Ancient One! Let's Team Up Against Mephisto!

After entering the church, Xiahou began looking around. It was his first time in a church, and he was very curious.

Seeing that Xiahou could enter the church safely and suffered no ill effects, Slade felt a little more reassured. At the same time, he helped Johnny onto a bed in a small room and left plenty of water by the bedside.

Once Johnny was settled, he went over to Xiahou and said, "All right, now we can have a proper talk! Tell me your real purpose! Don't joke around with me!"

Xiahou looked away and turned to the first Ghost Rider. "Didn't I already tell you? I just saw Johnny on the road and decided to catch up and get a picture with him. It's even better that you're here too. When you both transform, could you take a picture with me?"

Slade said he didn't believe him at all and continued, "The fact that you can enter this place means you're neither a demon nor under one's influence! Where exactly do you come from? If you don't explain yourself, I don't think I can grant your request!"

Seeing Slade like this, Xiahou thought for a moment before saying, "I'm a gamer! And do you know the Sorcerer Supreme? She's got my back. I want to be a bounty hunter now, and I think Johnny will hire me!"

"What! You actually know the Sorcerer Supreme? How is that possible? Someone like her isn't the sort a minor character like you could know!" Slade was startled at first, then retorted dismissively.

Xiahou immediately expressed his displeasure. "What do you mean, a minor character like me? Old man! Believe it or not, I can kill you in minutes! Show me your health bar if you've got the guts! Even if that old geezer Ancient One came, she couldn't save you!"

As he spoke, he pulled out the Blue Rose and pressed it against Slade's head!

Slade looked at the revolver that had suddenly appeared in his hand and recalled how he had put his car away earlier. It really did have a connection to Kamar-Taj's spatial magic.

He immediately broke into a smile and said apologetically, "I'm sorry! It was my fault. Since you know me, you should also know what I've done. That's why I was a little sensitive. Sorry about that! Didn't you want a picture? What pose do you need me to strike?"

Looking at the old man, whose attitude had changed faster than turning a page, Xiahou immediately lost interest in fighting him.

"No need. I don't want a picture with you now! Let's talk about it when you transform! Don't you only have one transformation left?"

Hearing Xiahou say he could only transform once more, Slade grew even more certain of his identity. Someone proficient in space and time magic really could be Ancient One's disciple. She was someone who made Mephisto dare to come to Earth and stir up trouble only by sneaking around with an avatar!

He then put on a fawning expression and said, "Would you like me to get you something to eat? I don't think you've had breakfast yet, have you?"

Xiahou looked at the old man, whose whole manner had suddenly changed, utterly baffled. Was he possessed? It doesn't look like it! Still, he said, "Just get me anything to eat! Thanks, old man!"

Slade hurriedly said, "Of course! Of course! Wait a moment, then."

He thought that as long as he could cling to the Sorcerer Supreme's thigh, what did he have to fear from Mephisto? Would Mephisto dare come looking for trouble with him?

Xiahou watched Slade leave to prepare food, then took out the jade pendant Ancient One had given him and began injecting mana into it. After a few seconds, Ancient One's voice sounded in his ear.

"Didn't you leave just a few days ago? What do you want?" Ancient One's voice was full of impatience.

Xiahou was instantly annoyed. "What's with that tone, old geezer? I contacted you because I discovered Mephisto was planning to stir up trouble! Believe it or not, I'll help him take you on!"

"Enough. Cut the nonsense. This is Johnny's affair. I shouldn't interfere!"

Xiahou grew anxious when he heard that. "Come on! Let's join forces and ambush Mephisto! I remember it's a lot of trouble for demons to create an avatar. When the crucial moment comes, I'll summon you, and you can come straight over and kill his avatar! Wouldn't he lose an avatar then? He'd cause less trouble in the future, too! How great would that be!"

On the other end, Ancient One thought about it. It seemed to make some sense, and she did want someone to fight so she could vent her anger, so she agreed. "All right. When the time comes, just inject mana into the jade pendant and I'll come over. Otherwise, if I'm keeping an eye on you, he won't dare appear!"

Xiahou was delighted to hear Ancient One agree. Although he had no quarrel with Mephisto, that didn't stop him from watching Ancient One beat him up! A free monkey show! How could he miss it?

"Okay, old geezer! Make sure you come!"

Ancient One didn't answer him. She had obviously already cut off contact.

"Tsk! Playing all aloof! But there'll be a good show soon. Gyeh heh heh!" Xiahou let out a textbook villain's laugh.

Slade, who had brought some food over a while ago, had hidden outside and listened to their entire conversation. Although he could only hear Xiahou's side, that didn't stop him from knowing what was going on!

Carrying some bread and other food, he came over to Xiahou and said, "This is all there is here. Have something to eat!"

Xiahou took it without complaint and began eating, chatting with him on and off as he did.

Around noon, Johnny finally woke up in the room. As soon as he awoke, he felt as though all the moisture in his body had evaporated, leaving him unbearably thirsty. Seeing the water by the bed, he drank one glass after another.

Only after his body felt a little better did he begin looking around. The room was filled with all kinds of church pictures and books. When he stepped out, he found himself in the church's main hall, filled with chairs for prayer, but no one was there.

After leaving the church, he saw Slade walking slowly toward him with a pickaxe in his hand. Realizing that Slade had taken him in, Johnny hurriedly thanked him.

Slade explained what had happened to him. At first, Johnny didn't believe him and intended to leave the place and get away from the strange old man. Only after the old man mentioned the contract did he have to believe him.

Seeing that they had finally finished talking, Xiahou, who had been sprawled beneath a large tree, walked over and said to Johnny, "Hello there, Zhao Si! Can I get a picture with you? You look so cool after you transform! And can I borrow your motorcycle for a ride?"

Johnny looked at the unfamiliar Chinese face before him, puzzled. "Do I know you?"

Putting on a sorrowful expression, Xiahou said, "Have you forgotten? We just met last night. I was so envious of your shining skeleton look and skeleton motorcycle that I chased you all night!"

Johnny thought, Are you a freaking pervert? Who spends the middle of the night chasing a burning skeleton all over the place?!

Xiahou continued enticing him. "And I'm a bounty hunter! As long as you pay me enough, I can help you deal with Blackheart and Mephisto!"

His tone was full of enticement, and Johnny began considering whether it was feasible. Mainly, he thought this man seemed a little unreliable, especially with his beach-vacation look.

At that moment, Xiahou spoke again, making him an offer he couldn't refuse. "I can also help you protect your ex-girlfriend! It looks like Blackheart is planning to go after him in the next couple of days!"