Chapter 19: Chapter 19: The Arrival of the Ancient One, The Future Needs You
The next morning, Susan woke up early, despite her steps being a little unsteady. She hurriedly made her way to the office, knowing she had to deal with the aftermath of last night's events. Lin Feng couldn't help but feel a touch of admiration—what a workaholic! It was already so late, yet she was still off to work instead of taking a break. He truly respected her professional spirit.
On the other hand, Lin Feng, feeling a little bored, lay in bed. Despite his superhuman strength and abilities, there were still times when he couldn't escape the monotony. After lying there for a while, he reluctantly got up to begin cleaning up the mess of roses scattered all over the house. Tony Stark's "romantic gesture" the previous evening had been quite the spectacle. Petals were everywhere, creating what seemed like a sea of red flowers throughout the entire house. Lin Feng spent hours cleaning up, but it seemed like an endless task. Eventually, he gave up and had to call a professional cleaning crew to help out.
Even someone with Lin Feng's strength couldn't handle cleaning up that many flowers on his own. Even Superman wouldn't be able to deal with such a mess instantly! After hours of effort, the villa was finally back to its original state. Lin Feng collapsed onto the couch and sighed deeply — even superheroes get tired from doing household chores. It was a strangely humbling experience.
Just as Lin Feng was about to relax, an unexpected guest arrived.
"The door opens, and a distinguished guest walks in," Lin Feng thought to himself. Suddenly, a golden portal materialized in the living room, and through it walked a bald figure. Lin Feng immediately recognized her and exclaimed, "The Sorcerer Supreme?"
Yes, the visitor was none other than Earth's most powerful sorcerer — the Ancient One. Not only did she possess formidable magical power to protect the Earth, but she also wielded the Time Stone, one of the legendary Infinity Stones. It was thanks to her that the invasion from the Dark Dimension had been prevented. She had spent countless years guarding Earth and had taken on immense responsibilities.
Hearing Lin Feng's exclamation, the Ancient One smiled calmly. "You know me?"
Lin Feng's heart sank. He realized that he had been careless and hadn't hidden his identity well enough. She had immediately seen through him. He quickly nodded and admitted, "Yes, Sorcerer, I know you."
"Can we talk?" The Ancient One's voice carried a serene, calm tone that made it impossible for Lin Feng to refuse.
Lin Feng didn't hesitate. He knew that her strength far surpassed his own, and with just a flick of her wrist, he could be tossed into the Mirror Dimension, where he would be powerless. He also had deep respect for her, especially considering the sacrifices she had made to protect Earth while he, a newcomer from another world, was still adjusting to this reality.
"Sorcerer, please have a seat," Lin Feng said, gesturing to the couch. He then went to prepare tea, wanting to offer her something special. He thought carefully, knowing that something rare and meaningful would be the perfect gesture. From his system, he had acquired a special type of tea made from the leaves of the Life Tree, a plant of great importance in the Elven Kingdom. This would be the perfect drink to show his respect.
"Did you come here for something specific?" Lin Feng asked as he placed the tea in front of her, his voice serious but gentle.
"Hmm?" The Ancient One took the cup and paused for a moment, her expression revealing a touch of surprise. She could feel a unique energy emanating from the tea — something she had never encountered before.
"What is this?" she asked, raising an eyebrow but not rejecting the tea.
"It's just a humble brew, Sorcerer," Lin Feng replied with a warm smile, trying to downplay the significance. "Nothing special."
However, this tea was not ordinary. It had been sourced from the Life Tree in the Elven Kingdom, and its leaves were rich with a powerful life force. Not only did it have healing properties, but it could also replenish energy and even provide a small degree of longevity. It was a gift from the elves, who had long protected these sacred trees, and Lin Feng had obtained it through his system as part of his growing connection to the magical world.
The Ancient One took a sip and immediately felt the warmth spread throughout her body. As the tea's energy flowed through her, she closed her eyes to concentrate, sensing the healing and restorative power within it. It was as if the tea was revitalizing her very essence, soothing both her physical and spiritual being. She had never experienced anything quite like it before.
