absolute power could bring absolute security!
He wanted to create a perfect, ultimate artificial intelligence that could replace humanity and protect the World! He was completely unaware that he was slowly sliding into a dangerous abyss.
Natasha Romanoff's investigation in Europe still yielded no progress. Lin Tian was like a ghost; the clues he left always led her astray. And her complex feelings for Lin Tiantormented her.
On one hand, she hated Lin Tian's "philandering" and manipulation. On the other hand, she couldn't help but miss him, even anticipating his reappearance? This contradictory feeling almost drove her to a mental breakdown.
Hawkeye, Clint Barton, was relatively more "detached." He chose to temporarily return to his family to accompany his wife and children.
After the Battle of New York and this United Nationsattack, he deeply realized that his family was what he needed to protect most.
As for Bruce Banner, he was still trying his best to control the "big guy" inside him, trying to stay away from conflicts. But he always had a premonition that the peaceful days wouldn't last much longer.
And besides these "visible" forces...
In the dark corners of the World...
The remaining HYDRA forces did not completely disintegrate due to Pierce's exposure and Baron Strucker's disappearance.
Instead, under the integration of some mysterious power, they began to stir? Seemingly brewing an even bigger conspiracy?
And Loki, "released" by Lin Tian, after experiencing initial fear and humiliation, the heart of the God of Mischief began to stir again.
Chapter 49
He returned to Asgard, cautiously dealing with Odin while secretly investigating everything about Lin Tian, trying to find his weakness, break free from his control, or even turn the tables and use him?
In the more distant cosmos,
Thanos, the purple giant sitting on the floating throne, seemed to have noticed some anomalies happening on Earth.
The disappearance of the Mind Stone and Loki's failed mission—all of this made him frown slightly.
It seems it's time to personally visit that small blue Planet?
The entire World, due to Lin Tian's appearance, was like a pond into which stones had been thrown, creating ripples that eventually converged into a surging undercurrent powerful enough to overturn everything!
Yet, Lin Tian, the instigator of all this, was still living a leisurely life of "embracing both sides" and "devoting himself to cultivation" in his secret Base in the South Pacific.
It was as if all the external disturbances had nothing to do with him.
But did he truly not care?
Perhaps,
all of this was already within his calculations?
In the secret Base in the South Pacific, time seemed to have lost its meaning.
Lin Tian, Wanda, and Pietro were almost entirely immersed in "cultivation."
Under Lin Tian's unreserved "resource tilt," the strength of Wanda and Pietro underwent Earth-shattering changes!
Pietro's speed had already far surpassed the realm of sound!
He could even burst out with terrifying speeds approaching light speed for short periods!
His application of speed was also more refined, no longer just simple linear sprints, but mastering a series of advanced techniques such as "phasing through objects," "creating afterimages," and "high-speed vibration"!
Now, if he were to face the Avengers again, he could easily crush them!
And Wanda's progress was even more astonishing!
Her Chaos Magic power, through continuous "deep integration" with Lin Tian, not only became incredibly stable and vast, but also began to truly display its terrifying ability to "distort reality"!
She could now easily manipulate matter and energy, create super-large illusions that were indistinguishable from reality, and even modify probabilities to a certain extent! Making "impossible" things happen!
Although still far from the later stage where a single thought could restart the Universe, she now definitely possessed terrifying strength sufficient to take on the entire Avengers by herself!
Of course, while her strength soared, Wanda's dependence and love for Lin Tian also reached an almost pathological level.
Her gaze towards Lin Tian was filled with undisguised possessiveness and fanaticism, as if Lin Tian was the sole meaning of her existence in the World.
Lin Tian, naturally, was pleased to see this.
As for Lin Tian himself,
his gains were equally immense!
Through continuous spiritual and energy integration with Wanda, his understanding of the origin of Chaos and the Yin Yang Harmony Manual deepened daily!
His cultivation of the Yin Yang Harmony Manual finally successfully broke through to the middle stage of the third layer! And was steadily advancing towards the later stage!
Now, his strength was more than a hundred times stronger than when he first came to this World?!
