Qi Jun's unconventional approach to learning during his school days proved to be his saving grace. His refusal to dismiss the importance of English education, despite never interacting with foreigners, ensured he had formidable English reading and comprehension skills.
Navigating the bustling streets of Manhattan, Qi Jun made his way to Chinatown, his oriental features standing out amidst the chaos. Near the Stark Building, where Tony Stark, the renowned playboy and arms dealer, held court, Qi Jun felt the weight of the prying eyes surrounding him. Media personnel and intelligence operatives abounded in the vicinity.
Although he could have stayed concealed in the shadows, Qi Jun chose to disappear altogether. Wearing borrowed attire, he opted for anonymity over attention.
Being discovered by organizations like S.H.I.E.L.D. was out of the question, especially given his lack of a documented history. In the eyes of S.H.I.E.L.D., someone like Qi Jun would be a dead end. Moreover, the shadowy presence of Hydra, lurking beneath S.H.I.E.L.D.'s veneer, made the situation even more perilous.
Qi Jun's past ruthlessness, which had paved his way to prosperity before the cross, was no match for the threats posed by S.H.I.E.L.D. and the Snake Shield.
His best course of action was to seek refuge in Chinatown, where the thriving Chinese community could serve as a natural camouflage.
Under the uninterested gaze of a pawnshop owner, Qi Jun exchanged the only item he could without raising suspicion: a Guanyin jade pendant. It fetched him eight hundred dollars, a far cry from the ten thousand he had spent on it before crossing into this world. The pawnshop owner, unfazed by Qi Jun's concealed appearance, had seen it all and was more interested in turning a profit than scrutinizing his customers.
Qi Jun, though somewhat resentful of the meager sum, understood that discretion was paramount for someone in his precarious situation.
After leaving the pawnshop, he blended into the teeming crowds, his distance from the shop increasingly uncertain. Following his instincts from his pre-crossing life, he sought refuge in a nondescript hotel, where no identification was required.
Qi Jun, unaware that he was not being pursued by the pawnshop owner, couldn't help but worry. Nevertheless, he knew he had to remain vigilant in this unfamiliar world.
Qi Jun had observed a surge of energy from the Stark Building, akin to a nuclear explosion, as he lay low. Fortunately, there was no catastrophic detonation, which eased his anxiety about an immediate demise post-crossing.
Secure behind closed doors, curtains drawn, lights extinguished, Qi Jun activated his Huawei P30's camera function. He meticulously scanned the room for any hidden surveillance devices. Once he was certain he was free of prying eyes, he breathed a sigh of relief and slumped onto the bed. Staring at the dark ceiling, his mind was in turmoil.
Crossing over to such a perilous Marvel universe had left him understandably tense. His ability to stay composed, assess his surroundings, and find a temporary refuge could be attributed to his orphaned upbringing and years of experience in the pre-crossing world.
Unexpectedly, while Qi Jun appeared to be asleep, he suddenly sat up, wearing a surprised smile. His golden finger, his unique advantage as a traveler, had come to life.
As he lay on the bed earlier, he had merged with this golden finger, comprehending its functions and capabilities. Unlike other travelers' golden fingers, it wasn't a system with tasks or autonomous intelligence. Qi Jun's golden finger was none other than the Reality Gem itself.
"I possess a Reality Gem too!" Qi Jun wanted to shout in exhilaration but refrained, mindful of his unfamiliar surroundings and the constant threat of danger. However, the excitement coursing through him was undeniable.
It was indeed a Reality Gem, akin to those in the Marvel Universe. Yet, Qi Jun's Reality Gem possessed unique qualities.