Tony briefly explained how to use Pym Particles to enter and exit the Quantum Realm, and how to combine portal magic with advanced technology to create a positioning bracelet, then he left.
On one hand, exposure to Pym Particles results in dual psychological and physiological pressure.
On the other hand, the matter of supporting Lucas had come to an end. But some other things were just beginning.
Tony hadn't forgotten the person who had killed his parents.
Natasha also needed to bring Hope's soul back to S.H.I.E.L.D. and cooperate with Nick Fury to uncover the hidden forces within S.H.I.E.L.D..
Several people came in a hurry and left in a hurry.
The male Ancient One also took the opportunity to bid farewell.
Lucas and the female Ancient One, on the other hand, stayed to detain Mephisto until the energy delivery was complete.
Another hour later, the energy delivery was complete and Mephisto left with a gloomy face without saying a word.
Only the scarlet energy pool, like a vast ocean, remained, with Lucas and the Ancient One standing in front of it, lost in thought. Their eyes held different expressions, but both revealed joy.
As he got stronger, Lucas's perception of energy flow became sharper, and his body and mind's craving for energy grew more intense.
As for the Ancient One...
Lucas was the first to ask, "Sorcerer, did we hit the jackpot? How will we split it this time?"
The male Ancient One seemed to not need Hell's energy much, so he didn't participate in the spoils.
The Ancient One smiled, absorbed a mass of roughly 100,000 units of energy, opened a portal, and placed it inside.
On the other side of the portal were hundreds of energy masses of similar size.
Was this the Ancient One's other secret stash?
Or a collection room?
"The rest is all yours."
"All mine?" Lucas exclaimed.
"Mm." The Ancient One nodded.
"The energy I've drawn (tricked) from the Multiverse is already sufficient for my use, and more energy won't make me stronger. However, you are different, Lucas. You haven't reached your limit yet."
Both Ancient Ones had already reached their limits. For them, energy was like fuel, material for casting spells. As long as there was enough, it wouldn't affect their strength.
But for Lucas, energy was food. For every bit he consumed, his strength increased by a corresponding amount.
Lucas had reached his current strength using only 3 million units of energy. This was incomprehensible to the Ancient One.
Only the female Ancient One knew how high Lucas's efficiency in absorbing and digesting energy was.
The male Ancient One didn't even know.
"Then thank you, Sorcerer."
After hearing the Ancient One's explanation, Lucas did not feign refusal.
They were both Sorcerer Supreme, family.
Moreover, these two billion units of energy were indeed extremely beneficial to Lucas. With it, once the upgrade was complete in a few months, he could go on a spending spree.
"However, sorcerer, can I leave the energy with you first and retrieve it later?"
Most supernatural energy can affect one's mind, even distorting it.
During the panel upgrade, he couldn't purify the energy or eliminate this influence, so Lucas would have to endure it himself.
With his current mental strength, enduring tens of millions wasn't a problem, but two billion?
He might revert to the depressive state he was in a few months ago.
The Ancient One pondered for a moment, seemingly recalling something, and nodded. "Alright. But in that case, we'll have to stay here a bit longer."
"If we have to stay longer, then we'll stay longer." Lucas didn't mind.
The time difference between the Quantum Realm and the real world was relatively small.
In a few days, surely no one would be looking for him?
Saying that, the Ancient One and Lucas each opened and maintained a portal, guiding the energy into the Ancient One's secret stash in Kamar-Taj.
...
Emerging from the Quantum Realm, New York had grown a few degrees hotter—June had arrived.
Of course, it had nothing to do with Lucas. He could absorb light and heat energy in his second stage, becoming a walking human air conditioner.
Returning to the bookstore, he saw a figure sitting quietly at the front desk reading a book, and Lucas remembered something.
New York getting a few degrees hotter had nothing to do with him, but June arriving did.
U.S. schools begin summer vacation in June.
Walking closer, Lucas sat beside Gwen and asked in a low voice, "Gwen, why are you here? Is it summer vacation already?"
Gwen looked at Lucas strangely. "Lucas, did you mix up the time on the two Earths? I still have over a month until summer vacation. Today is the weekend, I asked the Ancient One (male one) to send me over."
Lucas slapped his forehead. "Oh right, that's strange. How could I mix that up?"
Gwen asked, "Lucas, are you done with your business?"
"I'm done."
"Tell me about it, is there really a Hell?"
Sitting shoulder to shoulder, Lucas quietly recounted the events to Gwen.
Regarding Mephisto, Lucas hadn't told Gwen the specific plan before the operation began.
A few days ago, the male Ancient One returned to Earth-65 and told Gwen that the matter had come to an end.
Gwen then wanted to learn the full story from Lucas, as well as about Hell. She had a relative in Hell—her mother, Helen Stacy.
Lucas embellished the events slightly and told them to Gwen as a story.
For example, he changed how he tricked Tony, causing Tony to fall into the Quantum Realm.
He changed it to Tony making a blunder and being defeated by Hank.
It was he, Lucas, who arrived in time and rescued Tony from the powerful and evil Mephisto.
As for being chased by Mephisto for throwing the match, that simply didn't exist.
I, Lucas, do not throw matches!
From beginning to end, he was just beating up Mephisto.
Unbeknownst to them, the story gradually approached its end.
And Lucas didn't mind that an additional listener had appeared at some point.
"Long time no see, Lucas."
"Long time no see, Coulson."
It had indeed been a long time. Ever since the Blood God's arrival, S.H.I.E.L.D. had not bothered Lucas again, which greatly surprised Lucas.
But it was good, the less trouble the better.
S.H.I.E.L.D. was sensible, and Lucas was happy to be at ease.
Coulson said in his usual gentle tone, "Lucas, do you mind if I send that story back to S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
"Of course not."
If I minded, you wouldn't have heard it.
Coulson smiled at Lucas, expressing goodwill. "Lucas, what is your assessment of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s role in this type of supernatural event?"
Lucas remained silent.
No matter how he answered, whether the assessment was good or bad, S.H.I.E.L.D. would take advantage of the situation and then invite him to join the Avengers.
Coulson was puzzled by Lucas's distant attitude towards S.H.I.E.L.D..
Lucas had a prejudice against S.H.I.E.L.D.?
That didn't seem to be the case as he still cooperated with S.H.I.E.L.D.'s operations.
Lucas had a good impression of S.H.I.E.L.D.?
But he always decisively refused recruitment.
"Lucas, do you have some misunderstanding about S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
Lucas pondered for a long time.
Considering S.H.I.E.L.D.'s efforts in manpower and resources during the "Rescue Lucas" incident, he said, "A dragon does not reside with snakes."
(End of Chapter)
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