Arc 17The Island and the Invasion

Lin Ze and his allies rescued children from Epstein’s island and stopped Gravik’s Skrull rebellion, but Thanos’s forces soon attacked Earth. The Avengers defeated the invaders who reached New York, while a larger battle continued and three Helicarriers arrived.

  • Lin Ze confirmed his identity to Paimon as Nick Fury learned from Talos that Gravik planned to spark a world war by attacking world leaders on an island.
  • Edward and Coachella were trafficked to the island, where Lyney rescued them and the other children with a performance that defeated the attendants.
  • Arlecchino killed Epstein and Gravik, while Lyney and Wanda helped free the hostages, and an alien fleet then set course for Earth.
  • Lin Ze and Kaveh tricked Thanos’s forces with a replica Earth, drawing their fleet away from the real planet as Peter recognized the illusion.
  • Tony, Steve, Strange, Hulk, Venom, Peter, and Lin Ze fought Cull Obsidian and Ebony Maw in New York, with Neuvillette helping Strange defeat Maw.
  • Wanda and the others fought Corvus Glaive and Proxima Midnight as the Wanderer joined the battle, and Lin Ze killed Ebony Maw with homing Dendro cores.
  • Venom ate Cull Obsidian, and the heroes celebrated defeating the attackers while Paimon warned that monsters still threatened New York.
  • Tony offered Kaveh a high-paying job, and Steve spotted three approaching Helicarriers as Kaveh continued fighting alongside Tighnari and Cyno.
Chapters 401–425 Vol. 5 Read

Ch. 401Sin Island

Lin Ze and Paimon confirmed that Carol was an impostor, while Nick Fury confronted Talos over the Skrulls’ secret invasion and learned that Gravik’s rebels were planning to trigger a world war on an island. Nick Fury urged Talos to take him there and stop them.

  • Paimon tested Lin Ze by asking where their journey began, and he correctly answered Stormbearer Coast in Mondstadt, confirming that he was himself.
  • Paimon told Lin Ze that Carol was an impostor and worried that other impostors might be hiding among them; Lin Ze said they would find the missing people and revealed he had arranged backup for Nick Fury.
  • Nick Fury confronted Talos, who admitted he had summoned nearly a million Skrulls to Earth after failing to find them a home.
  • Talos revealed that Gravik’s rebels had accepted a promise to take control of half of Earth and were trying to weaken humanity before Thanos arrived.
  • Talos told Nick Fury that Gravik planned to impersonate a Russian and kill world leaders and other elites on a Caribbean island, potentially triggering World War III.
  • Nick Fury ordered Talos to take him to the island so they could stop the rebels.

Ch. 402The hunter became the prey

Edward fled his chaotic home to join Coachella, believing they would start a modeling job together, but she revealed that their escorts were human traffickers. They were taken to a remote island and locked in a warehouse with other kidnapped teenagers, while a spider disappeared from the room.

  • Edward escaped his home and met Coachella, who drove him away with two men she called her friends.
  • The men hinted that Edward and Coachella would make money as models, and Coachella grew increasingly distressed during the drive.
  • Near a harbor, Coachella confessed that the men were human traffickers and pushed Edward out of the car, but he fought back when she was attacked and was knocked unconscious.
  • Edward awoke bound aboard a boat with Coachella, and the traffickers took them to an island filled with villas and luxury facilities.
  • The traffickers locked Edward and Coachella in a warehouse with other teenagers who had been tricked into coming to the island and forced to lure in more victims.
  • Edward held Coachella in despair as the spider that had been in the warehouse corner vanished unnoticed.

Ch. 403A Good Show

Nick Fury and Talos infiltrated Epstein’s island to stop Gravik’s planned attack at a party for the wealthy, where they discovered underage children being exploited. Gravik’s Skrulls were poised to blame the massacre on Bear Country and S.H.I.E.L.D. when someone disabled their weapons, and a mysterious woman appeared.

