Major Twist of Fate

Not long ago.

Chen Ji bought an ancient Mystic Statue.

The statue was pitch-black from head to toe, with a faint dark gleam flowing over its surface.

Its overall shape was neither quite human nor quite beast, full of metallic texture and emanating an evil aura.

Perhaps his arrival in the Marvel Universe was also connected to this Mystic Statue!

After all, Nightmare was a unique dimensional entity in the Marvel Universe.

The Dimension Lord who ruled the Nightmare Dimension was named Nightmare!

And the Mystic Statue artifact Chen Ji had come into contact with might have been a symbolic object left behind by Nightmare.

This showed that—

Chen Ji's current situation was extremely dangerous. One careless move, and he might become Nightmare's plaything!

A puppet driven by Nightmare!

That was why he had made up his mind to harvest the Luck Value of other important characters as soon as possible and upgrade his talent entries to higher quality!

As for the black talent [Nightmare Bound], it seemed impossible to upgrade and there was no way to erase it.

It was not as though Chen Ji had never considered smashing the Mystic Statue he had touched, but he feared that destroying it would directly provoke the lord of the Nightmare Dimension.

So he had kept the statue by his side all along.

Originally, he had wanted to ask the Sorcerer Supreme about the statue's true origins.

But Mordo told him that the Ancient One was traveling and had yet to return!

That left him terribly anxious.

Because every day of delay meant another measure of danger!

The strange entities he encountered in the Nightmare World were growing stronger and stronger as well!

And all he could do was... run!

Even recalling the indescribable creatures of the Nightmare World made Chen Ji's hair stand on end and sent chills down his spine.

If he had not possessed the green talent [Martial Arts Master], giving him skills far beyond ordinary people, Chen Ji might have already died beneath the encirclement of those strange entities!

"No!"

"I can't just sit here and wait for death!"

"I need to borrow more books and learn protective magic as soon as possible."

Chen Ji's eyes flickered.

He hurried toward Kamar-Taj's library.

The library was solemn and dignified, filled with the atmosphere of passing ages.

It was Kamar-Taj's most vital building.

Not only did it contain arcane tomes collected throughout the ages, it also housed the Sorcerer Supreme's treasured private collection!

Due to the library's importance, a Mystic Arts Master was stationed there!

He had an honest, kindly face, a gentle temperament, and a meticulous nature. He kept the library in perfect order.

But unfortunately—

At the beginning of Doctor Strange, he died at Kaecilius's hands!

Beheaded!

There was undoubtedly a world of difference between one Mystic Arts Master and another!

[Name]: Murphyson

[Identity]: Librarian

[Entries]: Unhurried and Methodical (White), Erudite Memory (Green), Masterful Craft (Green), At Death's Door (Black).

[Unhurried and Methodical] (White): He had a mild temperament, handled matters with meticulous care, and easily earned the trust of others.

[Erudite Memory] (Green): His memory surpassed that of ordinary people. He knew the location of every Book of Arcane Arts by heart, and his learning ability was slightly enhanced.

[Masterful Craft] (Green): As a Mystic Arts Master, even if his magical power was not at the highest level, he still possessed unique strengths.

[At Death's Door] (Black): His life had already entered its countdown.

Seeing Master Murphyson's Entry Panel—

Chen Ji could not help feeling a touch of sorrow for someone facing the same fate.

Yet he did not forget his original purpose and hurriedly asked.

"Master Murphyson."

"I would like to borrow some introductory books. Do you have any recommendations?"

Chen Ji came to an abrupt stop, his gaze sweeping around constantly.

Rows of ancient, spotless bookshelves came into view.

All kinds of Books of Arcane Arts glimmered with a mysterious light, making Chen Ji's heart stir.

"Introductory books?"

"It seems you have finally mastered Sanskrit, Chen."

"Book of the Vishanti, Foundations of the Arcane Arts, Universal Knowledge of Magic, Ancient Arcana..."

"They should all suit you very well."

Murphyson smiled. His deep voice made others feel as though they were basking in a spring breeze.

Then, he personally found the books, stacked them together, and handed them directly to Chen Ji.

Seeing this—

Chen Ji could not help feeling deeply moved.

How much effort had that saved him?

