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Well, Tony was truly having his horizons broadened.
Here was an ancient house, yet one of its doors opened directly onto New York City. People bustled along the street, modern women and well-dressed gentlemen hurried past, and not a single one showed any interest in this strange building.
This had to be the application of some kind of Shielding Magic or Mind Magic.
Turning to the other side, he saw several portals lined up next to each other. He pulled one open and looked out, stunned to find a completely different scene.
Tony opened the first door and was met with a vast, turbulent ocean. The weather on the sea was atrocious, with monstrous waves rising up and crashing directly onto Tony. The salty, bitter taste was unmistakably seawater.
"This Sanctum has been imbued with extremely powerful Space Magic, allowing it to connect to many places on Earth." The fat man who had rescued Tony, the one with the surname "Wong," followed unhurriedly behind him, letting him wander around the Sanctum.
In an instant, many thoughts flashed through Tony's mind, especially his lack of faith in the integrity of the various Factions in the secular world. However, with the methods of Crane and his people, they shouldn't be wiped out in one go. As long as there was no news confirming his death, no one would dare to act with true impunity.
Tony's abilities were just too overpowered.
"Why was that guy Kaecilius so insistent on finding me? I've never had any dealings with Sorcerers, let alone offended any."
Drenched by the violent seawater, Tony sullenly closed the door and opened the one next to it. Searing sunlight streamed in, so bright it hurt his eyes. The endless, deathly silent desert filled him with a sense of weariness.
Tony was thoroughly impressed. With a Sanctum like this, you could travel the globe without buying a single plane ticket; you just had to keep opening doors. Tony had no doubt that this Sanctum also had coordinates for places like tropical rainforests and green grasslands.
"Because the Sorcerer Supreme thinks very highly of you. She once specifically sent Kaecilius to find you, but unexpectedly, Kaecilius pledged allegiance to the master of the Dark Dimension and betrayed the Sorcerer Supreme."
Wong followed in Tony's footsteps, watching with schadenfreude as the young man was thrown into disarray, especially the dumbfounded look on his face after being tossed between the ocean and the desert in just a few seconds.
"What about the letter?"
"Who knows. It probably fell into Dormammu's hands."
Tony fell silent, deep in thought. This was too damn coincidental. The Sorcerer Supreme had just sent Kaecilius with a letter, and the bastard betrayed her right after.
"The Sorcerer Supreme knows about a worldly weakling like me?" Tony said with some self-deprecation.
A Level Seven Sorcerer Supreme could single-handedly create a super-organization in the Universe, and very few would dare to provoke her. Especially with a magical artifact as powerful as the Eye of Agamotto, which had baffled many who had fallen victim to it. Even if a Level Eight came knocking, the Sorcerer Supreme could hold her own for a few rounds and, if worse came to worst, just pack up and run.
With the Time Stone in hand, if pushed to the brink, she could even pull over a part of the Speed Force Wall to act as a shield—though doing so would incur the immense wrath of the Speed Force Wall itself. The Speed Force and time are inseparable. Where there is time, the Speed Force must exist. Where there is the Speed Force, time can be pulled into existence even where it is absent.
Generally speaking, it was already incredible for a planet to have the protection of a Level Four Powerhouse, which was more than enough for self-preservation. Those at the Demigod level of Level 5 and Level Six were qualified to occupy countless galaxies and dominate a region.
A Level Seven could roam unchallenged, qualified to contend with visitors from Other Universes.
A Level Eight could treat the entire Multiverse as their own backyard, capable of destroying a mature, complete Universe with a wave of their hand.
But again, Earth didn't fall within these standards. There were far, far too many Overpowered Individuals. A Level Four had to walk on eggshells, while a Level 5 was barely qualified to hop around a bit, making a little noise now and then to announce their existence.
And don't forget the unreasonable existence of the Multiverse. Who knew how many Earths there were, and on those countless Earths, how many unheard-of, unseen Overpowered Individuals existed?
And yet, the Sorcerer Supreme actually knew about him, a Level Three weakling?
It seemed the incident with the resurrection spring last time had made her remember him for good, though he didn't know if that was a good or bad thing. Tony's original plan was to wait until he reached Level Four, perfect his Type II Metal Augmentation, and then lead a Legion to the Himalayan Mountains to conduct a carpet search.
Kamar-Taj certainly wouldn't be brazenly exposed on some mountaintop. It must reside in another dimension via Space Magic. Even with a carpet search, Tony wasn't confident he could find Kamar-Taj.
