Strange's Wife Was Gone

Himalayas, Kamar-Taj.

Clea, led inside by the three of them, looked around excitedly, chattering nonstop.

"So this is the legendary magical sanctuary, Kamar-Taj? No wonder I couldn't find it before. What incredible concealment magic!"

"And these mountains, this snow, these buildings—it really feels like a place secluded from the mundane world, utterly transcendent!"

"Look over there! That mage just jumped straight off the mountain. What amazing physical prowess... Wow, he's coming over!"

Natasha, whose clothes Clea was tugging on, felt her eyelids twitching wildly. Her head buzzed from all the noise.

"Big sister, I'm begging you, say less. This isn't the magical sanctuary Kamar-Taj anymore. It's the Ethereal Ascension Sect, where they teach cultivation."

"And that's just a small hill over there. You could jump up and down it just as easily!"

As they spoke, the mage who had jumped down from the hill in the distance walked over as well.

"Natasha, didn't the Sect Master punish you with confinement? Why did you suddenly return from outside? Don't tell me you sneaked out again?"

"You so blatantly disregard the rules and sect regulations. Even if you are the Sect Master's student, don't expect to get past the Enforcement Hall!"

The mage who had come over was Wong, appointed as the head of the Enforcement Hall because of his strict regard for rules and impartial nature.

He was also the only person in Kamar-Taj, aside from Feng Xu, whom Natasha feared.

Faced with Wong's stern questioning, Natasha repeatedly protested her innocence. "I didn't sneak out. I just ran into an accident!"

Seeing Wong's brows furrow into a deep crease, Natasha hurriedly shifted the blame onto Mordo and Kaecilius behind her.

"It was them! They said they wanted to steal energy from the Dark Dimension, which led to the accident. We accidentally ended up in the Dark Dimension."

"But thankfully, our teacher intervened and brought us back. We even brought back Dormammu's niece, who wants to become a disciple!"

Clea nodded repeatedly at the side, joining in eagerly. "That's right, that's right. I came here to become a disciple."

Before Wong could speak, Mordo and Kaecilius, whom Natasha had decisively thrown under the bus, began howling as well.

"Natasha, you can't do this... you traitor!"

"Wong, Natasha was entirely responsible for us entering the Dark Dimension. She's shifting the blame! You have to judge fairly!"

"That's right, that's right. I heard them saying the same thing on the way here. There's definitely something fishy going on!" Clea continued to stir things up, looking delighted by the chaos.

"What do you mean I was responsible? You were the ones who said those disgusting things. It's entirely your fault!"

Clea nodded again. "Girls really are easily provoked by certain remarks. It wasn't her fault."

"Shut up, all of you!"

Seeing the three of them chirping away, bickering and passing the blame while another person egged them on, Wong cut off the argument with a dark expression.

Just as he was about to say something, Ancient One's voice suddenly appeared in the minds of everyone present.

"Wong, deal with any punishment later. Bring Natasha and Clea over first. The Sect Master wishes to see them."

"I understand, Vice Sect Master." Wong respectfully cupped his hands toward the distance, then turned back to the four of them and said with a frown.

"Mordo and Kaecilius, go to the Enforcement Hall to receive your punishment. Natasha and Clea, come with me."

"Hehe!" Natasha's face lit up at Wong's words, and she made a face at Mordo and Kaecilius.

The two were deeply dissatisfied and began shouting again.

"Wong, you're playing favorites!"

"That's right! We demand the same treatment as Natasha!"

"The same treatment?" Wong sneered. "Fine. Then neither of you may leave your own mountain until you reach the Qi Refining Stage."

"If the Sect Master imposes any further punishment on Natasha afterward, I'll apply for the same punishment for you as well."

Realizing they had shot themselves in the foot, the two hurriedly waved their hands.

"No, no, we accept the punishment!"

"Yes, yes, yes! We'll go to the Enforcement Hall and receive it right now!"

"Hmph. Too late."

Wong snorted and turned away, leading the secretly laughing Natasha and Clea farther inside.

Atop the high platform.

"Sect Master, Vice Sect Master, I have brought them."