  • Nick Fury and Talos impersonated Aiden Wilson and Lily Thompson after kidnapping them and went to Epstein’s island to find Gravik.
  • Nick Fury and Talos suspected Gravik would attack the island’s welcome party, then discovered that the performers and attendants there were underage children.
  • Gravik and his Skrulls attacked the party, while Nick Fury restrained Gravik and Epstein’s men fought the other Skrulls.
  • Gravik exposed Nick Fury’s disguise, and Talos revealed his human form to try to persuade Gravik to stop.
  • Gravik ordered his Skrulls to shoot the guests and frame Bear Country and S.H.I.E.L.D., but their weapons failed.
  • A mysterious woman seated in the corner applauded as Gravik demanded to know who had sabotaged the weapons.

Ch. 404Now, It Was Time to Witness a Miracle

A cruel island attendant sent young performers to entertain a wealthy guest, while Edward was secretly smuggled onto their golf cart. A blond boy with a teardrop mark gave Edward hot tea through a magical card trick, leaving him stunned.

  • A wealthy guest refused the welcome party and demanded new performers, so the attendant promised him a debut performance.
  • The attendant selected young performers and warned them to obey the guests before sending them toward villa number 748.
  • Ford and the other attendants argued over stolen Isabella liquor as the cart carried the performers across the island.
  • Edward hid beneath a seat, feverish and freezing, while an unfamiliar blond boy appeared beside him.
  • The blond boy produced a steaming cup of tea from a red-and-black card and told Edward it was a Magician's trick.

Ch. 405Ta-da!

Lyney used magic to impress Edward and revealed that he had come to disrupt the human traffickers on the Island of Sin. He stole the driver’s liquor bottle and hid it beneath Edward’s seat, leaving Edward amazed by his abilities.

  • Lyney conjured a teacup and roses for Edward, who recognized that he was not one of the island’s coerced performers.
  • Edward warned Lyney that the island devoured people and urged him to escape, but Lyney said he knew about the traffickers and had come to put on a surprise show.
  • Lyney assured Edward that the Island of Sin would cease to exist after that night, then performed a trick that made the driver’s liquor bottle disappear.
  • The attendants fought over the missing bottle while Edward discovered it beneath his seat, and Lyney finished the trick with a flourish.

Ch. 406A performance for you

Edward drew courage from Lyney’s magic trick and prepared to fight the Attendants, but Lyney stepped in to defend him. Lyney’s performance broke the Attendants’ weapons and injured several of them, leaving the confrontation underway.

  • Edward drank the remaining liquor and resolved to fight the Attendants as they charged him.
  • Lyney stopped Edward and promised to put on a performance, conjuring a Curved Bow.
  • Lyney shot an arrow that snapped the Golf Club in the driver's hand.
  • The Attendants drew Pistols, but Lyney transformed his bow into Playing Cards and struck several of them.

Ch. 407A successful performance

Lyney fought the armed attendants while Edward led the frightened children to safety. Lyney defeated the attackers with his Pyro arrows and Grinning Cat Hat, then received applause and cheers from the children he had freed.

  • Lyney told Edward to lead the children away, and Edward guided them to cover while Lyney faced the attendants alone.
  • Lyney shot a Pyro-charged arrow at an attendant, engulfing him in flames and terrifying the others.
  • The “driver” charged Lyney and urged the attendants to attack, but Lyney dodged their gunfire and summoned a Grinning Cat Hat to draw their shots.
  • Lyney performed a trick that made the hat explode, setting the surrounding attendants ablaze and defeating them.
  • Edward and the children applauded and cheered Lyney, who thanked his audience.

Ch. 408Guidance

A white-haired woman confronted Gravik at Epstein's party and ignored his demand that she leave. She steadied the frightened Coachella and forced her to look at Epstein, leaving the woman poised to face the man hiding behind a pillar.

