"Your intentions were good!" Lin Feng sighed.
"But your methods and goals were too radical..."
"There are many ways to alleviate the terrible consequences of overpopulation."
"You chose the most extreme one, and it was doomed to fail!"
Thanos struggled to get up from the ground. He didn't recognize the person before him; Nebula's memories hadn't shown him.
"I had to! For the development of the universe!"
"I've seen too much hunger, suffering, struggle, and war!"
Thanos said weakly but firmly.
"All of this is the consequence of life's lack of restraint!"
"Only by eliminating half of all life will the other half be able to survive!"
Lin Feng scoffed and shook his head.
Indeed, Thanos had conquered countless planets. He killed half of the life and left the other half, bringing temporary prosperity.
However, this was only temporary. With the passage of time, everything would return to its original state.
Thanos's way of thinking was inextricably linked to his experiences.
This behavioral pattern stemmed from what he had witnessed on his home planet.
"If I had the chance, I'd really like to send you to learn from the ancient East."
"Perhaps their approach to population control could broaden your perspective."
"But now, Thanos, you must pay the price for your actions!"
Lin Feng said regretfully, his eyes scanning the battlefield around them. This war had been started by Thanos!
As he spoke, Lin Feng began to install the Infinity Stones, one by one, into the Superman Gauntlet.
The six stones fused in one by one, and Lin Feng's gauntlet instantly became colorful and somewhat gaudy.
Immense energy began to surge into Lin Feng's body.
Unlike Thanos, with the enhancement of the red Kryptonite and the dual constraint of the Superman Gauntlet, Lin Feng's pain was not too intense; he could bear it completely.
This was different from when he used the Infinity Stones to amplify his heat vision. Amplifying heat vision required absorbing the energy into his body before it could be amplified.
However, Lin Feng did not need to draw the energy into his body to snap his fingers!
Thanos watched Lin Feng quietly.
The tide had turned.
Thanos knew clearly that if the orange-red laser he had just fired had been aimed at his head, he would have ceased to exist.
He had never seen power like Lin Feng's. His two so-called black-robed friends were likely dead at his hands as well...
His goal had once again been thwarted.
He was now calmer than ever, simply watching Lin Feng place the Infinity Stones onto a gauntlet.
"Who exactly are you..." Thanos's lips moved for a long time, wanting at last to know Lin Feng's identity.
Lin Feng raised his left hand, adorned with the Superman Gauntlet, the six Infinity Stones glowing in unison.
"Me?" Lin Feng met Thanos's gaze calmly.
"My name is Lin Feng..."
*Snap!*
As his words fell, he snapped his fingers.
Invisible energy spread out once more.
Thanos's army, who had been fighting the Avengers, paused in unison, their expressions gradually becoming vacant.
A feeling arose within them, as if their bodies no longer belonged to them...
The next moment, they all turned into dust, particles, scattering in the wind, and then vanishing.
An indescribable atmosphere settled upon everyone.
The sudden turn of events left the Avengers bewildered; they didn't know what had happened.
Thanos turned his gaze to the battlefield, looking around helplessly.
His subordinates, one by one, turned to dust and dispersed into the air...
Thanos's current mood was one of loss, bewilderment, and an indescribable sadness mixed with peace.
As if resigned, his massive body stumbled a couple of steps before slumping onto a rock.
He strained to lift his head, his breathing seeming difficult.
Finally, he quietly closed his eyes.
Thanos of Titan also slowly dissipated under this snap of fingers...
He and his entire army vanished...
Just like the bewildered half of life five years ago, under that one snap.
Silence!
The battlefield, which had been filled with the roar of battle just a moment ago,
was now deathly silent.
Only the sounds of burning and shattering ruins remained.
After a long while, as if coming back to their senses, the silent battlefield erupted in thunderous cheers.
The Avengers, who had only just realized what had happened, embraced each other, tears streaming down their faces.
Regardless of race or origin, they were venting their overwhelming joy!
This time, they had successfully protected the universe from Thanos!
An indescribable joy, relief, and sense of accomplishment hung in the air, lingering for a long time!
Lin Feng watched Thanos's disappearance with a sense of melancholy, sighing.
