Source of the Universe, the Inhumans' Gaze

Compared to all the magic he had fused before, this power was deeper and more majestic, as though it contained the primordial mysteries of the universe.

He felt as if he had become a miniature universe, with omnipotent power and boundless wisdom flowing through his fingertips.

The river of time, the vastness of space, the flourishing of life, the tranquility of death—everything was under his control. He had become the arbiter of this world.

[Fusion complete. New magic—Source of the Universe—has been born.]

Source of the Universe: Commands the four great foundations of time, space, life, and death. Become the helmsman of the universe, possessing boundless wisdom and power.

When Ancient One saw the brilliant light flickering in Lin Du's eyes, a gratified smile appeared on her lips, and she nodded gently.

She knew deeply that Lin Du had thoroughly grasped the essence of the Sorcerer Supreme's inheritance and was destined to leave his mark upon Kamar-Taj's long history.

He would leave behind a bold and brilliant stroke, becoming one of the legendary mages.

As the echoes of the ritual gradually faded.

Lin Du stood atop the mage tower, his gaze piercing through the clouds to take in all of Kamar-Taj.

A new era quietly began with his awakening.

The mages below witnessed Lin Du officially becoming a member of Kamar-Taj and were so shocked that they could barely speak.

Before this, they had assumed that anyone capable of making Ancient One voluntarily step down would surely be a legendary figure far surpassing her in both age and strength.

Yet reality was that this newly appointed mage before them was unbelievably young.

And the majestic aura he unconsciously exuded left them utterly shaken.

This young mage had clearly climbed to a pinnacle of magic they could never reach.

Mordo and Wong exchanged silent glances amid the crowd, their emotions complicated and unreadable.

They had once considered themselves the natural inheritors of Ancient One's legacy, never imagining that this honor would ultimately belong to a name they had never anticipated.

Though unwillingness lingered in their hearts, their admiration and expectations for Lin Du were even stronger.

As Lin Du slowly descended from above, many mages had already gathered below.

Looking at these fellow practitioners around him, Lin Du felt a surge of delight.

This was the perfect opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of and learn their magical knowledge.

Before Lin Du could make a move, the surrounding mages eagerly crowded around him.

Everyone wanted to witness the true strength of this young Sorcerer Supreme with their own eyes.

"Lord Lin Du!" A female mage in a fiery red robe stepped forward first, her smile as scorching and straightforward as the midsummer sun.

"I am Alya, from the Firelands."

"Congratulations on ascending to the supreme position! I have specially brought the treasure of our land—the Heart of Fire."

"May it lend strength to your journey in magic and help you advance further along the path of exploration."

Lin Du smiled and accepted the gemstone glowing with fiery red light. A surging energy seemed ready to overflow from its tiny confines.

"Thank you so much."

The instant his fingers touched Alya's relic,

A crisp, direct notification suddenly rang out in his mind.

[You have touched the 'Heart of Fire.' Alya's magical traits are being fused.]

Lin Du's spirits rose. This was the moment he had been waiting for.

He slowly closed his eyes and focused completely on the gemstone pulsing with the will of flame, savoring the blazing magic contained within.

That magic was like the rising sun—passionate and fervent, as though it could ignite the entire world.

As the fusion gradually deepened, Lin Du could clearly feel another leap in his magical power.

More than that, he faintly touched upon the deeper power of the Heart of Fire, as well as Alya's unique and profound understanding of fire magic.

This fusion not only strengthened his magic but also broadened the boundaries of his understanding of it.

In the blink of an eye, Lin Du completed a deep fusion with Alya's magic.

When he opened his eyes again, two tiny flames seemed to dance within them.

He could feel unprecedented power surging through his body, as though all the flames in the world awaited his command.

Just then, another mage entered his view.

He was an elderly man in an azure robe, with a kindly expression and eyes gleaming with the wisdom accumulated through the years.

"Lord Lin Du, I am Mage Blue Moon of the Water-Moon Kingdom. I have come from afar."

The old man smiled, his words carrying a touch of humility.

"I have specially brought you the essence of water from our territory. I hope it may contribute to your path of magical cultivation and make it smoother."

Lin Du offered a second smile and gently accepted the crystal vial from the old man's hand.

At that moment, he seemed to touch the freshness and peace hidden deep within water, and a subtle force rippled across his palm.

He closed his eyes, calmed his mind, and began absorbing the magical power bestowed by Mage Blue Moon.

That magic was gentle yet profound, like a stream quietly flowing beneath the night sky, slowly seeping into every inch of his soul.

Lin Du continued absorbing the essence of mages from every direction. His magical cultivation steadily improved, and his comprehension of magic grew ever deeper.

He felt as though he had become a vast, boundless sea of magic, containing limitless power and wisdom.

Just as Lin Du reveled in the joy of this fusion, a subtle yet intense sensation suddenly struck him.

A pair of eyes was fixed tightly upon him from the shadows.

He slowly turned, his sharp gaze piercing the curtain of night before finally settling on a solitary, proud figure—Nick Fury.

The mysterious director of S.H.I.E.L.D., who always wore his signature sunglasses.

Lin Du secretly pondered that this unexpected encounter was probably related to his earlier refusal of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s offer.

Yet faced with this sudden "visitor," Lin Du showed not the slightest displeasure. Instead, a faint smile curved his lips.

He regarded this unsolicited "attention" with a measure of curiosity and amusement.

After the ritual ended, Lin Du descended from the towering mage tower and unexpectedly encountered Nick Fury in a quiet, peaceful courtyard.

The moonlight was clear as water, reflecting off Nick's ever-present sunglasses and casting a cold gleam.

He spoke bluntly, breaking the silence of the night. "Lin Du, you have always had no interest in games of power, but right now, we urgently need your help."

Nick's gaze was blazing as it locked tightly onto Lin Du, attempting to peer into the hidden power of this young, handsome mage.

In the past, he would never have imagined that Lin Du could become Kamar-Taj's foremost guardian.

Even more unexpectedly, he had actually turned down S.H.I.E.L.D.'s offer.

Lin Du raised an eyebrow slightly, a subtle gesture signaling for Nick to continue.