Otherworldly Methods and the Secrets of Space

Ancient One's words stirred something in Li Wei's heart. A trade? This was exactly what he wanted. Exchanging relatively secondary knowledge from another world for the Marvel Universe's finest magical wisdom—no matter how he looked at it, it was a profitable deal. "Of course, Master," Li Wei replied calmly. "What kind of knowledge are you most interested in?" Ancient One did not answer directly. With a gentle sweep of her arm, the surroundings rippled like water. The tea room vanished, and the two of them seemed to stand beneath a boundless starry sky. Flowing nebulae lay beneath their feet, while the silent universe surrounded them. This was the Mirror Dimension Ancient One had created, an absolutely private place for conversation.

"Your very existence is an entirely new 'dimensional coordinate,'" Ancient One's voice echoed through the stars. "The energy sample you brought, that 'meditation method,' has a structure vastly different from the mainstream methods of energy use in our universe. It places greater emphasis on purifying the spiritual source and achieving absolute control over microscopic energy, rather than communing with great beings from other dimensions."

Her gaze burned as she looked at Li Wei. "What I wish to understand is precisely this line of thought—this 'inward excavation.' Kamar-Taj's magic is powerful, but its excessive reliance on sacred sources such as the Vishanti also carries hidden dangers. A brand-new view of energy, one with a self-contained system, may be able to make up for certain blind spots in our own." Li Wei understood. From her higher vantage point, Ancient One was not looking at the might of a particular spell, but at another kind of "possibility" behind it—another philosophy of power. This fit perfectly with the mindset of an explorer who constantly sought breakthroughs, even drawing upon the Dark Dimension's power to extend her life and protect Earth.

"I understand." Li Wei nodded. "The meditation method I offer is called the Astral Visualization Technique. It comes from a dimension where... individual strength is primarily improved through one's own cultivation." He began to explain, his voice unusually clear within the Mirror Dimension. "It does not pray for external power. Instead, it visualizes one's own soul as a star, resonating with the stars in the endless void and absorbing the scattered, most primordial Stellar Power within them to nourish the spirit and purify one's thoughts.

"At advanced stages of cultivation, spiritual power can become tangible, interfere with reality, and even summon stellar projections with a single thought." He extended a finger. This time, it was not the magical radiance of Kamar-Taj, but an extremely condensed silver point of light carrying an icy, boundless aura. This was the trace of "Stellar Power" that the system had simulated based on his description. Though tiny, the light seemed to contain the sensation of distant space and eternal time. "Wonderful..." Ancient One sensed the nature of this Stellar Power, utterly unlike magic, holy light, or dark energy, and genuine curiosity and amazement flickered in her eyes. "So restrained, yet so vast. What it pursues is not destructive force, but the 'immortality' and 'infinity' of the spirit."

After pondering for a moment, she asked, "Then can this Stellar Power coexist with our universe's energy? Or even... merge with it?" Li Wei secretly praised her. As expected of the Sorcerer Supreme, she had seen through the crucial issue at a glance. He answered cautiously, "In theory, it can. There is no hierarchy among energies in essence. The key lies in the 'bridge' and 'conversion.' My 'inheritance' happens to include some... theoretical foundations concerning the analysis and preliminary conversion of different energy properties." This was precisely a watered-down description of the system's assisted analysis function.

Ancient One smiled knowingly. "A 'philosophy' that points directly to the essence of power, along with a 'bridge' technology that has practical potential. That is indeed of sufficient value." She stopped holding back as well. Raising her index finger, she condensed a point of golden light at its tip. It was not the power of the Time Stone, but a pure stream of knowledge. "In exchange, I will give you two sets of knowledge," Ancient One said slowly. "The first consists of my personal annotations on the chapter concerning 'spatial folding and expansion' in the Book of Cagliostro. This will allow you to gain a deeper understanding of the Mirror Dimension's structure and even make preliminary attempts at applying spatial expansion spells within your own 'System Space'"—she seemed to imply something—"or upon certain vessels." Li Wei's heart jolted violently. Spatial expansion technology! It was far too important to him! Whether for constructing a mobile base in the future or strengthening his own storage capabilities, it was priceless!

"The second," Ancient One continued. From the golden light, another, more complex stream of knowledge separated, carrying countless tiny runes. "It is my personal understanding of the 'essence of energy,' involving how to refine magic power more efficiently, how to sense the subtle distinctions between the energies of different dimensions, and... how to preliminarily reconcile seemingly conflicting energy attributes."

This knowledge was exactly what Li Wei needed most right now! It could help him solidify his foundation and accelerate the growth of his magic power. More importantly, it would lay a crucial theoretical foundation for his future integration of the power systems from different worlds. "How about these two sets of knowledge in exchange for your Astral Visualization Technique and the Energy Bridge Theory?" Ancient One asked. "A fair trade." Li Wei suppressed the excitement in his heart and nodded solemnly.

The two said no more and extended their fingers at the same time. At Li Wei's fingertip shone a silver point containing the core mysteries of the Astral Visualization Technique and part of the theory of energy conversion, while at Ancient One's fingertip was a golden sphere of light containing the two sets of magical knowledge. The two lights slowly approached beneath the stars before finally touching.

There was no earthshaking explosion. Only a silent torrent of knowledge flowed through some mysterious channel and surged into each other's awareness. Li Wei instantly gained countless exquisite insights into spatial structures, innumerable expansion spells of breathtaking complexity, and Ancient One's lofty perspective on energy. This knowledge was like the sweetest spring water, nourishing his somewhat parched understanding of magic after his rapid advancement. Ancient One, meanwhile, closed her eyes and focused, carefully savoring the unique path of the Astral Visualization Technique, which sought inwardly and compared the self to the universe, as well as the simplified Energy Compatibility Model Li Wei had provided through the system. Her brows sometimes furrowed and sometimes relaxed, as if she were solving a problem that had troubled her for a long time. After quite a while, the transfer of knowledge ended. They withdrew their fingers at the same time, and the Mirror Dimension slowly dissipated, returning them to the quiet tea room.

Ancient One slowly opened her eyes. Stars seemed to rise and fade within them as she looked at Li Wei, her tone carrying a rare trace of praise. "A very unique perspective. This Visualization Technique has given me much inspiration. Perhaps it can help some mages better preserve their true hearts when they come into contact with dangerous forces such as the Dark Dimension." Li Wei knew that both sides had gained greatly from this transaction. He had obtained the advanced knowledge and theoretical guidance he urgently needed, while Ancient One had acquired a new idea that might strengthen the foundations of Earth's mage community. "Thank you for your generosity, Master," Li Wei said sincerely.

Ancient One waved her hand. "It was merely an equal exchange. I hope you make good use of this knowledge. The basic and intermediate sections of the library are open to you. Daniel will take you there. In one month, I hope to see a... very different you." Her words carried deep meaning. Li Wei rose, bowed once more, then followed Mage Daniel, who had appeared outside the door at some point, toward the library of the New York Sanctum, where countless magical mysteries were stored. He knew that the next month would mark the true beginning of his transformation in the Marvel Universe. And when he emerged from the Sanctum, he would possess enough capital to face more of this world's challenges and... carry out his next "plunder."