  • Gravik questioned the white-haired woman's presence and ordered her to leave, but she refused and unsettled the room with her scarlet, cross-shaped eyes.
  • The woman approached Coachella, who was immobilized by fear and an injured ankle, and told her that strength came from will and action rather than tears.
  • The woman helped Coachella stand and turned her toward Epstein, who was hiding behind a pillar and trembling.
  • The woman condemned Epstein's public image and made Coachella look at him as he begged for mercy.

Ch. 409A misunderstanding

Coachella fought back against Epstein, while the white-haired woman killed him after he tried to flee. Watching remotely, Lin Ze blurted out an embarrassing demand, prompting Tony to send Vision to throw Deadpool off Stark Tower.

  • Coachella struck Epstein over the head with a wine bottle and attacked him again.
  • Epstein used nearby people as shields as he fled toward a hidden door, knocking over champagne and food.
  • The white-haired woman severed Epstein's right hand with a red-and-black scythe and killed him by driving her heel into his temple.
  • Lin Ze shouted, "Step on me, daddy!!" while watching remotely, startling Tony into spraying whiskey.
  • Tony summoned Vision and told him to throw Deadpool off Stark Tower, and Vision soon sent Deadpool into free fall.

Ch. 410Streamers? Fireworks?

Arlecchino revealed herself as the Fourth Fatui Harbinger and protected Nick Fury, Coachella, and the children from the Skrull Rebels. Gravik detonated the bombs he had planted on the island, leaving their fate uncertain.

  • Arlecchino killed Epstein, and Coachella became captivated by her.
  • Arlecchino introduced herself as the Fourth of the Fatui Harbingers, [The Knave].
  • Nick Fury recognized Arlecchino as an ally and offered [Childe]'s regards.
  • Arlecchino positioned herself between Gravik's Rebels and the children.
  • Gravik activated the island bombs, and an explosion rang out.

Ch. 411Yahoo!

Gravik triggered bombs and trapped the guests inside the Gold-Exhausting Den, but Arlecchino stayed calm while Lyney arrived and announced that the danger had been eliminated. Nick Fury learned that Lyney called Arlecchino “Father” and was left bewildered by the revelation.

  • Explosions destroyed the Gold-Exhausting Den, and the panicked guests found that Gravik’s rebels had locked the doors.
  • Gravik declared that everyone would die for Skrull glory, and Talos attacked him in a rage.
  • Nick Fury noticed that Arlecchino remained calm and stopped Coachella from rushing outside.
  • A Grinning Cat Hat burst through the doors, knocking aside Gravik’s Skrulls, and Lyney made a theatrical entrance.
  • Lyney told Arlecchino that the mission was accomplished and the danger eliminated, and Arlecchino praised him.
  • Nick Fury was shocked when Lyney called Arlecchino “Father,” then tried to rationalize the title.

Ch. 412Good morning, Squidward

Arlecchino stopped Gravik and his Skrull followers from killing the hostages, then emerged to reassure the rescued children as dawn approached. In space, an alien fleet began its attack on Earth after learning the Skrulls had failed.

  • Arlecchino explained that the children of the House of the Hearth called her “Father” as a respectful title, while Gravik realized his plan had failed.
  • Gravik seized a girl as a hostage and argued with Talos and Nick Fury about the Skrulls’ treatment and Fury’s promises.
  • Gravik ordered his followers to shoot, but Arlecchino stopped and killed the attackers, including Gravik, while Nick Fury shielded a nearby Skrull.
  • Arlecchino calmed the hostage, cut open the door, and told the rescued children to be patient until dawn.
  • A man aboard an alien warship learned the Skrulls had failed, ordered the fleet to attack, and sent the ships toward Earth.

Ch. 413Unwelcome

Wanda and the Avengers rescued Rhodey and other hostages from a Skrull compound, while Lyney helped lure the Skrull children away from danger. After Rhodey reunited with the Avengers, Strange reported that alien warships had arrived near the South Gate.

