Chapter Two: The Sanctuary of New York

Facing Richard’s worried expression, Gu Zhongyan steadied himself, shook his head vigorously, and forced himself to remain clear-headed.

“It’s nothing, just a bit tired. I’ll be fine after some rest.”

“Really?” Richard shot him a skeptical glance. “Buddy, this isn’t the first time. Are you sure you’re alright? Maybe you should see a doctor?”

Gu Zhongyan lightly punched Richard’s shoulder and smiled. “Don’t worry, I know my own limits—there’s nothing to worry about.”

“If you say so.” Richard replied. “But if you’re still like this in a couple of days, you have to see a doctor, OK?”

“OK, I promise.” Gu Zhongyan nodded emphatically.

This situation wouldn’t last much longer—he’d already decided how to resolve the issue.

The weekend arrived, and the early morning sunlight spilled over the towering buildings of Manhattan.

For once, feeling clear-headed, Gu Zhongyan crossed the bustling streets and stood before a grand, ancient building.

From the outside, it looked completely unremarkable—a simple three-story structure with weathered walls and tightly shut doors and windows. Atop the building, a symbol reminiscent of a certain national power grid from the Far East was emblazoned.

This was 177A Bleecker Street. To Marvel enthusiasts, it bore another name: the New York Sanctum.

It was the stronghold of the Sorcerer Supreme, one of the sacred sites in Marvel’s world of magic.

Unable to restore his lost magic, Gu Zhongyan had no choice but to risk coming here in search of a way to regain his power.

Despite its location in the heart of bustling Manhattan, not a single passerby seemed to notice the building. Gu Zhongyan understood the reason: the New York Sanctum was shrouded in a spell similar to the Muggle-Repelling Charm, rendering it invisible to those without magic. Even if someone happened to sense its existence, the magic would swiftly erase the memory.

However, the concealment magic here was clearly more profound than anything from the world of Harry Potter, subtly touching upon the fabric of dimensional space itself, as if separating it from the ordinary world.

Though he had lost his magic, Gu Zhongyan had once been one of the greatest wizards in the Harry Potter universe; he could still sense the immense power contained within the Sanctum.

Gathering his courage, Gu Zhongyan took a deep breath and stepped up to the doors, about to knock. Before his hand could reach them, the heavy wooden doors creaked open of their own accord.

Inside, the ancient and mysterious hall was adorned with paintings and vases exuding an aura of history and enigma. A bald woman in simple attire sat with her back to Gu Zhongyan in the lounge.

She slowly poured a cup of tea from the pot. “Forgive me for taking the liberty of preparing English tea. I hope it suits your taste.”

Gu Zhongyan had expected the Ancient One’s appearance. As Earth’s guardian and one of the mightiest Sorcerer Supremes, the Ancient One possessed the power to peer into the multiverse and foresee the future.

It was no surprise she had anticipated his arrival. Still, when she mentioned English tea, Gu Zhongyan’s heart couldn’t help but skip a beat.

After all, to the Ancient One, he was little different from the other extradimensional entities—aside from intent and power.

Especially now, from her presence, he sensed a magical force more formidable than anything he had ever known. The difference between them was as vast as a stream compared to the ocean.

Though she merely sat there, Gu Zhongyan could feel the restless stir of magical elements around him—a disquieting sensation for someone now bereft of magic.

He quickly composed himself, reminding himself that if the Ancient One truly meant him harm, he would never have made it to the Sanctum; he’d have been erased the moment he crossed over.

Suppressing his nerves with a deep breath, Gu Zhongyan sat down opposite the Ancient One.

“Master, I came this time—” he began.

“No rush, have a seat first. May I call you Sean?” she interrupted with a teasing smile. “Although I know you’re older than you appear, I suspect I still have a few more years on you.”

Gu Zhongyan paused, hesitated, then nodded and took a seat across from her.

Seeing this, the Ancient One handed him a cup of tea. “Try it. I don’t think my skills have declined.”

He accepted the cup, taking a silent sip. The rich, steaming tea slid smoothly down his throat, warmth blossoming in his stomach and easing the tension that had gripped him for days.

“Thank you, it’s delicious,” Gu Zhongyan said.

The Ancient One’s smile widened. “After all, this is the result of fifty-six attempts. Satisfying your taste wasn’t easy.”

Gu Zhongyan raised his brows slightly. It seemed she had observed him on the timeline more than once, just as he had suspected.

“Sean, I know why you’ve come. Unfortunately, your destiny doesn’t lie with Kamar-Taj, and my magic isn’t suited to you.”

Hearing the seriousness in her words, Gu Zhongyan’s heart sank, and he was about to speak when the Ancient One raised a hand to stop him.

“Though Kamar-Taj’s magic may not suit you, your coming is not meaningless. As an old saying from your homeland goes, ‘Other stones may serve to polish jade.’”

“Kamar-Taj’s magic may not fit you, but it could offer inspiration to help you find your own path. If you wish, I can share some of Kamar-Taj’s magical texts with you.”

“But...” she paused.

“But what?” Gu Zhongyan asked hurriedly.

“Do you know the purpose of Kamar-Taj’s existence?” the Ancient One countered.

As she spoke, her fingers traced a pattern, weaving golden light in the air until it formed a slowly spinning globe.

“This is our Earth. In the multiverse, Earth holds immense significance. Throughout history, gods and demons from countless dimensions have tried to invade and consume it.”

“To defend against them, generations of Sorcerer Supremes founded Kamar-Taj and built Sanctums at three magical nodes around the world, creating a bulwark against extradimensional incursion.”

As the Ancient One spoke, three intricate magical arrays radiated from London, New York, and Hong Kong, forming an impenetrable shield.

Even with his mastery of magic, Gu Zhongyan could not grasp even a fraction of the complexity of these wards.

“The Sorcerer Supreme is the guardian of the three Sanctums; Kamar-Taj’s magic exists for this purpose.”

“I can share our magical texts with you as reference, but this is not a one-sided gift—it is a bargain.”

“In return, when the time is right, I hope you will aid me, or rather, aid Kamar-Taj.”