After Atom and Heatwave were escorted out, Su Sheng dragged a blackboard over and placed it in front of Martin Stein.
"Write down the Firestorm equation."
Martin Stein hesitated, stunned. "Really? You actually want me to write it?"
Su Sheng gently patted his shoulder and smiled. "Write it down, and once you're done, I'll let you go."
"You know what would happen if they got hold of the Firestorm equation," Martin Stein warned, his tone serious.
Su Sheng nodded. "And you should know that I'm far more terrifying than he is."
Is Vandal Savage scary? Certainly. But Su Sheng wasn't just terrifying—he was utterly despair-inducing, especially after acquiring the time ship.
Martin Stein's expression shifted between fear and resignation until, finally, he picked up a pen and began writing on the blackboard, driven by desperation.
"This is it!" Valentina exclaimed with excitement after Martin Stein finished writing. "I've never seen such a short and perfect equation, but... it seems like something is missing."
Martin Stein remained silent, guilt flickering in his eyes.
"It's truly amazing!" Su Sheng nodded in admiration. With his current knowledge, it would have taken him at least ten years to complete this equation on his own. "You really are a genius."
"No, something's definitely missing!" Valentina grew increasingly suspicious as she scrutinized the equation, frowning deeply.
"Take her to the lab and wait for me there," Su Sheng instructed Valentina.
Valentina was momentarily stunned. "You know what's missing?"
"Of course!"
"Alright!" Valentina nodded, trusting him.
"No!" Vandal Savage interjected, his voice firm. "What if you let them all go and keep the last piece of the equation to yourself? He stays until Firestorm is successfully created."
"You're not giving me any respect?" Su Sheng squinted at Vandal Savage.
"I've given you enough respect, but not this time," Vandal Savage responded coldly.
"Then you'll die!" Su Sheng declared, and without hesitation, a surge of electricity shot from his fingertips.
Boom!
The current struck Vandal Savage, but he was unharmed.
"What do you think I've been doing all this time?" Vandal Savage boasted as he opened his coat, revealing a specially designed discharge suit. "I prepared this for you. Even if the current is several times stronger than before, it won't harm me!"
Su Sheng gave a soft snort, his gaze sharpening as he studied Vandal Savage. "You're making things difficult for me."
"No, it's not difficult at all. As long as you help me successfully create Firestorm, I'll let this old man go," Vandal Savage said, shaking his head confidently.
Su Sheng considered this for a moment before slowly raising his hands. "Which side do you choose?"
"What do you mean?" Vandal Savage asked, confused.
"Choose one," Su Sheng repeated without elaborating.
What is he up to? Vandal Savage eyed Su Sheng warily before replying, "Let's go with the left."
"The left? Alright." Su Sheng lowered his right hand and pointed his left at Vandal Savage. "Ten million volts!"
Boom!
A bolt of lightning erupted from Su Sheng's hand, instantly enveloping Vandal Savage.
Within the blinding electric light, the discharge suit exploded in seconds, and Vandal Savage's body crumpled to the ground, emitting a strong burnt odor, charred like coal.
"How many times stronger? My current has no upper limit!" Su Sheng shook his head, wiping the Firestorm matrix from the blackboard. Turning to the stunned Valentina and Martin Stein, he said, "What are you waiting for? Let's go."
Valentina hesitated briefly before leading Martin Stein out.
They returned to the room, where they found Riley packing their belongings, with Laura silently standing by.
"Master, everything will be packed soon," Riley said, turning to Su Sheng.
Su Sheng chuckled. "You're impressing me more and more. I didn't even need to say anything, and you already knew what to do. Take everything up to the roof and wait for me there."
"Are you going to help Valentina become Firestorm?" Riley asked hesitantly. "Firestorm requires two people to succeed, right? Who's the other person?"
"What? Are you interested?" Su Sheng asked, smiling as he looked at Riley.
Riley nodded bravely.
Riley and Valentina? A female version of Firestorm sounded intriguing. Su Sheng wondered which of the two would become the dominant body, or if they could switch.
"Meet me in the lab after you've taken everything up," Su Sheng instructed before turning to leave.
"Yes!" Riley cheered excitedly, then turned to the numb Laura. "What are you standing around for? Help me pack!"
Valentina hurriedly took Martin Stein to the lab, where she adjusted the equation and set up the reactor. As Su Sheng entered, Valentina looked at him eagerly. "Tell me, what's missing!"
"A partner!" Su Sheng replied with a chuckle.
"A partner?" Valentina was momentarily confused before realization dawned on her. "Of course! Firestorm requires two people to stabilize the energy! Are you going to merge with me?"
Su Sheng shook his head slightly and looked at Riley, who was jogging towards them. "Your partner is here."
"Riley? It's her!" Valentina exclaimed, understanding now.
As soon as Riley arrived, Valentina excitedly pulled her into the experimental chamber containing the reactor. With the power adjusted to maximum, the fiery reactor began to glow. The two women touched the reactor and each other simultaneously.
Boom!
A wave of intense heat instantly flooded the chamber.
The door slowly opened.
Valentina emerged, her body enveloped in flames.
The female version of Firestorm was a success!
"This power is incredible!" Valentina exclaimed in awe.
"Alright, enjoy it later. For now, we need to leave," Su Sheng said casually.
"Leave? No, I won't! I want to help my country defeat the United States!" Valentina declared arrogantly, launching a flame attack at Su Sheng.
Boom!
The flames engulfed Su Sheng, seeming to consume him entirely.
"No!" Valentina suddenly screamed, and the flames extinguished instantly. The next moment, Firestorm separated back into Valentina and Riley.
"Master!" Riley shouted as she rushed forward, but the flames around Su Sheng suddenly changed.
The flames gradually subsided, revealing Su Sheng, his hands and head ablaze, his eyes glowing red like a demon from hell.
"Fire... Firestorm? How can you be Firestorm by yourself?" Valentina exclaimed in shock.