Xavier Institute

Deep within the underground cavern

A blue crystal floated in midair like a frozen river of stars, its glow brightening and dimming with the rhythm of breathing.

Xiao Han stood before it, his Super-Sight piercing through its surface to see the currents of energy flowing within.

"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Andrew suddenly said softly. "Like it's alive."

Xiao Han did not deny it. "It really is."

"After we touched it, we could make things fly." Steve scratched his head.

"At first, it was only small things. Then..."

"Then it began affecting you." Xiao Han finished for him, his gaze returning to Andrew. "Especially you."

Andrew's shoulders trembled. "How did you know?"

"Because your energy response is the strongest."

Xiao Han stepped closer, his voice quiet. "What did it plant in your heart? Anger? Or... loneliness?"

Andrew's breathing quickened, his fingers unconsciously digging into his palm. "It made me... powerful."

"Power isn't a bad thing," Xiao Han said. "But power is like fire. It can keep you warm, or burn everything to ashes."

Matt could not help but interrupt. "What exactly is this stone?"

Xiao Han fell silent for a moment. "I'm not sure. But it doesn't belong to Earth."

Steve's eyes widened. "Alien technology?"

"Or something worse."

Xiao Han reached out and gently touched the crystal's surface. Energy ripples spread outward, and a faint glow appeared at his fingertips.

Andrew suddenly stepped forward. "Can you... take it away?"

Xiao Han looked at him. "Do you want me to?"

Andrew lowered his head, his voice almost inaudible. "I can't control myself... Sometimes, I just want everyone to shut up."

The cavern fell silent for several seconds.

Xiao Han asked inwardly, System, can you absorb this thing?

[Yes, Host! Get closer to it.]

Xiao Han withdrew his hand and looked at them. "I can take it away. But your abilities won't disappear."

"What will happen to Andrew?" Matt asked nervously.

"That depends on him." Xiao Han looked at Andrew. "Abilities are tools, not masters."

Andrew bit his lip and said nothing.

Xiao Han did not urge him. He simply stood there quietly.

Finally, Andrew took a deep breath. "Please take it away!"

Xiao Han nodded and pressed his hand against the crystal.

The crystal suddenly erupted with blinding light!

[Ding! Alien energy radiation detected]

[Analyzing... Resonating with the Host's Biofield]

[Telekinesis ability fusion in progress...]

Xiao Han felt the energy structure inside his body being reorganized, a brand-new power stirring at the ends of his nerves.

He tried lifting a stone with his mind, and it immediately floated into the air as lightly as a feather.

"Finer control than the Biofield..." Xiao Han muttered.

With a thought, the blue light surged. The entire crystal began shrinking until it finally turned into a streak of light and disappeared into his palm.

[Ding! Energy absorption complete]

[Telekinesis module and Biofield have fused]

[Biofield greatly enhanced!]

The mine grew dark, leaving only the beams of their flashlights.

"It's over?" Steve asked blankly.

"No." Xiao Han shook his head. "This is only the beginning."

He walked toward the cave entrance, and the three of them followed instinctively. The night wind brushed past them as starlight fell across the four of them.

"If you want to learn how to control your abilities," Xiao Han said, turning back with a faint smile.

"I can help you."

Andrew finally raised his head. "You'll teach us?"

"I know a place." There was a hint of amusement in Xiao Han's voice.

"After all, every superpowered person needs someone to guide them."

A faint golden glow appeared in Xiao Han's eyes. His Super-Sight pierced through layer after layer of obstacles and quickly locked onto a secluded manor on the outskirts of New York.

It radiated a unique energy signature, completely different from that of ordinary humans.

"Found it." He spoke softly, his gaze sweeping over the three young men. "Are you ready?"

Matt pushed up his glasses, his voice trembling slightly. "Where are we going?"

"Somewhere that can help you."

Xiao Han smiled faintly as his Biofield silently spread out and enveloped the three of them. "Hold on tight."

The next second, all four of them soared into the sky, and the lights of New York rapidly shrank beneath their feet.

Andrew gripped Steve's arm tightly, but his eyes shone with astonishing brightness.

Matt let out a cry of alarm, then was left speechless by the sight before him.

