Chapter 401

"If you want to test the effects of magic on ordinary life, starting with plants isn't a good idea—plant growth cycles are longer, and changes are far less obvious..."

Looking at the expressions of the others, Connors said: "Alright, I know animal experiments carry some risk—even something small like a lizard, if scaled up thousands of times, becomes highly dangerous. You've already seen that."

"I'm fully aware that any experiment carries some risk," Stark shook his head and explained. "But you must understand—the danger of conducting such experiments on Earth is immense."

"To observe in real time, we can only conduct preliminary trials on Earth. If we achieve some results, we might relocate to another planet—then there'd be no lingering concerns."

"Let's take a look at this first," Connors stepped forward, took the small pot, and studied the seedling inside. "Sunflower seedling... slightly different. It definitely shows signs of radiation exposure."

"Different? How? I don't see anything unusual," Stark squinted and leaned closer. Connors replied: "Fortunately, I hold a master's in botany—my thesis was on pollen dispersal."

"Look here," Connors extended his hand, pointing to the base of the sunflower seedling. "The fine hairs on the plant's surface have grown longer—and possibly denser. This visible change is already a massive alteration."

"So I went through all that trouble, and all I did was make the surface hairs a bit longer?" Peter asked.

Connors shook his head, looking at Peter. "That's exactly what I mean—plant changes are subtler. If this were a mouse, you'd imagine it growing two-centimeter incisors."

"While the incisors alone aren't dramatically obvious, they'd affect feeding—so you'd quickly notice clear behavioral changes. That's far more direct."

"Alright, setting aside the theory—what do we do now?" Strange asked Connors.

"Peter and I will stay behind to continue the magical plant experiments. As for you—I just noticed the gem in your hand can accelerate plant growth, but I strongly advise against using it carelessly."

"You can't be certain whether the magic on that gem will radiate into the accelerated plants. If the plants mutate, the consequences will be far worse than mutated animals."

Stark turned and fixed Strange with a stare. "You won't do this within New York's borders—not even on the Himalayas. You must understand how precious Earth is—it's our only home right now."

"Fine. I'll come back once you have preliminary results," Strange said, leaving without hesitation. Stark watched his back and shook his head. "He won't listen to you. This man has no concept of experimental safety protocols."

"It doesn't matter. Precisely because he doesn't understand proper radiation methods, I believe even if he casts magic on plants, he won't alter their fundamental properties."

After leaving the lab, Stark and Shi Ler stood before the lab door. Stark turned to Shi Ler. "I have a question I need to ask you—but you absolutely cannot reveal it."

"I guess you're asking how Steve is doing?"

Stark turned his head aside, lips curling. "The Avengers are still part of humanity's strength. I don't want anything to happen to them."

Shi Ler sighed slightly. "I can only tell you the situation is grim. I've told you many times—Steve suffers from acute anxiety disorder. It's a medical condition with specific symptoms, and if untreated, it will only worsen."

"Then why not treat it?"

"That's the problem—he resists medication. Even if I could convince him, I'm unsure whether standard drugs effective for ordinary people would work on him."

As they walked forward, Shi Ler said: "The serum didn't just make Steve physically stronger—it altered his immune and absorption systems. That means he might not absorb certain drug components—or standard dosages might have no effect."

"The Wanderer from Douluo"

"Then just increase the dosage, right?"

"Don't say that in front of Strange. Any attending physician would hate hearing that."

"Patients always demand higher doses to suppress their pain—but it's not that simple."

"For ordinary people, we have a safe, reliable method to determine effective dosages. But with a superhuman—zero experimental data—I could never violate protocol and increase his dosage. That would be irresponsible toward his life."

Stark lowered his head, looking up at Shi Ler from beneath his brows. "Now I'm certain you're not that madman."

"No—even he would say the same. Let me repeat: I'm ruthless, but I'm not a quack."

"There are two options," Shi Ler stopped, facing Stark. "One: continuous experiments, gradually increasing dosage while observing Steve's reactions. But flooding his system with drugs in a short time could damage both his body and mind."

"The other option: change his current living environment—help him rebuild his psychological sense of safety, allowing him to rest properly and resolve anxiety at its root."

As Stark opened his mouth to speak, Shi Ler turned to him. "Under these circumstances, Steve's own decisions may not be rational. He needs advice from close friends or a legal guardian."

