Li Ge was not at all unfamiliar with the sorcerer who had suddenly appeared before him.
She was the pinnacle of Earth's combat power in the Marvel cinematic universe, a big shot whose every appearance exuded presence.
She was also a character said to have died because her special effects were too spectacular and too expensive.
She was the most dutiful and longest-serving Sorcerer Supreme of the organization of sorcerers that protected Earth.
Li Ge had originally thought that, as the person who controlled the Time Stone, the Ancient One would invite him over for a talk as soon as his powers awakened.
He had never expected so much time to pass without her making any move.
Yet when he created Krakoa and sealed it onto the barrier of cosmic space,
this belated invitation to tea suddenly appeared before Li Ge.
"What are you trying to do?!"
"Li Ge, don't go!"
Hearing that the Ancient One wanted Li Ge to come over, none of them could sit still.
Wolverine immediately extended his metal claws. Like a threatened, hungry wolf, he stared fixedly at the Ancient One, pulling back the corners of his mouth to bare his sharp teeth.
Without a word, Cyclops assumed his demon form. Curved demonic horns grew from his head, his body became tall and muscular, and his dark red skin shone with light. A suit of energy armor that seemed to be made of lava instantly covered him.
Notably, this time, the clothes Cyclops wore were not incinerated by the energy and remained intact on his body.
Magneto watched the Ancient One with a piercing gaze. He said nothing, but the metal around him began to tremble and change shape.
The Professor's eyes were full of wariness. He made no move, merely remaining ready to use his powerful mental energy to take control of the Ancient One at any moment.
Storm gradually rose into the air amid howling currents. Her eyes turned pure white, and strands of lightning wound around her body.
A faint golden-red glow appeared around Phoenix, and even Dark Phoenix beside her began to emit traces of dark red light.
Beast looked back and forth at his companions. Although he also wanted to show off his presence, he seemed to think of something and ultimately only put on a fierce expression, glaring viciously at the Ancient One.
With no ability she could use to project an imposing presence, Shadowcat felt completely out of place among the Professor and the others. Only Beast, who was similarly lacking in presence, made her feel a little better.
All she could do was keep a stern face and quietly shift her position, hiding behind the others.
Li Ge saw everything they did and felt somewhat touched.
"Don't worry, everyone! I don't think the Ancient One means any harm. Put your powers away."
"Are you really afraid the Ancient One will hurt me when she's inviting me for tea? Isn't that right, Ancient One?"
Rather than let them continue treating the Ancient One with hostility, Li Ge raised a hand to stop the Professor and the others, watching her with interest.
"Li Ge, you know who the Ancient One is?"
Li Ge's confident manner stirred something in the Professor's mind. It seemed that Li Ge had also immediately known about the Phoenix Force before.
That was why he asked.
Li Ge offered no further explanation and simply nodded as though it were only natural.
"It looks like I'll be staying as the Ancient One's guest for a while. I think that place will be a great help to me. Professor, focus on developing Krakoa."
Li Ge had already intended to spend some time studying at Kamar-Taj when he had the chance, so of course he would not refuse the Ancient One's invitation.
For someone like him, who relied entirely on instinct to use his abilities, all the magical knowledge there was like the Dao Ancestor's lectures to the innate divinities of the primordial world.
With a complete, systematic foundation of knowledge, he would be able to develop something of his own upon it.
The Ancient One had been sitting quietly all along. Wisps of steam drifted from the teacup before her, carrying an enchanting fragrance.
The others' actions elicited no reaction from her whatsoever. Even her expression remained fixed in that faint, elusive smile.
She pointed at the teacup before Li Ge and made an inviting gesture.
Li Ge looked at the others, who seemed to want to speak but held back. In the end, he waved and walked straight through the Spatial Teleportation portal.
As Li Ge entered, the portal instantly shrank to a point. A few sparks flickered before it vanished completely.
With Li Ge gone, everyone in the training ground exchanged looks.
"Erik, it's time for you and Raven to leave. There are still plenty of things we need to collect for Krakoa."
"I imagine you can't wait to see a beautiful Mutants Nation either?"
The Professor temporarily set aside his concern for Li Ge. He believed that Li Ge, who had always been mature and steady, knew what he was doing. Besides, they could not stop him anyway, could they?
Now they still had something that truly needed doing-building Krakoa and collecting the plants and animals it lacked.
When there was no need to oppose humanity, the Professor was more proactive than anyone about matters concerning the fate of mutants.
"Hmph! You may have named Krakoa, but I want it to become better even more than you do."
"Raven, let's go. The Brotherhood of Mutants has a mission!"
Magneto had regained his stern expression. With a sweep of the cape behind him, he headed for the exit.
If his cape had not looked a little tattered, the whole display would have been quite imposing.
"Goodbye, Charles! See you on Krakoa!"
"By the way, you look much better now than you did before."
Mystique took on Shadowcat's appearance again and followed Magneto. As she passed the standing Professor, she made a point of looking at his legs.
Although she did not say it outright, the Professor still sensed Mystique's concern for him, leaving him with complicated feelings.
"Raven..."
Li Ge stepped through the portal and, without standing on ceremony, sat down directly opposite the Ancient One.
He reached out, picked up the teacup before him, and gently sniffed it. The distinctive fragrance of tea immediately filled his nose.
He took a small sip. It tasted slightly bitter at first, then left a lingering sweetness as it went down his throat, instantly refreshing his mind.
"Good tea!"
In truth, Li Ge did not really know how to appreciate tea, but just like food, he could tell whether it was good or bad simply by tasting it.
The Ancient One was in no hurry to speak either, holding her own cup and slowly savoring her tea.
Only after Li Ge spoke did she set down the cup in her hand.
"Li Ge, I imagine you know where we are now?"
"Of course. Kamar-Taj, the organization of sorcerers that protects Earth. And you, Ancient One, are the Sorcerer Supreme here."
Li Ge did not conceal his knowledge of them. The fact that she had not attacked him right away already showed that all of this was within her expectations.
"Li Ge, a soul from another world, and now a Dimensional Demon God."
The Ancient One calmly stated Li Ge's origins, as well as his current standing.