Although the style of Fang Mo's portal was somewhat eerie, both being ordinary people, Strange and Ho Yinsen did not feel anything amiss and directly followed Fang Mo into the portal.
Upon crossing the portal, the three of them returned to Kamar-Taj.
It was Ho Yinsen's first visit here, and he was evidently very curious about everything around him, continuously observing his surroundings. When they passed through an area that resembled a dojo and saw dozens of magicians training in magic, a curious expression appeared on his face.
"Fang Mo, are they practicing magic?"
Watching the group of magicians drawing portals, Ho Yinsen also whispered to Fang Mo, "Fireball? Or Magic Missile?"
"Do you think this is a Japanese RPG game?"
Fang Mo glanced at Ho Yinsen and explained, "The magic here in Kamar-Taj is more about distorting reality. Although, in theory, it's indeed possible to throw magic missiles, it mainly relies on imagination... For example, if a cripple learned magic, as long as he convinced his body that he could dance the yangge, then he truly could dance the yangge."
"So, it's purely idealistic?"
Ho Yinsen nodded subconsciously: "That sounds truly miraculous. It completely overturns our long-held scientific beliefs."
"It's just that science can't explain it yet."
Strange, pushing a wheelchair, said, "I guess this could be some kind of higher-dimensional theory, or quantum mechanics or something. Science will be able to explain all this one day."
"When in doubt, quantum mechanics, right?"
Fang Mo retorted, "I suggest you better get used to the idea of magic sooner rather than later, or you won't enjoy what's coming."
"Why?"
Strange asked.
"Because…" Fang Mo was about to say something when he lifted his head and saw the Ancient One, so his line of thought suddenly changed: "Yo, bet you didn't expect me to come back."
"Could you first explain why Mr. Strange is sitting in a wheelchair?"
Upon seeing Fang Mo, the Ancient One couldn't help but ask.
"Because he's Professor Stephen," Fang Mo said matter-of-factly. "Isn't it quite normal to have a wheelchair?"
"So why do you insist on playing with this unethical genius trope?"
Strange also frowned upon hearing this: "Even though I don't believe in these things... aren't you afraid that you'll go to hell after you die?"
"Hehe, I might go to hell, but you'll also be stuck on the stairs to heaven."
Far from being angry, Fang Mo cheerfully said, "Besides, what's so bad about going to hell? Maybe Satan is my number one fan. By then, I'll be lying on a bed inlaid with 24K pure gold, watching 'Ghostly All-Stars' videos on TV 24 hours a day, while seventy-two succubi serve me."
"…That really would be a living hell."
Strange said, holding his forehead.
"Who is this?" Seeing that Fang Mo did not wish to elaborate, the Ancient One tactfully changed the subject and turned to look at Ho Yinsen not far away.
"Hello, my name is Ho Yinsen."
Ho Yinsen showed considerable understanding and politely introduced himself, "I'm very interested in this place, so I wanted to come for a visit."
"Welcome, Mr. Ho Yinsen."
Upon hearing this, The Ancient One also nodded, "I hope this journey will be fruitful for you."
"Alright, alright, let's not stand on ceremony anymore."
Just as The Ancient One finished speaking, Fang Mo impatiently waved his hand, "Anyway, first find a way to teach this guy some magic. Without it, he lacks even the basic ability to protect himself, and being disabled, he would be easily killed if it really came to a fight, wouldn't he?"
"...Aren't you going to teach him yourself?"
The Ancient One looked at Strange, then up at Fang Mo, and asked curiously.
"I have to deal with the followers of Sargeras, where would I find the time?" Fang Mo said deliberately, "You're the Sorcerer Supreme, knowledgeable in many things. It's better if you teach him. Oh, and while you're at it, teach Ho Yinsen as well."
"The followers of Sargeras have appeared again?"
The Ancient One asked.
"Yes, just encountered them," Fang Mo nodded, playing along in a staged manner, "We had expelled them before, but when Kaecilius destroyed the temple's barrier previously... it seems he preached, causing Sargeras's zealots to spread all over the world."
"Really?"
The Ancient One immediately said, "This matter is troublesome then. We must send people to strengthen the guard of the three major temples. I'll arrange for someone right away."
"You see to it. I also need to find a way to deal with those cultists."
Fang Mo nodded and then planned to leave.
"Wait."
However, at that moment, Strange couldn't help but speak, "Are you planning for us to learn magic here?"
"Didn't I tell you earlier?"
Fang Mo directly said, "Your body probably still contains the dark magic of Sargeras. If you don't learn magic, sooner or later, this power will corrupt and kill you. And for some reason, it seems particularly targeted at you. You have to learn something for your own protection, don't you?"
"This… alright then."
Strange faintly felt something was off, but couldn't quite put his finger on it. At the moment, he could only nod in agreement.
After he nodded.
The course was quickly arranged.
It was clear that The Ancient One truly valued Strange, as she personally taught him the basic theories and lessons of magic.
Considering Fang Mo's face, Ho Yinsen also audited these courses.
Unfortunately, Strange had not yet had his breakthrough, so his learning progress was slow. The Ancient One had no choice but to do as in the original story, throwing him onto Mount Everest.
Under the threat of death, Strange truly awakened his talent. Just as he was about to freeze, he quickly opened a portal with the Sling Ring and returned to Kamar-Taj.
Although he was shivering from the cold, he had indeed successfully performed magic.
After that,
His journey of cultivation progressed as if he had cheats enabled.
No matter how complex and obscure the magic, Strange could almost understand it after a single look, and with a bit of practice, he would master it proficiently.
