Qingshui said to Odin, "I can help you seal Hela, but I can't guarantee how long it will last. I estimate it won't be more than five years."
Odin slowly shook his head.
"That's not worth a branch from Yggdrasil and an Infinity Stone."
"Then what do you propose?"
"I want you to protect Asgard until Thor fully masters his Power of Thunder and the Odinforce I've passed down to him. By then, Thor's power will surpass mine now, and he'll have enough strength to protect Asgard. This will take..."
"Still five years, and I'll take care of that other problem you're worried about too."
Qingshui interrupted.
He understood what Odin meant.
The threat facing Asgard wasn't just Hela.
Odin gazed deeply at Qingshui with his one eye, then slowly nodded.
He trusted the power of the Time Stone.
"It seems you've already seen the future with the Stone. I won't ask for details, but to avoid interfering with the causal flow of time, I still need to explain."
Odin sat up straight and, with a wave of his hand, conjured the scene of his conversation with the Ancient One.
"The Ancient One and I both knew some of the future's trends. Many things were destined to happen, but your existence is unique. For some reason, many things have been altered by you because you possess certain qualities that don't belong to this universe. So, many things have been changed by you, and we've followed those changes, trying to delay the timing of certain events.
The seal outside Svartalfheim was reinforced by me, and the appearance of the Dark Elves and the Aether was also delayed. I know doing this might cause a temporal backlash, but it was the only chance to change the future.
Because the Ancient One told me that with the changes you bring, the worst possible outcome wouldn't be worse than the one I knew."
"So after your death, Hela, the Dark Elves, and the temporal backlash will all arrive together."
Qingshui sat in his seat, looking at Odin, his tone certain.
Odin's voice was heavy:
"Yes, my body can only last for less than another month. After a month, everything you've said could happen."
"But at least we have a month's buffer time to prepare."
Qingshui's expression was calm as he looked at Odin.
"Tell me what to do."
Odin directly asked Qingshui, who seemed to have the perfect script.
"Not much. Just have Thor improve his strength as quickly as possible."
Qingshui didn't directly tell Odin what specifically to do.
Regarding time, some things, if spoken directly, could cause deviations. He had to let Odin decide for himself; at most, he could offer guidance.
Odin slowly nodded.
"Then, when the time comes, I'll send Thor to Nidavellir. I've prepared a more powerful artifact for Thor there. However, Thor's mastery of thunder isn't yet what I'd hoped for. Even with a stronger weapon, his strength won't see a significant qualitative improvement."
"I know. So during this time, I can teach him how to master the power of lightning. His inherent power is already strong enough, and his talent is excellent, but his brain is a little... well, you understand. So what he needs is time, and simple, practical techniques.
Coincidentally, what I have most of is time, and I can certainly put together some techniques."
Odin slowly lowered his gaze.
"Then, I hope you'll be patient with him. Thor... he learns quickly, but usually only through passive learning in combat. He's not good at thinking things through."
The old All-Father could already imagine the Sorcerer Supreme being driven half-mad by Thor.
Because he himself had been infuriated countless times and eventually had to give up on hands-on teaching.
Thousands of years ago, before he inherited the throne of All-Father, Odin was also a Thunder God wielding the Power of Thunder. He even formed a prehistoric Avengers team with the prehistoric Black Panther, the first Sorcerer Supreme Agamotto, and others.
In short, Odin was also very proficient in the use of lightning techniques.
This foolish son's talent and combat prowess surpassed Odin's own, giving the old All-Father great expectations for Thor. But even he, after teaching Thor for thousands of years, could only bring him to this current level.
"I know. That's why I'm prepared to turn one month into fifty months. Even if his talent is lacking, he should still be able to learn something."
Odin slowly nodded.
"Then I'll leave it to you. Also, I have one more request... it's about Loki."
"I understand. You've made arrangements for your eldest son, so you need a way out for your second son too. So, what are you thinking? Let me be clear, I'm usually very busy, and I don't have time to clean up after a thousand-year-old man-child who constantly causes trouble."
Qingshui smiled faintly.
