Chapter 71:
The Ancient One turned her gaze towards Fang Mo and said, "I am open to negotiating conditions as well."
"Are the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj incapable of affording it?" Fang Mo replied, placing his hand on his forehead. "No, what I mean is... Look, I'm not a malevolent person. I simply wish to touch it. What harm could come from that? I believe my sincerity is evident, right?"
"So, according to you, this attitude qualifies as sincerity?" inquired the Ancient One.
Fang Mo couldn't help but scratch his head and responded, "Madam Ancient One, I don't think you want your disciple, Strange, to face any trouble, do you? I hope you carefully consider my suggestion and allow me to touch your Time Stone. Please don't underestimate me."
"That doesn't sound very friendly," remarked the Ancient One.
Upon hearing this, a perplexed expression crossed the Ancient One's face. "But are you absolutely certain that you only want to touch the Time Stone and not take it away from me?"
"If possible, of course, I would like to borrow it for a few days," Fang Mo shrugged, not lying. "I want to make a wish using the Infinity Stones. But I've heard that you need to collect all six of them. Rest assured, I will keep my word and definitely return it to you once I'm finished."
"Are you sure?" the Ancient One looked at Fang Mo and asked.
"I'm sure," Fang Mo nodded. Understanding the usage of the Time Stone was complicated, and one had to learn the related spells to fully comprehend it. However, Fang Mo was genuinely too lazy to delve into those intricate matters. This preference could be observed from the game itself; he particularly disliked complex and tedious modules.
Even if he truly desired the Infinity Stones, Fang Mo's first choice would undoubtedly be the Power Stone.
Leaving aside the other reasons, it was straightforward and direct. Simply embed it into a weapon, roll up his sleeves, and get down to business.
However, what surprised Fang Mo was the Ancient One's sudden shake of the head.
"I have observed the future multiple times," the Ancient One spoke slowly. "With over ninety percent probability, you do not return the Time Stone, and you even leave this world with it."
"What?!" Fang Mo was taken aback. "No, why would I do that?"
"You bring out the Time Stone and allow me to study it," Fang Mo suggested. "As a cost, I won't take the Time Stone for now, and I'll let Strange use it against Dormammu."
"And then you approach Strange to acquire the Stone?" the Ancient One looked at Fang Mo. "You know I won't live much longer, so you plan to go to Strange after my passing to obtain it."
"Well, what do you suggest, then?" Fang Mo shrugged. "The Time Stone is important to me as well, but as the Sorcerer Supreme, it's your treasure. I don't want to forcibly take it... But you sorcerers who play with the Time Stone always enjoy negotiating conditions, right? That works for me. We can discuss and establish a price when the time comes."
"But let me clarify beforehand, I'm not Dormammu. When I talk about negotiating conditions, I mean a proper negotiation. If you attempt to manipulate time loops, don't blame me for retaliating."
"No, you've misunderstood."
After hearing Fang Mo's words, the Ancient One suddenly shook her head. "I have no intention of making things difficult for you."
"Oh?" Fang Mo looked at her in surprise. "What do you mean?"
"Since the moment you arrived in this world, I have already noticed you," the Ancient One spoke slowly. "I know that you control an ancient and unknown Dimension. Initially, I thought you were like other dimensional demons, wanting to devour and destroy this world, and I was planning to expel you as soon as possible. However, for some reason, I felt a sense of unease."
"So I used the Eye of Agamotto to peer into the future. Do you know what I saw?"
"What did you see?" Fang Mo grew curious.
"It was revenge from another world," the Ancient One replied. "Once you are killed, banished, or imprisoned by me or anyone or anything else, you will unleash terrible revenge upon this world."
"In all the futures I observed, you submerge the land, shatter the sky, tunnel through the Earth's core, cause a collision between the Moon and the Earth, and even bring some kind of terrifying bacteria from that world, along with indescribable entities capable of collapsing the universe."
"Neither the Sanctum's barriers nor time loops can prevent you from departing or descending into this world."
"The planets of the entire universe become contaminated, everything crumbles, and no one can withstand your hostility and rampage. Your atrocities are known from Xandar to the Kree civilization. Every time you are killed or defeated, when you return, you grow even stronger, carrying more seething malice and hatred."
"Eventually, even the Celestials, Cosmic Entities, and 'others' become incapable of matching your power."
