Even the not-so-bright Juggernaut showed a wary expression toward Ancient One.
This thin, and bald woman looked formidable, possibly even unbeatable.
After manipulating time to restore the destroyed buildings and streets, Ancient One's figure disappeared again.
Of course, Bi Xiao knew where Ancient One had gone. After instructing Bella on some matters, his figure also suddenly vanished.
With their departure, the scene fell into silence.
Bella was the first to speak. She looked at Jacob and said, "Jacob, you should take Juggernaut away later. I think Charlie must have heard the commotion here and is on his way. Juggernaut's large size would alert Charlie."
"Well, I don't mind, but he..." Jacob pointed at Juggernaut.
Juggernaut's massive build and ferocious aura made even a pureblood werewolf like Jacob nervous. If they brought him home and he went berserk, Jacob wasn't sure they could restrain him.
Bella's delicate face showed a calm smile as she walked up to Juggernaut and looked up at this dumb brute.
"Juggernaut, go home with Jacob later and rest for a day, okay?"
"I don't need rest. I can go without food or sleep and protect you." Juggernaut quickly pounded his chest with his big hand, making a thumping sound.
He was reluctant to leave Bella, mainly because he hadn't received his payment yet.
And Juggernaut was somewhat afraid of the man who nearly killed him. He had to obey to avoid being beaten.
Bella, instructed by Bi Xiao, naturally knew what to do.
"Shaw told you to listen to me. Will you?"
"I will."
"Then I'm telling you to leave with Jacob."
Juggernaut was a bit confused. He scratched the back of his head, and his silly demeanor made everyone laugh. If it weren't for his overwhelmingly powerful combat abilities that could withstand attacks capable of destroying Forks Town, he would actually be quite amusing.
After thinking for a while, Juggernaut finally understood. Though he was asked to protect this tiny woman, the terrifying man wanted him to obey her, so he nodded.
"I'll leave with him."
"But don't forget my payment."
The big Juggernaut trudged over to Jacob and muttered a reminder to Bella, still mindful of his reward.
Bella held back her laughter and nodded, "Of course, you'll get it when you return."
"Alright, I'll go with you."
Juggernaut's deep voice responded.
Seeing his size and aura up close made Jacob and the werewolf men behind him shudder. They quickly nodded in agreement.
"Then we'll be going, Bella."
"Thank you very much today, Jacob. We will always be the best of friends." Bella said softly.
Best friends.
Jacob felt a bit bitter inside, but today's events made him realize how outstanding and mysterious Bella's lover was, providing her with a greater sense of security than he ever could. So, he took a deep breath and buried his feelings, responding with a smile, "Yes, we're the best of friends."
After speaking, he prepared to leave with Juggernaut.
Before they left, Bella gave a special reminder.
"Juggernaut, go home with Jacob and rest. Don't hurt them. They're friends of Shaw and me."
"I won't hurt friends."
Juggernaut replied grumpily, referring not to his friends but to Bi Xiao's. He wasn't foolish enough to bully Bi Xiao's friends, as that would get him beaten.
Watching Juggernaut leave with Jacob, Bella's gaze shifted to the Cullen family. She knew Edward had feelings for her, but her heart belonged to Bi Xiao, making them destined to be friends or strangers.
Tonight's events, however, made her grateful to the Cullen family. After all, they had come despite knowing the danger, and she couldn't help but appreciate it.
"Dr. Carlisle."
...
Leaving Bella's side, in the storage room of the Chino Town Police Station, Bi Xiao and Ancient One's figures suddenly appeared.
They came to the wall where Lilith's portrait used to hang.
Now the wall was empty, the portrait long reclaimed by Lilith. To track Lilith, this was the best medium, especially since Bi Xiao foresaw a future fragment revealing Lilith's plot with Dormammu against him.
He immediately went to Kamar-Taj to seek Ancient One's help.
Involving Bi Xiao's safety and Dormammu, an old acquaintance, Ancient One readily agreed, which was why he appeared in Forks Town earlier.
To help, he used the Time Stone to reverse time, bringing this small space back to the past.
Standing in front of the wall, Ancient One activated the Time Stone again. His right hand extended, palm facing the wall, a green magic circle appeared on the wall, and time began to flow backward, restoring Lilith's portrait.
"Your time is short, Bi Xiao. If you don't hurry, she will soon notice something amiss," Ancient One reminded, lowering his hand.
Bi Xiao nodded, his eyes glowing golden as he gazed at Lilith's portrait. A surge of mental power invaded the portrait.
In an instant, through the portrait, a deep purple thread seemed to appear, crossing boundaries and vast distances to another unfamiliar world. This world was empty, filled with black mist, within which twisted and phantom-like faces of the dead emerged.
In the black mist, inside an ancient castle, Lilith appeared to be conversing with a slim woman.
Understanding the coordinates in his mind, Bi Xiao immediately severed the connection to avoid being tracked.
Ancient One, sensing Bi Xiao had cut off the trace, reactivated the time magic, restoring the reversed time.
~~~
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