He believed Odin understood the meaning behind his words.
It could be interpreted as a refusal, or it could be interpreted as "you'll have to pay more."
It depended on how Odin would respond.
"I heard that the Destroyer fragments left on Earth were collected by you."
"That's right."
"I can have Eitri use those Uru Metal fragments to forge an artifact for you. You can also learn how to process Uru Metal during this process. And also..."
Odin stretched out his palm, and a streak of lightning glowed within it.
"I can teach you the techniques for wielding lightning used by all the Thunder Gods and God-Kings of Asgard throughout history, and I can also impart to you the secrets of Rune Magic."
Qingshui's smile deepened.
"Your Majesty, Loki is actually very talented and intelligent. With proper guidance, his future achievements might not be inferior to Thor's."
"I understand. That's why I hope Loki can become your student—no, to be precise, your disciple, a true inheritor. The kind of disciple where you teach him everything you know, and your fates are intertwined, rising and falling together.
Also, I hope you can forge a closer relationship with Asgard, otherwise, I'd be at too much of a disadvantage."
Odin spoke the word "disciple" in perfectly articulated Chinese.
Clearly, he understood some Eastern culture.
Qingshui nodded.
He had intentionally prompted Odin to make another request.
"In that case, why don't I take on a named position in Asgard?"
"How about High Priest? Asgard has never had a High Priest position before. We don't worship deities; only Frigga, as the Queen, represents me in honoring the former God-Kings and fallen heroes in the Hall of Valor."
"Agreed."
His goal finally achieved, Qingshui extended his hand and high-fived Odin as a pledge.
Asgard was, after all, a powerful, advanced civilization kingdom. He estimated this move would bring in a good amount of luck.
Qingshui was satisfied, and so was Odin.
He couldn't manage too much after his death; he could only leave Thor with the best possible foundation.
How the future unfolded depended on how Thor performed as God-King.
"Then, a successful collaboration, Your Majesty."
"A successful collaboration, Sorcerer Supreme. The time has come; we should depart."
...
A few minutes later.
Asgard, Hall of the Gods in the Asgardian Palace.
Beneath the golden dome stood the colossal statues of Asgard's former God-Kings—King Bor and King Buri.
The palace square was filled with long tables laden with food and wine, and crowds stood on both sides.
Knowing it was Thor's coronation ceremony, these Asgardians didn't howl and wail as they usually did at banquets.
However, the constant murmuring was unavoidable.
At the very top of the multi-tiered golden staircase, Odin, holding Gungnir and clad in golden armor, stood majestically, like a lion king.
Beside his throne were two slightly smaller positions, but of the same height as the throne.
The one on the left was occupied by Queen Frigga, and the one on the right by Qingshui.
Many Asgardians frequently cast their gaze towards Qingshui, sitting beside the throne.
They recognized Qingshui because he had visited the Asgardian Palace just a year ago.
The Asgardians generally had a good impression of Qingshui.
A sorcerer, a friend of Thor's, who had beaten up Loki when he caused trouble on Midgard. He was very powerful, his swordsmanship was even better than Fandral's, he almost tore down the main hall of the Asgardian Palace during a spar with Thor, and he could hold his liquor well—they hadn't managed to get him drunk last time.
Being able to fight and being able to drink—just one of these qualities was enough to leave a good impression on Asgardians. If one possessed both, like Qingshui, and excelled at them—being able to defeat them in a fight and drink them under the table—then they would truly respect him.
However, they were still very curious as to why this mortal sorcerer, who had come to Asgard as a guest, could sit beside the throne with Queen Frigga and receive such deference from the God-King.
It was just like the white-bearded old sorcerer who had come here with this mortal sorcerer last time.
Had they all become so powerful that they could sit as equals with the God-King?
No one stepped forward to question it for the moment, as it was Thor's coronation ceremony.
*Clang!*
Gungnir's hilt struck the ground heavily, and the vast palace immediately fell silent.
Odin's gaze swept across the great hall of the Asgardian Palace, and he spoke:
"Today marks the transfer of the throne, and it will also be the day Asgard formally establishes an alliance with the Sorcerer Supreme."
