Maya Hansen, being a standard researcher, instinctively pondered the principles behind the Teleportation Door upon first witnessing its function.
However, Li Ming had no intention of explaining anything to Maya Hansen—he simply wasn't interested in her.
What use was a botanist to him? He wasn't a professional pharmacist.
Similarly, Li Ming had zero interest in the Extremis Virus.
While an ordinary person injected with the Extremis Virus might become superhuman, in Li Ming's eyes, it was nothing special.
First, let's talk about the Extremis Virus's limb-regeneration effect. In the past, Li Ming would have admitted he couldn't achieve that—he'd concede defeat.
But now, regenerating limbs was just a trivial matter for him.
Need a limb-regeneration spell? God himself taught it, by the way.
Second, the Extremis Virus's ability to make people breathe fire—what would Li Ming even do with that? If it allowed someone to spit nuclear-reaction fireballs in rapid succession, maybe he'd consider finding a master pharmacist to refine the virus.
Lastly, if Potts hadn't been standing right there, Li Ming would have loved to complain about the side effects of the Extremis Virus right in front of Maya Hansen.
Are we sure this was developed as a drug for humans?
A drug that makes you explode when you get too emotional—did anyone consider humanity's need to reproduce?
If you stretch the imagination further, you could almost suspect that Aldrich Killian was backed by Thanos, and the real purpose of developing the Extremis Virus wasn't some grand dream, but to blatantly curb healthy recreational activities, thereby achieving a sharp population decline.
It all makes perfect sense!
So when Maya Hansen curiously asked about the principles behind the Teleportation Door, Li Ming grew impatient. He waved his hand to open a Teleportation Door leading to downtown New York, gesturing for her to leave as he said, "Sorry, ma'am. That's classified military information."
Maya Hansen glanced at the Teleportation Door. Though filled with curiosity and questions, she wasn't the type to shamelessly overstay her welcome. Offering an awkward yet polite smile to Li Ming and Potts, she stepped through the Teleportation Door.
Just as Maya Hansen returned to the streets of New York, marveling at the wonder of the Teleportation Door, Li Ming suddenly raised his hand and cast a spell on her, erasing all her memories of encountering him.
Nearby, Potts—who had long known Li Ming didn't mind exposing his identity as a mage—paused in surprise when she saw him casting a spell on Maya Hansen.
After Li Ming closed the Teleportation Door, Potts frowned and asked, "Austin, is she connected to the attack on Tony?"
What did I do? How did Potts figure it out so quickly? Or is a woman's sixth sense just naturally that strong? Li Ming scratched his head in confusion and asked, "Why do you ask that?"
As someone who had long mastered the art of reading people, Potts became even more certain that Maya Hansen was connected to Tony's attack upon hearing Li Ming's counter-question. She analyzed with great seriousness, "Why did Maya Hansen appear just minutes before Tony was attacked, of all times?"
"Tony's public declaration of war against the Mandarin is common knowledge. I don't believe she'd be unaware that approaching Tony now would be the most dangerous time."
"Secondly," Potts lowered her voice as she looked at Li Ming, "Your spellcasting on Maya Hansen was too unusual. I suspect she's not just an ordinary person." Hesitating slightly, her face showing urgency, she whispered, "I know you can see the future. Did you see something? Will Tony be alright? Will he get hurt?"
After listening to Potts' simple deduction, Li Ming shrugged and admitted he knew something, saying, "I don't know much—like Maya's relationship with Killian, for example."
Before Li Ming could finish, Potts interrupted, "I just want to know how badly Tony will be injured."
Blinking in surprise, Li Ming asked inexplicably, "How do you know Stark will be injured rather than meeting his maker?"
Potts raised an eyebrow and countered, "If Tony were going to die from this, would you still be standing here chatting with me?" Pointing at Li Ming, she asserted, "Tony told me that at some point in the future, you'll need his help. So you definitely wouldn't let Tony die."
Why is it that when others come to the Marvel world, the protagonists all turn into idiots, but here, everyone becomes sharp as a tack? Anyone can deduce something from the smallest details.
Or is my luck so bad that it's lowering my IQ? With a bewildered expression, Li Ming spread his hands and joked, "Are you planning to give up your business talents and enter the detective field? You're forcing Stark to spend the rest of his life figuring out how to hide his secret stash."
Then, with mock solemnity, he traced a cross in the air and said, "May God bless Stark in inventing a secret vault for his private savings. Maybe it's a very lucrative business."
Seeing Li Ming still in the mood for jokes, Potts inwardly sighed in relief and rolled her eyes. "Are you implying Tony won't be too badly hurt this time? Otherwise, how would he have the energy to think about hiding his secret money?"
"Where's the fun in spoiling it?" Li Ming pointed to the cabin and said, "Why don't you ask Jarvis yourself?"