"Remarkable," the Ancient One murmured, her eyes opening slowly. "This tea... it's like no other I've encountered."
Lin Feng smiled faintly as he watched her reaction, sensing her surprise and admiration. "If you like it, Sorcerer, I can offer you more," he said, reaching over to open a small box on the table. Inside, it was filled with more of the rare tea leaves. "This is a small token of my appreciation. Please accept it."
The Ancient One didn't hesitate. She smiled gently, understanding that Lin Feng's gesture was one of goodwill. She knew he must have other such treasures and that this was merely a sign of his respect for her.
"Thank you, Lin Feng," she said softly, taking the box. "But I'm not here to take anything from you."
Lin Feng's expression grew more serious as he set the teapot aside. "Then why have you come?"
The Ancient One's gaze turned thoughtful. "I've come to offer you a warning... and a piece of advice. It's important that you learn to understand and control your abilities."
Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat, and his eyes narrowed slightly. "My abilities?"
"Yes," the Ancient One replied. "I know that you are not a native of this world. Your arrival here is... unusual. You don't belong to the timeline of this Earth. Your existence here is a disruption — one that I'm still uncertain about."
Lin Feng's face tightened. The Ancient One had seen through him. She knew he was not originally from this world. Lin Feng's secret was out, and despite his efforts to hide it, his true nature was exposed. He sighed internally, realizing that no matter how hard he tried, it would be impossible to remain hidden forever.
"Indeed, Sorcerer," Lin Feng said with a wry smile, realizing the futility of trying to keep his identity a secret. "I am not from this world, but I have no intention of causing harm. I am from Earth, just like the people here, and I have no desire to destroy it. In fact, I want to protect this planet."
The Ancient One studied him carefully, sensing the sincerity in his words. After a moment, she smiled warmly. "I believe you. While you may still have some flaws, I can tell that your heart is brave and true. This world will soon face challenges beyond imagination, and your courage will be needed to help guide it through those difficult times."
Lin Feng listened intently, his mind racing with questions. What did she mean by "challenges beyond imagination"? He was just an outsider, someone who had only recently arrived. How could he possibly be the key to saving this world?
"Continue on your current path, Lin Feng," the Ancient One said gently, yet with an undeniable sense of authority. "This is a process you must go through in order to grow."
With that, the Ancient One stood up, preparing to leave.
"Thank you for the tea, Lin Feng," she said, her smile never fading. "If you ever find yourself in need of guidance, you may come to me. I'll be here."
She walked toward the portal, preparing to step through.
"Wait, Sorcerer!" Lin Feng suddenly called out.
The Ancient One paused and looked back, her smile still serene, but her eyes held a trace of curiosity.
"Can I learn magic?" Lin Feng asked, his voice hesitant but filled with genuine interest. The thought of learning magic, something that wouldn't conflict with his superhuman abilities, intrigued him. The possibility of mastering teleportation or other magical abilities could greatly enhance his fighting capabilities.
The Ancient One blinked in surprise but smiled knowingly. "Magic... yes, it can be learned," she said, her voice calm yet firm. "But not yet."
Lin Feng felt a wave of disappointment. He had hoped for an immediate answer, but it seemed that there was still more he needed to do before he could learn magic.
"I'll return when the time is right," the Ancient One said with a soft smile. "When you're ready, perhaps I will come to you."
With that, she stepped through the portal and disappeared.
Lin Feng stood there, staring at the spot where the Ancient One had just been. The weight of her words settled heavily on him. "Other visitors?" he muttered to himself. "Who could that be?"
The question lingered in his mind for only a moment before the doorbell rang.
With a strange expression on his face, Lin Feng walked toward the door, wondering who it could be. He opened the door, and standing in front of him was none other than Black Egg, flanked by Natasha and Coulson.
Lin Feng blinked in surprise. "What do they want with me?" he thought, his curiosity growing.