"Clearwater, Grand Sorcerer of Midgard, one of the most powerful wizards in the universe, and a dear friend of Thor's. He commands time, comprehends minds, and possesses unparalleled magical might, which will bring immense assistance to Asgard under the new king's rule.
With my approval, the witness of the multidimensional deities Vishanti, and the consent of the great Yggdrasil, he shall become Asgard's most steadfast reliance and most unwavering ally.
From this moment forward, he will hold the position of High Priest in Asgard, possessing authority second only to the God-King and the Crown Prince, and his status will be equivalent to that of the Queen."
Qingshui rose from his seat and bowed to the Asgardians.
Everyone was stunned.
The coronation ceremony hadn't even begun, and such a monumental announcement came first?
Before the crowd could recover, and before anyone else had time to raise questions, Odin continued:
"My son, Loki Odinson."
"Father."
Loki's expression was a mix of surprise and uncertainty, but he quickly composed himself, stepped forward from the line, and knelt on one knee before Odin.
"From this moment on, you shall be the High Priest's assistant and student. In the High Priest's absence, you will temporarily assume his duties and assist the new king."
Hearing Odin's words, Loki's eyes widened.
He wants me to be a student to this mortal wizard?
Alright, so he beat me, but to give him such a high position and then make me his student?
Loki wanted to say something, but under Odin's calm yet authoritative gaze, he swallowed his words. His mind raced, and his eyes flickered, as if trying to decipher something. Then, he bowed to both Odin and Qingshui.
"Yes, Father, and… Teacher."
"Very well, you may withdraw for now."
Loki looked up and saw a slight curve at the corner of Odin's mouth. He cast a deep glance at Qingshui again, then took a step back and withdrew.
Odin tapped the ground with Gungnir once more, turning his gaze towards another direction.
That was where Thor stood.
"Thor Odinson, God of Thunder, my heir."
Thor, looking more composed than he had years ago, held Mjolnir in one hand, walked steadily across the long red carpet in the center of the hall, and came before the throne. He removed his helmet and knelt on one knee.
Odin rose from his throne, his gaze calm as he looked at Thor.
"Thunder can bring destruction to the world, but it can also summon life-giving wind and rain. Mjolnir in your hand can serve as a weapon externally, and as a tool for construction internally. This perfectly matches the identity of a king."
"Do you swear to protect the Nine Realms?"
"I swear!"
"Do you swear to uphold peace and not actively provoke war?"
"I swear!"
"Do you swear to abandon all selfish desires and act only for the good of the kingdom?"
"I swear!"
"Then today, I, Odin Borson, in the name of the King of the Asgardian gods, declare you… from this moment forth, crowned as the new King of Asgard!"
Cheers erupted instantly.
Loki's expression was gloomy, but he quickly adjusted his demeanor, putting on a smile, and congratulated Thor with a hug.
Out of the corner of his eye, Loki saw the newly appointed High Priest, standing beside Odin, looking at him with a strange smile.
Loki's heart inexplicably skipped a beat.
***
Half an hour later.
Thor, who had planned to drink through the night with his friends, was summoned by Odin, along with Loki, to a small door outside the main hall shortly after they started drinking.
Odin intended to show them the murals hidden within the wall cavities, depicting stories about Hela.
Meanwhile, Qingshui also sent out a Shadow Clone, which returned to Earth via a teleportation circle.
One clone was to handle daily affairs, while the other began gathering the Avengers and some sorcerers to start making preparations.
Earth is one of the Nine Realms. Although it is far from Asgard in the physical dimension, on a higher dimensional level, it is connected to Asgard by the branches and roots of Yggdrasil.
If the commotion on Asgard's side became too great, it would still affect Earth.
As for Qingshui's main body, he returned at this time to the spherical hall at the end of the Rainbow Bridge, guarded by Heimdall.
"High Priest."
Heimdall, clad in golden armor, nodded slightly towards Qingshui.
"I shall send you to the Dwarven Kingdom of Nidavellir, as per the command of Lord Odin."
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