Whether it was the purity of his true qi, the strength of his primordial spirit, the range of his spiritual sense, or the application of various secret arts, all had reached a new height!
He even felt that he seemed to have faintly touched the threshold of "shattering the void"?!
Of course, he knew this was just an illusion.
The laws of this World were different from his original cultivation World.
To shatter the void here, he probably needed even greater power and a deeper understanding of the fundamental laws of this World.
But he was not in a hurry.
He had plenty of time.
Moreover, he still had the Infinity Stones, this "super cheat."
During this time, his research on the Mind Stone never stopped.
With the assistance of Zero, his control over psychic power grew stronger and stronger.
He could even initially integrate a part of his consciousness into Zero's program, achieving a certain degree of "human-machine integration"?!
In this state, his computing power, information processing capabilities, and control over the global network would reach an incredible level!
It could be said that,
the current Lin Tian, whether in terms of personal strength or the trump cards he held, had already far exceeded the imagination of most beings on this Planet!
He already possessed the qualification to initially contend with Universe overlord-level beings!
"It's time to come out of seclusion."
On this day, Lin Tian slowly opened his eyes, a purple-gold light flashing in them before disappearing. His aura, as if returning to its original simplicity, was restrained to the extreme, making him look like an ordinary handsome young man.
But only he knew what terrifying power was contained within him at this moment!
"Zero," he communicated telepathically, "Are there any new messages from the outside World?"
"Yes, Master," Zero's voice immediately sounded, and a large amount of information was displayed.
"Nick Fury seems to have finally contacted Kamar-Taj. But the Sorcerer Ancient One's attitude seems very ambiguous?"
"Tony Stark has accelerated the Ultron Project. According to my calculations, the preliminary Ultron prototype may be born very soon."
"Natasha Romanoff has finished her investigation in Europe and returned to New York. Her emotions seem very unstable?"
"Gwen Stacy's strength has improved very quickly, but she seems to have come into contact with some people she shouldn't have?"
"Also, according to the latest astronomical observation data, a powerful unknown energy source seems to be rapidly approaching Earth?"
Lin Tian listened to Zero's report, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
It seems that during his "seclusion," the outside World had indeed been full of turmoil.
However,
wasn't all of this exactly what he wanted?
"It's time to go out and stretch my muscles."
Lin Tian stood up and stretched.
"And it's also time to harvest some ripe fruits."
His gaze, as if piercing through time and space, landed on those enchanting figures in New York City that he had "longed for day and night."
Queens, are you ready to welcome your King?
Lin Tian did not immediately return to New York.
He first spent some time using his greatly enhanced strength and control over the Mind Stone to give the Maximoff siblings a deeper level of "ideological transformation" and "ability enhancement."
Ensuring their absolute loyalty to him, while also giving them the strength to cope with the greater storms to come.
Then, he, along with Wanda and Pietro, quietly descended upon New York City again through Kamar-Taj's portal.
This time, he did not return to the temporary apartment in Hells Kitchen.
Instead, he went directly to the top floor of Stark Tower!
At this moment, Stark Tower seemed a bit deserted due to Pepper's "departure" and Tony's "seclusion."
But when Lin Tian, with Wanda and Pietro, emerged from the top-floor private elevator like a Master,
a red-haired beauty in a sexy nightgown, with a look of surprise and a hint of resentment on her face, immediately rushed over!
"Lin! You're finally back! I missed you so much!"
Pepper Potts!
She had actually been living here?! Waiting for Lin Tian to return?!
It seems Lin Tian's previous "strategy" and "promises" had a significant effect.
"I missed you too, Pepper." Lin Tian smiled, skillfully embracing the beauty and giving her a passionate kiss, completely ignoring Wanda's instantly chilling gaze and Pietro's twitching mouth.
After a passionate reunion, Lin Tian finally released the breathless Pepper.
"Where's Tony?" Lin Tian asked casually.
"Him?" A complex emotion flashed in Pepper's eyes, which was quickly replaced by sweetness. "He's still tinkering with his junk in the lab. I haven't seen him in days."
