Doctor Strange Appears at the Masquerade Ball

As for why Li Congxin possessed energy found only in the Quantum Realm, Old Pi did not know the reason. Or rather, his original purpose in seeking out Li Congxin had been to find the answer to that very question.

But now, it seemed that any research in this area had to be halted until they had sufficient certainty.

Because the quantum energy within Li Congxin seemed unstable.

"That's the truth." Old Pi put on an innocent expression. "You used only normal controls and directly entered the Quantum Realm. The only reasonable explanation is that the energy used the power of the Pym Particles to pull you into the Quantum Realm."

Old Pi let out a long breath and looked calmly at Li Congxin. "That's what happened. Can you tell me about Janet now?"

Li Congxin gave a bitter smile. "Since you've researched the Quantum Realm, you should know that it can affect a person's mind. My memories of the Quantum Realm are extremely vague—just scattered fragments, nothing coherent. The closest comparison would be... do you know what it feels like to black out when drunk?"

Upon hearing Li Congxin's analogy, their expressions turned strange in unison.

That comparison was really... unique enough.

"Among those scattered fragments are the name Janet Van Dyne and the image of a woman." Li Congxin spoke as he wracked his brains. "I vaguely remember that she helped me in the Quantum Realm, but I can't remember the specifics. I thought learning the cause of everything might let me connect those fragments, but the facts proved that it was completely useless."

As for Li Congxin's explanation, Old Pi merely said that if he remembered anything, he should contact him immediately. Then Old Pi bought the house next door to Li Congxin's at a high price and settled down there.

From beginning to end, Li Congxin had never suspected that Old Pi had deliberately tried to harm him.

Old Pi's character aside, his power and methods were absolutely not to be underestimated.

He had held Pym Particles—something both S.H.I.E.L.D. and Hydra coveted—for more than a decade without letting anyone get their hands on them. He could even come to New York and stir up trouble without incident. That was not something a mere "I bled for S.H.I.E.L.D." could accomplish. Without enough capability, he would have long since been carved up and devoured by those two behemoths, leaving not even bone scraps behind!

With the power he commanded, making Li Congxin disappear from this world without a sound would have been absurdly easy. There was no need whatsoever to risk a precious Ant-Man Suit.

Weekend, Stark Tower.

After showing their invitations, Li Congxin, dressed in a Superman costume, entered alongside Hope, who was dressed as Wonder Woman. As they walked in, Li Congxin could not help whispering, "Honestly, ever since the Ant-Man Suit malfunctioned, I kept thinking this so-called Masquerade Ball was just an excuse to trick me into putting it on. I never expected it to be real!"

Looking at the bizarrely dressed crowd around him, Li Congxin felt like a country bumpkin entering a grand estate for the first time. Everything before his eyes seemed incredibly novel.

Before transmigrating, when had he ever seen anything like this?

"Of course the Masquerade Ball is real. In fact, I haven't lied to you about anything so far. Even the Ant-Man Suit was originally meant for you to wear directly at this ball. It's just that your situation was special, so the original plan had to be scrapped."

Hope was right. Although she had concealed her intentions at the beginning, everything she had said had truly been the truth.

What was this, then? A truthful lie?

Li Congxin waved his hand and said firmly, "That Ant-Man Suit and I are incompatible. I don't dare put that thing on again."

"Oh! Isn't this Hope? I haven't seen you in over a year, and you've grown so beautiful." At that moment, a middle-aged man walked over and greeted Hope. After chatting with him politely for a few moments, she introduced him to Li Congxin as well.

"This is Justin Hammer, president of Hammer Industries..."

"This is Norman Osborn, president of Osborn Industries..."

"This is the editor-in-chief of Playboy magazine..."

Whenever they ran into an acquaintance, Hope introduced them to Li Congxin.

The facts proved that these social elites truly had extraordinary influence. They casually provided dozens or even hundreds of Impression Points, far more rewarding than ordinary people.

After all, superheroes were Marvel's mainstream. The stories involved leading industries from every field, so social elites naturally had far more chances to appear in movies, television shows, and comics than ordinary people.

And after more than two months of experimentation, Li Congxin had determined that these chances to appear were what he called fate weight.

A fairly strong piece of evidence was that merely meeting Justin Hammer had earned Li Congxin 116 Impression Points. Yet some people present had greater status, position, or wealth than Hammer, but because Li Congxin had never heard of them, they could only provide a few points or a few dozen at most.

After discovering this, Li Congxin looked forward even more to meeting Iron Man.

After greeting quite a few acquaintances, Hope led Li Congxin to a seat. Taking the opportunity, she whispered, "Everyone here is an elite in New York's various industries. Talk with them more. It will definitely help your future development."

Li Congxin merely gave an awkward laugh and did not reply.

"Hey! What kind of expression is that?"

Li Congxin shrugged indifferently. "I'm just an ordinary high school student, the small-time owner of a gym, and now I have writing novels as a side job. I don't think attending a Masquerade Ball means I've squeezed into the circle of these social elites."

"I guarantee that once we walk out that door, these people will forget who I am by tomorrow. There's no point in trying to ingratiate myself with them. Keeping a low profile is better."

After taking a sip of juice, Li Congxin continued, "But I believe that ten years from now, these people will all remember my name firmly."

Hope burst out laughing. "So this is what they mean by 'Thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river—never underestimate a poor young man'?"

"Hello, Clark Li." Just as Li Congxin was about to explain that no one here had bullied him, he suddenly heard a voice. A man wearing a white wig and a long white beard, dressed in flowing white mage robes and looking like Gandalf, walked toward them.

Hope blinked at Li Congxin, as if saying: Didn't you say no one knew you?

Talk about getting slapped in the face!

Li Congxin looked at "Gandalf" somewhat gloomily and asked in confusion, "You are?"

"This is Stephen Strange. He has only been working for two years, yet he is already New York's best neurosurgeon." Hope once again took the initiative to introduce the newcomer. But just as she was about to introduce Li Congxin, Stephen spoke first. "Clark Li, owner of the miraculous Martha's Gym. I came here specifically to find you."

Stephen Strange, the future Doctor Strange?

Looking at this guy dressed up as Gandalf, he really was playing himself.

"May I ask what Mr. Strange wants with me?"

Stephen Strange smiled slightly, then said something astonishing. "I want to buy your gym. Name your price."

Thanks to reader Xiangshi Xiangzhi Xiangban Xiangru Yimo for the 500 Qidian Coins reward!

Thanks to reader Mu Daoran for the 100 Qidian Coins reward!