Kaecilius

Half an hour earlier, New York Sanctum.

Daniel was busy calculating.

Every sorcerer was a top student, and he was the best among the best.

The frequent spacetime fluctuations of late had each been recorded by the Sanctum’s own power. What he needed to do now was consolidate those records and calculate the exact locations.

It was a complex and enormous undertaking, but it was not difficult for him.

All the outer layers had been stripped away; only the innermost one remained.

The preliminary preparations had long been completed, and now there was finally a result.

"The two locations with the most frequent spacetime fluctuations… one is ten kilometers south of San Juan, while the other is in nearby Chinatown?"

Remembering the Sorcerer Supreme’s instructions, Daniel hurriedly rose and walked to an ancient, ornately carved door.

He pushed it open and entered another building with entirely different scenery and temperatures.

This was Kathmandu, Nepal, more than ten thousand kilometers from New York—a mysterious place called Kamar-Taj.

Ninety-nine percent of Earth’s sorcerers came from Kamar-Taj. Starting as apprentices, they generally needed years, or even more than a decade, of dedicated study and training before being recognized as sorcerers.

Those capable of guarding the Three Sanctums were naturally Mystic Masters, a rank above ordinary sorcerers.

The Sorcerer Supreme spent most of her time in the restricted section of the library. Familiar with the way, Daniel quickly made his way over.

But she was not there.

As a major figure in the multiverse, the Sorcerer Supreme often traveled to other dimensions to fight or negotiate with beings coveting Earth, or journeyed into the depths of the cosmos. It was common enough, nothing unusual.

"Daniel, why aren’t you staying properly at the New York Sanctum? What are you doing here?" A grim-faced middle-aged male sorcerer approached.

"Kaecilius? I’m looking for the Sorcerer Supreme."

Daniel frowned. "You’re reading those forbidden books again? What exactly are you looking for? Kamar-Taj shares all knowledge, but some knowledge may only be read by sorcerers who have reached a certain level. It is for our protection. The Sorcerer Supreme has her reasons."

"I’m looking for answers Ancient One is unwilling to share. In fact, I have already found them," Kaecilius said.

"The Book of Cagliostro? The book that explains time? Its contents are far beyond your current level." Daniel glanced at the thick leather-bound book in Kaecilius’s hands, bound in magical chains, and shook his head.

"That’s because you have no idea what level I’ve reached now." Kaecilius snorted.

Unable to persuade him, Daniel had no interest in continuing to try.

Everyone came to Kamar-Taj for their own reasons, made their own choices, and took responsibility for them.

With the Sorcerer Supreme absent, he could only return to the New York Sanctum first.

"Ancient One may not return anytime soon. If it’s urgent, perhaps I can help you," Kaecilius suddenly said.

Daniel paused.

Traveling through the cosmos or other dimensions often took a long time. No one could guarantee when the Sorcerer Supreme would return.

The Sorcerer Supreme had long given him instructions: once he found the other party, observe every movement, judge their abilities and conduct, and determine whether they were friend or foe, whether they posed a threat to this world.

Now, the other party might be in either of two locations far apart from each other.

He was the guardian of the New York Sanctum and could not leave it for too long. He could make time to check Chinatown regularly.

But San Juan was too far away and inconvenient.

"Alright."

Daniel turned around and explained the whole matter. Then he warned, "This involves spacetime fluctuations. The other party may be connected to some magical entity we don’t know about, perhaps even the recently active Ghost Rider or the Darkhold. Once you get there, do not start a conflict. Observe patiently. Report back after the Sorcerer Supreme returns."

Spacetime fluctuations?

A new magical entity?

Ghost Rider?

The Darkhold, said in legend to contain all dark magic?

A concealed flame of hope burned in Kaecilius’s eyes. He nodded lightly. "I will."

Watching Daniel return to the New York Sanctum, Kaecilius quickly found his apprentices.

As early as a month ago, he had found the ritual for eternal life in the Book of Cagliostro and learned the secret behind the Sorcerer Supreme’s immortality.

However, he was not the Sorcerer Supreme and lacked the ability to complete the ritual alone, so he quickly contacted his apprentices.

Kamar-Taj had strict requirements for every stage of study. Before reaching those requirements, one was forbidden from learning more advanced magic. Many people were dissatisfied with this, and they were his natural allies.

Over the past month or so, he had secretly taught those advanced spells to his apprentices. In terms of both the quantity and quality of magic they had mastered, these apprentices were already at the level of full-fledged sorcerers.

He had earned their trust, and… their support.

Every forbidden book was personally enchanted by the Sorcerer Supreme. They could not be removed from Kamar-Taj or the Three Sanctums at all, and even if one were forcibly taken away, it could be tracked.

But if a page was torn out, none of that would be a problem.

He had long memorized the contents of that page, but his power was ultimately too weak. To successfully cast the spell, he had to rely on the power of the page itself.

He had originally planned to wait a while longer, until he and these apprentices had mastered more magic and their chances of success were higher.

Yet now, he had received news of the Darkhold.

It was one of the supreme books, as renowned as the Book of Vishanti and the Book of Cagliostro. It would surely allow him to achieve his goal—

Revive my wife and child, and bring our family together again.

Looking at these apprentices, their eyes filled with worship and longing, Kaecilius knew that the most crucial moment had arrived.

"Do you want to learn more magic and gain greater power? Do you want to achieve the purpose that brought you here in the first place?"

"Follow me!"

"The price?"

"No. No price is necessary!"

Kaecilius?

Looking at the man standing at the front, Old Wang quickly confirmed his identity.

Though he did not yet have the iconic panda eyes from excessive cultivation, nor had he earned the title of Zealot, his sexy long braid gave him away completely.

More importantly, while there were many sorcerers on Earth, anyone capable of leading more than a dozen underlings had to be among the best. Even a certain librarian with a build similar to his did not have that kind of status.

Other than the Sorcerer Supreme and the guardians of the Three Sanctums, probably only a handful of people like Baron Mordo and Kaecilius had such influence.

The guardians of the Three Sanctums generally did not leave their Sanctums lightly. Moreover, San Juan was within the New York Sanctum’s territory, and Daniel, the guardian of the New York Sanctum, was Black.

Baron Mordo was Black as well.

By process of elimination, it was obvious who this was.

"Sure enough, traces of dark power remain here."

Kaecilius muttered to himself, then looked at Old Wang. "’Chi’? Are you a kung fu master? Could you be connected to K’un-Lun? I see. You’re the recently famous Immortal Iron Fist."

He actually knows me. Kamar-Taj really does have Wi-Fi. I’ve fooled another one… Old Wang remained impassive and knowingly asked, "Then who are you?"

"Who I am is unimportant. What matters is why I came."

Kaecilius was clearly arrogant, and he seemed to look down on ordinary people outside the sorcerer world. He said coldly, "Hand over the Darkhold!"

"What if I refuse?"

"Then I’ll kill you first, and take it afterward!"

Kaecilius was clearly an unqualified villain. He did not even bother with much pointless talk.

The moment he finished speaking, the dozen or so apprentices behind him rubbed their hands together, and golden magical whips appeared one after another.

Then they lashed out fiercely, sending more than a dozen whips whipping toward everyone present, including Old Wang.

Thanks to Ziyuan882, Passing Monster, and Woofer for the 100 tips.