Strengthening Mutant Abilities
Xu Mo naturally understood what the others were thinking.
Every sorcerer in this world believed that magic required borrowing power from dimensional entities. But Xu Mo was different. The cosmic energy within his body was its own source—neither opposed to Vishanti nor Chthon, and capable of fueling any kind of magic.
White magic. Black magic. It made no difference.
The only reason Xu Mo didn't use his own energy for black magic was simple: why spend his reserves when he could tap infinite mana without cost? He would be a fool to waste his own strength unnecessarily.
But for white magic, he had no intention of bowing to the Vishanti. Borrowing energy always came with a price.
"How did you do that?" Wong asked at last, still reeling from the Mirror Dimension demonstration. Then he caught himself, embarrassed. "Of course, if it's a secret, you don't need to answer."
The door creaked open. Two figures entered and immediately bowed to the Ancient One.
"Master."
Xu Mo didn't need an introduction—he recognized them instantly: Baron Mordo and Kaecilius, her two foremost disciples. One dark-skinned, the other pale, easy to distinguish.
After the formalities, both men cast hostile glares at Xu Mo.
"Is this the one Daniel warned us about? The black magic user?"
"How could such a man be allowed inside Kamar-Taj?"
"Silence."
The Ancient One's rebuke was sharp, and the two fell quiet.
"Power itself is not good or evil," she told them calmly. "Only the hearts of those who wield it make that distinction. As long as one remains steadfast, any power can be mastered without corruption."
"Master…" Mordo began, but she silenced him with a wave.
"Enough. Leave. I'll make my own judgment."
She had witnessed Xu Mo's display firsthand. Without even the Eye of Agamotto, she wasn't certain she could restrain him. Better to dismiss her students before they ended up in the infirmary.
As Mordo and Kaecilius departed, Xu Mo's gaze lingered on them with a playful edge. He briefly considered killing them outright. Both would eventually become thorns in the side of Kamar-Taj—and Kaecilius in particular would become a dangerous traitor.
But killing them now would earn him nothing. The system wouldn't grant points for eliminating those who hadn't yet fallen. And with the Ancient One treating him so generously, murdering her disciples in front of her would be crossing the line.
Better to wait. When they strayed into true villainy, he could strike them down for both justice and reward. Until then, they would live.
The two departed disciples had no idea they had just brushed against death.
Xu Mo, however, frowned inwardly. The Ancient One could see along the timeline. Surely she knew Kaecilius's fate. Why not act in advance?
Unable to unravel her reasoning, Xu Mo dismissed the thought. He held up the book in his hand.
"I can borrow this, can't I?"
"Of course," the Ancient One said with a faint smile. "But remember your promise."
She left him with that reminder, and Xu Mo set about gathering texts. He restrained himself, only selecting a few dozen volumes before stopping.
When Xu Mo departed, Wong scowled at the shelves—nearly a third of the advanced tomes had vanished into Xu Mo's collection.
---
The Island of the Dead
The main research facility stood silent. Normally, the corridors bustled with scientists and mutants, but today the place was empty.
Xu Mo's eyes narrowed. He released his psychic senses, sweeping the building like a tide. His expression shifted, and in a flash he teleported into the underground experimental hall.
Everyone was gathered there—researchers, mutants, all assembled around two central figures: the White Queen and Apocalypse.
Xu Mo understood immediately. He had left Apocalypse in Emma's care after recovering him from near death. Now, restored to health, En Sabah Nur was displaying his ancient gift—augmenting mutant abilities.
In the center of the crowd, Apocalypse was empowering the mutants one by one, while scientists recorded the results.
Emma spotted Xu Mo and hurried over, her eyes bright with excitement.
"Wait… why do you look younger?" Xu Mo asked, studying her face. For years, her secondary mutation had preserved her at about twenty-seven or twenty-eight. But now her features brimmed with fresh youth, almost like she was nineteen again.
Emma laughed, a rare joy in her voice.
"This bald ancient's ability is made for us mutants! In just half an hour, my powers have increased by more than a third. And as my strength grew, my body rejuvenated!"
It was true—enhanced mutants aged far more slowly than ordinary humans. Emma, Mystique, Psylocke—they all looked eternally youthful. Now, with Apocalypse's strengthening, Emma had grown younger still.
For a woman, even one as composed as the White Queen, regaining lost youth was intoxicating. Her delight was less about the power boost than about the gift of time.
When Apocalypse finished with the last mutant, he turned to Xu Mo and bowed respectfully.
"Master."
Emma, already aware of the slave chip binding him, showed no surprise.
"Well done," Xu Mo said with a nod, then turned back to Emma. "Where are Annie and Erik?"
"Annie went back to New York to visit her family," Emma explained. "And Erik… he said he has a daughter, one who shares his gift. I told him to bring her here."
Xu Mo's eyes flickered. Emma truly was ruthless—controlling Magneto wasn't enough, she wanted his daughter as well. But if it served his own ends, he wouldn't complain.
"Well done," he praised again.
When the crowd dispersed, Emma tugged him toward the upper floors.
"Where are you taking me?" Xu Mo asked knowingly, amused at her expression.
Emma shot him a playful glance.
"Shouldn't you be applauding me for regaining my youth?"