With Sorcerer Supreme's approval, Luke didn't leave immediately.
Instead, he poured himself a cup of tea and tasted it slowly.
He was curious about what the Ancient One had been doing on the business trip before.
He asked a few words before, but the frank Sorcerer Supreme was secretive this time and didn't want to say much.
If it wasn't for the Ancient One's gender and her usual sober demeanor, Luke might have thought of something indescribable.
Under the guise of business trips, engaging in healthy activities!
It's not like no one had ever done this before.
It wasn't without reason that the unborn Stephen Strange is called the 'Kidney Deficient Master'.
In addition to that, he always dropped the ball at critical moments, losing his magical power and defeating a demon god when he's powerful and pulling a muscle when he was weak.
There were also some physiological reasons.
Johnny Blaze, the second-generation Ghost Rider, wasn't the only one who had the rare experience of being hollowed out by a succubus and drained of physical strength.
"Master Ancient One, why do you think the Vishanti chose me?"
Luke changed the subject.
There was no free lunch in the world.
If so, he should be mentally prepared to lose everything.
Because free was always the most expensive thing.
According to the Ancient One's analysis, the probability of the Vishanti liking him and choosing him as the Sorcerer Supreme was almost equal to Loki winning Odin's favor, replacing Thor, and becoming the King of Asgard.
It's not that it was impossible, but there had to be something fishy behind it.
Just like Odin, if he had Alzheimer's, it was indeed possible to make Loki the King.
In other words, the Vishanti may also be aiming at Luke's outstanding face value and extraordinary temperament, thus appointing him as the Sorcerer Supreme -- provided that their wisdom was declining.
Although, the above advantages were all facts.
But when it came to dimensional demons, it didn't make much sense.
"According to your account, Strange hasn't matured yet, and the Me in the parallel universe was ready to retire. It would be normal for the Vishanti to choose a spare tire."
The Ancient One had a look of teasing in her eyes.
'Spare tire?'
Luke's mouth twitched.
'You don't have to say it so badly!'
The Sorcerer Supreme position wasn't a fruit on a tree someone could pick at will.
The glorified name, which was obviously highly regarded and competed for, sounded so cheap when the Ancient One said so.
How many people wanted to get that spare tire but couldn't!
"In short, you don't have to worry too much. Even if the Vishanti really wanted something from you, what kind of problem can't Superman solve?"
The Ancient One praised insincerely.
From the hidden smile on her face, people could see that the Sorcerer Supreme was obviously looking forward to the day when Luke would be pulled over to step up.
"All right, the Vishanti asked me to do a job, but the reward has to be adequate."
Luke tilted his head and finished his cup of tea.
He didn't work for free.
Want someone to work for free, not a chance.
After they exchanged pleasantries, Luke opened a portal, ready to return to Las Vegas and give Mephisto an answer.
With the Vishanti's official certification, his ability to cast spells had greatly increased, and he could fully utilize the great potential of the Superdemon card.
However, in order to avoid paying back the price, ending up like Strange....
Luke's arsenal wasn't biased. He didn't only use an attack-based spell and studied all kinds of spells.
Instead, he added his attributes to the illumination spell and tried to lean closer to Gandalf The White of Middle-earth.
His idea of fighting was very simple, first, use illumination to blind the enemy, then an iron fist to hammer them down.
Perfect!
"Oh right, Superman."
As soon as Luke stepped into the portal with one foot, the voice of the Ancient One came from behind.
"Take good care of the ... foreign object you have with you; it's important."
'What?'
Luke slightly frowned.
He didn't like this vague way of talking.
'Foreign object ...?'
Luke's mind turned to these words. The upright figure quickly disappeared into the portal.
The only thing on him that was foreign was probably the Tenth Metal from the studio next door.
This thing seemed to be quite important, and it could even smash the Source Wall.
'I have a feeling that trouble is piling up...'
Luke sighed.
