American comic: The Succubus Sovereign, Gwen throws herself into his arms at the beginning.

Is he testing me instead?! Testing my use of the power of the Dark Dimension?!

Gu Yi felt a chill run down her spine once more!

This man is terrifying! His senses are so sharp?! He can even detect my deepest secrets?!

For a moment, Gu Yi was even afraid to look Lin Tian in the eye!

In all her years of life, this was the first time she had ever felt so guilty and passive in front of a "junior"!

“Protecting the Earth is no easy task.” The Ancient One paused for a moment before speaking slowly, her tone carrying a hint of weariness and helplessness. “Sometimes, in order to achieve the goal of ‘light,’ we have to resort to some ‘dark’ methods.”

"This is a necessary sacrifice."

"Necessary sacrifices?" Lin Tian scoffed, retorting without any politeness, "Master, isn't that a bit too high-sounding?"

"Borrowing the power of the Dark Dimension, like drinking poison to quench thirst, do you really think you can get away with it? Do you think that greedy Dormammu will be satisfied with your insignificant 'price'?"

"You're playing with fire! You'll not only drag yourself into the abyss, but you could also destroy the entire planet!"

Lin Tian's words were like a sharp knife, piercing Gu Yi's heart!

Her face instantly turned pale! Her body even trembled slightly!

Yes, she knew! She always knew!

Borrowing the power of the dark dimension is tantamount to dancing with the devil!

Dormammu's greed knows no bounds! Every time she borrows power, she gets one step closer to being completely consumed!

But what could she do?!

Without resorting to dark powers, how can she defend against those equally powerful, or even more terrifying, threats from other dimensions? How can she protect this fragile Earth?

This is the burden she has carried for hundreds of years! It is the secret and pain she cannot tell anyone!

I never expected that today, I would be so easily and blatantly exposed by a young man I had just met!

"What exactly do you want to say?" Gu Yi's voice was somewhat hoarse, carrying a hint of helplessness and wariness.

She didn't believe that Lin Tian exposed her secret just to accuse her.

He must have some other purpose!

"What I want to say is very simple." Lin Tian looked at Gu Yi's rare loss of composure and knew that his words had worked.

He stood up, walked up to Gu Yi, looked down at her, and his eyes gleamed with a confident and domineering light.

"This Earth and all the dimensions that depend on it"

"Starting today"

"I, Lin Tian, ​​will protect you!"

"Whether it's Dormammu, or some other random monster or demon."

"Who dares to reach out?"

"I'll chop off whose paws!"

His voice wasn't loud, but it was filled with unquestionable authority and an overbearing, domineering aura!

It was as if he were the true ruler of this universe!

The Ancient One was completely stunned!

She stared in disbelief at the young man spouting such outrageous words!

What did he say?!

He wants to protect the Earth?! And he even wants to chop off Dormammu's claws?!

Does he even know who Dormammu is?! He's the lord of the Dark Dimension! A terrifying being capable of devouring the entire universe!

What gives him the right?! What gives him the right to utter such arrogant words?!

But looking at Lin Tian's confident, even self-assured, gaze...

For some reason, a slight wavering arose in Gu Yi's heart.

Does he really have that kind of ability?!

Faced with Lin Tian's arrogant yet inexplicably confident "declaration," Gu Yi fell into a long silence.

She lived for hundreds of years, saw countless heroes and encountered countless powerful enemies.

But this was the first time she had ever encountered someone as mysterious, powerful, confident, and domineering as Lin Tian, ​​someone she couldn't even see through at all!

Does he truly possess overwhelming power, or is he just an arrogant and conceited madman?

Gu Yi could not make a judgment.

But deep down, a voice inside her was telling her: Maybe she could trust him?

At least he doesn't seem to have any ill intentions towards the Earth itself?

And if he can really get rid of Dormammu, this major threat...

For her, it was like a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulders! It was a wonderful thing!

Of course, Gu Yi wouldn't completely believe Lin Tian's side of the story.

She remained vigilant.

“Mr. Lin has quite the nerve.” Gu Yi spoke slowly, her tone returning to its previous calm, but her eyes became even more profound. “Dormamu is not so easy to deal with.”

“I know.” Lin Tian smiled, as if he were talking about a trivial matter. “But in my opinion, he’s just a relatively strong insect.”

Gu Yi: ""

She no longer knew what expression to wear when facing this man.

The lords of the Dark Dimension are likened to insects?

This

“Alright,” the Ancient One took a deep breath, deciding to go along with him for the time being, “Even if Mr. Lin really has the ability to deal with Dormammu, so what? What does that have to do with me and Kamar-Taj?”

She was testing Lin Tian's true intentions.

"A relationship?" Lin Tian raised an eyebrow. "Of course we're related."

