American comics: Damn it, I’m surrounded by those who worry about their fathers!.

Chapter 1072 838 Cosmic Illumination

The interior of Wandager Mountain is not the temple structure one might imagine, but rather a huge cave formed naturally from some kind of black metal and rock.

The air was icy cold, filled with a mixture of sulfur and ancient, bloody odors.

The walls are covered with twisted and blasphemous reliefs depicting ancient demonic rituals and sacrificial scenes, which can shake one's mind with just a glance.

"Be careful."

Wang warned in a low voice, enduring his physical discomfort and mental oppression, "Legend has it that the primordial darkness is sealed here, guarded by ancient guardians, or rather, imprisoned beings."

Before he finished speaking, several pairs of scarlet lights appeared in the darkness.

Accompanied by a tooth-grinding sound of bones grinding together and a deep roar, several strange, tall, and ferocious dark creatures emerged from the shadows.

The monsters had humanoid outlines, charred skin, twisted claws for limbs, and a gaping maw full of fangs and burning red eyes.

The evil aura emanating from the monsters was far older and more malevolent than any demon recorded in Kamar-Taj.

Wang immediately assumed a fighting stance, and the Ring of Seraphim lit up in his hand.

Despite his unhealed injuries, he was still prepared to fight to the death.

To his surprise, Peter's consciousness projection merely glanced calmly at the monsters.

He didn't even make any spellcasting movements; he simply raised his hand slightly, and a wisp of fine, shimmering golden particles drifted from his fingertips.

The grains of sand seemed to possess a life of their own, drifting precisely towards those dark monsters.

The monsters' ferocious roars abruptly ceased, and their crimson eyes instantly lost their luster, becoming dull and drowsy.

Then, to Monica's astonishment, the monsters' massive bodies swayed a few times, then collapsed to the ground as if their bones had been removed, emitting heavy snores as they fell into the deepest slumber, bestowed upon them by the Lord of Dreams himself.

The whole process was silent until the monster fell into a deep sleep, at which point Monica finally realized what had happened.

Wang stared in disbelief at all this, once again awestruck by Peter's unfathomable methods.

Monica held her breath. As a science-focused agent, everything happening before her eyes was constantly challenging her worldview.

"Let's go."

Peter spoke calmly, as if he had only done a trivial thing.

Having finished his boastful act and adopted a mysterious and unpredictable demeanor, he turned his gaze to the depths of the cave.

Deep within the cave, a massive altar, seemingly crafted from obsidian, is faintly visible. Behind the altar, the walls are covered with even more intricate and ancient inscriptions and patterns.

The three approached the altar.

The inscriptions on the wall are not in any language known on Earth, but in a primitive symbol closer to the origin of the universe, containing dark power.

Just by getting close to the wall, Wang and Monica felt dizzy and lightheaded, as if the dark side deep within them had been stirred and was stirring.

Peter's gaze swept quickly over the forbidden knowledge that could corrupt any mage—summoning demons, corrupting life, devouring souls, distorting reality...

He had no interest in these dark spells.

Will learning these techniques allow me to defeat Wanda?

Wanda is probably already proficient in these dark spells; I, as a beginner, am definitely no match for her.

Peter's gaze swept past the spells, rapidly searching for the target he was looking for.

Soon, his gaze settled on a relatively isolated area on the right side of the altar.

The symbols in the independent areas are more abstract, as if depicting countless overlapping, translucent figures and illusory lines connecting different stars.

"Sleepwalking witchcraft..."

Peter muttered to himself, intently sensing the flow of information conveyed by the symbols.

This information provides a detailed explanation of the spells of the "sleepwalking wizard".

This includes how to tear apart the dimensional barriers of the soul, how to locate the "self" in another universe, how to possess and manipulate, and the terrible backlash and consequences.

Peter closed his eyes, his consciousness completely absorbed in the moment.

His body (though it was a projection) began to emit faint fluctuations that gradually synchronized with the frequency of the symbols on the wall.

He comprehended and analyzed it, mastering this most evil forbidden technique at a speed far beyond that of ordinary people.

Monica and Wang, standing nearby, held their breath in tension as they watched this scene unfold.

Meanwhile, in Universe 838.

Stephen Strange was trying to get more details about the Dark Book and sleepwalking witchcraft from the seemingly friendly Mordo.

The next second, he suddenly felt a strong wave of dizziness, his vision blurred, and his limbs went weak.

"Uh……!"

He groaned and tried to grab the wall for support, but found he didn't even have the strength to lift his hand.

Stephen finally collapsed weakly to the ground.

Before he closed his eyes, his last glimpse was of Mordo's triumphant smile and America's terrified expression.

"As expected... none of the Mordos from any universe... can be trusted!"

Before the thought even finished, Stephen's vision went black, and he collapsed heavily to the ground with a thud, completely losing consciousness.

After an unknown amount of time, Stephen awoke to a blinding light and a cold touch.