  • Lyney distracted Skrull children with magic tricks while Wanda used Chaos Magic to subdue the Skrulls and agents secured the compound.
  • Wanda freed the hostages and found Rhodey, who woke confused and asked whether he had traveled through time.
  • Back at the Avengers, Tony teased Rhodey for not noticing his Skrull replacement, and Rhodey complained that Tony had failed to recognize the impostor too.
  • Nick Fury credited Lin Ze with helping turn the situation around, and Lin Ze explained that Arlecchino had gone to the Middle East to help children who had lost their families.
  • Rhodey warned that the aliens would not retreat after the Skrulls' defeat, and Strange arrived to report that Xuannü had spotted alien warships near the South Gate.

Ch. 414A few minutes earlier

On a space station, Zhang Peng and Nof joked over lunch while waiting for an expected alien threat. An emergency alarm announced that a target had been detected, and they rushed to their battle stations.

  • Zhang Peng watched news about Nick Fury and the Skrulls while Nof complained about his Chinese exam.
  • Nof showed Zhang Peng that he had passed Level Four Chinese with 180.01 points and celebrated.
  • Nof ate a clove of garlic, burned his mouth, and drank Zhang Peng’s coconut milk to cool it down.
  • Zhang Peng and Nof discussed their coming mission and joked about Nof’s Chinese practice.
  • The station sounded an emergency alarm, and Zhang Peng and Nof ran toward their battle stations after a target was detected.

Ch. 415No trash allowed in the house

Zhang Peng and Nof’s awkward greeting provoked the alien fleet into attacking humanity’s forces in space, while Lin Ze’s team used the Reality Stone and Space Stone to create a replica of Earth and divert Thanos’s forces. After the battle, Zhang Peng and Nof emerged from the simulation still arguing, as the aliens landed on the fake Earth without noticing the real planet nearby.

  • Zhang Peng and Nof debated whether the aliens had detected them, then Nof broadcast an enthusiastic but incoherent welcome speech in several languages.
  • Ebony Maw’s fleet opened fire on humanity’s forces, and Zhang Peng and Nof fought back before the human fleet was destroyed.
  • Lin Ze celebrated the plan’s success as Kaveh explained that he had replicated around 125 million buildings, though the copy was incomplete beyond the Beautiful Country’s borders.
  • Zhang Peng emerged from the Connection Module and kicked Nof for provoking the aliens, and Nof complained in his strange accent.
  • Thanos’s underlings landed on the replica Earth and failed to notice the real planet nearby.

Ch. 416Assemble

Peter realized that the school-bus outing was a Reality Stone-created scene just as alien spacecraft appeared in the sky. Meanwhile, Eddie and Venom shared an awkward late-night moment by the Brooklyn Bridge before Lin Ze arrived and invited them to dinner.

  • Peter recognized that the familiar students and Ned were NPCs created with the Reality Stone, then saw alien spacecraft pouring through a hole in the sky.
  • Venom took Eddie to see the Statue of Liberty while Eddie slept, confessed that he had dreamed of losing him, and covered Eddie's bare feet with black shoes.
  • Deadpool interrupted Eddie and Venom's conversation and called it a love story.
  • Lin Ze kicked Deadpool and invited Eddie and Venom to dinner, and Venom eagerly accepted the buffet invitation.

Ch. 417A question of anatomy

Lin Ze and his allies prepared to fight Thanos’s advance force on Earth, where a simulated battlefield kept civilians from being harmed. The Children of Thanos arrived, and Lin Ze ended their introductions by asking Ebony Maw an insulting anatomy question.

