In the Mirror Dimension, atop a floating patch of ground.
The bald old nun's robes were soaked in blood. Lin Hao admitted he had done it.
After quickly pulling back, Lin Hao braced himself and did not recklessly rush forward. He wanted to strike while she was down too, but his instincts told him the bald old nun would not be so easy to deal with.
In the movie, this woman had actually been stabbed in a sneak attack and then fallen to her death. It was practically a joke. Did that really suit someone with the status of a single-universe powerhouse?
Seeing that Lin Hao had not taken the bait, Ancient One was slightly disappointed. Power from the Dark Dimension swiftly enveloped her body, and her wounds vanished at a visible rate.
"Heh, now that's more like it!" Lin Hao sneered.
"You are too dangerous!"
Ancient One stared at Lin Hao and reiterated her view. "Having your S.P.E.A.R. will only bring disaster upon Earth and humanity."
"More like it'll bring disaster upon your American daddy, right?"
Lin Hao mercilessly exposed her and questioned, "You should know what nationality the Ancient Ones of other universes are, shouldn't you?"
"I am an Earthling. I am the Sorcerer Supreme!"
Ancient One emphasized her identity with a stern face.
"Defending Earth and protecting humanity from the harm of other dimensions is my duty."
"Wow, I never expected you to be such a great internationalist!"
With an exaggerated expression, Lin Hao mocked her. "But didn't you know that real internationalists were wiped out by your daddies a hundred years ago?"
"Since you've placed yourself on the level of all humanity, why did you step out to stop me today? Am I not an Earthling? Haven't you always stayed out of Earth's internal conflicts?"
"What? Just because the winner isn't your daddy, you're throwing a tantrum?"
"Aren't you ashamed to let the Ancient Ones of other universes see you like this?"
Ancient One had no answer in the face of Lin Hao's mockery.
She had begun paying attention to Lin Hao long ago, watching with her own eyes as he steadily strengthened S.P.E.A.R.'s foundations. She had originally followed the rules and refrained from interfering because the timeline showed no sign of Lin Hao doing anything excessive.
Until this time, when she peered into the timeline and saw a hazy glimpse of the future that left her horrified, she finally stepped forward to stop Lin Hao.
Perhaps because of Little Devil, Lin Hao's fate was obscured, preventing Ancient One from seeing the karmic threads surrounding him in all the previous years.
Only when this decisive conflict erupted, and America seemed likely to head toward a dangerous future, did the old nun catch a vague glimpse of what was to come.
"Mr. Lin Hao, since you like other universes so much, why don't I send you to one?" Ancient One made up her mind.
For her daddy, for the values she upheld, Ancient One did not mind breaking the rules governing the Sorcerer Supreme.
This bald old nun even dared to draw upon the Dark Dimension's power to prolong her life. Clearly, she was someone willing to do anything to achieve her goals. The values she upheld were obvious from her skin color and appearance, just like Nick Fury's.
As long as Earthlings obediently stayed on Earth, then even if they encountered alien invaders, superheroes and the Sorcerer Supreme would naturally step in and drive them away.
After succeeding, they could bask in the cheers and admiration of ordinary people. As for innocent casualties, that was all the aliens' doing. What did it have to do with them?
The advanced technology and powerful magic in their hands only needed to be used to strengthen the "protectors," for passive defense. They never considered raising humanity's overall strength so it could take the offensive.
The outside world was too dangerous. It was not suitable for you.
When trouble came, ordinary people only needed to obediently wait for a savior to descend. Stop always thinking about striving to become stronger.
How easy. How comfortable.
This was a conflict of ideals, one that could not be reconciled.
Hearing that, Lin Hao became solemn and immediately raised his guard to the highest level.
The bald old nun was getting serious!
Just then, another golden portal suddenly appeared beside Lin Hao. Having foreseen the future with Observation Haki, Lin Hao did not dodge.
Zheng Xian stepped out first, followed by an elderly man in Daoist robes, with Sabre standing at the man's side.
The moment the three emerged, Sabre immediately threw the Spear of Imhotep in his hand to Lin Hao.
Lin Hao flashed forward and caught it, his heart settling at once.
