Magic Concepts

"Hm?"

Chthon and Vishanti were both taken aback. Neither of them had done it? "Someone is scheming against us. They want us to kill each other."

As Chthon spoke, he used magic to sense the surroundings and discovered that this space was exceptionally stable. Even he could not escape it.

Hoggoth within Vishanti nodded and said, "That’s right. We mustn’t fall for it."

"Of course we won’t fall for it. Do we look that stupid?"

Chthon nodded in deep agreement. The next moment, both sides unleashed magic at the same time. Four spells collided violently in midair, shaking the void.

As Agamotto unleashed White Magic Infinite Light Barrage, he cursed, "I knew you were no good."

"As if you’re any better. Vishanti, you used to hide inside your turtle shell every day, and there was nothing I could do about you. This time, I’ll devour you and become the God of Magic."

Chthon sneered. Endless black mist poured from his body, transforming into countless grotesque monsters that charged at the three members of Vishanti.

A great battle erupted. Although Vishanti had more members, they quickly fell into a defensive position. Chthon laughed wildly as he launched a frenzied assault, leaving marks of Black Magic everywhere.

It was not that Vishanti was weaker than Chthon. White Magic was simply better at defense and healing, while Black Magic was unmatched when it came to offense.

Wanda leaned against Wang Bert and asked in confusion, "Bert, what’s going on? Why are they killing each other when they know it’s a trap?"

Wang Bert held Wanda and asked, "Tell me, who could transfer them here without them noticing?"

Wanda answered, "Of course, a Creator God. And a very powerful one at that."

"Exactly. A Creator God. They are no match for one, so the best way to escape this disaster is to devour the other and ascend to become a Creator God themselves. Then, no matter who the Behind-the-Scenes Manipulator is, they’ll have the power to fight back."

Wang Bert said, "They aren’t stupid. They’re actually quite smart."

Wanda was puzzled. "Why don’t they team up? If they joined forces, even a Creator God would have trouble taking them down."

"Because they are mortal enemies. They know perfectly well that if given the chance, the other side would absolutely ambush them."

Wang Bert said, "Rather than fight shoulder to shoulder with someone they can never trust, they would rather take a gamble and ascend to become a Creator God themselves. Whether it’s Chthon or Vishanti, both are confident in themselves. They both believe they will be the final victor."

Wanda chuckled. "Too bad they don’t know that the final victor will only be us."

"That sounds rather like something I would say."

Wang Bert smiled and conjured a table and chairs piled high with food. "Let’s eat while we watch. The ultimate showdown between White Magic and Black Magic is far more entertaining than a movie."

"It really is entertaining, but why is there only one chair?"

"Because I can’t bear to let you leave my side for even a second."

"You rascal."

Listening to Wang Bert and Wanda flirt, the Scarlet Witch’s eyes were filled with jealousy. Vision was a robot—what romance could anyone expect from him? Forget sweet words; even concern was pitifully scarce. Vision felt that Wanda was so powerful that she did not need anyone to worry about her.

That was also why the Scarlet Witch wanted a child. Married life was simply too dull and monotonous. She wanted a child to keep her company, but Vision could not have children.

In the end, the Scarlet Witch broke down, went mad, and ran into the Wang Bert who had crossed over. That was how everything that followed came to be.

Although he’s a scumbag, I have to admit that life with a scumbag is never short on sweetness or excitement.

The Scarlet Witch sighed inwardly. But scumbags always leave one day. When that happens, the sweeter and more exciting things were before, the crueler and more despairing they become afterward. Vision is still better—ordinary and peaceful, together forever, growing old side by side.

Wanda suddenly asked, "How about I let you come out and spend some time with Bert?"

The Scarlet Witch’s eyes lit up. "Really?"

Wanda looked at her with disdain. "Heh, what a slut."

"You’re the slut."

The Scarlet Witch’s face reddened slightly. She snorted. "Cherish your time while you can. When we merge this time, I will definitely be the one who wins."

"No, I’ll be the one who wins, because I am happy. Love is the strongest power in this world."

Wanda said, "Your heart is filled with resentment and hatred. You can’t beat me."

"We’ll see."

The Scarlet Witch looked disdainful. How could she possibly lose to an innocent little girl? Chthon and Vishanti’s battle lasted an entire year—the flow of time in this space differed from the outside world. In the end, both sides were severely wounded, and neither managed to defeat the other.

"Are you a turtle? Why is your shell so damn thick?"

With the black mist around him nearly gone and his aura weak, Chthon cursed furiously. He had used almost every Black Magic spell he possessed, yet he still could not take down Vishanti.

