After the high-energy button-type plasma battery passed all safety tests, it was immediately approved for production. Once the project was complete, Wang Shui treated everyone to a celebratory meal.
During the dinner, he lavished praise on Su Xun, calling him everything from a youthful genius to an unparalleled prodigy—the greatest mind across past and present. His flattery was so effusive that even Su Xun began to feel a little embarrassed.
In recognition of their hard work, the research department Su Xun belonged to was granted a three-day holiday by the Hualing Research Institute, allowing them some well-earned rest after the intense development of the new battery.
Following the collapse of the Sky Ladder, Z City had seen sporadic infestations of insectoid creatures. It was rumored they emerged from tunnels spreading out from the Abyss beneath the ruins. Though patrol units now scoured the city daily, there were still incidents of civilians falling prey to these creatures.
The formations of these insectoids were nearly identical to those that had once ambushed Su Xun: a small convoy of Carriers transporting a Brainworm, flanked by several Warrior Bugs. The Carriers served as transport vessels, Warrior Bugs as executioners, while the Brainworms extracted cerebral fluid—through which the insectoid race appeared to gather intelligence on humans.
Despite being on leave, Su Xun remained far from idle. Donning his iron battle armor, he hunted down and exterminated numerous insectoid packs roaming the city. As a result, "Iron Man" dominated the trending topics online day after day:
Iron Man Returns!
Iron Man Slaughters the Insect Horde!
Iron Man: Guardian of Z City
Is This the True Identity of Iron Man?!
Iron Man—Our Divine Protector!
In truth, Su Xun wasn't motivated by any noble intent to protect the city. His primary goal in hunting insectoids was to farm virtual points. While Carriers and Warrior Bugs yielded only meager rewards, each Brainworm—classified as a commander-level entity—granted a hefty 500 virtual points.
Over the course of three days, Su Xun amassed a total of 5,000 points.
"Quite the profitable harvest," he murmured.
At that moment, Su Xun was seated at his desk, system interface projected before him.
"System, how many virtual points are required to redeem a plasma cannon?"
[2,000 virtual points]
"Good. Proceed with the exchange."
[Exchange complete]
A blueprint materialized in Su Xun's hands, and he immediately delved into studying the plasma cannon's specifications.
Just as he was absorbed in his research, his phone rang.
The caller ID displayed an encrypted number.
"Nikola, trace the source of the call."
"Certainly, sir."
Moments later, Nikola responded, "Trace complete. The signal originates 200 meters beneath the former Sky Ladder Tower."
"So there is something buried beneath that chasm," Su Xun muttered. Staring at the still-ringing phone, he finally answered.
"Su Xun, what are you guys doing over there?" came Chen Jin's voice from the other end.
"Doing what?" Su Xun asked, confused.
"I heard from Old Ma that even now, the core energy tech for the iron battle armor hasn't been cracked?"
Su Xun replied, "And what does that have to do with me?"
"Aren't you working at Hualing? How can there still be unresolved technical hurdles?"
That made Su Xun chuckle. "Oh, well, it's not like they've asked for my help. I can't just walk in and say, 'Hey, I'm Iron Man, I designed this armor. Got any questions? Just ask me.'"
Chen Jin coughed, caught off guard by his bluntness. "Well... you could at least give them some guidance." Truth be told, Chen Jin found it absurd—those proud old scientists at Hualing were given the blueprints, yet they still couldn't figure it out?
"No way," Su Xun replied coolly, crossing his legs. "The Iron Armor Project is classified. I have no official access to it. If I volunteer information, they might accuse me of stealing secrets. If I get arrested, are you going to bail me out?"
"Come on, brother, you've got to help me out here. We're facing serious trouble on this end. There's a hard battle ahead, and without gear, our people won't last long."
Su Xun narrowed his eyes. Something in Chen Jin's voice gave him pause. "What's really down there beneath the Abyss?"
"Wait—who said I was talking about the Abyss?"
"I guessed."
"You little devil—you hacked my location, didn't you?!"
"So, are you going to tell me or not?"
"There's... a lot going on down here. It's classified under League protocol."
"In that case," Su Xun said dryly, "I'll be hanging up now."
"Wait, wait—I'll talk, I'll talk!" Chen Jin blurted out in panic. "Beneath the Abyss, a non-Terran geological structure has emerged. There are swarms of insectoids hidden within… and countless eggs as well."
"As I suspected," Su Xun murmured.
Given the number of insectoid sightings within the city, he had already inferred the situation beneath the Abyss. "Then why haven't you destroyed it outright?"
Chen Jin replied gravely, "That's not something I'm at liberty to discuss."
Su Xun didn't press further. He understood—the Alliance likely wished to study and analyze the alien environment that had taken root within the Abyss.
"Su Xun, we're in dire need of the Iron Battle Armor. You gave me your word once, remember?"
Su Xun retorted, "And you promised me boundless resources. But since I arrived, I haven't even had clearance to access specialized materials."
Only then did Chen Jin realize why Professor Ma and the others couldn't decipher the schematics Su Xun had provided. The kid had held something back—clever bastard. "Ahem. You should've reminded me sooner. I'll have the highest-level special access token delivered to you immediately."
"Once I receive it, I'll forward the core technical points of the Arc Reactor to Professor Ma."
"Deal."
With that, Chen Jin ended the call, muttering, "Talking to that guy is damn exhausting."
At that moment, he stood beneath the Abyss, flanked by fully armed Alliance soldiers. In the near distance, a massive cavern yawned open—a passageway that plunged into unseen depths, faint blue light flickering from within.
"Zhuang Yan, deliver this to Su Xun," Chen Jin said, handing over an oval metallic token.
"Right away?"
"Now."
"Understood."
Zhuang Yan accepted the item and promptly boarded a helicopter.
While Su Xun was immersed in his plasma cannon research, Zhuang Yan arrived. He hadn't expected such astonishing efficiency—the token had been delivered overnight.
As Su Xun accepted the special access permit, Zhuang Yan reminded him, "With this, you may requisition any resource or personnel from the Hualing Research Institute."
"Excellent."
Su Xun beamed. At last, he could begin upgrading the Iron Battle Armor.
After Zhuang Yan departed, Su Xun set the schematics aside, suited up in the armor, and launched himself straight out the window.
"Nikola, block all surveillance within the Institute."
"Already taken care of."
Su Xun had long since embedded Nikola into the Hualing Research Institute's network. It had cracked every server; disabling the surveillance system was child's play.
Moments later, Su Xun arrived at Hualing's internal blacksite research facility—the true laboratory of the Iron Battle Armor project.
"Nikola, shut down all lights and alarms."
"Yes, sir."
In an instant, the entire base was plunged into darkness.
"What's going on?!"
The already hectic lab dissolved into utter chaos.