Strange?! Blasphemy Cult in Peril
Kamar-Taj.
The days remain peaceful and serene.
This secluded sect, despite its countless years of history, still maintains its vitality.
Under the long-term leadership of the Ancient One, Kamar-Taj had already begun to show its flaws.
With the establishment of the Mystic Council, Kamar-Taj has shaken off its fatigue and regained its vitality.
After all, those in a position should fulfill their responsibilities.
If it doesn't concern me, I'll stay out of it.
Only with status and power can we unite as one and work together towards a common goal.
Mordo, Old Wang, Tina Xiu, Hamir, Daniel Drumm, all you Mystic Arts Master, it's not that you lack the ability, it's just that you don't believe you have the obligation!
Since there's no obligation, why bother putting in the work and effort when all the benefits go to Ancient One?
Chen Ji saw right through everyone's thoughts.
To prevent Kamar-Taj from suffering a disastrous future and its prestige from plummeting to the Earth's core, the Mystic Council was established.
The name of the Mystic Council spread throughout the Hidden World, greatly inspiring everyone and increasing its prestige day by day.
That is...
The proposal for the Mystic Alliance did not go smoothly.
Each of the Hidden Families has its own agenda and is vying for the position of alliance leader.
Even Kaecilius, a Mystic Arts Master arts with a group of loyal followers, faces considerable resistance.
He even felt deeply that he had been tricked!
Mystic Arts Master, second only to the Ancient One and Chen Ji, yet he still can't win over the masses?
"Cassie."
"The Mystic Council still hasn't made a decision?"
One of the Zealots had a somber look in his eyes.
"No."
"The Mystic Council doesn't care about the Mystic Alliance at all, nor can it manage the entire Hidden World. If we want to gain prestige and status, we're the only ones who can figure it out."
Kaecilius's eyes flickered.
His fingers tapped lightly on the armrest on one side.
He couldn't help but chuckle to himself, realizing he had been so tempted by Chen Ji's rosy vision that he had lost his head; he shouldn't have wasted his time at all.
The Book of Cagliostro!
That's exactly what he needs!
"Master Cassie."
Have you made up your mind?
"To seize... the Book of Cagliostro?"
Another female mage's beautiful eyes flashed.
Kaecilius did not answer.
It seems she's also experiencing inner turmoil.
After all, the Book of Cagliostro was considered a forbidden book by the Ancient One, and the rituals within it were used to communicate with the Dark Dimension Lords!
This is tantamount to asking a tiger for its skin.
Instead of saving his wife and children, he ended up getting himself killed.
In moments of hesitation.
Squeak!
The door suddenly opened.
A Zealots, panting, came to deliver the news.
"Master Cassie."
"List..."
"Chen is back!"
Kaecilius instantly stood up and immediately led the Zealots, rushing towards the Ancient One's residence.
Along the way.
All the Guardian Mage, upon hearing the news, sprang into action and followed suit.
Another newly initiated disciple, disheveled and unkempt, resembling a vagrant, also joined in the fun.
If Chen Ji were here, he would recognize it at a glance—
Stephen Strange!
"Whose entourage is this... so grand?"
Strange's heart skipped a beat.
Soon, he arrived at the main temple of Kamar-Taj.
I saw a young man with an oriental face, handsome and refined, dressed in the robes of Mystic Arts Master, with a Crimson Ring on his index finger.
He was standing right in front of the Ancient One, engaging in a lively conversation with him.
Seeing this scene.
This made him, the Apprentice Mage, extremely envious.
When will he be able to chat and laugh with His Sorcerer Supreme?
"Huh!"
"Etc!"
"Kamar-Taj has long been associated with the existence of an Acting Sorcerer Supreme. Could this Acting Sorcerer Supreme...?"
"Is that the Easterner in front of us?"
Strange's pupils contracted.
He instantly understood everything!
He hid in the crowd, inconspicuous, and did not attract the attention of the Acting Sorcerer Supreme.
"List."
"You're finally back."
"Is the war in Asgard over?"
Ancient One smiled.
His eyes held a mysterious, Omniscience quality, as if he had already foreseen the future and seen the ending of the story.
Her actions clearly showed that she was pretending to be ignorant!
But Chen Ji still had to keep up the act.
"It's over."
"Loki allied with the Frost Giants, nearly triggering the War of the Nine Realms, but he later teleported away to escape."
