"Grab her!"
Three thugs rushed out holding wooden sticks—
"It's a robbery!"
Startled, the girl shrank into Ye Li's arms. She softly called to her brother, "Pietro, beat them up!"
Obviously, Wanda wasn't really scared, after all, she had seen how powerful Ye Li was.
"Oh ho~ I knew a place this remote would have muggers. Looks like it's the same all over the world."
Pietro rolled up his sleeves, picked up a stick from the ground, and was eager to take on all three.
He couldn't beat Hydra soldiers, but when it came to street fights, he was a pro.
Ye Li, on the other hand, was considering...
Should he test out his new move?
Those light butterflies weren't just for show. If controlled well, they could easily cut through alloys...
Wrapped in a biological force field, the Golden Light Spell not only retained its toughness but also gained a sharpness attribute.
However.
The black-cloaked sorcerer hiding in the shadows made his move.
"Bang! Bang!" A few sounds rang out.
Pietro hadn't even had the chance to show off, the sorcerer swiftly moved in, taking down the three thugs with hand-to-hand combat, saving the three...
Why "saving"?
—Because if Ye Li had acted, those guys wouldn't just be hurt—they'd be maimed or dead...
"Sorcerer Mordo.
"Ye Li nodded politely at the sorcerer.
Mordo: "Did our master mention me to you?"
"No."
Ye Li answered truthfully.
"..."
Mordo looked at him silently, his gaze becoming more serious.
As a sorcerer, maintaining an air of mystery was essential.
"This way, please."
Mordo gestured with his hand, leading Ye Li and the others out of the alley.
Once they reached the main street, the crowd became dense again.
Following behind Mordo,
Tony glanced at the dark-robed figure, then at Ye Li...
Finally, he asked, "So sorcerers have to train in martial arts? Then the fighting techniques you taught me—are they part of sorcerer basics?"
'This guy's not too dumb...'
Ye Li gave him a sideways glance, "Yeah, something like that."
"Ye."
Strange, slightly excited, whispered to Ye Li, "Is this Master Mordo specially sent from Kamar-Taj to receive you?"
He was thinking: 'If Ye has this much face, then learning magic is pretty much guaranteed...'
"He is a sorcerer from Kamar-Taj, but... he's not here for me..."
Ye Li looked at Strange with a deep gaze. "He's here for you."
The three men felt so awkward their toes curled into the ground...
Strange dumbly pointed at himself.
"Why him?"
Pietro looked Strange up and down, skeptical.
"What, is he some kind of magic prodigy? No way, I think I look more talented than him."
"Hey, you!"
Strange couldn't stand being looked down on by a kid, "When I started doing neural bridge surgery on patients, you hadn't even been born yet, kid!"
Pietro tilted his head, "Oh, so you're way older than you look. What's your skincare routine?"
"Alright, both of you, shut it!"
Ye Li saw that Kamar-Taj was already in sight and stopped the bickering.
Pietro protested, "Why should I listen to you?"
"Pietro!"
Wanda glared at her brother.
"Ugh..."
Pietro instantly quieted down like a scolded quail.
Mordo pushed open the wooden door, "Come in."
Tony walked in first, "Very mysterious place."
..
Once all five entered Kamar-Taj, Mordo leading the way slowly and explained, "This is my master's sanctuary. Her name is the Ancient One."
"Ancient One?"
Tony asked upon hearing the unusual name, "Is that her real name?"
Mordo glanced at him but didn't answer.
"Alright then."
Seeing no reply, Tony changed the subject, "Can we take photos here?"
"..."
Mordo kept walking.
Inside the main hall, Strange and the others saw a robed sorcerer sitting at a tea table, reading a book.
This sorcerer wore traditional Eastern robes, giving off an air of mystery to the group.
Except for Ye Li, everyone assumed he was the Ancient One.
"Thank you~"
Wanda accepted a teacup and expressed her thanks as a few apprentice sorcerers brought over chairs and poured tea for them.
Tony stepped forward and spoke first to the robed sorcerer he mistook for the Ancient One, "Hello, Sorcerer Ancient One. Sorry to intrude—my friend wants to learn your magic to heal his hands... and of course, I'm also interested. Maybe you can teach me too. Money's not a problem."
"Hey, Tony."
Strange tugged at him, worried he might be too blunt, "Someone told me—it's not about the money."
Tony shrugged, "Is that so? Then I guess it's up to you guys."
"Sorcerer Ancient One, my sister also wants to learn magic."
Pietro also smiled and requested to the robed man, "It'd be great if you could teach her. If you teach me too, that'd be even better, hehe..."
Learning magic might let him become a hero too, then he wouldn't be afraid of Stark's Iron Man suit anymore... naturally, he wanted to give it a shot.
"Pietro....." Wanda called softly but didn't scold him.
Seeing that the "Ancient One" still hadn't spoken,
Wanda looked at the robed man and pursed her lips, seemingly wanting to make her own request too...
But Ye Li gently pulled her over and greeted a calm bald woman pouring tea, "Sorcerer Ancient One, long time no see."
The Ancient One, still with that gentle and wise smile, playfully winked, "The tea's quite good, try it."
Strange: "Huh?"
Pietro: "Huh?"
"Ha?"
Tony looked at the bald woman, then at the robed man, and finally asked Mordo, "So which one is...?"
Mordo, who had kept a calm face, seemed to hold back a laugh, nodded at the Ancient One before taking his leave.
Following him out was the robed Sorcerer Hamir.
At that moment, it was obvious who the real Ancient One was.....
Strange: "..."
Stark: "..."
Pietro: "..."
The three men cringed with embarrassment, toes curling in awkwardness...
"You always surprise people, Li."
The Ancient One looked warmly at Wanda and the others, smiling as she praised, "All of you have great potential..."
"Haha!"
Hearing the Ancient One's approval, Pietro chuckled smugly, "I knew I was exceptionally gifted!"
The Ancient One maintained her smile, gently tapping Pietro with her folding fan before continuing, "Except you, child."
"Uh..."
Pietro's smile froze...
This ever-so-kind-looking Ancient One sure knew how to mess with people...