Marvel: Starting with Iron Man in the Apocalypse

Inside the "Prometheus" laboratory on the seventh basement level of Stark Tower, the atmosphere in the energy research area was starkly different from the somber atmosphere of the adjacent virus analysis area. Here, an excitement and focus, akin to an engineer discovering a new toy, permeated the space. Tony Stark was almost fanatical in his research on the void energy crystals. These strange substances, emitting a faint blue glow, extracted from the anomalous energy reactions of the generators in The Walking Dead's armory, were currently suspended in the center of multiple energy confinement fields, like several beating hearts.

Chen Haotian finished the initial work on virus analysis and walked to the isolation observation window in the energy research area. He saw Tony dancing around the holographic projection screen, which was filled with dazzling energy flow diagrams, molecular structure simulations, and various extremely complex physical formulas. Several robotic arms, under Tony's precise control, were performing extremely subtle energy excitation and property tests on the crystals within the confinement field.

"Unbelievable, Chen, absolutely unbelievable!" Tony exclaimed without turning around, his voice brimming with the excitement of discovering a new continent. "This thing... it's practically mocking our current physics textbooks!"

Chen Haotian walked to his side, his gaze sweeping over the constantly updating data. "Any specific findings?"

"Specifically? Too many to list!" Tony zoomed in on an energy resonance spectrum graph with his finger. "Look here! Its energy release efficiency, under specific frequency excitation, can reach three hundred percent of the theoretical level of nuclear fusion, and there are almost no detected radioactive decay products or high-energy particle radiation! It's as clean as a virgin!"

The crude but vivid analogy made Chen Haotian's lips twitch, but he immediately grasped the key point: "Energy density and conversion efficiency?"

"Outrageously high!" Tony switched to a three-dimensional energy density distribution model. The pale blue dot in the model represented an energy core that was almost solidified. "The energy contained per unit volume, according to preliminary estimates, is more than fifty times that of a palladium metal plate of the same volume (used in his early Arc Reactor)! Moreover, its energy output is extremely stable, with fluctuations within a range of less than 0.03%, more stable than any precision power supply we've manufactured!"

Chen Haotian's eyes lit up slightly; this was indeed an astonishing discovery. He looked at the suspended crystals, which seemed to contain a miniature universe, tranquil yet vast.

"But that's not the most crucial point," Tony took a deep breath, trying to calm his excitement, but to no avail. "The most crucial point is its energy property—'void' energy. Jarvis's preliminary analysis shows that this energy seems to be able to 'bypass' or 'weaken' certain fundamental physical rules to some extent, such as the strictness of energy conservation at the microscopic level, and some electromagnetic interactions. It's more inclined to... the realization of a 'possibility'."

"Bypassing the rules?" Chen Haotian pondered, thinking about how the runes in his body operated, which seemed to have some characteristics that transcended the laws of physics.

"That's right!" Tony nodded vigorously, pulling up a set of comparative data: one side showed the energy output characteristics of the Arc Reactor, and the other showed those of the Void Crystal. "The Arc Reactor, in essence, is a highly efficient energy converter based on the rules of our universe. No matter how advanced it is, it can't escape the framework of the mass-energy equivalence equation and electromagnetic theory. But this Void Energy... it's more like an 'external' rule itself. Devices powered by it might exhibit some... well, illogical characteristics."

He pointed to a simulation result: "For example, if I redesign my suit's propulsion system using this energy as the core, theoretically, the propulsion efficiency could be increased by five to eight times, and the strength of the energy shield and its resistance to energy attacks could increase exponentially. This is because its energy itself has a potential characteristic of 'negating' or 'distorting' existing attack energy."

Chen Haotian immediately understood the strategic significance. This not only meant stronger power, longer endurance, and more robust defense, but also a technological leap forward. A steel legion powered by void energy would possess an overwhelming advantage when facing alien armies like the Chitauri, or other energy weapons on Earth based on conventional physical laws.

"The potential to replace the Arc Reactor..." Chen Haotian repeated the core of the chapter outline in a low voice, his gaze sharpening as he looked at Tony. "You already have a preliminary plan?"