He found himself in a pure white, futuristic, enclosed room.

He himself was kept in a transparent glass box, like a museum exhibit.

To make matters worse, his levitation cloak was gone, and his hands were tightly handcuffed with a special pair of handcuffs that shimmered with blue energy.
These handcuffs were clearly designed to suppress magical energy; he felt as if his magical circuits were frozen, making them almost impossible to activate.

Stephen glanced sharply to the side and saw another glass case containing a panicked America Chavez, who was frantically pounding on the glass.

"America, are you alright?"

Stephen asked the other party urgently.

"I'm alright, Doctor. Where are we? Who are they?"

America asked him in horror.

Stephen forced himself to calm down and carefully observed his surroundings.

There were several staff members in white tech uniforms operating various instruments that he couldn't understand.

Just then, a familiar figure walked over with a data board and stopped in front of his glass case.

The newcomer was a capable, intelligent, and outstanding woman. Upon seeing her familiar figure, Stephen was immediately stunned.

Christine Palmer!
The other person turned out to be his ex-girlfriend!
No, it should be Christine of this universe.

But this Christine had a sharper and calmer gaze, with the focus of a researcher. Her eyes held no trace of past affection, only scrutiny and inquiry.

"Christine?"

Stephen looked at her in disbelief.

"Dr. Strange."

Christine spoke up, her voice calm: "Welcome to Earth-838. I am Dr. Palmer, in charge of research on anomalies in the multiverse. Monitoring shows that the energies in your body and this Ms. Chavez's body that do not belong here are seriously interfering with the spacetime continuity of the local universe."

Earth-838? Another universe?!

Stephen frowned as he listened to what the other person was saying.

Is the universe that I and America arrived in Universe 838?
“Christine, listen, now is not the time to study this.”

Stephen spoke urgently, trying to make her understand the seriousness of the situation.

“An extremely dangerous being is hunting us down. Her name is Wanda Maximov. She has mastered the Dark Book, and her target is America's power. She will soon be coming to this universe. We must…”

Christine frowned slightly, seemingly taking notes and analyzing his words, but did not show much panic.

“Wanda Maximoff? According to the data, she is a powerful Avenger, but her threat level is not marked as intercosmic. As for the Dark Book… that is forbidden knowledge that is strictly sealed. Dr. Strange, your statement lacks sufficient evidence and is emotionally charged, requiring further evaluation.”

Just as Stephen was about to continue explaining, the door to the room slid open.

Baron Mordo entered, followed by a squad of sleek, metallic-looking Ultron robots. But the insignia on the robots' chests was not Stark Industries, but another unfamiliar badge.

"Modu!"

Stephen angrily slammed his fist on the glass case.

Mordo ignored him, nodded to Christine, and then looked at Stephen, speaking in a businesslike tone: "Dr. Strange, the Illuminati wants to see you."

"What kind of meeting is this?"

Stephen looked blank; he had never heard of this organization before.

Mordo didn't explain, but simply gestured for the Ultron robot to come forward.

The robot's arm fired a beam of energy, imprisoning Stephen's glass case, then levitating it and pushing it outwards.

America's terrified screams were cut off behind her.

A few minutes later, Stephen was led to a solemn, dignified rotunda, like the Supreme Court.

The hall was surrounded by a ring of tall seats, and several figures were already seated there, each exuding a powerful aura and the majesty of someone who had long held a high position.

Mordo walked to one of the empty seats and sat down, indicating that he was one of them.

Stephen's glass case was placed in the center of the hall, and the intense light focused on him, making him feel like a prisoner on trial.

He struggled to lift his head and look at the figures in the circle of seats.

His heart skipped a beat every time he saw someone clearly.

What kind of weirdo is this?!
The first seat was occupied by Peggy Carter.

But it wasn't the legendary agent he knew; it was Captain Carter, dressed in a Stars and Stripes uniform and wielding a vibranium shield.

Captain Carter had sharp eyes and an imposing presence.

Agent Carter has become Captain America?!
The other is a bald black man dressed in royal attire with a silent and dignified expression—Black Bolt, the king of the Inhumans, whose voice itself is a destructive weapon.

A man in a blue sci-fi uniform whose body seems to be able to stretch and deform at will—Mr. Fantastic, one of the smartest people on Earth.

A woman wearing a red and blue star-striped suit, with short, neat hair and an aura of energy emanating from her—Maria Rambo, Captain Marvel.

And Professor X, a bald, kind-faced old man with piercing eyes, sitting in a floating, high-tech yellow wheelchair.

The Illuminati, a secret society comprised of the universe's most elite and powerful heroes and sages.

Stephen Strange.

It was Captain Carter who spoke, her voice carrying an unquestionable authority.

"You come from another universe. Your very existence has severely disrupted the basic order of spacetime. There are natural barriers between universes, and you must never travel between them at will. Every time you travel between them, you will cause irreversible damage to the structure of the two universes."

