Nanotechnology

Tony was immersed in a holographic model of nanotechnology, his fingers rapidly manipulating the molecular structure diagrams as he muttered energy-conduction parameters under his breath.

Xiao Han suddenly looked up, a playful smile curling at the corner of his mouth. His Super Hearing had already picked up someone approaching.

"Tony, put away your little toys." Xiao Han tapped the control console.

"We have guests."

"What? Not now! I'm looking at a critical section..."

Before Tony could finish, JARVIS sounded the alarm. "Sir, a S.H.I.E.L.D. Quinjet has been detected approaching. It is expected to reach the landing pad in thirty seconds."

Tony cursed and quickly shut down the holographic projection. "JARVIS! Activate the data-encryption protocol and hide all research related to nanotechnology!"

Xiao Han leisurely walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window and watched the black aircraft slowly descend onto the landing pad of Stark Tower.

Nick Fury's iconic black trench coat whipped violently in the gale stirred up by the propellers.

"This guy is getting more and more fond of dropping by uninvited." Tony irritably scratched at his hair.

"After he mentioned the Avengers Initiative last time, I made it clear that I refused."

Xiao Han chuckled softly. "He's here for me."

The instant the elevator doors opened, Fury's single eye locked onto Xiao Han.

Two fully armed agents followed behind him, but Xiao Han noticed that both of their fingers were well away from the triggers. Clearly, Fury had learned from last time.

"Mr. Xiao." Fury's voice was low, with a hint of restraint.

"We need to discuss what you did in New Mexico."

Tony stepped between them. "Hey! Nick, this is my territory. If you want to talk, make an appointment first..."

"It's fine, Tony." Xiao Han patted him on the shoulder. "I'd like to hear what the half-automatic cotton picker has to say, too."

Fury's gaze swept around the laboratory before finally stopping on the case containing the Uru. "As far as I know, you accessed alien technology without authorization. Now it seems you also brought alien material back without permission."

Xiao Han raised an eyebrow. "So?"

"So?" Fury's voice rose a little.

"Do you know that violates the Alien Technology Control Protocol? Those things could pose a threat to Earth's security!"

Xiao Han couldn't help laughing. "Uh, did you get something wrong? I'm not your agent, and I'm not under S.H.I.E.L.D.'s jurisdiction.

I'll go wherever I want, and I'll bring back whatever I want. In short, I'll do whatever I want."

Fury's expression darkened. "Everyone has to follow the rules, Mr. Xiao. Even a... special individual like you."

"Rules?"

Xiao Han's gaze suddenly turned dangerous. "You mean following the rules the way you secretly researched the Tesseract? Or following the rules the way you allowed Hydra to infiltrate you?"

Fury's single eye narrowed slightly. "That's our internal affair."

"I know far more than you imagine, Director." Xiao Han took a step forward, and his Biofield silently spread out. The air throughout the laboratory seemed to solidify.

"For example, the Tesseract project currently under secret investigation. For example, the Winter Soldier hidden at a base in Siberia. And then there's..."

He deliberately drew out his words. "Carol Danvers."

The moment that name left his mouth, the atmosphere in the room changed.

Fury's expression instantly became extremely colorful. The two agents instinctively reached for their weapons, only to find themselves unable to move the next second.

Xiao Han's Biofield had already brought them completely under his control.

"Relax, cotton picker." Xiao Han's voice returned to normal.

"I'm not interested in your little secrets. But if you continue interfering with my actions in that manner..."

Xiao Han paused, his body floating into the air as golden light ignited in his eyes. "I won't mind letting S.H.I.E.L.D. experience what Superman's fury feels like."

Fury's single eye stared fixedly at Xiao Han. "You think you're invincible now, do you? You're not the only superhero in this world."

Xiao Han landed on the ground and shrugged. "Of course I'm not invincible. If you think it's necessary to call Captain Marvel back from her vigilante work in outer space, go ahead and try.

I'm curious which is stronger—her photon energy or my Heat Vision."

Fury's breathing became noticeably more hurried. "How exactly do you know all this?"

"I suggest you read some Superman comics and learn what abilities Superman has." Xiao Han turned and walked toward the window, his back to Fury.

