Tony had no time for anything else. He had Jarvis connect him to Sun Xiaoxiao's private line. This couldn't be explained through customer service—Loki's group could attack Stark Tower any moment. If those workers got hurt because of Loki, it would become a diplomatic issue. Even more complicated.
When Sun Xiaoxiao answered, she looked conflicted at Loki's team circling outside. "Are you talking about someone in strange armor with a green cape and horns?"
"You see them?! Keep your people safe! I'm coming back now! Agree to whatever they want! Your people absolutely cannot get hurt!" Tony said anxiously, urging Steve and the others to board while suiting up.
Sun Xiaoxiao frowned. "You're sure we should agree to everything? They want to tear down our work! Our contract hasn't been inspected yet!"
"Come on! What time is this?! People matter!" Tony didn't understand why Sun Xiaoxiao cared so much about the contract. Shouldn't people be the priority? "That's it! Arrange quick evacuation, don't anger those people—they're cold-blooded terrorists! Ensure your safety above all. Even if they tear down the building, let them! I'll rebuild! I'll hire you again! There's always work! What matters is people!"
Tony's rapid-fire scolding left Sun Xiaoxiao stunned. Before she could respond, Tony hung up. Sun Xiaoxiao stared at her dark screen, scratching her head. "What a mess."
"Master Lu!" Sun Xiaoxiao walked to the window, respectfully calling to a middle-aged man. "The employer wants us to protect ourselves. The project doesn't matter—we should satisfy those terrorists' demands."
Master Lu carefully rubbed the wood in his hands twice, held it up to examine it, blew away the shavings with satisfaction, and placed it on the windowsill. The mortise-and-tenon structure formed a seamless whole.
"That's the employer's request? Isn't he from the mystical side? Doesn't he know we craftsmen all have skills?" Master Lu finally turned to Sun Xiaoxiao.
Sun Xiaoxiao spread her hands innocently. "I didn't get to explain—he hung up. From how he sounded, these people have serious backing. Otherwise, with his status, he shouldn't be this panicked."
Master Lu squatted by the wall, pulling out a long-stemmed pipe. Sun Xiaoxiao perceptively squatted beside him, rubbing her fingers to create a small flame to light his pipe before asking, "Master, what should we do?"
After several puffs, Master Lu slowly exhaled smoke rings. "Little Sun, the employer's being righteous, worried we'll get hurt. But we need integrity too—can't just stand by."
"Should I chase those weird people away?" Sun Xiaoxiao asked eagerly.
"Can't do that, Little Sun. In our trade, if you have skills, you show them. Can't let people look down on us, or who'll hire you? Didn't the employer say he's coming to handle this?" Master Lu exhaled another string of smoke rings.
Sun Xiaoxiao nodded. "Sounds like it. Coming right away."
"The employer probably has a plan. Here's what we'll do—we'll cooperate. Pay respects to Master Lu Ban, let the ancestor help watch over things. This building can't be destroyed—it's our showcase. Later we can say so-and-so's tower was built by us. How impressive? If it gets destroyed, when our grandchildren ask, do we say so-and-so's tower was finished for one day then destroyed? How do we answer? Little Sun, that's embarrassing!" Master Lu took a deep drag, stood up, and tapped his pipe against his shoe. With one stomp, the ash disappeared. Putting away his pipe, Master Lu walked toward the first floor with his hands behind his back, talking as he went.
Sun Xiaoxiao followed closely. "Should I call all the masters?"
"Call them. We'll all pay respects to the ancestor, then follow my lead. I won't promise much else, but without affecting the employer's plan, we guard this building well." Master Lu kept his hands behind his back, giving orders without looking back.
Sun Xiaoxiao immediately took out white paper, folded it into paper cranes, said a few words, then waved her hand. The cranes multiplied into dozens, flying through the corridors.
When Master Lu reached the first-floor lobby, the altar and offerings were ready. Master Lu walked directly to the altar, took three incense sticks, and lit them with a shake. Standing before the altar, he raised the incense to his forehead and muttered, "Reporting to the ancestor, we finish work today, but the master's family faces trouble. The master is righteous—we cannot stand idle. Please watch over us, don't let our hard work be destroyed. When officially completed, we'll treat the ancestor to a grand feast!" After speaking, Master Lu bowed deeply three times, then placed the incense in the burner. The lobby fell silent—even breathing was barely audible.
The smoke from the three incense sticks slowly rose in the silent lobby. Soon, the smoke merged into a single column shooting straight up. Master Lu immediately smiled. "Great fortune! The ancestor approves! Everyone go to your assigned positions. Don't let anyone discover you, and don't let anyone destroy anything!"
