Chapter 2754: Star Core Rescue (Part 51)

Regarding this behavior of Stark and Strange, Shiler's evaluation was only two words—"crazy gold."

But anyway, putting the timeline back just meant an extra memory. Knowing what was going on, it was more like experiencing certain stories in a parallel universe.

Actually, it was also because Shiler's nature was special; he wasn't entirely a person of this world, so the timelines he split off couldn't form a complete universe. Otherwise, these two fragments in Strange's hands could also have become one of countless individual universes.

Stark soon went to the Time Variance Authority to overwrite the time fragments. Thus, Shiler's mind gained that memory of being taken to the Soviet Union and adopted by Howard Stark. But in reality, if he didn't do this, the memory was already in the Tower of Thought; it was just gilding the lily.

Strange, who had lost, didn't appear very annoyed. He looked at Shiler and said: "You weren't you in college, right?"

Shiler nodded and then said: "But that time was me. I traveled back and then ran into you."

Strange revealed a cold sneer and said: "I knew it, but it seems you don't know what actually happened between us at that time."

"My memory was deleted." Shiler shrugged and said: "The revenge of a bunch of petty guys."

Strange didn't show any surprised expression. He just shook the artifact in his hand and said: "Obviously, you can figure out what we said at that time from this memory of mine. I don't care which guy won; only this memory in my hand is meaningful to you."

"Alright, name your price." Shiler said calmly.

Strange kept smiling, walked to Shiler's opposite side, and handed the Eye of Agamotto to Shiler. Just as Shiler reached out, the shiny crystal ball disappeared instantly.

"I have confidence in your control over this universe, so you can find it yourself." Strange lifted his lips to reveal his teeth, looked at Shiler and said: "Just like you found my arm back then."

"Childish, and boring." Shiler evaluated. He walked back to the desk, sat down, continued looking at the information in his hand, and said without raising his head: "You have to go to Texas with me in two days. Lisha and Oakes' bodies have recovered almost enough; it's time to ignite the soul."

Strange, however, noticed the coffee cup that had been placed opposite Shiler the whole time. The coffee inside hadn't completely cooled down. He reached out and touched it; the coffee was still warm.

"You have other visitors today? Who is it?" Strange narrowed his eyes and asked.

"It has nothing to do with you." Shiler looked up at Strange and said: "Has the Earth Defense Network ever shown a Demon Lord invading Earth?"

"Of course not." Strange shook his head and said: "But I know what you are referring to. Kamar-Taj received news from S. H. I. E. L. D. requesting an investigation into a Demon Lord called Nightmare. So far, none of us have dealt with him."

Shiler nodded, packed up the information in his hand, and then said: "If you are free now, let's go. I'm always a bit worried about Lisha's condition. Let's finish it quickly to avoid long nights and many dreams."

Strange nodded. The two of them boarded the plane without a word. Shiler slept wrapped in a blanket, and Strange read the consultation report. Before long, the plane landed in Texas.

Strange wasn't very accustomed to the overly bright sunshine of Texas, so he could only go to the same glasses shop under Shiler's gloating expression and buy a pair of $1,500 sunglasses.

When the two arrived at Lisha's house, they were doing farm work. A whole family rushed out of the barn. Strange took two breaths of fresh air carrying the smell of cow dung and frowned slightly.

"Have you ever done farm work?" Shiler asked.

"A little bit. Although I am a small-town resident, I didn't grow up in a farm-owning family. I only fed the cows on the ranch during summer camp."

Although he said so, Strange didn't show any disgust. He just looked up on his own, examining the decoration of Lisha's family, as if he were reminiscing about his youth.

Lisha's complexion was much rosier. She was wearing jeans and boots, dressed like a typical Texas girl. Oakes followed behind her; although his figure was taller, he was not as capable as Lisha and her father at all.

"Don't mind it, Doctor, we just finished cleaning the barn." Lisha fanned the air with her hand and said: "It might be a bit smelly. How about we go outside to talk?"

Shiler nodded, and Strange followed behind him. The four stood at the door, and Shiler said: "We plan to perform the soul ignition tonight. Actually, you don't need to do anything; just sit together and think about each other."

Lisha's eyes widened, but then her face turned a bit red. She said: "Is that all? We don't need to perform some... ah... necessary for reproduction, I mean..."

Oakes let out a scream, and the big guy's face turned bright red. Lisha had to pat him and said: "Don't mind it too much, Doctor. Oakes is a Northerner, just a bit shy, but we aren't too particular about that here."

"It's not necessary, ma'am. If it were needed, I would definitely notify you in advance to prepare for privacy. But in fact, this child is quite special. He didn't appear in your body in the usual way. Although pregnancy and birth are still required, the entire reproductive process does not need to be completed."

