I'M IN MARVEL

Tony Stark: "I have never been weak in my life."

The next day.

Psychological Counseling Room, [Yao's Home], Manhattan, New York.

A silver-white Audi R8 pulled up in front of the clinic.

"Russell, didn't you say you wanted to take me to see that Supreme Mage?"

Tony couldn't help but grumble as he got out of the car. "Why is this a psychological clinic? I don't need therapy."

Russell, without looking back, walked ahead to lead the way.

"That's not the point. Doesn't Iron Man also serve as the chairman of Stark Industries?"

When they entered the reception area, the door was open. Russell walked straight in.

"Mage, this is Tony Stark."

"Tony, this is the Ancient One Mage."

Russell introduced the two of them, then sat down to sip tea, preparing to watch what was to come.

"Ah, Master Gu Yi's tea is still delicious." Russell mused, taking a sip. "It's almost as good as the ones I've had with the Justice League members at the Hall of Justice." He thought for a moment, "Seems like there's honey mixed in."

"Hello, Tony, please sit down," the Ancient One said with a warm smile, standing up. She added more tea to Tony's cup and motioned for him to sit.

Tony took the tea, sat down, and took a sip. "Good tea," he said, stretching out his hand to show his approval. "Now, let's get straight to the point."

"You cured a girl named Eileen yesterday. A person infected by the vampire virus, correct?"

"That's right," Gu Yi confirmed.

Tony leaned forward, his voice growing quicker. "You helped her get rid of the vampire curse, and it had no negative impact on her other bodily functions?"

"Yes."

Tony's expression grew more intense. "How did you do it?"

"She thirsted for blood and was afraid of the sun. I told her she could overcome these urges, and she did."

Tony's eyes narrowed. "That's not psychotherapy, is it?"

"What if I told you that one could call upon spiritual power to heal the body?" Gu Yi's calm tone continued.

"What would that mean?"

Gu Yi picked up a book filled with illustrations of human acupoints. She asked with a smile, "Do you like this image?"

"No." Tony shook his head. "Master Ancient One, can we be more direct?"

"Seeing is believing. Why not let Tony experience it for himself?" Russell suddenly interjected.

Russell was eager to see Tony question the Ancient One rudely, hoping that she'd knock his soul out with a single palm strike, much like how a mystical foe might defeat a hero like Doctor Strange.

"Alright." Tony leaned forward, eager to experience the magic. "I want to try it myself."

Gu Yi and Russell shared a knowing laugh.

"Bang!"

In an instant, Gu Yi struck Tony's chest with a swift palm. Russell expected something to happen, but to his surprise, nothing did.

"Hmm?" Tony blinked, confused.

"Bang!"

Another slap hit Tony on the shoulder, and this time Tony's soul was forcibly ejected from his body.

"Oops, I forgot about the Arc Reactor in your chest," Gu Yi said apologetically.

Tony's soul floated outside his body, dazed. "It actually has a soul," Tony murmured, his voice tinged with awe. "This is amazing."

"Want to see something even more magical?" Gu Yi asked, still smiling.

"Um?!"

The next moment, Tony vanished from sight, his form seemingly dissolving into thin air.

"Russell, you should try it too."

"No, thank you." Russell started to protest, but before he could finish, a burst of yellow flame erupted beneath his feet, creating a circle of light.

Reacting instantly, Russell used his enhanced perception, honed through his previous experiences with the League of Assassins, to predict the future. He avoided the flame effortlessly.

"Master, we have a lot to discuss, no need for force," Russell smiled coquettishly.

"Russell, it seems I underestimated you," Gu Yi said, slightly surprised.

"However, there are some things you should see."

In the blink of an eye, the entire reception room was enveloped by the Mirror Dimension, shifting reality itself.

Russell didn't hesitate to step inside. After all, he had previously encountered magical dimensions when investigating Gotham's darker corners during his time as an ally of Batman.

The scene around him shifted like an otherworldly landscape, an infinite web of dimensions. Tony, too, was stunned, as he had never witnessed something like this outside of his battles with cosmic-level threats like Thanos.

"The physical universe is not all there is," Gu Yi's voice echoed. "At the source of reality, spirit and matter are intertwined. This universe is just one of many."

For what felt like an eternity, they floated through an infinite multiverse before returning to the reception room.

This was Russell's second time journeying through the multiverse. The first time, back when he was just an ordinary person, he could barely comprehend what he was witnessing. Now, however, he saw far more.

He had glimpsed dimensions of pure energy, of demons, and mystical forces beyond his previous understanding—almost as if these dimensions contained the same "attribute points" he had observed while mastering his own powers. He had trained with the likes of Captain Marvel and had once seen Wanda Maximoff manipulate reality with ease, but this was different.

"Want to learn?" Gu Yi asked calmly.

"Master, teach me." Both Tony and Russell said in unison.

"Very well. Follow me." Gu Yi opened a portal that led directly to the mystical sanctum of Kamar-Taj.

"By the way, this is the Sling Ring." Gu Yi handed one to each of them. "Mastering the Sling Ring allows you to open portals and travel anywhere you desire. You can even explore other universes."

She continued, explaining, "Unlike most mages, you don't need to stay in Kamar-Taj permanently. Once you're proficient, you can return here for study, but you can travel as you wish."

"Thank you, Master," both Tony and Russell said in unison.

With a fluid motion, Gu Yi slipped the Sling Ring onto her finger and demonstrated.

"Concentrate and visualize where you wish to go," she instructed, gesturing with her fingers.

As her fingertips moved, light formed a circle, expanding rapidly into a portal that led straight back to the reception room.

"That sounds easy enough." Tony grinned, slipping the ring on his finger and mimicking the movement. He twisted his fingers, trying to form the portal, but sparks flickered instead of a full circle.

Russell chuckled, watching Tony's progress. "It's not that simple, Tony."

With a subtle movement, Russell's perception expanded. The space around him buzzed with latent magical energy, like a web connecting the multiverse itself.

Focusing his mind on the Sling Ring, Russell's energy surged outward, connecting with the magic surrounding him. His perception expanded even further, and within moments, he could feel the pulse of the entire planet.

"Russell, why are you just standing there? You're forgetting the movements!" Tony teased, noticing Russell's stillness.

"Do you want me to show you?" Russell's voice was calm but powerful.

Without another word, Russell gestured, and portals began to form around him. They opened to every corner of the globe—and beyond. One led to the yard, while others stretched all the way out of the solar system.

Tony stared, slack-jawed. "Aren't you supposed to draw circles?"

Gu Yi, watching Russell's skill, nodded in approval. But she still addressed Tony first.

"Drawing circles is just the beginning. Mental power and focus are the true keys. Russell's natural abilities far surpass yours for now, but with practice, you can strengthen your own mind and powers."

Tony looked at Russell with envy. "Like Russell?"

Gu Yi smiled faintly but didn't answer directly.

"For a mage, mental power is important, but wisdom, knowledge, understanding, and creativity are just as crucial. These are your strengths, Tony."

As she finished speaking, she turned back to Russell, reminding him:

"Focus your spirit. Don't release it aimlessly. That way, you can see even farther."

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