Touching the Dark Dimension, Creating a Portal Without a Spell

Suddenly, a mass of energy as black as midnight ink gathered in Ancient One's palm, its dark magical power as profound as a bottomless abyss.

It made one's spine run cold with fear, yet tempted the heart to explore those unknown depths.

Lin Du's eyes widened sharply, his heart a strange tangle of shock and wild joy.

At that moment, he realized that an opportunity lay before him—he had a chance to glimpse Ancient One's forbidden power.

In that split second, an indescribable impulse seized him, making him extend his right hand almost uncontrollably. His fingertips lightly touched the roiling dark energy.

In an instant, an icy, bone-piercing force mingled with a wondrous warmth surged into his body. It seemed to have found its home, flowing ceaselessly into Lin Du.

"Mm..." A low groan escaped Lin Du's throat as his body began to tremble involuntarily.

This foreign power rampaged through his body, trying to merge with his original energy system.

Just as he thought this surging power was about to tear him apart, a miracle quietly unfolded—the two utterly different energies, which should have been utterly incompatible, slowly began to intertwine, seep into one another, and merge.

Before Lin Du, a door silently opened. Beyond it stretched a world he had never seen before—the strange realm known as the Dark Dimension.

There was not a trace of light here, only deep darkness woven with chaos. Yet within that chaos lurked an energy both terrifying and immensely powerful.

Having merely stepped across the threshold of this realm, Lin Du could already sense that the power was both alluring and threatening, an impossible combination that could not be ignored.

"Is this... the power of the Dark Dimension?" Lin Du murmured, his eyes blazing with unprecedented fervor.

His heart pounded faster, as though it had resonated with the pulse of the Dark Dimension.

He could clearly sense that this incredible power was slowly merging with him, granting him unprecedented potential and strength.

Ancient One's demonstration came to an end.

Ancient One opened her eyes and turned her gaze toward Lin Du and Strange, her tone carrying unquestionable resolve.

"Now is the time for you to experience true magical cultivation firsthand."

"Follow me. Let us go to the training grounds and begin your journey."

The moment Strange heard Ancient One speak, unconcealable excitement and anticipation burst into his eyes.

"This is so cool! Master Ancient One, I've dreamed of seeing those amazing spells with my own eyes. I've been dying to learn them!"

Lin Du, meanwhile, remained far calmer.

Seeing Lin Du's demeanor, Ancient One nodded in satisfaction.

That was the steady attitude a future leader of Kamar-Taj should possess.

As soon as the two arrived at the training grounds,

Ancient One addressed Lin Du and Strange:

"Very well, you two,

show me how much you understand and have mastered magic. Strange, you go first."

Strange lightly furrowed his brow. His right hand was wrapped in a thin layer of bandages, making him look somewhat awkward.

He forced a smile, his voice carrying a hint of helplessness. "Master Ancient One, it's embarrassing to say, but I injured my hand during the last experiment,"

"I've tried many times these past few days, but the secrets of magic seem to be giving me the cold shoulder. The door remains tightly shut, and I haven't made any progress at all."

A trace of understanding flashed through Ancient One's eyes before her expression turned serious. "Pain is part of cultivation, Strange. Remember, true challenges often lie in the mind rather than the body."

"But today, Lin Du will demonstrate first."

With that, Ancient One turned her gaze toward Lin Du.

Surprise flickered in her eyes, while inwardly, she marveled.

Lin Du had been an ordinary man who knew nothing of the magical world, yet overnight, he had displayed astonishing learning ability and an innate talent for magic.

Had that ability emerged in the face of danger, or had Lin Du been born with it?

Now, she hoped Lin Du would show her what the magic he understood looked like.

Lin Du did not move immediately. Instead, he fixed his gaze tightly on the empty space before him, his eyes seeming to pierce through an invisible barrier.

Fine ripples quietly spread through the air around him. An indescribable power was gathering, making every inch of space nearby tense.

Standing to one side, Strange nearly stopped breathing. His gaze was filled with both envy and expectation, his emotions too complicated to put into words.

Then Lin Du suddenly raised his right hand and, almost as a natural reaction without a thought, lightly swept it forward. The motion was so simple that it was hard to believe.

Mordo and Wong both stared at Lin Du in disbelief, their hearts filled with shock and suspicion.

Could he be planning to cast a spell directly without making any preparatory movements?

How was that possible?! Such a convention-shattering act completely overturned their understanding of magic.

Even the Sorcerer Supreme, Ancient One, had to chant spells before using magic.

But before Mordo could figure out whether Lin Du's actions were real or not, a miracle suddenly descended.

The air seemed to have been sliced open by something sharp, revealing a deep black void hanging silently above the training grounds.

Like a mysterious gate to another world, it emitted a faint, enchanting glow.

The light around it seemed drawn toward the gate, gently swaying and warping the outline of reality.

"This... how is this possible..." Strange stammered in shock. He had witnessed countless wonders, yet he had never seen anyone act with such ease.

With almost no elaborate ritual, he had opened a gateway to the unknown in the blink of an eye through his own power alone.

"Look there!" Strange suddenly lowered his voice, his eyes fixed on Lin Du's hands, his tone full of disbelief.

Hearing him, everyone turned their eyes toward Lin Du. They saw him casually wave his hand, as though drawing a dazzling halo in the air. The halo slowly took shape, like the first light of dawn—gentle and brilliant.

Then the halo rapidly expanded, transforming in an instant into a radiant portal that gleamed with inviting light, as though beckoning them into another world.

Master Ancient One and Strange's eyes widened sharply, their faces filled with disbelief, as if the sight before them were pure fantasy.

Mordo was so shocked that he nearly let his beloved staff slip from his hand and fly away. He hurriedly steadied himself, but the turmoil in his heart refused to settle.

Lin Du showed no sign of stopping. He slowly closed his eyes, as though his entire being were conversing with an unseen, intangible force.