Cosmic Ripples and the Titan's Gaze

The news that Li Wei had successfully fused part of the Power Stone's energy and risen to [Continental Level (High)] spread like a silent cosmic broadcast. The ripples it created began to propagate across certain layers of the universe at speeds beyond light. This was not a physical wave, but a subtle disturbance to the universe's fundamental laws—especially the laws of power—caused by an elevation in his "level of existence."

Li Wei's Transformation: A Walking Gravitational Singularity

Within Sky City, Li Wei made no deliberate effort to restrain his aura. Anyone who approached him, whether enhanced Phantom Shadow warriors or strong-willed mage apprentices, could not help feeling a tremor and suffocating pressure born from primal survival instinct.

He did not need to release any intimidation. His mere existence resembled a miniature "gravitational singularity." The surrounding energy unconsciously gathered and bent toward him; space formed minute folds under his unintentional influence. When his gaze swept over someone, it even created the illusion of being crushed beneath tangible weight.

Every movement he made carried an innate, heart-pounding sense of power. It was no longer the former kind of "strength" built upon skill and energy, but something more fundamental—an overwhelming, tyrannical force that seemed capable of shattering stars with a fist and splitting continents with a stomp. If he fully unleashed his aura, it would be enough to knock out every ordinary person in Sky City and cause electronic devices to malfunction.

The Collector's Terror and Greed—Know Yourself and Your Enemy

Deep within the crystal display cases of Knowhere, the Collector, Taneleer Tivan, jolted awake from his ornate chair. Before him, a crystal sphere used to monitor abnormal cosmic energy was flashing frantically with ominous purple light, and fine cracks had even appeared across its internal structure.

"This fluctuation... it is the Power Stone! But... it is different!" The Collector's cloudy eyes filled with shock and uncertainty. "It is not Ronan's crude use of it, nor is it a dead object embedded in a weapon... This is... fusion?! Someone has integrated the stone's power into the very source of his life?!"

With trembling hands, he pulled up countless surveillance feeds and streams of data. At last, he locked onto the source of the energy disturbance—the Solar System, near Earth's orbit, where a newly appeared Sky City radiated a blend of technological and magical fluctuations.

"Li Wei... the Myriad Realms Secret Society..." The Collector muttered the names he had not previously paid much attention to, his face revealing an extremely complicated expression—instinctive greed for power, but even more so, the terror of having witnessed a taboo.

"He actually... reached this point? He forcibly contained the power of an Infinity Stone without suffering backlash? What kind of body and will would that require?!" The Collector put away all his petty schemes. He realized that the master of this newly risen power was not something he could casually "collect," but a monster capable of disrupting the cosmic balance, one who had to be treated with the utmost caution. He decided to wait and watch for now, perhaps even... consider showing some "goodwill" when the time was right.

The Grandmaster's Interest—A New "Champion" Candidate?

On Sakaar, the Grandmaster was listlessly watching the arena's repetitive performances. Suddenly, an exquisitely decorated bracelet around his wrist gave off a faint vibration and a purple glimmer.

"Oh?" The Grandmaster raised his brow and smiled with interest. "Interesting, truly interesting! Something fun has happened in the universe again! This power... it is surging and fresh, carrying the beauty of destruction and rebirth... far more interesting than that big idiot Thor!"

He immediately ordered his subordinates, "Investigate! Find the source of this power! I want all his information! Perhaps... we can have a special guest in the next Champion Contest?" To the Grandmaster, Li Wei's appearance was like a fascinating new toy that had suddenly appeared, sending a ripple through his boring eternal life.

Thanos's Gaze—An Unexpected Variable in the Plan

On the Black Order's flagship, Sanctuary II. Upon the throne, Thanos slowly opened his eyes, filled with endless majesty and contemplation. The golden gauntlet on his hand was embedded with the Mind Stone. At that moment, the Mind Stone seemed to have formed an extremely faint resonance with—and... rejection of—something at the far end of the universe.

Ebony Maw stepped forward respectfully. "Father, we have detected an abnormal energy fluctuation originating from the Solar System. It is related to the Power Stone, but its form of manifestation... exceeds anything recorded in the database."

Thanos fell silent for a moment. No emotion could be read from his massive purple face.

"I know." His voice was low and oppressive. "Someone has stolen and fused, through a method unknown to us, power that should belong to 'balance.'"

He rose from his throne and walked to the enormous viewport, gazing out into the boundless stars.

"Ronan has failed... It seems an unexpected stumbling block has appeared on the path to collecting the stones." A cold gleam flashed through Thanos's eyes. "Li Wei... Myriad Realms Secret Society... are you trying to play God?"

He did not immediately order an attack. Thanos was a strategist; he needed to assess the situation. An existence capable of fusing a stone's power posed a threat far beyond the Nova Corps and even Asgard. This was no longer a simple matter of seizing it, but a major variable that might require adjustments to the entire "destiny" plan.

"Continue observing," Thanos finally ordered. "Gather all intelligence concerning him and the Myriad Realms Secret Society. Until we are ready... do not act rashly."

Li Wei's existence was like a massive stone cast into a still lake, and the ripples it created had already spread into the universe's highest spheres. He was no longer merely Earth's protector—or ruler—but had officially entered the sights of the universe's foremost powers, becoming a cosmic variable that needed to be reassessed, feared, recruited, or eliminated.

Li Wei understood all of this perfectly. Standing atop Sky City, he felt the power surging through his body and the faint gazes from the depths of space. A cold curve lifted at the corner of his lips.

"Have you noticed me? Good."

"The feast has only just begun. And the one who will ultimately sit at the head of the table will only be me... the one who has plundered everything."