Ancient One's Decision

"Li Yue, what are you talking about? Why are you talking in such confusing terms? What is the only chance? What exactly is going on?"

Other than Mordo and Wong who knew about Ancient One's strength and source of calmness, the spectators were obviously confused by the conversation between Li Yue and Ancient One. Tony even asked the questions out loud.

"Ah, you will see when the time comes."

Ancient One brushed Tony's question off and continued to smile at Li Yue, waiting for a reply.

Li Yue didn't have the heart to explain what he was thinking to Tony. He instead asked another question to Ancient One.

"Master Ancient One, please tell me that I would not have to do what I'm thinking!"

Li Yue knew in his heart that Ancient One probably wouldn't want him to sacrifice himself like Tony, but he couldn't help being worried. He needed direct confirmation!

"Of course not! My request is much easier to do. And you can refuse me, regardless."

Ancient One's answer calmed Li Yue's thought, though she still hadn't stated her request.

Li Yue fell into deep thought. There was still indecision in his heart, but after knowing that he wouldn't have to sacrifice his life to save the world, Li Yue felt that he had nothing to lose.

Thus, Li Yue made his decision!

"I agree to your request, Master Ancient One! Please tell me what to do!" Li Yue said solemnly to Ancient One

Indeed, with his current strength, he had nothing to fear. And he didn't think that Ancient One would trick him—even if she did, he could just break his side of the agreement. In any case, the deal would not disadvantage him.

Moreover, with his current strength, even someone at Ancient One's level wouldn't be able to easily defeat or trap him. Li Yue really had nothing to worry about!

"Thank you, Master Li Yue!" Ancient One's response matched Li Yue's solemn attitude.

With a casual wave of her hand, Ancient One summoned an orange-yellow circles of light that emitted sparks in its edges!

"First, let us leave this place!"

Ancient One addressed everyone before leading the way through the portal.

"Annie, let's go!"

Li Yue called out to Annie, who was stunned by the sudden appearance of the circle of light, before following Ancient One into the portal.

"Hey, don't you think it's a little strange? What is Li Yue and that bald woman talking about? Are they hiding something from us?

"And why are we here anyway? Did she just want us to die a hundred times? We were obviously not necessary to beat that monster!"

Just when Mordo and Librarian Wong tried to enter the portal, Tony confronted them.

"He-he..."

Wong simply gave a hollow chuckle to Tony before walking around the billionaire to enter the circle of light.

"Don't think too much about it. Master's decision is not for us to question!"

Mordo patted Tony's shoulder before entering the portal as well.

"Stark. I agree that they seemed to hide something from us. But, with these kind of things, I think it's better for us to know as little as possible!"

Captain America said to Tony, still with the shield in his left hand and the hammer in his right hand. The day's events were all too shocking for Captain America, and he felt that it would be better if he didn't pry any further!

"Brother, I am with you. I haven't experienced any death yet, but I know that it must've been unpleasant! And to experience it a hundred times..."

The Stormbreaker-wielding Thor tried to comfort Tony, but his words only served to stoke Tony's anger.

"Hey, shield man, give the Mjolnir back to me. I only lent it to you..."

Thor didn't notice that Tony's face had darkened with anger. He patted Tony's shoulder before chasing after Captain America, who had disappeared into the portal.

"For fuck's sake!"

Tony could only curse in his heart as he saw everyone's trusting reaction. He was left alone in the Dark Dimension; he had no choice but to follow the others.

...

Somewhere on the New York street, a circle of light with yellow sparks suddenly appeared on the street. Time was still suspended on Earth, so the streets of New York were still unnaturally lifeless!

All the members of the crew had crossed the portal, but Ancient One didn't dismiss it yet.

"Master Ancient One, what should we do next? I might have destroyed Dormammu's body, but the Dark Dimension is still devouring the earth! What do you need me to do?"

Realizing that he was back to the streets of New York, Li Yue looked into the sky, only to find the gaping maw of Dark Dimension still in the sky. Although, due to the time freeze, it didn't continue to devour the Earth.

However, once the time-stop spell was removed, the dark dimension would definitely continue to expand and eventually devour the entire world.

Li Yue was helpless against this kind of invasion. After all, he could only defeat beings that he could physically meet. Li Yue had no way to fight against dimensional invasion!

He could only hope that Master Ancient One had a way.

Hearing Li Yue's question, everyone turned to Ancient One as well, hoping that she would have the solution. Earth would be swallowed otherwise!

Ancient One's face was unchanging even when everyone looked at her with expectation. She always looked like she had everything under her control.

"Master Li Yue, please stretch out your hand!"

Instead of answering Li Yue's question, she solemnly made a request to Li Yue.

Not knowing what she was trying to do, Li Yue gave his right hand to Ancient One.

"This is Eye of Agamotto, a mysterious magical artifact left behind by the ancient Sorcerer Supreme. I believe you understand the mysteries behind it very well.

"I will officially pass this artifact to your care. You may put it aside, or pass it on to the next Sorcerer Supreme. It is up to your decision."

Ancient One's face was extremely serious—her smile even disappeared. She handed a strange eye-like object in Li Yue's hand.

"Master, this... Is there really no other way?"

Ancient One's actions instantly gave Li Yue a bad premonition. Li Yue looked at the Eye of Agamotto, or rather, the Time Stone that Ancient One had just passed to him, not knowing what to think.

The Time Stone was one of the six Infinity Stones in Marvel universe. It could freely control time, and possessed great power. It was a treasure that countless powerful beings coveted, the most famous of which was that purple bald man!

But now, such a precious treasure was gently placed in his hand by Ancient One. Li Yue was at a loss of words.

...

"This has always been the best choice!"

Ancient One's smile returned to her face, before she returned into the portal that she hadn't closed yet!

Li Yue and the others watched helplessly as Ancient One walked into the portal without sparing them a second glance. Ancient One dismissed the portal with a wave of her hand, and her figure disappeared.

"Sigh, so it ended up like this after all."

Li Yue's premonition from when Ancient One gave him the Eye of Agamotto was basically confirmed. Ancient One must've been prepared to sacrifice her life to halt Dormammu's invasion from the very beginning.