chsdbacks Page 115
Page 115
But he was powerless to refute it.
Judging from Lin Tian's previous behavior, he seems to really just be "playing around"?
Manipulating people's hearts, manipulating power, manipulating the world?
"Are we just supposed to sit here and wait to die?!" Eric growled in frustration. "Just watch him turn our fellow human beings into his playthings?! Just watch him completely control the future of mutants?!"
“Otherwise what, Eric?” Charles retorted bitterly. “What can we use to fight back? Our proud strength? In his face, that’s nothing but a mantis trying to stop a chariot.”
"With our wisdom and cunning? Do you think we can outsmart someone who can see through all our thoughts and even predict the future?"
Eric remained silent.
Yes
Faced with absolute power and even more terrifying wisdom
All their resistance seemed so ridiculous and futile.
Is the fate of mutants truly destined to end in the hands of this mysterious Eastern man?
The two fell into a long silence once again.
The oppressive atmosphere almost froze the entire hall.
After a long time.
Charles spoke slowly, his voice carrying a hint of weariness and helplessness, yet also a touch of resolve:
"Eric, perhaps we should try a different approach."
"What's the idea?" Eric looked up.
“Since we cannot resist,” Charles said, looking into Eric’s eyes, “then perhaps we can choose.”
"cooperate?"
cooperate? !
Eric's eyes widened in disbelief when he heard those two words! He stared at Charles in disbelief!
"Charles! Have you gone mad?! Cooperating with that devil?! Have you forgotten what he did to Scott?! Have you forgotten how he slaughtered my men?!"
“Of course I haven’t forgotten!” Charles’s voice rose a few decibels, his eyes filled with pain. “But Eric! Tell me! Do we have any other choice?!”
"Continue to be his enemy? And then, like moths to a flame, lead all mutants to destruction?!"
“Or,” Charles’s tone became somewhat complicated, “try to understand him? Try to reach some kind of agreement with him? Exchange limited cooperation for space for the mutants to survive? Or perhaps even gain some unexpected benefits from it?”
Eric fell silent again.
He knew Charles was right.
Although he wished he could tear Lin Tian to pieces!
However, if one cannot defeat the opponent, resorting to force will only bring greater disaster.
Perhaps "cooperation" is truly the only feasible, and also the most helpless, option at present?
"How do you want to cooperate?" Eric finally asked with difficulty.
Professor X's helplessness and Magneto's reluctance! Storm's reluctance to part!
“I don’t know,” Charles shook his head. “I don’t even know if he’s willing to cooperate with us. He doesn’t seem interested in the struggles of us ‘ants.’”
“But we can try.” A glint of light flashed in Charles’s eyes. “At least, we can make him understand that we mutants are not worthless. We can also be useful pieces on his chessboard.”
“For example,” Charles paused, seemingly choosing his words carefully, “a potential threat from the universe in the future?”
He recalled Lin Tian's alarmist remarks about Thanos and the Infinity Stones at the UN summit.
At the time, he thought it was just a fantasy.
But now, considering the terrifying strength Lin Tian has displayed, and his seemingly all-knowing attitude towards the universe...
Charles began to wonder if those words might not have been unfounded.
If there truly exists a threat in the universe powerful enough to wipe out half of all life...
So, is Lin Tian's appearance a disaster for Earth and for mutants? Or...?
A glimmer of hope?
Charles wasn't sure.
But he knew he had to make a choice.
A choice that determines the fate of the entire mutant population.
“Alright, Charles,” Eric finally sighed, as if he had aged ten years in an instant. “Let’s do it your way.”
"Try to get to know him and understand him."
If it really cannot be avoided
"Then"
"Let's cooperate."
For the first time, these two former rivals, two leaders of the mutant world, reached a true "consensus" under the absolute pressure and shadow cast by Lin Tian.
Although this consensus was filled with helplessness, humiliation, and deep anxiety about the future.
But they had no other choice.