"I guess your first instinct was to make the choice for him—so I can assume..."

"Forty-some spikes are enough, right?"

Stark fell silent, lowering his gaze, turning his head away from Shi Ler. "... ou know, in that damned thing your other personality did, the moment I felt the strongest emotional blow wasn't when Steve fired his gun."

"When was it?"

"When he said Howard, Bucky, and you were his friends—and my name wasn't on the list."

Stark looked up at Shi Ler again. "Don't look at me like that. Yes, when I recalled Howard's expression when he mentioned Captain America, I developed no fondness for Steve."

"But once I actually met him, I realized no one should feel ashamed for wanting to be friends with Captain America."

"If he didn't consider you a friend, he wouldn't have fired."

"If he truly saw you as a friend, he wouldn't have chosen to shoot rather than turn and ask how you felt."

Shi Ler took a deep breath, meeting Stark's eyes. "You two are acting like two elementary school girls having a tantrum—preferring to retell your entire story to everyone else a hundred times rather than say one word to each other."

Seeing Stark still wanted to speak, Shi Ler cut him off sharply: "I have no time to be your messenger. For the sake of the money you paid me, I'll keep everything you said today confidential—absolutely won't tell Steve."

Stark stared, wide-eyed. Before turning away, Shi Ler said: "I have no time to meddle in your elementary school girl friendship. I have more important things to do."

"Hey! What could possibly be more important than the Avengers splitting apart??!"

Stark shouted after his retreating back.

"Anything!"

The next day, Steve and Bucky arrived at Arkham Sanatorium. Shi Ler opened Steve's medical file and summarized his current condition. To Shi Ler's surprise, Steve chose Option One—increasing the dosage.

He explained: "The Avengers can't be without me for long. The Hydra shadow still lingers. This is my lifelong mission—I must complete it."

"I resisted medication before because I didn't think things were that bad. But lately, I've realized my condition is worsening."

Steve looked exhausted, even worn out. "I know little about this field—I thought it was just a self-healing cold. But now I can't fall asleep naturally—I rely entirely on Professor X's hypnosis."

"Many have died fighting Hydra. Compared to that, taking medicine is nothing."

"I deeply admire your spirit of sacrifice, Captain," Shi Ler lowered his head, flipping through the file. "Why not listen to your friend?"

Shi Ler looked toward Bucky, seated farther away. "Why are you sitting so far? You know, the last group of psychologists treating phobia patients are probably having a great time with demons in hell."

Bucky shook his head. Steve reached out. "Don't be like that—he came here with me only after gathering tremendous courage. Your other personality was just a bit..."

Bucky coughed twice, then said: "I think the Captain should choose Option Two—change his environment."

"No," Steve said firmly. "I must stay here. There's still work unfinished. And where else could we go?"

"My recommendation is also Option Two, Captain. Don't blame me for not warning you—I can't be certain whether your serum renders you immune to certain psychiatric drugs. Massive, rapid dosing might cause permanent mental damage."

"Fighting Hydra matters—but so does sustainable progress," Shi Ler flipped another page. "You must also consider that Stark may not be eager to see Bucky right now. If you send him off alone, it looks like exile. But if you go with him, it's just a relaxing, pleasant trip."

Steve caught Shi Ler's implication. "You're suggesting we..."

"Exactly. In the core star region of the Fairy Nebula, the planet inhabited by high elves is a vast primeval forest—breathtaking scenery. Many members of the Mutant Brotherhood have traveled there."

"They've heavily modified their homeworld—temperature and weather are ideal, and there are no dangerous creatures. Perfect for vacation."

Steve opened his mouth to object, but glanced at Bucky, then thought of Stark, and finally shrugged. "Alright. I get it—Stark and Bucky must be separated. The Solar System Project is underway; Stark can't leave. So only we can go."

"Due to confidentiality agreements, I can't tell you how deeply hurt Stark was because you didn't include him on your list of friends."

"I also can't tell you that he desperately wants you to call him, just to comfort him."

"And I definitely can't tell you that if you mention, during the call, how Howard once told you his hopes for his son, it would move him deeply—and make him very happy."

After Steve walked out with his phone, Shi Ler called Connors to confirm Peter was still buried in lab work, then called Charles to verify he'd gone to the Andromeda Star System's orbital island, and finally dialed Loki.

"Everyone whose moral Dixian hasn't been tested has been sent away. Our plan can begin."