Chapter 4752

"How is it?" Stark asked with some worry from the living room, "Why did they suddenly call you over?"

"The Professor's side had some issues," Shiler said, "It's fine now."

"It's related to the Shi'ar Empire, right?" Steve guessed correctly. He said, "Don't know if it's this universe's Shi'ar Empire being too strong, or ours being too weak. That they could pose such a huge threat to mutants, I really didn't expect."

"Our universe's mutants didn't stay on Earth for long. They left before the Solar System Development Plan. Before that, humanity lacked the ability to develop Sentinels, and after that there was no need to develop them. So where would a weapon that completely counters mutants come from?" Stark said.

"True." Steve nodded.

"Are the Sentinels really that formidable?" Matt frowned. He put down the Juan Sect file he was reading and said, "As far as I know, all three great empires want to research weapons against mutants; they've been scared stiff by mutants. But it seems no one has succeeded yet."

"Their level isn't up to par," Stark shook his head and said, "I'm not talking about tech level, but in the aspect of developing weapons of racial extinction targeting certain groups. They fall far short of humanity."

"Without exaggeration, if mutants fell out with us right now, and we didn't participate, within a few days human governments could produce Sentinels too, and they might be even stronger than this universe's. Otherwise, why would the three great empires fear humanity?"

The few of them obviously all shared the sentiment. And Matt spoke again: "I just read Clarkya Island's economic report documents; you guys guess what?"

The other few all looked at him. Matt shook his head and said: "Right now Clarkya's main economic source relies on virtual currency."

"What?"

"Huh?"

"Virtual currency?"

The other few all expressed shock. Shiler said: "I haven't had time to research this yet; didn't expect you saw it first. But speaking of it, they indeed have no real industry, so they can only rely on the virtual economy."

"Yes, and their virtual currency servers and keys are all overseas. Precisely speaking, on the continent, not on the island itself."

"The risk is too high." Stark, though not caring about finance, was still an entrepreneur. He said, "Stark Industries also holds virtual currency; it's part of our virtual assets. But the servers and keys I put in Asgard's vault. Earth is like a sieve; who knows when it'll leak. I don't even trust S. H. I. E. L. D."

"Then you really shouldn't trust them." Steve glanced at Shiler. "If you put it in S. H. I. E. L. D., who knows when it'll become part of medical funding."

"What are you saying? I'd never take without telling."

"Yeah, you'd just leave others with no choice."

The few of them laughed again. Shiler stood up to brew coffee. Matt spoke again: "The Solar System situation is bad now; I'm worried they'll use Clarkya Island's virtual assets to threaten mutants."

"Threaten mutants?" Stark frowned. "Right now it's all mutants holding the line. Their field personnel haven't rested for days and nights, fighting continuously on the Jupiter line. What more does the Earth government want?"

"Naturally they want the two leaders to act." Steve was clearly more sensitive to this aspect. He said, "The Earth government hopes this battle can consume more of the mutants' strength. Though many mutants went to the front and they're strong enough, ultimately they aren't their leaders."

"But if a leader dies on the battlefield, mutants will unite even more, won't they?"

"True. But the difference lies in mutants having two spiritual leaders. If one dies, the other will surely avenge him, making mutants and the Shi'ar Empire irreconcilable enemies, and Earth's pressure would lessen greatly."

"I see." Stark lowered his eyelids. "But now that you're cooperating with China, those virtual assets aren't that important anymore, right?"

"Though that's true, if they're cracked or seized it's still pretty infuriating." Matt shook his head and said, "And it's precisely because of cooperating with China that the possibility of sanctions has increased a lot."

"Looks like the Shi'ar Empire's invasion hasn't united Earth at all." Stark looked at Shiler again. "You might have busied yourself for nothing."

"Just touching virtual assets already counts as progress." Shiler set the coffee down and said, "You have to know, using the method of sanctioning other countries to sanction Clarkya already counts as considerable restraint. Their previous step was the Red Door Lan Factory."

"True enough." Matt took a sip of coffee and said, "Sanctioning virtual assets isn't that big a loss; it's just a bit disgusting."

"Besides, mutants don't have zero cards in hand either." After Shiler finished, everyone looked at him. Shiler continued: "The engineers who participated in the Red Door Lan Plan are all still on the island."

"You mean hostage exchange? But using these scientists to exchange for virtual assets, isn't that a bit too wasteful?"

"Ordinary people can't stay on Clarkya Island for long. The climate and energy field here cause all sorts of problems. They'll leave sooner or later. Using such a group to swap for some money isn't a loss."

"I'm just worried they'll be hunted down after they go back."

"So this depends on the mutants' choice. Perhaps it'll be a multi-party extradition plan."

Stark took a sip of coffee and said: "This universe's Iron Man should recruit them. Human scientists who can research the Red Door Lan Factory are absolutely top-tier talents; the more the merrier... Achoo!"

Just after drinking a mouthful of hot coffee, Stark sneezed. He picked up a tissue and wiped his nose. The few of them all looked at him with some concern. Stark waved his hand and said: "Maybe the coffee was too hot."