They could only accept Lin Tian's existence and even seek limited "cooperation" with him in some aspects.
In exchange for a glimmer of hope for the mutant race to survive in the impending, even larger and more dangerous cosmic storm.
The landscape of the X-Men universe was completely rewritten because of Lin Tian's appearance.
The former rivalry between the two camps no longer exists.
What replaces it is a more complex, more bizarre, and more dangerous balance.
Lin Tian, the "mastermind," became an invisible shadow hanging over everyone's heads, controlling everything.
His will will determine the future direction of this world.
After completely subduing Magneto and indirectly facilitating Professor X's "cooperation" agreement with him, Lin Tian knew that he had basically achieved his goal in the X-Men universe.
He successfully won over two of the top female mutants, Jean Grey and Storm Ororo, and through "deep dual cultivation" with them (especially fusing the Phoenix Force with Jean), he greatly enhanced his strength, bringing him infinitely close to the fourth level of "divine transformation"!
He also unexpectedly recruited Mystique (Raven) and placed her back into the Brotherhood, planting an important piece in his plan to control the mutant forces in this world.
At the same time, he gained a deeper understanding and appreciation of the mysteries of the X-gene and the Phoenix Force, a primordial power of the universe. This knowledge and experience will play an immeasurable role in his future cultivation and journey.
It can be said that this trip to the X-Men universe was so fruitful that it even exceeded Lin Tian's initial expectations!
Although the idea of seducing other beautiful mutant women (such as Psylocke, Polaris, and the White Queen) was also tempting, Lin Tian knew that one must take things one step at a time.
The most important thing now is to return to the secret base, properly digest and absorb what we have learned, and make final preparations for the next journey to the stars and the possible final showdown with Thanos that may come soon!
Therefore, Lin Tian decided that it was time to leave this world temporarily.
Of course, before leaving, he needed to properly "appease" his newly "acquired" queens who were "reluctant" to part with him.
Incidentally, one should also leave a deep enough "mark" and "agreement" on them to ensure that they will be obedient and "grow strong" during the time one is away, waiting for the master's "return" and "favor".
Lin Tian first found Jean Grey.
This red-haired goddess, who had just experienced the initial awakening of the Phoenix Force and the "spiritual-physical union" with Lin Tian, was currently in an extremely special state.
Her power was immense, yet because she had established the deepest "Hehuan Imprint" with Lin Tian, she developed a fanatical and absolute devotion to him, like a believer.
The way she looked at Lin Tian was filled with undisguised love, admiration, and a burning desire to completely dedicate herself to him!
"Lin, are you leaving?" When Lin Tian told her that he was about to leave, Qin's eyes, which were burning with golden flames, were instantly filled with deep reluctance and a trace of panic!
She had just experienced the wonderful feeling of being loved, needed, and empowered! She didn't want to leave the man who gave her everything for even a second!
"It's just a temporary departure, my Phoenix." Lin Tian embraced her and whispered comfortingly in her ear, "I have more important things to deal with. Some things that concern the fate of the entire universe."
He started his "savior" rhetoric again, which, although cliché, was exceptionally effective on a girl like Qin who longed to be given "meaning" and a "sense of mission".
"The fate of the universe?" Jean's attention was immediately drawn. "Is it related to Thanos? The one you mentioned before?"
"Hmm." Lin Tian nodded, a "serious" expression on his face. "He has already begun to act. I must gather all the power as soon as possible to stop his plot to destroy the universe."
"Then take me with you, Lin!" Qin exclaimed excitedly. "I've already gained some control over the Phoenix Force! I can help you! Let me fight alongside you!"
She longed to share the burden with Lin Tian and to contribute her own strength to his grand "salvation cause"!
“I know your feelings, Qin.” Lin Tian gently stroked her red hair, a hint of “gratification” and “affection” flashing in his eyes. “But your power is not stable enough right now. It would be too dangerous for you to rashly participate in a cosmic-level battle.”
