"So, Teacher, you have a good relationship with Loki?" Kurohane only realized at this moment that his 'cheap' teacher's background might not be ordinary. She might not be the Ancient One he imagined, but a much older figure, more connected to the essence of the cosmos.
The Ancient One smiled, then pointed to the Eye of Agamotto on her chest, the green gem sparkling. "Every being who can perfectly use the Time Stone can eventually connect with him," she explained. "And every Sorcerer Supreme across Parallel Universes has some connection with the Time Stone."
"What about Stephen Strange?" Kurohane asked, his curiosity peaking.
"Stephen Strange is the most outstanding Sorcerer Supreme, but not the person who has researched the Time Stone the deepest," The Ancient One replied. "These are two different things, just like you, you also cannot become the most outstanding Sorcerer Supreme." The Ancient One turned the doorknob in her hand, pushed the door open with a soft sound, and walked in.
Kurohane didn't dare to ask again, but immediately followed in The Ancient One's footsteps and entered the room. Only after Kurohane had fully entered the room, the door behind him suddenly slammed shut, making a loud bang before disappearing, leaving them in absolute darkness. Kurohane felt as if he stood in the darkness of the Universe, and his eyes could only see The Ancient One's faint silhouette.
Suddenly, a thick beam of light appeared in front of Kurohane, extending from behind into the distance. This beam of light was green, radiating with primal energy! The light beam emerged from the Void, continuously intertwining at the last spot. They tangled and twisted together, forming the majestic shape of a dark green tree, its roots spreading in all directions. In the very center of the large tree, a man with a terrifying, yet peaceful, appearance seemed to be sitting.
Loki!
Although this Loki's face no longer showed the recklessness or mischievousness of youth, Kurohane recognized him at a glance. After all, he had watched the Loki TV series, and Loki's final appearance in that series was exactly like this! The Ancient One casually walked with Kurohane to Loki's side, pointing to the slightly crooked green light lines flowing from Loki's body and saying: "These timelines represent both of our worlds. The energy that these timelines currently possess," she explained, "has already surpassed other timelines. It is precisely for this reason that I am here," she concluded, "and this is the Time God who granted me the authority to come and handle the chaos in the TVA."
"So, Teacher, you protected the TVA's timeline? And sent those Mutants who rushed into the TVA back to where they originally were?" Only after seeing The Ancient One nod did Kurohane understand where those unkillable Deadpools had gone. Just erase their memories and send them back to their original timelines. Being able to cast magic within the TVA, this was the definition of invincible! As for why Cassandra was thrown into the Dark Dimension, it was because the bald woman's strength far surpassed ordinary Mutants. Even The Ancient One couldn't damage her memory, so it was better to just kill her. After all, rivals are enemies; bald women hate bald women the most!
Loki heard The Ancient One's voice, reluctantly opening his eyes, a faint green light gleaming. He looked at the two people in front of him, his gaze containing eternal weariness. "The Ancient One, you have come."
"Greetings, honorable Time God, all Parallel Universes thank you for your grace." The Ancient One showed great respect for the Time God Loki, bowing slightly, even though he had imprisoned other Lokis within himself. But towards this Time God who sacrificed himself and saved countless timelines, he was still full of respect.
Before Loki became The Time God, the head of the TVA was Kang. In his mind, there should only be one timeline, called the Sacred Timeline. All Parallel Universes that deviated from the Sacred Timeline would be pruned by the TVA. In this way, there would be no powerful individuals from countless parallels Universes, eventually engaging in Universe-level wars for survival and resource acquisition. This was Kang's original intention for establishing the TVA, and also "peace" in his eyes.
After Loki became The Time God, the so-called Sacred Timeline no longer existed. The timeline changed from a single straight line to a deeply rooted and lush World Tree. They all shared the same main trunk, but different branches, developing individually without affecting each other. The only intersection among them was Loki, who was the Time God! As a price, Loki could only forever sit on his divine throne!
"No need to be so respectful. I have seen countless Sorcerer Supremes in this room," Loki's voice sounded shaky, as if it hadn't been used in a long time. "You are the first one who is so respectful to me. Most of them hold grudges," he paused, a somewhat twisted smile appearing on his face. "After all, no matter which world's Loki, they all triggered the invasion from Earth." Loki looked like someone who hadn't smiled so long they forgot how. This was also a very rare experience for Kurohane; although he had watched all the Loki TV series, he had never seen Loki look so miserable. They say boys who like to laugh don't have bad luck, but Loki's luck was terrible! Among so many Marvel characters, Loki and Thor, this pair of adopted brothers, could be considered the most tragic pair. From a prince of the divine realm, a god who had everything, to finally losing everything. This was a fate that only belonged to them, the gods of Asgard, truly miserable!
Loki shifted his gaze towards Kurohane at this moment, and the smile on his face was no longer so forced; there was a hint of interest there. "Kurohane, right? No matter the punishment for Loki in any Parallel Universe, none is like what you proposed," he said, his voice clearer. "In the Universe you are in, Loki might actually become a good person," he added, his gaze piercing Kurohane. "Also, thank you for saving Frigga... You are the only one who changed her fate."
"You can make a wish, and I might be able to help you fulfill it."
Kurohane's eyes widened, his heart pounding. This was an unexpected windfall! "My wish is to be invincible in the world and become the strongest in the Multiverse!" Kurohane blurted out his wish without even thinking, and then he saw the amusing expressions on The Ancient One's and Loki's faces. Especially The Ancient One, who couldn't manage her expression at all, her lips barely twitching.
"See what I told you? This kid has no grand ambition at all," The Ancient One said to Loki, yet her gaze was still on Kurohane. "The thing he's most worried about right now is that I'll also throw him into the Dark Dimension!"
"Blindly pursuing power will only lead to falling into the abyss of darkness." Loki seemed to be thinking of his former self, the Loki who didn't hesitate to start a war because he wanted to prove himself to his father. "I cannot do such a thing, but The Ancient One can help you with this matter," he sighed, "Your teacher is now much more powerful."
For some reason, a strange, ominous premonition suddenly seized Kurohane's heart. It was as if countless magic books were rushing towards him, threatening to drown him in an endless sea of knowledge!
The Ancient One pretended to nod seriously, and enthusiastically patted Kurohane's shoulder. "Don't worry, I will definitely make you the strongest wizard in the entire Universe!"
Kurohane felt his soul shrivel. "Oh, crap!"
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