Bi Xiao's acceptance of the opponent's challenge request was not due to hospitality or goodwill.
It was entirely because the opponent's "Binary Mode" had some research value.
The EX Mode is one of the core trump cards he created through magic, one of the reasons he can achieve a leap in combat power.
For him, the EX Mode is somewhat straightforward and crude.
It involves simply storing energy and then infusing it into his body during combat, causing a surge in physical power, thanks to his strong body and compatibility with magic.
People like Pietro, Wanda, and Bella, who possess sub-level magic, cannot activate the EX Mode.
The reason is not anything else but their physical strength not meeting the standard.
The Binary Mode can give him some inspiration to improve the EX Mode, and also help Pietro, Wanda, and Bella develop their basic EX Mode.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have patiently fought with Carol for ten minutes.
At his current level, he could end the fight in a second.
However, these ten minutes indeed brought significant benefits to Bi Xiao; the Binary Mode gave him some insights.
He squinted his eyes as he began to analyze the Binary form in his mind while thinking about how to improve the EX Mode.
Meanwhile, Wanda and Bella were surprised by Bi Xiao's words.
Although Bi Xiao spoke lightly, even somewhat dismissively, a Celestial is still a Celestial. Their combat power had just reached the sub-Celestial level, still far from a true Celestial. It was surprising that Carol had reached the level of a Celestial, which seemed quite exaggerated.
Thus, Wanda and Bella began to curiously converse with Carol.
Carol's personality is straightforward, and she shared her past experiences and how she got to where she is now, which included many incredible coincidences and miracles that shaped her. Wanda and Bella listened with great interest.
Moreover, Carol had traveled across the universe for many years, visiting numerous places and witnessing both advanced and backward civilizations and cultures.
Carol's vivid descriptions sparked Wanda and Bella's interest in interstellar travel.
Of course, they knew that traveling wasn't something they could do immediately.
But that didn't stop the three women from eagerly discussing it.
At the same time, Bruce Banner found Bi Xiao, expressed his gratitude, and also resigned, as he couldn't stay at the manor forever.
He had resolved his conflict with the Hulk personality and became friends with the Hulk, so the risk of suddenly losing control due to emotional fluctuations was gone.
Additionally, the Hulk's combat power had been forcibly increased by Kaecilius using Dormammu's dark energy. Now, few on Earth could threaten the Hulk.
Even military weapons would have little effect on the current Hulk, who could take a nuclear blast without shedding a layer of skin.
Thus, Bruce Banner no longer worried about safety and wanted to find his former lover, Betty.
Bi Xiao nodded in acknowledgment of Banner's gratitude and let him leave.
Bi Xiao wasn't concerned about the Hulk's future growth, nor did he plan to recruit him, even though the Hulk had considerable potential and could grow to an astonishing level.
It was just that Wanda, Bella, and Pietro liked being friends with the Hulk.
They even gave him some magical items, such as tools for communication no matter where they were.
After all, fighting the Hulk was also kind of fun.
Banner's departure did not cause any waves at the manor, as everyone had their own lives. Besides, they could still be friends in the future. But outside, it was different.
The power the Hulk displayed at the Greenland's Arctic Circle made some people covetous.
Especially General Ross of the military.
In the President's office, Fury explicitly stated his intention to recruit the Hulk as an Avenger, which greatly displeased General Ross. Thus, he kept a close watch on Banner.
When Banner appeared, General Ross immediately deployed a large armed force.
He had also ordered some powerful weapons from Stark Industries, specifically designed to deal with the Hulk. As for whether these weapons would work on the Hulk, General Ross didn't think much about it.
Human arrogance is evident here, and fixed impressions can be most fatal.
At the entrance of Columbia University in New York, a normally dressed Banner arrived, walked into the campus, and searched for his girlfriend Betty in the university lab.
Many laboratories are affiliated with universities, and some prestigious universities create labs specifically to attract scientists for collaborative experiments.
Betty had a decent reputation and collaborated with Columbia University.
Outside the lab on the third floor of a dedicated research building, Banner saw Betty through the door glass, observing something under a microscope. In Banner's eyes, Betty was as beautiful as ever, though she seemed more haggard than before.
...
Banner patiently waited until Betty finished recording experimental data and walked out of the lab. She saw Banner staring at her through the glass door.
Betty's expression immediately became excited.
She was so excited that she didn't notice her documents falling to the ground. She rushed to open the lab door and hugged her long-lost boyfriend.
"Banner."
"Betty."
The two kissed deeply. After a long time, Betty, with tears in her eyes and a choked voice, said, "I never thought he would do that. I'm sorry."
The "he" she referred to was her father, Ross.
Banner did not blame her and gently said, "It's not your fault, Betty."
"Believe me, we will never be apart again."
"Yes."
Betty cried tears of joy, leaning against Banner's chest and inhaling the familiar scent. But their moment of affection was cut short by the sudden sounds of panic outside the lab building.
They were shocked and quickly looked down through the glass windows to see armed vehicles and fully equipped soldiers surrounding the front lawn.
~~~
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— Completed (Chapter 277: Finale)