As Li Ming cast his spell on the Genie Lamp, the Genie beside him blinked his large, curious eyes, carefully observing the lamp enveloped in swirling water.
After a long while, the Genie, having discerned something, said with certainty, "It seems that for us, Jafar inside the lamp is indeed accelerating his learning speed. But given the power of your Time magic, unless you cast it daily, it would take at least a year or two before Jafar finishes his studies." Pausing for a moment, the Genie added, "And that's only if you keep casting the spell every single day."
Hearing the Genie's words, Li Ming waved his hand dismissively. Even if he stayed in the Aladdin world for two years and Jafar still hadn't awakened, so what? The Genie Lamp was a magical artifact. At worst, he could simply take Jafar and the Genie back to the Marvel world and continue waiting there.
Besides, the Genie's estimation was based on his current spell power. Did the Genie really think his magic would remain stagnant after two years of practice? That was underestimating him.
Only when Li Ming had expended most of his magical energy did he reluctantly end his time acceleration practice. He waved his hand to open a Portal and signaled the magic carpet to carry him out of the Cave of Wonders.
Once outside the cave, the Genie, not being in a period where he could grant wishes, was forced to return to the lamp to rest.
As for Li Ming, he slowly replenished his magical energy while pulling out the Spellbook to study the magic recorded by the Genie.
However, as he continued his study, Li Ming occasionally furrowed his brows.
The more he read about the Genie's magic, the more amazed he became.
First, the Genie could conjure real food out of thin air using magical energy—food that could actually be digested by the human stomach.
This level of magic somewhat startled Li Ming. Not only was he incapable of conjuring real food from nothing, even the Ancient One—a powerhouse who could beat gods into submission—couldn't do it. At best, the Ancient One could retrieve food from elsewhere or create energy-based food that looked real but was still just energy.
The problem was that such energy-based food couldn't satisfy hunger. At most, it gave the empty stomach something to digest. Expecting it to transform into the various nutrients the human body needed? Dream on.
The more Li Ming read, the more astonished he became: What was the difference between the Genie's magic and true creation?
If the Genie could only create things like food, gold, and jewelry, what was the next step?
If he could fully comprehend the Genie's magic, it seemed that—aside from being unable to create souls from nothing—forming physical bodies out of thin air might not be too difficult in the future.
Wait—creating from nothing?
Li Ming stroked his chin. For some reason, he felt that the effects of the Genie's spells seemed oddly familiar, though he couldn't quite recall where he'd seen them before.After a while, Li Ming slapped his own forehead: Damn it, isn't this just some weakened effects of the Reality Stone? Wait, no—when making a wish to the Genie, the Genie itself seems to already be infinitely close to the power of the Reality Stone.
In the face of the Reality Stone, all rules and laws become meaningless because it can arbitrarily alter them, such as erasing objects. The Genie's magic can achieve this too. For example, the Genie can make the swords in the guards' hands vanish into thin air, as if erased by a rubber, or even directly nullify a law.
If it were just about making swords disappear, Li Ming could do that too. But his magic merely teleports the swords away—they still exist, just in a different location. As for erasing a law entirely? Ha! Unless Li Ming plans to wipe the memories of everyone who knows that law, but good luck not exhausting himself to death.
Secondly, the Reality Stone can conjure physical objects out of thin air. This is also no challenge for the Genie—food, clothes, anything can be summoned effortlessly.
Finally, the Reality Stone itself contains immense, uncontrollable energy. Using it alone is terrifying—some might even say it's impossible to wield the Reality Stone solo. As far as Li Ming knows, the number of beings in the universe who can hold and use the Reality Stone barehanded can be counted on one hand—and Thanos isn't among them. Only by borrowing energy from other Stones can the Reality Stone be used safely to a certain extent.
On this point, Li Ming couldn't help but see parallels with the Genie's wish-granting magic. Normally, the Genie relies on its own power to cast minor spells, like conjuring fruits or roasted chicken—child's play for it. But asking the Genie to produce a full imperial banquet would be pushing it unless the summoner rubs the lamp and makes a wish. Only then can the Genie draw energy from a predetermined source to fulfill the wish.
The Genie borrows energy to grant wishes; the Reality Stone borrows energy from other Stones to alter reality. The similarities were striking.
Scratching his head excitedly, Li Ming mused, "Does this mean that if I master the Genie's magic, I can simulate some traits of the Reality Stone? A humanoid, walking Reality Stone? Even if it's just a fraction of a fraction, that's one hell of a joke."
The thought felt like a pie falling from the sky—right into his mouth. Fueled by this realization, he dove headfirst into studying the Genie's magic.
Days later, as the sun set over the desert, Li Ming's eyes burned with fatigue. Reluctantly, he set aside the Spellbook, waved open a Portal, scooped up a few gold coins from the Cave of Wonders, and then opened another Portal to Agrabah. There, he found a random inn to crash in for the night.After sleeping for a full day and two nights, Li Ming finally appeared on the streets at dawn, full of energy with a single-shoulder bag slung across his back. He spent the morning searching every corner for small shops selling tents and cooking utensils, looking every bit like someone preparing for a long stay in the wilderness.