"Ancient One, do you know his whereabouts?"
Chen Ji asked earnestly.
This was also one of his motivations for returning to Kamar-Taj.
Frost Loki!
He's far more cunning than Loki from Earth-616, and has even less integrity and moral bottom line.
They're capable of anything.
Furthermore, he has become Ymir's Proxy, possessing the power of Fimbulwinter. If he were to join forces with Thanos and wield a Mind Stone, the consequences would be unimaginable!
If we can capture Frost Loki before the Battle of New York breaks out.
That would be perfect.
"I know countless futures, but I don't know which one will become reality."
"List."
"Go with the flow; when the time is right, he will emerge."
Ancient One smiled.
Let's gently move on from this topic.
Immediately, he began to examine the Crimson Ring on Chen Ji's index finger.
The Crimson Ring, clearly made of Dragon-Scale Metal, possesses a mysterious energy fluctuation, a level higher than the Sling Ring!
Even the Ancient One was full of praise.
List...
They actually succeeded in upgrading the Sling Ring?
"That's right."
"This is Energy Ring. It can create things out of thin air, and it can still be used even without magic."
"Certainly."
"It's only a semi-finished product at the moment."
Chen Ji told him frankly.
"Semi-finished product?"
"This is enough to transform Kamar-Taj's power."
"List."
"There are too many people around, come inside with me to talk."
Ancient One led the way, and together with Chen Ji, they entered the main hall.
Then, the door was tightly closed.
The Apprentice Mage and Guardian Mage who had been watching the spectacle also returned to their respective posts, feeling rather disgruntled.
This naturally includes Stephen Strange.
He was a newcomer and knew nothing about anything, yet he became good friends with the librarian, Murphyson.
He often heard Murphyson boast about his legendary experiences Acting Sorcerer Supreme, and he was initially skeptical until the Acting Sorcerer Supreme returned.
Judging from this display of power and prestige, he knew that Master Murphyson had not faked it!
Then, he brushed past the Zealots who rushed over.
Kaecilius ignored the unremarkable Apprentice Mage and showed no respect for the Ancient One Ancient One, pushing open the temple door and appearing before her.
"Cassie?"
What do you want?
Ancient One frowned.
This Kaecilius is getting more and more outrageous.
However, she still only wanted to influence Kaecilius.
"The Ancient One"
"I have important matters to discuss with Minister Chen."
"Regarding the Mystic Alliance."
Kaecilius bowed slightly.
Seeing Chen Ji made him feel a little more at ease.
This Acting Sorcerer Supreme was elusive, neither staying long at Kamar-Taj nor guarding the New York Sanctum.
Like the carefree hermits of Kamar-Taj.
He's been waiting so long!
This is precisely why Chen Ji has no interest in vying for the title of Sorcerer Supreme. He simply can't stay there; staying in Kamar-Taj would mean missing out on the Luck Value!
"Mystic Alliance?"
"Has it not been established yet?"
Chen Ji smiled slightly.
It seems that the members of this Hidden Families don't need a leader parachuted in, but rather have already privately agreed on who will take the position of leader?
Integrating loosely connected forces is by no means an easy task.
If he hadn't gained the trust of Tony Stark, Professor X, and Thor, he wouldn't have been able to establish the Illuminati at all.
Because... there's simply no reason for us to cooperate!
"List."
"If I cannot lead the Mystic Alliance, who can?"
"Since you've proposed this plan, as the Acting Sorcerer Supreme, you should take full responsibility."
Kaecilius looked serious.
This is his last gamble; if it fails, he will continue with the plan!
Stealing the Book of Cagliostro!
By performing the ritual described in the book, you can obtain Dormammu's power!
Following the prescribed path of spiritual practice will be too slow to yield results and may not necessarily allow him to achieve his desired outcome.
Why does he have to go down such a dead-end path?
"I see."
"Master Cassie."
"After dealing with the Blasphemy Cult, I will continue to push for the establishment of the Mystic Alliance."
"The Ancient One"
"How is the Mystic Council discussing the handling of the Blasphemy Cult?"
Chen Ji looked at Ancient One.
He had reported the information about the Blasphemy Cult to the Sorcerer Supreme long ago.
Therefore, the Sorcerer Supreme delayed his travels and kept discussing relevant countermeasures.
Only recently has there been some progress.
"The minority submits to the majority."