"You truly are utterly devoid of conscience. Those Black Magic spells just now consumed at least tens of millions of lives and tens of millions of souls."

Agamotto cursed. Chthon’s attacks had been truly terrifying. Agamotto had spent almost the entire battle being beaten, only counterattacking a few times near the end and seriously injuring his opponent.

Chthon said disdainfully, "What’s wrong with that? The strong prey on the weak. That’s the natural order."

At that moment, applause rang out. Wang Bert then emerged with Wanda and said, "You two truly are masters of magic. That battle was spectacular."

"You’re the Behind-the-Scenes Manipulator? Hm, your aura is a little strange."

Chthon asked suspiciously. He had assumed that the Five Creator Gods were behind the scheme against them, but it turned out to be an unfamiliar young man.

After sensing him for a moment, Agamotto asked in surprise, "You aren’t a life-form from this universe?"

"Who I am isn’t important. What matters is what I intend to do."

Wang Bert nodded toward the three members of Vishanti and said, "In my universe, we are allies. But in this universe, I must kill you, because I need the White Magic Concept within you."

"You truly aren’t from this universe. I can sense Kamar-Taj’s magic from you. I never expected Kamar-Taj to produce a Creator God."

Agamotto smiled. "To be honest, I’m a little proud. As for the White Magic Concept within me, take it if you can. I won’t surrender without a fight."

Wang Bert smiled faintly. "Naturally. You two, the timing is just right. I’ll send you on your way."

"Just you? So what if you’re a Creator God? I am the great demon god Chthon!"

Chthon shouted, and his entire body abruptly transformed into a stretch of space. Within it were densely packed phantoms—the projections of all his believers.

"I sacrifice all my believers. I sacrifice my world. I sacrifice all the demon gods under my command, in exchange for Destruction Power."

Using himself as an Altar, Chthon used Black Magic to make a sacrifice to the origin of destruction. In an instant, his billions of believers, his Prime Plane, and every demon god under his command all burst into flames.

This was Chthon’s ultimate trump card: Ultimate Grand Sacrifice.

"Actually, White Magic has a big move too."

The three members of Vishanti smiled at the same time. Three brilliant beams of light lit up simultaneously, filled with devout prayers. This was the power of faith they had accumulated over tens of millions of years.

Then, the three brilliant beams merged into one, transforming into a massive seven-colored sword capable of shattering heaven and earth.

The moment this sword appeared, even space-time froze. But that was only the beginning. Countless White magicians then appeared upon the giant sword, devoutly casting White Magic to strengthen the Seven-Colored Holy Sword.

This was the true Vishanti’s Holy Sword. The power of every White Magician in the universe and tens of millions of years of magical faith were all gathered within this sword.

"Kill."

"Kill."

Chthon and Vishanti shouted at the same time. Although they had both been badly wounded earlier, they had deliberately held back their ultimate Trump Cards, because they knew the Behind-the-Scenes Manipulator would definitely reveal himself.

Since they could not kill each other, they could only fight the Behind-the-Scenes Manipulator to the death.

Wanda’s gaze sharpened. She had truly not expected Chthon and Vishanti to suddenly unleash such terrifying power. Just as she was about to help Wang Bert, he smiled faintly and clenched his hand. The space around Chthon abruptly transformed into a cage, sealing him tightly within.

Immediately afterward, endless dragon-shaped spatial chains shot out from the void and gathered around the cage. Each held Space Power on the scale of entire galaxies.

"Is that all? Is that all?"

Chthon laughed disdainfully. The space his body had become expanded frantically, squeezing the entire cage until it warped and twisted. At the same time, the dragon-shaped chains clanged continuously, as if they might shatter at any moment.

Just as Chthon was feeling smug, Vishanti’s Holy Sword suddenly appeared inside the cage and slashed down at him with the power to destroy heaven and earth.

"Vishanti, are you stupid? You’re ambushing me at a time like this?"

Chthon roared in fury. I didn’t even ambush you, yet you’re ambushing me? Who the hell is the villain here?

Vishanti did not answer. The Holy Sword cut into the space and wreaked havoc, causing the space Chthon had transformed into to rapidly collapse and shrink.

With a shake of Wang Bert’s hand, the dragon-shaped chains transformed into true dragons. Accompanied by resounding Dragon Roars, they charged into Chthon’s body and began devouring him frantically.

That was right—devouring. Those true dragons carried the Devouring Concept. As they devoured, the space Chthon had transformed into shrank at an astonishing speed.

