Pleasant dreams always pass quickly, and the morning sun shining on Li Yue's face woke him from his deep sleep.
Li Yue sat up from the bed, stretched, and went to the bathroom to wash up.
Back in his room, Li Yue picked up his phone, thought for a moment, and then dialed Tony's number.
The call connected quickly, and Tony's familiar voice came through.
"Li Yue, are you coming over? Wait, I'll be upstairs as soon as I finish this. Hey, Dummy, that part doesn't go there! You're so stupid! If you mess up again, I'm donating you to MIT."
Listening to Tony's words, Li Yue rubbed his forehead helplessly. Tony was bullying Dummy again. Li Yue thought Dummy was very cute, even though it didn't have a voice system and couldn't speak.
"Tony, I'm not coming over today. Also, I wanted to let you know that I'll be disappearing for a while again."
Li Yue said into the phone.
"What? You're disappearing again? Where are you going this time? That one-eyed bald guy has been looking for you for months. He probably has something to ask you. Are you just going to disappear without a word?"
Tony's voice on the other end grew a few decibels louder after hearing Li Yue's words. He didn't understand why Li Yue was disappearing again after only appearing for one night. He then remembered Nick Fury. Ever since learning that his father was one of S.H.I.E.L.D.'s founders, Tony's view of S.H.I.E.L.D. had changed significantly, and now he even considered their interests.
"Don't worry about S.H.I.E.L.D. for now. They probably don't have anything major to ask me. But you, Tony, be careful when you go out. Don't get yourself killed by certain people."
Li Yue thought of the villain from Iron Man 2, Whiplash, Ivan Vanko. He was a genius scientist comparable to Tony, capable of building a reactor from a pile of scrap metal. He might ambush Tony one day when Tony was careless.
"How could anything happen to me? I'm the famous Iron Man! Villains run away from me. Plus, I have my latest Mark armor, which is only the size of a suitcase. I can put it on quickly in an emergency. I was going to show it to you today, but now I don't have the chance. But don't worry about my safety!"
Although Tony spoke dismissively, he took Li Yue's words to heart. He knew Li Yue had the ability to predict the future, so he must have been targeted by someone in the future, and Li Yue was warning him.
From now on, when he went out, he would make Happy carry the suitcase everywhere, so he wouldn't be afraid.
If Happy knew that for a while, he would have to carry a suitcase wherever he went, even to the bathroom, all because of Li Yue's warning, he would wonder what he would think.
"In that case, you take care of yourself. Also, please look after Louise for me. If anything serious happens, call me. Don't disturb me when there's nothing important. I'm going to study magic this time."
Li Yue felt there was nothing to hide from Tony, as he would encounter Doctor Strange later anyway.
"What? Studying magic? That excuse is even worse than saying you're going to outer space; that would sound more believable! Alright, I'll have someone look after your little girlfriend. Whether you're going to outer space or doing something shady, just go with peace of mind! Bye…"
Tony, hearing Li Yue's words, looked utterly incredulous, his tone as if to say, "Are you kidding me?" However, Tony didn't ask further, directly agreed to Li Yue's request, and hung up the phone without giving Li Yue a chance to speak again.
"Damn it, you go with peace of mind!"
Li Yue listened to the dial tone, a surge of anger with nowhere to go, and could only slam the phone down.
"I'll settle accounts with you when I get back this time."
For some reason, Tony's personality always made people want to beat him to death.
Calming himself down, Li Yue looked up pictures of Kamar-Taj on his computer, then closed the computer and disappeared directly from his room.
Not long after Li Yue disappeared, his door was suddenly knocked. After waiting a few minutes with no response, the lock automatically opened, and two men in black walked in. They checked the room, found no trace of Li Yue, then took out their phones to report to their superior, after which they left the door, leaving no trace.
"Kamar-Taj? What kind of place is that? What is your purpose in going there, Li Yue?"
Nick Fury, far away at S.H.I.E.L.D. headquarters, closed his eyes in thought. (The location of Kamar-Taj was derived from Li Yue's computer search.)
...When Li Yue reappeared, he was already in Kamar-Taj, located in Kathmandu. This place was ancient, and the buildings looked quite old. No one would have expected that the most powerful Sorcerer Supreme on Earth was living in seclusion here.
Li Yue walked along the street, stopping occasionally. Fortunately, he wasn't mugged by thugs like Doctor Strange. Finally, when his legs were about to give out, a man in a black robe with a hood found him.
"Mr. Li Yue, I am Karl Mordo, a follower of the Ancient One. The Ancient One has been waiting for you for a long time. Please follow me!"
The hooded man faced Li Yue, removed his hood, revealing a very sunny face. But hearing his name, Li Yue couldn't help but take another look at him. Was this the villain from Doctor Strange? He didn't look like a villain at all. He looked like a sunny middle-aged man.
"Master Karl Mordo, please lead the way."
However, Li Yue didn't show his surprise. He smiled and nodded at Karl Mordo, indicating for him to lead the way... After countless turns, Li Yue no longer knew where he was. Karl Mordo, who was leading the way, finally stopped in front of a very ordinary door, opened it, and invited Li Yue to enter first.
"Thank you!"
Li Yue politely thanked him, then, without declining, strode directly inside.
Karl Mordo also looked back and, seeing no one special following, entered and closed the door.
After Li Yue entered, he felt his vision suddenly broaden. Although the buildings inside also had a sense of age, they exuded a mysterious aura that made people unconsciously immerse themselves in it.
"Mr. Li Yue, this way, please. The Ancient One has already prepared tea inside."
Karl Mordo politely interrupted Li Yue's contemplation and then led Li Yue to a large hall.
Li Yue followed him into the hall and was surprised to find the Sorcerer Supreme, the Ancient One, whom he had met just yesterday, sitting in the center of the hall, a pot of tea already brewed on the table in front of her.
The Ancient One looked up at Li Yue, showing no surprise, as if she had already known he would come. She nodded at Li Yue, inviting him to sit opposite her.
"Mr. Li Yue, you did come after all."
The Ancient One personally poured a cup of tea for Li Yue and spoke.
"Venerable Ancient One, I apologize for my presumptuous intrusion. I have come to learn from you how to control my energy. I humbly ask for your guidance."
Li Yue was now as well-behaved as could be. He was truly afraid that improper words would get him thrown out by the Ancient One.
"This matter is not urgent. Have some tea first. We can talk slowly later."
The Ancient One raised her teacup, gesturing to Li Yue.
Li Yue also quickly picked up the teacup in front of him with both hands and slowly began to drink.
Li Yue had no habit of drinking tea before, nor did he know how to appreciate it, or what constituted good tea. But after drinking the tea here with the Ancient One, he finally understood: this was good tea.
Upon tasting the tea, a clear fragrance assailed him, as if his soul had been cleansed. After finishing a cup, he felt refreshed and invigorated, as if his body had become a few pounds lighter.
"Li Yue, let's talk about your abilities next!"