Ancient One's Warning

Before leaving, Ancient One specially called Li Feng, who was carrying a Shoulder Bag, into the reception hall for some final guidance.

With a wave of her hand, Ancient One opened the Mirror Dimension. She entered with her hands behind her back. Li Feng hesitated for a moment, unable to figure out what Ancient One wanted.

Once Li Feng entered the Mirror Dimension, Ancient One smiled and asked, "Austin, do you know what attribute your Mana leans toward?"

Li Feng sighed inwardly in relief. At first, he had wondered why Ancient One had brought him to somewhere as secretive as the Mirror Dimension just to teach him something. I thought you'd discovered the anomaly deep in my soul over the past month or so. You scared the life out of me.

It truly was inconvenient to discuss dark Mana among a nest of righteous Mages like those at Kamar-Taj. If anyone overheard, would Li Feng still be allowed to live? That group of Mages would probably have only one thought: kill Li Feng on the spot while Ancient One was not paying attention, lest he become a disaster once he grew stronger.

So she called me over because she noticed my Mana leans toward darkness. Then again, even Balthazar Blake could tell at a glance that my Mana leaned dark. It would be stranger if Ancient One, who has lived for who knows how many years, couldn't see it.

Li Feng nodded slightly to show that he knew, then gestured for Ancient One to continue.

Ancient One's warning to Li Feng was actually nothing special. Balthazar Blake had warned Li Feng before as well, except Balthazar Blake had told him not to touch Dark Energy and had directly concealed the fact that Li Feng's fire attribute also leaned toward darkness.

Ancient One's attitude toward Dark Energy was much more interesting. Not only did she tell Li Feng that his fire attribute leaned toward darkness, she also taught him how to adapt to and control Dark Energy rather than be corrupted by it.

Thinking about it, Li Feng realized that the person before him understood Dark Energy far better than ordinary people could imagine. Ancient One not only used Dark Energy herself, but was also a powerful figure who had firmly resisted its temptation and corruption. Naturally, she had a much better attitude toward those who used dark Mana. Besides, Li Feng's Mana had been inclined toward darkness since birth. No one could change that, not even Ancient One.

Of course, Ancient One would not foolishly tell Li Feng that she herself used Dark Energy. You could know a person's face but not their heart. Who knew what Li Feng would do after learning her little secret? Ancient One did not want Kamar-Taj to split apart because of it.

Instead, Ancient One subtly taught Li Feng some of her own experiences in resisting Dark Energy. For instance, she used the story of humanity's ancestors evolving from single-celled organisms into fish, then into humans, to warn Li Feng that he needed to proceed steadily and not rush things.

Human Mages were like fish living in freshwater, while the air in the water was like the Mana Mages depended on to survive.

Those Mages with no desire to improve were like fish living in freshwater lakes, spending their entire lives that way. The ambitious Mages, on the other hand, either relied on Mana to become amphibians and occasionally came ashore if their talent was shallow, or evolved lungs and directly breathed oxygen if their talent was outstanding, thus setting foot on the vast land completely.

But evolution also had its differences. Water could be divided into freshwater and seawater, and seawater was like Dark Energy. A carp might adapt to most environments, but try tossing it into the sea. It would be salted to death in minutes and become a salted fish.

Li Feng, this freshwater carp, had Mana that leaned toward darkness. He was destined to enter the ocean. Of course, the carp named Li Feng was not yet strong enough. If he got carried away and tried to enter the ocean directly, there was only one path waiting for him: death by corrosion from the seawater.

What Ancient One meant was that Li Feng should first grow stronger himself, then find an estuary suited to seawater and live there for a while. Once his Mana had evolved him enough to adapt to saltwater, he could enter the vast ocean.

When she mentioned the estuary, Li Feng noticed a hint of unease and concealed sorrow on Ancient One's face.

Li Feng resisted the urge to scratch his brow, lest Ancient One discover that he was currently mocking her inwardly for using Dark Energy.

Li Feng understood that Ancient One had overestimated her own talent back then. As a result, she had failed to find a suitable estuary and had directly connected herself to the ocean belonging to a big shot like Dormammu. The seawater had been too salty, causing her to show signs of corruption by Dark Energy. If Ancient One had not truly been capable, someone else would have long since taken the position of Sorcerer Supreme.

Still, Ancient One would not be able to withstand the corruption of Dark Energy for much longer. Once Doctor Strange appeared, she would receive her death notice.

While feeling regret for Ancient One, Li Feng respectfully said, "Don't worry, Master. I have countless worlds at my back. As long as I'm careful, my potential will be limitless. There's no need to risk everything for power."

Clenching his fists, Li Feng declared passionately, "Taking shortcuts will only lead to self-destruction. Only by taking one step at a time on the path of a Mage can one reach the peak. I understand."

Ancient One's eye twitched slightly. That sounded like he was implying that I took a shortcut by absorbing Dark Energy.

"Even Earth's oceans have areas with higher salinity. Those are like dangerous regions hidden within Dark Energy. Even after you can swim freely through the ocean in the future, you must remain cautious at all times."

Li Feng nodded solemnly, indicating that he understood. He would proceed carefully on the path of magic.