  • Eddie tried to save an elderly man, but Venom ate him before Lin Ze explained that the man was only a projection created with the Reality Stone.
  • Paimon led Lin Ze and the others to Steve, Thor, and Strange, who surveyed the alien fleet and agreed to stick to their plan for fighting in the city.
  • Tony arrived and joined the group as Lin Ze revealed that Thanos was absent and that his force was scouting ahead.
  • Cull Obsidian and Ebony Maw descended from an alien ship, and Ebony Maw began addressing the group as though they were beneath him.
  • Tony interrupted Ebony Maw’s speech, and Lin Ze stopped Strange from responding before asking Ebony Maw whether his snot came out of his ass when he sneezed.

Ch. 418Not nervous

Tony and the others confronted Ebony Maw and Cull Obsidian as the invaders demanded the Time Stone. Hulk and Venom joined the battle against Cull Obsidian while Tony, Steve, and Strange prepared to face Ebony Maw, and Nahida’s teasing briefly sent Tony crashing into an antenna pole.

  • Tony stood between Lin Ze and Ebony Maw, while Deadpool mocked the invader and repeatedly blocked Paimon’s view.
  • Ebony Maw demanded the Stone from Strange, who refused and raised his magic defenses; Venom tried to persuade the invaders to leave Earth.
  • Cull Obsidian attacked, and Banner transformed into Hulk, who charged him after Tony promised an all-you-can-eat buffet.
  • Venom asked Tony to join the buffet, then enveloped Eddie and charged into the fight against Hulk and Cull Obsidian for unlimited chocolate.
  • Tony, Steve, and Strange prepared to defend the Stone, while Tony took off to confront Ebony Maw and asked Nahida to film him.
  • Nahida asked whether Tony wanted a bathroom break because he seemed nervous, and Tony’s armor lurched into an antenna pole before he resumed flying and asked her to cut the footage.

Ch. 419No negotiating this beatdown

Hulk, Venom, and Iron Man teamed up against Cull Obsidian, while Ebony Maw intervened to turn the battle against them. As Maw launched a barrage of sharpened building materials at the fighters, the fight remained unresolved.

  • Hulk met Cull Obsidian’s Chain Mace head-on and was knocked backward through parked cars.
  • Venom bound Cull Obsidian’s Chain Mace to the ground and attacked him with a copied mace, but Ebony Maw lifted Venom into the air and hurled him into a building.
  • Cull Obsidian regained his weapon and attacked, but Iron Man blinded him with laser beams while Hulk and Venom struck him.
  • Cull Obsidian swung his Chain Mace recklessly, nearly hitting Ebony Maw, who then launched sharpened building materials at Iron Man and the others.

Ch. 420Yeah, I sprayed you. So what?

Peter rushed to help Tony but discovered Hulk and Venom were protected by Lin Ze’s golden Geo barrier, while Cull Obsidian’s attacks only hurt his own hands. Lin Ze then drenched Ebony Maw with repeated Hydro shots, leaving the sorcerer humiliated and furious.

  • Peter rescued Tony from Ebony Maw’s spikes, and Tony questioned why he had left his post at the city’s outskirts.
  • Peter caught Cull Obsidian’s Chain Mace, then saw that a golden barrier protected Hulk and Venom.
  • Cull Obsidian injured both hands when he punched Hulk and Venom, whose defenses had been strengthened by the barrier.
  • Peter spotted a golden hem on a distant high-rise, while Lin Ze was distracted by Ebony Maw’s attack and swallowed flying dirt.
  • Lin Ze fired water droplets at Ebony Maw, soaking his robes and repeatedly taunting him as he grew furious.

Ch. 421Boys' happiness is simple

Lin Ze and the others fought Ebony Maw while Tony, Hulk, and Venom incapacitated Cull Obsidian with Stone Steles. Neuvillette rescued Strange with a powerful blast of water, and the group reacted to his rare smile.