How could such an outstanding Mystic Arts Master be killed off by the plot?

Chen Ji sighed inwardly.

Was there any way for him to rewrite Master Murphyson's misfortune?

Chen Ji's expression darkened.

He was no match for Kaecilius. Kaecilius had entered Kamar-Taj earlier than he had and had already reached the level of a Mystic Arts Master.

Moreover, through his radical beliefs, he had formed a small faction within Kamar-Taj—the Zealots!

Even if Chen Ji could upgrade his talent entries, he might not be able to reverse this situation.

Forget it.

He should at least give Master Murphyson a warning.

Anything was better than doing nothing!

"Master Murphyson."

"Doesn't the library have any defensive or offensive magic formations?"

"What would you do if an unknown force invaded this place?"

Chen Ji accepted the Books of Arcane Arts, his eyes rippling slightly.

"An invasion?"

"How could that be possible?"

"Nothing like that has happened for a thousand years!"

"Even if a few thieves showed up, with my abilities, I could make sure they never returned..."

"Chen, perhaps you still do not understand the true worth of a Mystic Arts Master!"

Murphyson smiled.

"You can guard against threats day and night, but it is hard to guard against thieves within your own home."

"If a traitor appeared in Kamar-Taj, wouldn't that be dangerous?"

Chen Ji said it casually, as though he meant nothing by it.

"A thief within the home? A traitor?"

"You should not say things that undermine unity, Chen."

"I firmly believe the Ancient One had already screened everyone when they entered."

Master Murphyson's expression turned serious as he immediately advised him.

Screened them?

What a load of nonsense!

Did he really think the Ancient One was Omniscience and Omnipotence?

Even if she were, how could she possibly tell him?

Chen Ji curled his lip inwardly.

There was no reasoning with him now.

Still, with the intention of seeing a good deed through to the end, Chen Ji added one more remark.

"It would be terrible if rats chewed up these Books of Arcane Arts."

With that, Chen Ji left the library and hurried back to his room.

The sky gradually darkened.

Dusk shrouded all of Kamar-Taj.

One hazy yellow lamp after another lit up within the library.

They created an illusion of warmth.

Master Murphyson watched Chen Ji's departing figure and could not help falling into thought.

"There really have been rats appearing frequently lately."

"It seems... I should set up a few defensive magic formations after all."

Master Murphyson nodded.

Then he opened a Book of Arcane Arts related to magic formations and began studying how to arrange defensive formations.

Unexpectedly—

The more he read, the more engrossed he became. Only after finishing it did he realize that it was Agamotto's work!

Agamotto.

He had been capable of arranging a Magic Barrier that protected the real world.

That alone showed just how profound his attainments in magic formations were!

Before this, Murphyson had not even noticed the signature on the book.

Now, as though he had found a priceless treasure, Murphyson immediately began reading with rapt attention, absorbing the magic formation knowledge within.

Afterward, he used runestones to arrange a simple Energy Magic Formation.

Standing within the formation, he felt the aura of arcane energy become noticeably denser.

That sent him into wild delight.

He had never expected that he possessed such extraordinary talent in the field of magic formations!

At the same time—

Just as Chen Ji settled down, a heavenly voice suddenly rang in his ears.

[Your earlier decision brought Murphyson a major twist of fate. Reward: 50 Luck Value.]

[Talent Draw Wheel activated.]

"Hmm?!"

"I brought Murphyson a major twist of fate?"

"Talent Draw Wheel?"

"I can actually draw talents?"

Chen Ji froze.

Then overwhelming joy surged through him.

So this was the proper way to use his cheat?

By rewriting the tragic fate of characters in the story—

He could receive Luck Value in return?

Draw talents?

Changing the plot-death fate of a supporting character had brought him fifty points of Luck Value.

Then if Chen Ji changed the fate of the story's protagonist, how much Luck Value could he gain?

Chen Ji's heart pounded.

At once, he felt a broad road stretching toward the heavens slowly unfold before him!

Then what was he waiting for?

The night grew deeper.

Midnight was almost upon him, and once he fell asleep, he would appear in another bizarre dreamscape filled with peril!

If Chen Ji had the ability to fight back, why would he be willing to keep hiding and running forever?