Shiler walked over and closed the window. Before closing it he glanced outside; the weather still wasn't good. Though it wasn't raining, it kept blowing wind.

"Perhaps we should let the Weather Witch act." He said, "Gloomy like this isn't a solution. Many things can't get done."

He hadn't even finished speaking when the wind suddenly stopped. That howling wind sound and the trembling sensation of the eaves vanished. The few of them all turned to look outside and walked to the window. On the distant misty horizon, a tiny figure was stopping the storm.

The island soon returned to calm. Clouds dispersed, a ray of sunlight shone down. The royal court washed clean by rainwater glittered brilliantly under the sun. The whole island turned emerald green.

Stark also walked to the window. But as soon as the window was pushed open, he sneezed again. His skin visibly reddened. Steve immediately gently pushed him, reached out and touched his forehead.

"You definitely caught a cold." Steve said. "Right now you might have a slight fever. Need to measure temperature to know specifics. I'll go get a medical kit; you wait here."

Stark pouted, turned to leave. Matt grabbed one of his arms, directly pinned his arm behind his back and pressed him to the ground, saying: "Don't run. You're the only ordinary person here; you're the most susceptible to this island's influence. We must ensure your health."

Stark of course loudly protested, but to no effect. He absolutely couldn't beat Matt who practiced martial arts. And if he deployed armor, Shiler would use some unscientific means to restrain him.

So he was half-dragged, half-pulled to the sofa and made to lie down. And at this time his facial skin was already burned bright red, his whole condition visibly worsening.

Matt hurriedly went to get a Mao Jin to cool him down. Stark just lay there, saying in a hoarse voice: "I don't understand why I'd catch a cold. I already wore a lot."

"Not necessarily related to temperature." Shiler sat beside him, adjusted the Mao Jin's position, then said, "You've been too tired recently. Suddenly relaxing makes it easy to get sick. Besides, this island really isn't suitable for ordinary people. You're not wearing armor, so being affected is normal."

"Then why didn't you remind me." Stark complained a bit. "If the other two Iron Men find out, they're fine fighting on the front lines but I catch a cold in the rear, I'll be laughed at by the whole multiverse."

Shiler smiled and said: "If I reminded you, you wouldn't be willing to wear armor every moment. You'd just think I was being alarmist. Don't I know you?"

Just then, Strange walked in. He'd done surgeries for several hours and wasn't the least bit fatigued. The moment he entered he saw Stark lying on the sofa. He looked him up and down, then said: "So now you need to occupy the whole sofa to demonstrate your authority?"

"He's sick." Matt walked back and said. "Might be a cold."

Unexpectedly, Strange frowned deeply. He said: "How could he catch a cold? Did you go out for a walk on a stormy night?"

"How could that be?!" Stark raised his voice. "Why would I go out?"

Strange sat down beside him, looked at him and said: "This island isn't very suitable for ordinary people. Especially you, this kind of ordinary person lacking exercise. The exercise I mean isn't that gym kind, but you rarely go to places with completely unfamiliar climate and environment. Adaptability needs training."

Stark stayed silent, maybe couldn't speak either. This cold and fever came on very fast. Not long after, Stark's skin was frighteningly hot.

"Need to go get some medicine." Strange sighed and said. "I'll make a trip to the hospital."

"No, I don't need antibiotics." Stark said. "I'll be fine soon."

Strange clearly found him somewhat unreasonable, but just because he was sick didn't argue with him. Shiler stopped him and said: "Then don't prescribe him antibiotics. Otherwise his medical team might come find trouble with you."

"A bunch of bastards." Strange cursed as he turned and left.

Steve returned. The medical kit had alcohol. Steve began using alcohol to wipe Stark's cheeks and arms; this could help lower temperature. But he was indeed burning badly, shouting Pepper and Morgan's names in his mouth, occasionally starting from the Avengers and calling out names one by one.

"I really don't know what he dreamed about." Matt said softly, "I guess it's probably nothing good."

"Maybe it's because we're hunting him." Shiler guessed, "He always has these extremely strange and bizarre dreams. Sometimes he can't even explain why. His genius inspiration always manifests more wildly in his dreams. When he dreams, human technology can advance by ten years."

Just as they were talking about this, someone suddenly knocked on the door. It shouldn't be Strange, since he just left. Shiler walked over and opened the door. When he opened it, it turned out to be Captain America from some unknown universe.

"Hello, do you have time?" Captain America looked a bit anxious as he said, "The situation on the front lines is bad. We need support."

"Sorry, but our friend is sick." Shiler said, "We're not saying we won't help, but we might need some time to research who should go help."

"Who is sick?"

"Tony Stark, of course. Ordinary people can't stay on this island forever. He's come down with a high fever. Maybe he'll get better soon, maybe not. We have to leave someone here to watch over him."

"Okay, I completely understand, but please make sure you send someone over. Otherwise, the western front might really not be able to hold."

"We will, right away."