The Secret of Crossing Worlds

In the underground laboratory late at night, the hum of the air conditioner's outdoor unit drifted faintly through the window. Beneath the dim yellow glow of a desk lamp, Li absentmindedly rubbed the memory chip Natasha had left behind. Its dark blue indicator light flickered on and off, reflecting his tightly furrowed brow. Gwen knelt on the carpet amid scattered parts, carefully using tweezers to adjust the damaged disruptor. The clinks of metal were crisp and chaotic. Wanda sat quietly on the sofa in the corner, scarlet magic flickering at her fingertips like dancing flames as it slowly repaired her torn sleeve.

The silence was broken by Li's heavy sigh. He raised his head, his gaze shifting between his two companions. His voice was low and hoarse, as though he had made an enormous decision. "There's something I have to tell you."

The screwdriver in Gwen's hand clattered onto the table. She abruptly turned her head, eyes widening. Wanda also stopped her magic and looked up, her scarlet eyes filled with confusion.

Li took a deep breath and slowly walked to the computer, pointing at the constantly fluctuating data waves on the screen. "Ever since we encountered Amora, I've been thinking. There are too many forces in this world that go beyond conventional understanding: magic, dimensional rifts, and those mysterious S.H.I.E.L.D. files..." He paused, rapidly tapping the keyboard and bringing up a complex formula model. Dense equations flickered across the screen. "I've been secretly researching a plan: to use Stark Industries' cutting-edge technology, combined with our research into magic and energy, to create a device capable of opening pathways to other universes."

"What?!" Gwen shot to her feet, her chair scraping harshly across the floor. She stared at Li in disbelief. "Have you lost your mind? Traveling between universes? That's nothing more than a theoretical concept. Countless scientists have spent their entire lives unable to prove it. What makes you think we can do it? This is complete fantasy!" Her voice rose with shock as her hands waved in the air, her eyes full of disbelief.

Li was unaffected by Gwen's agitation. He rapidly typed on the keyboard, and a vast number of encrypted files and experimental records appeared on the screen as data scrolled by at high speed. "These are why. Ever since I first detected the abnormal energy fluctuations, I've been collecting data. Look, these energy frequencies and quantum entanglement phenomena closely match the conditions I deduced for opening an interuniversal passage." His fingers slid across the screen, and a fanatical light gleamed in his eyes. "We already have Wanda's magic as an energy sample. Gwen, the equipment you modified can capture special fluctuations. If we can find a stable energy source and build a device capable of tearing open space, we might be able to open that door."

Wanda quietly watched the data on the screen. Magic flowed more intensely around her, sending ripples through the air. She bit her lip, her tone carrying both realization and worry. "So that's why you've always been researching late at night, conducting all those strange experiments... It was all for this plan? Li, do you know how dangerous this is?"

Li nodded heavily. Remembering the catastrophic scenes from the comics, his voice became unconsciously solemn. "Amora's appearance is only the beginning. There will be even stronger enemies in the future. If we can master the power of the Multiverse, we can make preparations in advance and perhaps... change some tragedies that are destined to happen. The sacrifices of those superheroes, the deaths of innocent lives... we might be able to change all of it."

Gwen sat back down and absentmindedly spun the screwdriver in her hand, its cold metallic touch gradually calming her. "But this is too risky. One wrong move could cause unimaginable disaster. Think about it: what if, after we open the passage, what comes out isn't hope, but even more terrifying monsters?" Though she spoke against it, her gaze was gradually drawn to the research on the screen, curiosity and thirst for knowledge surging within her.

"That's why I need you." Li walked before them and looked at them with unwavering determination. "Wanda's magic can sense changes in energy, and Gwen's creativity can turn theory into reality. This is no longer my plan alone. It's our shared goal. If we face it together, we'll succeed."

The common room fell into brief silence, broken only by the hum of the computer's cooling fan. After a long while, Wanda held out her hand. Scarlet magic condensed into a tiny sphere of energy, its glow illuminating her resolute face. "Count me in. But promise me that we'll face any dangerous attempt together. I don't want to see innocent people get hurt because of these unknown powers ever again."

Gwen rolled her eyes, but she still slapped her screwdriver onto the table, the corners of her mouth lifting despite herself. "I really don't know what to do with you two. But let me make this clear first: if you cause some kind of mess, don't expect me to clean it up. Still, if we're doing this, then we're doing it right!"

Over the following days, the three of them threw themselves wholeheartedly into the plan, and the laboratory became piled high with all kinds of documents and experimental equipment. However, Li knew they needed more professional support. So he stood outside the laboratory at Tony Stark Industries Tower, his heart filled with unease. Through the glass, he saw Professor Helen Cho intently operating a microscope, her eyes behind the lenses radiating rigor and focus.

Taking a deep breath, Li knocked on the door and entered after receiving permission. Helen Cho looked up at the sound of footsteps, adjusted her glasses, and revealed a gentle smile. "You little brat, what do you need from me?"

Li walked over to her side and looked at the cell sample beneath the microscope as he gathered his thoughts. "Auntie, I've been researching a project recently and ran into some difficulties. I wanted to hear your opinion." He briefly recounted the recent events, from encountering Amora to the discoveries made by the three of them, before finally revealing the plan to cross worlds.

Helen Cho's expression instantly turned grave. She took off her glasses, rubbed the bridge of her nose, then walked to the whiteboard and picked up a marker, writing down several strings of formulas. The only sound in the laboratory was the scratch of the marker against the board, and the atmosphere became oppressive.

"Li, the energy required to open a Multiverse passage is far beyond anything current human technology can control." Helen Cho pointed to the formulas, her tone stern and her eyes full of concern. "Even if we used the entire Earth's energy reserves, we still couldn't generate enough power. And our current manipulation of quantum-level phenomena still suffers signal loss even in the most basic quantum communications, let alone stably tearing open Space Dimension. It would be like trying to move a mountain with a tree branch. It simply isn't realistic."

She set down the marker, turned to Li, and continued, "As for using magical energy as a breakthrough, that's far too dangerous. Magic isn't bound by physical laws, so it can't be precisely measured or controlled. It's like a nuclear reaction: if you can't control the critical mass, once it goes out of control, the result is a catastrophic disaster. But magic energy's 'critical threshold' cannot be calculated at all. No one knows what consequences it will produce when it erupts. It might cause a spatial collapse, or it might release unknown evil forces. By then, the entire world could be plunged into irreversible ruin."

"But Professor, we can start with small-scale experiments, explore step by step, gather data, and then improve from there." Li tried to explain, his eyes full of longing for her support.

Helen Cho shook her head firmly and cut him off. "Even small-scale experiments need theoretical models to support them. But right now, we don't even have a complete basic theory of Multiverse interaction. Without a sound theory, it's like flying a plane through fog. Any tiny mistake could lead to irreversible consequences. And have you considered the ethical issues involved in this experiment? If innocent people are harmed because of it, can you bear that responsibility?"

Her gaze was full of worry. "I understand your ambition, but this plan is far too risky. At this stage, it simply isn't feasible. I can't stand by and watch you young people do something so dangerous because of a burst of passion, especially you, Stark kid."

The laboratory fell silent. Li stared at the formulas on the whiteboard, Helen Cho's words weighing on his heart like dark clouds. He knew the obstacle before him was far greater than he had imagined.