Tony frowned as he looked at the “spare parts” strewn all over the alley.
These weren’t ordinary thugs.
Dealing with them would require a more professional approach.
He raised a hand and pressed the communicator beside his helmet.
His tone returned to its usual casual ease, yet carried an unquestionable command.
“Happy, bring the ‘Cleaning Crew’ to XX Alley.”
“The usual drill. Clean it all up. I don’t want to see any headlines in tomorrow’s paper about ‘robot brawls’ or ‘unidentified armed combatants.'”
This was Stark Industries’ standard operating procedure for handling various “troubles”—efficient and discreet.
On the other end of the line, Happy, clearly long accustomed to this, agreed without hesitation.
In the alley, Lin Xuan felt the power boiling within him from the battle gradually subside.
The enhancement from the Super Soldier Serum far exceeded his expectations.
Dealing with these so-called elite agents was like an adult fighting a child.
But his attention was now completely focused within his mind.
The System’s crisp notification sounded like the most beautiful music to his ears!
[Side Quest: Behind-the-Scenes Mastermind—Completed!]
[Quest Reward: +50 Technology Points.]
[Current Technology Points: 90.]
*Ninety Technology Points!*
This generous windfall instantly made a long-brewing plan in Lin Xuan’s mind clear and feasible.
*Upgrade the “Xiongxin”!*
The Super Gene Core he had obtained from the Shenhe Civilization’s gene bank possessed infinite potential.
But the computing power of its current Version 1.0 was already struggling to keep pace with his increasingly ambitious technological visions.
*It must be upgraded!
The computing bottleneck must be completely eliminated!*
*This will pave the way for even more advanced technological research in the future!*
Lin Xuan immediately communicated with the System in his mind.
*System, I have 90 Technology Points.
Is that enough to initiate the upgrade program for the “Xiongxin”?*
His will was clear and resolute.
*I want to use my optimized Miniature Ark Reactor as its dedicated, deeply integrated power core!*
[System Response: Permissions confirmed.
Initiating [Xiongxin V1.0] upgrade program.]
[Compatible Energy Module Detected: Miniature Ark Reactor (Optimized Version).]
[Beginning Integration Analysis…]
[Warning: Energy module integration involves core architecture reshaping. Requires an absolutely stable, ultra-clean environment and high-precision, atomic-level manipulation equipment.]
[Estimated Basic Construction and Calibration Time: 72 Standard Hours.]
The System’s response was precise and efficient, but it also imposed stringent conditions.
An ultra-clean environment, atomic-level manipulation equipment, and a full three days.
Hearing the System’s requirements for environment and time, Lin Xuan’s gaze turned to Tony, who was giving Happy his final instructions.
He stepped forward, waited for Tony to hang up, and spoke directly.
“Tony, I need a lab.”
His tone was calm, yet carried an unquestionable seriousness.
“Top-tier, absolutely quiet, equipped with the highest-precision microscopic manipulation equipment and an independent, high-power energy supply.”
“I’m about to perform a critical technical upgrade. I might need to be fully immersed for a few days, and I cannot be disturbed.”
Tony just hung up the phone.
Hearing Lin Xuan’s string of demands, a “I knew this would happen” expression crossed his face.
Then, with a grand wave of his hand, he regained his signature confidence and swagger.
“Piece of cake!”
Tony grinned, his eyes gleaming behind his sunglasses.
“My Malibu ocean-view villa’s underground lab is all yours! It meets every single one of your requirements, and the scenery is top-notch!”
A moment later, a sleek Audi sports car sped through the streets of Washington.
Tony Stark held the steering wheel distractedly, occasionally glancing at the rearview mirror to ensure no unwanted flies were tailing them.
The car’s intelligent system was projecting holographic reports and emails from Stark Industries before him.
Every now and then, Pepper Potts’ face would appear on the communication screen, her expression a mix of worry and a hint of playful scolding.
Tony drove recklessly while multitasking, handling a barrage of information with a mix of effortless skill and harried desperation.
Lin Xuan sat in the passenger seat, watching Tony’s frantic multitasking, and suddenly spoke.
“Tony.”
His voice was quiet, yet it carried clearly to Tony’s ears.
“Have you ever considered that Pepper might be more adept at the day-to-day management of Stark Industries than you are?”
Tony’s grip on the steering wheel tightened almost imperceptibly, and he glanced at Lin Xuan in the rearview mirror.
Lin Xuan continued, his tone calm.
“You should be freed up to focus on the things that only ‘Tony Stark’ can do.”
Tony fell silent for a few seconds, then quickly recovered his usual flippant demeanor, a smirk spreading across his face.
“Oh? Does that sound like advice from another genius?”
He paused, unusually slow to retort.
“Hmm… Pepper really is irreplaceable, alright. Maybe you have a point.”
For once, he didn’t immediately deflect with a joke.
A flicker of genuine consideration crossed his eyes.
Perhaps the mutual recognition between geniuses made him take Lin Xuan’s seemingly casual suggestion more seriously.
The sports car tore down the road, swiftly arriving at the ultra-modern luxury villa perched on the cliffs of Malibu, California.
Sun, sand, waves, and a steel fortress brimming with high-tech sophistication.
Lin Xuan followed Tony, stepping once again into the private research lab—a subterranean sanctuary that somehow boasted an unparalleled ocean view.
The familiar holographic interface hovered in the air, shimmering with a faint blue glow.
Mechanical arms of various shapes and purposes, along with precision instruments, stood silently like slumbering steel.
At the center of the lab, a small reactor model—clearly an independent power supply—steadily output energy.
The technology here seemed even more advanced than during his last visit, a perfect blend of Tony Stark’s penchant for showmanship and his commitment to utilitarianism.
“So? Satisfied with the environment?” Tony asked, spreading his arms wide as if presenting his masterpiece.
Lin Xuan nodded in approval, a hint of admiration flashing in his eyes.
*As expected of Tony Stark,* he thought.
*The conditions in this lab perfectly met the System’s requirements.*
Taking a deep breath, Lin Xuan wasted no more time and strode to the main control console.
He skillfully connected his portable personal terminal to the lab’s main system.
A torrent of pale blue data surged forth, instantly syncing with the facility’s network.
Through the system, Lin Xuan brought up two blueprints of breathtaking complexity.
One was the complete blueprint of the Miniature Ark Reactor, a design he had finally optimized to perfection, boasting an exquisite structure and a flawless energy output curve.
The other was the internal schematic of the “Xiongxin,” a design as vast and intricate as a cosmic star map.
Countless microscopic nodes and energy conduits intertwined, hinting at an unimaginable computational potential.
Lin Xuan’s gaze was focused and sharp.
His consciousness sank into the system as he issued the final command.
“System, lock down the laboratory environment. Activate the highest level of physical and information security!”
“Begin upgrading [Xiongxin V1.0] and synchronize the integration of the Ark Reactor energy core!”
*Command confirmed.*
[Technology Points -90, Current Technology Points: 0.]
[Xiongxin upgrade initiated!]