After years of training, the sorcerers of Kamar-Taj had come to understand that magic's strength wasn't just about the spells themselves. The strength of the person using the magic made it powerful.
For example, the spells they all knew might not be that strong when they used them, but if Wang Yan used the same spells, their power would be vastly amplified, almost as if it were a completely different spell—so powerful that it seemed like another kind of magic entirely.
So, it wasn't surprising to see Wang Yan's dark magic being so strong. They could feel an intense, captivating force from it.
At this moment, Chthon was also shocked by the powerful force he sensed. He could feel his power continuously draining. He had cultivated this power for many years in dark magic, yet he seemed to be losing to an ordinary human. This was absurd.
Was all his learning in dark magic for nothing? He was, after all, the source of dark magic.
For a moment, Chthon doubted himself, but his experience and wisdom prevented him from panicking.
"Sorcerer, you are indeed the most troublesome I have ever encountered. If you had lived in my era, you might have become a god. Unfortunately, you live in the present, and you have no chance," Chthon said, shaking his head as if regretfully.
Wang Yan was puzzled by Chthon's words, unsure what other tricks he had up his sleeve. As the source of dark magic, Chthon indeed had more to offer.
However, just when Wang Yan thought Chthon might have another trick, Chthon seemed to give up resisting, transforming into dark energy and being absorbed by Wang Yan's Dark Devour.
"Ding! Absorbed 1% of dark essence, gaining 1% of the Dark God's power!" the system chimed. "Become the source of dark magic!"
Wang Yan furrowed his brow. Was this not Chthon's proper form? Just 1%? It made sense; the true Chthon couldn't be so weak. Although he had fused with Chthon's magic talent, he shouldn't be more potent than Chthon himself. This must be a mere avatar of Chthon.
As Wang Yan pondered this, a loud rumble echoed in the sky. The ground shook violently, causing Wang Yan to struggle to stay upright. The surrounding buildings trembled as if the whole world was shaking. Even the sorcerers had trouble standing.
"What's happening? Kamar-Taj shouldn't be affected like this!" one sorcerer exclaimed.
"Is it an earthquake?" another asked.
"How can this happen right after defeating the Dark God?"
The Grandmasters of Kamar-Taj frowned. They had thought the Dark God was powerful but had not anticipated him being absorbed so easily by magic. Now, an earthquake struck immediately afterwards.
"This is no earthquake," Wang Yan said, looking gravely at the sky.
"Wang Yan, what's happening?" Strange asked, perplexed. Wanda, having recovered after the Dark God's disappearance, also looked anxiously at Wang Yan.
"The true form of the Dark God is descending," Wang Yan explained.
"What? That wasn't his true form?" one Grandmaster exclaimed.
"If the avatar was that strong, how powerful is the true form?"
"If the Dark God truly descends, the entire Earth is in danger!"
The Grandmasters were shocked and worried. Wang Yan felt the entire Earth trembling. The proper form of Chthon was descending, and it was vast, surpassing Earth itself. His proper form was now in outer space, too enormous to be seen from Earth.
"The sorcerer is impressive, but you were born in the wrong era. Had you been in ancient times, I might not have been able to deal with you. But now, we are not on the same level," Chthon's booming voice echoed from space.
Nick Fury sat on a couch in the S.W.O.R.D. headquarters, listening to a report. Suddenly, an agent rushed in, reporting a massive presence approaching.
"What now?" Fury asked, his expression darkening. After the appearance of Galactus, they had strengthened their defences, hoping to fend off another such threat. Now, another colossal being was approaching.
"I don't know!" the agent replied, having seen the massive figure on the monitors. Fury quickly moved to see for himself and saw a giant figure nearing, comparable to Galactus.
"Prepare to fire!" Fury ordered, his face grim. They couldn't afford to let this threat go unchallenged.
"Sir, attacking now might provoke it," an agent hesitated, suggesting.
"Prepare to fire!" Fury insisted. Laser weapons and cannons were readied, and at his command, they fired upon the approaching figure.
Explosions rang out, but the attacks had no effect. The being didn't even seem to notice them.
Seeing this, Fury felt helpless. These top-notch weapons were created with the world's best technology, including some from Stark. Yet they couldn't even attract the being's attention.
They then heard the being's voice booming toward Earth. The distance made it hard to discern the words, but the entity was clearly addressing the planet.
At that moment, magical symbols appeared around Earth, forming a protective shield that blocked the being's voice and power.
"Sir, it seems Earth is being protected by a powerful force," an agent reported excitedly.
Fury looked out at Earth, seeing the magical barrier enveloping it. The tremors had ceased, and Earth seemed stable again.
"Just moments ago, Earth was close to breaking apart. Thankfully, this shield appeared," another agent said.
Fury nodded, relieved that Earth was stabilising.
"To think there's such a powerful shield," Chthon said, surprised. "But do you think it can stop me?" He raised a hand, pointing toward Earth.
A power surge shot forth, causing the shield around Earth to crack.
"Sir, what should we do?" the agents asked, seeing the shield start to break.
"He stopped!" an agent exclaimed. They saw the colossal being paused as if something had halted him.
"It looks like a person!" someone observed.
"It is a person!" another confirmed.
"It seems to be that sorcerer!"
The agents scrutinised the figure, finally recognising it.
"It's Wang Yan!" Fury exclaimed, feeling a surge of hope. If Wang Yan was there, he could handle this.