Prologue

In a secluded palace in the Himalayas, many people dressed in traditional training robes gathered around a bed, their eyes filled with sorrow.

"Master, I probably can't hold on any longer." A pale young man, barely in his twenties, looked at the white-bearded elder before him and gave a helpless smile, though there was a trace of relief in it.

Xiwen had been adopted by sorcerers since childhood and had grown up in Kamar-Taj. His exceptional talent had always earned him the title of genius sorcerer. Yet ever since he was young, he had suffered from a strange illness that often left him mentally dazed. As he grew older, the symptoms only worsened.

Doctors could find nothing wrong with his body. The scholars of Kamar-Taj had searched tirelessly through the vast library for answers, yet they still could not determine what illness it was. In the end, Xiwen's master—the Sorcerer Supreme, Yao—made a judgment that was highly unscientific, yet very magical: Xiwen's soul was incompatible with this universe!

"Xiaowen, take it easy." Yao pondered for a moment before speaking softly. "You know of the existence of the multiverse."

Xiwen weakly lifted his eyelids and said softly, "I know. Does it have something to do with my illness?"

Yao said, "Yes. Your soul is merely incompatible with this universe. But the multiverse is vast beyond measure; there must be one that suits you. I think I can lend you a hand."

"Is that true?" The people surrounding the bed broke into excited chatter, surprise and joy appearing on their faces.

Xiwen's eyes lit up as well, and he looked toward his master, Yao.

Yao said, "But first, I must warn you: many universes in the multiverse are incomparably dangerous, and crossing universes as a soul may cast you into a place beyond all hope. Once it fails, you will be exiled forever in the rifts between universes, until your soul power is completely drained and you utterly dissipate. It will be a long torment."

"I still have to fight for that possibility." Xiwen looked at his master firmly and answered.

"Good." After a brief silence, Yao slowly nodded, then looked around him. "Everyone, move away. I need to make some preparations."

The crowd dispersed, but only to form a circle around the edge of the great hall rather than leaving. Clearly, they all wanted to witness what would happen.

Yao paid them no further attention and turned back to Xiwen. "Xiaowen, are you ready?"

Xiwen smiled. "I've been ready at any time, Master."

Yao said nothing more. He slowly formed a hand seal, and the pendant on his chest lit up with a bright green glow that flooded the entire hall.

"The Eye of Agamotto..." Xiwen murmured. But almost immediately, his mental haze intensified, and his mind grew heavier and heavier. Yet strangely, it felt as though some force was pulling at him, trying to drag him out of this world.

Then, in a daze, he heard his master's voice. "Go seek a universe that can accept you..."

He knew his master was helping him leave. Struggling to open his eyes once more, he swept his gaze over this familiar place and those familiar friends, companions, and elders. Then he softly murmured, "Goodbye, Kamar-Taj."

It felt as though countless long centuries had passed. Xiwen's thoughts drifted amid endless, mottled light and shadow. Blinding sights filled his surroundings, with starlight occasionally flashing before his eyes. He could feel unknown energies constantly eroding him from all sides, while a layer of golden protection around him kept those energies from truly harming him.

I've probably passed through many universes already, he thought. But not a single universe had been willing to accept him.

As he drifted in boredom, a powerful suction force suddenly dragged him swiftly toward a vast sea of stars. He was pulled at incredible speed, starlight constantly streaking past him, as though he had crossed an entire galaxy in an instant. As the stars receded farther and farther away, a beautiful blue planet gradually enlarged until it filled his entire field of vision.

"Bzzzt—"

Xiwen felt himself crash into something, and his vision turned black and blurry.

When his hazy awareness returned, Xiwen could not open his eyes to look at this world. He could only vaguely hear a woman screaming and harsh, chaotic roars around him.

"Avada Kedavra!"

A sharp shout rang in his ears, followed by a blinding green light he could sense even with his eyes closed, along with a hair-raising sense of danger.

Every hair on Xiwen's body seemed to stand on end! He felt an intense threat!

Without time to gauge how much magical power remained within him or how powerful the incoming attack was, he made his decision in that instant. All the magical power in his body was violently drawn out, carrying the protective magic Yao had left attached to his soul as it surged toward the source of the green light!

Then he lost consciousness. Before fainting, he heard only two incredulous cries and the heavy breathing beside him...