Level Four was, after all, a leap in evolution for a lifeform. Compared to his Level Three self, he would be a completely different species. A Level Four lifeform was capable of destroying a planet.
Although in front of the Sorcerer Supreme, he would still be instantly killed. Level Three, Level Four, Level 5... they were all just a drizzle, a matter of a single finger.
"The Sorcerer Supreme is Earth's eternal Guardian. Her eyes, full of wisdom and hope, can not only see the past and perceive the present but can also clearly see images of the future. The veil of time is meaningless before the Sorcerer Supreme." Whenever Wong mentioned the Sorcerer Supreme, his face was filled with reverence, a respect that came from the bottom of his heart.
Tony also respected this hard-working powerhouse, but... it was also true that he felt a bit spooked. If he had to use one phrase to describe the Sorcerer Supreme, Tony felt "transcendentally impassive" was the most fitting—after all the novels he had read in his past life, although it felt out of place, this term was truly the most appropriate.
To put it bluntly, the Sorcerer Supreme might occasionally experience emotions like anger, joy, or resentment, but when it was truly necessary, she would act ruthlessly without a shred of hesitation. As long as her actions aligned with Earth's interests, that woman would dare to do anything.
To put it more crudely, it was a bit like "maximizing benefits," although describing the Sorcerer Supreme this way was deeply disrespectful.
"Should I be glad? The Sorcerer Supreme didn't just kill me. Does she think keeping me alive is beneficial to Earth?" Tony smiled helplessly.
With the Time Stone in her possession, the Sorcerer Supreme likely knew something. Time held no secrets from the Infinity Stone that controlled it. Many images from the past and future could be seen by the Sorcerer Supreme.
Tony's Potential, his fighting style, the numerous choices he made when facing various sudden events, and the processes and results of those choices—all of it would be recorded by time, and those images could be pulled up and reviewed by the Sorcerer Supreme.
This was why Tony always felt a bit spooked whenever he thought of the Sorcerer Supreme. If he didn't urgently need to uncover the secrets of the Soul, and if she wasn't the only one who could help him in the near future, he would never, ever be willing to face this nearly omniscient powerhouse.
(end of chapter)
Here was an ancient house, yet one of its doors opened directly onto New York City. People bustled along the street, modern women and well-dressed gentlemen hurried past, and not a single one showed any interest in this strange building.
This had to be the application of some kind of Shielding Magic or Mind Magic.
Turning to the other side, he saw several portals lined up next to each other. He pulled one open and looked out, stunned to find a completely different scene.
Tony opened the first door and was met with a vast, turbulent ocean. The weather on the sea was atrocious, with monstrous waves rising up and crashing directly onto Tony. The salty, bitter taste was unmistakably seawater.
"This Sanctum has been imbued with extremely powerful Space Magic, allowing it to connect to many places on Earth." The fat man who had rescued Tony, the one with the surname "Wong," followed unhurriedly behind him, letting him wander around the Sanctum.
In an instant, many thoughts flashed through Tony's mind, especially his lack of faith in the integrity of the various Factions in the secular world. However, with the methods of Crane and his people, they shouldn't be wiped out in one go. As long as there was no news confirming his death, no one would dare to act with true impunity.
Tony's abilities were just too overpowered.
"Why was that guy Kaecilius so insistent on finding me? I've never had any dealings with Sorcerers, let alone offended any."
Drenched by the violent seawater, Tony sullenly closed the door and opened the one next to it. Searing sunlight streamed in, so bright it hurt his eyes. The endless, deathly silent desert filled him with a sense of weariness.
Tony was thoroughly impressed. With a Sanctum like this, you could travel the globe without buying a single plane ticket; you just had to keep opening doors. Tony had no doubt that this Sanctum also had coordinates for places like tropical rainforests and green grasslands.
"Because the Sorcerer Supreme thinks very highly of you. She once specifically sent Kaecilius to find you, but unexpectedly, Kaecilius pledged allegiance to the master of the Dark Dimension and betrayed the Sorcerer Supreme."
Wong followed in Tony's footsteps, watching with schadenfreude as the young man was thrown into disarray, especially the dumbfounded look on his face after being tossed between the ocean and the desert in just a few seconds.
"What about the letter?"
"Who knows. It probably fell into Dormammu's hands."