"Now, if there's nothing else, Tony and I still have work to finish."

The laboratory fell silent.

Tony looked at Xiao Han, then at Fury, and wisely kept his mouth shut.

In the end, Fury took a deep breath and turned toward the elevator. "Thank you for the reminder, Mr. Xiao. S.H.I.E.L.D. will be keeping an eye on you."

Before the elevator doors closed, Xiao Han said without turning his head, "Uh, I think you'd be better off picking cotton."

The instant the elevator doors shut, Tony let out an exaggerated whistle. "Wow! Xiao, you were incredibly cool just now! But who's Carol Danvers? And what's the deal with Pierce?"

Xiao Han withdrew his Biofield, and the air in the laboratory began flowing again. "Carol is Fury's trump card, an energy manipulator who can fly through space. As for Pierce..."

He revealed a meaningful smile. "That's S.H.I.E.L.D.'s own problem."

Tony nodded thoughtfully, then suddenly became excited. "So you really can hear sounds from anywhere on Earth?"

"I told you, Tony, I'm not interested in your private life." Xiao Han rolled his eyes.

"Now, do you want to continue researching your Nanotech Armor?"

"Of course!" Tony immediately tossed the earlier conflict to the back of his mind. "JARVIS! Bring up the data from earlier!"

Meanwhile, aboard S.H.I.E.L.D.'s Quinjet, a glint flickered in Fury's single eye.

He took out an old-fashioned pager and hovered his thumb over the call button for a long while, but eventually put it away.

"Not yet..." he muttered to himself.

Tony Stark was completely focused on adjusting the prototype design of the Nanotech Armor, while the holographic projection constantly shifted before him.

Xiao Han stood to one side with his eyes slightly closed, his Super Hearing capturing abnormal energy fluctuations across the globe.

Unfortunately, he didn't hear anything interesting.

The only thing that surprised him was discovering that this world still had some characters who only existed in comics.

For example, the Spider-Man he had seen last time, who was from the first generation.

And Daredevil, Blade, Taskmaster, and others.

Just then, a gentle voice suddenly echoed in Xiao Han's mind.

"Mr. Xiao, if you are willing, Kamar-Taj welcomes your arrival."

Xiao Han opened his eyes.

That voice belonged to The Ancient One.

Tony noticed something was off. "Xiao, what's wrong?"

Xiao Han pondered for a moment. "Tony, I have to leave for a while."

Tony raised an eyebrow. "Where?"

"Nepal." Xiao Han offered no further explanation. "An old friend wants to see me."

Although Tony was puzzled, he still nodded. "All right. I need to figure out this project."

Xiao Han didn't remove his armor. He shot straight into the sky, transforming into a streak of black light as he sped toward Nepal.

Nepal

Kathmandu

Xiao Han landed on an ancient street in Kathmandu, and his Super Senses quickly picked up the energy fluctuations around him.

Soon, he sensed a strange magical energy circulating deep within an alley.

"Found it." He murmured softly and walked toward the concealed magical barrier.

As he approached, golden ripples suddenly spread through the air. A portal slowly opened, revealing the ancient gates of Kamar-Taj.

A stern-faced man in a dark-blue robe stood inside the gate, his hands clasped behind his back as he scrutinized Xiao Han with a sharp gaze.

"Mr. Xiao Han?" His voice was steady.

"I'm Mordo. The Sorcerer Supreme asked me to wait here for you."

Xiao Han nodded. "Lead the way."

Mordo stepped aside, and Xiao Han walked into Kamar-Taj.

In an instant, the surrounding scenery changed dramatically: ancient wooden buildings, burning incense burners, magical energy filling the air, and sorcerers practicing spells in the distance.

This was the sanctuary of Earth's magic.

Mordo walked ahead, his tone calm. "The Sorcerer Supreme is waiting for you."

Xiao Han said nothing more. He followed Mordo through the corridor until they finally arrived outside a quiet meditation room.

The door slowly opened. The Ancient One was seated cross-legged on a cushion, with a steaming cup of tea placed before her.

She raised her head and smiled faintly. "Mr. Xiao Han, welcome to Kamar-Taj."