A spherical magic circle emerged from the tip of the Mind Stone Scepter, unleashing thick bolts of lightning with abandon, striking towards Mordo.
Qingshui found his talent for magic to be quite good.
It was one thing that he could quickly learn most conventional spells through his strong spiritual power and excellent comprehension, but when it came to spells related to wind and lightning in their manifestation, he was absolutely a genius among geniuses.
Besides his Avatar in the Marvel Universe, Qingshui's main body and his DC Universe counterpart also learned magic.
Not being part of the Marvel Multiverse system, some spells that required borrowing power from specific Dimensional Demon Gods could not be cast. However, ultimately, magic, like Ninjutsu, is a form of energy utilization, and many aspects are common. Most spells that can be cast with magic can also be cast with Chakra, it's just that the quality of Chakra isn't as high as the energy of multiverse-level beings.
If the quality isn't enough, make up for it with quantity.
Other spells required careful consideration when borrowing power for casting, but Qingshui didn't need to — his energy belonged to him, and it was amplified by the Mind Stone. One unit of Chakra could exert the power of ten units of Chakra.
A large swath of lightning poured from the Mind Stone Scepter, truly startling Mordo.
The Bolts of Balthakk weren't particularly easy to cast; they were typically spells with a long wind-up but great power. But how could a sorcerer who had only studied magic for a month instantly cast it, and with even greater power than others?
Could it be the power of that Scepter?
Mordo's combat experience was quite rich; he knew this move was difficult to block, and even harder to dodge. He stomped repeatedly in the air with his Boots of Valtorr. With each step, a miniature circular shield formation appeared beneath his feet, lending him power and accelerating him, allowing him to retreat quickly.
At the same time, as he formed hand seals, a light shimmered on the Staff of Waltum in Mordo's hand, and he pointed it forward.
"Winds of Waltum."
This was an extremely practical spell, capable of forming a protective shield using the power of wind, or directly blowing enemies with the wind shield.
Under the amplification of the Staff of Waltum, a fierce gale erupted in the Mirror Dimension, causing the distant mage apprentices observing the battle to sway unsteadily.
It wasn't until several sorcerers who had learned the Rings of Raggadorr stepped forward and jointly unleashed a shield that they managed to block the residual force.
The fierce wind roared, and lightning intertwined.
Several golden-edged portals appeared consecutively above Qingshui, and magical missiles flew out continuously from the Staff of Waltum in Mordo's hand, shooting towards Qingshui without end.
Qingshui quickly drew a portal above his head, returning all these missiles.
But the next moment, mist rose.
Qingshui recognized this spell, but hadn't learned it yet.
Vapors of Valtorr!
It seemed Mordo knew quite a few spells related to the neutral Dimensional Demon Gods associated with his equipment.
Valtorr represents secrecy and protection. This mist, cast with Valtorr's power, didn't just obscure vision; the power of Valtorr within it could suppress all means of perception.
At least Qingshui's Transparent World, which typically covered a range of a thousand meters, was now suppressed to only a dozen meters.
First a feint, then block the opponent's vision, so next…
A golden chain emerged from nearby, coiling towards Qingshui.
Chains of Krakkan, similar in effect to the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak, but with lower strength, yet requiring a much smaller price than the latter.
"I knew it."
Qingshui shook his head.
He also knew this was definitely just another feint.
If it didn't work, Mordo would surely have another move.
However, he had a good grasp of Mordo's methods and skill level.
Given Mordo's extreme pursuit of order and nature, he would certainly not learn those powerful forbidden techniques that came at a great cost and violated the laws of nature.
This meant that Mordo's strength was pretty much what he was demonstrating now.
Perhaps he had a few other powerful spells as trump cards, but his strength was roughly at this level.
Quite strong, but a bit weak for Qingshui.
After all, he had just been fighting Mordo using Taijutsu and magic he'd only learned for a month; his true specialties, Ninjutsu and Puppetry, remained unused.
With just magic, he should currently be able to fight a first-rate sorcerer like Mordo to a four-six split, ensuring his own safety. But gaining the upper hand or taking him down would be quite difficult.
With a stomp of his foot, the Body Flicker Technique activated, and Qingshui's figure instantly vanished, causing Mordo's golden chain to strike empty air.
