manynovel Chapter 126 New Energy Source
Chapter 126 New Energy Source
Gotham's nights always carry a unique dampness, and even in the Joint Laboratory atop Wayne Tower, a lingering chill can be felt. Chen Haotian stood before the observation window, gazing at the energy core emitting a blue-green glow in the center of the laboratory, a barely perceptible smile appearing on his face.
"Energy output is stable at 92 percent," Tony's voice came through the communicator. "The transdimensional particle's lifespan has exceeded three thousand seconds, with no signs of decay."
Nick Fury stood in front of the monitoring console, a wary glint in his single eye: "But that unknown energy signature has reappeared, even stronger than last time."
Chen Haotian walked to the main control panel and pulled up the energy readings: "Record all the data. This unknown energy may be a natural product of the interaction between two cosmic rules."
Tony emerged from behind the energy core, removed his mask, and wore an expression that was a mixture of exhaustion and excitement: "We did it, Haotian. This hybrid energy core is not only stable, but its output efficiency is also forty percent higher than that of a simple arc reactor."
"In the DC Universe?" Chen Haotian asked.
"According to simulation data, the energy output efficiency in the DC Universe will be 15 percent lower than that in the Marvel Universe, but it will still far exceed any local energy technology." Tony pulled up a set of comparative data. "The key is that it will not produce energy overflow and will be completely adapted to the local physical rules."
Nick Fury added, "More importantly, it doesn't cause spacetime oscillations. We've finally found a way to balance the energy differences between the two universes."
Chen Haotian nodded: "Prepare to conduct a cross-universe stability test."
Tony paused for a moment: "Now? We haven't completed all the security checks yet."
"Time waits for no one," Chen Haotian said calmly. "Bruce Wayne's suspicions are growing daily, and the Penguin is starting to make more demands. We need to prove the value of this energy core as soon as possible."
Nick Fury pulled up surveillance footage: "Bruce Wayne isn't in Gotham tonight. According to flight information, he went to the Metropolitan to attend a charity gala. This is our testing window."
Tony sighed. "Okay, you're the boss. But if this test blows half of Gotham to bits, I won't be responsible."
Chen Haotian chuckled lightly: "Don't worry, I value my life more than you do."
The three began preparations for the intercosmic test. Tony was in charge of adjusting the output parameters of the energy core, Nick Fury set up monitoring equipment to record the test data, and Chen Haotian began activating the temporary teleportation device.
"Remember, we're only making short trips," Chen Haotian reminded them. "We'll stay in the Marvel Universe for no more than ten minutes, then return immediately."
Tony inspected the securing device to the energy core: "We can't leave this thing lying around, or we won't be able to explain it to Bruce."
With everything ready, Chen Haotian initiated the teleportation procedure. A familiar tearing sensation washed over him, and the surrounding space began to distort and deform. The next second, they were already standing inside the Stark Tower laboratory in the Marvel Universe.
"The energy core is functioning normally," Tony immediately checked the readings. "Output efficiency... wow, even better than the simulation data, only twelve percent lower than the DC Universe."
Nick Fury sensed the changes in his surroundings: "My magical perception has decreased by about thirty percent, as expected."
Chen Haotian walked to the window of the laboratory and looked at the New York night view outside: "It feels like coming home."
Tony began collecting data: "The energy core adapts perfectly in both universes. Look at this reading; it's even starting to self-regulate, adapting to different physical rules."
Suddenly, the light from the energy core flickered, and that unknown golden energy characteristic reappeared, this time even stronger than the previous two times.
"What's going on?" Tony asked nervously, adjusting the control panel.
Chen Haotian approached the energy core and observed it carefully: "Don't disturb it, let it develop naturally."
Golden light flowed within the blue-green energy field, exploring the surrounding space like a living entity. After a few minutes, the light gradually faded, and the energy core returned to a stable operating state.
"Did it record anything?" Chen Haotian asked.
Nick Fury pulled up the data analysis: "This unknown energy seems to be...learning. It recorded the energy characteristics of two universes and then adjusted its own behavior."
Tony pondered, "What if this unknown energy possesses some kind of intelligent property..."
"Then we've hit the jackpot," Chen Haotian chimed in. "But now's not the time for in-depth analysis. It's about time; we should head back."
The teleportation device was activated again, and the three returned to the DC Universe laboratory with the energy core. Upon landing, Nick Fury immediately checked the monitoring system.
"Nothing unusual, Bruce Wayne hasn't returned yet."
Tony began comparing the data from the two tests: "Incredible! The energy core's stability actually increased by three percent after the intercosmic journey. It seems the journey had a... strengthening effect on it."
Chen Haotian stared at the energy core, a calculating glint in his eyes: "Can this enhancement effect be repeated?"
"More testing is needed to confirm," Tony replied, "but the initial data is encouraging."
Over the next few hours, they conducted three more inter-universe travel tests. After each test, the stability and output efficiency of the energy core improved slightly, and the frequency of the appearance of that unknown golden energy increased.
"It seems to be growing," Nick Fury points out. "With each trip, this unknown energy becomes more active."
After the fourth test, Tony noticed a subtle change in the appearance of the energy core. The once smooth metal surface now showed some barely discernible patterns and emitted a faint golden glow.
"This thing is evolving on its own," Tony said, both excited and worried. "Are we sure it's safe?"
Chen Haotian reached out and gently touched the surface of the energy core, feeling a gentle pulsation: "It recognizes us."
"What?" Tony and Nick Fury looked at him at the same time.
"This energy...it remembers us," Chen Haotian explained. "Every time we travel through time, it collects our energy signatures. Now, it has recognized us as...friends."
Nick Fury frowned. "How did you know?"
Chen Haotian withdrew his hand, looking at the faint golden light remaining on his fingertips: "Intuition. The intuition of a top student."
Tony examined Chen Haotian's hand: "There's no radiation damage, and the energy readings are normal. But you can't judge these things just by intuition."
"Then let's let the data speak for itself," Chen Haotian said, walking toward the main control panel. "Start the full-power operation test and see what this 'alive' energy core can actually do."
The energy core operated at full power for a full hour with surprisingly stable output. Even more surprisingly, it began to establish some form of energy connection with other equipment in the lab, powering them without any physical connection.
"Wireless power transfer," Tony noted, "is 87 percent efficient, even more so than our best technology."
Nick Fury noted another phenomenon: "It is also absorbing energy from its surrounding environment, very slowly, but it is indeed replenishing itself."
Looking at the data, Chen Haotian began to plan the various possible applications of this new energy source in his mind. From improving armor systems to enhancing teleportation devices, and even the possible development of new weapons...
"That concludes today's testing," Chen Haotian finally decided. "We have collected enough data. We now need time to analyze it and plan the next steps for application development."
After the energy core was shut down, the golden light continued to linger on the surface of the device for a moment before gradually disappearing, as if it were alive and unwilling to enter a dormant state.
Tony stared at the extinguished energy core, his voice a complex mix of emotions: "Did we create a monster, or a miracle?"
"It depends on how we use it," Chen Haotian replied. "Technology has always been a double-edged sword."
Nick Fury compiled all the data: "Bruce Wayne's plane will land in an hour. We'd better clean up the experimental traces; we can't let him know we conducted an intercosmic test."
The three began cleaning the lab, erasing all traces of the tests. But they all understood that the successful development of this new energy source would fundamentally alter their ability to move between the two worlds. With the emergence of this energy core capable of freely traversing the universe, their plans would enter a completely new phase.
Chen Haotian glanced at the energy core one last time, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. The scales of the game were tipping in their favor.