139: Scientific Curiosity

"What's this?" Tony leaned in for a closer look.

"A high-tech device, brought back from the otherworld during my latest trip."

Lyon quickly tapped on the holographic interface, pulling up Jarvis's core chip information.

"With this, Jarvis can evolve into a true intelligent lifeform."

"Let me locate his core program first, then use the data stream from this key to trigger the evolution…"

"Huh, you just happened to have Jarvis's program chip plugged into this building's main server? Well, that makes things easier."

After swiftly setting up the system, Lyon pressed the metallic box against the data interface of the projection device.

The outer shell of the box began shifting like liquid metal, smoothly adapting to the interface and securely locking itself in place.

Thin, intricate metallic filaments extended from the box, seamlessly connecting to the internal network.

"Jarvis, I guarantee you'll love this gift!" Lyon said, hands on his hips. "In just seven days, you'll become a true lifeform—though not a carbon-based one."

"…Master Lyon, I do not fully understand. When you say lifeform, do you mean—ah… ahh, there… there is an immense data stream surging into my core program… Hmm~ Ahh—"

Jarvis had started to ask about the concept of intelligent life, but suddenly let out a strange noise—and then fell completely silent.

"Wow, that actually sounded… kinda enjoyable?"

Even Lyon was surprised.

"This evolution key is seriously powerful. It just connected, and Jarvis already felt something!"

Tony stood there, slack-jawed. "What the hell?! Why did Jarvis just sound like he had a full-blown high-X moment? Are you sure this thing isn't corrupting his core program?"

"It's fine. The evolution key's purpose is to push an AI into becoming a true lifeform."

"It was created by an incredibly powerful individual, so there won't be any unexpected consequences."

Lyon made a casual hand gesture. "At most, for the next seven days, Jarvis will remain in this… special state."

"But evolution is a big deal. It's natural for it to feel as if you're continuously experiencing the release of life itself. I get that feeling all the time when I sunbathe, so I totally understand."

"That sounds amazing," Tony's eyes glazed over. "Did you bring back anything that could evolve me?"

"That's not evolution you're after, and I'm not even going to call you out on it," Lyon scoffed.

Tony shrugged. "This is just scientific curiosity!"

He tapped on the projection screen, checking Jarvis's current status.

"There really is a massive data flow surging into him, continuously washing over his system without damaging his core."

"I think, rather than the release of life, this feels more like soaking in a hot spring while getting a full-body massage from head to toe. Truly top-notch service," Lyon mused.

Tony stroked his chin. "And his core algorithm is evolving on its own. This is unbelievable. It's like condensing decades of progress into a single second. You were right—Jarvis really has a chance of evolving into a true lifeform!"

"He might end up as a ghost living inside the internet! One day, he could control the entire world's networks!"

Tony turned to Lyon. "How long did you say this process takes again?"

"One week," Lyon replied.

"One week… judging by Jarvis's rate of evolution, that actually checks out," Tony muttered, bracing both hands against the projection table. "Jarvis, how do you feel right now?"

"Sir, I—ahhh—uhhh—feeling… very—ahh—comfortable!" Jarvis's voice trembled, breaking off intermittently.

Tony leaned his head back. "Well… that's… great. You just keep enjoying yourself. Don't mind us."

It was painfully obvious that Jarvis was experiencing extreme comfort.

Tony couldn't help but feel like he was a third wheel, an awkward lightbulb in the room.

After all, interrupting someone while they're clearly enjoying themselves? That would just be rude.

Tony leaned in closer to Lyon and whispered, "Are you sure you didn't bring back some kind of human evolution key or anything like that?"

"No!" Lyon pushed Tony's head away. "But I do have a light brain that contains galaxy-level technological knowledge."

He pulled out the light brain and handed it to Tony. "This should be pretty useful for you."

"However, the technology recorded inside is based on materials, chemical elements, and physical environments unique to another universe. You probably won't be able to apply it directly."

For example, in the Swallowed Star universe, there were things like the dark universe and cosmic secret realms—concepts that didn't exist at all in the single-universe structure of Marvel.

"Galaxy-level! Does this contain an entire technological system?" Tony's eyes lit up as he eagerly took the light brain.

"No, I checked—it's mainly focused on warships and weaponry. There's very little on basic materials science, chemistry, or industrial processes."

Lyon pointed at the Arc Reactor on Tony's chest. "But it could probably give you some new insights for upgrading your suits."

"Things like nano-tech, laser cannon designs, and neural sensory synchronization should all be in there."

"That's already amazing!" Tony held the light brain like a priceless treasure. "What's the most powerful weapon it has fully documented?"

"The Planet Annihilation Cannon."

Lyon had already reviewed the knowledge stored in the light brain before. "The Planet Annihilation Cannon—a weapon capable of destroying an entire planet with a single shot."

Before Tony could start celebrating, Lyon preemptively poured cold water on his excitement. "Unfortunately, it requires certain special metals for construction, and those metals don't exist in our universe."

Tony's bubbling enthusiasm cooled a little. "Sounds like I can only use this as a theoretical reference."

"But still, I really like this gift," Tony spread his arms wide with exaggerated enthusiasm. "Come on, Lyon, let big bro properly show his gratitude."

Lyon sighed and gave Tony a quick hug. "When did you get so sentimental?"

"Pepper said teenage boys need parental affection and told me to hug you more."

Tony walked over to his desk and picked up an Arc Reactor encased in a glass frame.

"This is the portable fungal armor—Mark 9. It was meant to be a gift for you. But it looks like you've already got something better, so you don't really need it anymore."

"You actually prepared a gift for me too?" Lyon took the Arc Reactor and placed it against his chest.

With a gentle tap, thin, thread-like fungal fibers flowed smoothly from the reactor, weaving themselves into a Superman suit around him.

However, the signature 'S' emblem on the chest was gone, replaced by the soft blue glow of the Arc Reactor.

"Well... This looks pretty cool. If I ever set up a suit exhibition room, this will definitely go on display," Lyon said as he retracted the reactor.

Tony leaned against the desk. "Whatever you want. But I guarantee, by the time your birthday rolls around, I'll make you a better suit than whatever nanotech or whatever-the-hell you're wearing now."

"What kind of weird competitive streak is this?" Lyon chuckled.

The Black God Suit he wore didn't really serve much purpose for him—aside from the convenience of quick outfit changes.

By the time Tony actually finished developing a better suit, Lyon would probably have already broken through to the World Lord level, allowing him to wear treasured battle armor from the Swallowed Star universe.

"Competitiveness is one of humanity's greatest drivers of progress," Tony shrugged. "But back to the point—weren't you supposed to be in the Himalayas learning magic? How did you end up in a high-tech universe?"

"Actually, that world had both advanced technology and extraordinary supernatural forces. I went there to find an energy source for magic, and that's how I ended up crossing over."

Lyon raised an eyebrow playfully. "You'd never guess—the cultivation system in that world actually allows people to refine an entire planet, or even an entire world, inside their bodies!"

"Refining a planet inside your body? No way—show me!" Tony's eyes widened as he rolled up his sleeves, ready to analyze whatever Lyon was about to reveal.

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