Bai Qi's strength had indeed become immense, but he dared not be careless when dealing with the Infinity Stones.
Firstly, these artifacts were the aggregation of cosmic rules, each representing a form of authority. Furthermore, many in the prime universe had wielded the power of the Infinity Stones, albeit through intermediaries like magic or objects. Bai Qi, on the other hand, aimed to absorb their power into his own being, an endeavor utterly unprecedented.
Secondly, the temptation of the Infinity Stones was too great. Absorbing them risked energy leakage, and even a trace of such leakage would be an irresistible lure to dimensional beings.
As the saying goes, great rewards attract brave souls. With such immense temptation laid bare, no one could guarantee that some fool wouldn't risk their life to claim a share, or even snatch it away.
Either scenario was something Bai Qi wished to avoid. Therefore, before commencing the absorption, Bai Qi had to make thorough preparations.
Just as Bai Qi was contemplating how to construct defenses, where to conduct the process, and what methods to employ for absorption, a knock echoed at the door.
Bai Qi frowned upon hearing it, but he nevertheless reabsorbed the Mind Stone into his body, returned to his Iron Throne, and said indifferently, "Enter."
The grand doors slowly opened, revealing none other than Kraven, who had been out hunting.
As for his quarry, it was currently in his grasp.
Kraven dragged a blood-stained sack before Bai Qi, kneeling and stating, "Your Majesty, I have brought the person you ordered me to capture."
Upon receiving Bai Qi's permission, Kraven rose, tossed the sack behind him in front of Bai Qi, and then roughly tore it off the man inside.
Hadn't Batman attacked Bai Qi with talismans before?
At the time, Bai Qi had immediately recognized the talismans as originating from a descendant of Lo Pei. Later, during his transaction with Batman, he had inquired about the person's name. Batman had refused to divulge it, and Bai Qi hadn't pressed, merely requesting a few of the talismans crafted by that individual.
Upon his return, Bai Qi had used magic to track the person's exact location through the talismans, and then used them as a medium to create a tracker.
Initially, Bai Qi had intended to handle this matter himself, eliminating anyone who might pose a threat in their infancy. However, he had been too busy at the time, primarily dealing with Basha's affairs. Thus, he had entrusted the task to the hunter, Kraven.
Kraven had not disappointed. Armed with the tracker, he had returned to his old profession.
During the process, the target had fiercely resisted his capture by Kraven, flinging talismans of considerable power as if they were free. However, it was precisely this resistance that convinced Kraven he had found the right person.
Even a thousand days of guarding against a thief might have a lapse. As a seasoned hunter, Kraven understood the importance of patience. Furthermore, Bai Qi had not given him an order for swift capture. To ensure the task assigned by His Majesty was completed with absolute certainty, Kraven chose the most prudent hunting method.
In the ensuing period, Kraven became like a ghost, constantly present around the target, wearing him down physically and mentally.
Finally, as the target neared collapse, Kraven struck decisively, easily apprehending him and delivering him to Bai Qi, all wrapped up.
However, as Bai Qi looked at the bruised and battered man before him, his brow furrowed. The man, upon seeing Bai Qi, also jumped in fright, lost his footing, and fell to the ground. He scrambled and tried to crawl away.
Kraven, of course, couldn't let his prey escape. Without a word, he grabbed the man, and proceeded to rain down a flurry of blows before pinning him back in front of Bai Qi.
Panicked and struggling fiercely, the man heard Bai Qi say calmly, "You are not a descendant of Lo Pei."
Hearing Bai Qi's words, Kraven was also taken aback. His orders had been very clear: capture Lo Pei's descendant and bring him before Bai Qi, alive or dead.
Although it had taken some time, he had at least brought the person back. He had come with full confidence to claim credit, only for Bai Qi to declare he had captured the wrong person. What a joke.
Even if Kraven had his doubts, he quickly considered who had spoken. It was Bai Qi. In his eyes, Bai Qi was an omnipotent deity. If he said it was wrong, then it must be wrong.
Without hesitation, he knelt on the ground and bowed his head heavily, assuming a posture ready to accept whatever punishment Bai Qi deemed fit.
Bai Qi frowned, gesturing for Kraven to accept his punishment.
Seeing Bai Qi's demeanor, Kraven was relieved. He repeatedly thanked Bai Qi for his mercy before stepping back to receive his punishment.
Bai Qi valued Kraven. He had bestowed many rewards upon him. However, value was one thing; rewards for merit and punishment for mistakes were another. As the saying goes, without rules, nothing can be accomplished. If Bai Qi were to overlook this transgression, how would others view him? How could he lead this team?
Although Kraven's punishment was not severe, this procedural step was necessary.
After Kraven departed, Bai Qi beckoned, and a surge of psionic energy enveloped the man below, drawing him closer.
Upon careful examination, Bai Qi could confirm that Kraven had indeed apprehended the wrong person.
Some might ask how Bai Qi knew this, having never met Lo Pei's descendant.
It was simple.
The Holy Lord had gone to great lengths, finally managing to trick seven fools in hell into returning to Earth.
The initial agreement was that upon returning to Earth, the Holy Lord would seek the Panjū Box to release the other demons. To ensure their belief, he had even left a portion of his rage in their hands as collateral.
However, upon returning to Earth, the Holy Lord immediately broke his promise. He established his own kingdom. "As for the rage," he thought, "take it. It doesn't matter. Without you and those immortal beings, no one on Earth can oppose me."
Yet, the Holy Lord had underestimated the power of humanity. Lo Pei, along with his people, had cast a terrible sealing magic upon him, turning him into a stone statue. His power was divided into twelve portions and scattered across the world.
The Holy Lord remembered Lo Pei, the one who had sealed him, vividly. This memory was not just of him personally but also deeply etched into his bloodline.
Seeing the man before him, Bai Qi cross-referenced him with the Holy Lord's memories and immediately recognized that this person had no relation to Lo Pei whatsoever.
Although this man was not of Lo Pei's bloodline, according to Kraven's account, he did possess the ability to use magic talismans similar to Lo Pei's.
"Come, let me see who you truly are."
Bai Qi used magic to rapidly scan the man's memories, and soon discovered his true identity.