New York Sanctum

New York.

This was the main stage of the Marvel Universe!

Manhattan.

It was also the global center of commerce and finance.

However, Greenwich Village, where the New York Sanctum stood, seemed utterly out of place amid the surrounding skyscrapers.

Every building brimmed with a retro atmosphere, and diverse cultures could be seen almost everywhere.

Bleecker Street.

177A.

Chen Ji stood before the doors of the New York Sanctum, carrying his luggage and wearing the attire of a Formal Mage, anticipation gleaming in his eyes.

His strange attire drew no attention from the pedestrians on the street.

Compared to the other avant-garde artists, his outfit was not eye-catching in the slightest!

The doorbell rang.

The doors of the New York Sanctum opened in response.

A dark-skinned Mystic Arts Master in deep green robes welcomed Chen Ji inside with a warm smile.

[Name]: Daniel Drumm

[Identity]: Sanctum Guardian Mage

[Traits]: Leads by Example (Green), Wise and Brave (Blue), Knowledgeable (Green), Days Numbered (Black).

[Leads by Example] (Green): He handled everything personally, set an example through his actions, and was dependable and trustworthy.

[Wise and Brave] (Blue): As the Guardian Mage of the New York Sanctum, his wisdom and strength were undoubtedly among the very best.

[Knowledgeable] (Green): He understood many hidden secrets unknown to others. Asking him for guidance could never go wrong.

[Days Numbered] (Black): His fate had run out.

"...His fate had run out?"

"It seemed that when Kaecilius betrayed them, he also took care of Master Drumm!"

Chen Ji froze.

Now that he had become a guardian mage of the New York Sanctum as well,

did that not mean his life might also be in danger in the future?

"Chen!"

"I have been waiting for you for quite some time!"

"I heard that after only half a month of training, you became a Formal Mage and mastered both Mystic Arts Weapons and the Sling Ring?"

"What a remarkable young man!"

Admiration shone in the Mystic Arts Master's eyes.

He did not remain at the New York Sanctum all the time.

He regularly returned to Kamar-Taj to report what he had recently seen and heard to Master Hamir.

He even delivered Books of Arcane Arts seized from the mundane world into the hands of Master Murphyson.

Master Murphyson would select the knowledge that could be shared.

Then place it in the library.

More or less, he had heard of Chen Ji's accomplishments!

"Master Drumm."

"I still have much knowledge to learn."

Chen Ji remained neither servile nor overbearing, his expression full of humility.

Compared to boundless magical power, he valued inner balance more.

Because there were countless things he had yet to understand.

One careless mistake could turn him into the puppet of a mystic artifact!

That was something he could not accept!

"Chen."

"You truly are as humble as Murphyson said."

"From this day onward, you are a member of the New York Sanctum."

"You must remain alert to any disturbances throughout North America."

"Once traces of spiritual creatures appear, this magic conch will sound."

"Furthermore, guardian mages are forbidden from working alone. I will choose a partner for you. Only by working in pairs can you ensure each other's safety."

Master Daniel Drumm spoke at length.

Then, a sweet-looking young woman holding a standard-issue magical artifact stepped before Chen Ji.

Her features were exquisite, with a high nose bridge and lively eyes.

Her well-fitted mage robes appeared to have been specially tailored, fully accentuating her graceful, curvaceous figure.

"An Easterner?"

"He is my partner?"

The young mage's face was cold.

"Master Drumm."

"She is...?"

Chen Ji's expression turned strange.

The New York Sanctum's guardian mages were actually forbidden from acting alone?

Would that not mean he had to stay vigilant at all times and avoid exposing his secrets?

"She is Sally Valence."

"She is also a guardian mage who assumed her post not long ago."

"You arrived one after another. I have to say, this may be fate's arrangement."

Drumm smiled.

"Master Drumm."

"I do not believe he has sufficient experience to be my partner."

Sally's gaze remained calm.

Without any concern for Chen Ji's feelings, she directly voiced her request.

"Hmm?"

"Are you questioning a Mystic Arts Master's arrangement?"

"Sally."

"Put away that arrogance. Even if you come from a distinguished family, once you have arrived at the New York Sanctum,"

"you must follow my rules!"

Daniel Drumm's expression was stern.

Before his words had even faded,

Sally pursed her lips and immediately fell silent.

"A distinguished family?"

