Chapter 348 |
While Abbendis was trying to persuade Tyrande, on the Marvel Universe side, Josh arrived at Kamar-Taj.
“What? You want me to go to another universe?” The Ancient One, who had just poured Josh a cup of tea, was quite surprised upon hearing his request.
“That’s right. This time the matter is complicated. Although I have many people under me, except for a few, not many are truly capable! So…” Josh nodded in confirmation.
“Josh, perhaps you don’t know, but the Supreme Sorcerers of each universe and each era in the multiverse have an agreement...We cannot interfere in disputes between different planes, or else we will become targets of all other Supreme Sorcerers in the multiverse!” The Ancient One sighed.
Undoubtedly, if anyone in this world first knew that Josh could communicate with other worlds, it would definitely be the Ancient One.
This was also why the Ancient One had almost fully supported Josh all along.
Because although Josh’s actions were essentially for his own benefit, they were also greatly beneficial to the universe he resided in. Although seemingly independent under normal circumstances, struggles between different universes always existed.
After all, the origin of each universe is limited. If one universe gains a bit more, it will become stronger in various aspects, while correspondingly another universe will shrink and weaken.
Normally, most universes have their own guardians. A notable example is the Supreme Sorcerers and the Celestials—though in the setting of Josh’s Marvel Universe Continuity (MUC), this aspect clearly differs greatly from the comic universe.
At their level, once they intervene in conflicts between multiverses, a single misstep could cause countless universes to perish, and the surviving universes would suffer tremendous destruction. Add in some meddling from dimensional demons, and it would be a truly terrible disaster.
Only a few, such as Miss America or Observers who do not interfere with the running of physical universes, can travel between universes without attracting attention from the guardians, engaging in some “smuggling” activities.
“Ancient One, you misunderstand. The world I’m asking you to go to this time is definitely outside the multiverse range you know. Although that universe has powerful beings like the Celestials and a Supreme similar to you, it is completely different. That universe has no Earth either, so you don’t need to worry about breaking your agreement with other Supreme Sorcerers...” Then Josh told the Ancient One every detail about Azeroth without the slightest negligence.
It was not that Josh feared the Ancient One discovering his deception, but Azeroth’s universe was truly too dangerous, and the power system was very different from the Marvel Universe. So even a being of the Ancient One’s level could not be guaranteed to come back unscathed.
Josh did not want to gain nothing from Azeroth and have his own big boss be injured there, so he was as meticulous as possible.
From the various races of Azeroth to Draenor.
From the Naaru to the Pantheon and the Burning Legion.
From the Old Gods to the Void Army.
From Elune to the Shadowlands.
Every piece of Warcraft universe information Josh knew was given carefully.
“I see. A truly interesting universe...” After listening to Josh’s narration, the Ancient One finally nodded in amazement.
Although she had always valued Josh’s importance to this universe, it had to be said that Josh once again gave her an even bigger and more important surprise.
A universe completely outside the multiverse, a far more distant universe?
And it had countless gods and demons!
This was indeed to her liking.
Even better, Josh possessed extremely accurate and detailed intelligence about that universe.
Although Azeroth’s history had changed greatly due to Josh and Abbendis’ actions, many details remained important to the Ancient One.
For example, the Old Gods—according to Josh’s description, though powerful, were clearly not on the same level as dark dimension demons like Dormammu, and were mostly imprisoned in so-called Titan Prisons, with only some power leaking out.
To the Ancient One, what difference did this make compared to those unlucky ones Josh suppressed on islands in the Atlantic?
She was worried about her dwindling power and facing eternal refuge in a few decades. Now here was a great opportunity.
If she could absorb the power of those Old Gods, she might be able to hold on for another hundred or eighty years.
Although the original story said the Ancient One died because she was tired, much of it was due to a large amount of debts coming due.
Demons from chaotic factions like Dormammu—she could dump those debts, but some debts, or rather debts owed to gods, could not be so easily shirked, such as those owed to her old employer Vishanti.
Those debts couldn’t be ignored forever. What to do?
The only choice was to run—run to her biggest creditor, Eternity, and sell herself. Other small creditors wouldn’t dare to collect debts from Eternity.
If she could find another source of energy to fill some holes, the Ancient One felt she might be able to enjoy life a while longer.
Don’t say she had lived over five hundred years and seen the world’s ups and downs.
Those who lived thousands or tens of thousands of years weren’t tired of living yet.
“Alright, I agree. I will do my best to ensure your companion’s safety and cooperate with your plan!” After some thought, the Ancient One accepted Josh’s invitation, then said, “But while I’m away, Kamar-Taj will have to rely on you!”
“That’s not absolutely necessary. If something really becomes impossible, your own safety is the most important. As for Kamar-Taj, I promise there will be no trouble!” Seeing the Ancient One’s agreement, Josh smiled slightly.
With the Ancient One involved, the success rate for stealing star souls from Azeroth and even more would be much higher.
At least with pressure from the guardian Medivh and his mother, Josh didn’t have to worry too much.
“And this,” the Ancient One said, handing over something, “it’s time I gave it to you!” After Josh promised to take good care of Kamar-Taj, the Ancient One nodded again, and a magical glow flashed in her hand as she presented a necklace to Josh and said, “I think you know what this is!”
Looking at the necklace, Josh accepted it solemnly.
Of course, he knew what it was.
What the Ancient One gave him was the Kamar-Taj artifact, the Eye of Agamotto, containing the Time Stone.