She had said what needed to be said. As for whether Li Feng would truly take things one step at a time as he claimed, Ancient One was not his mother. Why should she care so much? These words had already made Li Feng view Kamar-Taj favorably. That was enough.

It was clear that Ancient One worried so much over Kamar-Taj's future that her heart had already been shattered beyond repair.

After opening a Portal and bidding farewell to Ancient One, Li Feng used Kamar-Taj's Portal to arrive at the New York Sanctum.

After chatting with Daniel for a few moments and walking out of the New York Sanctum, Li Feng turned back to look at it. For some reason, he felt that Ancient One treated him the way she would treat a son, worrying herself sick over him.

Shrugging, Li Feng muttered, "Whatever. Whether it's just an illusion or she really sees me as her son, the most I can do is let Ancient One broaden her horizons with any interesting things I collect later. If she likes my collection, it won't hurt to give her some."

"Speaking of which, where was that guy selling the used RV again?" Li Feng slapped his forehead and muttered, "Louisiana, I think? The biggest city there is called New Orleans."

Licking his lips, Li Feng wondered whether New Orleans had chicken burger sandwiches as he headed toward a deserted corner, preparing to practice Portals as he made his way to Louisiana.

The moment Li Feng entered the empty alley, he noticed a Harley Motorcycle stop behind him. Two skinny young men got off it, one black and one white. Both had earrings, studded leather jackets, punk-style outfits, and the gaunt look of people who had smoked far too much marijuana.

When it came to the United States' greatest characteristics, one had to mention its sheer number of robbers. Compared with stealing, a profession that required some skill, robbery was clearly much easier. All it took was showing off some muscle and making a few threats. At most, one had to pull out a dagger and wave it around. The highest level was probably robbing someone with a gun.

Incidentally, thieves in the United States would be looked down upon by their fellow inmates after being thrown into prison. The prison bosses would find it embarrassing, because for historical reasons, they preferred showing off their muscles over their skills. Of course, it was another matter entirely if you stole from the Federal Reserve. That was no ordinary skilled profession; that made you talent.

Li Feng did not even need to ask to know that he had run into robbers, and their target was naturally him, swaggering around with a Shoulder Bag.

Damn it, does carrying a Shoulder Bag mean I'm rich? There is money in it, but that's all the property I have. If I give it to you, what am I supposed to eat or drink?

What number robbery is this since I came to this world? Damn it, in two years, whenever I went out at night, there was a one-in-five chance I'd run into robbers. The public safety here is seriously messed up.

But this is my first time getting robbed in broad daylight. What a rare experience. I hope you'll give me a good review after I rob you instead.

Li Feng glanced at the Shoulder Bag behind him to make sure it would not fall off during the fight, then looked up to see whether there were any nearby cameras. The corner of his lips lifted as he said, "My black-and-white brothers, how about we make a deal? Hand over your money nicely, and I won't hit your handsome faces."

The black man among the robbers felt that he was being looked down on. He reached to his waist, pulled out a dagger, and put on a vicious expression. "Yellow-skinned monkey, do you know who you're talking to?"

Li Feng raised an eyebrow and spread his hands. "I'm talking to a descendant of slaves captured by Portuguese people and brought to the United States, whose teeth are the only white thing about him?"

Clearly, the black man's "yellow-skinned monkey" remark had greatly displeased Li Feng.

The black man froze. He did not know what the Portuguese had to do with him, but he clearly understood the word "slave." He waved his dagger at Li Feng several times from a distance, as though invisible sword energy might fly out and injure him, expressing his current rage.

The white youth behind him clearly knew that among the first European colonizers to reach Africa, the Portuguese had pioneered the trafficking of black slaves. Seeing that his companion did not even know his own history, he could not help snickering.

However, the white man also knew they were in the middle of a robbery and that it was neither the time nor place to discuss his black brother's history. Suppressing his laughter, he pulled out his dagger, looked at Li Feng's Shoulder Bag, then at the huge ruby on Li Feng's right index finger. It was actually a Magic Gem. Such a huge gem... I wonder if it's real. I'll rob him first and figure it out later. If it's fake, I'll just throw it away. If it's real, luxury cars and beautiful women will be mine for the taking.

Greed filled the white man's face as he snarled, "Be good and throw us the ring and the bag. Otherwise, I'll use my little darling here to measure how deep your asshole is."

You think saying a couple of lines will make me hand over my Magical Artifacts? What, do you think you're Naruto with the world's strongest Talk-no-Jutsu?

Li Feng glanced at the alluring sound coming from the Harley Motorcycle's engine behind them. Although he did not know much about motorcycles, he knew that this modified Chopper in front of him was worth a fortune.

Anyway, I can't afford it. Ignoring the small daggers in the black-and-white duo's hands, poor Li Feng thought in conflict, Now what should I choose? Practice Portal magic, or ride this cool motorcycle to Louisiana?

The white man's inexplicable laughter earlier, along with Li Feng's disregard, irritated the black man. He shouted viciously, "Yellow-skinned monkey, where are you looking?"

The black man's voice made Li Feng shift his gaze back to the two of them, his eyes full of hostility. First the name-calling, and now you've given me choice paralysis. Do you think I'm easy to bully or something? I'll let you know the consequences of provoking a Mage, even if I'm only an apprentice who can make Fireballs right now.