Peter joked, "You specifically arranged for an old master to sit across from you just to see how many people would mistake him for Sorcerer Supreme?"
"To a certain extent... this trick never works." The Ancient One pointed to the low coffee table in front of him, "Please sit down."
The two sat opposite each other and placed the teacups on the table.
Peter cleared his throat. "You haven't answered me yet, Your Majesty. Have you been waiting for me?"
"Does it matter?"
"Of course. If you had expected it, it means you understand the current situation, and I don't have to explain it to you." Peter picked up the tea cup and said.
"I see..." The Ancient One looked at him, "Then yes, I know who you are, Peter·Parker. Or...Spider-Man?"
Peter was not surprised. "How did you know?"
"When the scientists at Baxter Foundation first came into contact with the dimensional shuttle technology, I sent someone to keep an eye on them secretly." The Ancient One said slowly, "When you join them, your details will naturally be hidden from my eyes. Frankly speaking, your heroic actions at New York are really impressive."
Peter laughed twice, "It seems that our security measures need to be strengthened."
The Ancient One smiled, "Indeed."
"Then you also know about my 'trip' before Christmas?"
"I know. This is one of the reasons why I pay close attention to you. Tearing the dimension of reality is no small matter. Once you mess up... the consequences will be disastrous."
"In short, you are afraid that we will destroy the world." Peter summed it up straightforwardly.
"That's understandable."
"Okay." Peter said seriously, "But what you may not know is that that teleportation took me to a Mirror Dimension. There, I met my future self. In order to find a way to come back, the Sorcerer Supreme of that world accepted me as his apprentice."
The Ancient One took a sip of tea. "Show me."
Peter stretched out his right hand, and the light gathered in the palm of his hand, instantly constructing an extremely regular golden Magic array - and at the core of the array, there was a pattern of Spider net engraved on it.
The Ancient One's breathing stopped suddenly, and his eyes widened slightly. "This is...Web of Life and Destiny."
Peter sighed, "It seems you recognize it."
"How is this possible... No, if that's the case, it does make sense." The Ancient One pondered for a moment and looked up at him, "Do you understand what this means?"
Peter nodded. "This is also the reason why my master accepted me as his disciple. He said that as the totem of Web of Life, I am one of the very few people in the world who can use the power of this network. He also said... it is my destiny to become 'Web of Life Mage'."
The Ancient One put down the teacup, raised his hand and slapped the Snap. A dozen golden Magic rings instantly enveloped Peter.
Peter sat patiently and drank tea leisurely. Well, the taste of this honey tea is indeed amazing.
After a while, the Ancient One withdrew the spell and exclaimed, "It's incredible..."
"Your tea is not bad either." Peter joked.
The Ancient One looked at him deeply. "Do you understand your true nature? He has told you everything?"
"He told me. He warned me about the price of randomly drawing the power of Web of Life, and also reminded me that if I die in the hands of someone who has gathered Six Infinity Stones, the entire reality may collapse. That's about it, right?"
The Ancient One nodded slightly. "Absolutely. Did he teach you the corresponding method?"
"No. He only taught me the basics of Magic, such as Wand of Watoomb, but he didn't have time to teach me how to control Web of Life and Destiny."
The Ancient One was silent for a moment and said with a smile, "It seems I have no choice. Parker apprentice, are you willing to practice secret arts at Kamar-Taj?"
Peter looked troubled. "Your Majesty... I'm afraid this is a bit difficult."
"Why?"
"As you know, I still have many responsibilities in the secular world. School homework, laboratory work, and saving the world as Spider-Man... My schedule is already full. And practicing Magic requires a lot of energy. I wonder if Kamar-Taj has a 'part-time apprentice' option?"
The Ancient One chuckled, "Unfortunately... no. However, maybe your way of practice can be a little different."
After saying that, the Ancient One stood up and motioned for Peter to follow.
The two returned to the basement of the library. The librarian turned a blind eye to Sorcerer Supreme's arrival. The Ancient One shuttled between rows of towering bookshelves, and finally pulled out two heavy ancient books - one blue and one red.
"This is the note of an old friend of mine, Master Carl Cole." The Ancient One handed the book to Peter, "He was a United States man, born in 1843, but only lived for more than twenty years. He recorded in the book the whole process of his attempts to tap into Web of Life and Destiny's power, which may be useful to you."
Peter took the book. "I have never heard of this person. Is he also Spider-Totem?"
"No, he is not. He is just an ambitious mortal." The Ancient One's eyes were a little erratic, with a hint of sadness, "I was there when he tried to integrate the power of the Internet... I witnessed the terrible consequences with my own eyes. Since then, I have sealed this method because it is too dangerous."
"What happened?"
"He is not Spider, he is just a fly that strayed into the spider's web. So, Web of Life swallowed him up." The Ancient One sighed, "What a pity... I originally hoped that one day he could take over my position. Since you can't stay here to do hard work, just take it and study it first."
Peter held the book and couldn't believe it. "Wait... I just walked in, and you gave me the forbidden book that can destroy the world? Do you trust me so much?"
"You passed the test of another Sorcerer Supreme, didn't you?" The Ancient One smiled slyly, "Besides, as far as I know, Stephen·Strange always has a very accurate eye for people."
Peter was shocked. "You even know this?!"
The Ancient One smiled and gestured behind Peter.
Peter followed her gaze and saw a thin man in a white robe immersed in reading beside a bookshelf not far away. That was the Stephen·Strange of this world. According to the entry order, Peter was now his senior brother.
"From the moment Stephen was born in this world, I saw his fate." The Ancient One said leisurely.
Peter couldn't help but ask, "Then can you see my fate?"
The Ancient One turned to look at him. "The fate of most people is difficult to see clearly. Stephen is destined to succeed me, so his fate is particularly clear. But you... your future is more blurry than others, as if it is obscured by thick fog."
Peter sighed deeply, "Yes, there are many more unsolved mysteries."
He glanced at Strange who was still reading without food and sleep, and shook his head. "Forget it, thank you for your book. But Your Majesty, I actually have another thing to do here today."
The Ancient One raised his eyebrows. "Oh? What else is there?"