"Do you know how your father discovered that new element?" Xu Dan placed the Mind Scepter back onto its stand and asked Tony.
The matter of the new Arc Reactor was no secret between the two of them.
Last time, Xu Dan had used that very secret in exchange for Stark Industries—and had even saved Tony's life along the way.
"Uh… my dad never told me. Sorry, I really don't know," Tony replied.
"Then let me tell you. Your father was inspired by the Cosmic Cube when he discovered that new element. In other words, the energy in your chest is an isotope of the Cosmic Cube."
"Hiss—"
Tony scratched his head. He had always prided himself on being a genius, yet at this moment his thoughts were as tangled as a pile of yarn.
What the hell was this?
"So… you're saying the Cosmic Cube and my Arc Reactor are like twin brothers?"
"No," Xu Dan corrected calmly. "It's more like a father–son relationship."
"Alright…" Tony pouted helplessly, inexplicably losing another generation in seniority. "But what does that have to do with you poking me with that scepter?"
"Oh, nothing," Xu Dan shrugged with a smile. "I just wanted to poke you."
"Come on, man," Tony said urgently. "Tell me—what do you actually mean? And what exactly is this 'Mind Gem'? That yellow stone?"
Tony's thirst for knowledge was bordering on obsession. He desperately wanted to uncover the secrets of this alien technology.
That was common among scientific researchers—this kind of stubborn curiosity.
What's more, he could clearly detect an enormous amount of energy within this small object. If it could be modified and integrated into his suit, it would be insanely powerful!
Unfortunately, that plan was doomed from the start—because he had contacted Xu Dan.
Xu Dan wanted this Mind Stone far more than Tony did.
Why?
Don't forget the cube-based cross-server system in Antarctic Biotech.
That cube had six faces—and right now, this was just one Infinity Stone.
And what was the Mind Stone?
Something related to consciousness itself.
With this thing, the idea of "getting stronger by playing games" would no longer be a gimmick—it would become reality!
Before, when he'd shown Gu Yi a glimpse, the result had only been enhanced combat experience for players.
But this was different.
"The Mind Stone really is that gem," Xu Dan confirmed.
"Then what about the Cosmic Cube?" Tony pressed. "You wouldn't mention it for no reason."
"I prefer to call it the Space Stone."
"Space Stone… Mind Stone…" Tony paused. "These two… are they related?"
"They're both Infinity Stones."
"Infinity Stones?"
Tony Stark—the peerless genius—now looked like an elementary school student, obediently waiting for Teacher Xu Dan to explain.
"There are six Infinity Stones in the universe," Xu Dan said calmly. "Besides the two you've seen, the others are the Reality Stone, Power Stone, Time Stone, and Soul Stone."
Tony froze.
He had viewed the world through science his entire life and had studied countless cosmic mysteries.
Yet he had never heard of anything called Infinity Stones!
"Wait—man," Tony said slowly. "You're not just making this up on the spot, are you? Planning a new game or something?"
"Hah." Xu Dan smiled meaningfully.
Tony instantly understood.
Ashamed, he covered his face with his large hand.
His once-proud knowledge now felt laughably shallow compared to Xu Dan's.
It was like a top sixth-grader talking to a university professor!
"Wait—how do you know all this?" Tony demanded.
They were both humans. Both born on Earth.
In fact, Tony's upbringing and access to knowledge had been far superior.
So how had things turned out like this?
Could it be that all those women were really only interested in his money—and not his talent?
Oh God. Damn it.
"I've seen it," Xu Dan replied simply.
"Seen it?" Tony felt his imagination was already rich—but he couldn't even begin to imagine how Xu Dan had "seen" all this.
He wanted to see it too!
What Tony didn't know was that Xu Dan's "seeing" had nothing to do with books or telescopes.
It was simply the perspective of an ordinary audience.
Something Tony would never experience in his lifetime.
"Well," Tony sighed, nodding slowly. "I've really broadened my horizons today. I'll need time to digest all this."
Then he looked at the scepter again.
"So… what do we do with it?"
Now that he knew the Mind Stone was one of the six Infinity Stones, its value was unquestionable.
A treasure of the universe couldn't be wasted.
It even dispelled his earlier thought of keeping it for himself.
Besides, with his current level of understanding, he couldn't analyze its energy at all.
Who knew that while humans were studying alien technology, that same technology might be studying them?
Xu Dan didn't answer directly.
Instead, he raised his hand.
Tony's pupils shrank instantly.
Xu Dan reached toward the gem embedded in the scepter.
That move—no matter who did it—was insanely dangerous!
Even Earth's own advanced tech couldn't be casually disassembled by force, let alone alien artifacts!
And that gem was one of the six spiritual stones of the universe!
The energy involved was unimaginable!
If something went wrong, not only the lab—even the entire Helicarrier—could be obliterated!
But Tony's worries proved unnecessary.
Xu Dan wasn't reckless.
He merely tested it.
The Mind Stone wouldn't come off.
Apparently, Ultron's finger strength was on another level—when Ultron removed it, it had come off effortlessly.
"Phew…"
Tony let out a long breath of relief.
But he relaxed far too soon.
The next instant—
The entire cabin shook violently!!
Boom—!!
A thunderous explosion rocked the S.H.I.E.L.D. Helicarrier!
"What the hell?!" Tony shouted in disbelief, instinctively glancing at the Mind Scepter again.
Xu Dan clearly hadn't removed it, and none of the instruments showed abnormal energy readings.
Which meant—
The attack came from outside.
Tony struggled to maintain his balance when Xu Dan said firmly:
"Suit up. We're under attack."
"I was just thinking the same thing!" Tony nodded rapidly. "Nothing feels safer than a metal suit right now!"
At this moment, the enemy could only be Loki's accomplices.
And this time—
He was joining the fight.
-----------------------
Completed English PDF of this fan-fic on my Patreon shop if you want to support and own the full fan-fic in one go. Just grab the PDF and binge the entire story from start to finish!
Guys, I've uploaded some High Quality english translated fanfic on my Patreon shop! Feel free to check it out-if you're interested, you can grab a copy and support me there.
Here are a few titles of recently uploaded fanfics:
New Addition
" Marvel: Endless Superpowers "
" Marvel: Venom Devours the Myriad Worlds "
" Marvel: Starting by Playing the Role of Naruto "
" American Comics: A Certain Black-Suited Superman "
" Marvel: Starting by Obtaining the Super Soldier Serum "
" American Comics: Obtaining Black Technology Starting "
" Father-Worry System, I Raise Homelander in Marvel "
" I Am Spider-Man in Marvel "
" Marvel: I Trade Uncle Ben for Punishment—Spider Appears! "
" In the Marvel World, I Am a Super Genius! "
" American Comics: Transforming into Tokisaki Kurumi "
" Marvel: A Wizard Descending "
many more are available 100+
Your support means a lot-thanks in advance, legends!
patreon.com/SuperTL
(End of Chapter)