"No!"

Chthon roared as countless strange monsters emerged from the space and attacked the true dragons. The true dragons sneered, then swept their tails, wiping out all the strange monsters.

The Seven-Colored Holy Sword did not lag behind either. Vast amounts of White Magic burst from its blade, sweeping away all darkness like a dazzling sun.

Chthon had already been severely wounded, and Vishanti’s ambush left him unable to hold on for long. He roared, "Vishanti, do you know what you’re doing? Do you think he’ll spare you?"

Vishanti cursed irritably, "Idiot, I’m being controlled."

"What?" Chthon was dumbfounded.

That was right, Vishanti had been controlled. The ones controlling them were the Mind Stone and the Soul Stone—the other Stones provided the energy.

Holding up the glowing Infinity Gauntlet, Wang Bert said with a smile, "Actually, I’ve been secretly controlling Vishanti all along. In the end, I was fortunate enough to succeed. That is also why I appeared now."

"The Infinity Gauntlet?"

The two great gods were stunned. They finally understood why they had appeared here. Someone had gathered the Infinity Gauntlet.

"Then my defeat was not undeserved. But devouring me won’t be so easy."

Chthon snorted coldly. The space rapidly contracted, turning into a black ball that fell to the ground. At the same time, both the true dragons and the Holy Sword were forced out of his body.

This was self-sealing. Ancient gods were already difficult to kill, and now that he had sealed himself, even a Creator God would need several thousand years to deal with Chthon.

Anything could happen in several thousand years. For example, Chthon had left many descendants outside. Perhaps one day, there would be a rescue-father drama.

"I lost."

Vishanti was much more open-minded. "As long as you are willing to let us leave, we will give you the White Magic Concept."

"Fine. We are allies, after all. I won’t wipe you out completely."

Wang Bert smiled. "Besides, I’ll be leaving this universe soon."

"I’ve truly never seen an ally like you."

Vishanti complained. Then, the three of them simultaneously spat out a ball of white light. The three balls fused in midair, becoming a white magic book—the concept of White Magic.

Without the concept, Vishanti’s strength plummeted. They could barely even maintain their status as ancient gods. They looked at Wang Bert, waiting for him to honor his promise.

With a wave of Wang Bert’s hand, the White Magic Concept flew into Wanda’s hands. At the same time, a Space Vortex appeared in the void—the passage out.

"Farewell forever."

Vishanti made it clear that they never wanted to see Wang Bert again. They jumped into the Space Vortex and vanished.

"The White Magic Concept!"

Wanda beamed with joy and carefully put away the White Magic Concept.

Then Wang Bert said to Chthon, who had become a ball, "Hand over the Black Magic Concept, and I’ll let you leave. I’m from another universe, so there’s no need for me to wipe you out completely."

"Dream on. Even if I die, I will never hand over the Black Magic Concept."

Chthon refused decisively. Unlike the well-connected Vishanti, he had enemies throughout the universe. Once he lost the Black Magic Concept, other ancient gods would surely come after him for revenge.

Moreover, he had just sacrificed his Prime Plane. In other words, the turtle shell that could protect him was gone.

Vishanti, on the other hand, did not have that problem. They could hide in their own Prime Plane to rest and recover, and they had many friends who would help guard them and prevent other ancient gods from bullying them.

For example, Ancient One, who had become Eternal Holy Spirit, would definitely help Vishanti fend off enemies.

Those who follow the righteous path gain many allies; those who abandon it gain few. It was that simple.

"Since that’s the case, I can only snap my fingers and erase you."

Wang Bert sighed and raised the Infinity Gauntlet, preparing to snap his fingers. After a year of recuperation—according to this space’s time—he could snap his fingers again.

"Wait."

Chthon was greatly alarmed. He gritted his teeth and asked, "How can you guarantee that you’ll really let me go?"

Chthon knew what kind of reputation he had, so naturally he wanted some assurance. Wang Bert smiled. "Of course, we’ll sign a contract. A contract written with the Reality Stone. As long as you hand over the concept, I will definitely let you leave."

Chthon said, "Not only must you let me leave, you must also guarantee that neither you nor your people will hunt me down."

"No problem. I can guarantee that."

Wang Bert smiled. Wanda sneered inwardly. Based on what she knew of Wang Bert, Chthon would absolutely not escape this disaster.

"Fine. Sign the contract."

Chthon nodded and signed a contract with Wang Bert. For safety’s sake, he carefully inspected every clause and confirmed several times that there were no issues before signing his name.