After Su Zhan finished absorbing the Aether, he stepped out of his room, feeling the subtle hum of new energy coursing through his veins. The rest of the team was already assembled, their gear packed, and their faces set with anticipation. He considered asking what their next mission was but decided against it. With this group, he would know soon enough.
They boarded all-terrain vehicles, the engines rumbling as they left the plane behind and sped toward their destination. The night air was crisp, and the headlights cut through the darkness, illuminating the winding road ahead. As they drove, the mood was a mix of tension and camaraderie—everyone trusted each other, but the unknown always brought a certain edge.
When they arrived, Su Zhan took in the scene with a single, sweeping glance. There were a couple of tents pitched around a red jeep, a campfire ringed with scattered camping gear, and the faint scent of smoke lingering in the air. The group disembarked, boots crunching on gravel as they made their way into the camp.
One of the agents briefed them in a low voice. "A group was camping here. A man named Adam Cross heard something strange in the woods, went to check it out, and ended up dead."
Su Zhan's gaze drifted to the surrounding trees. The bark was scorched, blackened in places, as if fire had licked over them and left only scars. As the team spread out to investigate, they soon found the body suspended in midair, twisted and lifeless, floating above the ground in a way that defied explanation.
For a long moment, everyone stood frozen, the sight too bizarre for words. The silence was heavy, broken only by the crackle of the dying campfire. Jemma Simmons was the first to move, stepping forward with her medical kit, her face pale but determined.
"Wait!" Su Zhan said suddenly, reaching out to stop her. His hand closed gently around her arm.
Simmons looked back at him, startled. "What is it?"
"I'm saving you," Su Zhan replied quietly, his tone calm but insistent. The others turned to stare at him, confusion etched on their faces.
He explained, "There's a virus on this body. If you touch it without protection, you'll be infected. Simmons, if you want to examine the body, you need to prepare first."
Without another word, Su Zhan enveloped the corpse in a shimmering field of telekinetic energy, lowering it carefully to the ground. "I'll take it back to the plane's lab for analysis," he said, and with a wave of his hand, the body floated away, protected by his mind.
Coulson watched him with a thoughtful expression. "He definitely knows something," he murmured to May, then directed the others to continue searching the area.
Back on the plane, Su Zhan placed the body in a secure containment pod, keeping his telekinetic shield in place. He recalled the details from his memories: this was the Chitauri virus, left behind after the Battle of New York, carried in an alien helmet. The helmet was dangerous, but it also held the key to an antidote.
He asked the system, "Is there any use for the helmet?"
"No," the system replied simply.
Su Zhan shrugged. He had expected as much. There was no point in pushing further. He decided to leave the investigation to the others and focus on what mattered most—absorbing more of the Aether's power and studying the fear crystal.
A short while later, Coulson and the rest of the team returned. Coulson approached Su Zhan, who was still monitoring the containment pod.
"This person was infected by an alien virus," Su Zhan explained. "It's from a Chitauri helmet. If you find the helmet, you'll be able to develop an antidote. I'm sure Simmons and Fitz can handle it."
Coulson nodded, grateful for the information. "What about you? Aren't you coming with us?"
Su Zhan shook his head. "I have other things to take care of. I'll stay on the plane."
Coulson did not press further. The information Su Zhan had provided was already invaluable. The rest of the team moved quickly, following his advice. They soon identified the victim as Adam Cross, a firefighter who had been infected while cleaning the alien helmet. Simmons and Fitz worked together, and after some trial and error, they managed to develop the antidote and treat those exposed to the virus.
The mission was a success. The helmet was secured for further study, and everyone breathed a sigh of relief. More than once, the team remarked on Su Zhan's uncanny ability to predict the future. Without his warning, Simmons might have been infected, and the outcome could have been disastrous.
Back in his quarters, Su Zhan focused on absorbing the ether particles. The energy was immense, and he could feel it weaving deeper into his body, strengthening every cell. He lost track of time, only snapping back to reality when the system's voice echoed in his mind: "Promotion!"
He sat up, excitement bubbling inside him. "What's changed?" he asked eagerly.
"The instance dungeon retention time has increased to seven days. The quest refresh time is now fifteen days. You can now open a third instance dungeon plane," the system responded.
Su Zhan clenched his fist in triumph. "This is amazing. I didn't expect such a big upgrade so soon. Seven days instead of three, and I can open a new plane every fifteen days. But the best part is the third plane—I have so much more room to maneuver now."
As he celebrated, the door slid open, and Skye stepped in, curiosity bright in her eyes. "What's got you so happy?"
Su Zhan grinned and pulled her into his arms, letting her settle comfortably on his lap. "Everything's going smoothly. The spaceship is ready, the base is almost finished, and the team is coming together. We're finally starting to take shape."
Skye smiled, her happiness obvious. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Su Zhan thought for a moment. "Not right now. But I'd like you to get to know everyone here. S.H.I.E.L.D. won't last much longer. If you can win people over to our side, that would be ideal."
Skye nodded, her expression serious. "I understand. But what's happening with S.H.I.E.L.D.?"
Su Zhan's gaze turned somber. "Do you know about Hydra?"
Skye's eyes widened in surprise. "Of course. But I thought Hydra was destroyed?"
Su Zhan shook his head. "Cut off one head, two more grow in its place. Hydra isn't so easily destroyed. They were defeated publicly, but in reality, they've infiltrated S.H.I.E.L.D. from within. S.H.I.E.L.D. is no longer what it once was."
Skye took a deep breath, the weight of the revelation settling on her. "That's… hard to believe."
Su Zhan squeezed her hand gently. "Don't worry. Trust me. We'll be ready for whatever comes next."
Skye nodded, determination shining in her eyes. "I believe in you."
With the mission complete and his goals within reach, Su Zhan felt a rare sense of peace. The future was uncertain, but for the first time, he felt truly prepared to face it.
The next morning, the team gathered for a debrief. The tension from the previous day had faded, replaced by a sense of accomplishment. Simmons, her respect for Su Zhan now deeper than ever, thanked him quietly for his intervention. Fitz, still marveling at the antidote's success, asked Su Zhan about the strange energy he'd used to move the body. Su Zhan only smiled, keeping his secrets for now.
As the day wore on, Su Zhan found himself reflecting on how far he had come. From a stranger in a new world to the leader of a growing organization, he had forged alliances, gained power, and earned the trust of those around him. He knew the real challenges were still ahead—Hydra, the Aether, the mysteries of the multiverse—but for now, he allowed himself to enjoy the moment.
He stood by the window, watching the sunrise over the horizon, the light catching the edge of his Aether Lantern ring. Whatever the future held, he was ready. With his team by his side and new worlds to explore, Su Zhan felt more alive than ever.