"That's good." Lisha breathed a sigh of relief and said: "Actually, I was also a bit worried. If it had to be a natural pregnancy, my body might not be able to... well, hopefully, everything goes smoothly."

"How did you two meet?" Strange suddenly asked, but he seemed to just want to find a topic to chat about; it was better than talking about cow dung.

Lisha suddenly frowned slightly, but Shiler thought she didn't want to answer this question, so he said: "It's okay, ma'am. I heard you milked the cows. The disinfection and sterilization work should have been completed, right? Perhaps we can have some milk tea?"

"Oh, you sound like an Englishman." Lisha turned and walked inside with a smile, but Shiler noticed she glanced at Strange before turning.

Sure enough, near dusk, Shiler wanted to go to the ridge to get some air. Just after he walked out the door, Lisha followed. The revitalized Texas girl caught up with Shiler in a few steps and said to him: "Who is that friend of yours?"

"You don't know him?"

"Seems to have an impression, but news here isn't very well-informed. My mental state was bad a while ago, so even if I had seen him, I might have forgotten."

"He is Shi Difen Strange, a very famous surgeon, known as the Hand of God. At the same time, he is also the Sorcerer Supreme, so he must be present for the soul ignition."

Lisha clearly showed a hesitant expression. Shiler asked probing: "What's wrong? You seem very interested in him."

"No, I mean, are you two very good friends?"

"Yes, what's wrong?"

Lisha was even more hesitant. Shiler had to appease: "Don't worry, ma'am. I'm not the type of person who listens to one side. If there's anything, you can tell me directly, and I have my own judgment."

"His voice..." Lisha looked up into Shiler's eyes and said firmly: "It's exactly the same as the person who talked to the Intermediary in my dream."

Shiler's eyes widened instantly.

"Are you sure you didn't hear it wrong? Ma'am?"

As soon as this question was asked, Shiler knew there was no need to ask again, because he had already remembered the most astonishing part of all the information related to Nightmare.

"I swear I'm not lying. The voice that said the Intermediary couldn't do it in my dream was exactly the same as this Mr. Strange." Lisha lowered her eyes and said: "If, as you said, this dream isn't an ordinary dream, then perhaps..."

"Yes, I know, I know, ma'am." Shiler repeated twice, then said: "Let's go back first. I need to talk to Shi Difen."

The two of them returned to the room. Shiler knocked on the door of the guest room where Strange was resting. Soon, Strange, who had changed into pajamas, opened the door. There was a faint doubt in his eyes because he had clearly stated that he wanted to read the report and that it was best if no one disturbed him before things started.

In fact, Shiler was the one who shouldn't disturb him the most, because both of them were doctors and understood each other. Shiler knew he hated it most when someone disturbed him while he was fully devoted to something.

"Accidental situation, Shi Difen, sorry." Shiler apologized first, so Strange let him in. Shiler glanced at the report on Strange's table. Very good, no problem; they were those anatomical diagrams that looked more like they should appear in major case files.

Then he looked Strange up and down from head to toe and asked tentatively: "How is your father lately?"

"He was defeated by illness again and is now working in hell." Strange said: "I'll let him return to the Sanctum Sanctorum to be a cleaner or something in a while, but he probably just wants to go home."

Shiler wasn't surprised. Strange's father's health had always been poor. In fact, he had already died once before, then died again, and after Strange fished him back, he died again. In the end, Strange was really too lazy to fish him back.

Mainly because after fishing him back, this stubborn old man wouldn't change his lifestyle. He didn't even need the heavy punch of illness; he would fall over with a light touch. So Strange simply found Mephisto and arranged a job for him in hell. But I heard he didn't do it well either; he still drank and bragged every day.

"What's the matter?" Strange looked at him and asked.

"You still remember Nightmare, whom I told you about before, right?"

"I know, I know you are very anxious to find out what's going on with him, but you have to give us some time." Strange sat back in his chair, crossed one leg high, looked up at Shiler and said: "You shouldn't be the type of person who doesn't distinguish between priorities. Ensuring Lisha's health is more important than tracking down the mastermind now."

"Yes, but that's on the premise that it really is Nightmare who is acting against Lisha, and not something else related to him, or... someone."

Strange frowned deeply and said: "You mean someone is driving Nightmare?"

"No, there is a more terrifying possibility." Shiler shook his head slowly and said: "He is Nightmare, and Nightmare is him."

"Who?"

"You." Shiler paused and said: "To be precise, another you."

"Who is he?"

"Doctor Strange with the Power of Dreams." ===== CHAPTER 2755 =====