Chapter 331: Multiversal Level!

"A small price, I can bear!"

Clark's words resonated with undeniable authority and resolve. He wasn't merely offering platitudes to gain an empty favor; he genuinely intended to bear some consequences for the Ancient One.

Since becoming the Sorcerer Supreme, the Ancient One had devoted herself to protecting Earth from invasions from other dimensions, enduring immense pain to absorb dark energy for extending her life due to the lack of a suitable successor.

She had endured such agony for centuries! Now, just as Stephen Strange had appeared, her life was nearing its end, poised to die in the line of duty. Had she never enjoyed a single day of ease from start to finish, only to pass away like this?

It was unfair!

This was not the end fitting for a warrior who had battled tirelessly for Earth for hundreds of years. Even ordinary people, after decades of labor, could enjoy a peaceful retirement. Why shouldn't the Ancient One?

If Clark had not possessed the capability, it would have been another matter. But now that he did, he was determined to do everything possible to secure more time for her.

However, to his disappointment, the Ancient One did not share his view.

"No!"

The Ancient One was resolute. "I have glimpsed the future many times. The future of Earth will not be peaceful."

"Compared to the Sorcerer Supreme, you will play a much greater role in what is to come. Therefore, your strength must not suffer any impairment on my account. Let us speak no more of this."

Seeing the Ancient One's firm stance, Clark had no choice but to relent.

This guardian of Earth, the Ancient One, still prioritized Earth's well-being above her own life in her final moments. Clark's methods, though ingenious, would be futile if the Ancient One refused to cooperate. After a long silence, he could only advise her to rest more before reluctantly taking his leave.

Just as he stepped out of the quiet room, he encountered an old acquaintance: "Doctor Strange, I just returned to Earth today and heard from the Avengers' base that you were looking for me. Did you run into some trouble?"

+9999 impression points from Stephen Strange!

When I needed to find you, you were off gallivanting in outer space, and now my problems are already resolved. What's the use of asking now?

Though internally grumbling, Clark knew that Strange had encountered his troubles before Clark had left Earth, so he held no grudge.

He replied with a polite smile, "I was in a car accident before, which ruined my hands. But they're healed now after I started practicing magic. I didn't expect to meet you here."

"Since I know the Ancient One and even studied some magic here," Clark added with a slight smile. "Your situation isn't completely healed, though. You can flexibly use your hands only because of the magical enhancement. It still imposes a slight burden, albeit a small one."

"Whenever you have time, you might want to visit Doctor Banner at the Avengers' base. He could fully heal your hands from a medical standpoint. Don't worry, having fully functional hands won't interfere with your magic practice; rather, it might even lighten your burden."

As Strange thanked him with mixed feelings, Clark teleported back to his villa in Los Angeles.

Setting the villa to 'Do Not Disturb' mode, he took out the Reality Stone and started the BGM for "Moving Heaven." It was time to merge the third Infinity Stone! This time, refining the Reality Stone took longer.

With the effect of the "Moving Heaven" BGM, the power boost he received from any Infinity Stone was the same, and there was no situation where it became progressively harder or easier. The difference in comprehension speed depended mainly on his prior familiarity with the stone.

For example, the Power Stone, which he had used proficiently, did not take much time to refine. The Space Stone, being the first he acquired, was even easier to integrate as he had grasped many of its spatial laws even before awakening "Moving Heaven."

However, the Reality Stone was different. Since taking it from Malekith, he had used it only once to repair a spatial rift and had not used it since.

Even during his travels to and from the God Quarry, he hadn't thought to study it, which was a testament to the overwhelming power of the "Moving Heaven" BGM. With this enhancement, he could easily refine the stone completely; even if he had spent a year studying it beforehand, it might have only accelerated the refining process by a day or two.

This was under the effect of another BGM called "Stealing Power." Without it, perhaps ten or even eight years of study might have only shortened the refining time by a day.

Compared to his own efforts, the efficiency of self-study was painfully slow. Although Clark was diligent, he wasn't one to obsess over every second.

Ultimately, it took him nearly five days and nights to

 completely merge the Reality Stone.

By his estimation, this duration was probably the maximum needed to refine an Infinity Stone, and the remaining stones, even the Mind Stone which he had never used, would likely take about the same time.

Thus, his power, as anticipated, officially stepped into the multiversal level!

However, upon reaching the multiversal level, the massive surge in power he had expected did not materialize, or at least the increase was not as substantial as he had hoped.

Because his power had already reached the true peak of a single universe! After all, the ceiling of a single universe was set; a giant trying to enter would either have to break through the ceiling or stoop.

Breaking the ceiling was not an option—not only would the Court of Life not allow it, but Clark himself would never consider such an action.

This prevented a significant opportunity for power advancement. Ideally, by refining the Reality Stone and stepping into the multiversal level, he could have taken a small step forward, but this was thwarted by the limitations of a single universe.

Still, after refining three Infinity Stones and stepping into the multiversal level, Clark underwent a qualitative change in his life essence. Although his direct combat abilities didn't immediately skyrocket, many previously impossible tasks were now within reach.

It was like reaching a certain level in an online game and completing a class change quest—although the level remains the same, many new features are unlocked.

One of the main new features was his ability to "multitask" to enhance his power, a common tactic among multiversal-level beings.

There are two main ways to "multitask":

The first is the clone multitasking mode.

Like Lady Death and the Planet Devourer, creating clones in parallel universes to gain power, which then feeds back to the original, aiming for rapid power level advancement.

This approach seems ideal but comes with many risks and is usually only viable for those favored by fate who become multiversal-level beings.

They have innate advantages others lack, such as a connected destiny in each parallel universe.

For example, Captain America and Spider-Man—when one of their forms becomes a multiversal-level powerhouse, it can easily connect with other forms for mutual progress. This is quite simple.

Of course, Captain America and Spider-Man are just examples; although their clones span the multiverse, none have reached such heights individually.

And even if this method is used, it's not necessarily smooth sailing. After all, each parallel universe may seem similar but differ significantly in individual circumstances. Conflicts among clones, such as superficial harmony or outright betrayal, are not impossible.

For instance, if Captain America became a multiversal-level titan, who could guarantee that none of his versions in any parallel universe would hail Hydra?

So, this method requires delicate handling and is a complex science in its application. As for creating a clone in a universe where the original has died, that's even more challenging, likely only feasible for the primeval creators among the multiverse elites.

Clark, then, is one of the more unfortunate grassroots players.

Setting aside the fact that his arrival was a case of taking over someone else's spot, his original identity in the Marvel universe was cannon fodder at best—likely to be a statistic in some catastrophe without ever being mentioned by name.

Thanos, born into privilege, maintains at least demi-god level power in every parallel universe. Tony Stark, in ten parallel universes, is Iron Man in at least nine, sometimes even reincarnating as a woman who ends up romantically involved with Captain America.

But Clark, in a hundred parallel universes, might be the only successful one. The other Clarks are either minor characters or background extras; even if they survive, their potential for growth is minimal, with no value for cultivation.

This situation calls for another method of multitasking:

That is hiring a proxy!

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