However, Li Ming wasn't very familiar with Agrabah, and it took him until noon to barely gather all the necessary supplies.
This made him regret his earlier decisions. If he had just let Jafar arrange accommodations for him first before orchestrating Jafar's transformation into the Magic Lamp Genie, wouldn't he have avoided all this trouble?
Alas, regret was useless. Though Li Ming could use the time turner to go back, what if it altered Jafar's fate of becoming a Genie? Compared to sleeping rough, it was better to endure the hassle and buy the pots and pans himself.
As for the remaining supplies he lacked… Li Ming smirked. He had a Genie friend—the kind who could conjure anything he wanted.
Returning to the Cave of Wonders, the first thing Li Ming did was practice time acceleration on the Genie Lamp where Jafar resided. Only after nearly depleting his magical energy did he wave his hand to open a Portal and step outside.
Next, while recovering his magic, he pulled out the Spellbook and eagerly studied the Genie's spells.
The afternoon was reserved for researching Hellfire.
A year and a half later, inside the Cave of Wonders…
Li Ming expertly cast time acceleration on Jafar's Genie Lamp while the Genie, stroking his tiny beard, circled the lamp with keen interest.
Just as the time acceleration spell ended and Li Ming was about to leave the cave, the Genie suddenly called out, "Austin, Jafar's awake."
"Awake?" Li Ming abandoned the Portal, letting it dissipate, and hastily wiped the lamp.
Jafar's entrance was much like the Genie's—a swirling mist emerging from the lamp's spout.
The only difference was that Jafar's smoke was red, while the Genie's was blue.
Beyond that, the newly appointed Genie Jafar seemed unaccustomed to his new lifestyle, appearing dazed and utterly lost after his debut.
Li Ming nudged the Genie beside him, eyeing the bewildered Jafar before whispering, "Is he okay? He doesn't seem reliable at all."
"Hmm…" The Genie crossed his arms, stroking his beard before tilting his head and calling out, "Genie—" He paused, then turned to Li Ming. "I'm a Genie, and so is he. It feels weird calling him 'Genie' too."
With a raised brow, he turned back to Jafar and shouted, "Should I call you Jafar or… Red Genie?"
Snapping out of his daze at the call, Jafar finally looked at his summoner—only to freeze in fury upon seeing Li Ming.
This was understandable. After all, his transformation into a Genie was the result of Li Ming's scheming—though his own greed had played a part.
If not for the Genie's unbreakable rule against harming humans, Jafar would have gladly reduced Li Ming to ashes.Bound by the Elf Code, Jafar took a deep breath and put on an expression that clearly said he didn't want to talk any further. Gritting his teeth, he said to Li Ming, "State your wish."
"You know," Li Ming smirked, his tone playful, "I spent a lot of time training you—shortening your awakening period from centuries to just a year and a half. And yet, here you are, acting all aloof. That really hurts my feelings."
Jafar had no patience for small talk with Li Ming. Seeing that Li Ming wasn't stating his wish, he glanced at his Genie Lamp and said, "If you have no wish, don't disturb my rest."
With that, he prepared to retreat back into the lamp.
Li Ming, petty as ever, pursed his lips. Though inwardly excited, his tone remained calm as he said, "Jafar, my wish is for you and the Genie to work together and send me home—back to my real home."
Jafar stared blankly at the Genie: This lousy wish requires two Genies working together?
Despite his internal grumbling, Jafar just wanted to fulfill Li Ming's wish and be done with it. He couldn't maintain his composure around Li Ming for long. Besides, instead of wasting time chatting, he'd rather return to the lamp and study loopholes in the Elf Code—maybe even find a way to off Li Ming later.
But when he and the Genie combined their powers to locate Li Ming's home, they were left dumbfounded.
The Genie was puzzled. Back then, Jafar's wish had been to become stronger than him, so theoretically, Jafar was stronger. Yet even with both Genies working together, they couldn't sense where Li Ming's home was, let alone send him back. What the hell is going on?
The Genie asked, "Austin, where exactly is your home? We can't even sense its location."
Li Ming gave a hollow laugh, silently opened a Portal, and left the strange cave with both Genie Lamps in hand.
The Genie, seeing Li Ming's dejected expression, followed him without a word. Jafar, on the other hand, laughed uproariously as if he'd just scored a huge win. He didn't care why Li Ming was upset—seeing him frustrated was satisfaction enough.
On the dunes, Li Ming chugged from a barrel of liquor, his eyes vacant as he stared into the distance. After a long while, he drained the barrel, smashed it against the ground, and slapped his butt as he headed back to his tent. Screw this melancholy—it's not like there's no hope of going home.
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