Xiao Han stepped into the meditation chamber, his gaze lingering on the Ancient One for a moment.
This guardian of Earth looked utterly ordinary, yet carried power that seemed unfathomable.
"Supreme Sorcerer," Xiao Han nodded slightly. "It seems my arrival has caught your attention."
The Ancient One waved her hand lightly. A cup of tea appeared out of thin air in front of him.
"Please, sit. Your existence is like a torch in the night—it's hard not to notice."
Xiao Han took the cup and sat cross-legged.
The fragrance of the tea drifted through the room, carrying a subtle ripple of energy.
"So, you're here to warn me to leave Earth?"
"Quite the opposite."The Ancient One took a sip. "I'm here to thank you."
Xiao Han raised a brow. "Thank me?"
"You stopped Loki's scheme and prevented a war among the Nine Realms."She looked through the window into the distance.
"And you taught Thor humility. That is crucial for the future king of Asgard."
Xiao Han narrowed his eyes. He wasn't sure what medicine the Ancient One was selling—by his knowledge, she should be accusing him of disrupting the timeline, not praising him.
But he chuckled. "I only did what I wanted to do."
"That kind of purity is rare."She set the cup down.
"Xiao, how much do you know about this universe?"
"Enough."
A faint golden light flashed in Xiao Han's eyes. "I know Dormammu is coveting Earth. I know Thanos is collecting the Infinity Stones."
For the first time, the Ancient One's expression wavered. "You even know that…"
"I also know your secret."
Xiao Han met her gaze directly. He had roughly figured out what she understood about him.
She likely knew he was an outsider—but not who he actually was.
"The Time Stone hidden within the Eye of Agamotto… and the power you draw from the Dark Dimension."
The air in the meditation chamber froze instantly. Mordo, standing outside the door, subconsciously tightened his grip on his relic.
The Ancient One remained silent for a long time, then suddenly smiled. "Interesting. It seems I underestimated you."
She stood up, her robes stirring without wind."In that case, why don't we speak somewhere else?"
She drew a circle with her hands, and a portal of golden sparks opened before them.
On the other side lay the snow-covered peaks of the Himalayas.
Xiao Han stepped through without hesitation.
The biting cold wind had no effect on him. Under his bio-field, the snow beneath his feet didn't even leave a single footprint.
The Ancient One followed him out. "It's quiet enough here. We can speak freely."
"What do you want to know?" Xiao Han asked directly.
"Your purpose."Her expression turned serious.
"With power like yours, choosing to remain on Earth… what is it you seek here? And—your origin."
Xiao Han looked toward the endless mountains."A home."
That simple answer startled the Ancient One.
"My origin? You may not believe it, but I'm actually a Kryptonian. I arrived in this world by accident."Xiao Han started spewing nonsense without hesitation.
After a pause, he continued,"Here, I was reborn. I just want to live in my own way and protect what I believe is worth protecting."
"Including opposing S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
"Including doing anything I want."Golden light rippled through Xiao Han's eyes.
"As long as they don't provoke me."
The Ancient One pondered for a moment."What if I invited you to join Kamar-Taj… and become the next Sorcerer Supreme?"
That proposal stunned Xiao Han."Why me?"
"Because you can see things I cannot."Her voice suddenly carried fatigue.
"I've guarded this world for too long, Xiao.
The Time Stone has shown me countless possible futures, but all timelines share one outcome—my death. Though it is a death I accept."
Xiao Han caught the hidden meaning instantly."You're preparing for succession."
The Ancient One nodded."Doctor Strange still needs time to grow. And your appearance… is a variable. A being who was never meant to exist in this world."
"And your presence has blurred the timeline to the point that even I can no longer see it."
The wind and snow on the peak intensified, but an invisible barrier formed around them; the snowflakes melted a few meters away.
"I can't accept." Xiao Han finally said. "I have my own path."
The Ancient One seemed to have expected this."Then at least promise me one thing: when darkness descends, and Earth needs you… you will stand up."
Xiao Han smiled. "That depends on how I feel at the time."
The Ancient One laughed softly. "That is enough."
She opened another portal."Would you like to visit the library? Kamar-Taj's texts may benefit you."
Xiao Han's eyes lit up. "Now that is a good offer."
Inside the Kamar-Taj library, ancient bookshelves towered toward the ceiling. The air held the scent of parchment and sandalwood.
Xiao Han stood in the center, the golden lines on his black battle suit faintly glowing under candlelight, forming a curious contrast with the ancient, mystical atmosphere.
"This is the most complete collection of magical texts on Earth."The Ancient One clasped her hands behind her back, her yellow robe flowing weightlessly.
"It contains the accumulated wisdom of Supreme Sorcerers from Vishanti to Agamotto."
Wong the librarian looked at Xiao Han with caution."Supreme Sorcerer, this man is…?"
"A guest, Wong," the Ancient One said warmly. "He may read whatever he wishes."
Wong's jaw dropped, but he quickly returned to professionalism."What category do you need?"
"All."Xiao Han's super vision was already scanning the shelves.
"Especially anything on the multiverse and the Dark Dimension."
Wong froze. "Supreme Sorcerer, those texts are too dangerous—even advanced sorcerers require guidance to—"
"Let him read."The Ancient One gently interrupted. Her gaze never left Xiao Han.
"I believe Mr. Xiao knows his limits."
Xiao Han nodded. His super vision activated fully, and in an instant he analyzed the entire structure of the library.
The organization of the shelves, the arrangement of the tomes, even the magically concealed areas—all were exposed to his enhanced senses.
Every title on every spine, every symbol on every page, even the hidden content sealed by magic—none could escape his sight.
"Interesting."
Xiao Han walked to the nearest shelf, running a finger lightly across a row of gem-inlaid volumes.
"Your magic system is completely different from Asgard's. They rely on the divine power in their bloodline, while you… borrow power from dimensions."
He moved toward the spatial theory section, fingertips hovering over a row of sapphire-studded books.
"Your magic is founded on dimensional energy loans. That explains why a Sling Ring is required as a medium."
Wong's mouth hung open."You figured that out just by looking at the shelf classification…?"
Xiao Han had already pulled out Basic Principles of Space and was flipping through it.
His fingers turned the pages at a speed impossible for humans; each page stayed before his eyes for less than a second.
What would take others months to study was memorized by him in under two minutes.
"Spatial folding… dimensional coordinates… energy anchors…"
Xiao Han closed the book, thoughtful light glimmering in his eyes.
He raised his right hand, attempting to draw the arc described in the book—but only a few faint sparks flickered in the air before vanishing.
The Ancient One's lips curved slightly."It seems even a superhuman must obey the fundamental laws of magic."
Xiao Han didn't mind."I am merely testing the theory."
He tapped his temple."All the knowledge is stored here. I simply lack an energy conduit for spell-casting at the moment.
I'll consider channeling the energy in my body as a medium after I return."
Wong's shock had turned pure."You… you memorized the entire book?"
"Not just this one."
Xiao Han walked to the next shelf."Introduction to the Mirror Dimension, Basics of Astral Projection, Compendium of Defensive Spells… These are all on my reading list."