Chapter 76: Chapter 72. Everyone Knows the Bald are Strong
The conversation between Tony and Nick Fury ended quickly. Tony requested blood samples from Abomination to conduct his own research. Although biology wasn't his field, he was intrigued by this monster and willing to delve deeper into the science to learn something new.
Before leaving, he glanced at the ruined streets, lost in thought, and soon departed from the scene. Naturally, the reporter managed to call out to Tony and ask him a few questions about his relationship with Noah. Tony answered bluntly—they were friends.
While Tony was giving the interview, Nick Fury continued issuing orders to his team. The streets were still blocked off, and he commanded a sweep of the area to check for hazardous materials such as radiation. The results showed there was no threat, but the scene where Abomination had been torn apart left a vivid impression on everyone. He began arranging temporary housing for the residents of the street until a full inspection could be completed and it was safe for them to return.
At that moment, Noah had already returned to his mansion. Upon landing, he was met by Lissandra and Gwen. It gave him an odd feeling, like he was being greeted by a wife and child waiting for their husband to come home from work.
"Noah, welcome home," Lissandra said softly. "Noah! I just saw you on TV, you were so cool!" Gwen exclaimed cheerfully.
His armor slowly dissolved back into his belt as he walked toward the two waiting for him.
"Of course, I'm cool! Let's go have dinner," Noah said, accepting the compliment with satisfaction. He knew they had been waiting for him to have dinner together, so he decided to postpone any conversations until the meal.
Late at night, in his underground laboratory, he continued his research. Many projects were still incomplete, and he knew he needed to speed up to reach the desired level of technology. He planned to work all night, as he didn't need sleep.
However, thinking about sleep reminded him of Lissandra and her warm, soft body. Thoughts of how she cradled him to sleep the previous night wouldn't leave his mind.
"Sigh, I should hire some top specialists to help me with my work," Noah muttered. He was still waiting for a call from Bruce Banner.
Suddenly, a few meters behind him, orange sparks appeared in the air.
"What is that?" He quickly turned, sensing a strange energy wave behind him.
The sparks expanded, gradually forming an orange circular portal. Cold air wafted through it, revealing a snowy landscape on the other side. Soon, a figure stepped through the portal and into his world.
A yellow cloak, a bald woman. Noah instantly recognized her—it was the Sorcerer Supreme of Kamar-Taj, the Ancient One.
Looking at the ancient, wise woman, he tried to discern why she had come, but her gentle smile hinted that she meant no harm.
The Ancient One's appearance wasn't a surprise to him. He had long suspected that she might take an interest in his actions, considering that she was the keeper of the Time Stone and monitored all changes to the future. His presence was bound to make significant waves, which would not go unnoticed.
As soon as she entered the lab, red lights flashed, and all the equipment began to transform—laboratory instruments, tables, and cabinets morphed into weaponized turrets aimed at the uninvited guest.
Lissandra appeared beside Noah in an instant, ready for battle, holding a cluster of nanomaterials primed for attack.
"Wait, Lissandra. I don't think she means us any harm. Disable the defense system," he said, gently taking Lissandra's hand, trying to calm her.
Hearing this, Lissandra released the concentrated nanomaterials, and the red lights in the lab dimmed. The turrets slowly reverted to their original forms, becoming ordinary lab equipment again, though they could reactivate at any moment for defense.
The Ancient One observed the scene with interest before turning her gaze to Noah. With a smile, she said, "Hello, Noah. I think you already know who I am."
She said his name as if she knew he was familiar with her.
"Of course, Sorcerer Supreme—the Ancient One. Greetings," Noah deduced that she had identified him from her visions of the future and considered it unnecessary to introduce himself.
"Sorcerer Supreme, may I ask why you have come to me?" he wondered about her purpose. Had she seen something threatening in the future and decided to eliminate him?
He tried to assess his chances in a fight against the Ancient One. In the movies, she had left the plot too soon, mainly due to the cost of special effects, so he wasn't certain of her true power.
It seemed the Ancient One sensed his thoughts and calmly said, "Don't worry, I'm not here to cause you trouble."
With her arms crossed behind her back, she stood calmly before Noah, radiating confidence and tranquility, which only increased his respect for this woman. She truly looked like an ancient being whose aura exuded power.
"Aren't you going to invite me to sit?" she asked again.
Noah glanced at Lissandra, and she, understanding without words, activated the nanomaterials. On the laboratory floor, two chairs and a table appeared, forming from the dark substance right before them.
"Interesting technology," the Ancient One noted, sitting down without hesitation. Noah and Lissandra also took their seats across from her.
"They say you claim to be a member of a mysterious order from the Himalayas. Valorant? I've never heard of such a place," the Ancient One said with a smile.
If there truly was a powerful organization in the Himalayas that she hadn't discovered all these years, it would mean they were far superior to her. But she found that unlikely. Even using the Time Stone for observation, she had found no trace of such an organization.
"Haha, it's just a cover to divert attention," Noah admitted, a bit embarrassed. At the time, he had indeed used the idea of Kamar-Taj as an excuse to appease Coulson and Nick Fury, but now it seemed his ruse had been exposed to the true master of Kamar-Taj.
Teasing Noah, she moved on to the main topic.
"I've been watching you for the past few days," she began, and Noah raised an eyebrow.
"A few weeks ago, while studying the timelines, I noticed significant changes in the future but couldn't identify the cause. Only when you used a massive amount of energy a few days ago did I sense your presence."
Noah pondered: what energy could she mean? Perhaps it was related to the events with Thor or the creation of Lissandra's body?
"After that, I noticed you and tried to use the Time Stone to observe, but the images were blurred, as if something was preventing the Time Stone from penetrating your fate," she continued calmly, maintaining her enigmatic demeanor.
Noah suspected that this might be due to the Resolve Rune or his system itself, blocking the power of the Time Stone.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone