"Is it settled now, Druid Master?"
Su Ming returned to the Druid's side once again. The mage was now sitting cross-legged, floating in mid-air, with his hands forming different Dharma Seals in front of his chest, looking noble and dignified. It should be a success, right?
"Yes, the Mind Network has been opened and connected to all our people. But... even though you're standing right in front of me, I still can't communicate with you."
The Druid was a bit puzzled. He rubbed the front of his Magic Robe with his rough fingers, which didn't look like a doctor's hands, but more like those of someone doing hard labor, full of cracks and wrinkles.
There were a few bloodstains on the robe's chest, probably from a recent cough; the casting cost had already started to entangle him.
"My situation is special, don't worry about that, our time is limited." Su Ming's brain is protected by X Metal, so psychic abilities, whether magical or special abilities, are ineffective against him: "Now contact those hiding in the distance. That's my teammate—have him tell the Magic Floating Cloak to bring my gear and weapons over."
The Druid didn't ask further questions, just closed his eyes and conveyed the message.
Soon, the red cloak carried a few items over, flying like a tray delivering dishes in a restaurant.
Su Ming used the Symbiote Suit as an inner layer, directly putting the Holy Statue Armor over it. The symbiote wriggled a bit, making the body slender and slim enough to fit in.
The armor's defense, coupled with two powerful weapons, along with the symbiote's strength and speed enhancement—this is the Master's complete form.
However, having the symbiote and armor simply cobbled together like this, they'll have to come up with a solution later...
The Magic Floating Cloak hovered nearby, seemingly admiring the battlefield scenery. It curled one corner and waved, as if greeting the Druid.
The Druid glanced at Su Ming again, seemingly understanding something, and nodded slightly.
"Alright, Druid Master, earlier I knocked Jibo away and eliminated several enemies on the left wing. So next, I will spearhead once more to completely tear open a gap on their left flank. Let Kama Taiji's people know to prepare, maintain this gap, and launch a counterattack."
Su Ming drew out the Godslayer—its multifunctional capability suits this situation better; these mages lack defense, no need for the Nightfall Greatsword to cleave.
The Druid Master didn't have many options left. Although the location the two were in was relatively safe, terrifying sounds were emanating from not far away.
Kama Taiji can't hold out much longer. Once the battlefield collapses entirely, even the Supreme Sorcerer would be unable to support himself.
So, even though he knew almost everyone was weighed down by the heavy casting cost, they must defeat the enemy before being overwhelmed.
After the Druid signaled readiness, Su Ming led the charge, advancing towards the breach just created.
The mages' formation wasn't dense; this scattered formation might work against other mages but was no match for a warrior's charge.
Flashy magic was dodged; spells recognized and deemed non-threatening were endured directly. Although the Holy Statue Armor spanned a cosmos, its magical resistance remained undiminished.
It didn't take long before Su Ming, wielding the Giant Sword, broke through the opposing formation, completely disrupting their deployment while Kama Taiji mages, under his cover, quickly flowed into the breach and thoroughly altered the battlefield's course.
Both sides incurred significant losses, with dismembered and gruesomely deceased bodies carpeting the ground...
But that's the nature of war.
Following events no longer required Su Ming's concern—the major situation had been determined, and the opponent's left wing had been completely routed. In a few more minutes, Kama Taiji would encircle from the left wing, fully trapping the enemy.
The symbiote on his body still clamored for him to kill more people, but Su Ming simply took a few deep breaths, suppressing his bloodthirsty desire, ignoring its noise.
It is a creature with combat instincts—on the Symbiote Planet, they often engaged in playful fighting, competing to evolve stronger mechanisms.
But this is Earth, and Su Ming isn't crazy.
Mass slaughter was unnecessary. If the opposing Supreme Mage wasn't foolish, retreat would be the only sensible choice. Achieving tactical objectives was enough, forcing a deadly showdown would be unprofitable.
Even if it came to it, it should be The Ancient One battling; Su Ming's efforts have earned enough goodwill, and mercenary rewards didn't necessarily have to be in monetary form—settling with magic artifacts would suffice.
He wasn't short on money; the key was that many things couldn't be bought with money.
So while the mages pursued their victory, he instead composedly put away his weapons, approached the battle between The Ancient One and the Alternate Dimension Supreme Mage.
Unabashedly with arms crossed, he stood not far away, intensely observing.
