If he couldn't obtain the Dream Walking Technique from the darkhold, then most of his subsequent training plans would go to waste.
Everything else was secondary; the most important thing was the Gravity Room.
With the combined efforts of S.H.I.E.L.D., HYDRA scientists, and his own scientific team, the Gravity Room had already reached seventy times gravity.
However, because his body had integrated too many excellent Bloodlines, especially the Ōtsutsuki bloodline's enhancement to his physical body, he estimated that it wouldn't take more than one or two years for him to adapt to seventy times gravity.
At that point, the research speed of the Gravity Room would not be able to keep up with his cultivation speed.
Scientific research is typically measured in years, decades, or even longer, and he didn't want the pace of his power increase to slow down too much later on.
"Do I really have to wait for Miss America to appear?"
Besides the Dream Walking Technique, he had also considered Miss America's ability.
Miss America could travel through the Multiverse, and if he could use her ability when loading a protagonist template, he might be able to enter the corresponding World, just like with the Summoning Technique.
However, it would be at least another decade before Doctor Strange brought Miss America to this Universe.
In the main Marvel Universe movie, Doctor Strange brought Miss America to this Universe shortly after Thanos's invasion and defeat, which was around 2018.
But it was only 2006 now.
"If you only want to learn the Dream Walking Technique, I do have a way, and it doesn't require using the darkhold."
Just as Hawking was deep in thought, Ancient One suddenly spoke with a smile.
Ancient One's words successfully pulled Hawking's thoughts back, and he looked up at Ancient One seriously:
"Sorcerer Ancient One, please tell me. If I can truly learn the Dream Walking Technique, I, Hawking, will surely offer a generous reward."
As a Sorcerer Supreme, someone who could be associated with Eternity after death, Ancient One might genuinely have some other method.
So, what he said was not just a polite remark.
If Ancient One could enable him to learn the Dream Walking Technique, then he would naturally be willing to provide a corresponding return.
"No need for a generous reward, but my method has a troublesome aspect."
Ancient One waved her hand and poured Hawking his third cup of tea.
Hawking reached out and took the tea:
"What's the troublesome part?"
"You have to become my disciple!"
Ancient One replied casually.
Hawking's body stiffened upon hearing this:
"Become your disciple? Sorcerer Ancient One, you're not joking, are you?"
Becoming Ancient One's disciple wasn't really an issue for him.
After all, Ancient One was over five hundred years old, so there was no problem with her being his teacher in terms of age.
Moreover, he wanted to study the principles of magic in the Marvel Universe, and with Ancient One, the Sorcerer Supreme, as his guide, it would undoubtedly be twice the result with half the effort.
There was also the richest magic library in this World, containing many rare books collected by Ancient One.
However, if he became Ancient One's disciple, he might have to abide by the rules of Kamar-Taj, spending most of his time in Kamar-Taj and the various Sanctums, fighting to resist the invasion of Dimensional Demon Godss.
This was naturally impossible for him, the World's number one Superhero with vast assets.
"Does Ancient One intend to trap me this way?"
"The Dream Walking Technique you desire can be learned not only from the darkhold but also from another book, but to read this book, you must be a sorcerer of Kamar-Taj, and you must be my disciple."
Ancient One explained with a smile.
Hawking's heart immediately stirred:
"It's book of the vishanti!"
The only thing that could compare to the darkhold and fit all the conditions Ancient One mentioned was book of the vishanti.
The darkhold was a magic book created by Chthon, the god of Dark Arts, and was scattered throughout various Universes.
book of the vishanti, on the other hand, was created by the trinity of Vishanti, and there was only one copy, always preserved in Universe 838.
He remembered in the movie, Doctor Strange of the main Universe initially wanted to find a way to deal with Wanda through book of the vishanti.
Unfortunately, it was destroyed by Wanda using Dark Arts just as he found it and before he could open it.
He hadn't expected that the Dream Walking Technique was also in book of the vishanti.
Actually, it made sense; since Ancient One said that the darkhold was connected to Chthon's spiritual World, then book of the vishanti must also be connected to Vishanti's spiritual World.
For a magic of the Dream Walking Technique's level, if Chthon knew it, there was no reason Vishanti wouldn't.
It should be noted that while Chthon was powerful, Vishanti was not inferior.
Vishanti consisted of three ancient gods: the omnipotent Oshtur, the all-seeing Agamotto, and the ancient Hoggoth.
Oshtur was one of Earth's earliest ancient gods; although not as powerful as Chthon, she was a Multiverse-level entity.
Agamotto was formed from Oshtur's tears and later successfully cultivated to a Multiverse level.
The ancient Hoggoth was an ancient god from an alien Planet, even older and more powerful than Oshtur, an old friend Oshtur met during her travels through the Universe.
These three ancient gods had united very early on, using White magic to help humans fight Chthon and a series of other dark Dimensional Demon Godss.
"Don't worry, it's just a nominal discipleship. You don't need to abide by any rules of Kamar-Taj; you can continue to live as you did before.
If you are interested in the magic of our Kamar-Taj, you are also welcome to come here to learn and exchange with everyone."
Perhaps sensing Hawking's concerns, Ancient One explained again.
"That good?"
Upon hearing this condition, Hawking's face showed some doubt; what was the difference between this and being given something for free?
He hadn't paid anything from beginning to end, and not only could he read book of the vishanti to obtain the Dream Walking Technique, but he also had the opportunity to study the magic of Kamar-Taj.
"Of course, no problem. When should I become your disciple, now?"
In less than three seconds, Hawking readily agreed.
What Ancient One's intentions were in doing this was not important to him, Hawking; he was definitely gaining something, and if he found anything amiss later, it wouldn't be too late to turn hostile.
"Now is fine. Pour me a cup of tea, and you'll be my disciple."
Hawking agreed readily, and Ancient One was even more straightforward, directly handing the teapot to Hawking.
Why did she want to take Hawking as a disciple?
She indeed had her own calculations, but not for herself, but for the next Sorcerer Supreme, Stephen Strange, who was also the most outstanding Sorcerer Supreme.
Originally, in the many possible futures she had predicted, the outcome for the next Sorcerer Supreme was always death.
It wasn't until Hawking's appearance that this situation changed significantly.
As long as Hawking was willing to become her disciple, Stephen's Master Brother, a sorcerer of Kamar-Taj, even if only in name.
Then all the unfavorable futures would change because of this.
That's why she wanted to confirm the master-disciple relationship with Hawking so quickly.
"Alright then. Master, please drink the tea."
Such a simple and quick discipleship ceremony suited Hawking's taste. He reached out, picked up the teapot, poured a cup of tea for the ceremony, and then respectfully offered it with both hands.
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