Ask Jarvis instead of Tony directly? Potts' face stiffened, and she hurried toward the cabin, leaving a thoroughly confused Li Ming behind. Did I say something? Why does Potts seem to have figured something out again? Can someone tell me what's going on here?
Not dwelling on things he couldn't understand was always Li Ming's style. Before his brain turned into mush from overthinking, Li Ming shouted, "Kreacher, bring me a beer~"
Soon after, Potts hurried out of the cabin to where Li Ming was building a sailboat, looking flustered as she said, "I can't reach Tony—only Jarvis responded. He told me the house has been blown to rubble, and Tony is unconscious."
"Good men die young, while troublemakers live forever," Li Ming said calmly. "That's an old saying from our ancestors. It means scoundrels like Stark, who've messed around with countless women, might just live for ten thousand years. So, your husband might just be having one of his old habits flare up, cozying up with some beauty and ignoring his proper girlfriend."
"Austin," Potts said helplessly, "this isn't the time for schadenfreude. I just want to know if Tony is safe."
Sensing that Potts might really lose her temper if he kept teasing, Li Ming shrugged. Activating the tracking spell he'd left on Stark, he placed a hand on Potts' shoulder and, using the power of the Mind Stone, projected the images from his mind into hers.
At the same time, Potts heard Li Ming's voice in her head.
"My spell can only show what Stark is doing. Conversations are out of the question for now."
Though the sudden appearance of images in her mind was strange, Potts immediately pushed aside her curiosity upon seeing Stark with his eyes closed but still breathing. Worried, she asked, "Can you tell where Tony is flying?"
Li Ming shook his head. "No idea. This isn't satellite navigation. Maybe wait until Stark stops moving, then figure out his location based on his surroundings?"
As he spoke, Li Ming withdrew his hand from Potts' shoulder. Using the Mind Stone's power came at a steep cost, and Li Ming wasn't willing to push his luck. Better to quit while he could still afford the price—otherwise, he'd end up a dried-up husk.
Taking a deep breath to steady the violent magical fluctuations caused by the Mind Stone, Li Ming sipped from his glass and glanced at Potts, whose eyes were brimming with tears. After a moment's thought, he said, "I'll keep an eye on Stark for you. If that idiot's in danger, I'll open a portal and drag him back here. How's that?"
Potts forced a smile. "Thank you."
As she wiped the corners of her eyes, she seemed to recall something and asked, "Earlier, you mentioned Maya Hansen and Killian—what did you mean?"
"Ah, that's a long story," Li Ming said, scratching his head. "About a decade ago, Killian was still a nobody..."
By the time Li Ming finished explaining that the so-called "Mandarin" was just a cheap actor hired by Killian, Potts stood frozen in disbelief for a long moment before saying, "So the one attacking Tony isn't the 'Mandarin' but Killian, who was humiliated by Tony before? And Maya Hansen came to warn Tony about Killian's revenge?"
Li Ming nodded. Potts pondered for a moment before running toward the small wooden cabin in visible panic. Clearly, she had realized something again.
Li Ming was utterly confused now: What the hell did I say this time? Why does Potts keep having these sudden realizations?
Before long, Potts came running back to Li Ming, still flustered, and shouted, "Austin, Happy went missing right after leaving the company! I'm worried Killian kidnapped him specifically to target Tony. Can you find Happy?"
"Huh?" Li Ming looked up at the sky speechlessly: Just how much does this universe adore Stark?
In Iron Man 3, Tony experienced Potts being kidnapped and watched her fall from a great height.
Though Potts survived due to being injected with the Extremis Virus, Stark didn't know that at the time—he genuinely thought she'd been splattered on the ground.
Later, when he learned Potts was alive, the emotional rollercoaster of losing and regaining her slightly slowed the spread of his anxiety disorder.
It was a case of misfortune turning into blessing through true love.
Originally, Li Ming thought his appearance to protect Potts had already scrambled the events of Iron Man 3, possibly even preventing Stark from alleviating his anxiety disorder.
He'd even been considering whether he could use the power of the Mind Stone to calm Stark down.
But now, while Potts was fine, Happy was the one in trouble?
Was the cosmic consciousness trying to rely on the bromance between Stark and Happy to ease Stark's anxiety instead?
Did that mean Stark and Happy were the true love story, with Potts just an obstacle between them?
Damn it, cosmic consciousness, you're the real troll here, aren't you?
Clicking his tongue and feeling like he'd been targeted by the cosmos, Li Ming swallowed hard and shook his head, indicating he couldn't locate Happy. At the same time, he firmly declared he wanted no part in this mess.
Going against the cosmic consciousness? That'd be suicide.
As for the reason, Stark had already provided him with the perfect excuse.
Li Ming: "Stark explicitly ordered me not to interfere in his revenge. So sorry, but I can't help Happy."
