Chapter 15
Morning sunlight bathed the private beach. Waves lapped gently at the shore, leaving flecks of white foam that sparkled in the light.
Wanda stood with her hands crossed in front of her. Scarlet chaos energy flowed around her like ribbons, moving in slow harmony with her breathing.
Yang Jian stood a few paces away, occasionally pointing out adjustments to her practice.
"Compress the energy more." He instructed.
"Chaos magic isn't brute force—it's weaving reality."
Wanda nodded. Her fingertips twitched; the energy ribbons gradually condensed into a small red orb that hovered above her palm.
Just then—
Whoosh!
A ring of golden sparks burst in the air, spinning outward to form a circular portal.
Wanda startled; the orb shattered instantly. She took a wary step back.
Yang Jian didn't even turn his head. He said calmly, "She got here fast."
From the portal stepped a bald woman in yellow robes, hands tucked into her sleeves, a serene smile on her face.
The Ancient One.
"Mr. Yang."
She gave a slight nod, eyes deep and knowing. "Or should I say… traveler from beyond this multiverse."
Wanda looked at Yang Jian in surprise, but his expression remained unchanged. He merely raised an eyebrow. "The Sorcerer Supreme lives up to her reputation."
The Ancient One smiled. "In the river of time, your presence is like a massive stone dropped into still water. The ripples are impossible to ignore."
She raised a hand. Her fingertips traced the air, and an illusory river of time materialized—clear currents reflecting countless worlds and timelines.
"Before you arrived, this river flowed in a clear, predictable direction."
Her palm flipped. The river suddenly turned murky—branches tangled, some sections fractured and broken.
"Now it's chaotic beyond measure."
Yang Jian watched quietly for a moment, then vanished.
The next second, a tea set and two rattan chairs appeared on the sand. The teapot still steamed.
He sat, poured a cup, and slid it toward her. "Time was never meant to be fully mapped. Forcing it into a fixed path is just the arrogance of those who think they control it."
The Ancient One accepted the cup with a light laugh. "And if that chaos brings greater catastrophe?"
"Then I'll smash the catastrophe with my fist." Yang Jian sipped his tea, tone flat.
The Ancient One paused, then laughed outright. "A bold philosophy."
She set the cup down and asked suddenly, "Are you interested in magic?"
Yang Jian glanced at Wanda. "She might benefit from structured guidance."
Wanda's eyes lit up. Before she could speak, the Ancient One nodded. "Kamar-Taj welcomes all who seek truth."
"I… I can really learn?" Wanda's voice trembled slightly.
"Of course." The Ancient One stood. With a flick of her sleeve, a new portal opened on the beach—revealing snow-capped mountains and an ancient courtyard beyond.
"You can see it now."
Kamar-Taj
They stepped through. The rich scent of sandalwood washed over them.
Ancient Tibetan-style buildings climbed the mountainside. Robed sorcerers moved in small groups across the courtyards—some practicing ring-casting, others studying ancient tomes.
In the distant training grounds, apprentices sparred with golden energy weapons; sparks flew.
"This is the sanctuary of sorcerers—and Earth's shield." The Ancient One led them down a long corridor.
"Our magic draws from the Vishanti, but some walk other paths. For example…"
She gestured toward a senior sorcerer manipulating scarlet energy. "A different kind of magic."
Wanda stared, eyes shining with longing.
Reception Hall
A servant brought hot tea and fruit. The Ancient One poured for them herself. "Kamar-Taj has simple rules: respect your teachers, train diligently, never abuse magic."
She looked at Yang Jian. "If you wish to learn, every text here is open to you."
Yang Jian shook his head. "Learning never ends, of course."
"Then what about Wanda?"
The red-haired girl stood immediately. "I want to learn! I need to control this power."
The Ancient One smiled. "Tomorrow, Mordo will guide your initiation."
"No need to wait." Yang Jian cut in confidently. "Take us to the library now."
The Ancient One paused, then laughed softly. Her eyes locked onto him, as if trying to see through to his core.
Outside the window, sunset gilded the snow peaks.
Yang Jian suddenly asked, "You invited us here for more than just teaching, didn't you?"
The Ancient One set her cup down; her smile faded slightly. "The chaos in the timeline has already drawn the gaze of certain entities. Dormammu of the Dark Dimension, Mephisto of Hell, and threats even more distant."
She met his eyes directly. "I need to know—when catastrophe arrives, which side will you stand on?"
Yang Jian slowly set his cup down. "I stand on my own side."
The tea hovered in mid-air, reshaped by his will into floating ice crystals.
"But if anyone tries to destroy my place to drink tea…"
The crystals shattered into countless glittering motes.
"I don't mind making them disappear forever."
The Ancient One nodded once and rose. "Come. Let's go to the library."
Kamar-Taj Library
Towering wooden shelves reached the vaulted ceiling. Scrolls and heavy tomes stood in perfect rows. The air smelled of ink and sandalwood.
Wong was dusting a high shelf with a feather duster. He bowed quickly when the Ancient One entered with Yang Jian and Wanda.
"Sorcerer Supreme."
"These are our new visitors." The Ancient One smiled.
"Mr. Yang and Miss Wanda. They wish to explore the collection."
Wong nodded warmly and began to explain. "This section covers basic magical theory—the simplified Vishanti Codex, elemental manipulation fundamentals, and—"
"No need for the tour." Yang Jian interrupted politely and walked straight to the center of the library.
His eyes glowed gold.
Super vision activated.
Golden light swirled in his pupils. His gaze pierced every shelf—every page, every rune, every diagram flooded into his mind like a torrent.
Bio-field expanded.
An invisible force swept the shelves. Hundreds of ancient books lifted into the air; pages flipped at blinding speed, turning into blurs.
Wong's jaw dropped. "This… this is…"
Wanda stared wide-eyed. Chaos energy stirred restlessly inside her, as if responding.
The Ancient One simply watched, a faint smile playing on her lips.
One minute later.
Every book gently closed and returned to its place.
The golden light faded from Yang Jian's eyes. He had absorbed and understood it all.
"So that's how it works." He murmured.
"Magic is just another form of energy programming."
He raised a hand. His fingertip traced a perfect golden circle in the air.
Crackle!
Sparks flared. A two-meter portal snapped open.
On the other side: the sunlit living room of the seaside villa. Steam still rose from the teacup on the table.
"No sling ring?!" Wong's voice cracked.
"That's impossible! Even senior sorcerers—"
"Genius?" Yang Jian withdrew his hand; the portal closed.
"No. Just faster comprehension."
Wanda stared at him in awe. "You… learned everything?"
"In theory, yes." Yang Jian walked toward the restricted section.
"But some things need practical testing."
His gaze fell on the sealed glass case containing The Book of Cagliostro.
Super vision pierced the seal effortlessly. Forbidden time magic flowed into his mind.
The Ancient One finally spoke. "Do you know why most sorcerers require years—decades—of study?"
"Because their brains aren't fast enough." Yang Jian replied without turning.
"No."
The Ancient One laughed softly. "Because magic is not merely knowledge. It is resonance with all things—a deep, lived understanding."
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