Ch. 336 The Mentor of the Next Sorcerer Supreme

In fact, Grendel's size was not much smaller than Godzilla's.

However, Grendel was a symbiote and could change its own size.

If necessary, he could also directly possess someone else.

Although a normal human couldn't bear Grendel's possession, in Russell's divine realm, there were many large-sized demons.

These demons were much larger than regular humans, and each of them was strong and robust, making it not difficult for them to bear Grendel's possession.

However, Russell didn't let Grendel possess any demons. Instead, he used magic and divine power to shrink Grendel, who was the size of a small mountain, to one-tenth of his original size.

Although he was only one-tenth of his original size, Grendel was still the largest creature in the divine realm.

At this level, he could basically move freely within the City of Sin.

Upon arriving in the divine realm, Grendel showered Russell with a series of compliments.

After that, with Russell's permission, he flew to a garden in the city and comfortably went to sleep.

The only one who didn't get to enjoy the benefits of the divine realm was No. 3, who was an artificial intelligence.

Although No. 3 was not a true life form, Russell didn't treat him as a mere tool. He considered No. 3 a formal member just like Hulk, Peter, and the others.

After bringing No. 3 to the divine realm, Russell brought out all the magical books in the system space and began to let No. 3 learn about magic.

Before becoming a Skyfather-level being, Russell originally intended to guide No. 3 towards the direction of Vision or Ultron.

But now, he had changed his mind.

Although Ultron and Vision were considered real life forms, they weren't true flesh-and-blood creatures.

Russell had arranged a completely new development path for No. 3.

A magical life!

Although magical life was not a flesh-and-blood creature, once transformed into a magical life, it could transfer to a corporeal body at any time, becoming just like a normal flesh-and-blood creature.

Furthermore, if unsatisfied with the current body, a magical life could detach from the current body at any time and replace it with a new one.

Similar to how No. 3 used No. 02 and other robots as active bodies.

Although No. 3 didn't know exactly what being a magical life meant, since Russell had ordered it, he would do his best.

Wasn't it just learning about magic?

For No. 3, who was an artificial intelligence, learning was his forte.

However, because No. 3 was not a true life form, even if he had extensive knowledge of magic comparable to Russell's, he couldn't perform the simplest magical tricks.

But for Russell, this wasn't an issue.

As a Skyfather-level being, he could fully transform No. 3 into a magical life.

Although it would consume some of his divine power, he had an abundance of it in the divine realm.

However, before that, he needed to ensure that No. 3 understood what magic was.

Otherwise, even if he forcibly transformed No. 3 into a magical life, No. 3 would be a magical life ignorant of magic.

In simple terms, No. 3 would become the "shame of magical life".

This was not the outcome Russell wanted to see.

After spending a few days in the divine realm and suppressing the hellish aura on his body to the point where magic or extraordinary abilities couldn't be sensed, Russell left the divine realm alone and returned to the mortal realm.

New York.

The living room of the Sanctum Sanctorum.

Russell sat face-to-face with the Sorcerer Supreme, Ancient One.

The Ancient One was still dressed in that bright yellow sorcerer's robe, and her wooden fan was casually placed aside.

The Ancient One, just like the previous times, had a calm expression as she brewed tea.

Russell didn't speak and calmly looked at Ancient One.

Although he didn't know what Ancient One wanted to talk to him about, he was certain of one thing, Ancient One had no ill intent towards him.

He now had the power of a Skyfather-level being, just like Ancient One.

Although he wasn't yet a match for Ancient One, she couldn't kill him either.

Not to mention killing, she wouldn't even be able to defeat him easily.

Unless Ancient One fully unleashed her power and used the Time Stone.

Otherwise, she couldn't subdue Russell.

Moreover, Ancient One had never harbored any ill will towards Russell.

Not only was there no ill will, Ancient One even looked upon him quite favorably.

This could be seen from her deliberate decision to take him as a student.

After brewing the tea, Ancient One handed a cup to Russell and then picked up her own cup and took a sip.

Russell also picked up the cup given to him by Ancient One and took a sip.

Hmm!

It was the familiar honey tea!

After putting down the cup, Russell said to Ancient One, "Teacher, you didn't invite me here just to drink tea, did you?"

Upon hearing Russell's words, Ancient One put down her cup and smiled at Russell.

Then, slowly, she said, "Calling you here is certainly not just for tea."

"This time, besides wanting to know about your experiences in Hell, there's also something very important."

Russell was not surprised that Ancient One wanted to know what he had done in Hell.

Although the Time Stone could review his future, the future was changeable.

And Ancient One wasn't the type to use the Time Stone to "peek" into other people's futures from time to time.

Unless necessary, Ancient One wouldn't use the Time Stone.

However, Russell was now curious about the very important thing Ancient One mentioned.

If Ancient One described it as very important, it must be something significant.

"Teacher, since you want to know what I did in Hell, I, as your student, will certainly not hide anything."

"However, I'm more curious now about the very important thing you mentioned. What is it?"

Russell asked Ancient One.

Upon hearing Russell's words, Ancient One shook her head somewhat helplessly.

