Deep within the cavern.
A blue crystal floated in midair, like a frozen shard of the starry river, its glow pulsing with a rhythmic breath.
Xiao Han stood before it, his super vision piercing through the surface, seeing the flowing energy veins inside.
"It's beautiful, isn't it?" Andrew suddenly spoke, his voice soft. "It feels… alive."
Xiao Han didn't deny it. "It really is beautiful."
"When we touched it, we could make things float," Steve scratched his head.
"At first it was just tiny stuff, then…"
"Then it started affecting you," Xiao Han finished for him, turning his gaze back to Andrew. "Especially you."
Andrew's shoulders trembled. "How… how do you know?"
"Because your energy reaction is the strongest."
Xiao Han stepped closer, his voice gentle. "What did it plant inside your heart? Anger? Or… loneliness?"
Andrew's breathing grew faster, his fingers digging unconsciously into his palm. "It makes me… strong."
"Strength isn't a bad thing," Xiao Han said. "But power is like fire. It can warm, and it can burn everything down."
Matt couldn't help interrupting: "So what exactly is this stone?"
Xiao Han was silent for a moment. "I'm not sure. But it doesn't belong to Earth."
Steve's eyes widened. "Alien tech?"
"Or something worse."
Xiao Han reached out and gently touched the crystal's surface. A ripple of energy spread out, and light shimmered at his fingertips.
Andrew suddenly stepped forward. "Can you… take it away?"
Xiao Han looked at him. "Do you want me to take it?"
Andrew lowered his head, voice barely audible. "I can't control myself… sometimes, I just want everyone to shut up."
The cavern fell silent for several seconds.
Xiao Han asked inwardly, "System, can you absorb this thing?"
[Yes, Host! Move closer to it.]
Xiao Han withdrew his hand and looked at the boys. "I can take it away. But your powers won't disappear."
"Then what will happen to Andrew?" Matt asked nervously.
"That depends on him," Xiao Han said, looking at Andrew. "Power is a tool, not a master."
Andrew bit his lip, saying nothing.
Xiao Han didn't press him—just waited quietly.
Finally, Andrew took a deep breath. "Please take it away!"
Xiao Han nodded and placed his palm on the crystal.
The crystal burst into blinding light!
[Ding! Alien energy radiation detected]
[Analyzing... resonance forming with host's bio-force field]
[Telekinesis ability integrating...]
Xiao Han felt the structure of his internal energy rearranging, a completely new force sparking at the nerve endings.
He tried lifting a stone with his mind—the stone immediately floated, light as air.
"More precise than my bio-force field…" he murmured.
As his thoughts stirred, the blue glow surged. The entire crystal began to shrink, collapsing inward until it became a stream of light that sank into his palm.
[Ding! Energy absorption complete]
[Telekinesis module fused with bio-force field]
[Bio-force field greatly enhanced!]
The mine dimmed, leaving only their flashlight beams.
"Is… is it over?" Steve asked blankly.
"No," Xiao Han shook his head. "This is only the beginning."
He walked toward the exit, and the three instinctively followed. The night wind blew past, starlight spilling over them.
"If you want to learn how to control your powers," Xiao Han turned back slightly, a faint smile on his lips.
"I can help you."
Andrew finally lifted his head. "You'll teach us?"
"I know a place." Xiao Han's tone carried a subtle amusement.
"After all, every superpowered person needs a guide."
A gentle golden light flickered in his eyes. His super vision pierced through layers of obstacles, locking onto a hidden manor on the outskirts of New York.
A place radiating a unique energy signature unlike any ordinary human.
"Found it," he whispered, looking at the three young men. "Are you ready?"
Matt pushed up his glasses, voice trembling. "W-Where are we going?"
"To a place that can help you."
Xiao Han smiled, and his bio-force field silently expanded, enveloping the three of them. "Hold on."
The next moment, the four of them shot into the sky, the lights of New York shrinking rapidly below.
