Chapter 137: I'm Here—Who Dares Invade? (Bonus Chapter with Your Support)

“Your face shows no surprise, no panic, not even curiosity. I cannot make any judgment about you, only speculate: Do you know me? Are you familiar with this kind of power?” the Ancient One asked.

Wasn’t that obvious...? Wang calmly replied, “The sorcerers of Kamar-Taj may be mysterious, but they are still human. Humans always leave traces in this world. S.H.I.E.L.D. has records about you, and due to my unique status, I know a bit as well.”

That explanation was reasonable, but the Ancient One of course didn’t believe it.

“Every so often, I glance toward Kunlun. I’ve witnessed every death and rebirth of Shou Lao, and every Iron Fist’s emergence. So I can be certain of one thing.”

The Ancient One’s clear eyes fixed on Wang: “You are not the Iron Fist.”

Just as I thought, as shameful a voyeur as Heimdall... Wang smiled, “I never said I was the Iron Fist.”

Knowing you, understanding you, my advantage comes not from the so-called ‘Iron Fist,’ but from being a traveler through dimensions.

Within the Heart of Azeroth, the colossal immortal dragon’s skeletal remains are in place, ready at any moment to open a spacetime portal and exchange for the Death Finger of Archimonde’s version—or even the mightier Darkness of a Thousand Souls.

Although the Ancient One probably wouldn’t strike me first, I dare not be careless.

If the Ancient One dares to act, I have a chance to severely wound or even kill him.

The Supreme Sorcerer’s strength lies in magic and soul, not in the physical body.

A surprise attack might not destroy his soul, but at least it can shatter his body—which is far easier than killing Thanos or the Hulk.

Without a body, I believe my soul is no weaker than the Ancient One’s, so there’s nothing to fear.

“It seems you truly understand me, and even rely on that to some extent.”

A strange light flickered in the Ancient One’s eyes, deep and starry, as if a single glance could draw one utterly into the depths.

That look—Wang had only seen it once before, in Medivh’s eyes.

Wang remained silent; if the enemy won’t speak, neither would he; if the enemy spoke, he’d still stay quiet.

“Since you understand us, this becomes easier,” the Ancient One said. “You’ve established contact with a magical entity from another dimension, just like the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj. Perhaps you don’t realize it, but in fact, you are already a sorcerer—one who commands an independent source of magical power.”

Wang smiled.

The Ancient One waited ten seconds, then continued, “I am detached from the world’s affairs. A sorcerer’s duty is to guard the Sanctum, to protect Earth from invasion by enemies from other dimensions or outer space. You are an Earthling; you have not harmed Earth before, nor will you in the future.”

Wang smiled again.

The Ancient One waited another twenty seconds before saying, “Kamar-Taj seeks fresh blood to resist increasingly frequent assaults. The magical channel you command seems unstable. Perhaps you should open another path—perhaps draw power from the Vishanti, the Triple Deities. I can help you with that.”

Wang kept smiling.

This time, the Ancient One did not wait, spreading his arms wide: “Join us!”

...

...

“Do you want to take me as your disciple?” Wang’s expression remained unchanged.

“Mutual exchange,” the Ancient One corrected.

This time Wang truly laughed.

The distances between universes vary; naturally, the difficulty of opening channels varies as well.

Extra dimensions like the Dark Dimension or Hell exist independently from parallel universes yet still fall within the multiverse. Opening energy channels there might actually be easier than traveling between parallel universes.

Even the Ghost Rider can do it.

Sethraliss’s Crimson Universe exists outside the multiverse. To draw power from him is more difficult, so few sorcerers wield the “Sethraliss Red Band,” and their spells are extraordinarily powerful.

The universe where World of Warcraft exists lies completely outside the Marvel multiverse. The difficulty is far beyond those other examples.

Thus, Kamar-Taj sorcerers can draw magic from other dimensions or magical entities anytime without cost, while Wang must pay a great price to obtain items or spells from the World of Warcraft universe.

Becoming a Kamar-Taj sorcerer would be excellent, greatly enhancing Wang’s power.

But where is there a free lunch in this world?

Once an energy channel is established to draw power from the Vishanti, they could sense it, even seize control—as Dormammu does to his followers.

Those who gain Dormammu’s power inevitably get consumed by him in the end. The Ancient One, being mighty, might avoid that fate, but at least Dormammu would keep him in his sights.

The Vishanti are far more terrifying than Dormammu.

That won’t do.

With the Heart of Azeroth and the immortal dragon’s skeleton inside it, Wang is confident he can handle the Supreme Sorcerer Ancient One, whose true power surely doesn’t reach Medivh’s level—but he is no match for the Vishanti.

Moreover, they can sever the magical channel at any time.

Better not take the risk.

“I’m sorry, but I’m not interested,” Wang politely declined.

The Ancient One was clearly prepared and said softly, “Your hesitation is natural. Sorcerers in this world are not only from the Supreme Sorcerer lineage. I hope that when terrible enemies invade, you will stand up.”

“I am satisfied with my current life and do not wish to be disturbed.”

Wang’s tone was calm: “I’m here. Who dares to invade?”

This was not bravado, but Wang’s consistent attitude and goal.

Only the weak need to defend; the best way to protect Earth is to attack.

The Ancient One was pleased by this answer and smiled faintly: “Then let’s discuss something else.”

“The Darkhold?”

Facing an existence of this level, there was no point in hiding. Wang decided to be direct.

“The Darkhold must not be possessed by those who cannot master it. All power from the Dark Dimension easily leads to corruption.”

Perhaps due to age, or simply because he was not the same person as the young Odin, the Ancient One was far more composed:

“The Darkhold is dangerous; dark energy is dangerous. Reckless use of dark energy attracts the attention of certain beings—such as Dormammu, or Mephisto. Today it’s Kasilius seeking you; tomorrow it might be Dormammu or Mephisto.”

“Energy itself is neither good nor evil; the user determines that,” Wang replied calmly. “Besides, do you think I fear Dormammu or Mephisto? To my knowledge, beings from other dimensions find it difficult to enter this universe, let alone descend to Earth. Do you think the Three Sanctums’ wards are so easily broken?”

As long as the Ancient One lives, the multiverse’s entities have no hope of invading Earth.

Dormammu cannot; neither can Mephisto or Thanos.

When persuasion failed, the Ancient One had only one move left and revealed his hand: “I will not let you give up freely. Tell me what you need, and I can bring it in exchange.”

“That depends on what you have.”

Wang had been holding back the Darkhold’s exchange all this time precisely waiting for this moment.

He had already had many copies of the Darkhold transcribed by others in various formats, hundreds of times over. Its residual value was nearly exhausted; no need to keep the original.

Playing mind games with someone who has lived hundreds or thousands of years is pointless. You might think you’re clever, but to them you’re just a presumptuous child.

“Follow me.”

The Ancient One turned, and the mirror dimension vanished in an instant, replaced by an orange portal.