The student was too smart; sometimes, it wasn't a good thing.

After a few seconds, Ancient One said to Russell, "Since you've already guessed it, I won't hide it from you."

"The candidate for the next Sorcerer Supreme has been decided by me, but I don't have enough time to protect his growth."

"If something were to happen to me, I hope you can take on this responsibility, protect him, and guide him until he becomes a qualified Sorcerer Supreme."

The Ancient One's tone was very serious, and her expression was serious as well.

"No problem!"

Although Ancient One didn't explicitly state it, Russell had already understood Ancient One's true intention.

In simpler terms, Ancient One didn't plan to continue defying her own fate. She intended to face her fate and use her death to inspire Stephen Strange to become a true Sorcerer Supreme.

Although Russell had already guessed Ancient One's true intentions, he still had some questions.

This isn't the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and the invasion of Earth by Dormammu might not necessarily happen. Even if Dormammu did attempt to invade Earth, Russell had a way to stop him.

Of course, his approach would be different from the next Sorcerer Supreme, Stephen Strange.

He wasn't interested in trapping Dormammu in a time loop using the Time Stone and negotiating with him repeatedly.

If it were up to him, he would solve this problem in a simpler way.

For example, he would pre-emptively eliminate his nominal senior brother, Casilius, who attempted to summon Dormammu.

As long as Casilius was dealt with, Dormammu wouldn't have a way to come to Earth.

The magical protective barriers formed by the Sanctums Sanctorum were no joke. As long as the Sanctums Sanctorum remained, it would be impossible for Casilius to summon Dormammu.

After discussing this matter, Russell briefly recounted his experiences in Hell to Ancient One.

He couldn't tell Ancient One in detail about his experiences in Hell for over half a year. He only selected some of the more important events.

For example, the establishment of the City of Sin, embedding the Hell Authority into the Thunder Divine Power, and creating a divine realm in the astral realm, and so on.

As for the rest, Ancient One might not be interested.

As he had guessed, Ancient One was mostly interested in these events.

Knowing that Russell now possessed the Hell Authority, Ancient One reminded him to stay true to himself and not to deviate towards the path of the malevolent gods.

Finally, Ancient One gave Russell some of her cherished magic books as a gift.

A genuine gift, not just lending them like before.

Russell didn't refuse Ancient One's gift and accepted these treasures.

After leaving the Sanctum Sanctorum, he made a special trip back to the Justice League headquarters and issued an order to his No. 3 left there.

Keep an eye on Stephen Strange's every move!

For his junior brother who had not yet been formally initiated, Russell intended to show some care from his senior brother in advance.

Of course, his care wouldn't be too direct.

After issuing instructions to No. 3, he didn't immediately return to the divine realm. Instead, he cast teleportation magic.

Eastern Europe, the small country of Latveria.

This was the hometown of Doctor Doom, Victor Von Doom, and also his current domain.

Although the current Prime Minister of Latveria wasn't Doom, and there was no official king, Doom was undoubtedly the ruler of Latveria.

As for the current Prime Minister, he was just a puppet Prime Minister set up by Doom.

Although Russell hadn't been to Latveria before, as a Skyfather-level being, even if it was a place he had never been to, he could use teleportation magic to arrive.

He just needed to use the authority of a Skyfather-level being a little, and the image of Latveria would appear clearly in his mind.

If it were him before, when he arrived in Latveria, he might experience the local customs and culture in the city.

But now, he had absolutely no interest in this.

He directly set the exit of the teleportation in the garden of Doom's residence.

As soon as he came out of the teleportation, Doom's voice reached his ears.

"I am waiting for you in the reception room."

Hearing Doom's voice, Russell casually walked towards the reception room.

Like other castles in Eastern European countries, Doom's residence also had a medieval style.

Or rather, Doom's residence was transformed from a medieval mansion.

After arriving at the reception room, Russell saw Doom, whom he hadn't seen for half a year.

"I thought you would at least wait for a week or a month before coming to see me."

Seeing Russell in the reception room, Doom immediately stood up and said with a smile.

"A week or a month?"

"It seems that you underestimate me, who has become a Skyfather-level being."

Russell replied with a smile.

Although they hadn't known each other for a long time and had only interacted two or three times, Russell thought Doom was quite a decent person.

At least he genuinely cared about his mother and the people of Latveria.

Doom was indeed a supervillain, but that didn't mean he was completely worthless.

More importantly, Doom becoming a supervillain was mainly due to his actions and beliefs being severely at odds with the values of this world.

If judged by the standards of the Latverian people, Doom was undoubtedly their savior.

"It's not that I underestimate you, but you have quite a lot to deal with. I didn't expect you to come to me so soon."

Doom explained.

"Forget about that for now. When I left Hell, you said you would invite me for a drink when I came back."

"Now that I'm here, I wonder what kind of treasure you plan to treat me with."

Russell was not polite with Doom, sat down on the sofa in the reception room, and said to Doom.

"Rest assured, since it's to treat you, it will definitely be one of the world's top treasures."

After saying that, Doom raised his right hand and snapped his fingers.