The Multiverse.
Endless beyond measure.
The number of parallel universes is so vast that even top-tier powerhouses cannot possibly distinguish how many there truly are.
Even setting aside this universe, a single universe by itself contains infinity upon infinity.
Dimensional realms, pocket universes, deep-layer dimensions—countless attached spaces of every kind.
The cosmos of the Marvel world is complex to the extreme.
Naturally, this also means that the things produced within it are extraordinarily abundant.
The Ancient One wandered among these universes, searching for various materials, or experiencing various events,
in pursuit of going one step further.
For a Skyfather-level powerhouse, this was not an easy thing to do.
So this time, the Ancient One's wandering lasted a very long time.
However—
On this day, she was still drifting through a dimensional realm, witnessing all kinds of wondrous phenomena,
when her brows suddenly knit together.
A strange feeling surfaced in her heart.
"This feeling…"
"It looks like something major has happened."
The Ancient One frowned.
As a Skyfather-level powerhouse—and a sorcerer—she was exceptionally skilled at peering into fate and predicting all things in the world.
Anything related to her, she could sense in advance.
To a certain extent,
she could foresee the future.
Now that she suddenly felt this resonance in her heart,
something extremely significant must have happened in a place connected to her.
"Aura of darkness… fluctuations of death…"
"It's Dormammu!"
The Ancient One's expression changed drastically.
Dormammu—a dimensional demon!
An existence of terrifying strength.
Even the Ancient One was not his match.
She could only rely on the ancient spell arrays on Earth to contend with that monster.
But now—
She could clearly sense it.
The dark power on Earth had erupted into turmoil.
"Even Kamar-Taj's fate has fallen into a fog…"
"And Kaecilius's fate is even more impossible to observe…"
"What exactly happened?"
The Ancient One's expression was uncertain.
Kaecilius was her disciple.
Compared to other sorcerers, the connection between them was far closer.
Now even Kaecilius's fate had become like thick mist.
What in the world had happened?
Thinking of this, the Ancient One grew anxious.
"No. I must return immediately."
She had no mind left to continue traveling.
With a wave of her hand—
A powerful radiance rose.
A golden Portal appeared before the Ancient One.
Without another word,
she stepped straight through.
It didn't take long.
After passing through dozens of Portals in succession,
the Ancient One traversed who knew how many dimensions and returned to Earth.
Passing through one more Portal,
she returned directly to Kamar-Taj.
Yet—
Her return was not noticed by a single person.
Even Karl failed to detect the slightest ripple.
Even Kamar-Taj's defensive spell arrays produced no reaction at all.
That alone showed just how overwhelming the Ancient One's power was.
With a casual gesture,
a message was sent out directly.
Before long,
Baron Mordo came jogging over and walked straight into the Ancient One's room.
"Sensei, you're back!"
Baron Mordo spoke excitedly.
"Yes. I'm back."
The Ancient One replied with a faint smile.
"Did you return because you sensed something major happening at Kamar-Taj?"
Baron Mordo asked.
"That is part of it."
"I sensed the darkness erupting—dark power is increasing."
"Tell me what happened."
The Ancient One spoke calmly.
"Yes, Ancient One."
"Two days ago,"
"Kaecilius obtained a method to communicate with Dormammu from the books you left behind."
"He was deceived by Dormammu."
Baron Mordo said angrily.
The Ancient One wasn't surprised. She only sighed.
"That child Kaecilius is too extreme."
"His experiences determined his temperament."
"I once taught him not to let hatred consume all his sight."
"Now it seems he didn't take it to heart. Being deceived by Dormammu was not unexpected."
The Ancient One couldn't help but sigh again.
After thinking for a moment—
"Tell me where he fled. I will personally capture him and abolish his power."
The Ancient One said with a sigh.
Hearing this,
Baron Mordo's expression turned extremely awkward.
"Ahem."
"But, Ancient One…"
"Kaecilius has already been captured."
Baron Mordo said helplessly.
"Hm?"
"Was that done by you?"
"Did you all act together?"
"If Kaecilius defected to Dormammu, you shouldn't have been able to resist his power."
The Ancient One asked, puzzled.
"That's true—we weren't Kaecilius's match."
"But Kamar-Taj has produced three great geniuses!"
"It was him who acted and captured Kaecilius."
Baron Mordo said happily.
A question mark slowly rose over the Ancient One's head.
"Genius?"
"What kind of genius could capture Kaecilius?"
The Ancient One asked oddly.
This was a little absurd, wasn't it?
Something even several Master Sorcerers couldn't do—
a genius could do it?
What kind of genius was that supposed to be?
The Ancient One found it hard to imagine.
Besides, she didn't remember Kamar-Taj having such a genius.
"It was Karl!"
Baron Mordo answered decisively.
The Ancient One: "????"
Karl?
Wasn't Karl that child who still hadn't become a Probationary Sorcerer even after three years?
Him?
How could he be a genius?
And he even captured Kaecilius?
Was this a joke?
The Ancient One found it strange.
She had personally observed Karl in secret for a period of time.
She knew this child's talent wasn't particularly good.
After cultivating for so long, becoming a seasoned sorcerer would likely be extremely difficult for him in this lifetime.
He was a genius?
Was Baron Mordo joking?
"Baron Mordo, are you sure you didn't misspeak?"
"You're certain it was Karl—that child?"
The Ancient One asked.
"Sensei, don't worry."
"It was definitely Karl, that brat."
"In one year, he gained strength that surpassed even a Master Sorcerer."
Baron Mordo said.
The Ancient One: "???"
The Ancient One immediately furrowed her brows.
That was far too exaggerated.
Becoming a Master Sorcerer in one year?
Since when were Master Sorcerers so cheap?
Over all these years, how many Master Sorcerers did Kamar-Taj have?
Only around a dozen!
If someone could become a Master Sorcerer in a single year,
how could Kamar-Taj have so few?
No matter how you looked at it,
becoming a Master Sorcerer in one year was outrageously impossible.
Not to mention—
that kid was Karl.
The expression on the Ancient One's face turned rather strange.
In the one year she had been away,
what on Earth had happened…?
(End of Chapter)
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