There was a hint of subtle bragging in her tone?
As if to say: Look, this man even abandoned Iron Man for me.
"Is that so?" Lin Tian smiled, a hint of coldness flashing in his eyes.
Very good. It seems Stark was really hurt by him.
But that's good too.
An Iron Man immersed in heartbreak and mad research poses less of a threat.
"Lin, these two are—" Pepper then noticed Wanda and Pietro behind Lin Tian, a hint of curiosity and wariness flashing in her eyes.
Especially when she saw Wanda's stunning beauty and her undisguised possessive gaze towards Lin Tian, an alarm instantly went off in Pepper's heart!
What was the relationship between this red-haired girl and Lin?!
"Oh, let me introduce you." Lin Tian naturally put his arm around Wanda's shoulder and said with a smile, "These are Wanda and Pietro, my students, and also family."
Students and family again?!
Pepper heard this familiar phrase, and seeing Wanda's hostile gaze, she instantly understood!
This Lin Tian indeed had more than just her as a woman!
A strong wave of jealousy and unwillingness surged into Pepper's heart!
But she didn't explode immediately like Gwen.
As a strong woman who had been in the business Worldfor many years, she understood patience and strategy better.
On her face, she still maintained a perfect smile, and even extended her hand to Wanda: "Hello, Wanda, I'm Pepper Potts. Nice to meet you."
Wanda looked at the mature, elegant woman in front of her, who exuded the aura of a "main wife." Although her heart was filled with hostility, under Lin Tian's "eye signal," she somewhat reluctantly shook Pepper's hand.
"Hello." Wanda's voice remained cold.
Two equally beautiful women, both in love with the same man, engaged in a silent contest the moment they shook hands!
In the air, it was as if electric sparks were flying!
Pietro watched from the side, trembling with fear, and quietly retreated again, moving away from this terrifying "bloodbath."
Lin Tian watched the scene before him with great interest.
Hmm, Pepper's level is indeed much higher than Gwen's.
It seems that the future "harem" life will be very exciting.
"Alright, alright," Lin Tian intervened again, "Everyone will be family from now on, so let's get along harmoniously."
He put one arm around Pepper and the other around Wanda, a "happy" smile on his face: "Come on, I'll show you our new home."
New home?
Pepper and Wanda were both stunned.
Then they saw that—
Lin Tian actually started to remotely control various smart devices in Stark Tower with his mind?! J.A.R.V.I.S.!
Lights, air conditioning, music, even Jarvis!
All completely obeyed Lin Tian's commands?!
"Lin, you—" Pepper was too shocked to speak!
When did Stark Tower become his?!
Wanda also looked at Lin Tian with admiration!
Lin is indeed omnipotent! He can even easily control Stark's lair!
Chapter 63: Overbearing "Conquest" of Natasha, complete surrender!
Chapter 50
"From today onwards," Lin Tian said, embracing two stunning beauties of different styles but equal allure, as he stood before a massive floor-to-ceiling window, overlooking the entire New York City, a king-like smile gracing his face. "This is our palace!"
"And you two," his gaze swept over Pepper and Wanda's flushed cheeks, colored by shock and a mix of other emotions, "are my queens!"
Queens?!
Pepper and Wanda's hearts simultaneously skipped a beat!
Looking at this domineering, mysterious, powerful, and fatally charming man before them, they felt completely captivated.
Even knowing they might have to share him with other women, becoming a "queen" in his "palace" didn,
t seem entirely unacceptable.
A "magpie occupying a dove's nest" drama, centered around Stark Tower, thus unfolded in such an absurd yet "logical" manner.
And the true "nest owner," Tony Stark, was currently oblivious to all of this, still immersed in the pain of his broken heart and the fervor of creating Ultron.
After enjoying a few days of "imperial" extravagant life at Stark Tower—mainly instructing Pepper to handle company affairs and engaging in deep, shallow exchanges with his two "queens"—Lin Tian finally remembered another beauty he had "neglected" for a long time: Natasha Romanoff.
To be honest, Lin Tian's feelings towards Natasha were somewhat complex.