"You need to stay here and continue your cultivation to fully master the power of the Phoenix." Lin Tian's voice was filled with undeniable authority, yet also carried a hint of gentle expectation. "Believe me, when you truly become the Phoenix Goddess capable of burning stars and being reborn from the ashes, our battlefield will be in the vast ocean of stars!"
“And,” Lin Tian whispered seductively in her ear, “I also need you to keep an eye on things here. Keep an eye on Xavier’s School, keep an eye on Charles, keep an eye on Eric to make sure they don’t cause any trouble while I’m gone.”
"You are the person I trust most in this world, Qin."
These words not only gave Qin a "reasonable" reason to stay, but also endowed her with an important "sense of mission," and expressed trust in her "uniqueness"!
Qin's reluctance and doubts vanished instantly! In their place was a deep sense of emotion and determination!
"Alright! Lin! I'll listen to you!" Qin nodded vigorously, her eyes filled with unwavering determination! "I will definitely cultivate diligently! I'll wait for your return! I'll also protect this place for you! I will never let anyone ruin your plans!"
"Good girl." Lin Tian smiled with satisfaction and planted a deep kiss on her luscious red lips, a kiss full of possessiveness and a sense of "reward".
At the same time, he also silently implanted a more powerful and hidden "Hehuan Mark" and some methods on how to cultivate and control the power of the phoenix more safely and efficiently (of course, these were "improved" by him, and he himself was the ultimate beneficiary) into the depths of Qin's soul.
This ensures that the phoenix goddess, with her boundless potential, will never escape his control and will continuously provide him with the highest-level "power nourishment."
After calming Jean Grey down, Lin Tian then went to find Storm Ororo.
Compared to Qin's "pure love" and "sacrifice," Aurora, the proud queen, has a more complex relationship with Lin Tian.
There is awe, there is worship, there is a desire for power, and there is also a trace of resentment and ambition.
She submitted to Lin Tian's power and enjoyed the ultimate experience of the power boost and "special guidance" he provided.
But deep down, she seemed to still retain a trace of queenly pride? Did she not want to become Lin Tian's complete vassal like Qin?
Lin Tian naturally saw through her thoughts.
But he didn't care.
Sometimes, it's more fun to tame a wild and untamed horse, isn't it?
"Aurora," Lin Tian found Aurora in the training room, trying to compress and condense the power of the storm to create the "Thunderstorm Armor," and said bluntly, "I'm going to be away for a while."
Ororo stopped training, turned around, looked at Lin Tian, a complex light flashing in her eyes: "Where to?"
"Going to the depths of space to deal with some trouble," Lin Tian said calmly.
"Do you need my help?" Aurora asked. Her tone was calm, revealing little emotion.
"Not for now." Lin Tian shook his head. "Your current strength is not enough."
Upon hearing this, a hint of displeasure and resentment flashed in Ororo's eyes!
Although she knew Lin Tian was telling the truth, being so bluntly "disliked" by the man she had just "submitted to" still made her feel hurt and angry!
"However," Lin Tian changed the subject, a playful smile appearing on his face, "if you can completely perfect your 'Thunderstorm Armor' before I return, and be able to skillfully control all weather changes within a radius of one thousand kilometers..."
"Perhaps I could consider taking you with me on my next interstellar trip?"
Take me with you?!
Upon hearing this, Ororo's eyes instantly blazed with an incredibly dazzling light!
·····Requesting flowers·········
This is blatant temptation!!!
It's also a form of "recognition" and "expectation" of her abilities!
"Okay!!!" Aurora agreed without hesitation! Her voice was filled with unprecedented fighting spirit and determination! "I promise!!! I'll definitely do it before you get back!!!"
She wants to become stronger!!! Stronger!!!
It's not just about taking control of your own destiny!!!
More importantly, it's so that I can follow this god-like man and see the vast universe!
"I'm really looking forward to it." Lin Tian looked at the burning flame in her eyes and nodded in satisfaction.
Great, you've developed a competitive spirit and ambition.