He hadn't lied; Thanos's intentions were good, but his methods and goals were too radical, so radical that he would not succeed...
Lin Feng turned back and looked at the embracing Avengers, a flicker of relief washing over him.
He saw Tony and couldn't help but smile.
Tony Stark.
I took this snap for you!
Tony, holding Pepper Potts, turned to Steve and asked, "Why is he looking at me like that?"
Steve, covered in dust, managed a smile. "Who knows!"
He then hobbled towards Lin Feng.
"Where are you going, old man!" Tony called from behind.
Steve didn't look back. "To thank him!"
Tony shrugged, looked down at Pepper in his arms. Pepper just smiled and gave him a knowing look.
"Alright..." Tony rolled his eyes, hesitated for a moment, and then also walked towards Lin Feng.
The Endgame, with Lin Feng's snap, drew to a close!
The vanished half of life returned.
Countless families wept, but their tears were of joy.
Blue Star, just like five years ago, became busy once more.
By the memorial monument in the plaza, several statues of the Avengers had been added.
Even a statue of Lin Feng had been erected.
Although no one recognized this black-haired, black-eyed superhero in black armor.
Everyone knew that it was thanks to these Avengers that they could reunite!
Blue Star returned to its normal course. The once desolate streets became bustling again within a day.
Abandoned schools, idled factories, grounded ships, were all cleared and put to use once more...
And since it was Lin Feng who snapped his fingers, not Tony Stark,
this turned what should have been Tony Stark's funeral into a victory celebration!
However, before the banquet began, they had one more thing to do...
By the same lake, workers were clearing the debris from the Avengers base.
Several Avengers gathered inside the already damaged small pavilion.
Bruce Banner, Steve Rogers, Tony Stark, Clint Barton, Thor Odinson, Scott Lang.
They stood quietly behind Lin Feng, their faces solemn and grave.
Lin Feng turned around, his gaze sweeping over them.
He took a deep breath, as if preparing for something, and nodded.
The others nodded in response, their eyes filled with solemnity and anticipation.
Lin Feng turned around, took another deep breath, and closed his eyes.
The six Infinity Stones on his gauntlet began to glow slowly.
Under the eager gaze of the Stark group, Lin Feng raised his left hand, and just as he had on the battlefield two days ago, he snapped his fingers!
Lin Feng calmed his mind and, with the system's help, slowly spoke in his heart.
"Soul Stone! I know you have consciousness!"
"Return Natasha's soul!"
That's right, Lin Feng was communicating with the Soul Stone.
The Infinity Stones had their own consciousness, and Lin Feng, through the system's connection, could exchange simple information with them.
The stone remained silent for a long time, then transmitted a wave of rejection.
Lin Feng was not in a hurry; he simply spoke again.
"One soul is nothing to you! Return Natasha's soul. Don't force me to use force!"
The rejection wave came faster, even tinged with disdain.
"I'll say it again, return Natasha's soul, or I will use the other stones to destroy you!"
"Don't doubt my words!"
"I'll give you one minute to consider. In one minute, I will snap my fingers."
"It's your destruction, or Natasha's return; the choice is yours!"
Seeing that pleasantries wouldn't work, Lin Feng's tone turned cold as he threatened. He believed the Soul Stone would make the right decision!
The waiting time was long. Tony nervously chewed on his thumbnail and couldn't help but turn his head and whisper to Steve.
"Why isn't he doing anything?"
Although his voice was quiet, everyone heard it and their gazes turned towards Tony.
Steve frowned and shook his head at Tony, signaling him to keep watching.
Tony felt uncomfortable under their stares and raised his hands in surrender.
The others turned their attention back to Lin Feng.
After some negotiation, the Soul Stone reluctantly transmitted a wave of submission.
Lin Feng received the information and breathed a sigh of relief, a smile tugging at the corner of his lips.
The Soul Stone wasn't foolish. Faced with a choice between one soul and its own existence, it knew how to choose!
*Snap!*
Lin Feng snapped his fingers.
The few people's spirits lifted, their eyes widened.
Visible ripples appeared in front of Lin Feng.
As the snap's ripple spread, a figure slowly emerged from it.
It was the Black Widow, Natasha, with her braided hair and a bewildered expression...