Li Ming couldn't contact Stark anytime he wanted, but Jarvis could.
This meant that by the time Stark woke up thousands of miles away from the lakeside, his inbox was already flooded with Potts' various caring messages.
Reading Potts' reminders to stay warm, Stark felt a surge of warmth in his heart despite standing in the snow-covered wilderness.
But when he learned that Li Ming, the damn peeping Tom, could monitor his every move at any time, Stark immediately lost his cool. Damn it, being spied on all the time is unbearable! Especially during those late-night and early-morning workouts with Potts... but I digress.
Anyway, Stark felt that his current pathetic state of freezing on the streets couldn't be seen by outsiders. Where would the dignity of the mighty Iron Man be if people saw him like this?
Growing increasingly frustrated, Stark took advantage of the remaining energy in his Armor Suit. While rubbing his hands and stomping his feet to keep warm, he had Jarvis call Li Ming.
Soon after the call connected, Stark said through chattering teeth, "You damn peeping Tom better compensate me for my psychological damages. Like... some hot cocoa and burgers." Rubbing his frozen limbs, he added, "Oh, and bring a fur coat too."
On the other end, Li Ming clearly heard Stark's voice trembling from the cold. After hanging up, he opened a Teleportation Door, ready to enjoy watching Stark tap-dancing in the snow up close.
But when the Teleportation Door opened and he saw icicles practically hanging from Stark's beard, Li Ming couldn't hold back his laughter. With one hand on his hip and the other pointing at Stark, he shouted arrogantly, "So what if I spy on you? Got any proof to sue me? Believe me, I can edit all that surveillance footage—oops, I mean monitoring—and upload it online. Then the whole world will know you're gay and a bottom!"
Stark's face darkened with rage. Picking up his Armor Suit's faceplate, he hurled it at Li Ming and roared, "You dare! I'll report you to the Ancient One and tell her you have a crush on her!"
Li Ming stiffened his neck and scoffed, "Go ahead! First off, can you even find the Ancient One? And even if you do, she'd never believe your nonsense."
Stark froze—he actually couldn't find the Ancient One.
After a moment's thought, Stark smugly put his hands on his hips and sneered, "You shut-in dare talk to me about women? The beds I've rolled in could circle the Earth several times! Who'd believe your slander anyway?"
Before Stark could finish, Li Ming turned to Potts and said, "See? He's still bragging about his past conquests. Doesn't that mean he secretly misses those girls?"
Stark's mouth twitched: Potts?! Damn it, what terrible backup timing...
Nearby, Potts watched the two idiots hurling insults through the Teleportation Door and felt utterly embarrassed to be dating one of them. Massaging her temples, she said wearily, "Tony, come over here and warm up first."
"Uh..." Stark glanced at Li Ming and muttered, "I told Austin not to interfere... If I just go back to New York now, wouldn't that mean I'm useless and need outsiders to help me get revenge?"
Understanding his pride was acting up, Potts retorted impatiently, "Then what do you call asking Austin for clothes and food?" Stark twisted his nose slightly in embarrassment and argued, "I didn't ask Austin for help. This is his compensation for spying on me." After a pause, Stark said with a serious expression, "Yes, it's compensation. Compensation and help are two different things."
Li Ming gave Stark a disdainful glance as he rubbed his hands and stomped his feet to keep warm, then turned toward the RV and shouted, "Kreacher, I'm hungry. Make me a giant burger."
After shouting, Li Ming turned back to Stark. "What are you staring at? The burger is for me—none of your business. At most, I'll let you smell it." He patted his chest generously and added, "Don't worry, I won't charge you for the aroma."
"You eat while I watch? Isn't that a bit too cruel for a billionaire?" Stark huffed, glaring. "That burger should be my compensation, you boozehound. Go drink your beer somewhere else."
Potts glared at the two men sulking at each other, shaking her head helplessly before hurrying to the cabin. She fetched some warm clothes for Stark and handed him a cup of warm water, saying, "Happy's gone missing. I suspect Killian is behind it."
Stark, who was busy putting on the clothes to warm up, paused in surprise. "Killian? What's he doing meddling in this? Doesn't he know I'm busy avenging myself on 'the Mandarin'? Can't he just wait his turn until I deal with 'the Mandarin' first?"
Li Ming pursed his lips, about to explain when he suddenly remembered his vow just hours ago to stay out of Killian's mess. After a moment's thought, he turned his head toward the RV, pretending to ignore Stark.
Meanwhile, Potts, who had no patience for whether the universe favored Stark or not, just wanted to resolve the crisis and return to normal life. She said, "The 'Mandarin' you're looking for is actually Killian's lackey."
Stark froze, then looked at Li Ming in confusion. "What does that mean? Care to explain?"
"Ask me?" Li Ming pointed at himself with a smirk, scoffing, "Didn't you say you didn't need my help? Now you're begging me to explain things?"
