Tony, a carefree playboy, was no match for a seasoned schemer like Obadiah.
Even the slightest shift in Tony's emotions was enough to alert him.
Yet Obadiah showed none of it on the surface.
"Alright, Tony. If you don't want to manufacture weapons, then we still need to produce something."
He appeared to compromise.
"The future of Stark Industries will be decided by me," Tony replied firmly, leaving no room for negotiation.
No matter how Obadiah probed, Tony revealed nothing about the arc reactor.
Obadiah left Stark Tower with a helpless expression.
But the moment he was out of Tony's sight, his face turned cold.
"So… Tony really does know something.
He's hiding the arc reactor well.
But Rhodes already told me everything.
If you won't tell me… I'll just take it myself.
I spent thirty years building Stark Industries into what it is today.
I won't let you destroy it."
His resolve hardened once more.
Meanwhile, Tony prepared to return to his villa.
A new armor design was already forming in his mind.
He needed to turn those ideas into reality.
Even after making a "deal with the devil" and gaining an extra life,
he didn't feel safe.
Only armor could truly protect him.
Otherwise, that extra life would be spent sooner or later.
"Pepper, let's head back to the villa."
Qin Xiao, of course, knew nothing of this.
He had already arrived at the New York Sanctum.
After parking, he walked up and knocked on the door.
A Black sorcerer opened it.
Daniel.
After Kaecilius's betrayal, he had become one of the new guardians of the New York Sanctum.
"And you are?"
Daniel looked puzzled—and wary.
The Sanctum was protected by powerful wards and kept closed at all times.
Ordinary people could never find it, let alone knock on its door.
Yet here stood a stranger.
"Hello, Master Daniel. I'd like to meet the Sorcerer Supreme—the Ancient One."
Qin Xiao got straight to the point.
"How do you know of the Ancient One?"
Daniel's expression grew serious.
Anyone seeking the Ancient One should go to Kamar-Taj—
not the Sanctum.
Kamar-Taj was where sorcerers were trained.
Only after being accepted would one learn about the three Sanctums.
Yet this man had come directly here.
That meant something.
Ever since Kaecilius defected with a group of sorcerers, the Sanctums had been on high alert.
After all, those traitors knew the Sanctums' structure.
If the Sanctums fell, Earth itself would be in danger.
Was this man… a scout sent by Kaecilius?
"In New York, I have my own channels—whether in the underworld or in business.
You may keep a low profile, but you're not completely isolated from the outside world.
With enough effort, it's not hard to find this place.
And yes, I know that to meet the Ancient One, I should go to Kamar-Taj.
But from here… it's more convenient."
Qin Xiao spoke casually, weaving half-truths with confidence.
Daniel's expression darkened further.
This man knew far more than expected.
Even the connection between the Sanctum and Kamar-Taj—
that was insider knowledge.
"You're one of Kaecilius's people."
Daniel spoke the name coldly.
At the same time, he moved.
With a wave of his hands—
Qin Xiao was pulled into the Sanctum.
Crack—!
Crack—!
The surroundings twisted and shifted.
The Mirror Dimension.
Daniel had dragged Qin Xiao into it instantly.
Not only that—he stood on full alert, magical shields already formed in both hands.
Qin Xiao's heart skipped a beat.
No Sling Ring. No spells.
If I get trapped here, that's a problem.
"Looks like Kaecilius has really put you on edge," Qin Xiao said.
Then—
he rushed forward.
He needed to keep Daniel here in the Mirror Dimension as well.
After that, he could explain things properly.
Besides…
he genuinely wanted to test himself against a sorcerer.
Daniel swung his shields.
Their razor-sharp edges slashed toward Qin Xiao.
Qin Xiao didn't dodge.
His hand instantly turned into swamp-like sludge.
Slash—!
The magical edge sliced cleanly through part of his "body."
The severed sludge lost control and fell away.
Qin Xiao's pupils shrank.
Magic… can harm Logia-type abilities?!