In the end, Loki and Thanos successfully reached an agreement. Thanos would help Loki with his Chitauri army reinforcements, helping Loki occupy the planet Earth, and even lending the Mind Scepter to Loki as a weapon!
And Loki needed to help Thanos seize Tesseract!
"Sire, you have allowed him your army. Why would you gave him the Mind Scepter as well?
"My lord, I can see his eyes flashing with cunning intellect! He said that he would help us seize the Tesseract, but he clearly had ulterior motives as well! He would use our army to achieve his own goal!"
Ebony Maw, who stood besides Thanos, finally couldn't hold his curiosity after he watched Loki left Thanos' presence!
"Hah, I already know that Tesseract was on Earth. But that planet was not as defenseless as it looks! It was guarded by powerful people!
"I don't care if this Loki had his own agenda. Our only truth is our strength! All schemes and plots shall be ruthlessly crushed under my unbending strength!"
Thanos clenched his left fist and felt his powerful strength surge. That was the source of his confidence! He patiently answered Ebony Maw's doubts and questions!
"I understand. I thank you for granting me your divine wisdom!"
Ebony Maw respectfully bowed to Thanos who was sitting on the throne!
...
The Tesseract was interred in a special SHIELD research base, its secret research overseen by Dr. Selvig.
It was currently undergoing the second phase of the rebooted Pegasus Project. The project goal was to control the infinite energy contained within the Tesseract to create weapons of mass destruction!
It was just like in the movies. Nick Fury received a notification about the Tesseract's unusual reaction, which prompted him to hitch a helicopter ride to check the base!
They still didn't have deep understanding about the Tesseract, so they have no idea why it would suddenly emit surges of energy!
Before they could understand what was happening, a powerful burst of energy exploded from the Tesseract as a blue energy ray, before opening a blue wormhole several meters away!
A man dressed in a refined suit walked leisurely from the wormhole, carrying a bent spear-like object topped by a glowing blue crystal!
"Witness my return, Earthlings, and prepare for my ascendance!"
...
Li Yue was still enjoying the fragrant tea when he suddenly sensed something. He put down the teacup and turned his sight in a direction, as if he could see beyond the mountains and rivers to see the familiar energy flux!
That energy fluctuation only lasted a mere moment before disappearing completely!
"Could it be...the Tesseract? So, Loki had arrived to Earth?"
Li Yue was deep in thought! He could clearly feel the energy fluctuation just now, and it felt very familiar. He was very sure that it was an explosion of spatial energy!
The only source of such energy on Earth besides himself was the Tesseract, which hosted the Space Stone!
Li Yue couldn't think of anyone other than Loki that could suddenly activate the Tesseract!
"Hehe, you finally arrived. I'm getting impatient here!"
Li Yue couldn't help but feel excited. The moment had finally come!
"But now, it's time for some preparations!"
...
"Master Mordo, please withdraw the mages guarding the New York Sanctum! I shall personally take over their duty!"
Li Yue immediately sprang into action after sensing the energy fluctuation. He abandoned his unfinished tea to go find Mordo in the training ground!
"Master, why would you suddenly want to take over the New York Sanctum? Have you foreseen something would happen there?"
Mordo respectfully addressed Li Yue, who had been sitting as the acting Sorcerer Supreme, but he was surprised by the sudden request!
"It is possible that something big will happen in New York during the coming days, but it would be inconvenient for mages to be involved. That's why I will guard the Sanctum alone!"
He didn't specify anything, but Li Yue clearly said that something big would happen!
"Alright, Master, I will do as you said!"
Mordo trusted Li Yue's words and immediately contacted the New York Sanctum guardians to withdraw!
"I will take you there. You can return with the others!"
Seeing that Mordo agreed, Li Yue touched Mordo and disappeared with him in an instant!
...
New York Sanctum, Manhattan - Bleecker Street - 177A!
It was only a few blocks away from Stark Building, and Li Yue also knew that Doctor Strange, who was still a regular doctor at this time, was working not far from here!
By the way, the Stark Building had been completed and operational two months ago! Tony also gave the members of the Justice League a tour of their new base!
Even now, Thor, Banner, and the others had been living there!
"Who dares to trespass into the Sanctum?"
"Greetings, Sorcerer Supreme, greetings, Master Mordo!"
When Li Yue arrived at the New York Sanctum , a few mages in monk robes instantly surrounded the two of them! However, when they recognized the trespasser as Li Yue and Mordo, their expressions instantly relaxed!
They even bowed respectfully to Li Yue and Mordo!
"Master Danny, at ease. I am here to bring you back to Kamar-Taj. From now on, the Sorcerer Supreme will personally guard this place!"
Mordo returned the mages' bow and then said to their leader!
"As you will, Master Mordo!"
Danny had his own doubt, but he didn't express it and immediately instructed the mages to return to Kamar-Taj with Mordo!
...
"This place is not bad! No wonder Doctor Strange is willing to stay here!"
Li Yue looked around the now-empty Sanctum, which looked like an English aristocrat mansion!
Moreover, the wall and the floor were filled with all sorts of magic tools! Li Yue didn't even know the name to half of them, much less their uses!
However, with his current strength, he did not need these magic tools to increase his strength!
"Oh damn, isn't this Doctor Strange's Magic Floating Cloak?"
Li Yue slowly toured the Sanctum. While he didn't know most of these magic tools, the sight of a familiar magic tool made him excited!
The magic tool was a dark red cloak, but it was one of Doctor Strange's favorite magic tools, the floating cloak that was like Doctor Strange's lover!
"Hey, I'm not your master, so don't come to me! You got the wrong person!" Li Yue cried in alarm at the sudden development!
...