Wong respectfully cupped his fists after leading the two over, then stepped aside.

Before anyone could speak, Clea swiftly swept her gaze over Feng Xu and Ancient One above.

Then, with lightning speed, she threw herself at Feng Xu's feet and bowed deeply.

"Teacher, please accept this disciple's bow!"

Everyone present was stunned by the sight.

Natasha quietly gave her a thumbs-up, while Wong, standing in front, shouted angrily.

"Impudence! Get up at once! Do you think you can become the Sect Master's disciple just because you want to?"

"Even if you wish to join our sect, you must first undergo an examination!"

Hearing that, Clea slammed her head against the ground twice more. "I can accept any test, as long as Teacher is satisfied!"

Seeing this, Ancient One stroked her beard and shook her head repeatedly. "Clea, you are confused!"

"The Sorcerer Supreme knows me?" Clea raised her head in confusion after Ancient One called her by name several times.

"More than merely knowing you. Sigh..."

Ancient One stroked her beard and sighed deeply. "The timing is wrong. You came too early!"

"Too early?" Everyone looked confused. Was there some particular meaning to that?

"You can indeed join our sect, but the time is not now. It should be in the future!"

"That is also why you came to Earth so many times before but never found us."

Ancient One's face was filled with regret—regret for Clea, and regret for her future disciple, Strange.

After all, in the future, Clea would be Strange's—Doctor Strange's—wife.

Dormammu and the Dark Dimension were the stepping stones through which the two would meet and begin their story.

But now that Clea had come here early to become a disciple, it was equivalent to destroying that timeline and changing the future.

Although the future had long since been altered beyond recognition by Feng Xu and could no longer be seen clearly, Ancient One still sighed over her disciple losing his wife.

He was already eccentric and difficult to approach. Now even the wife fate had intended for him was gone. He would probably remain single for the rest of his life!

"That's enough, Ancient One. Everyone has their own fate. The future has never been predetermined, so stop talking nonsense."

Feng Xu had no interest in asking about the future Ancient One had seen. In any case, it certainly would no longer follow its predetermined course.

"You're the boss. What you say goes."

Since Feng Xu had spoken, Ancient One could only abandon her attempt at persuasion, though she did gain a few ideas.

Since the future had already changed and become unclear because of Feng Xu, perhaps she could bring Strange over earlier...

Just as Ancient One was thinking about her beloved disciple, Feng Xu spoke again.

"Your aptitude is quite good. Although you are not from this world, your arrival here means you have a connection with me and with the immortal path."

"I have a test for you. If you can complete it, you may enter my sect and I will teach you cultivation."

Adhering to the principle that teachings should not be imparted lightly, Feng Xu prepared a test for Clea.

"Before long, a disaster caused by the actions of several of you will occur in the outside world. I need you to resolve it."

"A disaster caused by us!" x2

Clea and Natasha looked at each other and cried out in unison.

"That's right." Feng Xu nodded slightly. "I will not restrict you from seeking help from others. As long as you resolve the disaster, you will pass."

Upon hearing that, Clea immediately turned to Natasha, who gave her a look that clearly said, I'll definitely help you.

Feng Xu smiled faintly at their little exchange, then called out.

"Natasha."

Natasha jerked upright at being called. She quickly withdrew her gaze, lowered her head obediently, and answered, "This disciple is here."

"During your confinement, you left without permission and brought about further consequences. Do you accept your punishment?"

Natasha did not dare argue with Feng Xu's words and immediately nodded repeatedly. "This disciple accepts the punishment."

"Good. Considering your young age, your Spirit Stone allowance will be withheld for half a year. In addition, return and copy the sect rules one thousand times. Do you understand?"

"One thousand times!?" Natasha clutched her head and put on a pitiful expression. "Teacher, there are 999 sect rules!"

"Hm?" Feng Xu's nasal hum deepened as his brows drew together slightly.

"This disciple understands."

Natasha puffed out her cheeks, but still answered obediently.

Seeing there was no further discussion, Wong quickly stepped forward to remind him, "Sect Master, there are also Mordo and Kaecilius..."

"Then punish them together."

"The Sect Master is wise!"