Chapter 63

The Vishanti's system of magic is notoriously difficult to master—essentially a form of magical "loan-sharking." Upon death, the sorcerer's soul and magic are often reclaimed by the mystical entities. Whether or not all sorcerers are aware of this isn't clear, but it's undeniable that many have sacrificed their lives for this power.

Leon nodded thoughtfully, his expression sincere. The Ancient One noticed and gave him a subtle nod in return. "Although I'm surprised by how much you've grown, I am pleased," she said gently. "However, now that you've caught Dormammu's attention, his cultists may cause you trouble."

Dormammu's dark presence naturally attracts followers—people who are lured into darkness, seduced by its power. These loyal cultists worship Dormammu, believing the world is corrupt and only he can purify it. They are convinced that by serving him, they can gain eternal life and all the rewards they desire.

Essentially, they are brainwashed.

Leon knew this well. He was also aware that among the Masters of the Mystic Arts, an Order of Dark Sorcerers known as Zealots had formed, secretly working against the Order in hopes of bringing Dormammu to Earth. Most of these Zealots were sorcerers nearing the end of their lives or those lacking strong resolve. However, once they embraced darkness and tapped into its power, they became ruthless, doing anything necessary to allow Dormammu's arrival and eliminate any who stood in their way.

Leon posed a particular threat to Dormammu. For thousands of years, the Ancient One and the Sanctums had prevented Dormammu's entry into this world. Now, a new figure—Leon, who held the potential to reach Skyfather-level power—was on the rise. Dormammu's attempt to kill Leon in the mirror dimension was not just an act of rage, but a calculated move to stop Leon from growing too powerful.

Leon listened carefully to the Ancient One's warning, but his thoughts went in a different direction. Rather than merely defending himself, Leon had already begun considering how to eliminate the threat at its root.

Leon wasn't the type to wait for trouble to come knocking at his door. If he sensed any threat or potential danger, he preferred to eliminate it before it could grow. This approach had rubbed off on Sergei and others around him; they had come to adopt this ruthless mentality as well.

While Leon's thoughts were already racing ahead to the idea of tracking down and wiping out the Dark Sorcerer's Order, he still responded calmly to the Ancient One. "I'll keep an eye out for them. And if they do show up, I'll deal with them."

The Ancient One smiled faintly. "The premise being that they manage to reach you first."

She didn't know exactly what Leon was thinking, but his cautious expression reassured her. Though Leon's methods were unconventional, his ability to unleash Skyfather-level power was undeniable. The threat posed by the Dark Sorcerer's Order might not be as great as initially feared.

After their brief conversation, the Ancient One took her leave. Before departing, she kindly invited Leon to visit Kamar-Taj when he had time, offering to share a special tea—Dahongpao—brought by Master Yipin from the East. Leon accepted the invitation, though his true interest lay more in Kamar-Taj's vast library of knowledge.

Once the Ancient One was gone, Leon vanished from the rooftop and reappeared in the grand hall of the Sky Blade No. 7 Battleship, also known as the Immortal Palace.

The hall was magnificent, its floor adorned with intricate circular patterns that depicted an epic battle. In the design, a beautiful angel wielded a flaming sword, leading an army against formidable enemies. Keisha's holographic figure materialized before him.

"Captain Leon," she greeted.

"How's it going?" Leon asked, getting straight to the point.

Keisha remained calm, waving her hand to reveal an image that resembled a holographic projection, but far more realistic. The image displayed a glowing green gem—the very one sealed on the Ancient One's chest.

It was the Eye of Agamotto, containing the Time Stone.

The Time Stone held immense power, capable of controlling the past, present, and future. It could manipulate time in all its forms—accelerate, reverse, travel through it, and even trap someone in a time loop. The stone could also freeze timelines and alter reality with near omniscience. But those who tampered with its powers risked unimaginable torment, trapped within time until they could create a "perfect" moment, which would then exist for eternity.

"I'm sorry, Captain Leon," Keisha said. "When we tried to record the gem's properties, it was blocked by an unknown force. Cracking it will take more time than anticipated."

"Just as I thought," Leon muttered to himself, unsurprised by the results.

The Time Stone, hidden within the Eye of Agamotto, was crafted by ancient sorcerers as both a container and a protective barrier. This powerful artifact could only be unlocked by the specific spells known to the Supreme Sorcerer. Even with Sky Blade No. 7's advanced capabilities, which allowed it to peer through the dark matter plane and observe the essence of things, it wasn't enough to fully penetrate the magical defenses of the Eye of Agamotto—at least not right away.

"While we couldn't gain direct insight, I can sense that this gem holds extremely unique rules and immense power, affecting the fabric of the real world itself," Keisha reported.

Leon nodded, his gaze fixed on the projection of the green gem in front of him. "That's right. These gems hold the most powerful forces in the universe. When brought together, their combined energy is beyond comprehension."

He stared at the hologram, eyes gleaming with fascination. Infinity Stones—each one held almost limitless energy and unique properties related to time, space, reality, and more. Through Sky Blade No. 7, Leon could analyze the essence of these stones, potentially integrating their characteristics into the technology of the angelic civilization. It was a golden opportunity for optimization and advancement.

Mastering the Infinity Stones' powers would be a tremendous feat. Even if it took time, it would result in technologies that could reshape entire worlds. And Leon knew that the ultimate prize, gathering all six Infinity Stones, would lead to untold power, worth any struggle or conflict.

With Sky Blade No. 7's computing power, it was entirely possible to trace the stones' origins and adapt their properties. Leon stood to benefit immensely, but one thing was clear: this would inevitably lead to a confrontation with a certain "purple potato" who fancied himself a cosmic enforcer of balance. Leon smirked at the thought of Thanos.

"Looks like I'll have to find an opportunity to kill that guy," Leon mused. "And while I'm at it, maybe I'll take the Eternals' genes too—those would be useful."