"If the situation continues to deteriorate, the worst outcome would be that the two universes collide and then destroy each other."

Stephen forced down his shock and hurriedly explained, "I understand the dangers of traversing the universe, but we were forced to do it. We were trying to escape our pursuers. Wanda Maximov, she may have already entered this universe."

"We have our own assessment of the threat posed by Wanda Maksimov."

Mr. Fantastic interrupted him, his tone rational and calm, "But right now, the first thing we need to deal with is you, Dr. Strange, and that... 'energy anomaly' you brought with you."

He was clearly referring to America.

"Assess? You have no idea what her current power is like!"

Stephen shook his head and said, "She destroyed our Kamar-Taj, she practiced the Dark Book, her goal is..."

"Dr. Strange."

Professor X's gentle yet penetrating voice resonated directly in his mind, calming his agitated emotions.

“We understand your concerns, but perhaps you don’t fully understand our universe, and… how and how we deal with ‘problems’.”

Professor X's gaze deepened: "In our universe, in order to defeat Thanos, Stephen Strange... also chose to study the Dark Book."

Upon hearing Professor X's words, Stephen was struck dumb, frozen in place.

Doctor Strange in this universe has also mastered the Dark Book?!
"He gained power and helped us finally defeat Thanos."

Professor X continued, his voice tinged with sorrow, "But the corruption of the Dark Book far exceeded our imagination. After the victory, his mind was completely consumed by darkness. He tried to use that power to reshape the entire world, to create what he called a 'perfect' reality. We had no choice..."

Professor X paused for a moment, and the entire hall fell into a deathly silence.

Black Bolt silently lowered his head, his hands gripping the armrests tightly.

“...in order to stop him from causing even greater disaster and to prevent the entire universe from being dragged into darkness,” Mr. Fantastic continued, his tone heavy, “Black Bolt...used his powers.”

Stephen instantly understood, and a chill ran down his spine to the top of his head.

"We defeated him, and Black Bolt executed Stephen Strange of our universe."

Captain Carter's voice rang out coldly, announcing the final outcome: "To maintain stability in the universe and avoid panic, we will announce that he heroically sacrificed himself in the Endgame."

The truth, like the coldest water, extinguished all of Stephen's hopes.

The heroes of this universe, having experienced the terror of being dominated by the Dark Strange, harbor the deepest psychological trauma and the most extreme ways of dealing with "Strange" and the "Dark Book".

"So, you see, Dr. Strange."

Mordo finally spoke, his tone tinged with sarcasm, "We have witnessed firsthand the effects the power of the Dark Book can have on 'you,' and as for Wanda Maximoff? We have experience fighting and ultimately defeating the 'Fallen Sorcerer Supreme,' and we do not consider her an insurmountable threat."

He stood up and looked down at Stephen in the glass case: "Now, what we need to focus on is you and the trouble you've brought. The Illuminati will decide how to deal with you in order to maintain order and security in this universe."

Stephen Strange stood in the center of the light, feeling only a chill run through his body.

He not only lost his allies, but also fell into the hands of a group of powerful beings who were wary of and even hostile to "Strange".

However, they seriously underestimated Wanda's threat.

This has made things complicated.

Just as Stephen was about to say something, Captain Carter's expression suddenly changed, and he said to the other members of the Illuminati, "Another intruder has broken in. I'll go deal with it!"

To Stephen's astonishment, Captain Carter vanished from his spot in an instant.

On the other side, Azu also arrived in Universe 838.

He shook his head to shake off the slight dizziness caused by the interdimensional teleportation, and his eyes sharply scanned his surroundings.

This was not a place he was familiar with, unlike New York, Metropolis, or Gotham. The streets were quiet and orderly to the point of being rigid.

"Another damn parallel universe!"

Azu cursed under his breath, straightened his still-shiny battle clothes, and his face returned to its usual expression.

"Very well, let the people here see what a real hero is."

He hovered a few inches off the ground, preparing to fly to the highest point to overlook the unfamiliar city before heading to find Doctor Strange and America.

Suddenly, several portals opened silently around him.

Several men and women dressed in uniform but with different appearances emerged from the crowd, their expressions serious and wary.

The woman at the head of the group, holding a star-spangled shield, looked very dashing.

"Unknown intruder, state your identity and purpose."

Captain Carter spoke to him in a calm voice.

Azu's face immediately broke into his most "perfect" smile, which he had rehearsed countless times, revealing his white teeth.

"Hey! Relax, friends, I'm not a threat. I'm just... well, a victim of an accidental space travel. You can call me Homelander. In my world, I'm a top hero, protecting the people and fighting evil... just like you, right?"

"and many more!"

Azu suddenly stopped, staring at Captain Carter with a shocked look.

"Are you Captain America?"

"When did Captain America become a woman?"

(End of this chapter)