Stark retorted, "I never begged you. You're just talking—that doesn't count as helping."
"Oh, so this doesn't count as helping? Should I drag Killian right in front of you for it to count?" Li Ming rolled up his sleeves, ready to settle things with Stark using fists, when Potts—still worried about Happy's safety—finally lost patience with their idiotic behavior. Planting her hands on her hips, she roared, "Shut up, both of you!"
Li Ming and Stark immediately fell silent, exchanging a glance before turning to Potts with ingratiating smiles. "What would you like us to do, ma'am?"
Potts sighed in exasperation. "The so-called 'Mandarin' is just an actor hired by Killian. His real goal is to get your help perfecting some kind of 'superhuman serum' he has."
Stark lowered his head, one arm crossed while the other rubbed his forehead as he analyzed, "So Killian needs my help?"
Seeing Potts nod, Stark stroked his chin uncertainly. "If Killian hasn't captured me yet, maybe Happy's still safe?"
Li Ming shook his head, shattering Stark's optimism. "Killian's thought process is a bit... unique. I bet he'll use Happy as a test subject for the serum, then force you to perfect the Extremis Virus. Otherwise—" He paused, clasping his hands together before suddenly spreading them apart, mimicking an explosion. "BOOM! Happy becomes a firework."
After a moment, Li Ming added, "The Extremis Virus is a serum that makes people spontaneously combust. So you'd better find Happy fast, or he'll end up as a lab rat." Suddenly recalling the phrase "Man is the bomb," Stark pondered for a moment before saying, "So you mean the Extremis Virus is actually an unfinished formula, with self-detonation as its side effect? And Killian pushed 'Mandarin' to the forefront just to lure me out so he could capture me and force me to perfect the formula?"
"Not entirely," Li Ming shrugged. "Happy just got unlucky and got caught in an experimental subject's explosion, which dragged you into it."
Stark nodded slightly. "Regarding the test subjects, I happen to have some leads. Once I gather enough evidence, I'll settle the score with Killian."
At that moment, Kreacher suddenly appeared before Li Ming, holding an oversized hamburger.
Li Ming glanced at Stark and motioned for Kreacher to hand the burger to him.
Kreacher turned and politely offered the hamburger to Stark, asking, "Mr. Stark, is there anything else Kreacher can do for you?"
"Thanks, the burger is enough," Stark replied as he took the burger, chewing exaggeratedly while winking at Li Ming. "This is Kreacher's handiwork. Want a taste? If you do, go dream about it."
"Piss off!" Li Ming flipped Stark the bird irritably. Seeing Stark now dressed in warm clothes and munching on the giant burger, he turned to Potts and asked, "If there's nothing else, visiting hours are over for today."
"Visiting hours?" Stark mumbled through a mouthful of burger. "Someone as distinguished as me ending up in jail?"
Before Stark could finish, Potts, who felt she had already lost enough face, muttered, "Take care of yourself," and turned to walk toward the cabin.
Seeing this, Li Ming called out unceremoniously, "Time's up. We'll talk next visiting day." Without giving Stark a chance to retort, he immediately shut the Teleportation Door.
Staring at the now-vanished portal, Stark looked around at the deserted highway, then down at his depleted Armor Suit, inwardly lamenting: Damn it, I forgot to ask Austin to recharge the suit...
A few days later.
Potts felt that staying by the lake was the wisest decision she'd made.
Basking in the warm winter sun every day, leisurely lounging on a chair by the lake while listening to music and reading magazines, she left behind the noise of the city and the stress of work, feeling completely at ease.
Occasionally, when she missed Stark, she'd sneak a peek at him with Li Ming's help to ease her longing.
This is the life I want... It'd be even better if Tony were here too...
Just as Potts sighed while gazing at the lake, Li Ming—who had been busy building a sailboat in the distance—suddenly teleported beside her, raising a shield as he looked up at the sky.
Potts froze. When she followed his gaze, she saw in horror five helicopters loaded with weapons and ammunition descending upon them like a saturation bombing run.If those shells were aimed at Li Ming, he could calmly face five helicopters without even needing to cast additional spells—just relying on his shield's reflection ability would be enough to destroy all five armed helicopters.
But damn it, this was saturation bombing! By the time Li Ming finished casting spells to destroy the five helicopters, the nearly completed sailboat had already been blown to splinters.
Li Ming's eye twitched as he surveyed the wreckage of his home. His face hardened into an iron-gray mask, and he gritted his teeth, roaring, "Kreacher, protect Potts!"
After shouting, the furious Li Ming transformed into black mist and drifted to the crash site of the helicopters. He roughly collected all the souls into a pitch-black gourd before dragging the corpses back into the RV.
"You think dying means it's over? Not that easy! I'm a damn mage, remember?"