217

Chapter 217

The power of chaos, in the eyes of many wizards and even powerful beings like Odin, is seen merely as a special, extremely potent energy.

But only the Ancient One understood how truly dangerous it was. It was a power that surpassed even the combined strength of all the Supreme Sorcerers throughout history.

If possible, the Ancient One would have personally intervened to ensure everything was secure. Unfortunately, her strength was too immense and exceeded the limits of the barrier. If she entered, the virtual world would collapse, leading to Wanda's mental breakdown and a loss of control over her abilities.

What frustrated the Ancient One even more was that the last disciple she had awaited for hundreds of years was also trapped in there. What a mess.

"You're a doctor. Why don't you work during the holidays? No wonder you might go bankrupt after a few surgeries if your hands are paralyzed. It's because you're not working hard enough!"

This was also why she had refused to let Odin in.

In fact, Thor's strength was beyond what the barrier could handle, and he should have caused the chaos power to go haywire. But surprisingly, Thor seemed completely unaffected. The chaos power's transformation effect had no impact on him. Instead, his body underwent some unknown changes, becoming... stronger.

Yes, Thor believed he was unaffected by the illusion due to the "Mind Guardian" skill.

In reality, the chaotic power constructing the illusory world did not see him as a target, as if it actively bypassed him. The two forces did not conflict with each other, which astonished the Ancient One.

"Ding ding ding…"

A shrill alarm echoed, and the Ancient One's expression changed abruptly.

A dazzling light spot flashed from somewhere within the red barrier model and quickly vanished.

"What! Who entered?!"

The Ancient One demanded, her voice sharp.

Mordo, standing beside her, looked as if he had seen a ghost: "I didn't see clearly. Judging by the strength, it must be someone extraordinarily powerful. I fear..."

Even Odin, wielding Gungnir, hadn't caused such a reaction!

"Teacher, let me in!"

Baron Mordo said resolutely, "We need to stop him, or this space will collapse and explode!"

"No!"

The Ancient One shook her head firmly. "You cannot go in! None of us can. I can't even assess this man's strength. If he's an enemy, no one can stop him, so we must not interfere!"

Her tone softened slightly. "Besides, the barrier hasn't collapsed. This person is more mysterious than I anticipated!"

After a restless night, Thor woke up around noon.

Upon awakening, Wanda promptly kicked him out of the room and pushed him out of her house.

Uh… Am I being kicked out?

Thor, faced with Wanda who seemed to be in an early menopausal mood, decided it best not to provoke her further and chose to explore this world alone.

During these past few days, he and Wanda had been nearly inseparable. Although their relationship developed quickly, it also impeded his deeper understanding of this virtual world.

New York in the 1990s had the atmosphere of a bustling metropolis, yet as a suburb, it retained a certain tranquility.

Thor wandered the streets for over an hour but found little except for a business card from a young woman he had approached. Feeling dejected, he decided to have a few drinks of 1982 vodka.

He felt embarrassed about his alcoholic tendencies around the refined Wanda...

After finding a small, stylish bar and sitting down, Thor was puzzled to find that the bar appeared closed. There was no one there, and the counter was empty.

"What bad luck! Why is the door open when the bar isn't?"

Thor shook his head and prepared to leave.

"Hey young man, since you're here, don't you want a drink?"

An old man, wearing large sunglasses that nearly covered his entire face, emerged from the back hall with a bottle of beer, poured it into a glass, and handed it to Thor.

"Thanks."

Thor drank it all in one gulp and said with a smile, "It would be even better if we had something stronger!"

The old man grinned. "Good idea, I thought the same..."

As soon as he spoke, the beer bottle in his hand transformed into a bottle of exquisite white wine labeled "Spirytus 96℃".

"Ninety-six proof Polish distilled vodka. If it's stronger, it's pure alcohol!"

The old man smirked slyly.

Thor downed a glass of this potent liquor, known as "the water of life", distilled over 70 times and capable of getting most people drunk with just a sniff.

"Delicious!"

He exclaimed, then looked at the old man and said, "I've heard many bars have a rule: if you finish a box of Spirytus in one go and then walk a straight line without showing drunkenness, the box of wine is free."

The old man laughed and waved his hand, producing a whole box of the liquor on the table.

Thor smiled and remarked, "You know, I have a special ability to detect if any alcohol is fake in one gulp. But your vodka seemed perfectly fine. Can you explain why?"

"Oh?" The old man smiled mysteriously and lowered his voice. "Because... my wine is never adulterated. And the wine I serve you must be real!"

"But I'm certain this wine shouldn't be real!"

As soon as Thor finished speaking, his smile vanished. He set down the wine glass and swiftly reached for the old man's sunglasses.

Everything happened in an instant, and Thor was surprised to find that the old man gently held his hand, as if it was locked and immovable.

Reacting quickly, Thor unleashed a current of hundreds of thousands of volts through his arm toward the old man.

"Click…"

The old man's hair stood on end, creating a comical appearance, but he showed no other reaction.

"Young man, don't be so hasty. We can have a good conversation!"

The old man said with a smile.