The wind howled past their ears, but the Biofield blocked most of the airflow, allowing them to breathe steadily.

Xiao Han controlled their speed, making sure the three of them would not feel uncomfortable.

"Is that Xavier's School for Gifted Youngsters?" Matt suddenly recognized their destination, his voice rising with excitement.

"Oh my God, that's the X-Men's headquarters!"

Steve's eyes widened. "Wait, you mean those mutants?"

Xiao Han did not answer, because he had already sensed a powerful psychic energy scanning them.

It was Charles Xavier's mental tendrils—Professor X.

By the time the four of them landed on the lawn before the school, a group of figures was already waiting for them.

At the front was a bald man in a wheelchair, wisdom gleaming in his gentle blue eyes.

Several X-Men stood behind him. Cyclops warily adjusted his ruby-quartz glasses; Storm's white hair fluttered in the night wind; Wolverine stood half-hidden behind them, smoking a cigar.

"Welcome. What should I call you, Mr. Superman?"

Professor X's voice was gentle. "And these three young people. I can sense... unusual energy within you."

Xiao Han gave a slight nod. "Charles, I've heard much about you. My name is Xiao Han. You can call me Xiao. These three young people gained superpowers by accident, but they lack guidance."

He briefly explained the matter of the blue crystal, skipping the part about absorbing its energy.

Professor X's gaze lingered on Andrew in particular for a moment, and his brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"I can feel the pain in your heart, child," he said softly. "But this can be your home."

Andrew instinctively took half a step back, his fingers trembling slightly. "Can you... read my thoughts?"

"Only the parts you are willing to share," Professor X replied gently, then turned to Xiao Han.

"Thank you for bringing them here, Mr. Xiao. But I'm curious—how did you find this place?"

The corner of Xiao Han's mouth rose. "Super-Sight and perception. Your psychic barrier is strong, but buildings cannot hide their energy signatures."

Cyclops stepped forward. "Professor, we need to confirm his intentions."

"Relax, Scott." Professor X waved a hand. "If Mr. Xiao had malicious intent, we would have known long ago."

He looked at Xiao Han. "How about coming inside for some tea? I believe we have much to discuss."

Xiao Han nodded in agreement, and the group headed toward the school. Andrew and the other two were taken away by Hank McCoy.

That was Beast, who took them to get settled, while Xiao Han followed Professor X to his study.

Inside the study, Professor X poured two cups of tea. "So, Mr. Xiao, aside from bringing those three young people here, what is the true purpose of your visit?"

Xiao Han accepted the teacup and looked directly into Professor X's eyes. "To make a friend. If one day this world faces an unprecedented threat, then we will need to unite every force we can."

"You mean?"

"Cosmic overlords, the ruler of the Dark Dimension, and invaders from other dimensions." Xiao Han's voice was low.

"Mutants and the other forces on Earth—we need an alliance."

A flicker of surprise passed through Professor X's eyes. "You are calmer than I imagined. But relations between mutants and humans are already tense. Openly forming an alliance with other superpowered individuals..."

"That is exactly why we need to prepare in advance."

Xiao Han set down his teacup. "Charles, your ideals are noble, but sometimes understanding and tolerance alone are not enough. When a real crisis arrives, we need to be prepared."

The two fell silent, with only the occasional soft crackle of firewood in the fireplace.

At last, Professor X slowly nodded. "I will consider your proposal. But before that..."

His words abruptly stopped, and his brows knitted tightly.

Xiao Han had sensed the anomaly long ago—the energy fluctuations around the school's perimeter—but he had not cared.

"There's an intruder!" Professor X's voice turned grave. "It's Magneto!"

The alarm rang throughout the entire school, and the X-Men swiftly entered combat readiness.

Xiao Han rose to his feet, golden light flowing through his eyes. "It seems our conversation will have to be interrupted for now."

Professor X nodded gravely. "Erik choosing to act tonight is no coincidence. He must have sensed something."

Xiao Han smiled faintly. "Then let's go see what this master of magnetism wants."

Before his words had even faded, the entire school suddenly shook violently, its metal structures emitting piercing sounds of distortion.

Magneto's power was sweeping in from afar.