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chapter 279 part 2
Stephen lay on the ground, feeling its icy chill, and his once-fiery heart gradually grew cold.
It was the same story again. No matter how he asked, no matter how many people he approached, no one was willing to tell him the exact location of Kamar-Taj.
Why? These people clearly knew of Kamar-Taj, so why wouldn't they tell him? Did they want money? He had specifically saved a few dozen dollars by scrimping on food and expenses, just to use as a reward.
“Can you still get up?” A person in a linen robe appeared beside Stephen, extending a friendly hand and pulling him to his feet.
Hope ignited in Stephen once more. He asked tentatively, “Kamar-Taj?”
“You’re looking for Kamar-Taj? I can take you there.” Mordo pulled down his hood, revealing his dark-skinned face, and scrutinized the man Tony had specifically mentioned.
Ever since the news came from A.R.G.U.S. that Stephen Strange was heading to Kamar-Taj, Tony had been preparing. He calculated the timing and specially had Mordo wait in the Outside World to bring Stephen to Kamar-Taj in a timely manner.
The news from A.R.G.U.S. was, of course, timely, because Kamar-Taj also had Wi-Fi.
“You know where Kamar-Taj is? Really? I heard the Sorcerer Supreme there can heal my hands!” Stephen’s face lit up with joyful surprise. He hastily scrambled up from the ground, but the sudden exertion of strength as his hands pushed off the ground sent a sharp pain through them, causing him to cry out.
Mordo frowned imperceptibly. What was so special about this man that Tony valued him so much? Extraordinary talent for magic?
Although he was puzzled, it was an order from Tony. As the right-hand man of the Sorcerer Supreme, he just had to follow it.
Mordo tilted his head and, with an eager Stephen following him, blended into the bustling crowd.
After several twists and turns, the two arrived at a rather humble… street food alley, finally stopping in front of a narrow wooden door.
The wooden door was less than a meter wide and covered in dust.
“This is Kamar-Taj? Are you sure?” Stephen tucked his hands into his sleeves. He wanted to laugh, but he wanted to cry even more.
He felt like he had been tricked, that he was an idiot.
This dilapidated door was Kamar-Taj? On this most backward street food alley, was Kamar-Taj? Behind this wall made of red bricks, was Kamar-Taj?!
Even if Kamar-Taj wasn’t a scientific or medical institution, even if there really were sorcerers, would they be located in a dump like this?
“Trust me, Stephen. Years ago, I was just like you, full of doubt. Let me give you some advice: forget everything you think you know,” Mordo said.
On Mordo’s face, Stephen saw that same pilgrim-like reverence.
Of course, the one Mordo revered the most was the Ancient One, the previous Sorcerer Supreme who had pulled him out of the abyss when he was at his most helpless and desperate.
Stephen followed Mordo through the dilapidated wooden door. The moment he stepped inside, he was stunned.
It was like another world inside—a vast courtyard with ancient buildings that held a mysterious beauty. He subconsciously looked back, but the door he had just entered through was long gone, and the crooked wall of red bricks had vanished without a trace.
It was as if, in an instant, he had entered a world in a different dimension.
“This is the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Sorcerer Supreme. Tony is waiting for you,” Mordo said.
“Tony? That name sounds a bit familiar…” Stephen murmured.
Mordo reminded him, “Like I said, forget what you think you know.”
“Right, right…” Stephen walked into the Sanctum Sanctorum somewhat cautiously, looking at the few people inside who all exuded the aura of scholars.
There were no televisions or computers here. It was just like in an Eastern period drama, filled with a retro style… No, it shouldn't be called retro; the furnishings here seemed to be from ancient times.
But… what was with all these chew marks everywhere?
“Do you… raise dogs here? Caucasians? Or Pit Bulls?” After holding it in for a long time, Stephen hesitated and pointed at a spot that had clearly been gnawed on by some creature. “I’ve had a dog before, but from the looks of these marks everywhere… you have more than one? These teeth marks are huge, it must be a fierce breed.”
Mordo’s face twitched. He subconsciously looked around, searching for any sign of that Dinosaur. Fortunately, it wasn’t here.
“Ahem, yeah, it can be a real headache sometimes…” Mordo coughed dryly, forcing a laugh for once.
