'A test of strength?'
Luke grinned.
It was finally his turn to perform on stage.
Those fighters could be regarded as strong contenders with various means and endless cards.
They were either of extraordinary origin, amazing background, or outstanding talent ...
But in front of Superman, too bad, no one was qualified to talk about 'strength'.
"This is our home advantage, Stephen."
Luke lightly said, he seemed to be very confident.
"Are you sure? Ranked among the top three favorites, Blackheart, Mephisto's son, is supported by an invincible legion."
Strange wasn't optimistic, he hadn't seen Luke's means yet, and he temporarily put Superman's strength at the 'high-ranked master' level.
"Your gun ... friend, Magik, Illyana Rasputina, the Queen of Limbo, is proficient in dark magic and an alpha mutant."
"Doctor Voodoo, Loki, Mordo... none of them are mediocre."
"If it was a test of other things, perhaps I could win with my wisdom."
"But putting them and me in a huge arena isn't a good thing."
Wong was deeply convinced that Strange might really be eliminated this time.
With his strength, facing any contender in combat, the possibility of defeat was very high.
"Why don't you just bet against yourself? "
Rocket was annoyed and began to encourage Strange to bet with him.
"Losing the match would be winning the bet. Losing the bet would be winning the match... Neither one is bad!"
Strange was a little moved, but on second thought, if he didn't have confidence in himself, was it necessary to participate in the next battle?
Then he righteously refused Rocket's offer to gamble.
"Then you wait for a little and work harder. I bet all my money on you."
Rocket didn't persuade Strange anymore but didn't lose heart. He turned his head and threw the winning chips at the opening in the Stars Forum.
Luke took a moment to glance at the headline, [Sakaar Star Royal Casino, Sexy Dealers, Online Licensing ...], came into view.
The Grandmaster's business scope was really extensive. Besides the arena and slave-hunting business, he was even involved in casinos.
"Just wait. The only thing you have to do is put on your magic armor and hide behind me."
Seeing that Strange wasn't confident, Luke smiled and comforted.
After the bell in Kamar Taj rang, many mystics in robes rushed to the square.
Joining in the fun has always been human nature.
"Stephen Strange ..."
"Mordo..."
Other people's eyes scanned over the two men, and they whispered.
The vast majority of mystic masters preferred Mordo.
Strange came to Kamar Taj too late and had too little time to study magic, so it was hard enough to survive the first match.
"The competition begins."
The leaders of the three sanctums arrived together.
Together, they cast spells to light the tokens in the hands of each combatant.
The transmission portal leading to the stadium was slowly taking shape, waiting for the contenders to enter.
Last time, it was in the Dream Dimension.
Where would it be this time?
Strange smoothed his inner tension and stepped out.
He and Mordo, who also approached the portal, looked at each other, and the latter spoke in a deep voice, "Strange, this isn't a battle you should take part in."
" I, alone, am enough to protect Kamar Taj."
This dark-skinned, firm-eyed new legendary master didn't know that his teacher was actually pretending to be sick and asked for leave, taking the opportunity to retire.
Filled with passion, he wanted to protect the three sanctums and Kamar Taj. Fulfilling his inner sense of mission and honor, he participated in this battle for supremacy.
Luke, who stood beside him, slightly shook his head. The Ancient One's approach wasn't very good.
In case Mordo found out the truth that the heir to the Sorcerer Supreme was already decided on, and all his hard work and perseverance was all for nothing.
It was hard to guarantee that he wouldn't instantly turn evil.
The consequences of turning admiration into hatred were very serious.
"I also have my own path that I want to complete."
When Strange remembered what the Ancient One said to him, his inner hesitation suddenly dissipated and became firm.
The Sorcerer Supreme extended his hand to rescue Strange when he was in his most confused and desperate state.
Now the other party was approaching the end of his life and was dying.
Strange felt that he should stand up.
If Luke knew the thoughts of these two people, he would definitely feel that the Ancient One's acting skills were too powerful, and Oscar owed him a golden statuette.
"Very well, let's have a fair competition! For the supreme glory!"
Mordo swaggered and took the lead going into the transmission portal.
The triple halo hanging behind his head was like a crown made of gold.
Suddenly, it condensed into solidity and glittered with a brilliant light.
This was proof of his legendary status!
"For the supreme ... glory."
Strange bowed his head in silence and then walked into another portal.
...
...
In the barren land, large and shocking cracks appeared, like terrible scars.
The blazing heat evaporated the moisture in the combatants' bodies, baking their skin.
The pungent smell of sulfur, like a mass of rising yellow smoke, permeated everywhere.
"This is ..."
"Hell."
As soon as Strange entered the venue, he summoned Superman to escort him.
Afterward, perhaps it was a psychological effect.
His throat felt itchy and thirsty.
His skin became dry, and his surge of magic power became chaotic.
"Hell ... the Sorcerer Supreme put the second match in hell!?"
Hearing Luke's answer, Strange was surprised and subconsciously gripped the metal-headed mace in his hand.
He seemed worried that somewhere a couple of fierce demons would jump out and tear himself to pieces.
"That's right. If I'm not mistaken, this should be the lower levels of hell."
Luke raised his head and looked at the sky. The thick crimson clouds covered everything, shrouded everything, and cast a huge shadow.
On the distant horizon, there were endless black mountains, as if they were huge monsters crawling on the ground.
The grass, trees, rocks, and even the reptile creatures that occasionally passed by, were like fuzzy smoke, constantly twisting and changing.
All in all, this was a desolate wasteland full of weirdness.
"Lower level of Hell..."
Strange finally reacted.
He was at least a walking encyclopedia and had little understanding of each dimension.
Hell and Heaven are the two most perfect and unshakable of all dimensions.
The former was even more hostile to Kamar Taj and the three sanctums.
"The place where the Lords of Hell and leaders release the souls of sinners?"
Strange whispered.
The serious face showed a touch of solemnity.
Hell was a broad concept.
Not a single dimension, but a vast space formed by overlapping many worlds.
For example, Limbi, ruled by Magik, was the part closest to the material world.
The so-called 'lower level' was the farthest place from reality in Hell.
The souls that had fallen and exiled here would never be freed.
"Then we should be careful."
Strange wore heavy armor with covered-up neat hands and feet, seriously protecting himself.
His entire body was covered with protection forged by special craftsmen from the New York Sanctum.
All of them are made of high magic resistance materials, which were combined with special techniques to engrave rune circuits.
Even if he stood still and let a high-ranking mage bombard him, they wouldn't be able to break the defense for a while.
"I've read that the lower level of Hell is very dangerous. It's where the souls of the sinners have been wandering for a long time and can't be freed."
Strange transformed into a mobile fortress clad in heavy armor and holding a shield.
There were no other defects except that his speed decreased a bit.
"They have long lost their living memory, killing and devouring each other without reason and gradually merging into a new soul."
Strange's voice was low, not wanting to think too much about the cruelty of it.
"Then, the new souls would continue to repeat this process ..."
Luke picked his eyebrows, interrupted his explanation, and whispered, "Someone's coming."
"An unsolicited ... prey."