The Limit

"I've decided. I'm going to use this ability to fight crime and protect more innocent civilians, to protect Central City."

Barry's face was radiant with justice. He felt it was wonderful to have this ability, to help innocent people and eliminate those who do evil. It made him feel exhilarated and refreshed.

"Lin Li, you and I both have abilities. We can fight crime together, protect innocent people, and make this world a better place."

Barry excitedly extended an olive branch to Lin Li.

The birth of The Flash was happening right before Lin Li's eyes.

He pondered, thinking this should be enough to steer the future back onto the right path, to get everything back on track. To be safe, he decided he would add a little fuel to the fire later.

Lin Li didn't respond immediately. After a moment of silence, he said with a pained tone, "Barry, what I need more is to return to my own world."

Upon hearing this, Barry's excitement gradually calmed. He felt ashamed of himself, only thinking about his own satisfaction in fighting crime without considering the pain and despair Lin Li must feel, being so far from home. At the same time, he remembered the pain and helplessness of his mother being murdered and having no recourse. Barry believed no one would want to endure that, and it only strengthened his resolve to fight crime. He would fight crime while also investigating his mother's murder.

"Barry, I'm sorry I can't fight crime with you, but I'll help you when you need me."

Lin Li forced a smile and patted Barry's shoulder.

"Lin Li, I'm sorry. Thank you. Don't give up. Let's work hard together."

Barry embraced Lin Li, his eyes tearing up, speaking with emotion.

Lin Li noticed that foreigners really liked to hug. Happy? Hug! Sad? Hug! Meeting? Hug! Moved? Hug.

In just the few days Lin Li had been transported here, he realized he had hugged Barry several times.

What a deprived child!

Lin Li sighed and opened his arms to hug Barry.

After speaking, they chatted a bit more and both put on the test suits.

Barry's suit hadn't changed; it was still the same red, thigh-length jumpsuit.

Lin Li's suit was black, also a jumpsuit extending to his thighs. The fabric was much thicker than Barry's, and according to Cisco, it was made from a heat-resistant fiberglass material, effective against the high temperatures of electrical currents.

They stepped out of the vehicle.

Cisco walked up to them and said, "Guys, how does it feel?"

"It's tight. This thing makes me feel a little shy."

"I feel like my muscles are being squeezed."

Cisco laughed and said, "Relax, my friends. Just run as fast as you can, and you'll be able to take this suit off soon. Who wants to go first?"

Lin Li raised his hand to signal he would go first. He wanted to take off the suit as soon as possible because he felt a bit embarrassed. It was so form-fitting that it was quite revealing, making him very uncomfortable.

"OK, Lin Li, you'll start under the running starter. Run with all your might. Dr. Wells will monitor your energy output, Caitlin will monitor your vital organs, and I, the brilliant Cisco, have made something special for you."

Cisco produced a small, circular object with a yellow lightning bolt logo.

"This is my creation, a two-way headset to enhance communication. As long as you don't intentionally discharge electricity at this little thing, our communication will be seamless. I plan to add cameras, biometric monitors, and other equipment later, but that's for the future."

Lin Li took the small object. This was the emblem that Cisco originally gave The Flash for testing in his timeline, and now that it was in his hands, he felt a bit overwhelmed.

Lin Li had a feeling that everything about The Flash seemed to be tilting towards him – the relationships, the title, the future.

Barry, let me give you a push so you can become The Flash.

Lin Li crouched at the running starter, his rear end raised.

"3... 2... 1, GO!"

Cisco shouted and punched the air.

Silver arcs of electricity erupted, leaving a scorched circle on the ground. Not a trace of current leaked out; Lin Li controlled it very well.

Lin Li transformed into a silver, electric humanoid figure and instantly burst forward.

His running speed was like a train, thundering across the ground, with lightning and dazzling light, exuding immense power. The air seemed to burn from the heat, leaving a scorched path on the ground wherever he ran.

The air within his body was being squeezed to its absolute limit. The positive and negative electron cores spun intensely, generating electricity.

Faster!

Damn it! Faster!

Lin Li roared inwardly. His physical speed, combined with the lightning acceleration, pushed every cell to its operational limit.

He didn't feel the wind rushing past him; he wasn't running freely.

The wind resistance hit him like a sheet of plastic wrap, blocking him, impossible to break through.

His body emitted countless crackling sounds. As his body moved to its extreme, an electromagnetic field enveloped him within a three-meter radius, and his entire being was surrounded by lightning.

"Argh..."

Lin Li let out a roar from the depths of his throat, unable to break through any further.

He had run for fifteen minutes, giving it his all, pushing his body's capabilities to their limits, running like a madman.

The electrical discharge dissipated, and Lin Li slowly gasped for air, jogging back.

By the time he returned to the research vehicle, Lin Li had recovered his stamina, and the sweat on his body had completely disappeared.

"Flash, you're amazing, like a runaway train engine."

Cisco shouted.

Compared to Barry and Reverse-Flash's speed, this was too slow, not even breaking the sound barrier. However, Lin Li understood himself; his advantages weren't speed. Lightning, electromagnetic fields, even the high temperatures generated by electronic friction were his strengths. He wasn't being overly modest or arrogant, measuring himself with a ruler, calculating his capabilities.

Lin Li smiled and said, "This is way too slow. Barry could leave me in the dust by nine streets."

Caitlin said with some surprise, "Mr. Lin Li, your body is indeed excessively strong. You only need a few dozen seconds to recover to a normal state after pushing your body to its limit. This is truly incredible. Your average speed is 58.4 meters per second. Starting from the twelfth minute, your speed increased to a maximum of 96.8 meters per second. Although you could only maintain it for three minutes, it's still very impressive. Just now, the maximum current emitted from your body was enough to supply STAR Labs for several months."

Dr. Wells's suspended heart settled. Just moments ago, he had seen Lin Li output his maximum power. That aura, like a thunderbolt, majestic and imposing, seemed capable of shattering the very heavens and earth. That terrifying presence made him tremble from the depths of his will. Dr. Wells knew he himself was Reverse-Flash, Lin Li's enemy. His heart was severely shaken. If he faced Lin Li, he would absolutely be smashed to pieces before him.

As the data came out, his heart also settled. Lin Li, who seemed so mighty and powerful, had a maximum speed of only 96.8 meters per second. At this speed, he couldn't even touch the corner of his clothes, so why worry?

Lin Li, you can't even touch the corner of my clothes!

He sneered contemptuously in his heart, but a sincere smile appeared on his face.

Dr. Wells gave Lin Li a thumbs-up and said, "Fantastic. Our power supply will depend on you from now on."