The further they walked inside, the stranger Stephen’s expression became.
What was with all these vehicle parts scattered on the ground?!
*Clang!*
A pile of modern vehicle parts was casually heaped right in the center of this ancient building. The people coming and going were all accustomed to it, being very familiar with their new Sorcerer Supreme’s hobbies.
A young man in his twenties wearing a black robe let out a soft breath and slowly stood up from the pile of parts. The young man had a square, resolute face, and his sharp, oppressive eyes were like a pair of vortexes, drawing people’s attention.
“Still researching the mysteries of the soul?” Mordo walked over and asked casually.
“Yeah, I’m infinitely close to success.” Tony casually put down a newly forged “Transformation Cog” that combined soul, magic, and technology, and sized up the weathered Stephen Strange.
This simple gaze placed immense pressure on Stephen. He could barely breathe, and his heart felt as if it was being compressed by some great power, on the verge of exploding.
“Stephen Strange, why have you come?” Tony withdrew his gaze, looking calmly at the man who would later become the famous Doctor Strange.
Stephen gulped. His vision went dark, and he almost fainted, but Mordo caught him in time. He opened his mouth, looking at this young man, wanting to say something, but his tongue felt tied, unable to form a complete sentence.
“I… I want…”
Stephen was nervous, sweat beading on his forehead. The pressure Tony, a Demigod, was exerting on him was too great.
But what he didn’t know was that Tony was even more damn nervous.
According to the normal procedure, it seemed the Ancient One, to subdue this arrogant fellow, had directly punched Stephen's soul out of his body and then taken his soul on a tour of the Multiverse and countless Unknown Realms.
Actions speak louder than words. The Ancient One's method was very effective, instantly shutting up the Doctor Strange who had been babbling on about technology and regenerative cells.
Tony had also seriously considered this method. It was crude but effective, saving him from a lot of meaningless nonsense.
But the key was, given Tony's delicate control over souls as a Demigod…
"If I punch him… I'll just kill him, won't I?"
Tony stared at Stephen’s head, hesitating greatly.
(end of chapter)
Stephen lay on the ground, feeling its icy chill, and his once-fiery heart gradually grew cold.
It was the same story again. No matter how he asked, no matter how many people he approached, no one was willing to tell him the exact location of Kamar-Taj.
Why? These people clearly knew of Kamar-Taj, so why wouldn't they tell him? Did they want money? He had specifically saved a few dozen dollars by scrimping on food and expenses, just to use as a reward.
“Can you still get up?” A person in a linen robe appeared beside Stephen, extending a friendly hand and pulling him to his feet.
Hope ignited in Stephen once more. He asked tentatively, “Kamar-Taj?”
“You’re looking for Kamar-Taj? I can take you there.” Mordo pulled down his hood, revealing his dark-skinned face, and scrutinized the man Tony had specifically mentioned.
Ever since the news came from A.R.G.U.S. that Stephen Strange was heading to Kamar-Taj, Tony had been preparing. He calculated the timing and specially had Mordo wait in the Outside World to bring Stephen to Kamar-Taj in a timely manner.
The news from A.R.G.U.S. was, of course, timely, because Kamar-Taj also had Wi-Fi.
“You know where Kamar-Taj is? Really? I heard the Sorcerer Supreme there can heal my hands!” Stephen’s face lit up with joyful surprise. He hastily scrambled up from the ground, but the sudden exertion of strength as his hands pushed off the ground sent a sharp pain through them, causing him to cry out.
Mordo frowned imperceptibly. What was so special about this man that Tony valued him so much? Extraordinary talent for magic?
Although he was puzzled, it was an order from Tony. As the right-hand man of the Sorcerer Supreme, he just had to follow it.
Mordo tilted his head and, with an eager Stephen following him, blended into the bustling crowd.
After several twists and turns, the two arrived at a rather humble… street food alley, finally stopping in front of a narrow wooden door.
The wooden door was less than a meter wide and covered in dust.
“This is Kamar-Taj? Are you sure?” Stephen tucked his hands into his sleeves. He wanted to laugh, but he wanted to cry even more.
He felt like he had been tricked, that he was an idiot.
