Lobby Bar

Seeing this scene.

Chen Ji immediately came to a conclusion!

He was likely in a composite universe that fused the Avengers and the X-Men!

The world setting resembled Earth-838?

Why only resembled?

Because... Captain America in this world was Steve Rogers!

Chen Ji secretly breathed a sigh of relief.

As long as this was not Earth-616 of the Main Universe.

Kamar-Taj in the Main Universe had suffered three tragedies in succession!

Kaecilius!

The Snap!

the Scarlet Witch!

Not to mention the ongoing "Incursion"!

Any one of those tragedies could have cost him his life!

Then, Chen Ji searched for information about Tony Stark again. Countless gossip articles and live updates immediately popped up.

It seemed that Tony Stark had only just dealt with Whiplash. After shutting down the weapons research division, he had also begun aggressively entering the new energy sector.

Stark Industries' plummeting stock had also rebounded from rock bottom.

It was almost entirely in the green!

"What a pity..."

"I need to meet him in person before I can generate an Entry Panel."

Chen Ji sighed to himself.

He really wanted to see Tony Stark's entries.

"Mutant Registration Act, Senator Robert Kelly..."

"The timeline seems to be out of order."

Chen Ji's gaze deepened.

The X-Men universe's story had originally taken place at the start of the century.

It seemed that the parallel world he was in held even more unknown secrets!

This universe...

Was it also under TVA supervision?

But even if it was under TVA supervision, TVA could not interfere with him!

My master is the Ancient One!

What advice do you have?

Chen Ji opened Wikipedia again and reviewed the basic structure of firearms. He had never forgotten his goal of creating a Magic Gatling Gun!

Time trickled by.

Before long, the clock hand hurriedly pointed to seven.

Chen Ji was startled.

He hurriedly shut his laptop, hid the Orb of the Cosmos, and ran downstairs.

In the main hall.

Master Drumm, Sally Valence, and three Guardian Mages were already waiting there.

Sally's face was cold.

"I told you to be here at seven. Why are you still late?"

"Sorry, sorry."

"I got too absorbed in reading."

"I hope Master Drumm will forgive me."

Chen Ji hurriedly explained.

"Chen."

"When Vishnu's Conch sounds, remember to put down your book immediately. Only after dealing with the spiritual creatures is it our free time."

"You have only just arrived at the New York Sanctum, so I will not pursue this since it is your first offense."

Master Drumm looked stern.

The appearance of spiritual creatures would inevitably bring disaster to the real world.

Ordinary people could not see spiritual creatures, making them even harder to deal with!

So, if Guardian Mages could not reach the scene at once...

The consequences would likely be even worse!

According to Kamar-Taj's rules, this could even mean three days of confinement!

"Understood."

Chen Ji shuddered.

So there were so many rules for Guardian Mages?

"Don't worry."

"Newcomers usually aren't sent to hunt spiritual creatures right away."

A middle-aged mage with a full beard smiled and offered his hand.

"Chen."

"I'm Doran."

"The man who will become the Sanctum Guardian Mage in the future."

[Name]: Doren Gale

[Identity]: Guardian Mage

[Entries]: Courageous and Resourceful (Green), Battle-Hardened (Green), Rule-Abiding (White).

[Courageous and Resourceful] (Green): He possessed both courage and strategy. He was not as rough as he appeared.

[Battle-Hardened] (Green): A veteran of countless battles, he understood many survival skills and was skilled at fighting desperately.

[Rule-Abiding] (White): He did everything by the book, strictly adhered to Kamar-Taj's rules, and never crossed the line.

"Hello!"

"Please take care of me!"

Chen Ji shook his hand.

Then, he looked toward the other two Guardian Mages. One was male and the other female, their builds entirely different.

Yet both of them brimmed with astonishing arcane energy.

They were only a step away from the level of Mystic Arts Masters!

[Name]: Eva Feynman

[Identity]: Guardian Mage

[Entries]: Meticulous (Green), Diligent Training (Green), Decisive Blade (White).

[Meticulous] (Green): She could always notice details that ordinary people failed to perceive.

[Diligent Training] (Green): Her talent was not top-tier, but she made up for it with hard work and possessed unique skills of her own.

[Decisive Blade] (White): She was especially skilled with blades. Her swift blade techniques had reached a level where not even water could penetrate.

"I'm Eva."

"I won't be going to the Lobby Bar today."

"Someone also needs to remain behind at the New York Sanctum."

"If spiritual creatures appear, they need to be dealt with promptly."

Eva Feynman wore no makeup. Even though she was no longer young, there was not a single wrinkle on her face. She still carried the charm of mature femininity, and the curve of her cleavage was particularly exaggerated.

Compared to Sally Valence, it was simply like comparing a giant to a dwarf.

"Then I won't be going either."

"Chen."

"You can call me David."

The other young mage, who carried himself with gentlemanly grace, showed a hint of helplessness.

As Mage Eva Feynman's teammate.

He had to advance and retreat alongside her in everything.

[Name]: David Simmons

[Identity]: Guardian Mage

[Entries]: Chivalry (White), Dissection Expert (Green), Enchantment Master (Green).

[Chivalry] (White): He possessed the spirit of a Western knight—steady and reserved, yet willing to sacrifice himself.

[Dissection Expert] (Green): During the dissection of spiritual creatures, he could absorb a portion of Cosmic Arcane Energy.

[Enchantment Master] (Green): He had unique insights in the field of enchantment.

"Dissection Expert?"

"Enchantment Master?"

"This guy..."

"He's got something!"

Chen Ji's heart tightened.

This was the first time he had seen these two talent entries.

[Dissection Expert] (Green): During the dissection of spiritual creatures, he could absorb a portion of Cosmic Arcane Energy.

This entry alone!

Was enough to make Chen Ji view him in a different light.

"Counting me..."

"The New York Sanctum only has six Guardian Mages?"

"Isn't that a little too few?"

Chen Ji realized belatedly.

He had thought the New York Sanctum would have at least ten Guardian Mages!

"Chen."

"The number of mages is not about quantity, but quality."

"Of course."

"Some mages have also died in battle."

"The New York Sanctum is a place where spiritual creatures frequently appear."

"You chose the New York Sanctum, so you should have prepared yourself mentally, right?"

Master Drumm looked sorrowful.

He believed that he bore responsibility for the death of every Guardian Mage.

"Enough."

"Doran."

"Hurry up and take these two newcomers out to broaden their horizons."

Eva Feynman waved her hand.

Then, a Mystic Portal opened out of thin air.

On the other side of the portal.

Was a quiet, deserted alley.

"The entrance to the Lobby Bar..."

"Does not have a fixed location."

"Every alley can lead to the Lobby Bar."

"This is a gathering place for magical creatures and Mystic Arts Masters."

"Chen."

"Sally."

"Remember not to anger anyone."

Drumm stepped through the Mystic Portal and entered the dark, secluded alley.

At the end of the alley.

Was a solid wall.

The bearded mage Doran pressed his palm against the wall, and a glow immediately lit up from nowhere, forming a spatial vortex.

Whoosh!

A burst of lively, deafening noise rushed toward them.

Through the spatial vortex, they could see a plain-looking bar standing in the Void.

All kinds of magical creatures and mysterious mages with powerful magic sat around round tables, merrily clinking glasses.

"Come on."

"The Lobby Bar!"

"Bartender Jack's skills are unmatched!"

The bearded mage Doran licked his lips and was the first to step into the Lobby Bar.

He greeted the Lobby Bar's regulars.

He was undeniably a social butterfly!

A new month and a new week—this humble author hopes for everyone's support. I will humbly accept any suggestions.