Marvel: Killing Makes You Stronger

Chapter 74: Kamar-Taj

With the inherent magical advantage he possesses, it's no wonder that he can master teleportation magic at a glance.

However, he will not attempt it here.

Magic is too subjective and dangerous. Although Bi Xiao has an adventurous spirit, he generally takes risks only within what he considers an acceptable range. Magic is too mysterious; an unexpected result from a teleportation spell could be troublesome.

After all, he is traveling to Kamar-Taj tomorrow, so there's no need to take such risks.

It's best to stick to a more prudent approach.

Thinking this, Bi Xiao gave up the idea of casting a teleportation spell and instead immediately took flight towards where he had placed his Blackbird II fighter jet.

Another source of Bi Xiao's resignation is that this fighter jet seems to be nearing obsolescence. It just goes to show that plans often change more dramatically than expected.

...

The next day, Bi Xiao enjoyed a delicious Chinese meal at the manor. The ancient Old God Sargeras incident went unnoticed.

Though the battle was intense, it all took place within the Mirror World.

The memories of those five students were likely altered as well, their blog selfies and descriptions changed to another vacation spot, confirming this.

Covering tracks, S.H.I.E.L.D. thinks they're clever, but it's the magicians who are the true masters.

Later, dressed in a down jacket and jeans, and driving a McLaren sports car, Bi Xiao arrived at 177 Bleecker Street in New York. He parked his car at the roadside, and before he could knock, the door opened.

Inside stood a black sorcerer dressed in a thick cotton Sorcerer's robe.

"John Shaw, the venerated one awaits you at Kamar-Taj."

After entering, the door closed automatically behind him. The black Sorcerer then spoke a phrase and drew a circle beside him; a teleportation spell appeared, and Bi Xiao nodded at the black Sorcerer before stepping into the circle.

As he entered, the teleportation spell closed automatically behind him.

This was another world, a place unknown to most, located near the position of the Himalayas and in the vicinity of Kathmandu, Nepal. The site was a square where many Sorcerers, dressed in down Sorcerer robes and holding cleaning tools, were earnestly clearing the snow.

Seeing Bi Xiao's arrival, the Sorcerers were quite curious.

"How do you feel about this place? Is it different from what you imagined?" The voice of Ancient One reached his ears; turning his head, Bi Xiao saw Ancient One also wearing a slightly thicker Sorcerer's robe, now in white.

"It's very secluded and beautiful."

"This is the Himalayas, near Kathmandu, Nepal. Kamar-Taj has been established for thousands of years."

Ancient One spoke as he led Bi Xiao to the main temple.

The building was wooden, embodying classical aesthetics with wooden floors, low tables, and sitting mats.

The main temple's living room was very spacious, offering a great view through the wooden windows of the snowy Himalayan landscape.

Ancient One sat Bi Xiao down on a sitting mat and deftly and smoothly made him a cup of tea.

"Would you like to learn magic, Xiao?"

"Would Master Ancient One teach me?"

"Ah, I might be absent from Kamar-Taj for much of the time. There are many old magicians here. If you have any questions, you can turn to them. I can see that you are not introverted and have a great thirst for knowledge and growth."

Ancient One smiled, "But feel free to ask me when I am available. I am very happy to see a talented young magician grow."

"However, your excellence might intimidate some of my students."

"Thank you." Bi Xiao raised his teacup to Ancient One, who graciously accepted.

Being able to impart knowledge is the mark of a teacher, and Bi Xiao has the requisite politeness and ethics, even though both he and Ancient One understand that this is fundamentally a reciprocal transaction.

"Magic is a very ancient cosmic secret power, capable of accomplishing many unimaginable feats, creating worlds, exploring multiple universes, and piercing the river of time. The magic of Kamar-Taj is somewhat special."

Ancient One did not waste words, beginning to explain the origins and knowledge of his magic.

"The magicians of Kamar-Taj, mostly ordinary humans initially without inherent energy, must connect through specific incantations and inscribe magic circles to draw on other dimensional magic energy and release powerful magic."

"However, the borrowed power must eventually be repaid. The more power borrowed, the greater the impact on oneself, so many magicians in Kamar-Taj also learn various combat skills, using shields and weapons in conjunction with fighting."

"But you are different, Xiao. Your body harbors immense power and strong mental strength. This combination gives you a natural advantage in learning magic."

Ancient One seemed slightly envious.

After all, Bi Xiao's innate advantage is so great; it's as if heaven itself is spoon-feeding him.

Bi Xiao took it in stride, being fed by heaven, he was still only comparable to ordinary races, and not to some of the naturally divine beings.

Ancient One continued without pause: "What you need is knowledge, skipping the step of communicating and borrowing magical energy, to learn and accumulate, to consume and fully understand magic knowledge, and create your own magic system."

Ancient One's knowledge was impressively deep, and as a teacher, she was among the best.

Naturally sharp-eyed, she could easily discern what Bi Xiao needed most at the moment.

"You can freely access the library, where all the magical knowledge accumulated over thousands of years in Kamar-Taj is stored. The next few years will be crucial for you to establish a strong foundation."

"I will speak to the guardians of the library, but I hope you temporarily avoid touching the forbidden dark magic, which, while powerful, also has the capacity to corrupt souls."

"Your personality tends towards the extreme, which might lead you into degradation."

"Only with sufficient accumulated magic knowledge can you fully harness those dark magics."

Ancient One further cautioned that whether white magic or black magic, both are merely different applications of power, with no inherent hierarchy or moral distinction. She, Ancient One, is both the strongest white magician and the strongest black magician in Kamar-Taj.

The latter tends to be learned quickly, powerful, but also with relatively significant side effects.