This dilapidated door was Kamar-Taj? On this most backward street food alley, was Kamar-Taj? Behind this wall made of red bricks, was Kamar-Taj?!
Even if Kamar-Taj wasn’t a scientific or medical institution, even if there really were sorcerers, would they be located in a dump like this?
“Trust me, Stephen. Years ago, I was just like you, full of doubt. Let me give you some advice: forget everything you think you know,” Mordo said.
On Mordo’s face, Stephen saw that same pilgrim-like reverence.
Of course, the one Mordo revered the most was the Ancient One, the previous Sorcerer Supreme who had pulled him out of the abyss when he was at his most helpless and desperate.
Stephen followed Mordo through the dilapidated wooden door. The moment he stepped inside, he was stunned.
It was like another world inside—a vast courtyard with ancient buildings that held a mysterious beauty. He subconsciously looked back, but the door he had just entered through was long gone, and the crooked wall of red bricks had vanished without a trace.
It was as if, in an instant, he had entered a world in a different dimension.
“This is the Sanctum Sanctorum of the Sorcerer Supreme. Tony is waiting for you,” Mordo said.
“Tony? That name sounds a bit familiar…” Stephen murmured.
Mordo reminded him, “Like I said, forget what you think you know.”
“Right, right…” Stephen walked into the Sanctum Sanctorum somewhat cautiously, looking at the few people inside who all exuded the aura of scholars.
There were no televisions or computers here. It was just like in an Eastern period drama, filled with a retro style… No, it shouldn't be called retro; the furnishings here seemed to be from ancient times.
But… what was with all these chew marks everywhere?
“Do you… raise dogs here? Caucasians? Or Pit Bulls?” After holding it in for a long time, Stephen hesitated and pointed at a spot that had clearly been gnawed on by some creature. “I’ve had a dog before, but from the looks of these marks everywhere… you have more than one? These teeth marks are huge, it must be a fierce breed.”
Mordo’s face twitched. He subconsciously looked around, searching for any sign of that Dinosaur. Fortunately, it wasn’t here.
“Ahem, yeah, it can be a real headache sometimes…” Mordo coughed dryly, forcing a laugh for once.
The further they walked inside, the stranger Stephen’s expression became.
What was with all these vehicle parts scattered on the ground?!
*Clang!*
A pile of modern vehicle parts was casually heaped right in the center of this ancient building. The people coming and going were all accustomed to it, being very familiar with their new Sorcerer Supreme’s hobbies.
A young man in his twenties wearing a black robe let out a soft breath and slowly stood up from the pile of parts. The young man had a square, resolute face, and his sharp, oppressive eyes were like a pair of vortexes, drawing people’s attention.
“Still researching the mysteries of the soul?” Mordo walked over and asked casually.
“Yeah, I’m infinitely close to success.” Tony casually put down a newly forged “Transformation Cog” that combined soul, magic, and technology, and sized up the weathered Stephen Strange.
This simple gaze placed immense pressure on Stephen. He could barely breathe, and his heart felt as if it was being compressed by some great power, on the verge of exploding.
“Stephen Strange, why have you come?” Tony withdrew his gaze, looking calmly at the man who would later become the famous Doctor Strange.
Stephen gulped. His vision went dark, and he almost fainted, but Mordo caught him in time. He opened his mouth, looking at this young man, wanting to say something, but his tongue felt tied, unable to form a complete sentence.
“I… I want…”
Stephen was nervous, sweat beading on his forehead. The pressure Tony, a Demigod, was exerting on him was too great.
But what he didn’t know was that Tony was even more damn nervous.
According to the normal procedure, it seemed the Ancient One, to subdue this arrogant fellow, had directly punched Stephen's soul out of his body and then taken his soul on a tour of the Multiverse and countless Unknown Realms.
Actions speak louder than words. The Ancient One's method was very effective, instantly shutting up the Doctor Strange who had been babbling on about technology and regenerative cells.
Tony had also seriously considered this method. It was crude but effective, saving him from a lot of meaningless nonsense.
But the key was, given Tony's delicate control over souls as a Demigod…
"If I punch him… I'll just kill him, won't I?"
Tony stared at Stephen’s head, hesitating greatly.
(end of chapter)
