For a speedster, even the gravest injuries could heal quickly.
Of course, they had to be injuries that could actually heal; a speedster merely recovered fast, not quite reaching the level of severed-limb regeneration.
In short, despite coming close to death, the Flash still completed his mission, and as for things like how he would have died if not for Wells stepping in, they left no shadows in Barry's mind.
Such an optimistic attitude was an indispensable trait for becoming a superhero.
"You're really lucky to have survived this time, Barry. But you're far too easily manipulated by enemies; if the enemy's attack had been just a bit faster this time, we probably wouldn't have made it in time."
Just as everyone was celebrating the victory of this mission, Zhang Tianran spoke up with a solemn expression.
The moment he said that, the smiles on everyone's faces gradually froze. At this moment, they seemed to finally recall Barry's near-death experience this time around.
"Dr. Zhang, I'm well aware of that. I'll be more careful from now on... Besides, don't I still have you guys to help me?" A smile blossomed on Barry's face, highly infectious.
Seeing this, Zhang Tianran frowned and said nothing more...
Barry's actions were foolish, but perhaps it was precisely because of this foolishness that he became a hero. Still, was it really worth it?
At least, Zhang Tianran asked himself, he couldn't manage that degree of selflessness.
"I'm going to run an experiment, and it's somewhat dangerous. Don't contact me for three days; no matter what major event happens, we'll talk after three days." After saying that, Zhang Tianran returned to his private laboratory alone.
The remaining few people looked at each other, somewhat uncomprehending of what had just happened.
Seeing this, Wells sighed and spoke up, "Don't mind it. Tianran's personality is just like this. Actually, he still cares a lot about Barry's safety..."
Returning to his private laboratory, Zhang Tianran booted up the artificial intelligence he had finished building.
"Found the trace of Shawna Baez." Once the artificial intelligence booted up, it displayed the notification that the task was complete.
Shawna Baez was precisely the individual who had mastered teleportation abilities. Although not very important, this ability was also something Zhang Tianran required.
"Hmm, how do you feel your current state is?" Zhang Tianran asked while busy with his work.
At this moment, although the artificial intelligence had completed all of its code, it was still only a semi-finished product. Coupled with the lack of a suitable "body" to exert its function, its capabilities were extremely limited.
Yet no matter how limited an artificial intelligence was, it was still technology that surpassed current tech. Helping Zhang Tianran handle some trivial matters posed no problem at all.
"I... need to evolve..." As if after a long period of thought, this semi-finished artificial intelligence finally provided an answer.
"No problem, wait a few days longer and I'll go get you a body. As for now, just stay put honestly and don't let anyone discover your tracks. I don't want to go making up any excuses..."
Zhang Tianran quickly utilized components on the table to assemble several instruments, yet he did not immediately use these items. Instead, his body transformed into a bolt of lightning and vanished on the spot.
A few minutes later, Zhang Tianran reappeared in the laboratory, holding a cardboard box in his arms. Inside the box were wooden boxes of various sizes, looking just like the packaging for certain small action figures.
In reality, however, these items were all advanced instruments and materials Zhang Tianran had purchased from all over the world.
The reason they had shrunk to this size was naturally thanks entirely to Ray Palmer's technology.
Ray Palmer could never have dreamed that his technology would be leaked just the day after he developed it, and moreover, feature a capability he had not yet even discovered.
For a speedster, stealing things was simply far too easy. Especially a place with virtually no security like Palmer Tech,
it was simply like entering an untrodden realm. Technology was very easy to acquire, but the materials were somewhat difficult. Yet they were only somewhat difficult; as long as he spent a bit of effort, it was quite simple.
Restoring the purchased materials to their original size, Zhang Tianran nodded in great satisfaction. This ability to shrink all objects was simply too convenient.
"Decided. Once I'm done with this busy period, I'll go steal a time ship. I remember the Waverider was supposed to have been destroyed at some point; I'll figure out a way to swap it out before it gets destroyed."
He continued busy with the work in his hands, but deep down in his heart, he recalled what good things existed in this world.
After all, since he might be leaving, he naturally had to pack up all the good things and take them with him. What would he do if he lost the chance?
Under the state of the Speed Force, Zhang Tianran quickly finished his work. A large quantity of instruments was assembled by him, and next came the need for test subjects.
Vanishing from the laboratory once more, when he reappeared a few seconds later, Zhang Tianran's hand already held a vial of blood.
As for the teleporting girl who inexplicably suffered agonizing pain throughout her body—Shawna Baez—naturally, no one cared about her condition.
With all materials prepared, Zhang Tianran immediately commenced the experiment.
The first thing that needed to be completed was Velocity 9; this was a defective product developed by Zhang Tianran based on the residual drugs he had injected.
This gadget could grant ordinary humans Super Speed, but the duration was very short, and its only advantage was perhaps that the side effects were relatively minor. As long as it wasn't used in excess, there would be no danger to life.
Next was the teleportation device. Although he possessed the Speed Force, the ability to teleport was still useful.
Regrettably, the development of this gadget did not go smoothly. Although the crafted device could instantaneously move, the range was extremely close, spanning only a few dozen meters.
And then there was...
Three days later, a massive surge of white lightning burst from Zhang Tianran's private laboratory, and in an instant, all the equipment throughout STAR Labs ceased operation.
"Barry, something's happened!" Cisco immediately pulled out his cell phone, running as he called Barry.
Seconds later, Barry appeared inside Zhang Tianran's private laboratory.
At this moment, the place was already scorched black, and everything inside the laboratory had been utterly destroyed. Right in the very center, however, stood a single figure, completely unharmed.
"Sorry, Barry. I secretly researched your ability, but... I suppose you shouldn't mind me becoming a speedster just like you!" Zhang Tianran flashed a smile toward Barry Allen, and then collapsed unconscious.
Barry, who had just arrived here, hadn't even finished digesting what he was seeing before he watched Zhang Tianran faint away. Having no time to ponder anything else, Barry immediately scooped Zhang Tianran up in his arms and rushed him to Caitlin's medical bay.
Caitlin, upon seeing the unconscious Zhang Tianran, immediately began manually checking his current condition.
"Barry, hurry and go restore power with Cisco. No, take him to the hospital first... Dr. Zhang's heartbeat is about to disappear..." Caitlin said with extreme urgency.
Just as the words fell, the backup power generator of STAR Labs kicked on. Caitlin had no time to explain anything as she hurriedly initiated emergency medical treatment for Zhang Tianran.
Seeing this situation, Barry parted his lips wanting to say something, but he had no idea how to speak.
Because he still hadn't figured out just what had happened.
Before you continue