The Holy Spear, which had originally merely looked golden due to its material, began to shine brilliantly after falling into Lin Hao's hands, radiating golden light in every direction.
Compared to the last time in Wakanda, the golden light emitted by the Holy Spear was even more intense this time.
Seeing that golden radiance, Ancient One looked uncertain. "How can he make the Holy Spear release such powerful divinity?"
"Because Imhotep was an Earthling!"
As if seeing through Ancient One's doubts, Zheng Xian explained, "Unlike those alien gods you worship, he was a true Earthling, an Earthling revered as a god by later generations because he resisted alien invaders!"
"Clearly, Imhotep's ideals differ from your notion of passive defense. The consciousness he left behind favors Lin Hao's beliefs more."
"That is why Lin Hao can awaken the Holy Spear's divinity."
The bald old nun's face darkened. After giving the Holy Spear another look and carefully sizing up the unremarkable old Daoist behind Zheng Xian, she turned and stepped into the newly opened golden portal.
Lin Hao was overflowing with killing intent as he gripped the Holy Spear. He looked at Zheng Xian. "Boss, should we chase after her and take down Kamar-Taj? Strip the old nun naked and send her to your room."
Having been dragged into a trap for no reason, how could Director Lin not be angry?
Zheng Xian glared at him. "Although she is the weakest Ancient One in the multiverse, no one in our universe can replace her for now. We still need her to hold off the Dimensional Demon Gods."
Lin Hao glanced at the old Daoist behind him, his gaze meaningful and his face full of disbelief.
It seemed that Director Zheng, like that black director, could call in reinforcements with a single shout. Those reinforcements might not even be from this universe.
"Those who play with time will be played by time." Zheng Xian glared at Lin Hao.
"Our people have little talent for magic. We cannot compare to her."
Zheng Xian rarely teased Lin Hao. "If you could learn magic, we could consider establishing a new Kamar-Taj."
"Don't bring that up. I still respect you as the boss!" Lin Hao immediately changed his expression.
This was undoubtedly the greatest setback Lin Hao had encountered since rising to prominence. He had once tried learning the magic preserved by S.P.E.A.R., but unfortunately, there had not been the slightest response.
Neither dark magic nor light magic was interested in him.
Those Dimensional Demon Gods were like miserly Scrooges, unwilling to lend Lin Hao even a single hair.
"The little girl you adopted eight years ago has great magical talent. If we truly establish a new Kamar-Taj someday, she can take over as the Sorcerer Supreme." Knowing Lin Hao was the sort who responded to flattery, Zheng Xian added this.
"She'll be an adult soon. I'll send her over to you then."
"Fine. I still have a big show to stage here, so send me back first." Holding the Holy Spear, Lin Hao grinned. "Lend it to me for now. I'm afraid the old nun might come back."
"The higher-ups have spoken. Keep it with you for the time being." Zheng Xian did not forget to warn him, "Don't you dare lose it!"
S.P.E.A.R. had finally found someone capable of bringing out the Holy Spear's divinity, so naturally they had to make full use of him. Moreover, Lin Hao himself was exceptionally strong. With the Holy Spear in hand, even Ancient One could do nothing against him, so there was no need to worry about it being stolen.
If Lin Hao tossed the Holy Spear into the dimensional space opened by Little Devil, even Imhotep would be left helpless.
After the delay, Lin Hao reappeared above the White House. He summoned back the black videotape and stuffed it into the VCR. Sadako, dressed in red, appeared.
"Come on, I'll take you to put on a show." As he spoke, Lin Hao possessed Sadako.
The sun was high in the sky, and countless tourists crowded Washington D.C.'s streets, shouting without end.
The American military stood ready in formation.
Suddenly, a red figure appeared on the relatively empty street behind the crowd and began walking toward the White House.
Female Ancient One was disgusting to both Chinese fans and non-fans alike, so she had been set up this way.
Marvel would not depict the powerful Chinese Ancient One from the comics in Doctor Strange either. Otherwise, North America, its largest box office market, might not buy it. Wouldn't that be a huge loss?
In any case, this Ancient One was merely a tool to pass on her power to Strange, so portraying her this way was enough.
Before you continue