The Chitauri Invasion

Mordo explained slowly. His pace was unhurried, but his explanations were every bit as good as those of Wong and the others, and even more precise, allowing Wang Yang to quickly grasp the deeper meaning.

Especially after integrating the magical talent, his understanding of the Crimson Bands had deepened considerably.

Seeing Wang Yang's serious expression, as though he were thinking intently, Mordo could not help smiling.

To Mordo, Wang Yang had clearly gained some insight into the spell. Otherwise, he would not have worn such an expression.

He had met plenty of people with some talent, but even the most gifted students encountered problems, especially when they first began learning.

Even he had been no exception. Wang Yang might be talented, but that talent lay in other kinds of magic. He might not find this spell so easy to learn.

That was what made magic so complex.

"Wang Yang, there's no need to rush. The Crimson Bands may be an advanced spell, but with your talent, you should gradually grasp it. Don't be too anxious!"

Most advanced spells required drawing on substantial amounts of divine power.

Divine power also reflected a deity's choice, and a deity would hardly let just anyone wield it.

That was why some people found advanced spells easy to cast, while others struggled.

It was also entirely possible for someone to find one advanced spell easy and another difficult.

With his wealth of knowledge and experience, Mordo had long understood this.

So what he needed to do was reassure Wang Yang.

Wang Yang could learn other spells and had even mastered the Vishanti Holy Sword, so his talent was beyond question. If his inability to master the Crimson Bands dealt him a crushing blow...

That would undoubtedly be a loss for Kamar-Taj.

That was why Mordo wanted to reassure Wang Yang, hoping he would not give up on himself.

But just as he was about to offer some comfort, he saw a bashful smile appear on Wang Yang's face.

"Master Mordo, I think I may have already mastered this spell!"

"What?"

Mordo looked astonished. A moment ago, he had thought Wang Yang could not master the spell at all. How had he suddenly managed it?

"I'll give it a try. If there's anything wrong with my spell, please give me some pointers, Master Mordo!"

Wang Yang nodded, then began murmuring an incantation.

He brought his hands together, then pulled them apart. A red chain appeared between them.

At the sight, Mordo's eyes widened.

How many minutes had it been?

This kid had already learned the spell?

Wasn't this advanced magic?

Didn't it require drawing on a deity's power? How could an apprentice borrow it so easily?

Did deities have no pride anymore?

Why had Wang Yang mastered it so quickly?

This should have been impossible.

Mordo had never seen anyone learn the Crimson Bands so quickly.

The Sorcerer Supreme had once told him as much.

"Cyttorak is not a generous deity. The Crimson Bands are very difficult to master!"

"Mastering the Crimson Bands in a year already makes you exceptionally talented!"

He could still remember the Sorcerer Supreme's praise.

The Sorcerer Supreme had even smiled while saying it, genuinely praising his talent.

So he had considered himself very gifted.

He had since watched many sorcerers learn the Crimson Bands, but none had learned it faster than he had. There had not even been many whose learning time came close to his.

Yet now, Wang Yang had learned it in such a short time.

If learning the Crimson Bands in a year made him a genius, what did that make Wang Yang?

How could the gap between two people be so enormous?

Or were the Crimson Bands simply that easy to learn?

Was Cyttorak really such a generous deity?

While Mordo sank into self-doubt, Wang Yang had begun to harbor doubts of his own.

According to the Masters of the Mystic Arts, these advanced spells all came from deities, yet he had never felt as though he were receiving divine power.

He simply obtained the Masters of the Mystic Arts' Talent Fragments, then used their experience to summon the magic.

So his magic seemed to come from deities, yet at the same time, it did not.

Whatever the case, there was no question that he could learn spells with ease.

Just then, a commotion came from outside.

"What's going on?"

Wang Yang turned to look outside.

The Crimson Bands in his hands had already vanished.

Mordo also frowned and headed toward the commotion.

"Master Mordo, I'll head back, then!"

Wang Yang knew something must have happened, but as an apprentice, he naturally could not get involved.

"No need. Come with me!"

Mordo glanced at Wang Yang. He had already learned advanced magic, so whatever had happened, he now had the strength to hold his own. He would be far more useful than many senior sorcerers.

"Yes, Master Mordo!"

Wang Yang followed Mordo, and a short while later, they saw Wong.

"Wong, what happened?"

"Hamir has returned, and he's brought bad news. A major battle has broken out in New York. Countless Chitauri are invading Earth!"

Wong spoke with a frown.

"What?"

Mordo frowned. Master of the Mystic Arts Kaecilius had only recently betrayed them, and now another unexpected crisis had struck.

Hamir had been fighting alien creatures and otherworldly demons in outer space. For him to bring back this news, the situation must have been urgent.

"He's waiting for us in the main hall!"

Wong glanced at Wang Yang behind Mordo, but showed no surprise.

Presumably, Mordo had already experienced this apprentice's talent firsthand.

"Let's go!"

Mordo nodded.

The three immediately headed for the main hall together.

A short while later, Wang Yang saw a sorcerer wearing a trench coat inside the hall.

"Hamir, what exactly happened?"

Although they all knew the Chitauri were invading, none of them knew the exact situation.

Blood still stained Hamir's face. He raised a hand and waved it.

A screen of light appeared before them.

It showed New York.

An enormous Portal had opened above New York, resembling a vast black hole.

Countless people were crying out in alarm.

Countless black specks appeared inside the black hole, then descended together.

At the sight, all the Masters of the Mystic Arts present fell silent.

None of them had expected a scene like this.

But when Wang Yang saw it, he could not help feeling surprised.

Wasn't this the plot of the first Avengers movie, where Loki opened a Portal and brought in the Chitauri?

It looked like Thanos hadn't arrived yet, but it wouldn't be long.

Wang Yang felt that time was growing short.

With one snap of Thanos's fingers, he might disappear too...