"It didn't make you stronger… but it changed you? What does that even mean?"
Qin Xiao stared blankly, unable to make sense of the Ancient One's words.
If anything, Tony's Yomi-Yomi Fruit was the one that didn't boost strength but brought a major change—it only worked after death, granting a second life.
But the Age-Age Fruit? What else could it possibly do?
"There are some things I can't tell you yet,"
the Ancient One said softly, her tone formal and solemn.
"But I must thank you—from the bottom of my heart."
That solemn gratitude completely threw Qin Xiao off.
Wait, what?
Who am I again? Where am I? What's happening?
Was the Ancient One… broken?
Did the Age-Age Fruit scramble her brain?
Or—worse—had Dormammu possessed her?!
His thoughts spun in confusion.
He had clearly underestimated how perfectly the system matched each person with their fruit.
The benefits Gu Yi got from the Age-Age Fruit were far beyond anything he'd imagined.
"What… what exactly happened to you?"
He finally managed to ask.
"I can't tell you the details for now,"
she replied calmly. "But as for your request yesterday—to learn more magic—I've decided to agree."
Qin Xiao blinked in surprise.
Yesterday, she had said she would "think about it."
Now, not only had she decided—she had offered to teach him.
Apparently, she really did feel indebted to him.
"Yes," Qin Xiao said quickly, seizing the chance.
"I still want to learn more magic.
In exchange, I'll teach you how to develop your Fruit abilities."
He smiled, playing it smooth.
The Ancient One would teach him magic,
and in return, he would "teach" her how to unlock her Devil Fruit powers.
Of course, the more she developed the Fruit,
the more feedback his system would give him.
It was the perfect trade.
If things went as planned, with both his own training and the system's enhancements,
he'd soon stand among the strongest in the Marvel universe—
a Heavenly Father–level being… or beyond.
He had no idea that to the Ancient One,
the Fruit was already something far deeper than a simple tool.
Even if Qin Xiao hadn't offered to teach her,
she would have continued experimenting on her own.
"Then, let's start with the portal spell again,"
the Ancient One said, her voice steady and serene.
She was ready to resume teaching.
After all, the Sling Ring portal was one of the first spells Qin Xiao had wanted to learn.
"No need," Qin Xiao interrupted, grinning.
"I've already mastered it."
The Ancient One blinked.
"You… learned it already?"
Had she meditated for that long?
Surely not—her excursion into the Mirror Dimension hadn't taken that much time.
Qin Xiao simply smiled, saying nothing.
This was one of the unexpected bonuses from her own power feedback.
He raised his hands, the Sling Ring glinting faintly.
Energy crackled between his palms.
"Zzztt… zzztt…"
A ring of golden sparks flared to life, swirling and stabilizing into a shimmering oval doorway—
a portal, leading directly to the New York Sanctum.
The Ancient One observed quietly, nodding with approval.
"Your casting speed is a bit slow," she said,
"but yes—you've truly learned it."
Just then—
"Who's there?"
A voice called out from beyond the portal.
Moments later, the New York Sanctum's guardian, Daniel Drumm, appeared.
He was startled to find a foreign portal suddenly opened in his sanctum.
"Master Daniel," the Ancient One greeted him kindly, inclining her head.
"My apologies for the intrusion."
Daniel froze for a second.
It was clearly still her—the Sorcerer Supreme herself.
Yet something in her presence felt… different.
Lighter.
Alive.
While he stood momentarily dazed, Qin Xiao stepped through the portal.
"Master Daniel," Qin Xiao greeted with a polite nod.
"I wanted to ask—has anything major happened in New York recently?"
The New York Sanctum was the perfect place to gather information.
The Sorcerers' existence was hidden even from S.H.I.E.L.D.,
and Daniel always kept tabs on the city's flow of mystical and worldly events.
Daniel looked between Qin Xiao and the Ancient One,
then shrugged slightly.
"New York is always full of major events," he said dryly.
"You'll have to be more specific."
Qin Xiao winced.
A fair jab—he had punched Daniel around a bit in the Mirror Dimension before.
"Alright then," he said. "Anything about Stark Industries lately?"
Daniel thought for a moment, then said casually—
"Actually, yes. Tony Stark's temporary bodyguard, Frank, has been declared wanted."
Qin Xiao froze mid-step.
What?! Frank—the Punisher—has been… wanted?
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