Lin Du's Rescue, Loki's Defeat

Loki wore a magnificent robe, the Scepter in his hand gleaming with an eerie blue light. A mocking smile curled at his lips, yet a trace of unease flashed through his eyes.

He slowly approached Lin Du, every step carrying an air of supreme arrogance.

"Lin Du, don't think that possessing a few Stones means you can rule the world." Loki's voice was like an icy blade, chilling to the bone.

"The Mind Stone, the Space Stone, and the Time Stone—they are not your true strength."

Lin Du snorted coldly, his gaze filled with disdain. "Loki, you're nothing more than a puppet bewitched by power."

"Even with the Mind Stone in your hands, you still cannot defeat me."

Loki's expression changed abruptly, and the fury in his eyes burned even hotter.

"Lin Du, you will pay for your arrogance! Hear my command!"

He raised the Scepter high. In an instant, countless pairs of eyes lit up in the darkness. They belonged to the army controlled by Loki, swarming out from the woods like shadows and charging fiercely at Lin Du.

A cold smile appeared on Lin Du's lips. He raised the Mind Stone in his hand, and its blue glow suddenly blazed. "Spatial Isolation!"

With Lin Du's low shout, the army controlled by Loki froze where they stood, as though blocked by an invisible wall, unable to move.

The air around them congealed, as if the entire world had been frozen.

"You... you've gotten stronger again!"

Mordo stared at the scene in stunned disbelief.

He had thought he had already seen through Lin Du's strength, yet today, his understanding had been shattered once more.

How could he have become stronger again?

Loki, meanwhile, watched Lin Du's every movement, clearly unable to believe his strength.

"How is this possible?" Loki's face was filled with shock and disbelief.

He had never expected Lin Du to improve his strength again in such a short time.

However, Lin Du gave him no chance to catch his breath. His figure flashed.

He instantly appeared before Loki and threw a punch with the force of thunder.

Loki's expression changed drastically. He hurriedly raised the Scepter to block it, but an irresistible force crashed into him, sending him flying backward.

"This is impossible!" Loki steadied himself in midair, his eyes full of disbelief.

"Nothing is impossible," Lin Du said coldly.

His figure vanished from where he stood once more. The next instant, he appeared behind Loki and struck out with his palm.

Loki only had time to turn and defend himself, but Lin Du's palm force came crashing down like a raging storm, blasting him away again.

"Loki, you've lost," Lin Du said coldly, his gaze filled with resolve and determination.

Loki struggled to his feet, madness flashing in his eyes. "No! I haven't lost yet! I still have my final trump card!"

He suddenly bit the tip of his tongue and sprayed a mouthful of blood onto the Scepter.

At once, the entire Scepter radiated a dazzling light.

"This is... a forbidden spell!"

Lin Du's expression changed. He had not expected Loki to be so insane as to use a forbidden spell against him.

A forbidden spell was an immensely powerful form of magic. Once used, it exacted a terrible price, perhaps even one's life.

Yet the power of a forbidden spell was equally terrifying. Once unleashed, almost no one could withstand it.

Lin Du took a deep breath. He knew he had to give it everything he had to withstand Loki's forbidden spell.

He closed his eyes and devoted his entire being to the battle.

"Mind Storm!" Lin Du shouted in a low voice, and a powerful mental force burst forth from within him.

It formed an invisible storm that swept toward Loki.

Loki's expression changed. He had not expected Lin Du to unleash such a powerful mental attack.

He hurriedly mobilized all his strength to resist the mental storm.

However, the mental storm swept over him like a violent tempest, enveloping his entire body.

Loki felt as though his mind was being torn apart and destroyed without end.

He howled in agony, yet he could not break free from the mental storm's restraints.

In the end, Loki collapsed to the ground with a shrill scream.

His body was already battered beyond recognition, and his breath grew weaker and weaker.

Nick and the others stared at each other in disbelief at the sight.

Wong was equally horrified. "Lin Du, how could his power have increased so quickly?"

Loki lay on the ground, his face livid.

He had never imagined Lin Du's power would become this terrifying. An uncontrollable fear immediately rose in his heart.

"Loki." Lin Du stepped closer, his voice as cold as the winter wind. "What you rely on is nothing more than false power."

"And I possess convictions and determination far more steadfast than yours."

"Now that all three Stones are in my hands, what else do you have to fight me with?"

Loki gritted his teeth and forced out a cold smile. "Don't get smug too soon, Lin Du. I won't admit defeat so easily."

"Today's failure does not mean forever!"

Lin Du narrowed his eyes, a sharp glint flashing within them. "Then I'll wait for you to appear before me again."

But despite saying that,

Loki lay on the ground, staring at Lin Du with a face full of terror.

He could not believe that a mere mortal had defeated him.

No matter what, Loki no longer had the strength to rise again.

He lay there, gasping heavily, his eyes filled with unwillingness and despair.

At that moment, he desperately wished Thanos would appear.

And reclaim the Mind Stone that had originally belonged to him.

His eyes were filled with despair and resentment.

"Lin Du..." Loki spoke with difficulty, his voice hoarse and weak.

"Did... did you really win?"

Although he had been defeated, Lin Du was only a mortal.

He had to make Lin Du acknowledge him if he wanted a chance to survive.

So bowing his head and submitting to Lin Du was the best option now.

Lin Du stood before him, his gaze calm and deep. "Yes, Loki. I won."

Loki gave a bitter smile, regret flashing in his eyes. "I... I thought I had everything under control, but I never expected that... in the end, I would still lose to you."

Lin Du slowly shook his head. "You're wrong, Loki."

"You never truly controlled anything. You were only chasing after illusory power and authority."

Loki fell silent for a moment, then slowly closed his eyes. "Perhaps... you're right."

"I... I was terribly wrong."

Lin Du said nothing more. He turned and walked toward Nick and the others nearby.

When they saw Lin Du approach, their faces were filled with admiration and excitement.

"Lin Du!" Nick spoke first, his voice trembling slightly.

"You... you really did it."