The Return of the Villainous Big Shot!

Kamar-Taj had always been very peaceful.

But today, that tranquility was shattered.

Hundreds of Sorcerers and apprentices had gathered densely in the plaza at the entrance to the Sanctum.

Everyone was craning their necks in anticipation.

Because today was the day Kaecilius would return with the expeditionary Sorcerer corps.

Kamar-Taj was not merely an academic institution for studying Magic. It was also the first line of defense against the invasion of all manner of evil creatures from the Multiverse.

The Spatial Nodes near Earth were patrolled and guarded year-round by battle Sorcerers.

Every expedition meant that some people might never return.

That was why.

Everyone at Kamar-Taj held these brave defenders in the highest regard.

At the very front of the crowd.

Wong and Hamir stood side by side as the Masters who had remained behind.

The air rippled, and a huge golden Portal suddenly tore open.

Kaecilius strode out first, leading dozens of Sorcerers who radiated the stench of smoke and blood.

"Kaecilius, welcome back."

Wong swept his gaze over the group. Seeing that the vast majority of the Sorcerers were safe and sound, the tension in his face eased slightly.

"Looks like you did a fine job this time."

Wong had always acknowledged Kaecilius's strength, even though he strongly disliked the other man's arrogant, superior attitude.

"Of course."

Kaecilius lifted his chin slightly, his eyes carrying a condescending gaze.

His eyes swept over Wong's perpetually expressionless face, and his tone remained flat.

"Looks like Kamar-Taj is as boring as ever while we're away."

"With me guarding this place, none of the filthy things outside can get in."

Wong shot back without the slightest courtesy, unusually eager to prove himself.

Kaecilius snorted.

"Give me a break, Wong."

"The Earth is this peaceful entirely because of The Ancient One's deterrence."

"If a proper Demon God really descended, what use would you be sitting indoors listening to music?"

Wong's expression darkened.

"I think you'd be better off staying in the back and obediently teaching a few apprentices."

Kaecilius flicked the dust from his Sorcerer's robe, his tone full of contempt.

"Charging out to risk your life isn't suitable for you."

Being ignored and mocked in public would have stoked a furious temper in anyone, no matter how good-natured Wong was.

"Kaecilius, combat isn't all there is to Kamar-Taj!"

Wong retorted in a deep voice, "Even the great Sorcerer Supreme personally teaches apprentices and passes on knowledge. Do you think you're greater than The Ancient One?"

"I naturally wouldn't dare compare myself to The Ancient One."

Kaecilius's smile faded.

He was arrogant, but he still held genuine reverence for The Ancient One.

"But at the very least, I'm much stronger than you."

Kaecilius stepped closer, his gaze sharp.

"On this expedition, I led the team in wiping out ten Demon strongholds that coveted the Earth."

"Wong, what earth-shaking contribution did you make while lounging comfortably at home?"

As fellow Masters, there were very few people at Kamar-Taj whom Kaecilius regarded as rivals. Wong barely counted as one.

So whenever he got the chance, he never spared his mockery.

Faced with this aggressive questioning.

Wong did not become furious, surprisingly. The muscles on his face even twitched twice, as if he were forcibly suppressing some strange emotion.

"It was indeed an outstanding achievement." Wong's tone was so flat that it was almost perfunctory.

Kaecilius keenly sensed that something was wrong.

Something was off!

Based on what he knew of Wong, the fat man had an exceptionally strong sense of self-respect.

After being mocked so brazenly, even if he did not lose his temper on the spot, he would definitely have shot back with some sarcastic retort.

How could he possibly be so calm?

Unless... that fat man had some trump card in his hands more terrifying than his own achievements!

"Looks like you've accomplished something impressive lately?" Kaecilius narrowed his eyes and probed.

"No comment."

Wong tossed out those words, then turned to arrange a welcoming ceremony for the returning Sorcerers.

Watching Wong's mysterious back as he left.

The doubts in Kaecilius's heart grew heavier and heavier.

Night fell.

Kaecilius's private meditation room.

A lean Sorcerer in a brown robe stood respectfully to one side.

He was Devin, one of Kaecilius's most loyal fanatical followers.

"Devin, did anything unusual happen at Kamar-Taj while I was away leading the expedition?"

Kaecilius sat on a meditation cushion, wiping the Magic artifact in his hand.

"Master, everything is as usual. Nothing major happened," Devin answered respectfully.

"Think more carefully."

Kaecilius's gaze turned cold. "Even minor rumors."

Devin furrowed his brows and thought for a long while.

"If you're asking about rumors, there really is one insignificant little matter."

A trace of disdain colored Devin's tone. "I heard that an extremely abnormal genius emerged among the latest batch of apprentices."

"Oh? Tell me about it." Kaecilius paused.

"Everyone on the training grounds has been saying that the little apprentice is a once-in-a-millennium monster."

Devin could not help laughing. "Some people have even boasted that the boy's talent is a hundred times greater than yours!"

"That's the most ridiculous thing I've ever heard!"

Devin's face was full of contempt. "Your talent shocked even The Ancient One back then. How could a rookie who has only just touched the threshold of Magic possibly compare with you? These people don't even bother drafting their lies first!"

However.

After hearing this, Kaecilius did not become angry. Instead, a spark of interest flashed through his eyes.

"A genius a hundred times stronger than me?"

Kaecilius placed the now-polished Magic artifact on the table, a smile filled with predatory desire appearing at the corner of his mouth.

No wonder that fat pig Wong had seemed so confident today.

So he had found a treasure.

"Devin."

"Go and find out exactly who this so-called genius is."

Kaecilius rose to his feet, an intense desire to conquer shining in his eyes.

"I want to see whether Kamar-Taj really has produced such an incredible figure."