Lin Mei stood up and bowed deeply to Nico, his voice resolute. "Teacher, your guidance has been like a lighthouse, illuminating my path forward. Without you, I wouldn't be who I am today. Please allow me to express my deepest gratitude."
Nico smiled, his eyes shimmering with pride. "Your growth is my greatest reward. Remember, true magic isn't just in spells or wands but in wisdom and the strength of the mind. Keep your curiosity and kindness—they will be your most precious treasures."
Lin Mei nodded solemnly before reaching into his pocket, pulling out an exquisite pendant. It was a carefully prepared gift, imbued with a trace of his own light-attribute dragon-destroying magic. For any wizard tainted by black magic, this pendant was a formidable weapon.
"Teacher, this is a small token of my appreciation. I hope it will stay with you, just as you have always been by my side."
Nico examined the pendant closely, a flicker of surprise and emotion in his eyes. "Lin Mei, you never fail to astonish me. I will cherish this gift."
Their gazes met, and a quiet warmth filled the space between them. Though unspoken, the reluctance to part was evident. Nico stood up, adjusting his robe. "It's time to say goodbye. No matter what obstacles come your way, believe in yourself and in magic. And know that somewhere in this world, I will always be watching over your growth."
Lin Mei gripped Nico's hand tightly, unshed tears glistening in his eyes, though a determined smile played on his lips. "Take care, Teacher. I believe that one day, in some extraordinary place, we will meet again."
As Nico stepped out of the study, the door closing gently behind him, Lin Mei remained by the window, watching his teacher's silhouette fade into the distance. When Nico finally disappeared from sight, Lin Mei turned away, picking up his suitcase.
With a swift motion, he tore open a rift in space as if pulling aside a curtain. Without hesitation, he stepped through.
Marvel Universe, Over New York
"Oh, come on! Why do I always end up in midair every time I return?" Lin Mei groaned.
Unlike before, however, this time he wouldn't have to endure a hard landing. He twisted gracefully in the air, attempting a stylish descent, spinning in a perfect 360-degree arc. But just as he was about to land flawlessly—
A spark ignited below him.
A portal materialized right beneath him.
"???"
"Oh no, don't—!"
Before he could react, he plunged headfirst through the portal. On the other side, a snowy landscape awaited him.
Lin Mei's head crashed directly into a thick bank of snow, his body half-buried. His legs stuck out comically as he flailed, trying to free himself.
A chuckle echoed through the crisp air. "Mordo, help our little visitor."
A strong grip caught Lin Mei's right foot, hoisting him up like a rag doll.
"Hey! Do you have any idea how rude this is?!" he protested, arms flailing.
Anyone suddenly yanked from the snow like that would be annoyed. But when Lin Mei saw the man holding him—a stern-faced sorcerer in a white robe—and then the bald figure standing beside him, realization hit him like a bolt of lightning.
More importantly, he could feel the immense, ancient magic radiating from the bald figure.
Lin Mei immediately shut his mouth.
"Oh no... It's her. The Ancient One! Why am I here? What did I do to deserve this?!"
Shivering, he glanced around. "Wait… this isn't the Himalayas, is it?"
Before he could piece things together, the Ancient One calmly conjured another portal, revealing the golden halls of Kamar-Taj on the other side.
Stepping through first, she motioned for him to follow. Mordo set Lin Mei down, and without much choice, he trailed behind them.
His mind was in chaos. What could the Ancient One possibly want with him? Was this a test? A warning?
As if sensing his turmoil, the Ancient One smiled knowingly. "You seem to know who I am. Fascinating."
Lin Mei bit his tongue to stop himself from blurting anything reckless. He needed to think fast.
What have I gotten myself into this time?
Lin Mei smiled politely and said, "The mage must be joking. You are the guardian of this planet, and your name shines even in Kunlun."
"Oh? Is that so?" The Ancient One glanced at him knowingly, though there was no one else around.
Of course, she was well aware that Lin Mei was borrowing Kunlun's name for credibility, but she hadn't come here to make things difficult for him.
Instead, she nodded and said, "Lin Mei is right! Are you interested in learning from me?"
A sudden voice interrupted before Lin Mei could respond. "Hey, hey! Gu Yi, isn't this a bit much? You're trying to steal a disciple from Kunlun right in front of me! Did you think I wouldn't mind?"
A figure materialized before Lin Mei—a man with a fierce, almost electric presence. His golden eyes shimmered with mischief, and his face radiated untamed energy.
Lin Mei's jaw nearly hit the ground as he fell into stunned silence.
The Ancient One, unbothered, chuckled. "Oh, come now. Even you can see that this boy isn't suited for Kunlun's cultivation methods. Don't act so possessive now."
Sun Wukong narrowed his eyes, clearly unimpressed. His lips curled into a smirk, a playful yet challenging glint in his gaze. "Hmph. You certainly have a way with words, mage. But since Lin Mei has caught your attention, he must have something special. My grandson wants to see just how much he can truly learn from you."
The Ancient One merely chuckled at Sun Wukong's provocation, then turned back to Lin Mei, her expression calm yet profound. "Lin Mei, do you understand that all things in this world have their own path? Magic and martial arts may differ in form, but at their core, they share the same essence. I offer to teach you the mysteries of magic, so that you may navigate the currents of time itself, gaining insight into both past and future."
She paused, then asked, "Tell me, do you wish to learn?"
Lin Mei felt a jolt of realization. The Ancient One's magic was a direct teaching of the Vishanti, a power beyond comprehension. Becoming her disciple wouldn't just mean gaining an unparalleled mentor—it would also grant him access to a wellspring of knowledge and a powerful ally.
Without hesitation, he said, "I do!"
"Excellent," the Ancient One said, clearly pleased. "It's already quite late. Mordo will take you back to America shortly."
A tall man standing beside her—Mordo, the very one who had pulled Lin Mei from the snow earlier—nodded and stepped forward.
Meanwhile, the Ancient One and Sun Wukong took seats opposite each other, their expressions unreadable. Lin Mei followed Mordo outside, his mind racing.
Time had passed strangely. He had traveled to the Harry Potter world, returned to Marvel, and yet only half an hour had elapsed here. The realization left him disoriented—after all, he had spent nearly six months in the Wizarding World!
Soon, Lin Mei and Mordo arrived at an empty square, where his next journey awaited.
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