What's going on? Why is it that every time we reach this stage, I'm left confused? Qin Li thought to himself. And what's this about an invisible material? A ghost? Then, Qin Li saw Tony Stark place two identical shields into the blue flames, beginning to roast them.
As time passed, one shield gradually began to glow red, and as the heat increased, the red light shifted to orange. The other shield, however, remained unchanged.
Seeing the obvious contrast, Tony Stark felt it was enough and turned off the flame thrower. He looked at Qin Li and said, "It's pretty clear now, isn't it?"
Qin Li skeptically asked, "It's more fire-resistant?"
Tony Stark replied, "Well, that's one way to look at it. But the real deal is, without altering the material's structure, it increases the material's capacity to absorb elements like fire and lightning. In gaming terms, it's kind of like it boosts resistance."
Qin Li, suddenly wide awake, said, "Ah! Now I get it!"
Tony Stark, looking at him suspiciously, asked, "Qin Li, you didn't just pop out of some game, did you? I have to admit, these materials are truly bizarre—totally believable if they were from a game."
Qin Li, completely confused, replied, "Game? If I popped out of a game, then wouldn't you, the guy who built an arc reactor, be from a movie?"
Tony Stark nodded in agreement and said, "Well, I'm a genius, and geniuses are always the main character, wherever they go."
Qin Li shot him a look, feeling a little relieved that he had managed to talk his way out of it. But as Tony Stark went to pick up the shield with the lower-level elemental crystal added, Qin Li's heart skipped a beat. He was about to stop him when he saw Tony Stark casually pick it up. Qin Li was stunned.
"Why is it that the other one is still hot, but this one isn't?" Qin Li asked in disbelief.
Tony Stark responded, "That's what I'm wondering too. In theory, it should have stored the absorbed heat, but there's no trace of any heat at all. My guess is, the energy absorbed from normal flames is almost negligible."
Qin Li, curious, picked it up, and, to Tony Stark's surprise, easily bent the shield with his immense strength, folding it in half.
Qin Li looked at the folded shield and said, "This doesn't seem that useful. Wouldn't it still get destroyed by a bomb?"
Tony Stark gave him the middle finger and retorted, "This is made from regular materials. If I used the materials you gave me, and sealed them properly, I'd be able to take a bath in lava while wearing this. No problem."
Qin Li scoffed, "Is that it? I could bathe in lava myself without a suit. Pathetic!"
Tony Stark, irritated by Qin Li's comment, said, "Alright, you can leave now. I need to test what the new arc reactor can really do. I need to replace my heart as soon as possible."
Qin Li shrugged and said, "Alright, I was actually thinking of bringing you some high-level hardener next time, but maybe I'll leave it for then."
Tony Stark immediately perked up and said, "Oh! My friend, now that you're here, stay a bit longer! By the way, how's that pair of sisters doing? How about we arrange something tonight?"
Qin Li smiled, "Oh? Wasn't there a tight schedule?"
Tony Stark waved him off, "What's that got to do with anything? Don't you Chinese have a saying, 'Isn't it a pleasure to have friends come from afar'? My friend, how could I let you leave without a good time?"
Qin Li replied, "Alright, where do you want me to put this? I just came over and if I disappear again, Frank might think something's wrong."
Tony Stark enthusiastically led him to the second floor, saying, "Come on, let's put it upstairs. The basement needs renovation before it can be used again, and if someone steals it, it'll be a disaster."
He guided Qin Li to a few vacant rooms and said, "Let's leave it here for now. Once the basement's done, I'll have someone move it downstairs."
Qin Li nodded, then began filling the first room with the supplies he hadn't yet disposed of, filling it completely. In the second room, he placed a mix of high-level and special hardeners, and in the third, he put half of the carbon crystals and the lower-level elemental crystals.
Tony Stark looked at the three rooms, now stuffed to the brim, and grinned with satisfaction. Suddenly remembering something, he turned to Qin Li and said, "Hey, when you get a chance, bring that kid Nick over. I'll help him replace his mechanical leg."
Qin Li nodded, "Got it. When you're free, just let me know. Anything else?"
Tony Stark waved him off, "Go on, I've got work to do."
Qin Li didn't mind and used his teleportation potion to return to the church.
Back at the church, Qin Li immediately noticed the three sitting at the long table, looking serious and lost in thought.
Frank immediately asked, "What happened? Did something go wrong?"
Qin Li waved his hand, "Tony made a new discovery. Looks like he'll be able to replace his arc reactor with a healthy one. I also found out some things while I was there."
Everyone let out a sigh of relief after hearing Qin Li's explanation. They had been worried, thinking something major had happened.
"By the way, Frank, have you set a time with your girlfriend yet?" Qin Li asked.
Frank replied, "I haven't had the chance. I was about to ask when you suddenly disappeared."
"Well, give her a call now. See if the timing works. Then we can all head over to Tony's. He said he'll help Nick get a cooler mechanical leg. Plus, you two can check in on your matchmaker," Qin Li joked.
Frank blushed and, with everyone teasing him, walked off to make the call.
Nick, excited, called out, "Father Li, is Iron Man really going to give me a cooler mechanical leg?"
Qin Li patted Nick on the head, "Of course, but you have to call him Uncle Tony, alright?"
"Okay, Father Li!" Nick beamed.
Seeing Nick happily bouncing around, with his mechanical leg peeking out from his pants, Qin Li asked, "Nick, I could help you grow back a real leg. Would you want to be a fully functional person again?"
Nick stood in front of Qin Li, listening intently.