The Celestial Horse, referred to as Xiaoba by Su Ming, appeared listless at the moment.
Because when Gin left, he took it back to Earth, but before it could breathe more of Midgard's air, Odin demanded it back.
It was Odin's only mount, taken away by Deathstroke. It wasn't borrowed, nor stolen, so what was it?
But this was just a test. The Immortal Palace now resembled a spy drama, with various characters appearing both real and fake, necessitating the ability to distinguish the truth.
The Celestial Horse was just a prop because Loki's fake Odin didn't know about its disappearance, thus revealing himself.
In an instant, Odin arrived in front of him. He dismounted, his heavy cloak drawing an arc, his golden armor clashing with the ground.
"Of course, Your Majesty the God King, he is your son after all." Su Ming put down the hammer and stepped back a few steps.
There is a saying in Northern European proverbs, 'Odin always appears at critical moments,' which somewhat resembles the Celestial Dynasty's saying 'good steel is used on the blade,' indirectly indicating he was always watching.
Some people just have this habit of behavior, a personal hobby, perhaps.
As long as he remains absent, there is always uncertainty. For tactical considerations, one must define the uncertainties and lure him out.
Taking action against Loki is a good method.
Odin approached Loki step by step; his single eye conveyed indescribable emotions. He didn't have any particular aura, looking like an ordinary old man, even his shoulders slightly drooped.
He looked at his son and then at the Rainbow Bridge behind him, his beard twitching slightly: "You... are always Loki."
Leaning against the wall, sitting on a nearby railing, Loki glanced at him, smirking, "I'll take that as a compliment."
Odin shook his head and calmly said, "That's precisely why, no matter what you do, you are always Loki."
"You don't understand." Loki's face stiffened for a moment, turning his head to the side with a pout.
"The one who truly doesn't understand is you..." Odin sighed and sat beside Loki.
...........
"Contact Master Gu Yi, things are almost settled."
Su Ming had no need to listen to other people's family discussions, especially a godly family.
Dragging Wade by one leg, he walked to the side to give Hamill new instructions. The Mage had been waiting for this command.
"No need, I'm here."
A golden circular wormhole opened, and the Ancient One walked out with a smile. She still looked the same, always seeming very kind.
"It seems Odin informed you, Master Gu Yi."
"Well, I'm sorry for keeping it from you, but not being constrained by means—that's the essence of being Supreme."
The Ancient One smiled warmly at Odin first, then spoke these words to Deathstroke. Regardless of whether he originally understood this reasoning, this last lesson had to be taught.
Su Ming shook his head: "I understand, this is also where you and I are most alike."
"It seems you are ready, aren't you?"
"Although I indeed need several Magic Consultants to help me manage some affairs, you're right, I'm ready."
"Good, you are officially now the Supreme Mage, congratulations."
The Ancient One nodded with satisfaction, finally able to lay down the heavy burden and rest in her final days.
"...just like that?" Su Ming touched his chest and head and looked around at the others; nothing seemed different: "This feels unchanged."
Outside, the Rainbow Bridge, the star river, and the cosmos, none of them made any movement.
Although Su Ming knew the succession of the Supreme Mage wouldn't come with celestial anomalies or golden lotuses sprouting from the ground, wasn't this a bit too plain?
"Actually, when Emperor Vishanti witnessed it last time, most of the steps were completed. We're just going through formality now."
The Ancient One clasped her hands behind her back. In this period, Deathstroke had thoroughly understood the functioning of Kama Taiji, met nearly everyone there, and she felt she could let go.
All that remains was the final step, the transfer of the Eye of Agamotto.
She took the golden pendant off her neck and touched the patterns with her thumb, but in the next moment, she handed it to Su Ming without any reluctance.
Su Ming looked at her, already understanding what was on her mind.
However, he only twisted this treasure slightly, opening the eyelid-like cover, letting the gemstone, emitting a strong green light, reveal itself, then casually took out the Time Gem from it and pushed the golden pendant back to her.
"I don't use magic to power it, so the Magic Container is useless, keep it as a memento."
"Alright."
While speaking to the Ancient One, Su Ming let Strangulation pierce his chest, installing the Time Gem through his pectoral muscles onto his ribcage.
He reshaped his bones to lock it in place, powering the gemstone in an indescribable manner.
They were communicating in a unique way, or you could say creating rhythm.
"Now I feel it somewhat; honestly, the pressure from the protective array is a bit more than I imagined. It makes me want to return to Kama Taiji to feel at ease."
Su Ming touched his self-healing chest. The Time Gem always gave people a sense of urgency, which was quite interesting.