If he couldn't figure it out, it was better to talk about it later.
He didn't dwell too much and went back to Hotel Inferno in Las Vegas.
"How did it go?"
In the office, Mephisto rubbed his hands nervously.
His nose twitched, and he smelled the disgusting scent.
'The Ancient One!'
After being beaten so many times, the devil was naturally familiar with the scent of the Sorcerer Supreme.
Although he didn't know why Luke could inherit the position of Sorcerer Supreme while the Ancient One was still around.
But this didn't prevent him from cooperating with the other party.
"It's settled."
Luke, with his tone, whetted Mephito's appetite.
The old devil built a Hell Group to make it bigger and stronger and surpass the great work of Heaven.
Not only did it take a long time to accumulate, but it also required a balance of forces.
Without the permission of Kamar Taj, Mephisto couldn't move or even step out of the gates of Hell.
"Old devil, as you know, business isn't easy these days."
Luke was earnest and conveyed the meaning of the Ancient One.
Hell's image wasn't too good. If he wanted to set up a group and seize the market share from Heaven, he had to pay a certain price.
"You need to solve this part of the problem yourself."
Luke concluded.
Mephisto thought about it for a long time and finally agreed.
Sacrifice some small benefits in exchange for a brighter future for Hell.
It's a good deal!
"Old devil, I hope you can abide by the law and be a good citizen."
Luke patted the other on the shoulder and explained some matters needing attention.
It was true that the old devil was cunning and scheming.
But when he really came to the human world, facing Kamar Taj and the Sorcerer Supreme, it was useless no matter how careful he was.
In the past, he used to try again and again, on the edge of being beaten, and then he quickly slipped away after faking death.
When the Hell Group would be established in the future, since it was a large business, he couldn't run away and leave such a large establishment.
The establishment was too big. If Mephisto wanted to cause trouble, he had to think twice.
"That's for sure. Now that I'm a serious businessman, how can I do anything illegal or criminal again? "
The old devil rightfully said.
He was a mature Lord of Hell.
Pride and decorum were completely unimportant.
He could ignore them.
"No shame in that."
Luke gave a thumbs up.
...
...
Two weeks later, Luke dragged Howard out of Hotel Inferno.
They arrived at the airport and waited for Captain America.
"I heard the old man say that you have a stake in the hotel?"
Howard was wearing sunglasses and leaning against the car.
These days, he had tried every means to hook up with the succubus lady in the casino.
This made Howard, who called himself a playboy, very frustrated.
"Yes, I'll be a member of the board of directors when the Hell Group is established."
Luke nodded and didn't hide anything.
He acted as a middleman between Kamar Taj and Hell, building a solid bridge for communication.
"They're demons, and you are Superman. Won't your reputation be affected if word gets out?"
Howard was worried.
Superman's reputation was soaring and was highly sought after by the public.
But, if there were a flaw in the perfect white and smooth porcelain, it would be magnified countless times.
By the time the persona collapsed and he had to walk down from the altar, the loss would be immense.
"Don't worry. I'm using the name Howard Stark. You're now the devil's advocate, a veritable merchant of death."
Luke smiled back.
"..."
Howard kept the 10,000 curses in his heart. He was considering punching Luke in the face, but the pain would only be on himself, so he gave up the plan.
"How could you discredit me without permission!"
Howard was very angry. He didn't want to get involved with the devil.
If it got out, it would have a great influence on Stark Industries and his own image.
"If you become the director of the Hell Group, the succubus dealer in the casino ... you know what I mean, right?"
Luke winked explicitly.
There were hidden rules in Hell.
The succubae weren't interested in ordinary human beings, but to the boss of their superior, that wasn't necessarily the case.
"It's only right that ... I should make some sacrifices for friends."
Howard's expression quickly changed as he patted his chest, "It's just a bit of a stain on reputation. It's not worth caring about."
"Luke, don't worry! I'll protect Superman's reputation!"