Guarding the New York Sanctum

"Master, you wanted to see me?"

As a portal of blue electric sparks silently unfolded in the air, Chen Xiao stepped through it. The arcs crackled along the portal's edge for a few moments before vanishing without a trace.

Ancient One sat at the tea table, drinking tea. At his words, she lifted her eyes to glance at him, then lowered them again and continued pouring. Tea streamed from the spout, sending fine ripples across the cup.

"Today is March 1st, 2010."

Ancient One's voice was unhurried, as though she were mentioning something entirely ordinary.

Chen Xiao froze for a moment. March 1st? What about it?

His mind raced. Yesterday had been the Lantern Festival, and he had indeed slipped back East to celebrate. He had not exactly been discreet about it, so it was no surprise he had been found out. The question was, who had ratted him out? Damn it, it had to be Wang. Was he really still holding a grudge just because Chen Xiao had not taken him along for the Lunar New Year?

"I'm reporting him," Chen Xiao said decisively, sounding thoroughly justified. "Mordo went with me too. You can't punish just me."

Ancient One waved a hand irritably. A cup of hot tea appeared out of thin air before Chen Xiao, hovering in midair. The tea swayed slightly, nearly spilling. Chen Xiao hurriedly caught it with both hands, cradling it in his palms with an embarrassed smile.

"Stop being clever." Ancient One raised her own cup and took a small sip. "This isn't your first or second time sneaking out. If I meant to punish you, the books you copied would be enough to build another library."

Chen Xiao gave a sheepish chuckle and scratched the back of his head.

That was true enough. Ancient One had always turned a blind eye to his little tricks. As long as he did not neglect his training or cause any major trouble, she generally left him alone. That was one reason he had thrived so well at Kamar-Taj.

His smile faded as he said seriously, "So... is something big about to happen?"

Ancient One set down her teacup and looked at him calmly.

"Iron Man is about to appear."

Those few words immediately turned Chen Xiao solemn. These past three years had been so long that even his memories of Marvel had begun to blur.

He sat opposite Ancient One, no longer drinking his tea, and quietly waited for her to continue.

Ancient One extended a finger and lightly touched a damp mark on the tea table. The water spread as if it had come alive, forming a vague diagram—more like a timeline.

"In 2010, Tony Stark becomes Iron Man." Ancient One spoke as calmly as if reading from a textbook. "This is a crucial turning point. Before this, superheroes existed only in comics and films to ordinary people. After this, everything will be different."

Chen Xiao nodded. He understood. Iron Man's debut marked the Marvel Cinematic Universe officially entering the public eye. From then on, superheroes, aliens, dimensional invasions... all the things once hidden in the shadows would be brought into the open one after another.

"But that is not the important part." Ancient One changed direction.

Chen Xiao looked up.

"The important part is that, in the story you 'know,' Iron Man's appearance is part of a fixed timeline. It happens when it is meant to happen—not a day early, not a day late."

She raised her eyes to Chen Xiao.

"But then you came."

Chen Xiao opened his mouth but said nothing.

"Your arrival in this world is itself a disturbance. Like a stone cast into a still lake—the ripples spread and affect the entire body of water." Ancient One lightly stirred the water stain with her finger, and the ripples instantly became chaotic. "Iron Man's appearance has not changed, but everything that comes 'after'... has already begun to deviate from the course you remember."

Chen Xiao frowned. "How far has it deviated?"

"Not very far for now." Ancient One withdrew her finger, and the water stain silently vanished as if it had evaporated. "But the rate of deviation is accelerating. Some things may happen earlier than you remember. Others may appear in forms you never expected."

She paused, her tranquil gaze resting on Chen Xiao's face.

"Those who play with time will eventually be played by time. I cannot tell you too much. You need to be prepared."

Chen Xiao fell silent for a moment, then slowly nodded.

"So," he said, "what did you call me here to do?"

Ancient One rose and walked to the window, turning her back to him.

"Kamar-Taj has three Sanctums across the world—Hong Kong, New York, and London. They are vital points in our defense against invasions by dimensional demons. In the past, each Sanctum had an experienced guardian stationed there, so I had little need to worry."

She turned around.

"But now, everything has become uncertain. I need someone I can trust to be stationed at one of them."

Chen Xiao blinked. "So... you're assigning me a mission?"

"You may see it that way." Ancient One's tone remained calm. "I want to hear your thoughts. Hong Kong, New York, or London—which would you like to go to?"

Chen Xiao barely hesitated.

"New York."

Ancient One raised an eyebrow slightly. "You decided that quickly?"

"I really can't get used to British food," Chen Xiao said with complete seriousness. "At least New York has Chinatown."

Ancient One looked at him, her gaze carrying equal parts helplessness and amusement.

"Then why not Hong Kong?" she asked. "You're from the East. You should be more accustomed to it there."

Chen Xiao shook his head, his expression becoming more serious.

"Wang has talked about it for a long time. He's always wanted to be stationed at the Hong Kong Sanctum, since he knows the place well." He smiled. "As the senior disciple, I can't very well compete with my junior brother for it. Besides..."

He paused, and something difficult to put into words appeared in his eyes.

"New York's dimensional barrier should be the thinnest, shouldn't it?"

Ancient One stared at him for several seconds without asking how he knew.

She turned and returned to the tea table, sitting down again and lifting her teacup. This time, she did not drink. She merely held it in her hands, looking down at the tea as though gathering her thoughts.

"Master Chen Xiao," she suddenly addressed him formally.

Chen Xiao immediately sat up straight. "Yes."

"Kamar-Taj's duty is to protect Earth from the dark power of dimensional demons." Ancient One's voice was not loud, but every word was clear, as though carved into stone. "We remain neutral. We do not involve ourselves in worldly conflicts, take sides, or interfere. You understand this."

Chen Xiao's heart sank slightly.

He understood what she meant. Do not involve oneself in worldly conflicts—meaning he could not interfere in matters involving Tony Stark.

He opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but it all felt pale and powerless. Ancient One's rules had not been established today. He had always understood them.

"I understand." In the end, those were the only words he said, though his tone could not conceal his disappointment.

Seeing his expression, the corner of Ancient One's mouth moved almost imperceptibly.

"However," she said, "that does not prevent us from making friends with others, does it?"

Chen Xiao abruptly looked up, his eyes instantly lighting up.

Ancient One had already raised her teacup again, her expression as calm as though she had said nothing at all. Yet Chen Xiao clearly saw the faintest, fleeting smile pass over her lips.

"Right!" He nodded vigorously, his voice an octave higher than before. "It doesn't affect that at all. Not one bit!"

"Go." Ancient One waved her hand. "I will inform Daniel in advance. He will be glad to have someone assist him."

Chen Xiao rose and respectfully bowed.

"This disciple takes his leave."

He turned and swept his right hand through the air—blue sparks exploded outward and rapidly expanded into a circular portal. On the other side was a New York street scene, with the faint sound of traffic drifting through.

Before stepping into the portal, Chen Xiao suddenly turned back.

"Master."

Ancient One lifted her eyes.

"Thank you."

Ancient One did not answer. She merely nodded slightly.

Chen Xiao grinned and stepped through the portal. The blue arcs closed behind him, shrinking into a point of light before silently fading away.

The tea room returned to silence.

Ancient One sat alone before the tea table. The tea in her cup had already grown lukewarm. She did not refill it, merely gazed in the direction Chen Xiao had disappeared. As the breeze stirred, the dark mark on her forehead flickered in and out of sight.

"You will do better than I did," she repeated softly, her tone carrying a meaning no one could understand.