Master Ancient One, Should We Silence Them?

"Mephisto, let's negotiate. Master Ancient One has a contract she'd like you to sign as well."

Russell stepped aside, guarding against Mephisto's escape as he left the negotiations to Ancient One.

Leave professional matters to professionals.

Russell had visited Ancient One's Secret Stash before. Those clusters of energy with wildly different properties couldn't possibly have been accumulated bit by bit over countless years by Ancient One drawing from the Multiverse, could they?

"Negotiate? How do you intend to negotiate?" Mephisto asked.

Ancient One lightly rested the Folding Fan on her hand and said with a smile, "Naturally, we'll discuss how you, Mephisto, former Supreme of the Demonic Realm, intend to compensate Kamar-Taj, as well as ransom this avatar of yours."

A flash of anger passed through Mephisto's eyes. Ascending to become Satan, the Supreme of the Demonic Realm, had been his proudest achievement.

Falling from the position of Satan not long ago had been his most painful experience.

It had dealt a severe blow to both his power and influence, leaving him worse off than before he had ascended to become Satan.

With a single sentence, Ancient One had invoked both Satan and Kamar-Taj. She was clearly using her power to pressure him.

Mephisto suppressed his anger and said calmly, "It seems Master Ancient One is quite interested in the affairs of my demonic realm."

Ancient One smiled without responding, merely gesturing for Mephisto to continue.

Seeing that Ancient One did not take the bait, Mephisto inwardly cursed his luck.

He had wanted to probe how much Ancient One knew about his situation, so he could decide how much to pay to reclaim this avatar. Yet Ancient One refused to answer.

After considering it, Mephisto said, "What compensation does Master Ancient One require?"

Ancient One raised one finger. "First, you bewitched Doctor Pym and had him attack Tony, a disciple of Kamar-Taj.

You also attempted to lure him into the demonic realm using the souls of his family. You must return the souls of my disciple Tony Stark's parents and butler."

"Agreed." Mephisto accepted at once. This condition would cost him almost nothing.

Ancient One raised a second finger. "Second, you attacked the next Sorcerer Supreme of Kamar-Taj and left him seriously wounded."

As she spoke, Ancient One gave Russell a meaningful look.

Russell immediately coughed several times. His aura rapidly weakened, his body swayed as though he might collapse, and his face turned pale.

The corner of Mephisto's mouth twitched, but he pretended not to see it.

Ancient One continued, "He requires a great deal of Magical Energy to recover from his injuries."

Mephisto relaxed slightly. Magical Energy was scarce in the material world of reality, but it was still abundant in the various Magic Dimensions.

"How much?"

Ancient One condensed a sphere of energy, indicating that it represented one unit.

"Ten billion."

"Impossible! You're going too far! At worst, we'll both perish together!" Mephisto roared.

Ten billion units of energy would not be crippling to Hell.

But Hell was Hell, and a Lord of Hell was a Lord of Hell. Hell did not belong to him alone.

Besides, for such a massive compensation payment, it would be best if he covered it himself.

If word got out, it would damage his reputation, make Hell's already turbulent internal and external situation even more unstable, and shake his rule.

"Oh, both perish together? Mephisto, are you planning to have your true body leave Hell to rescue this avatar?"

As she spoke, Master Ancient One waved a hand and opened a Portal.

On the other side of the Portal stood another Master Ancient One—White-Bearded Ancient One.

The instant Mephisto saw White-Bearded Ancient One, his pupils contracted.

This man's aura was only slightly weaker than Mephisto had been at his peak as Satan.

As for now, if Mephisto left Hell, White-Bearded Ancient One could beat him senseless.

"You're threatening me?!" Mephisto's face darkened.

He had never intended to have his true body leave Hell to rescue this avatar.

Risk his true body to save an avatar?

Then what was the point of having an avatar? An avatar existed to take the risks for the true body.

Bald Ancient One had deliberately displayed her strength to tell Mephisto—refuse my demands, and even your true body in Hell will be in danger.

"This avatar of mine isn't worth that much energy."

Swallowing his anger, Mephisto chose to bargain.

Bald Ancient One smiled. "Mephisto, we are discussing compensation right now. We'll discuss ransoming your avatar afterward."

Huff, huff, huff~

Mephisto's breathing grew heavier and heavier. He wanted nothing more than to self-destruct this avatar, sever his connection to this side, and be done with it.

"Master Ancient One, that's not how you make an offer."

"Mephisto, I know you can afford it."

Bald Ancient One had carefully investigated during this time. That figure was roughly eighty percent of Mephisto's Secret Stash.

"Master Ancient One, if you do not wish to negotiate, then we shall meet in the Hell Dimension." Mephisto issued a harsh threat.

He had the energy, but there was no way he would hand it over.

"I think it would be better if both sides took a step back, so neither of us suffers."

At that moment, White-Bearded Ancient One stepped forward to play the reasonable one.

"Two billion. That will be Master Russell's compensation, and this matter will be settled. As for ransoming the avatar, we'll waive it."

Mephisto's expression eased. Two billion units of energy for the avatar was certainly a loss.

But if it spared him from having a group of three powerful mages—especially one who was bizarre and another who seemed to have reached an entirely different level—come knocking at his door, then he would consider it paying to avert disaster.

Mephisto and Bald Ancient One exchanged a glance, and both understood.

"Fine."

"Everyone, are you ready?"

At S.H.I.E.L.D., Tony and the four Avengers had all donned specially made combat suits and put on their Teleportation Bracelets.

Everyone nodded solemnly.

With a great battle imminent, no one was in the mood to fool around.

This opponent was terrifying, and the mission was exceedingly difficult. Nick Fury could only hope the Avengers would return safely.

Sighing inwardly, Nick Fury waved his hand. "Move out!"

The Avengers pressed the switches on their bracelets together, instantly shrinking and vanishing from where they stood.

The Avengers passed through a succession of bizarre and dazzling sights before arriving in a void. They hurriedly activated their suits' flight functions and steadied themselves.

The island Tony had mentioned was gone, leaving behind only countless fragments of rock.

Some of those fragments were stained with Hellfire and burned fiercely.

Above them was Hell's projection, where demons could vaguely be seen dancing in chaos.

In the distance, several enormous crimson pillars of light descended from the heavens, stretching from sky to ground.

"They're over there. It looks like the battle isn't over yet."

As Tony spoke, he tried to open a Portal.

Unexpectedly, the Portal failed to open.

Tony did not understand why, but he could only suppress his doubts and lead the team toward the crimson pillars of light.

A moment later, Tony and the others finally reached the location of the crimson pillars.

What greeted their eyes was—

Four people sitting around in a circle, seemingly... playing mahjong?

Among them—

Russell wore a broad smile, making no attempt to hide it;

Bald Ancient One maintained her usual smile, though her slightly narrowed eyes revealed that she was in an exceptionally good mood;

White-Bearded Ancient One was rather boisterous, apparently having lost quite a bit at the table;

Mephisto, dressed like an English gentleman, wore a miserable expression. He drew and discarded tiles casually, as though he was merely there to make up the numbers.

"Master Ancient One, our deal with Mephisto has been discovered. Should we silence them?"

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