187

Chapter 187: The Legend of History at the Low Point of Life

In the skies over New York, Stark and Vision observed the chaos below in silence.

"Is this still New York?" Stark murmured.

"Was it ever really this way?" Vision's emotionless voice responded. "The current unrest seems less about dissatisfaction with the government and more about a profound disillusionment with the American dream."

"Perhaps this is for the best. Instead of concealing the rot, it's better for people to see it all. Steve is right. This country is no longer the beacon of freedom and democracy it once was. It needs a new direction."

Stark muttered, "New direction?"

His eyes were drawn to a peculiar house.

It appeared to be an ordinary door, but whenever thugs approached it, they would inexplicably bypass it.

Vision noticed this as well: "The Mind Gem has detected a familiar aura. Beyond this door seems to be another world."

"Let's investigate. There might be some secrets inside."

The two landed and approached the door, preparing to knock.

"Never mind. It's just an old, decrepit house. There's nothing of interest here. Let's leave. The world is in chaos; we should go home and lay low."

Stark waved dismissively and began to walk away.

"Agreed," Vision followed suit.

On the other side of the door, the Sorcerer Supreme, the Ancient One, slowly opened her eyes.

With her millennia of wisdom, nothing in New York escaped her notice.

She observed the scene outside the door and sighed. Having witnessed the rise and fall of countless empires, such chaos was familiar to her.

"Your Highness, Sorcerer Supreme, are we really not going to intervene? You could easily calm this turmoil with a single thought."

Wang, who stood beside her, asked in confusion.

His mental fortitude was far less developed than that of the Ancient One, and he was somewhat apathetic towards the unfolding events.

The Ancient One shook her head slowly: "It's alright. We don't need to act; the chaos will subside in time. History has shown that humanity is forgetful. Eventually, they will return to their routines and repeat their patterns."

"Kamar-Taj's mission is to protect Earth from external threats, not to meddle in worldly affairs."

Wang thought to himself: "Isn't it considered sabotage if a foreign god almost destroys the world's defense? Or if California were to sink?"

Noticing his expression, the Ancient One understood his thoughts and sighed.

Theoretically, a butterfly flapping its wings in the Amazon rainforest could trigger a tornado in Texas two weeks later.

So now, all signs point to the cause of the California tsunami being attributed to the nuclear bombs launched by the council.

If butterflies can be so destructive, imagine the impact of a nuclear bomb.

The Ancient One knew the truth. An Asgardian had been at the heart of a massive sea storm, wielding a Mjölnir.

Fortunately, Thor's primary targets were military facilities, not civilians.

Thor did not intend to cause extensive casualties. He understood that, in the eyes of many U.S. politicians, the death of 180,000 people is a statistic, while the loss of a few aircraft carriers would truly cause distress.

Technically, she should intervene, but given that it was Thor, she decided against it.

There was one thing she hadn't shared with anyone: She had long ago violated the rule against peering into the future with the Eye of Agamotto, including events beyond her own death.

No matter how the future unfolds, Thor remains the central force driving the world. The question is whether he will be a beacon of hope or a harbinger of destruction.

This is a presence far more terrifying than Kaecilius or any possible future, so the Ancient One was extremely cautious about anything related to Thor.

Moreover, even aside from moral considerations, Kamar-Taj's time was running out. The future would eventually be in the hands of Doctor Strange.

At this moment, provoking such a powerful being would only lead to harm without any benefit.

Thinking about this, she glanced at Strange. His hands were now covered in plaster, marking a low point in his life.

The Ancient One nodded in satisfaction. Even in such dire circumstances, he had not abandoned his treatment. As the future Sorcerer Supreme, his determination was commendable.

But it was likely to be in vain. Few options were available to save his hands.

Aside from Kamar-Taj, Wakanda—which would never fight for outsiders—and Extremis, which could regenerate limbs...

Extremis? The Ancient One's expression shifted. She saw Strange making a call with a pen in his mouth.

"Damn it!" The Ancient One muttered her first curse word in thousands of years. Shocked, she rushed towards Thor's direction immediately.

Odin's son, I won't concern myself with anything else, but if you dare to harm the apprentice I have worked so hard for, I will hold you accountable!

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