Kree

For the next 48 hours, the laboratory's hierarchy was completely overturned.

Xiao Han stood before the central holographic console, his hands moving nonstop as countless streams of data rotated around him.

Tony became the ideal assistant, fabricating components according to instructions precise down to the smallest detail.

"The Vibranium base needs to be thinner." Xiao Han did not even look up.

"The Uru lattice arrangement must follow this angle exactly."

Tony gritted his teeth as he worked. "Are you sure this curvature won't trigger quantum decoherence?"

"I've calculated 642 possibilities." Xiao Han casually brought up a string of formulas. "Use this magnetic field to compensate."

When the final component clicked into place, Xiao Han held his hands above the reactor.

Golden light blazed in his eyes as Heat Vision spot-welded the critical nodes at intervals precise to the picosecond.

"Activate."

Bzzzz.

Every electronic device in the laboratory shut down at once.

Inside the central reactor, a single photon suddenly came into being, followed by two, then four... multiplying exponentially.

Tony instinctively stepped back half a pace. "God..."

A miniature golden sun was born within the reactor, its light gentle yet containing terrifying energy. The data screens refreshed frantically:

[Energy output: 128,000 megawatts]

[Stability: 99.999%]

[Estimated continuous operating time: 12,000 years]

"This..."

Tony's voice trembled slightly. "Did we just create Eternal Energy?"

Xiao Han reached out and lightly touched the protective barrier, the Artificial Sun's radiance flowing across his fingertips. "A key powerful enough to propel human civilization forward."

Tony suddenly grabbed Xiao Han by the shoulders. "You have to tell me—this technology... this way of thinking... how do I get a brain like yours?!"

The golden light in Xiao Han's eyes gradually receded, revealing a mysterious smile. "I'll tell you next time. Right now..."

He pointed at the energy monitor that had begun blaring alarms. "We need to solve the heat dissipation problem first, unless you want Manhattan turned into a volcanic crater."

Tony looked at the temperature curve that had already shot into the danger zone, then suddenly burst out laughing. "Ha! Bring it on! JARVIS, activate all cooling systems!"

Several hours later.

The Artificial Sun burned steadily within the reactor, its golden glow illuminating the entire laboratory.

Tony Stark stared at the readings on the data screen, his fingers unconsciously tapping the table as excitement and a trace of barely perceptible awe flickered in his eyes.

"128,000 megawatts..."

He murmured softly. "That's enough to supply the entire East Coast's power needs, and..."

His gaze shifted to Xiao Han. "Are you sure this thing won't suddenly lose control and blow us all to kingdom come?"

Xiao Han folded his arms and leaned against the lab bench, the corners of his lips curving upward. "As long as the magnetic containment doesn't collapse, it's safe."

"Oh, that's incredibly reassuring." Tony rolled his eyes, but the smile at his lips betrayed him.

He lightly tapped the reactor's protective barrier. The Artificial Sun's glow rippled faintly, then returned to normal.

"So, besides serving as your power bank, what else can this thing do?"

"A lot." Xiao Han straightened and walked toward the holographic display, swiping his fingers to bring up a new set of data models.

"For example..."

His fingertips traced an energy path through the projection. The Artificial Sun's energy was guided into an entirely new structural model, forming a blazing beam.

"A directed-energy weapon?" Tony raised a brow.

"No." Xiao Han shook his head. "Cross-dimensional energy transmission."

Tony's expression froze for a moment before he abruptly leaned toward the projection. "Wait, you mean you can use this energy to go directly somewhere else?"

"In theory, yes."

Xiao Han nodded. "I fused solar energy into it, giving it extremely high malleability. With precise control, it can simulate the energy properties of any dimension. More accurately, magic."

A wild spark instantly ignited in Tony's eyes. "Xiao, what do I need to learn magic?!"

"Sir, you have been working continuously for 72 hours," JARVIS reminded him.

"Who cares!" Tony waved him off.

"We'll talk about it later. Let's finish this first." Xiao Han chuckled without arguing.

He walked up to the projection, golden light glimmering faintly in his eyes as his Super Brain rapidly calculated the optimal solution for the energy flow.

The two fell silent. Only the hum of the holographic projection and Tony's occasional low curses remained in the laboratory.

Three hours later.

"Done!"

Tony slammed the virtual confirmation button. The model in the holographic projection abruptly contracted, forming a perfect closed energy loop.

"Want to try it?"

Xiao Han nodded and raised a hand to press it against the reactor's control terminal.

The Artificial Sun's energy was channeled into his body, golden streams flowing like liquid.

He drew a circle with his hand.

Bzzzz.

Space twisted slightly. Golden sparks burst from the center of the ring-shaped device, then rapidly expanded into a stable circular portal.

On the other side was a barren red desert beneath a strange purplish-red sky.

"Mars?" Tony narrowed his eyes.

"No." Xiao Han shook his head. "The Mirror Dimension."

Tony whipped around. "What is that? Did we really just use technology to open a magical dimension?!"

"The boundary between technology and magic was always blurry." Xiao Han withdrew his hand, and the portal slowly closed.

"This is only a preliminary test. The real applications come later."

Tony stared at the ring-shaped device, now calm once more, then suddenly grinned. "Xiao, do you know what this means?"

"Hmm?"

"You made history." Near-fanatical excitement flashed in Tony's eyes.

"No, not just history. You redefined the possibilities of energy!"

Xiao Han smiled faintly but said nothing.

His Super Hearing caught an unusual disturbance in the distant sky: a faint energy fluctuation approaching New York at tremendous speed.

"Tony," he suddenly said.

"What is it?" Tony noticed the change in him and frowned.

"We have guests." Xiao Han looked up at the ceiling, his gaze piercing through layers of metal to the sky beyond.

"And they aren't friendly."

Tony reacted instantly and rapidly initiated his armor-up sequence. "JARVIS, activate the tower's defense protocols. Scan the skies over New York!"

"Unidentified flying object detected, sir," JARVIS's voice rang out.

"Energy signature match... not of any technology known to Earth."

Xiao Han had already risen into the air, the golden patterns on his black armor faintly glowing. "I'll take a look."

"Wait!" Tony called after him. "Don't play hero alone this time. Remember to call me!"

Xiao Han glanced back at him, the corner of his lips lifting. "Get your armor on, Mustache."

Before his words had faded, his figure had already become a streak of black light, blasting through the laboratory skylight and shooting into the heavens.

Tony watched the direction Xiao Han had gone, muttered a curse, then accelerated the armor-up process.

"JARVIS, activate the Mark 6 Nanotech Armor! Preheat all weapon systems!"

"Sir, this armor has not yet been tested."

"Isn't now the test?"

"Ready, sir."

Tony put on the wristband and tapped it twice. The armor surged forth like a tide, instantly covering his entire body. The moment the helmet formed, the armor's power core roared to life.

He took a deep breath, bent his knees slightly, and the thrusters erupted at once.

"All right, you alien bastards..." His voice came through the armor, carrying a trace of excitement and fighting spirit.

"Welcome to Earth."