First Meeting with The Ancient One

The morning air in New York was still filled with winter chill, but Midtown High School was already bustling with activity. Students returning to campus after winter break gathered in small groups, sharing stories from their holidays.

Lin Hai, Peter, Harry, and Gwen sat on a bench behind the school building, enjoying their last moments of leisure before classes began.

"Time really flies." Peter said through a mouthful of sandwich, his words muffled. "It feels like winter break just started. How is it already over?"

Harry lounged against the bench as sunlight filtered through the leaves, casting dappled shadows across his face. "At least this winter was pretty peaceful. Nothing major happened."

Lin Hai smiled but said nothing. Enjoy the peace while it lasts. Things will get busy enough later.

Gwen flipped through the notebook in her hands, then suddenly looked up. "Oh, right. There's something I want to hear your opinions on."

At lunchtime, the four of them went up to the school rooftop. Gwen took a document from her bag and passed it around.

"Osborn Group offered me a contract," she explained. "If I agree to join them directly after graduation, they'll cover all my expenses from high school through college. That means once I sign it, as long as I'm not buying pointless luxury goods, every other reasonable expense can be reimbursed by Osborn Group."

Peter's eyes widened, and he nearly choked on his own saliva. "W-What? Isn't that way too generous?!"

Harry took the contract and skimmed through it before shrugging. "The terms are definitely good, but Osborn has always been willing to invest in talent."

Lin Hai did not rush to give his opinion. Instead, he carefully read through the terms. The conditions were indeed excellent, but one clause caught his attention—"The signee must work for Osborn Group for at least ten years after graduation."

Watching the reactions of the other three, Gwen continued, "My parents said they respect my decision, but I want to hear what you think."

Gwen's family had always supported her unconditionally. She had been sensible since childhood, consistently excelled in school, and had strong opinions of her own. The Stacy family believed Gwen could handle her own affairs. Even if she refused this contract, they believed she could earn that money elsewhere. Truly capable people never had to worry about such things.

Peter was the first to raise his hand. "I think you should sign it! God, it's full funding! If I had an opportunity like this, Aunt May wouldn't have to work so hard..."

Harry smiled and handed the contract back to Gwen. "As your friend, I support whatever you decide. But as a member of the Osborn family, I have to remind you that once you sign this contract, you'll be tied to Osborn for the next ten years."

Gwen nodded, then finally turned her gaze to Lin Hai. His opinion was the one she cared about most. "Lin, what do you think?"

Lin Hai looked at the expectation shining in Gwen's beautiful eyes and found himself unable to withstand it. He took a deep breath. "My advice is... don't sign it."

He chose his words carefully. "Not because the terms are bad or anything, but because..." He paused and looked over the other three.

"Our futures might go much farther than we imagine."

Peter blinked. "What do you mean?"

Of course, Lin Hai could not explain that he knew many things that would happen in the future, so he could only speak vaguely. "Think about it. Gwen's abilities have long surpassed those of an ordinary intern. Professor Connors is even willing to give her a proper salary. At that level, how many opportunities will she have in the future?"

He looked at Gwen. "If you sign this contract, you'll be locked into Osborn. But if you don't, who knows what we'll encounter next year, or the year after that, once we graduate high school and enter college? Maybe one day, the four of us will have our own laboratory—or even our own company."

Before Gwen could react, Harry burst out laughing. "You've got some serious ambition. And if Osborn Group finds out you're trying to poach their young master, you'll be in trouble. But personally, I don't mind at all. I'm even looking forward to making something bigger than Osborn Group with you guys."

Peter looked stunned. It was a path he had never considered before, but thinking about it carefully, it actually sounded pretty great.

Gwen fell into thought. She knew Lin Hai well enough to know that he would not say something like this without reason. More importantly, deep down, she also longed for broader horizons rather than being bound by a contract.

"I understand." She put away the document and revealed a determined smile. "Thank you for your advice. I've decided not to sign."

Peter scratched his head. "I still think it's a little unfortunate, but being together is something even more worth celebrating!"

After school, the four walked out through the gates side by side. The setting sun stretched their shadows long behind them, as if foretelling endless possibilities ahead.

That night, Gwen replied to Osborn Group's email and politely declined the contract. To her surprise, they quickly responded: "We respect your decision. The doors of Osborn Group will always remain open to you."

She sent a screenshot of the email to their group chat. Peter replied with a string of exclamation marks, while Harry sent a "wise choice" meme.

Lin Hai only replied with one sentence: "When we look back years from now, we definitely won't regret the choice we made today!"

The next day, Midtown High School's final exam rankings for the previous semester exploded like a bomb within their little group.