"This Sally... was she also a member of a hidden family?"

Chen Ji's heart stirred.

Then, he checked Sally's trait panel.

[Name]: Sally Valence

[Identity]: Guardian Mage

[Traits]: Family in Decline (White), Contrasting Nature (White), Blessed Fortune (Green), Clever Hands and Mind (Green).

[Family in Decline] (White): She came from an ancient hidden family. Though her family's influence had long faded, she still lived without want.

[Contrasting Nature] (White): Tough-talking but timid, outwardly strong but inwardly soft, delicate and tender, and deeply drawn to the strong.

[Blessed Fortune] (Green): She had enjoyed constant good fortune since birth and always received heaven's favor.

[Clever Hands and Mind] (Green): She was intelligent and nimble, and her strength was not to be underestimated.

"An ancient hidden family..."

"Something like that existed?"

"The books never mentioned it!"

Chen Ji's expression shifted.

How could [Blessed Fortune] coexist with [Family in Decline]?

That made no sense!

"Enough."

"You two should get acquainted."

"If you truly cannot work together, I will make adjustments promptly."

"Chen."

"Come with me."

"A room has already been reserved for you on the second floor."

After Master Drumm spoke, he immediately headed toward the stairs nearby.

The New York Sanctum.

Its exterior looked plain and unremarkable.

Yet there was far more to it within.

When this Sanctum had been built, a spatial magic array had been laid inside it.

Though it had only two floors from the outside, it could contain everything within, and nearly every room was a presidential suite!

"Miss Sally."

"Allow me to put down my luggage first."

Chen Ji smiled and hurried after him.

"He is quite polite..."

Sally snorted irritably.

A flash of embarrassment crossed her exquisite, beautiful face.

Had she gone too far just now?

But she could not let down her guard...

It would be troublesome if Chen saw through her!

Sally Valence had raised her guard to the maximum.

After all,

even if the ancestors of an extraordinary hidden family had passed away, it still possessed enormous resources and wealth.

To ensure her family could survive its ordeal safely,

she had chosen to cling to the mighty tree that was Kamar-Taj.

And once she left Kamar-Taj...

the consequences would likely be unimaginable!

Sally still remembered the Blasphemy Cult she had encountered!

The hidden world

had never been peaceful all the time.

Sally had originally wanted to find a powerful helper, only for Master Drumm to assign her a pretty boy!

"I hope he does not hold me back..."

Sally's gaze deepened.

As she watched Chen Ji's departing back, a wave of desolation filled her heart.

A fallen hidden family...

was both a blessing and a nightmare!

"Chen."

"This will be your residence."

"Sally's room is next door."

"If you cannot draw the correct magical imprint, you will be unable to enter the other rooms."

"Likewise."

"Other mages will be unable to enter your room."

Master Drumm pushed open the door.

A gorgeous and exquisite presidential suite came into view.

Retro furniture, leather sofas, wool carpets, and silk curtains all exuded luxury.

"A magical imprint?"

Chen Ji secretly rejoiced.

That way, he would not have to worry about the Mystic Statue and the Orb of the Cosmos being stolen!

"That is right."

"As long as you infuse magic into the door lock, it will activate a magic array."

"Even for a Mystic Arts Master, destroying this magic array would not be easy."

Master Drumm explained.

"I will give it a try!"

Chen Ji gripped the doorknob as magic surged through his entire body.

In an instant.

A dazzling curtain of light appeared before him.

However, with Master Drumm present, he did not immediately imprint it with his magic.

He first put away his luggage and placed the Book of Arcane Arts on the desk.

Watching Chen Ji's efficient movements,

Master Drumm could not help nodding to himself.

"Orderly and composed."

"Master Murphyson's assessment was indeed correct."

"Chen."

"My room is two doors down from yours."

"If anything seems different, remember to ask me anytime."

Master Drumm strode away.

And so,

Chen Ji officially moved into the New York Sanctum!

He lay back on the comfortable, soft bed.

Looking at the bustling traffic outside the window and the magnificent high-rises, his heart swelled with boundless ambition!

Wishing all my esteemed readers a happy National Day and a wonderful holiday!

I also hope that while you're out having fun, you can spare this poor little author, struggling away at the keyboard, a few monthly and recommendation votes.

The author's hands are clumsy—I can write less than a thousand characters an hour, and I still have to revise them over and over. Boohoo.