The next second, Qingshui's figure disappeared from his original spot.
Mordo, who was about to launch a sneak attack using the fog, paused, then looked into the distance with horror.
"Wind Release: Great Breakthrough!"
Qingshui looked at the blowing white mist, a hint of surprise flashing across his face, then clapped his hands together, increasing the output.
"Wind Release: Tornado Hurricane!"
The Vapors of Valtorr were inherently very powerful; a single Wind Release: Great Breakthrough wasn't quite enough to disperse them.
Fortunately, Qingshui's mastery of Wind Release was exceptionally high.
Even without the amplification of Airflow Manipulation, in the Ninja World, he could already be considered a top-tier Wind Release master, not much worse than Danzō from the neighboring village.
Mordo was stunned, looking at the massive storm in front of him, then at the Staff of Waltum in his hand.
With such powerful wind, in whose hands did the Staff of Waltum truly belong?
Dude, didn't you just start learning magic a month ago? I've never seen that spell before. Are you Waltum's bastard or something?
Mordo gritted his teeth, then poured more mystical energy into the Staff of Waltum in his hand. First, he cast a Shield of the Seraphim in front of himself to buy time, then began to chant.
He could also unleash a storm of that magnitude!
Even stronger!
As long as he was willing to pay more to Waltum through the Staff of Waltum.
*"Smack!"*
Mordo, who had just mumbled two words, suddenly felt a slap on the back of his head.
"Are you insane, you brat!"
The Ancient One appeared behind Mordo at some point, grumbling and looking like someone on a losing streak in a game, about to rage quit.
Then he slapped Mordo's head twice more, and with his other hand, he casually opened a portal and reached out to slap Qingshui's head.
But Qingshui dodged it.
The Ancient One huffed and puffed, stroking his beard and glaring, then, annoyed, he flicked Mordo's head again.
Mordo: ...
"My apologies, Master Ancient One. Watt and I were just sparring."
Mordo bowed ninety degrees to the Ancient One with great respect, looking ashamed.
Thinking about how Master Ancient One had just risked his life fighting those enemies, and now had to come back to clean up his mess, he wished he could just disappear into the ground.
"You call this sparring? If you had kept going, you'd be laid up in bed for the next month."
The Ancient One pointed at Mordo and scolded him.
If you, my experienced and capable enforcer, are laid up in bed, how am I supposed to slack off next month?
"My apologies, Master Ancient One, I was reckless."
Mordo whispered, his gaze involuntarily darting towards Qingshui, who was walking over, patting his backside.
You used such a powerful spell, how are you completely fine?
We're learning the same magic, aren't we?
Could it be that you really are Waltum's biological son?
The apprentice sorcerers who had followed them into the Mirror Dimension to watch the show also came over, heads bowed, to greet the Sorcerer Supreme.
"Master Ancient One."
Qingshui shamelessly flashed a brilliant smile at the Ancient One.
The Ancient One rolled his eyes at Qingshui.
"You're quite capable, even Mordo isn't your match."
"Cough, cough, Master Ancient One teaches well. As for my capabilities, you know best."
With the Time Stone, the Ancient One surely knew what he was capable of.
"Enough with the nonsense. You know how much of your ability you learned here at Kamar-Taj. Since you're so capable, then do something useful for me."
"Master Ancient One, please give us your orders!"
Mordo immediately stood at attention.
Qingshui: ...
I knew this old man was here to find free labor.
"Hmm, very good. That's enough for now. Mordo, Watt, you two clean up and then take some people to New York. Cooperate with the sorcerers at the New York Sanctum. They've detected spatial fluctuations there from a hell-like dimension, and a demon might have appeared there. Go deal with it."
The Ancient One yawned and waved his hand at the two of them, then suddenly stopped.
"Oh, right, Watt, come here for a moment!"
"What is it?"
The Ancient One leaned close to Qingshui's ear and whispered:
"Have you considered acquiring Blizzard Entertainment? If you do, can you let me beat up their development team?"
"I'd like to beat them up too, but Blizzard Entertainment has merged with other companies now. If I were to buy it, I'd have to pay a lot, which would be a huge loss. Maybe wait a couple of years? My personal assets are growing very quickly right now."
