Opposition

Lin Li laughed. "Then you'll have to make sure I'm well fed."

They all smiled knowingly.

Cisco said, "Your turn, The Streak."

Dr. Wells and Lin Li were both startled. What kind of lousy name was that?

Lin Li looked thoroughly unconvinced as he told Cisco, "Cisco, that name is seriously lame."

Cisco was quite unhappy. Once again, Lin Li had rejected one of his names.

Cisco was about to speak when Lin Li cut him off with a wave of his hand.

Lin Li said wistfully, "I've experienced Barry's speed. The way everything turns into points of light, becoming lines as they vanish before your eyes at extreme speed... the whole world freezes. That feeling is just incredible. You can't imagine how overwhelming it is. It's simply... simply lightning. My speed is nowhere near Barry's."

Cisco and Caitlin had only seen Barry enter the control room. They did not truly understand how fast he was. To them, he was probably about as fast as Lin Li at his limit, because all they could see were afterimages. They could not keep up.

Lin Li had already surpassed human limits by far. If not for the ball of lightning around him, the naked eye could no longer follow his speed.

Cisco asked skeptically, "Are you sure? I'm keeping my name, The Streak."

"Once you see Barry's speed, you'll change your mind."

Lin Li raised his fist and shouted excitedly, "Barry, show them what you can do!"

Barry was filled with fighting spirit. Grinning broadly and showing his white teeth, he shouted, "Okay!"

The doubt on Caitlin's face had never faded. She quietly asked Dr. Wells, "Lin Li said his speed is far inferior to Barry's. Is that possible? Whether it's physical strength, recovery ability, or metabolism, Barry can't compare to Lin Li. How could he possibly surpass Lin Li in speed?"

From a biological standpoint, Caitlin did not believe Barry could surpass Lin Li. She could not believe Barry was faster.

Dr. Wells said meaningfully, "Let's wait and see..."

Cisco adjusted the helmet, put it on Barry, and gave his final instructions.

"Okay, The Streak. Ready. One... two... three, go."

Boom!

Cisco was knocked to the ground by the sudden blast of air, staring wide-eyed in shock.

The gust swept through the room. White documents flew everywhere, a blue sunshade was nearly blown over, and a pane of glass shattered the instant Barry took off.

A Red Phantom raced down the road, like an arrow, a bullet, a rocket, lightning itself, disappearing from everyone's sight.

Even though he had seen it and felt it before, Lin Li was still as stunned as Cisco and the others, staring in dumbfounded shock.

This godlike speed was no longer something flesh and blood could surpass.

The Speed Force.

Unmatched speed.

Speed like the wind and lightning.

Speed like lightning itself.

"Oh my God, he's already exceeded 320 kilometers per hour. His average speed is practically beyond Lin Li's limit."

Cisco cried out in disbelief.

Caitlin suppressed the shock in her heart, her eyes wider than ever as she stared at the tablet.

"Barry's cellular genes are generating an unknown kind of energy. Just as Lin Li's cells can produce electricity, Barry's cells are producing this energy to drive him faster and faster. Like... like lightning."

After speaking, Caitlin looked up at the road. The red figure was already gone, having run beyond their field of vision.

"This energy is truly godlike. He's so fast, flashing by like lightning. Lin Li, you were right. The Streak really isn't suitable for Barry. He should be called Lightning—he's as fast as lightning."

Cisco said.

Lin Li nodded in agreement. "That's right. It seems I'll have to give the title of Lightning to Barry. He suits it better."

Dr. Wells raised an eyebrow, a flicker of alarm passing through his heart as he glanced at Lin Li without giving anything away.

Cisco laughed heartily. "No problem. Smart Cisco will come up with another name for you."

Lin Li gazed down the distant road, where blue sky met black asphalt and the Red Phantom flickered in and out of sight. He said longingly, "The Flash... that kind of speed is truly enviable."

"The Flash has a heart full of justice and kindness."

"On the way here, Barry told me he wanted to use his abilities to fight evil and protect Central City. I could tell he was genuinely happy and excited, proud to protect innocent citizens, proud not to bury his abilities and to fight evil."

"The Flash, moving as fast as lightning, fighting evil."

He knew Barry was not merely talking. In the future, he truly would become a just and kind Flash.

Compared to Barry, Lin Li, who also possessed abilities, seemed much dimmer and far less radiant. Whether in reality or in this world of The Flash, even if Lin Li had the same abilities, he would not take the initiative to protect a city or fight criminals.

Still, that did not stop him from helping Barry out. He was very willing to help Barry—or rather, to help that radiant, dazzling quality of justice and kindness.

Cisco said with great interest, "The Flash, fighting evil—that'll make him even cooler. It's a great name. I approve."

"But next time, leave the naming rights to me. Lin Li, you're not allowed to steal them."

Lin Li shrugged and spread his hands, indicating he did not care.

Caitlin had strong objections when she heard that Barry wanted to fight evil. She said firmly, "What? The Flash fighting crime? Absolutely not."

At that moment, Barry returned to the starting point, breathing lightly and trailing a red afterimage behind him.

"So, everyone, wasn't that cool?"

Barry was all smiles. He had run to his heart's content just now, sprinting at full speed. He had never felt better. Everything made him feel like he was floating. It was incredible.

Cisco gave him two thumbs up. "That was awesome, The Flash."

Before Lin Li and Dr. Wells could react, Caitlin cut in first. She said seriously to Barry, "Barry, you can't go fight evil. You can't suffer any injuries."

Barry looked at Caitlin in confusion, then turned to Lin Li.

Lin Li gestured for Barry to explain it to them.

With Lin Li's support, Barry found a little more courage and told everyone, "I think that since I have this ability, I shouldn't waste it. I can save citizens who are being harmed and stop crimes. I should do more."

Caitlin argued fiercely, "That's the police's job. You're not a police officer. You're just a crime scene investigator."

"So what? I have abilities. I should do more instead of hiding them and doing nothing. Otherwise, why would I need these abilities?"

"As long as you stay alive and safe, you're already doing more than enough."

Caitlin spoke sternly.