Andrew clutched Steve's arm in a death grip—but his eyes burned with excitement.
Matt yelped, then was stunned into silence by the sight before him.
Wind roared past, but the bio-force field shielded most of the airflow, letting them breathe steadily.
Xiao Han controlled the speed carefully so they wouldn't feel discomfort.
"Is that… the Xavier School for Gifted Youngsters?" Matt suddenly recognized the destination, his voice rising with excitement.
"Oh my god, that's the X-Men headquarters!"
Steve's eyes widened. "Wait—are you talking about those mutants?"
Xiao Han didn't reply—because he had already sensed a powerful psychic energy scanning them.
The consciousness tendril of Charles Xavier, Professor X himself.
When the four landed on the lawn in front of the mansion, several figures were already waiting.
At the front sat a bald man in a wheelchair, gentle blue eyes glowing with wisdom.
Behind him stood several X-Men: Cyclops with a hand on his red quartz visor; Storm, her white hair flowing in the night wind; Wolverine, a cigar burning faintly between his fingers.
"Welcome. What should I call you, Mr. Superman?"
Professor X's voice was warm. "And these three young men… I sense unusual energy within you."
Xiao Han nodded slightly. "Charles, I've heard of you. My name is Xiao Han—just call me Xiao. These three gained abilities by accident, but they lack guidance."
He briefly explained the blue crystal, skipping the part about absorbing the energy himself.
Professor X's gaze lingered on Andrew for a moment, his brows faintly tightening.
"I feel pain in your heart, child," he said softly. "But this can be your home."
Andrew stepped back instinctively, fingers shaking. "Y-You can… read my thoughts?"
"Only what you're willing to share," Professor X said kindly, then turned to Xiao Han.
"Thank you for bringing them. But I'm curious—how did you find us?"
Xiao Han's lips curved slightly. "Super vision and sensory perception. Your psychic barrier is strong, but the building can't hide its energy signature."
Cyclops stepped forward. "Professor, we should verify his intentions."
"Relax, Scott," Professor X waved him off. "If Mr. Xiao meant harm, we would have known by now."
He looked back at Xiao Han. "Shall we go inside for some tea? I believe we have much to discuss."
Xiao Han nodded, and they walked toward the school. Andrew and the others were taken by Hank McCoy—Beast—for lodging, while Xiao Han followed Professor X to his study.
Inside, Professor X poured two cups of tea. "So, Mr. Xiao—aside from bringing those young men here, what is your true purpose?"
Xiao Han accepted the cup, looking straight into his eyes. "To make friends. If one day, this world faces an unprecedented threat, we'll need to unite every possible force."
"What kind of threat?"
"Cosmic overlords. Rulers of dark dimensions. Extra-dimensional invaders," Xiao Han's voice lowered.
"Mutants, along with every other faction on Earth—we need an alliance."
A flicker of surprise flashed in Professor X's eyes. "You're calmer than I expected. But relations between mutants and humans are already tense. If we openly ally with other superpowered individuals…"
"That's why we need to prepare early."
Xiao Han set the teacup down. "Charles, your ideals are admirable. But sometimes understanding and compassion aren't enough. When real crisis comes, we need to be ready."
Silence fell. Only the crackle of firewood in the fireplace could be heard.
Finally, Professor X nodded slowly. "I will consider it. But before that…"
His words abruptly stopped, his brows tightening.
Xiao Han had sensed it long ago—the energy disturbance around the academy—but he hadn't bothered to react.
"Intruders!" Professor X said sharply. "It's Magneto!"
Alarms blared throughout the academy. The X-Men rushed into combat positions.
Xiao Han rose, golden light swirling in his eyes. "Looks like our conversation is on hold."
Professor X nodded gravely. "Erik choosing tonight is no coincidence. He must have sensed something."
Xiao Han smiled faintly. "Then let's go see what this master of magnetism wants."
Before the words faded—
The entire academy shook violently.
Metal beams groaned and twisted under immense force.
Magneto's power was sweeping toward them.