"First again?!" Peter grabbed his hair and stared incredulously at the rankings on the notice board. "Gwen, how do you even do it? I studied really hard!"

Gwen shrugged, a faint smile lingering at the corner of her lips. "Maybe I just got lucky?"

Harry sighed and patted Peter on the shoulder. "Accept your fate, man. It's been this long. Can't you accept reality yet?"

Lin Hai looked at the glaring "1" behind Gwen's name on the rankings and shook his head helplessly. His grades were good too, but compared to a top student like Gwen, who practically got perfect scores in every subject, he was still a ways behind.

"No, next time I'll definitely beat you!" Peter suddenly clenched his fist and declared solemnly.

Gwen blinked. "Sure. I'll be waiting."

Harry and Lin Hai exchanged a look and sighed at the same time—they knew Peter had said that at least ten times already, but he had never managed it.

A month later, muffled impacts and pained cries echoed through the underground testing grounds of the Osborn family.

"Bang!"

Harry's Nova Armor was struck by an emerald-green wave of energy, sending him flying backward. He rolled across the ground several times before coming to a stop. Struggling to his feet, he scrunched up his face beneath the visor. "Lin! Can't you go a little easier on us?!"

Lin Hai withdrew his palm. "Enemies won't show mercy in a real fight."

On the other side, Peter barely dodged an energy blast with his Spider-Sense, but before he could steady himself, a second wave of attacks came rushing in. He tumbled sideways in a sorry state, yet his suit was still scorched along one side.

"This isn't fair!" Peter protested. "You can attack from range, while we can only fight up close!"

Lin Hai grinned. "Then you need to figure something out."

This kind of "special training" had continued for nearly a month since school began. At first, Peter and Harry could still hold their own against Lin Hai through equipment and skill, but as Lin Hai became increasingly proficient at releasing energy externally, the two of them gradually became human punching bags.

Still, getting beaten up was not without benefits. After every beating, their combat skills improved to some extent.

"Again!" Harry gritted his teeth and charged at Lin Hai.

Peter sighed, but still cooperatively shot out webbing. "I swear, once I can make an energy shield, the first thing I'll do is beat you up in return!"

Lin Hai laughed loudly. "I'll be waiting!"

One ordinary weekday evening, the bell at the Chen-Style Chinese Medicine Clinic suddenly rang.

Lin Hai was sorting medicinal herbs in the backyard. Hearing it, he casually called out, "Master, there's a customer!"

Chen Bing came out of the inner room, wiping the water from his hands. "Who would come at this hour?"

The door opened.

A bald woman dressed in a bright yellow robe stood at the entrance. Her eyes were as calm as still water, yet they seemed capable of seeing through everything.

"Sorry to disturb you." She spoke in Chinese, her voice gentle yet impossible to ignore. "I'm looking for Lin Hai."

Lin Hai poked his head out from the backyard, and the instant he saw her, his pupils contracted sharply.

Because she was the Sorcerer Supreme, The Ancient One.

The air seemed to freeze. Chen Bing keenly sensed the shift in atmosphere and stepped aside to make way. "Please, come in."

The Ancient One gave a slight nod and entered the clinic. Her gaze fell on Lin Hai, and a faint smile touched her lips. "It seems you know who I am."

Lin Hai swallowed and forced himself to remain calm. "Hello, yes, Sorcerer Supreme. Old Chen told me about you in Ta Lo."

Luckily, he really had talked with Old Chen about The Ancient One. Otherwise, there would have been no way to explain his reaction upon seeing her.

In the clinic's backyard, The Ancient One held the tea Chen Bing had brewed and took a light sip.

"I can't see your future," she said without preamble.

Lin Hai clenched his fists. "What does that mean?"

"Exactly what it sounds like." The Ancient One set down her teacup, her gaze deep. "I possess an ability that lets me see the past and future, but I cannot see you."

"Not long ago, when I looked into the future with that ability as usual, the future I had seen countless times—once incomparably clear—became blurred. When I traced it back to its source, I found you, Lin Hai. But there's no need to be nervous. For me, and perhaps for many others, this may even be a good thing. It means there are more possibilities. That is why I wanted to speak with you."

Outside the window, the lingering glow of sunset gradually faded as night approached.

Before leaving, The Ancient One placed a golden card the size of a business card on the table, engraved with mysterious runes.

"Saturday, New York Sanctum," she said. "If you are ready, bring this card and come find me. The address is 177 Bleecker Street, Manhattan."

After the door closed, the clinic fell silent.

Lin Hai picked up the card and took a deep breath. "Looks like my 'peaceful high school life' is about to end once again."