Chapter 79: What Does the Eternals' Trouble Have to Do with Me?
A classified United States military document was accidentally leaked.
[The Skrulls invaded Earth, shapeshifting into high-ranking government officials and superheroes, with the Avengers colluding with aliens to overthrow the human government.]
Initially, no one believed the claims. Many assumed it was malicious disinformation spread by the United States to justify seizing control of Celestial Island's mineral resources.
However, the emergence of video footage showing the superhero War Machine James Rhodes transforming into a green-skinned alien after death immediately changed public perception.
Government officials became paranoid, protests erupted across the nation, and several international conflicts ignited.
Ryan, who had orchestrated all of this, remained in Washington for several days, conducting genetic tests on each member of the Eternal Order. After confirming no Skrull infiltration, he boarded a military transport back to Celestial Island.
President Ross watched the aircraft depart, then drove to the military base laboratory.
This had once been Ryan's laboratory. After Ryan relocated to Celestial Island, Ross assigned it to Dr. Angus for research on Captain America's remains.
Inside, besides Dr. Angus, Ross's old associate Samuel Sterns was also present.
Samuel Sterns had once assisted Bruce Banner and used Hulk's blood to create the Abomination. However, the Abomination had struck him, cracking his skull and accidentally exposing him to Hulk's gamma-irradiated blood, causing his own mutation.
Since then, Samuel Sterns had been held in federal custody.
The real reason Ross had become the Red Hulk was that the original Ross had been dying and needed gamma suppressants provided by Samuel Sterns. This caused him to mutate immediately upon contact with the enhanced serum and Hulk's blood.
Now that he possessed the immortality serum provided by Ryan, he no longer required gamma treatments.
Consequently, Samuel Sterns had been transferred to this laboratory to conduct additional scientific experiments.
"Any progress on reverse-engineering the serum?"
Samuel Sterns narrowed his eyes, glancing at Ross, and replied indifferently, "I've analyzed 80% of the components in the immortality serum. The remaining 20% remains unknown, and I suspect it's not of terrestrial origin."
"The synthesis formula remains indecipherable. If we knew the formula, we could create a less potent version even with insufficient raw materials."
President Ross frowned. "What would we need for the formula? Are there alternative methods?"
Samuel Sterns shook his head. "There are no alternatives. The formula is the key to the vault. Without it, no one can access the contents."
The immortality serum contained three primary components. The first was an enzyme found in the saliva of genetically enhanced mice. Not all mice possessed it—only those enhanced with Thanos's genetic material could produce it.
The second was the immortality factor found in Mr. Immortal's blood. This factor provided extended longevity and served as the perfect binding agent in the serum's creation.
The final ingredient was a byproduct extracted from Celestial genes in Eternal bone marrow, refined through complex chemical processes.
Ross, despite being President of the United States, and even if he were leader of the entire world, wouldn't be able to acquire these three extremely rare components.
Ross stopped conversing with Samuel Sterns and entered the adjacent laboratory.
Dr. Angus, currently conducting cellular activation experiments, immediately abandoned his work upon seeing Ross enter, removing his gloves and mask to provide a status report.
"Mr. President, the cellular activation experiments are progressing well, with a stable success rate around 30%. If we used cells from Captain America Steve Rogers, the success rate could reach 50%."
Ross appreciated Angus's dedication but was deeply dissatisfied with his research progress.
"What practical applications does this research offer?"
Dr. Angus replied excitedly, "The most obvious application is medical treatment. Almost any organism that died from unnatural causes or sustained physical trauma could be treated. We could activate human regenerative cells, extend lifespans, and cure various diseases."
Angus's excitement grew as he spoke, as if Nobel Prizes were within his grasp.
Ross scowled.
"I don't care about theoretical applications. Give me a life extension experiment report as soon as possible. I want to see practical feasibility, or I'll shut down this laboratory."
Angus's smile froze. "Sir, this is only theoretically viable. If you want tangible results, I'll need considerably more time."
"Make it as soon as possible. I won't waste funding on meaningless experiments," Ross warned before turning and leaving.
Interfering with evolutionary processes wasn't simple. Angus, having learned only basic techniques from Ryan, had become arrogantly overconfident. He was nothing but a delusional scientist with grandiose ideas.
Construction on Celestial Island continued. Ryan immediately entered his laboratory upon returning.
Skrulls were silicon-based lifeforms, composed of completely different amino acid structures than humans.
Their blood, bone marrow, nervous systems, and brain stems were vastly different from terrestrial biology.
On the laboratory bench lay a piece of Skrull skin tissue Ryan had collected. It appeared dried and dehydrated.
Ryan's research revealed that Skrull skin resembled that of a chameleon, but far more advanced. It possessed minimal elasticity, but its color and texture could be controlled through muscle tissue manipulation.
This was the primary mechanism allowing Skrulls to assume human appearances.
Ryan had also collected brain tissue samples. He was curious about how Skrulls copied others' memories. This ability was truly remarkable—they could obtain every secret in a person's mind without interrogation. They were natural-born intelligence operatives.
Ryan remained in the laboratory until late evening. When he emerged, he found Thena waiting outside.
"Why are you here instead of resting?" Ryan asked casually.
Thena's voice was cold. "What are you planning to do with that Deviant?"