Tony fell silent, deep in thought. This was too damn coincidental. The Sorcerer Supreme had just sent Kaecilius with a letter, and the bastard betrayed her right after.
"The Sorcerer Supreme knows about a worldly weakling like me?" Tony said with some self-deprecation.
A Level Seven Sorcerer Supreme could single-handedly create a super-organization in the Universe, and very few would dare to provoke her. Especially with a magical artifact as powerful as the Eye of Agamotto, which had baffled many who had fallen victim to it. Even if a Level Eight came knocking, the Sorcerer Supreme could hold her own for a few rounds and, if worse came to worst, just pack up and run.
With the Time Stone in hand, if pushed to the brink, she could even pull over a part of the Speed Force Wall to act as a shield—though doing so would incur the immense wrath of the Speed Force Wall itself. The Speed Force and time are inseparable. Where there is time, the Speed Force must exist. Where there is the Speed Force, time can be pulled into existence even where it is absent.
Generally speaking, it was already incredible for a planet to have the protection of a Level Four Powerhouse, which was more than enough for self-preservation. Those at the Demigod level of Level 5 and Level Six were qualified to occupy countless galaxies and dominate a region.
A Level Seven could roam unchallenged, qualified to contend with visitors from Other Universes.
A Level Eight could treat the entire Multiverse as their own backyard, capable of destroying a mature, complete Universe with a wave of their hand.
But again, Earth didn't fall within these standards. There were far, far too many Overpowered Individuals. A Level Four had to walk on eggshells, while a Level 5 was barely qualified to hop around a bit, making a little noise now and then to announce their existence.
And don't forget the unreasonable existence of the Multiverse. Who knew how many Earths there were, and on those countless Earths, how many unheard-of, unseen Overpowered Individuals existed?
And yet, the Sorcerer Supreme actually knew about him, a Level Three weakling?
It seemed the incident with the resurrection spring last time had made her remember him for good, though he didn't know if that was a good or bad thing. Tony's original plan was to wait until he reached Level Four, perfect his Type II Metal Augmentation, and then lead a Legion to the Himalayan Mountains to conduct a carpet search.
Kamar-Taj certainly wouldn't be brazenly exposed on some mountaintop. It must reside in another dimension via Space Magic. Even with a carpet search, Tony wasn't confident he could find Kamar-Taj.
Level Four was, after all, a leap in evolution for a lifeform. Compared to his Level Three self, he would be a completely different species. A Level Four lifeform was capable of destroying a planet.
Although in front of the Sorcerer Supreme, he would still be instantly killed. Level Three, Level Four, Level 5... they were all just a drizzle, a matter of a single finger.
"The Sorcerer Supreme is Earth's eternal Guardian. Her eyes, full of wisdom and hope, can not only see the past and perceive the present but can also clearly see images of the future. The veil of time is meaningless before the Sorcerer Supreme." Whenever Wong mentioned the Sorcerer Supreme, his face was filled with reverence, a respect that came from the bottom of his heart.
Tony also respected this hard-working powerhouse, but... it was also true that he felt a bit spooked. If he had to use one phrase to describe the Sorcerer Supreme, Tony felt "transcendentally impassive" was the most fitting—after all the novels he had read in his past life, although it felt out of place, this term was truly the most appropriate.
To put it bluntly, the Sorcerer Supreme might occasionally experience emotions like anger, joy, or resentment, but when it was truly necessary, she would act ruthlessly without a shred of hesitation. As long as her actions aligned with Earth's interests, that woman would dare to do anything.
To put it more crudely, it was a bit like "maximizing benefits," although describing the Sorcerer Supreme this way was deeply disrespectful.
"Should I be glad? The Sorcerer Supreme didn't just kill me. Does she think keeping me alive is beneficial to Earth?" Tony smiled helplessly.
With the Time Stone in her possession, the Sorcerer Supreme likely knew something. Time held no secrets from the Infinity Stone that controlled it. Many images from the past and future could be seen by the Sorcerer Supreme.
Tony's Potential, his fighting style, the numerous choices he made when facing various sudden events, and the processes and results of those choices—all of it would be recorded by time, and those images could be pulled up and reviewed by the Sorcerer Supreme.
This was why Tony always felt a bit spooked whenever he thought of the Sorcerer Supreme. If he didn't urgently need to uncover the secrets of the Soul, and if she wasn't the only one who could help him in the near future, he would never, ever be willing to face this nearly omniscient powerhouse.
(end of chapter)
