Peter Parker’s POV

The next day, I received a summon from the Ancient One from an apprentice. Following the apprentice, I found Ancient One sitting in a serene tea room, overlooking the scenery. Her hands cradled a steaming cup of tea. Seated opposite her was a woman of Asian descent wearing battle robes. Her aura radiated calm strength and power.

“Peter, meet Master Ying Nan, a warrior from Ta Lo.” I bowed to greet Master Ying Nan.

“I was just discussing your training in Ta Lo with Master Ying Nan.” Ancient One had already explained to me that I had to go to Ta Lo to continue my training.

“You should already have read about Ta Lo, right?” Ancient One asked me with a questioning gaze.

“Yes, I have.” Master Wong had given me a book about Ta Lo yesterday so that I would be prepared.

Unlike the sorcerers of Kamar Taj, the martial artists of Ta Lo were not initially the natives of Earth. They were originally refugees from a different dimension.

Their native dimension was destroyed in a battle against interdimensional beasts. When they arrived on Earth, they created Ta Lo where they live from then on.

Ta Lo is a completely closed society. It is actually nested in a separate dimension on Earth. They generally never contact the outside world their only contact are the sorcerers of Kamar Taj.

The relationship between Ta Lo and Kamar Taj has always been cordial. The sorcerers of Kamar Taj had played a crucial role in the creation of Ta Lo. Further, several sorcerers have married the people of Ta Lo, thus strengthening our bonds even more.

“Ancient One, Kamar Taj and Ta Lo have always been friendly. Several sorcerers have studied our martial arts. And even more people of Ta Lo have become sorcerers in Kamar Taj.” Master Ying Nan said politely to Ancient One.

“However, I do not understand why Peter, a budding sorcerer requires training in the mystic martial arts of Ta Lo, especially when his journey into mastering the mystic arts has only recently begun.” Miss Ying Nan questioned Ancient One.

Upon hearing Master Ying Nan’s question, Ancient One merely smiled.

“You will realise why once you see it.” Ancient One only said this much to Master Ying Nan before standing.

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“Come, Peter. It’s time for another spar.” Ancient One said to me.

Soon, we were in the mirror dimension ready for another spar.

Ancient One chanted a spell for several seconds, creating a powerful barrier around Master Ying Nan allowing her to witness our battle without any harm.

Then, I transformed for the battle. I had decided to call this form of mine the draconic form after much pondering. Seeing my transformation, Master Ying Nan’s eyes widened in surprise as she was clearly taken aback by my unexpected transformation.

Then, I commenced my spar with Ancient One. Honestly, I had an upper hand against Ancient One in these spars. She could not use her more powerful spells as they could prove fatal. Moreover, she couldn’t manipulate the mirror dimension to alter the field to her advantage.

This was a clear disadvantage for Ancient One.

I attacked relentlessly like always. Launching spears of lightning continuously and closing with my wings to attack whenever possible. Moreover, now I could create small ball shaped energy constructs in quick succession full of my red lightning, keeping her further in check.

Also, now that I could feel with my dragon sense where she would appear using the warp circles, they were not much of a trump card to her.

However, Ancient One was not the Sorcerer Supreme for nothing. She had now changed her style of battle completely.

She now multi-casted spells to keep me in check as she could not use her more powerful spells.

As my attacks were getting stronger, she used layered magical barriers to protect herself. They were strong enough to slow me down for enough time for Ancient One to counterattack.

Also, she now used a barrage of magic spells to counterattack and prevent me from getting the upper hand on her.

The spar continued for quite some time before Ancient One called it off.

“It is getting more and more difficult to keep up with you, Peter. Although, I can keep up with you, you would definitely win in a battle of attrition.” Ancient One admitted that I would win in a battle of endurance.

“But that is only because you are holding yourself back.” I reminded Ancient One of this fact because I refused to call myself superior to her in battle when she was not even exerting herself fully.

“But even this level of power is something not many can handle this long in Kamar Taj. Even Master Mordo himself is often not able to keep up this long in a spar with me.” Ancient One said to me, encouraging me to take pride in my battle prowess.

“Now, do you understand, Master Ying Nan? Why it is necessary for Peter to train in mystic martial arts?” Ancient One said, turning to Master Ying Nan.

“Indeed, I understand.” Master Ying Nan admitted after seeing our spar.

“Peter’s powers are tremendous. He has such raw potential. Yet his control over his abilities are erratic. His fighting style felt like a rampaging beast, barely kept in check.” Master Ying Nan said, analysing my battle prowess.

“Learning the mystic martial arts will indeed help Peter in controlling his abilities. Very well, I shall train Peter.” Master Ying Nan finally agreed to train me in the martial arts.

“Peter, pack your bags. We shall depart for Ta Lo tomorrow.” Ying Nan asked me to prepare for Ta Lo immediately.

“As you wish, Master Ying Nan.” I said, bowing to her and recognising her as my master.