webnovelfull Chapter 316 Doctor Doom and Ancient 1
Chapter 316 Doctor Doom and Ancient 1
Chapter 316 Doctor Doom and the Ancient One
Mordo, who sat respectfully opposite the Ancient One at the tea table, heard his master's mutterings and was somewhat puzzled:
"Teacher, you said the time has come, but when is it?"
"A time for reunion and catching up."
While Doctor Doom and Joey were locked in a fierce battle, Batman transmitted the signal back to this world intact, relaying it to the Sorcerer Supreme via a teleportation device.
With a single reach, the Ancient One effortlessly tore through dimensions, breaking through the already thin barrier between the two universes:
"It's time to test what skills my best apprentice has mastered."
"Teacher, when did you take on a new apprentice?"
"No, I haven't taken him on as my apprentice yet."
"I don't understand," Mordo said, bowing his head in inquiry.
"If you haven't taken on any disciples yet, how can you assess their progress in spiritual practice?"
Faced with such a question, Gu Yi picked up her teacup, took a small sip, smiled slightly, and offered a word of advice to her last disciple, Mordo:
"When the preceding consciousness ceases, it has nowhere to go; when the following consciousness arises, it has nowhere to come from."
"this··
Upon hearing this, Modu was even more confused. He only knew that this was an ancient scripture originating from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, which seemed to be about cause and effect and reincarnation, but what did that have to do with his question?
"Teacher, I still don't understand."
Gu Yi put down her teacup, looked at Mordo, and didn't know what to say.
His disciple was talented, persevering, and capable, but he lacked a certain spark and was too honest, to the point of being rigid.
On the path of magic, being inflexible at all or overly flexible can easily lead one astray.
This is why, despite his long period of cultivation, the Ancient One still felt he was not up to the task of becoming the Sorcerer Supreme.
But there's not much time left for the Ancient One to wait patiently, carefully select the best candidate for the Sorcerer Supreme.
Time is up.
Before leaving, Gu had to speak again:
"Like a lamp passing its flame, the flames continue one after another, but they are not from the same fire."
"Teacher, what exactly is this?!"
After hearing another passage, Mo Du, completely bewildered, wanted to look up and ask again, but found that the teacher at the desk had already left, leaving only a cup of tea that had long since gone cold.
I
In a flash, the Ancient One followed the guidance, traversing countless parallel universes, and precisely landed beside Batman:
"Hi Bruce."
Summoning the Ancient One was also part of Batman's plan.
However, this is only an alternative in the worst-case scenario.
If Tony were only being attacked by unsuspecting "natives" in this universe, Superman and Batman alone might be able to mediate the conflict.
At worst, you could bring along a dozen Spider-Men and the Green Lantern Corps. A multitude of Spider-Men could, logically and physically, explain the parallel universe concept to those people.
But judging from Superman's previous experiences traveling through the universe, Tony's prolonged absence is likely not due to a simple misunderstanding with the "locals."
Sure enough, everything went as expected.
As for how the Ancient One knew Batman and was even able to call out the name of the person beneath the mask, that's another story about the candidate for Sorcerer Supreme—
"How about you reconsider? Become my apprentice?"
Even at this point, while Superman was locked in a fierce battle with Doctor Doom in outer space, the Ancient One still had the leisure to chat with the stern-faced Batman:
"You will absolutely be one of the greatest Sorcerers of all time."
Yes, in the Ancient One's view, Strange's time was not yet up, but the timeline was already disordered, and the Batman in front of her was an excellent prospect.
If he were willing to step into the world of magic, given time, this soul shrouded in misfortune and suffering could probably achieve something comparable to the prehistoric Sorcerer Supreme, Agamotto.
Although the seemingly young woman before him was humble and gentle, Batman could still discern a hint of ancient, dark madness in her profound and wise eyes:
"Thank you, but please don't bother."
It seems that every single one of the magical characters Batman has encountered in his life has been a swindler.
Therefore, he always believed that mortals like himself should stay away from magic.
"pity."
After hearing Batman's refusal, the Ancient One did not press the matter further, after all, everyone has their own destiny, regardless of good or bad.
These parallel universes are intertwined and linked under Superman's influence, and their destinies have become completely chaotic. Even the Ancient One cannot foresee the final outcome.
"You! You're the wizard we encountered that day?!"
Tony, who had little contact with the Ancient One, suddenly remembered her background. It was she who had helped him when he and Superman first encountered Doctor Doom and were trapped in the Mirror Dimension.
Tony remembered that the Ancient One was very enthusiastic about teaching him magic, just like she was trying to fool Batman today.
What he needs now is not to learn any fancy magic, but a way to reverse his injuries, and the Ancient One happens to have such a method:
"Save him, he's dying!"
After suffering two blows from Doctor Doom, the cyborg Iron Man in this universe is finally exhausted, and his life is entering its final countdown.
Tony wanted the Ancient One to use her magic, just like when they first met, to repair Iron Man's armor and his injuries.
"Of course I could, but what's the point of doing that?"
Faced with Tony's request, the Ancient One blinked and asked Tony in return:
"In an infinite number of parallel universes, there are an infinite number of Tony Starks. What's the big deal if one of them dies?"
No two leaves in the world are exactly alike, but in the infinite parallel universes, there are countless characters and stories that are all the same.
"Maybe he's going to die in this universe, but he might be thriving in another. So tell me, Tony Stark—does his existence really matter to you?"
The Ancient One's question only fueled Tony's current anger:
"What's wrong with you, you charlatan?"
While the two were arguing, Superman was trapped by Doctor Doom, and the cyborg Tony's life was in grave danger, yet this bald woman wanted to discuss existentialism with him.
Tony earned those PhDs in philosophy while in college for dating artsy women, not for debating with charlatans in this kind of situation!
"Every human life is precious, even if it's reproducible—I don't know why this can be a question?"
"Okay." After hearing this answer, Gu Yi pondered for a moment and then nodded.
"I hope you will remember your answer today."
A beam of green light entered and exited through the Eye of Agamotto on the Ancient One's chest, then bounced into the core of Tony Stark's armor.
Using Tony's armor as a container and medium, the power of the Time Stone was activated, reversing all the injuries on the dying cyborg Tony and restoring him to his appearance before he was destroyed and separated by the Great Earth.
"What is this?"
Tony wanted to ask again what the green light that had entered his chest was, but when he looked up, the Ancient One had already disappeared.
In deep space beyond Earth, Doctor Doom was preparing to tell Joey some messages from the future when an unexpected visitor interrupted his plans:
"Alright, let's see who's here."
Clad in a black robe, the Ancient One's eyes seemed to see into the future, revealing a knowing expression: "Long time no see, Tony."
Everything went as she expected, except she never imagined this day would come under such circumstances.
With a wave of her hands, the entire galaxy, including the Earth beneath her feet, began to turn into a distorted reflection, instantly pulling the three of them into a mirror dimension.
This is the safest approach—the battle that is about to unfold will likely be extremely fierce.
If left unchecked, the aftershocks of the clash between the Sorcerer Supreme, the Hydrogenian, and the Destroyer could ignite the entire galaxy.