The other party indeed realized that the situation was dire. Once all her subordinates were dead, she would also be powerless. Warriors wouldn't pose much of a threat to her, but with the addition of hundreds of other Kama Taiji Mages, it was a different story.
She threw out a green magic ball that would explode, and The Ancient One tossed a red fan, detonating it mid-air. Taking this opportunity, the wavy-haired mage distanced herself: "Consider yourself lucky, Yao. This isn't the end, I will return."
The Ancient One gently exhaled, standing straight with her hands clasped behind her back. A breeze lifted her yellow robe's hem as she calmly formed a defense seal in front of her chest, protecting herself and her apprentices: "Kalu, my old friend, I've seen everything you've done. I'm afraid I'll have to declare on behalf of the Main Dimension that you're still not welcome here."
"We were once farmers in Kama Taiji Village, and this was once my home too. But you've turned it into an energy source, a world pillar, a super magic trap... You're the one at fault. Time will prove everything. When you die, I'll come and mourn you again."
The wavy-haired one gave her a cold glance, tossed out a pile of frosty words, and then unleashed her magic.
A gigantic black door appeared behind her. She jumped in first, and those she brought also broke away from the battle, entering one by one.
The door closed, spinning like a vortex, shrinking until it vanished without a trace.
Everything returned to calm. The sky reverted to normal, with only the pitted ground, blazing fire, and thick smoke reminding everyone of what had just transpired.
Someone intended to pursue, as Mordo planned to use spatial magic to chase after them, but The Ancient One stopped him.
"Do not pursue a cornered enemy." She tried her best to keep her breathing steady, though she too was quite injured, but she couldn't show it.
"But Master, they'll come back again. We must eradicate evil to the root." Mordo's face showed dissatisfaction. He looked at the deceased disciples and friends around him, clenching his fists.
The Ancient One shook her head, speaking to him with a stern expression: "The duty of the Supreme Mage is to protect the Earth in their dimension, not to invade others. Our power should be used to guard, while Kalu uses his to do evil. I will not."
Mordo looked down, conflicted, at his shoe tips, before finally sighing: "As you command."
The Supreme Mage closed her eyes. She sensed the surrounding situation and used the Eye of Agamotto to check the timeline before feeling at ease.
"Gather the bodies of both sides and bury them properly." The Ancient One instructed Mordo, then slowly lifted the protective magic and space restriction magic: "Grudges and evil will all disperse with the wind. Treat the dead with respect. Understand?"
Mordo gritted his teeth, realizing the teacher had seen right through him...
He had planned to cut up the bodies of these villains into pieces and feed them to the vultures on the mountaintop, but with The Ancient One's specific mention, he couldn't do so.
"Yes, Master."
He turned to go about his work, while The Ancient One finally turned to Su Ming, wearing the same smile as always.
"Sorry, that matters between mages have affected the real world, it's my fault."
Su Ming shrugged, gesturing for Holloway to come over. While speaking with The Ancient One, he also carefully observed, finding her complexion not too good, seemingly exhausted.
"It's nothing, I just thought to visit the New York Temple, but happened to get caught up in this."
Su Ming appeared generous.
The Ancient One casually drew a circle, teleporting Holloway from several hundred meters away to her side. She carefully examined him, nodding.
"I understand your intentions, but mages will not participate in mortal affairs, at least not those from Kama Taiji."
In other words, Su Ming's plans to lure the Druid or Mordo were doomed to failure.
Su Ming removed his helmet, with the symbiote underneath slowly retracting to reveal his face, which looked sincere.
"We are old acquaintances, and you've always taken good care of me... My help this time was just a matter of convenience. I only repelled your traitorous apprentice, defeated the symbiote, killed a dozen enemies, commanded a major fight, defended the New York Temple against the Annihilation Insect Race, and saved your little apprentice. You don't need to take it to heart."
The Ancient One's smile stiffened. Saying it like that, she felt as if she owed a debt to the Demon God, which was practically a blatant hint.
He had helped Kama Taiji, and if she didn't know how to reciprocate, wouldn't it be inappropriate?
Her skin was thin. If this thing got out, how could she still mingle in the Magic Realm? Surely, she couldn't seal everyone's mouths?
She glanced at Su Ming, whose face showed sincerity and righteousness, and then touched the Time Gemstone on her chest. She pondered for a moment before sighing.
"Please, have tea in the side hall."