Marvel: Killing Makes You Stronger

Chapter 72: Oscar-worthy performance

"Master Ancient One, it seems you know me quite well?"

"I have always been observing you."

"Observing me?" With these words, Bi Xiao quickly deduced that the Ancient One knew he was the origin who could change the future timeline, as he had anticipated. She had been silently observing him all along, but likely unaware that he had changed a person's soul.

Had she known, her attitude might have been different.

To be safe, Bi Xiao continued his unassuming disguise, extracting useful information from the conversation with this bald female.

"Yes, I am a sorcerer, leading a group of magicians, silently guarding this world from invasions from other worlds, so I possess some capabilities beyond the imagination of ordinary people," the Ancient One explained gently, patiently clarifying her observations.

"Just a year ago, I was facing an enemy from another world. The battle took a long time, and during that period, I sensed some extraordinary changes."

"I could not disengage until I had driven that enemy away, and then I found you."

The Ancient One looked at Bi Xiao, who was not particularly tall—about 170 centimeters—but still slightly taller than him. Thus, her gaze was slightly elevated, yet Bi Xiao did not feel looked down upon; rather, it was she who seemed to have the higher perspective.

Seeing Bi Xiao listening patiently, she continued with a smile, "I observed a version of you that was obsessive and radical, extremely rational yet filled with a fiery revenge."

"But the flame of vengeance did not consume your heart; instead, your kindness led you to abandon the path leading into the abyss, which I find comforting."

Bi Xiao frowned, silently analyzing each word.

Indeed, she had noticed the changes in history from the beginning, but was held back by someone powerful enough to do so, perhaps not Dormammu, but someone of that caliber.

When she finally had time to observe him, it was probably during the time he had finished slaying vampires or killing the Blood God.

His life had transformed repeatedly, his soul evolving to unimaginable extents, especially since he had focused on developing mental power and building psychic defenses. Ancient One had the ability to see into souls and read memories, but it was impossible to do so without Bi Xiao noticing.

By that time, Bi Xiao was a significant figure in his own right, firmly rooted as a native; his soul and body were in complete harmony. Unless she read his memories, the Ancient One could not see through him.

She was merely curious and puzzled by his rapid growth.

Indeed, it was too quick, too monstrous, and Bi Xiao felt that this meeting should have occurred much later. Ancient One's urgency probably stemmed from his rapid development. This meeting, triggered by coincidence after discovering the ancient Evil God Sargeras and the noise of their battle, laid bare the most genuine aspects of this world to him.

Thus, Bi Xiao was fairly certain that this bald female sorcerer indeed regarded him as part of Earth's faction.

Bi Xiao's silence was not surprising to the Ancient One; anyone would feel uneasy knowing they were being secretly observed. It wasn't just surveillance.

Moreover, the character Bi Xiao displayed was not just kind but also decisively lethal.

If recognized as an enemy, he acted without hesitation.

"This world is bigger and more complex than you imagine, Xiao. I think this encounter might have made you realize that," the Ancient One spoke softly, then openly revealed the true aspects of this world.

Multiverses, hell, heaven, alien civilizations, powerful beings from other dimensions—all coveting this world, Kamar-Taj, Asgard, and so on—she explained everything to Bi Xiao, who, although already aware, appeared shocked.

It was nothing short of an Oscar-worthy performance.

The Ancient One, not detecting any deception, smiled at Bi Xiao's shocked demeanor. She had observed him over time and knew from her experience that he was indeed a native, with no possibility of being possessed by beings from other worlds—she was confident in this.

At her level, any inconsistency would be immediately evident.

More importantly, this Asian boy's recent actions perfectly matched his personality.

From a weak child orphaned by the loss of his parents and subjected to various bullying due to his skin color, he had embarked on a path of revenge, killing all who had wronged him. This was not enough; the flames of revenge grew even fiercer, fueled by his hatred for the gang he blamed for his mother's death.

Considering gangs a cancer, he mercilessly slaughtered them, earning the nickname "Butcher."

Yet, acts of innocence proved that deep down, he still harbored kindness.

As he grew, discovering the vampire race led him to abandon his original thoughts, seeing them as a greater threat. His deep-seated kindness and sense of duty made him hesitate no more in hunting vampires.

His battles against the Blood God and the Old God Sargeras also highlighted another trait—his belligerence (warlike behavior).