He walked to the window, looked at the snow-capped mountains in the distance, and said calmly, "The master has protected the earth for hundreds of years, and his contributions are immense. But even people eventually run out of strength, don't they?"

"Perhaps it's time to find a successor?"

His gaze, seemingly casually, glanced at Gwen beside him.

Gu Yi's heart stirred once more!

Is he implying something about Gwen?

This girl whose power he enhanced using special methods?

He wants Gwen to inherit the position of Sorcerer Supreme?!

This idea is a bit too far-fetched.

However, it must be admitted that the mixed energy within Gwen is indeed very special and has enormous potential. With proper guidance, she could very well become a powerful mage.

Moreover, if Gwen becomes the Sorcerer Supreme, wouldn't that mean that Lin Tian, ​​this powerful being, also indirectly becomes the guardian of Earth?

This seems like an acceptable solution?

It's at least a bit more reliable than letting that arrogant and impulsive Dr. Strange take over.

"The lineage of the Sorcerer Supreme is predetermined." The Ancient One did not respond directly, but instead used evasive tactics, "It is not something that can be forced by human power."

"Is that so?" Lin Tian smiled, not revealing the truth. "But I believe that sometimes fate can be 'created'."

He turned around and looked at the Ancient One again: "Master, how about we make a deal?"

"A deal?" Gu Yi's eyes narrowed slightly.

“That’s right.” Lin Tian nodded. “I’ll help you get rid of Dormammu, this hidden danger. I can even help you find a more ‘suitable’ way to get rid of the corruption of dark forces.”

“And you,” a glint of light flashed in his eyes, “only need to provide a little ‘help’ when I need it.”

For example, could you borrow the portal to Kamar-Taj? Or provide some information about the multiverse?

The Ancient One fell silent.

The conditions proposed by Lin Tian were tempting, but also fraught with unknowns and risks.

How to defeat Dormammu? How to rid ourselves of the dark forces?

This was exactly what she had been dreaming of!

But what's the cost?

Just a "small help"?

Gu Yi didn't believe that someone like Lin Tian would do a losing business.

His so-called "help" is probably anything but simple!

but

Ultimately, the desire to break free from the shackles of the dark forces, and the fear of Lin Tian's unfathomable strength, prevailed.

"Okay." Gu Yi nodded slowly. "I promise you."

“However,” she added, “I need to see your sincerity.”

"Sincerity?" Lin Tian smiled. "Of course, no problem."

He snapped his fingers.

A golden energy ball, radiating a soft glow, appeared out of thin air in his palm.

Inside the energy sphere, there seemed to be some extremely pure power, brimming with life force and fluctuations of the laws of time?!

"This is—" The Ancient One's pupils contracted sharply! From that energy sphere, she sensed a (transfer group 37, the power of time, which was incredibly familiar to her, yet even more refined and powerful)?!

It's even more powerful than the Time Stone in the Eye of Agamotto.

Chapter 59: Dual Cultivation of Souls! Yin and Yang Intertwined, the Allure of Crimson! Endless Bonds!

"Just a small 'gift'," Lin Tian casually tossed the energy ball to Gu Yi. "Perhaps it can help slow down the passage of 'time' for you?"

He was referring to the Ancient One's accelerated lifespan loss due to her use of dark powers.

The Ancient One caught the energy ball with trembling hands, feeling the vast yet gentle power of time within it, and the mystery that faintly pointed to "immortality."

She completely lost her composure!

This man is not only incredibly powerful, but he also possesses such refined time manipulation abilities?! He might even have touched upon the secrets of immortality?!

Who exactly is he?!

Gu Yi looked at Lin Tian with eyes filled with awe, gratitude, and a deep fear!

She knew that she had made a decision today that could change the fate of the entire universe!

She has introduced a terrifying being, whose power and purpose are immeasurable, into the game of Earth!

Is this a blessing or a curse?

Gu Yi didn't know.

All she knew was that there was no turning back.

"It's a pleasure working with you, Master." Lin Tian smiled with satisfaction as he looked at Gu Yi's distraught appearance.

well

Another important piece has been captured.

After reaching a consensus on "cooperation" with the Ancient One, Lin Tian did not stay in Kamar-Taj for long.

He politely declined the Ancient One's invitation to "explore magic and philosophy in depth," and calmly left the mysterious temple with a "small gift" from the Ancient One—a gift that could open a portal to Kamar-Taj at any time—given to a still somewhat bewildered Gwen and a heart full of awe and reverence.

Through the portal, the two returned directly to their apartment in Hell's Kitchen.

"Lin, did we really go to the Himalayas?" Gwen still couldn't believe her experience until she stepped onto the apartment floor.

Kamar-Taj's exotic architecture, the flying monks, and the Ancient One's unfathomable aura and enigmatic words—all these elements contribute to its allure.

It all feels like a dream!