Chapter 249

"Then there’s no problem, I will order it as soon as possible." Skye nodded.

After the matter was discussed.

Everyone continued to eat happily~

Time flew by.

Under Ye Li’s command, the Ghost Spider.

had already arrived in the star field near Vormir.

However, the Soul Stone occupied a special position among the Infinity Stones, and the method of obtaining it was a bit special.

One must sacrifice a loved one and throw him/her/it/Him off the Cliff of Souls guarded by Red Skull to obtain it.

Actually, Ye Li was a bit curious about the sacrifice rules of the Soul Stone—

In the MCU movie universe.

Gamora was forcibly thrown down by Thanos, while Seeing Seeing Natasha jumped down voluntarily...

So, what would happen if the person who fell off the cliff didn't die?

Even if the power of the Soul Stone would make the person falling off the cliff die, what if the person falling off the cliff was stronger than the Soul Stone?

Or was the rule that one must die, rather than jump off a cliff?

But in that case, wouldn't Gamora’s attempt to commit suicide fulfill Thanos?

...Also possible, did she not know the rules at that time? Or was she thinking that sacrifice plus suicide was necessary?

Although.

Ye Li had many thoughts.

But.

As for a viable plan, it was actually quite simple—

First, just find a tool to retrieve the gem, then snatch it away.

Second, have Gwen and the others wait on the cliff while he jumps down himself...

Both of these plans carried certain risks.

The first: the tool might gain the powerful strength of the Soul Gem, likely leading to a psychological inflation, resulting in resistance and a refusal to hand over the gem.

The second: it goes without saying, he would definitely be directly attacked by the power of the Soul Gem...

To avoid the risks of these two plans, the required condition is the same: having the strength to suppress the Soul Gem.

After consideration.

Ye Li still cautiously decided—

—to choose the first plan.

If he went himself, not to mention whether there would be unknown risks...

What if the gem refused to appear because he didn't die? Wouldn't that be all for nothing...

So there was no need to take that risk.

[So, where should I find a tool...]

Ye Li stood by the porthole, gazing at the desolate Vormir, pondering for a few seconds.

[Hmm... better not harm people from the home planet... let's ask Xandar if there are any suitable candidates...]

Xandar.

Prison Space Station - Kyln.

"You want to request a pair of notorious criminals?"

The prison warden respectfully confirmed to Ye Li, this distinguished guest, "And the kind that are in love?"

Although his demeanor was respectful, his eyes revealed something strange; after all, this request was too bizarre...

The last time the prison warden heard a similar request was a few years ago, shortly after he took office.

At that time, a big shot with a special fetish asked the prison for a pair of male and female thieves, supposedly because he liked the 'cuckold' dynamic...

Could this one also be...

"It seems you still didn't hear clearly."

Ye Li corrected the prison warden, "They don't need to be in love; it's enough if one side loves the other. Preferably, one who loves deeply."

"Oh, that's much simpler. There are quite a few. I'll take you in to pick one."

The prison warden led Ye Li toward the area where the prisoners were held, asking as they walked, "This... is there a restriction on gender? Must it be one male and one female... or is same-sex okay?"

"Uh... this..."

Ye Li understood what he meant, and his expression was a bit strange as he said, "Gender doesn't matter, either should work... don't be too rigid. Even genderless lifeforms... aren't out of the question..."

"What?!" The prison warden's pupils dilated in shock, and he subconsciously moved a bit further away from him...

This taste was a bit too heavy...

"..."

Ye Li explained speechlessly, "I think perhaps I didn't explain clearly. This 'love' doesn't have to be romantic love... it can be familial, platonic, etc..."

"Oh, so that's how it is..." The prison warden breathed a sigh of relief and apologized, "Sorry, I misunderstood."

During the conversation.

The two had already walked into the cell area.

It didn't seem so particular here; regardless of the prisoners' gender, they were all locked in this zone.

In each cell were various alien races, making Ye Li's eyes dazzle.

There was one cell that made his gaze linger for a moment—

It wasn't a beautiful prisoner, but a burly man with a dull, slightly foolish expression.

His stiff, cyan skin was covered in pale red scars, looking just like tattoos.

Seeing Ye Li cast his gaze toward this cell, the prison warden introduced him.

"His name is Drax, nicknamed 'The Destroyer'. He's a formidable character with at least dozens of lives on his hands...