"I have a few crazy ideas," Tony snapped his fingers, and three completely different energy core design sketches immediately appeared on the holographic screen in front of him.

The first design was relatively conservative, resembling a modification of the existing Ark Reactor structure, embedding a void crystal as the core excitation medium in an attempt to merge the two energy systems.

The second design is much more radical, completely abandoning the traditional reactor structure and designing a polyhedral crystal array that guides the direct output of void energy through a precise energy field. The structure is simple, but the control is extremely difficult.

The third design is the most bizarre. It is a fluid metal structure that constantly adjusts itself and seems to have a life of its own, with a crystal wrapped around its center. The design concept is to allow the device itself to "adapt" to the characteristics of the void energy, rather than forcibly constraining it.

"Option one has good compatibility, but it might not be able to fully utilize the advantages of void energy; it's like putting a tractor's gearbox on a Ferrari. Option two has the highest theoretical efficiency, but its stability is questionable; if not controlled properly, it could just be a beautiful firework display. Option three..." Tony pointed to the fluid metal design, "The most innovative concept, but it requires entirely new materials science and control systems; in the short term, it's just a fantasy."

Chen Haotian carefully examined the three options, his highly intelligent mind working rapidly. Combining his understanding of runic energy, which leaned more towards "concepts" and "rules," he pointed to the second option: "Risk and reward go hand in hand. Since this is an energy that transcends the ordinary, then using conventional thinking to constrain it is itself a limitation. Direct utilization, although extremely challenging, will yield the greatest rewards if successful."

He paused for a moment, then added, "Furthermore, my runic energy seems to have some affinity with this void energy. Perhaps, in terms of control, I can provide some energy-sensing-based assistance to compensate for the shortcomings of purely technological means."

Tony's eyes lit up: "You mean, human-machine integration? Using your energy sensing as a feedback loop to assist Jarvis's precise control?"

"That's one way to understand it," Chen Haotian nodded. "We can establish a two-way energy sensing and regulation system. Jarvis will be responsible for macroscopic, quantitative control, while I will be responsible for microscopic, intuitive, and energy-based perception and fine-tuning. This might solve your concerns about stability."

"Brilliant!" Tony rubbed his hands excitedly. "I love this kind of unconventional collaboration! Jarvis, prioritize refining the design based on Option Two, while incorporating Chen's energy sensing interface into the core architecture blueprint. We're not building an upgraded Arc Reactor, but a completely new, epoch-making 'Void Core'!"

"Instructions recorded, sir. Preliminary modeling has begun and is expected to take seventy-two hours to complete the basic framework simulation," Jarvis replied calmly.

Tony turned to Chen Haotian, his eyes gleaming with the light of a creator: "Think about it, Chen. A Mark armor powered by a 'Void Core' will not only reach new heights in flight speed and power, but its energy attacks may also possess a law-distorting effect, and its resistance to magic, supernatural abilities, and other supernatural forces will be greatly enhanced. This isn't just a new energy source; it's opening the door to a new world!"

Chen Haotian watched Tony, who was engrossed in design, a subtle smile—the kind of smile often reserved for a playboy and a cunning schemer—appear on his face. The application of new energy sources meant a significant increase in power, but it also meant that his bargaining power in his collaboration with Tony had become much greater. Tony needed his energy perception to control this dangerous and powerful force, while Chen Haotian himself could leverage Stark's industrial capabilities and technological genius to transform this otherworldly energy into tangible weaponry.

"Then what are we waiting for, my dear brother?" Chen Haotian said in a relaxed tone, with a hint of teasing. "Let's get started. Let's turn the 'Void Core' from blueprints into reality as soon as possible. I have a feeling we'll be using it very soon."

His gaze inadvertently swept over the heavily sealed, isolated vault in the laboratory, where metal fragments from the DC Universe were stored. The runes' intense reaction to those fragments still kept him vigilant; greater power was always the best guarantee against unknown risks. And at this moment, the path to even greater power was slowly unfolding in Tony's blueprints and through his runic perception.