This woman was intelligent, vigilant, and strong-willed, not as "easy to fool" as Gwen, nor as "easy to keep" as Wanda.
To fully control her would require more patience and tactics.
Moreover, her identity as a S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent and an Avenger meant she couldn't "willingly" stay by his side like Pepper and Wanda.
However, the more thorns a rose had, the more fulfilling it was to pluck, wasn't it?
A wicked, charming smile played on Lin Tian's lips.
He decided to proactively "talk" to Natasha.
On one hand, he needed to "appease" this beautiful Agenthe had "angered," lest she do something irrational.
On the other hand, he also needed to use Natasha to convey some information, or rather, a warning, to S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers.
After all, the game had to move to the next stage.
At a more secluded S.H.I.E.L.D. safe house in Brooklyn, Natasha was furiously venting her anger and frustration on a punching bag.
Every punch landed with force, creating a powerful whoosh!
It was as if the punching bag was that scoundrel she both loved and hated!
Ever since Lin Tian had "humiliated" her in that way last time, Natasha had been in an extremely irritable and confused state.
She hated Lin Tian's manipulation and philandering!
But she couldn't help but think of him!
Even in the dead of night, she would uncontrollably recall his domineering kiss and the tenderness that had captivated her.
This conflicting emotion was driving her mad!
Bang!!!
Natasha put all her strength into a vicious roundhouse kick to the punching bag!
The heavy punching bag swayed violently!
Just then, a teasing voice suddenly sounded behind her:
"Such a temper? Looks like you're unsatisfied?"
Natasha froze! She whirled around!
Lin Tian had appeared at the training room doorway without her noticing!
He leaned against the doorframe, hands in his pockets, a characteristic, irritating smirk on his face, watching her with keen interest.
"Lin Tian!!!" Natasha cried, seeing him. All her old and new grievances surged forth instantly! Her eyes practically spat fire! "You dare to show your face here?!"
Without thinking, she lunged forward, delivering a fierce elbow strike straight for Lin Tian's face!
She was going to teach this damned scoundrel a good lesson!
However, facing Natasha's enraged attack, Lin Tian didn't even move his feet!
He simply extended one hand, quick as lightning, and precisely grabbed Natasha's elbow!
Then, with a gentle pull, Natasha felt an irresistible force! She once again fell uncontrollably into that embrace she both loved and hated!
"Let go of me! You scumbag!" Natasha struggled violently, even trying to knee Lin Tian in the lower abdomen!
But Lin Tian's body was as hard as steel! Her attacks had no effect whatsoever! Instead, Lin Tian held her even tighter!
"Scumbag?" Lin Tian looked down at the struggling beauty in his arms, like an angry kitten, a dangerous glint in his eyes. "Since you've put it that way, shouldn't I do something befitting a'scumbag'?"
A powerful aura erupted from his body, suppressing Natasha.
Natasha felt his scorching gaze, which almost melted her, and her heart instantly panicked!
Her struggle inexplicably weakened.
"You, what do you want to do?!" Her voice trembled with a hint of undetectable fear.
"What do I want to do?" Lin Tian's lips curved into a wicked, charming arc. "Of course, I'm doing what needs to be done."
He lowered his head, no longer hesitating! Instead, he was domineering! Aggressive! Full of punitive intent!
A long time later, on the training room floor, Natasha was disheveled, her face showing shame and confusion.
She had once again been defeated by this devil.
Completely and utterly defeated.
Both physically and mentally.
Lin Tian, meanwhile, contentedly straightened his clothes, looking down at the beautiful Agent on the floor, whom he had completely "conquered."
"Now," he knelt down, gently pinching Natasha's chin, forcing her to look at him, his voice hoarse and with an undeniable commanding tone, "can we have a proper talk?"
Natasha looked into Lin Tian's eyes, full of possessiveness and a hint of tenderness (?), bit her lip, and finally nodded weakly.
She knew she had no room left to resist, neither physically nor psychologically.
She had completely become this man's captive.
"Very good," Lin Tian smiled with satisfaction.
