"You must have made up your mind since you took the initiative to call me here, Odin."
"Of course, Sorcerer Supreme."
Still in the same place, still just the two of them. This secret meeting between two top-tier powerhouses seemed to decide the future fate of the world. For the past two days, Odin had been contemplating whether or not to hand over the clues to the kabbalistic tree of life. Ultimately, his concern for his child and wife outweighed his reason; he decided to be selfish for once.
"Although I've compromised, I still want to know, Sorcerer Supreme, what exactly do you need the kabbalistic tree of life for? What exactly are you trying to do?"
As he spoke, Odin's single eye stared straight at the Ancient One. If something went wrong with the kabbalistic tree of life, the entire Universe would face unpredictable disasters. He believed the Ancient One understood this as well, but what could possibly make a sorcerer crazy enough to think about using the kabbalistic tree of life? It was simply a headache-inducing thought.
"If we compare the Universe to a large computer and we are just a string of numbers inside, then the kabbalistic tree of life is the system. I need to use this system to find what I want to find."
The Ancient One looked at Odin without her expression changing. She could no longer check future events through the Time Stone. If she could use the kabbalistic tree of life to calculate events on Earth for the next ten years, it would be easily achievable. To find the future she wanted, she had to pay a price. With the seed of the world Tree given by Artoria, she now had the leverage to negotiate with Odin.
"You are an utter lunatic, Sorcerer Supreme."
Odin did not fear the unknown, but he held it in awe. However, the person before him lacked such reverence entirely, actually wanting to calculate every unknown. This was something even those guys in the Celestials couldn't do. Since the Ancient One dared to do it, he could only label her a lunatic.
"I hope that massive amount of information doesn't blow your poor little head apart."
Odin didn't have high hopes for the Ancient One. Although she could contend with him, the King of Gods, with a mortal body, a mortal would always be a mortal. He didn't believe she could surpass him and perfectly complete a method even he didn't dare to try.
"Thank you for the reminder."
Ignoring Odin's mockery, the Ancient One spoke calmly. She had her own ways of making the impossible possible, but how could she reveal such things to Odin? The two powerhouses finally set a time for the trade and terminated their conversation.
"Artoria, go back for now. Don't fall behind on your cultivation."
"..."
Artoria, who was in the middle of cultivation, was suddenly interrupted by the Ancient One. The Ancient One's subsequent words left Artoria dazed. Huh? What happened? Why this sudden move? Artoria's brain couldn't quite process it. You're the one who brought me here to cultivate, and now you're sending me back without even giving me a reason. You're a terrible teacher.
But the Ancient One's next action was even more thorough. With a wave of her hand, Artoria appeared at the foot of the Himalayas, her toiletries lying quietly beside her. She finally understood how Thor felt when he met Doctor Strange. These sorcerers really did whatever they wanted just because they knew magic.
"Hmph!"
Kicking her washbasin away in annoyance, Artoria made a face at the Himalayas and turned to leave. She snapped her fingers, and a silver-white motorcycle with a domineering appearance appeared beside her. This was the Armored Cavalry she had modified using the Destroyer. With a flash of golden light, silver armor and a helmet covered Artoria's body. Extending her long legs, she sat on the motorcycle and smiled as she started this extraordinary bike.
"Vroom—Roar!"
Injecting magic into the motorcycle, the silver-white bike sped across the plateau like an arrow off a string, quickly leaving the foot of the Himalayas. Artoria didn't know that after she left, the Ancient One watched her go with a helpless smile. What was to come was no small matter; she couldn't let Artoria face the risk with her.
"The time is drawing near, Doctor Stephen."
Another reason for making Artoria leave was that Doctor Stephen might face a bloody disaster soon, and her responsibility was about to begin. Artoria had already read many magic books; as for how much she could learn, that was up to her. Now, she needed to prepare herself to go to the alternate dimension where the kabbalistic tree of life was located. At that time, she wouldn't have time to teach Artoria, so it was better to let her go and fight on her own to enhance her own strength.
"We will meet again, Artoria."
Gazing at the distant silver figure, the Ancient One smiled and vanished from the spot, leaving only the washbasin kicked over by Artoria lying there quietly, a testament to someone's violence.
"Alright! Since you've made up your mind, I won't stop you."
"I'm sorry, sir."
Brian looked gratefully at the director who had taught him, but there was nothing he could do. He didn't dare to go against his sister's decision, so he could only speak apologetically. However, he soon felt a sense of longing. He greatly admired superheroes. The performance of many superheroes in New York resonated with the justice in his heart. But his favorite hero was still that Shining Knight, Miss Artoria. Such a beautiful person; the beautiful light she emitted made his heart feel as if it had seen the goodness of humanity.
Thinking that he would soon be in New York to see his idol, he packed his things even faster. Before it got completely dark, he had to hurry home. Not only was he afraid his sister would worry, but it hadn't been very safe at night lately. He heard there was a crazy serial killer operating nearby. Although he wasn't afraid of the other party, considering he was an ordinary person, he had to prioritize his own safety.
"Bang!"
"Damn it."
While riding his motorcycle home with satisfaction, a gunshot suddenly rang out. His arm stung; he realized he was being targeted and had been shot. He didn't understand—he didn't seem to have any enemies, so why would someone attack him? Could it be the serial killer? At this thought, cold sweat broke out on his forehead (from the pain). Gritting his teeth, he accelerated the motorcycle with one hand, but the attacker clearly had no intention of letting him go.
Several more shots rang out, but fortunately, he wasn't hit. Just as he thought he was about to escape, the attacker fired another shot that blew out the tire.
"Oh no!"
There was a small forest nearby, and he prepared to abandon the bike and run inside to hide. But a sudden bright light from the opposite direction added a touch of despair to his blood-drained face. Heavens! Is this trying to kill him?
"Bang!"
The impact of the vehicle collision shook quite a few leaves off the surrounding trees. After the car hit Brian, no one got out to check his condition; it just drove away from the scene. Brian lay on the cold ground with a face full of blood, his consciousness and sensation slowly leaving his body.
"I'm sorry, sister. I think I'm going to die."
In his last moments of consciousness, Brian seemed to see a white-haired old man. He wore ancient robes like a wizard and was looking at him with a smile, but Brian quickly lost consciousness.
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