Against the backdrop of falling fire-meteors.
Ronan stared wide-eyed and demanded of Ye Li, "~You did this!!?"
This fleet was all his property after defecting from the Kree! And now it was destroyed just like that... What would he use later to attack Xandar?
"No need to think about it. You don't have a later."
Ye Li read his thoughts, and calmly raised one hand slowly....
Then, under the unblinking gaze of Rocket Raccoon and the others—
Snap~.
A snap of the fingers.
Ronan found his body turning to ash inch by inch, until it all completely dispersed....
And vanishing along with him..... was the fleet filling the sky... as if wiped away from a canvas....
The Guardians were dumbfounded; they turned to look at Ye Li, then back at Ronan's fleet with not even dust remaining, not knowing what to say....
In the end.
It was Drax, climbing up from the ground, who went to Ye Li, then dropped prone and pledged allegiance, "From now on, this life of mine is yours to command!"
"Mm."
Ye Li didn't pay him much mind; he merely asked Star-Lord and the others in passing, "You lot... how about working for me as well? I'm short on hands out in the stars—no need for you to be that powerful; just help me handle some small matters."
The Guardians exchanged looks, and after little thought they all nodded to Ye Li————
Such a thick thigh to cling to, and it wasn't an official power with layers of rules and restrictions—only an idiot wouldn't grab on.
"Rolling with a fellow Earthling isn't bad, but the Ravagers are looking for me,"
Star-Lord spoke first, "Buddy, you're so strong—could you help me negotiate with Yondu? I really don't want to run with them anymore."
"I'm willing to work for you." Gamora followed right on, "But Thanos won't let me go—unless you can handle him."
Rocket Raccoon raised a paw and said, "We're not that troublesome—just pay us!"
Groot echoed: "I am Groot."
Ye Li: "No problem—small hassles, all of them."
"Really?" Star-Lord and the others looked pleased.
Even though the Cosmic Orb was empty and they'd been attacked by Ronan, running into Ye Li counted as a rare piece of good fortune.
"Mr. Ye, how about coming to try Knowhere's signature cuisine with us."
Seeing Ye Li so agreeable.
The Guardians warmly invited him and Clea to go eat, saying they'd treat, as thanks.
"Sure. I can also tell you about what kind of faction you'll be joining."
Ye Li nodded slightly, not refusing; perfect chance to sit and talk things through.
…..
Tap tap.....
After they left.
At the distant museum entrance.
The Collector also reined in his greedy gaze and muttered softly, "That was the power of the Stones... so it's on him...."
Though he coveted it, he wasn't stupid.
With the strength Ye Li had just displayed, he was clearly no match—he needed to find more helpers....
Thinking of this.
Taneleer Tivan hurried off to contact other members of the [Elders of the Universe], hoping for their joint assistance.
He even got in touch with the former member [Ego the Living Planet].
Only....
Just as the Collector hid away to scheme over the Infinity Stones with the Elders,
Ye Li, already far off, suddenly curled a faint smile on his face: 'You really think I didn't notice? I clocked you long ago....'
He clenched the hand behind his back.
In an instant.
Huwen!!
Space warped; a singularity with suction enough to compress a star flashed into being beside the Collector and vanished in a blink!
The Collector didn't react at all. He, along with his museum, was collapsed into the singularity—leaving not even a speck behind....
Meanwhile, at the far end of another star system—————
[Mm..... Since that person has something as powerful as the Infinity Stones on him, we should pick a time and strike together, what do you say, my brother.... Brother? Tivan? Tivan? What happened over there? Something going on? Say something....!]
The Grandmaster sat in his hovering chair; hearing no response from the Collector over the comms, he immediately frowned: [Something's happened to Tivan...?]
[I think that may be so...]
Another Elder on the line said: [Based on the footage he sent, I checked and found the fellow he mentioned only recently surfaced in the cosmos, being touted by the Nova Empire as a "God."]
…..
[A god?]
Ego the Living Planet scoffed: [I say he's just throwing his weight around by relying on the Infinity Stones—without them he's nothing! And that deserves to be called aGgod? Only I deserve that title!]
[Ego, don't underestimate this one calling himself the "World Weaver." The "Collector" can't be reached now.....]
[Heh~ You know why I quit you guys? It's because you idiots only know how to do boring things, and when it comes to doing anything else, each of you is worse than the next!]
Ego said with disdain: [Are you afraid of that so-called World Weaver? How ridiculous. We've existed for endless ages—other life is like dust and sand in our eyes! If you keep hesitating, then that guy and the Infinity Stones, I'll enjoy them all by myself!]
After saying that, without waiting for the others to reply.
He abruptly cut the transmission... as if he was afraid someone would speak up about cooperating and freeloading a share.
In Ego's view, the Infinity Stones in Ye Li's hand and the windfall spoils aren't many; naturally he didn't want to share with others.
[That stupid bastard....]
[Let him go. It'll be perfect for scouting the way for us. He's not one of us anymore anyway.....]