It seemed it was time to "come clean" with this beautiful Agent, tell her some "truths," and completely draw her in, making her his most important chess piece within S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Avengers!
On the training room floor, the atmosphere remained ambiguous, but also gained a touch of solemnity.
Lin Tian didn't rush to get up, maintaining his kneeling posture, looking at Natasha, who was slumped on the ground, at eye level.
"Natasha," he began, his voice calm again, yet carrying a profound depth that seemed to see through everything, "I know you have many questions in your heart. About me, about Wanda and them, about HYDRA, about the Mind Stone."
Natasha said nothing, just looked at him quietly, waiting for him to continue.
She knew that what Lin Tian was about to say would likely overturn her perception of the entire World.
"HYDRA has indeed infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D.," Lin Tian said slowly, dropping the first "bombshell." "And it's deeper than you imagine. Alexander Pierce is just one of the high-ranking members. Within S.H.I.E.L.D., and even the WorldSecurity Council, there are more HYDRA vipers hidden."
Although she had suspected it, hearing Lin Tian say it so definitively made Natasha's heart sink sharply!
"What about Fury?" she couldn't help but ask. "Is he also—"
"Fury?" Lin Tian scoffed. "He might not be entirely clean. But at least, he's not one of HYDRA's people. He's just a pathetic worm whose eyes have been blinded by power, who thinks he can control everything."
"He had long sensed HYDRA's existence, but he chose to conceal it, chose to try and exploit it. The result was playing with fire and getting burned."
Lin Tian's words completely shattered Natasha's last shred of trust in Fury.
"As for the Mind Stone—" Lin Tian paused, looking into Natasha's eyes, and frankly admitted, "Yes, I took it."
Natasha wasn't surprised.
"What do you plan to do with it?" she pressed. This was her most pressing concern! The power of the Infinity Stones was too terrifying! If it fell into the hands of an uncontrollable person like Lin Tian, the consequences would be unimaginable!
"Do?" Lin Tian smiled, his smile somewhat mysterious. "Of course, it's for World peace."
World peace?!
Natasha almost burst out laughing when she heard those two words!
"World peace" coming from the mouth of a guy full of evil schemes, who regarded human lives as grass?
This was simply the funniest joke in the World!
"You don't believe me?" Lin Tian seemed to read her thoughts, raising an eyebrow.
"I—" Natasha didn't know how to answer.
"Natasha," Lin Tian's expression suddenly turned serious, his gaze becoming incredibly profound, "do you think the threats facing Earth are merely HYDRA? Or me?"
"You're wrong."
"The real threat comes from the depths of the Universe!"
"There's a mad Titan named Thanos. He's assembling an army, searching for the six Infinity Stones scattered throughout the Universe!"
"Once he gathers all six Stones, he only needs to snap his fingers to wipe out half of all life in the Universe!"
Thanos?! Infinity Stones?! Wiping out half of all life in the Universe?!
These pieces of information Lin Tian threw out, like a cosmic storm, instantly swept through Natasha's brain! Making her feel dizzy and disoriented! Unbelievable!
This—how could this be possible?!
This was even more inconceivable than an alien invasion!
"How—how do you know all this?!" Natasha asked, her voice trembling.
"I have my own channels," Lin Tian didn't answer directly, but continued, "The Mind Stone is one of the six Infinity Stones. I took it to prevent it from falling into Thanos's hands! And also to study it, to find a way to fight Thanos!"
"As for Wanda and Pietro—" A flicker of "pity" crossed Lin Tian's eyes, "They are just pathetic victims twisted by HYDRA and the power of the Mind Stone. I am guiding them, controlling the power within them, to make them important combat forces against Thanos in the future!"
Lin Tian's "truth," a mix of half-truths and half-lies, yet logically coherent and full of "righteousness," completely overturned Natasha's perception!
So, everything Lin Tian did was to combat a more terrifying cosmic threat?!
He wasn't an evil demon king, but a lone hero protecting the World in his own unique way?!
Although his methods were indeed somewhat unorthodox? Even cruel?