Indeed, Strange's intelligence was originally very high. Otherwise, the Ancient One would not have chosen him as the next Sorcerer Supreme. After gaining the insight between life and death, he indeed developed a strong interest in magic. Even if the Ancient One did not teach him, he would still go to the library to read books on his own.
Even to accelerate his own practice progress.
Strange specifically practiced a kind of magic that allowed his soul to leave his body.
During the day, he studied magic with his physical body, and at night, he let his body enter a state of sleep. Then, his astral form (soul) would emerge from his body and continue reading the magic books.
At the same time.
Ho Yinsen's progress in cultivation was obviously falling behind him.
However, Strange did not have the habit of waiting for others. He mastered more and more magic until, in the end, under the Ancient One's behind-the-scenes manipulation, he even learned magic like the Mirror Dimension and even time magic.
Strange earnestly practiced magic at Kamar-Taj.
As for Fang Mo, he was indeed handling matters concerning the followers of Sargeras.
However, since he himself was Sargeras, the way he dealt with his followers was rather delicate. He directly sank his consciousness into the Abyssal Wasteland and then began to listen to the inner desires of his followers.
Yes, as Kaecilius had said during his preaching.
By drawing the sigil with blood and reciting the corresponding spells, one could pray to Sargeras.
At that time, many people saw the power of this group of dark sorcerers. Naturally, there were not a few who worshiped this power. Fang Mo had just sunk his consciousness into his own dimension, and his mind instantly exploded, like an entire row of group chat lighting up with 999+ notifications at the same time, a mess of voices, impossible to listen to all at once.
Fang Mo casually observed some of the prayers of the followers with his thoughts and found that the wishes of the vast majority were similar, all yearning for power or something like that.
Of course, there were also some relatively sincere wishes.
Like a blind boy, it's unclear how he learned the entire ritual process, but he actually successfully prayed to Fang Mo, and his wish was simple: he just hoped to regain his sight.
Of course, there were many other wishes for healing.
Like someone hoping to cure his mother's cancer, or someone wishing that their daughter would no longer suffer from leukemia, and there was even one more outrageous, hoping that the great evil god Sargeras could revive his loved one.
Fang Mo simply glanced at the wishes of these followers.
And it took him several hours.
Most of the followers were yearning for the power of darkness, as well as hoping for themselves or their family members to be healthy. However, there were also many absurd individuals.
A certain follower hoped that Lord Sargeras would grant him a bag of white powder, or promise that he would never be caught by the police in his lifetime.
Honestly, just hearing this wish.
Fang Mo clearly felt a "darkness" before his eyes.
"Hmm…"
Feeling the dense mass of prayer information in his mind, Fang Mo fell into contemplation.
The Abyssal Wasteland is vast and boundless, and its power is naturally endless. After much consideration, Fang Mo decided to do some good deeds first, after all, as Strange had said before, be careful or you'll end up in hell. So, it was like accumulating some merit for himself.
Then, he made a grand gesture.
No matter in New York or London, countless people tormented by illness suddenly embraced miracles.
A man in his mid-years spent a night smoking in the hallway, only to receive a medical report from the doctor the next day, indicating that the malignant tumor that was once there had mysteriously disappeared.
In another city, another haggard middle-aged man was also dumbfounded as he looked at the lab report in his hands. His daughter's indicators had all returned to normal levels, as if her previously incurable disease was just an illusion. Tears uncontrollably fell from the man's cheeks as he looked at his little angel smiling at him.
Miracles like these occurred hundreds of times in both New York and London.
In just a few days.
Fang Mo garnered a group of especially devout followers.
Having fulfilled their wishes, a price was of course needed in return. So, he quickly commanded this group to gather together, forming a new organization, and the leader of this organization was this very father.
At the same time.
Fang Mo also didn't forget about the other Burning Cult.
For the upcoming spectacle, he definitely needed to attack Kamar-Taj, and for this, he would need the help of these fanatic believers, after all, a group of good people wouldn't be up for this.
Fang Mo briefly estimated the time.
Waiting until Strange had almost learned the magic.
He immediately waved his hand, commanding his subordinates of the Burning Cult to start destroying the three great sanctums.
Strange was originally studying time magic, wearing the Eye of Agamotto on his chest. However, he was picking at an apple when suddenly, a loud "boom" echoed, and a horde of fanatic believers crazily rushed into Kamar-Taj, starting to destroy the sanctum's nexus.
This sudden attack indeed caught the sorcerers off guard.
Even Strange himself was directly blown away to the New York Sanctum. When he thought of returning, the portal on the other side seemed to have been destroyed.
But at that moment.
He saw another group preparing to attack the New York Sanctum.
This storyline was somewhat similar to the original. Strange, in a wheelchair, started to fight against these cultists, but because he was now wheelchair-bound, he was clearly at a disadvantage in actual combat.
And at that moment.
Under Fang Mo's deliberate manipulation.
The previous cult leader was released by him.
Now, the opponent had become a bloated monster covered in tentacles, even growing a pair of bat-like rotten wings on its back. Strange's magic tricks might still work, but actual combat against such an indescribable monster was impossible, and in a short encounter, he was almost killed.
Fortunately, in the end, the Ancient One also appeared in time to save the day, starting to fight with the monster.
Seeing this, Strange couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
After interacting with her for a while, he knew the Ancient One's magic was extremely powerful. If nothing went wrong, dealing with this cult leader should be no problem.
But to Strange's surprise.
Just when he thought the Ancient One was about to win, something went wrong.
The battle had reached its climax, but just then, a middle-aged man in a crimson robe suddenly appeared out of nowhere. Strange felt a sudden shock, but before he could react, the man rushed up like a ghost, his blood-like blade piercing through the unsuspecting Ancient One.
"No!!!"