Marvel Start With Reality Stone - Chapter 86
“Oh? And why do you say that?”
The Ancient One raised an eyebrow, speaking in fluent Mandarin.
“Haha! The Sorcerer Supreme’s Mandarin is impeccable!”
Qi Jun laughed heartily upon hearing his native language. Whether or not the Ancient One truly possessed Chinese blood, having lived for centuries meant she had mastered many languages. Hmm, when I copy and replicate her abilities later, I’ll be sure to copy her linguistic skills too, Qi Jun thought to himself. At the very least, the universal language of the Marvel Universe was essential.
Qi Jun’s decision to reveal himself and meet the Ancient One wasn’t merely to showcase his power. Naturally, he also valued the Ancient One’s vast knowledge. While Qi Jun didn’t particularly favor the Vishanti lineage’s magic, the aspects of space and time magic certainly had their merits. By comprehending these, Qi Jun could further improve his own magic.
“Why must the Sorcerer Supreme ask questions she already knows the answers to?”
Qi Jun put down his teacup, smiling slightly. “With your abilities, you must have sensed the increasing number of dimensional forces starting to invade Earth again. Though the Earth is shielded by the magical web formed by the three sanctums, a web inevitably has holes. As a space mage, my perception is even more acute. All over Earth, dimensional creatures are finding ways to pierce through the web or bypass it entirely.”
In truth, after becoming a space mage, Qi Jun immediately sensed the magical web enveloping the Earth upon his return. The magical fluctuations from the three sanctums were too active to miss. Qi Jun was confident that any mage could feel it, let alone someone like him with expertise in space magic.
“Of course, for the mages of Kamar-Taj who have ample countermeasures, this is a trivial matter. And for you, Ancient One, it’s even less of a concern. Additionally, there are other mages and wizards diligently eradicating these dimensional creatures. But this is only temporary, isn’t it?”
“With your ability to see the future, you must know what Earth is going to face!”
Qi Jun pointed meaningfully at the amulet on the Ancient One’s chest.
“You know what this is?”
Seeing where Qi Jun pointed, the Ancient One’s calm demeanor faltered for a moment, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. She had enough confidence that, under layers of magical seals, the Time Stone would not reveal even the slightest bit of its power for others to perceive. This confidence came from generations of Sorcerer Supremes who set these seals. Without the Time Stone’s assistance, the Eye of Agamotto itself was just an ordinary magical artifact.
Of course, anything worn by the Sorcerer Supreme would naturally garner significant attention, even if it appeared ordinary. Due to her recent incident in the desert where she had been harmed by temporal backlash, the Ancient One had been carrying the Eye of Agamotto for these past few days as a precaution. This also gave her the confidence to face Qi Jun, a mage whose space abilities seemed formidable.
“Of course! The god of the Vishanti lineage, the famous Agamotto, possesses the power to see and even traverse the river of time!”
Qi Jun didn’t deny recognizing the artifact, and his eyes showed unmistakable excitement. The Time Stone! Who wouldn’t be thrilled to know what it was?
“Are you here for it?”
The Ancient One’s expression grew serious, readying herself for a potential conflict. Her cloak began to billow, indicating her preparation for battle. She did not refute Qi Jun’s statement about the Eye of Agamotto’s powers, but instead, she began to reassess Qi Jun with caution. The Eye of Agamotto wasn’t just a foundational artifact for the Vishanti lineage but also a critical item for Kamar-Taj and every Sorcerer Supreme. From the moment the Time Stone was acquired from the Vishanti trinity, Kamar-Taj’s mission had been to protect it from outsiders.
If Qi Jun’s goal was indeed the Eye of Agamotto, then he would be Kamar-Taj’s enemy, and thus her enemy as well.
“Yes and no.”
Qi Jun gave an ambiguous answer.
“Don’t be nervous! Don’t be nervous!”
Qi Jun pressed his hands down, motioning for the Ancient One to calm down. “I do desire the item inside, but I won’t forcefully take it from you. Please trust my word as a sorcerer! I swear as a sorcerer, I won’t seize it from you or any mage of Kamar-Taj.”
“To be honest, this item being on Earth is one of the reasons why Earth is facing dimensional invasions, isn’t it? Through that item, you must have seen enough of the future to know how many external forces are drawn to it.”
“I’m not underestimating your successors, but once you’re gone, they won’t be able to protect such a treasure!”
“Why don’t we make a gentleman’s agreement? In the future, if a powerful entity comes to seize that item and they can’t protect it, or if a formidable enemy invades and Kamar-Taj can’t fend them off, call me for help. And as payment for my aid, I’ll take that item.”
“Of course, if neither you nor they are willing, it’s no big deal. I’ll just wait until it’s taken and then snatch it myself.”
Qi Jun flashed the Ancient One a broad smile, almost looking like he wanted to carve “I’m a good guy” onto his face.
…
“I used the Eye of Agamotto to observe you, Grand Mage Qi Jun!”
The Ancient One’s tone held a subtle trace of shock, though it was nearly imperceptible. “But all I saw was mist, nothing but mist!”
“You must know, with the ability to trace the river of time, I can even see ancient cosmic beings and Celestials that once rampaged through the universe!”
“But I can’t see your past, your future, not even your present!”
“If it weren’t for you standing before me, I wouldn’t believe there’s an existence that the Eye of Agamotto can’t observe!”
The hidden astonishment in the Ancient One’s voice was clear.
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