"Apart from Hamir and me, all the other Mystic Arts Master recommended eradicating the Blasphemy Cult."
"List."
What do you mean?
Ancient One's expression darkened.
This is far removed from her philosophy of leadership.
She has always believed that we should follow the Natural Law.
Otherwise, with her [Transcendent Sainthood] strength, she could have nipped the danger in the bud long ago, but that would have led to many variables in the future, making it more unpredictable.
What surprised her even more was that even with the Time Stone, she couldn't see Chen Ji's future...
What's going on?
Who is covering up his future?
It can even block the observation of the Time Stone!
The Ancient Gods Cangjie, who is already dead, could not do this!
"I believe that Blasphemy Cult should be eradicated as soon as possible."
"Follow nature, rather than doing nothing; rather, react immediately upon discovery."
"Since I know the location of the Blasphemy Cult, it means that the Blasphemy Cult is destined to perish; this is the will of Heaven."
Chen Ji spoke eloquently.
Not only was Ancient One stunned.
Even Kaecilius and the Zealots showed thoughtful expressions.
"It was fate..."
Kaecilius pondered the sentence carefully.
His eyes gradually brightened.
He then volunteered to participate in the operation to eradicate the Blasphemy Cult!
This will be a great opportunity for him to make a name for himself and achieve great things. With this achievement, he will be able to subdue the Hidden Families and take the top spot in the Mystic Alliance!
"Good."
"Master Cassie, your awareness proves that I haven't misjudged you."
"With you and the Zealots on the scene, wiping out the Blasphemy Cult will be a piece of cake."
Chen Ji laughed.
Zealots.
They were almost all die-hard followers of Kaecilius, secretly collecting and gathering a large number of Book of Arcane Arts, but they did not hand them over to Master Murphyson.
Instead, they secretly studied, discussed, and honed their skills together.
Under Kaecilius's leadership, the individual strength of the Zealots far surpassed that of the other Guardian Mage, and they were not far from reaching the level of Mystic Arts Master.
If Baron Mordo was at best a disorganized rabble, then Kaecilius was a powerful clan, and if this force were to defect, Kamar-Taj would inevitably decline from its peak!
Zealots typically have two or three Green Entry on their characters, demonstrating their immense strength, potential, and threat!
The key issue is that Kaecilius [Without Any Scruples]. If Dormammu chooses him as his proxy, Dormammu will be in serious trouble!
'What if Kaecilius dies in this operation...'
Chen Ji's mind raced.
A hint of amusement crept onto his face.
They wiped out both the Blasphemy Cult and Kaecilius —a double victory!
"Then I entrust everything to you and Master Cassie."
"List."
I hope you win.
Ancient One smiled.
Even though Chen established the Illuminati and was still colluding with Asgard, the best person in her eyes to take over had already arrived in Kamar-Taj!
Doctor Strange!
Once Doctor Strange has matured, she can step back from the limelight and pass the title of Sorcerer Supreme to Stephen Strange!
But...
She kept her intentions hidden and didn't tell Chen Ji about Strange's arrival.
Because she will personally coach Stephen Strange.
Furthermore, he did not want Chen Ji to interfere and allow Stephen Strange to develop too many rebellious ideas.
She planned to have Strange systematically train in Secret Art Magic, and with his genius, he would quickly stand out!
Ancient One's evaluation of Chen Ji consisted of only four words.
Unorthodox and heretical.
But she had also glimpsed the future; Chen Ji might die in the Seven Realms War...
As for the future, that is something we cannot see.
Let's go.
"Master Cassie."
"Heading to Sokovia."
Chen Ji's eyes gleamed with excitement.
He then entered the Mirror Dimension directly, opening a Mystic Portal.
Kaecilius, along with no fewer than ten Zealots, arrived in Sokovia in the Mirror Dimension.
"The headquarters of the Blasphemy Cult..."
Where?
Do you have a clue?
Kaecilius asked, puzzled.
"I have no clue, but he must have one."
Chen Ji curled the corners of his mouth.
We arrived directly at an exquisitely beautiful vintage manor.
Book recommendation! <Who Gets Reborn and Still Wants a Dating? They'd Rather Make Money!> A heartfelt work by a well-known author.
This book is very Ness written, a breath of fresh air in the rebirth genre. It allows you to experience a touch of the fleeting warmth of everyday life in your fast-paced world. It's perfect for readers who enjoy romance.
You'll definitely love this book!