"In two years?"
The Ancient One stroked his beard.
Strange will be taking over by then! And I'll probably be off to meet the Vishanti and the great Eternal!
"You should hurry up. How about this, I'll use the Time Stone later to see when the best time for you to buy it is. Please, I really want to beat them up before I die!"
"Well, then you should ask me properly. I'd have to spend so much money, you'd have to give me some benefits, right?"
"Hmm..."
The Ancient One cupped his chin and began to ponder.
"I can let you pick one item from the artifact storage, but only one!"
"No way, at least five."
How could just one be enough?
You're dreaming, old man.
"Five! You little punk, you're not as handsome as this old man, but you sure dream big."
The Ancient One stroked his beard. He didn't want to agree, but then he remembered how disgusted he felt playing the game earlier, and he was reluctant to give in.
"How about this: two items, no more, and I'll tell you the location of another treasure. What do you say?"
"You won't just give it to me, you'll only tell me the location?"
Qingshui looked at the Ancient One with disdain.
"I can't get it."
The Ancient One shook his head, stating plainly.
"Old man, if you can't get it, what makes you think I can? I'm not as strong as you are."
The Ancient One rubbed his nose.
"That thing isn't in this universe; you have to go outside of it. If I leave, who will protect Earth from Dimensional Demon Gods?"
"So you're saying that without using the Time Stone, you can't handle those dangers, and that's why you're telling me this? Does that mean, excluding the Time Stone, you're not as strong as I am?"
"Heh, you're quite the dreamer. How about we find a time to test that out?"
The Ancient One chuckled at Qingshui.
"Never mind. I respect my elders and generally don't argue with old folks over five hundred years old. I agree."
Qingshui decided to hear what the Ancient One had to say first.
At worst, it would just be like paying for two magical artifacts.
But it wasn't entirely paying, because if he were to truly acquire them, the money spent would still remain in his hands in the form of other assets, along with two magical artifacts.
Also, he really wanted to beat up the designers of certain games.
"Alright, as for the items, I'll open up the artifact storage for you later."
The Ancient One chuckled, waved his hand at Mordo and the others, and said loudly:
"Mordo, you take the others to New York to investigate. Watt and I have some things to discuss."
"Yes, Master Ancient One."
Mordo glanced at the Ancient One, then took a deep look at Qingshui, bowed, opened a portal, and left the Mirror Dimension with the magic apprentices.
The Ancient One, with a wave of one hand, began to cast a holographic slideshow with illusion magic.
In an instant, Qingshui felt as if he were in the cosmic starry sky, his vision suddenly elevated. The entire universe was compressed into a single point, and then this point became a line.
This represented a timeline.
Timeline after timeline, intertwining and crossing, yet distinct.
"The multiverse is vast and boundless. Not all dimensions are human-centric, nor are all dimensions as vibrant as the universe we live in. For example, Dormammu, the current lord of the Dark Dimension, originated from a fire-related dimension, a member of the Faltine, an energy-based life form. It wasn't until he was naturally expelled and exiled that he entered the Dark Dimension and took control of it."
The Ancient One used illusion magic to show Qingshui the image of the Faltine race.
(Dormammu's mother, Sinifer)
"The treasure I'm going to tell you about is in a dimension called Antuakh, though nowadays people tend to call it the Altos Dimension, because of a person named Altos."
"Millions of years ago, Antuakh was a dimension with highly developed technology and magic. Its people were skilled at summarizing natural laws and from them comprehended the Antuakh Runes, which possessed natural mysteries. These runes were similar to Asgard's Rune Magic, capable of bearing power."
"Until one day, a great sorcerer named Altos was born in Antuakh. He yearned to use runes to embody the mysteries of all knowledge, so he wrote a Book of Altos, hoping to master everything in the world, including the secrets of time and space, and thereby control dimensions, ascend the divine ladder, and become a god of the multiverse."
Qingshui looked at the Ancient One's slideshow, his forehead covered in black lines.
Initially, the Ancient One's displayed images were grand, but when introducing the Altos Dimension, they began to become abstract.
They played like a cartoon.
The Ancient One seemed to understand Qingshui's gaze.
"I've never been to that dimension myself, so how would I know what it looks like?"
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