When the Ancient One regained consciousness, she found herself lying in an unfamiliar room.
She was resting on a bed.
Not far away sat the strangely dressed man in white-and-red robes, watching her with a faint smile.
She immediately sat upright.
Her hands quickly ran over her body, checking herself from head to toe.
After confirming nothing seemed out of place, she finally let out a sigh of relief.
“Do all women react the same way?”
“About half a month ago, another woman did exactly what you just did.”
“If I wanted a woman…”
“I would’ve chosen her.”
“Not a nun.”
Lucian looked at her with an amused smile.
“You…”
“Outsider!”
Only then did the Ancient One remember the mysterious man before her.
“Enough with the ‘outsider’ business.”
“You’ve already seen what I’m capable of.”
“So I’d rather we sit down and have a proper conversation.”
“But if you insist on attacking again…”
“I really will kill you.”
As he spoke those final words, a chilling glint flashed across his eyes.
The Ancient One involuntarily shivered.
“Now.”
“Tell me your name.”
“And explain the power you were using earlier.”
Lucian calmly watched her.
The Ancient One remained silent.
“Oh?”
“If you won’t tell me…”
“I have other methods.”
He raised an eyebrow.
Stretching out one hand, a golden staff suddenly materialized in his grasp.
At its tip floated a brilliant golden sphere.
The staff…
And the orb mounted upon it…
Were both legendary Pieces of Eden.
The sphere was the Apple of Eden, while the staff itself was another Isu artifact.
Each possessed the terrifying ability to dominate the human body and manipulate the mind.
Used together…
Their power became even greater.
Pointing the staff toward the Ancient One’s smooth bald head, Lucian smiled.
“Let’s start with something simple.”
“Tell me your name.”
“My…
name…”
“…is the Ancient One.”
Terror filled her eyes.
No matter how desperately she resisted…
Her mouth continued speaking against her own will.
“The Ancient One.”
“A rather Buddhist-sounding title.”
“So…”
“Master Ancient One…”
“What exactly was that circle-drawing ability you used earlier?”
“It…”
“…is magic.”
Her voice trembled.
She desperately wanted to attack him.
Yet she couldn’t move a single muscle.
“Magic?”
“The Ancient One?”
Lucian looked puzzled.
“So nuns know magic nowadays?”
“Where exactly is your temple?”
“Deep within…”
“…the Himalayas.”
Hearing that answer…
Lucian blinked.
Something felt strangely familiar.
The location…
The title…
The way she fought…
He had definitely seen them somewhere before.
“The Ancient One…”
“The Ancient One…”
“The Ancient One…”
He stood up, tapping his forehead while searching through memories that had lain dormant for centuries.
Then—
His eyes widened.
The Ancient One.
The Himalayas.
Golden magic circles.
The bald head.
Isn’t she…
A character from one of the Marvel movies?
His expression filled with astonishment.
What kind of world have I crossed into?
Huang Feihong…
Thirteenth Aunt…
That’s the world of Chinese martial arts films.
But the Ancient One…
That’s Marvel.
“So it’s actually a crossover world…”
He finally understood.
Retracting the Staff of Eden, Lucian looked toward the Ancient One.
“Stand up.”
“Take me to your temple.”
“I know you’re capable of doing it.”
The Ancient One slowly rose to her feet.
Looking at the mysterious and overwhelmingly powerful man before her, she couldn’t help recalling the horrifying sensation from moments earlier.
Being unable to move…
Unable even to control her own speech…
That power felt even more sinister than Dormammu, ruler of the Dark Dimension.
If Master Kaluu joins me…
Perhaps together we can defeat him.
With that thought in mind, she walked into the centre of the room.
Extending one hand while tracing circles through the air with the other…
Golden sparks burst into existence.
A glowing portal rapidly took shape.
Moments later, a doorway nearly one and a half metres tall stood before them.
Deep within the hidden temple in the Himalayas…
Another portal suddenly opened beside Kaluu.
“So this is a portal.”
Lucian stepped beside the Ancient One, casually grabbed her by the arm, and leapt through.
The portal vanished immediately afterward.
The two of them emerged inside the temple.
Releasing her arm, Lucian calmly surveyed his surroundings.
He stood inside a spacious wooden hall.
Countless candles illuminated the room with warm light.
Not far away stood an elderly man with long white hair.
The Ancient One hurried over to him.
“Master Kaluu.”
“This outsider is incredibly powerful.”
“His cloak is immune to magic.”
“And he possesses a staff capable of controlling people’s bodies and forcing them to act against their will.”
“We’ll need to fight together if we want any chance of defeating him.”
Kaluu nodded solemnly.
“Very well.”
The two sorcerers immediately assumed combat stances.
“Hm?”
“You still want another fight?”
Lucian asked curiously as he turned toward them.
“Outsider.”
Kaluu’s expression remained grave.
Twin circular magical sigils spun into existence around his hands.
“Tell us your purpose for coming to Earth.”
Lucian sighed helplessly.
“I already told her.”
“I don’t have one.”
“But you wouldn’t believe me anyway.”
“So…”
“I suppose we’ll have to settle this the hard way.”
The instant he finished speaking—
His body blurred.
Then vanished completely.
Kaluu and the Ancient One’s expressions changed at once.
They vigilantly scanned their surroundings.
Shhk!
A sharp metallic sound rang out behind them.
The two sorcerers reacted instantly, spinning around while raising both hands to block.
Twin Hidden Blades emerged seemingly from empty space.
Only then did Lucian’s figure slowly materialize.
A Hidden Blade extended from each wrist.
Meanwhile, both Kaluu and the Ancient One had crossed their arms before their throats, magical energy reinforcing their defenses.
The razor-sharp blades stopped only centimetres from piercing their necks.
The tremendous strength behind Lucian’s strike forced both sorcerers to use every ounce of their power just to hold him back.
Watching their flushed faces—
Especially the Ancient One, whose bald scalp had turned bright red from exertion—
A playful smile spread across Lucian’s lips.
Then…
He pushed down just a little harder.
An overwhelming force crashed down upon them.
Their bodies bent lower.
The Hidden Blades edged even closer to their throats.
The icy killing intent radiating from the razor-sharp edges made the skin on their necks sting.
Still smiling…
Lucian continued applying pressure.
The two sorcerers sank lower and lower until their backs were pressed flat against the wooden floor.
A thin line of blood appeared on both of their necks.
The Ancient One…
And Kaluu…
Slowly closed their eyes.