As Stephen's magic training gradually progressed, Li Yue at Kamar-Taj found himself deep in thought, uncertain about how future events would unfold.
Dormammu, set initially to be Doctor Strange's final boss in the "starter village," had already been defeated by Li Yue, making it almost impossible for him to serve as Strange's antagonist again.
Having only watched the movie, Li Yue knew little about Doctor Strange's other adversaries, which limited his ability to help Strange in the future. Now, without the looming threat of Dormammu's invasion, Li Yue wondered if any unknown threats would arise.
"If my defeating Dormammu has given Stephen more time to prepare for future crises, that's good. But events often defy expectations, and I can't be sure unexpected situations won't occur," Li Yue pondered.
"Doctor Strange, you need to grow stronger quickly. Only when you are powerful enough to protect Earth can I travel to new worlds without worry."
...
Since the night Stephen seemed to have an epiphany, his progress became unstoppable. With his exceptional talent, he quickly grasped and applied almost any magic he learned. As his mental power strengthened through meditation, the disruptive images in his mind no longer troubled him.
Although these visions had deeply imprinted on his mind, Stephen focused less on eradicating them and more on understanding their bizarre nature once they ceased to bother him. He wanted to know if these images had ever truly existed and why they suddenly appeared in his mind.
The all-encompassing darkness and the intense green glow were etched in his memory. Stephen suspected that he needed to investigate these elements to uncover the truth.
...
"Master Wong, I've come to return the books and borrow some on space magic," Stephen announced as he entered the familiar library at Kamar-Taj, navigating to the inner room and selecting the needed books.
"Got it," Wong replied, no longer surprised by Stephen's daily visits. Over the past month, Stephen had become a regular, no longer needing guidance to find books.
Today, however, Stephen didn't leave after finding his books. Instead, he approached Wong with a hesitant look.
"What's wrong? Do you need something?" Wong asked, puzzled.
"Master Wong, you have vast knowledge. Do you know what dense green magical energy represents? And what does an all-encompassing darkness signify?" Stephen finally inquired.
"Where did you see these things?" Wong asked, shocked.
"You know what they are? Please, tell me!" Stephen urged, sensing that Wong knew the answers.
"Although I don't know how you found out about this, you've only been at Kamar-Taj for a bit over a month. Normally, you wouldn't encounter such things yet. But since you've asked, I'll explain," Wong began.
"First, the green magical energy represents the power of time. Time has existed since the universe's inception and will persist until its end. It governs all: the seasons, the cycle of day and night—everything."
"The power of time is fundamental and cannot be freely controlled by humans. If it could, the universe would descend into chaos. However, there are exceptions. While time's power can't be directly controlled, our predecessors discovered a shortcut."
Wong spoke as he led Stephen to a room.
"This is the artifact that allows sorcerers to control the power of time—the Eye of Agamotto. Only the Supreme Sorcerer has the right to use it."
They stopped before an item Wong indicated.
"The Eye of Agamotto? Isn't that the same thing I saw Li Yue wearing when he first met me at Kamar-Taj?" Stephen recalled recognizing the object due to his photographic memory.
Stephen wondered why such an important artifact wasn't with Li Yue but left here. Wasn't he afraid someone might steal it?
...
While Wong's explanation cleared some doubts, it also raised new ones. As for the dark world, Wong didn't directly answer but handed Stephen a unique book from a particular room.
"This is the Book of Cagliostro, which details the use of time magic. It also holds the answer to your other question. You'll have to discover it yourself," Wong said, giving the book to Stephen.
"What is going on?" Stephen wondered, taking the book. His initial goal was merely to understand the bizarre visions in his mind, but now he felt entangled in a conspiracy.
...
"Supreme Sorcerer, are you sure you want to pass on the title to him?" Wong asked.
"Of course. This position has always been meant for him," Li Yue affirmed.
...