Thena wanted to kill the Deviant to avenge Gilgamesh, but Ryan had captured the creature and promised to cure her Mahd Wy'ry condition, so she had restrained herself.
The longer hatred remained unresolved, the stronger it grew. So Thena approached Ryan the same day he returned.
Ryan then remembered he hadn't yet studied the Alpha Deviant Kro.
After a moment's consideration, he said, "Let's examine it together."
The two arrived at the containment cell where the Alpha Deviant was imprisoned.
The Alpha Deviant glanced at them with its four eyes and spoke in human language. "Have you decided to execute me?"
Thena's eyes flashed with murderous intent.
The Alpha Deviant was humanoid in size but possessed numerous tentacles. When it had absorbed Ajak and Gilgamesh's powers, it was through these tentacles that it transferred their cosmic energies.
Ryan approached the control console and pressed several buttons.
A large cloud of white vapor suddenly erupted from the cell, instantly forming a layer of frost on the Alpha Deviant's body.
"ROAR!"
The Alpha Deviant bellowed and leaped up, frantically moving around the cell. After several collisions with the walls, it gradually slowed to a stop.
Under the influence of liquid nitrogen, the Alpha Deviant's body began stiffening until it was completely immobilized.
Ryan showed no signs of stopping, continuing to spray liquid nitrogen until a thick layer of ice encased the creature. He then pressed the stop button.
He opened the cell door and entered with specimen collection equipment.
He extracted blood, bone marrow, skin tissue, and even severed one of the tentacles.
He exited the cell with his samples and said to Thena, who stood silently outside, "I'm leaving it to you. Remember to send the corpse to the laboratory after you kill it. Make sure it's fresh."
Ryan returned to the laboratory to store his specimens, then went to rest.
The next morning, when he returned to the lab, the Alpha Deviant—dismembered by Thena—lay in pieces outside the entrance.
Ryan shook his head wordlessly, donning protective gear and retrieving a cart to wheel the scattered Alpha Deviant remains into the laboratory.
The research queue in his lab continued growing, and after days of intensive work, Ryan still couldn't achieve a breakthrough.
He simply paused all experimental work and left the laboratory to clear his mind.
Ryan, who hadn't seen sunlight in days, felt momentarily disoriented upon emerging, squinting until his eyes adjusted.
Steel Payne approached with several documents. "Boss, the Pentagon has submitted a defense procurement order for 20 tons of minerals from Celestial Island. Other nations have also sent representatives to negotiate mineral purchases after receiving the news."
Payne, trained as an accountant, was arguably the most educated person on Celestial Island besides Ryan.
Almost all matters concerning official finances were delegated to Payne.
Ryan responded with just two words: "Not selling."
Payne raised his hands helplessly and returned to deal with the frustrated diplomats.
Ryan crossed the small plaza and approached the palace entrance, which was 80% completed.
The main entrance stood 9 meters tall, with an enormous hall at the entry supported by 24 columns. At the end of the central pathway, elevated on steps, sat a golden throne crafted from pure adamantium with a backrest three meters high.
Ryan slowly ascended the steps, and just as he was about to sit on the throne to test it, Sprite came rushing over.
"Ryan! We're in serious trouble!"
Ryan, standing on the steps, turned around confused. "Who's in trouble?"
Sprite ran inside and said, "Sersi was captured by Arishem. It must be because we prevented Celestial Tiamut's awakening!"
The Ten Eternals had come to Earth to ensure Tiamut's safe emergence, but instead they had prevented it. Sersi, in particular, had transformed the Celestial Tiamut into a mineral deposit.
Tiamut's life force had been extinguished and could never be reignited. Arishem the Judge must be furious.
Ryan clicked his tongue. "That has nothing to do with us. Sersi was simply kindhearted and wanted to protect Earth."
The words sounded hypocritical even to him.
Sprite stammered, "But... but..."
"No buts. Sersi will definitely be fine. Even if you wanted to rescue Sersi, you'd need the power to do so. Can you defeat a Celestial?"
Even though Ryan was powerful now, he still couldn't fathom Arishem's true capabilities.
Destroying planets with a gesture? Ryan had trouble excavating holes on Earth, let alone destroying entire worlds. Fighting a Celestial to rescue Sersi was absurd.
Sprite knew it was impossible. She was simply worried about Sersi, but also concerned about being captured herself. Perhaps, feeling insecure, she wanted Ryan to take responsibility.
Ryan comforted her, then led Sprite out of the palace to sit on the fountain edge in the central plaza, continuing their conversation.
The discussion turned to the Eternals' various powers.
"I remember your ability is creating illusions, correct?"
Sprite nodded, casually raising her hand. Instantly, another Sprite appeared before Ryan, indistinguishable from the original. The illusion even moved and spoke like a real person.
The illusion not only created visual effects but also auditory ones—truly advanced technology.
Ryan asked curiously, "I've tried using cosmic energy for other purposes, but it simply doesn't work. How do you do it?"
Sprite blinked. "Just imagine whatever you want in your mind. You channel energy through your body, while I channel it through my brain—that's the difference."
"Through the brain?" Ryan attempted to direct cosmic energy into his head, but found the energy stopped at his neck. No matter how he concentrated, it wouldn't rise to his brain.
Ryan felt frustrated because he couldn't solve this problem. He left Sprite and returned to the laboratory to research the issue.
End of Chapter
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