"Adapt. Bearing responsibility doesn't mean you're bound to this world. I once roamed the Multiverse, visiting many places. The systems of the Three Saints Hall and Kama Taiji are very solid; you just need to maintain them."
The Ancient One earnestly gave a few words of advice. It was time for her to go off duty.
"What about you then, Master? Do you have any plans for what's next?"
"Do you remember those who invaded Kama Taiji once? Their leader is an old friend of mine; old matters are best settled by the old." The Ancient One waved to open a teleportation gate and replied with a smile, "I offer you rights, responsibilities, but no debt; just be yourself."
After speaking, the Ancient One decisively stepped through the gate and disappeared as the golden glow gradually melted into the room.
Hamill wiped his eyes, dazed for a moment, and then bowed deeply to Su Ming. As a member of the Guardian Race, he would continue to serve the Supreme Mage.
"Are you crying?" Su Ming patted his shoulder, helping him up.
"I'm happy for her," Hamill answered directly, once again masking his emotions.
"Actually, I wanted to suggest she go to Hawaii; I have an island there." Su Ming didn't want the Ancient One running off to other dimensions to deal with old adversaries, which seemed like a suicide mission.
Hamill didn't answer.
Odin and Loki were also watching the situation intently, each with their own thoughts.
The Divine King, as always, remained calm; this was the path the Ancient One had chosen.
As for Loki, he was surprised—truly changed. He knew that in the future, Deathstroke had no special abilities or conceptual weapons.
But the current Deathstroke had just obtained the Time Gem.
Though not the full concept of time, the gemstone was still an initiator of the monistic universe's time concept.
He saw hope.
"What did you see?" At that moment, Odin suddenly asked him, and the two were like an ordinary father and son.
"We are approaching the Twilight of the Gods, but for the first time in history, Asgard believes it can free itself from the whip of destiny."
Loki, watching the green light dissipate, answered Odin in a lighthearted tone.
"We will be free, but you..."
"I'm still Loki, I understand." Loki interrupted Odin, not wanting to hear the old tales: "Balder is noble, Thor is illustrious, and Loki will always be Loki."
Odin sighed, appearing old for a moment: "No, that's why I say you still don't understand."
Loki smiled, spreading his hands: "Then let's just say I don't understand, but what can you do? Kill me? Then I'd really thank you."
The Divine King shook his head, his snow-white beard brushing over the golden chest armor as he stood up, no longer paying attention to Loki.
Because Deathstroke was approaching.
"Your Majesty the God King, did you enjoy the conversation with your son?" He bore a gentle smile, seemingly inheriting it from the Ancient One.
"Supreme Mage, as always, Loki is still Loki," Odin calmly replied, with no decipherable meaning in his tone.
"Maybe you should take him out for a picnic or attend some parent-child activities." Su Ming didn't quite understand what Odin was hinting at, but he thoughtfully offered a suggestion: "We still have some time."
Odin courteously smiled, but it was fleeting: "You have more of a sense of humor than the Ancient One, but that happens to be what Asgard doesn't need."
"Yeah, you've got more than enough humor already..." Su Ming glanced at Loki, thinking that with both him and Thor, Asgard certainly didn't need more drama: "So should I proceed now?"
"Please send away my son, and bring Loki back." Odin perked up, the fatigue on his face completely faded, as he made his decision.
"Can you excuse us then? The anesthetic process is somewhat..." Su Ming gestured with his fingers to show a tiny gap, while kicking the corpse of Wade on the ground to hide behind the crowd.
"No need." Odin waved the Eternal Spear in his hand, the handle directly knocking on the back of Loki's head, and with a 'hic,' Loki passed out: "Long ago, Asgard's doctors would extract patients' teeth this way."
Su Ming's mouth twitched; Asgardians were generally good drinkers, and indeed physical anesthesia was the most reliable.
"Then would you like to buy toothpaste? You can pay with gold and gemstones." Su Ming didn't say much more, crouching beside the unconscious Loki to begin using the Time Gem's abilities.
He knew that replacing himself with Loki often followed the same step, that is, letting the past or future self devour the lie. The lie was a Black Crow, also a reflection of Loki's will.
Now Su Ming was essentially reversing time, resurrecting the Crow.
Odin, holding his spear, showed no particular expression: "Your first transaction as Supreme Mage is to sell Midgard goods?"
"Cooperation always starts with small things; how about it? Want to buy? Helps you avoid oral problems, endorsed by Captain America, whose character is as reliable as the inevitable arrival of dusk."
Su Ming spoke with a hint of intent.
Odin extended his fist to bump with his, signaling agreement in the Asgardian way.
"Of course, this might just be what the Ancient One spoke of, the one-in-forty-million possibility."