  • Ebony Maw hurled a car at Lin Ze, but Master Wong redirected it through a portal and Strange destroyed it with magic.
  • Peter arrived and saw Tony, Hulk, and Venom using Stone Steles to pound Cull Obsidian into the ground.
  • Ebony Maw collapsed buildings and launched stone spikes, then grabbed Strange and bound him to reach for the Eye of Agamotto.
  • The Eye of Agamotto burned Ebony Maw's hand, and Neuvillette blasted him off the rooftop with a torrent of water.
  • Strange freed himself and thanked Neuvillette, while Paimon noticed his smile and Lin Ze joked about the happiness of boys.

Ch. 422Beat him up

Vision and Wanda found comfort in each other while the Avengers prepared to defend the Mind Stone from Thanos's forces. The Wanderer exposed Corvus Glaive and Proxima Midnight, and Pietro charged at Corvus as the fight began.

  • Vision asked Wanda what she felt as she touched the Mind Stone, and she told him she felt only him.
  • Pietro and Clint interrupted the couple and explained that the Traveler had warned them Thanos's lackeys might come for the Mind Stone.
  • The Wanderer attacked, forcing Corvus Glaive and Proxima Midnight out of hiding, and Wanda pushed Pietro out of the way.
  • Natasha identified the two aliens, and the Avengers attacked them.
  • Pietro raced toward Corvus Glaive and swung a forceful punch.

Ch. 423Taking out the grunts

Corvus Glaive and Proxima Midnight fought the heroes while Lin Ze focused on Ebony Maw. Lin Ze trapped Ebony Maw with a green rune and glowing eggs, then activated Violet Veil, leaving the battle poised to turn against the general.

  • Pietro attacked Corvus Glaive, and Wanderer’s Wind Blades broke the barrier Corvus raised around himself.
  • Wanda, Natasha, and Clint coordinated their attacks against Proxima Midnight, while Wanda told Vision to stay back.
  • Lin Ze judged that the heroes could handle Corvus Glaive and Proxima Midnight and focused on Ebony Maw instead.
  • Ebony Maw staggered out of a shattered wall and prepared to fight again, but a green rune appeared on his robe and glowing eggs surrounded his feet.
  • Lin Ze confronted Ebony Maw and activated Violet Veil.

Ch. 424Try it and die

Lin Ze and his allies defeated Ebony Maw and Cull Obsidian, while Venom tried and failed to eat them. After Wanderer delivered Proxima Midnight and Corvus Glaive, Paimon proposed using Zhongli’s Heavenly Star against the remaining alien monsters in New York City.

  • Ebony Maw died after Dendro cores struck him with homing Sprawling Projectiles, and Venom tried to eat his body but vomited it up.
  • Venom and Eddie argued about Venom’s alleged habit of collecting Eddie’s socks, while Deadpool joked about calling the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.
  • Steve thanked Lin Ze for helping defeat Ebony Maw, and the group found that Venom had already eaten Cull Obsidian.
  • Wanderer dropped Proxima Midnight and Corvus Glaive before flying away, and Lin Ze celebrated that all of Thanos’s lackeys who had appeared were defeated.
  • Paimon worried about the many alien monsters still attacking New York City and suggested that Zhongli drop a Heavenly Star on them.

Ch. 425This thing was built for a reason

Tony praised Kaveh’s architectural talent and offered him a high-paying job at Stark Industries while Lin Ze and Paimon redirected the conversation. As monsters continued to overrun the battlefield, Steve revealed three approaching Helicarriers, and Kaveh briefly wondered what souvenir to bring Alhaitham.

  • Tony admired Kaveh’s recreation of New York and offered him a position with Stark Industries’ construction team for eight million dollars a year.
  • Paimon explained Kaveh’s reputation as an architectural designer, and Lin Ze persuaded Tony that generous pay would help recruit him.
  • Lin Ze asked where Kaveh was, and Paimon said he was fighting the monsters alongside Tighnari and Cyno.
  • Steve pointed out three approaching Helicarriers, and Nick Fury declared that they would come in handy.
  • Kaveh sneezed during the battle and thought about bringing Alhaitham a souvenir, while Alhaitham wondered why his ear felt warm.
Arc 17 of 18