Chapter 76 - Encounter With Thanos

The sky was thick with yellow sand, and the wind howled, whipping the grains against Xu Mo's body with stinging force. Before him stood a towering figure with blue-purple skin, a massive vertical chin, and a burly frame clad in a blue and gold outfit, complete with golden shoulder armor and short boots. It was the Mad Titan, Thanos.

Xu Mo felt his face freeze and his limbs go stiff. Even with a five-meter gap between them, the presence of Thanos offered no comfort. The plot had not yet begun, and Thanos might only have the Mind Stone, but the mere sight of him was intimidating enough for anyone familiar with Marvel.

Thanos appeared to be in a talkative mood, perhaps because he was back on his desolate home planet and had encountered a living person. He spread his arms as if to embrace the wasteland around him. "The old Titan was a beautiful place, the most technologically advanced and peace-loving planet in the solar system," he began. "But this planet disgusted me. They knew nothing of true balance, of necessary sacrifice."

Thanos's deep, scarlet eyes fixed on Xu Mo. "So, who are you? An Inhuman? An Earthling?" He stepped forward, suspicion evident on his face.

Xu Mo's heart raced, but he maintained a neutral expression. "You don't need to know," he replied tersely.

Though Thanos showed no immediate hostility, the oppressive aura he emitted was palpable. Xu Mo knew the power Thanos wielded, even without all the Infinity Stones. In this moment, he also realized the precariousness of his situation—Heimdall, the all-seeing guardian of Asgard, might not be aware of Thanos's presence in the solar system.

The arbitrary door that had brought Xu Mo here still stood behind him, open and ready for a quick escape. But if Thanos moved closer, he might see the spatial passage and the incongruous sight of Xu Mo's bedroom beyond it. Xu Mo knew he had to play this carefully, avoiding revealing the door at all costs.

Thanos continued, his voice slow and deliberate. "Earthlings capable of reaching Titan without a ship... fascinating. But how did you manage it?" His tone was calm, but there was an underlying threat, an expectation that he would be obeyed.

Xu Mo stayed silent, weighing his options. Thanos's presence was a sign that the Mad Titan was preparing for his grand plan, a plan that involved acquiring all the Infinity Stones and wiping out half the universe. Yet, here he was, curious about an Earthling's presence on his ruined home world.

Thanos, seemingly patient, continued, "I invite you to my home." He gestured towards a distant shadow—his imposing battleship.

Xu Mo's mind raced. Accepting Thanos's invitation was out of the question. "No, it's time for dinner. I should go back," Xu Mo replied, his voice steady despite the fear gripping him.

Thanos's eyes narrowed, and a chilling smile played on his lips. "No one has ever refused my invitation." He began to move forward, his steps measured and ominous.

Xu Mo knew he had to act fast. He couldn't let Thanos discover the arbitrary door. Without another word, he bolted towards it. The Mad Titan's calm voice echoed behind him, "Resistance is futile."

As Xu Mo sprinted, he became a blur, his speed increased by adrenaline and desperation. Thanos, undeterred, casually advanced, his confidence unshaken.

The air thickened with the roar of wind and the swirling sand. Xu Mo, using all his strength, covered the distance in moments, but Thanos was close behind. The massive Titan leaped forward, the ground cracking beneath him with the force of his jump.

In the blink of an eye, their fists collided. The impact generated a powerful shockwave that rippled through the desert, scattering sand and creating a deep fissure in the ground. The force sent Xu Mo hurtling backward, crashing into the ground and skidding to a stop, leaving a trail of craters in his wake. Thanos, on the other hand, barely moved.

Staggering to his feet, Xu Mo stared at Thanos. The gap in their power was evident; he couldn't match the Titan's strength. "Earthling, you intrigue me," Thanos said, closing the distance with a predatory smile. "But you can still surrender."

Xu Mo's mind raced. He needed to buy time, to think of a way out. As Thanos approached, Xu Mo reached into his pocket and pulled out a card. Holding it up, he declared, "Scream and tremble, for the Blue-Eyes White Dragon descends!"

In a flash of light, the iconic dragon materialized before them, its mighty roar shaking the very ground. Thanos stopped, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. Xu Mo had hoped to use this moment of distraction to his advantage. The appearance of the dragon, a powerful entity from another dimension, might just be enough to turn the tide—or at least give him a chance to escape through the arbitrary door.

With the Blue-Eyes White Dragon now standing between him and Thanos, Xu Mo steeled himself for the next move. This was a gamble, and he knew the stakes were impossibly high. But as long as he could keep Thanos occupied, there was still hope