However... his wife and daughter were both killed by Ronan, so he likely has no one left to love."

Bang!

Hearing the warden's words, Drax grabbed the cell bars, his eyes wide as copper bells!

Clearly, the prison warden mentioning his dead wife and daughter made his emotions unstable.

"What? Did I say something wrong? Behave yourself!"

The prison warden also looked displeased and scolded Drax!

Ye Li, however, raised a hand, stopping the warden's verbal abuse—

"You are Drax?"

He asked Drax, "I'm still short of some subordinates in the stars. Are you willing to work for me?"

Drax turned to look at him, silent, but his eyes seemed to be looking at an idiot...

"Don't be impatient, I haven't finished yet... If you are willing to work for me, I can help you find Ronan for revenge."

Ye Li didn't need Drax to speak; he could read minds anyway.

A warrior like Drax, silent and without too many ulterior motives, was perfect to use as a subordinate.

At least better than a raccoon, a silly tree, or a 'demigod' who likes to dance awkwardly...

"Ronan!"

Hearing this name again, hatred reflexively appeared in Drax's eyes!

"Who are you? Why should you help me get revenge!"

Although Drax didn't look very bright on the surface, he wasn't stupid. Ye Li's empty words made him unable to believe.

Ye Li glanced at the prison warden, signaling him to show something.

The warden understood, immediately flattered Ye Li, boasted about his deeds, and had the guards release Drax immediately.

"Seems... like you have some strength." After coming out, Drax still had that dull expression.

He twisted his hands, loosened his wrists, and said concisely, "Kill Ronan, and I'll work for you! How do you plan to help me?"

Snap~

Ye Li stylishly snapped his fingers—

Bang... bang...

A figure in a red cloak walked out from the shadows.

The cloaked figure was even bulkier than Drax; it was hard to imagine how he had hidden silently in the dark corner...

For example, the prison warden didn't understand for a moment.

After thinking for a while, seeing no reaction from any detection equipment, he speculated it might be space teleportation technology.

"He can help me kill Ronan?"

Drax looked at the mysterious Soros, not quite believing this guy could be that strong, "Try me first."

"Fine."

Ye Li had no objections and said to the warden, "Have someone take them down and find a place to test it."

The warden nodded and soon had someone take Drax and Soros to an arena.

Ye Li had no interest in watching and continued to wander around the prison.

Drax was just a small interlude; he certainly wouldn't spend too much effort on him.

Continuing to look for prisoners who met the criteria was the real business.

After searching for a while longer.

Ye Li finally found a pair of prisoners who met the requirements.

They were two alien species resembling jellyfish...

And.

They were indeed a pair—

Genderless lovers...

"Oh~ Jack~"

"Oh~ Rose~"

The two jellyfish monsters, named Jack and Rose, were completely oblivious, still flirting with each other as if no one else was around...

Ye Li felt chilled and ordered the warden, "What crimes did they commit?"

Looking at them like this... they didn't seem like characters capable of doing anything heinous...

"Ahem..." The warden coughed twice, "Before they were caught, they were well-known scammers, human traffickers, and organ dealers in the black markets of this star sector..."

Hearing this, Ye Li said directly, "Then pack them both up and send them to Vormir."

"No problem."

The warden had his men find two transparent spherical fish tanks and stuffed Jack and Rose inside—

"Hey! What are you doing!!"

"Oh no! Jack!!"

Sizzle~! Sizzle~!

The two jellyfish monsters, forced inside, were squeezed into a ball in the tank, their expressions twisted.

Ye Li shook his head and walked out, preparing to leave.

When passing by the arena the warden mentioned.

The cheers of prisoners and guards were endless.

Looking up, he saw Drax had already been pinned to the ground by Soros.

Ye Li walked to the edge of the arena and looked at Drax's head pressed against the ground, "How is it?"

"No problem..." Drax nodded in a somewhat funny posture and promised in a muffled voice, "Kill Ronan, and I'll work for you from now on, until I die."

Ye Li pointed at Soros, "If you want to deal with Ronan, just follow him."

He didn't need to do anything personally for a small matter like Drax; leading Drax to find Star-Lord and the others, Ronan would naturally deliver himself...

— Author's Notes —

PS: The sacrifice rules of the Soul Stone are not clear, so Little Little Little Deer will write according to his own ideas.

PS: Something came up today, a short chapter.