Strange Arrives—Lin Du Comes First

Just as Lin Du was deeply immersed in the vast sea of the library, eager to weave every secret of magic into his web of knowledge.

Strange was reading a spellbook nearby.

At last, he had firmly mastered two supreme spells: the mysterious portal capable of crossing space, and the Magic Whip, powerful enough to shake mountains and rivers.

To him, this was not merely a tremendous leap in strength. It also meant he was gradually catching up to Lin Du.

A swelling sense of pride filled his mind.

Now that he had earned Mordo's approval and was allowed into the library, Strange's joy was practically overflowing.

He could not wait to stand beside Lin Du and celebrate this hard-won glory together.

The moment he stepped through the library doors, his gaze landed directly on Lin Du.

A complicated mix of emotions surged through Strange's heart: sincere respect for Lin Du's complete focus, intertwined with an intense curiosity about the unknown.

"Hey, Lin Du, so this is where you've been hiding! I just figured out the secrets of the portal and the Magic Whip."

"My first thought was to come find you. We have to celebrate properly!"

Strange practically bounced over, the excitement in his voice nearly breaking through the tranquil sanctuary of wisdom.

Lin Du looked up with a smile curling at his lips. "Hey, Strange. Look at you, improving so fast. I've been buried in books these past few days, soaking in the sea of knowledge."

A sea of books? So he had not gone to explore the wondrous world of new magic?

Could they have quietly returned to the City of Beginnings already?

However, Lin Du did not notice the subtle change on Strange's face.

He simply led Strange at an unhurried pace toward a secret domain he had newly discovered.

They slowly entered the library's deep interior, heading for a small room sealed beneath layer upon layer of mysterious wards.

"Here..." Strange followed close behind, disbelief gleaming in his eyes.

"The Eye of Agamotto? What are you planning to do?"

Lin Du took a deep breath, his voice filled with unquestionable resolve. "I'm going to try to fuse with its power."

"Once I succeed, I may be able to master the laws of time, turn back the clock, and even... repair those moments that have vanished."

The door to the secret chamber slid open without a sound, and a wisp of deep blue light slipped out.

At its center, the Eye of Agamotto floated silently, ancient and mysterious energy curling around it without dispersing.

Lin Du closed his eyes and slowly folded his hands together, guiding the magical energy within him as he tried to establish resonance with the artifact before him.

At that moment, time seemed to stand still, and the air was filled with a tense, sacred atmosphere.

Suddenly, an unprecedented torrent of energy surged from the Eye of Agamotto, tangling with Lin Du's magic before gradually merging with it.

The light abruptly flared, flooding the entire chamber with a dazzling brilliance that forced Strange to shut his eyes tightly and shield them with his arm.

Strange's eyes widened as the scene before him surpassed every expectation he had held.

He had never imagined Lin Du would possess the courage to touch the forbidden power of the laws of time.

Awe and worry twisted together in his heart. This was an audacious attempt unlike anything anyone had ever made before.

He had thought the two of them were already on the same level, ready to advance side by side.

Yet Lin Du's action was like a bucket of cold water over his head, making him suddenly realize that an impossible, unignorable gulf lay between them.

The light gradually softened. Lin Du stood in the center of the secret chamber with his eyes closed, engaged in a profound exchange of souls with some unfathomable force.

At that moment, time seemed frozen. Strange held his breath, afraid of missing even the slightest change.

At last, Lin Du slowly opened his heavy eyelids. A deep blue glow shimmered in his eyes, as if it could pierce through the layers of mist behind time and strike directly at the essence of the ages.

"It worked." Lin Du's voice was low, carrying a power not to be underestimated. Every word was like a hammer striking out unquestionable confidence and unwavering resolve.

Strange stared wide-eyed, his gaze moving back and forth across Lin Du. Within it were sparks of incredulous shock and a flame of admiration that ignited despite itself.

Deep down, he had never truly believed Lin Du could command the immense power of the laws of time. This was practically a world-shaking bomb dropped into the magical world.

"Lin Du, you..." Strange had not even finished speaking before Lin Du interrupted him with a slight raise of his hand.

"Strange, I understand what you're thinking."

"What I seek is power capable of overturning heaven and earth, power that can change the world." Lin Du's gaze was deep, yet it gleamed with endless hope for the future and a will as hard as steel.

"Lin Du, are you really ready?" Strange's voice was gentle and full of concern, like a spring breeze brushing over the heart.

Lin Du said nothing more. He merely nodded, simply and decisively. That gesture carried more weight than any words could have.

Strange's eyes widened further, his heart filled with mixed feelings—besides the shock, there was also a faint, nearly imperceptible envy and longing.

"This... what does this mean?" he murmured, his voice full of confusion and astonishment.

Lin Du smiled faintly and raised a hand. The pages around them seemed to come alive.

In an instant, they flipped through several pages by themselves, then settled again and returned to silence.

"It means I can return to the past, correct regrets, and even... glimpse traces of the future."

Strange was deeply shaken by the sight before him. He had never dared imagine it.

That the power of magic could touch time's tapestry and weave such an unbelievable scene.

He watched Lin Du, reverence and anticipation gleaming in his eyes. "Then what do you plan to do next?"

Just as Strange waited for Lin Du's answer.

"Boom!" A deafening blast erupted, as though the sky itself had split open.

The sound burst forth from deep within the heart of the grand library, like the roar of an ancient beast.

In an instant, an irresistible force surged forth and violently tore the magnificent gateway connecting the sacred sanctums into pieces.

Dust and shattered stone rolled in like a doomsday flood, instantly swallowing Strange and Lin Du beneath a chaotic fog.

The sudden explosion caught Strange completely off guard. He instinctively threw out his arms, trying to create even a small shelter for the two of them.

However, before that rampaging force of nature, his efforts seemed utterly insignificant.

A fist-sized chunk of stone ruthlessly struck his shoulder. Agonizing pain shot through his body like an electric shock, making him gasp sharply. He staggered, swayed several times, and finally collapsed to the ground, unable to hold himself up any longer.