"Yes!" After the unified response, the lobby instantly became empty.
"Little Sun, go set up your formation. Leave them a path, or these foreigners won't get in even if they tried for a lifetime." Master Lu walked away with his hands behind his back.
"What about you, Master?" Sun Xiaoxiao asked.
"Me? Going to the roof to check. Didn't the master move all his belongings here? I'll help watch them—don't want them damaged. That's all high-tech stuff, would be a shame if it broke." Master Lu's voice drifted away. By the time Sun Xiaoxiao adjusted the formation, only she remained in the lobby.
Looking at the extinguished altar, Sun Xiaoxiao sighed and threw out a handful of beans. With chuunibyou thoughts, she silently chanted: Secret technique—Scattered Beans Become Soldiers! The beans became knee-high little people who ran around quickly, soon making the lobby look untouched.
Looking around guiltily, Sun Xiaoxiao gestured and the bean people flew back into her hand. "Good, nobody saw. I'm out!"
Sun Xiaoxiao pulled out her flying sword, stuck a concealment talisman on herself, and her figure gradually faded.
After circling outside for nearly an hour, Loki's lips curved up. Perfect timing—just when he was looking for ways to stall and clear his name, this opportunity appeared. Nothing to say—keep circling!
Of course, for appearances, Loki had Dr. Selvig assemble the remaining portal components on site.
When Dr. Selvig took out the iridium Tony had duplicated, Loki immediately noticed. Though he liked daggers, he was still taught by the Nine Realms' first sorcerer. The rich magical elements on that metal weren't something ordinary metal could achieve.
"Let me see the iridium," Loki said.
Dr. Selvig immediately handed it over. Loki took it and carefully sensed it, couldn't help but smile. "How interesting."
He subtly infused more magic into it, making the metal's magic more sufficient so it wouldn't disappear quickly, then returned it to Dr. Selvig.
Loki's eyes flickered as he watched the metal being installed in a strange machine. "I'm not science-side, so not understanding this fake is reasonable, right? The portal opens but closes due to instability because Earth's metals aren't comprehensive—also reasonable. Even if they blame me, I'll be taken back to Asgard. With Odin there, who's afraid?"
Thinking this, Loki relaxed even more. His subordinates reported finding a way into the building. Loki waved his hand and advanced toward the building in a relaxed mood. Since things definitely wouldn't succeed anyway, might as well play it as a complete game!
One block from the tower, in the All-Purpose Shop, Gemini absent-mindedly flipped through her book. The two-way mirror had vibrated many times before she snapped back.
"Harry, what's wrong?" Gemini held up the mirror.
"What's wrong? Isn't today our regular contact day? What happened on your end?" Harry asked.
Gemini hesitated, then explained recent events to Harry, including her exploded crystal ball. Harry's expression immediately became serious.
"You can't stay there. Come back now. Last year's birthday gift was a Portkey—this isn't something you can be involved in." Harry said seriously.
Gemini thought for a moment and immediately understood. Something that could explode a crystal ball during divination really wasn't trivial. She frowned, thinking.
"Stop thinking. There are adults handling these things. Be good and come back. Our side should be safe. If you're really worried, I'll go help watch your friends." Seeing Gemini's expression, Harry got a bad feeling and his tone became urgent.
Gemini pressed her lips together, saying nothing, looking at Harry with determination.
Harry helplessly covered his head. "Gemini, listen. You're a Slytherin. Slytherins don't put themselves in dangerous situations."
Gemini began pulling things out in front of Harry—potions, protective accessories, various magical items, finally placing her wand on top, still looking at Harry without speaking.
Harry looked at the determined Gemini with a worried expression. What happened to Slytherin self-preservation?!
"Then I'll come over. That should be acceptable, right?" Harry compromised.
Gemini immediately smiled. "I promise I'll ensure my safety. I absolutely won't do anything beyond my capabilities!"
Harry sighed. "Wait for me. Coming right now."
"Wait!" Gemini called out. "Can I have the Parker family go hide in Britain first? They have no self-defense abilities."
"Of course. Arrange for them to come over now. Once they arrive, I'll come straight to you." Harry said.
Gemini nodded, immediately flipped the mirror, grabbed last year's gift from Harry, and ran to the Parker family's room.
No time to pack—just grabbing some Galleons and a few personal items, Gemini activated the Portkey and sent them away.
Returning to the reception room, Gemini hadn't even sat down when Harry appeared in a flash of blue light.
Before they could say much, a strange wave swept over them. Gemini and Harry were startled, rushing to the window to look outside.
A massive blue light column appeared at the top of distant Stark Tower, tearing open a black void in mid-air. Things were already flying out. Too far to see clearly with naked eyes, they could only make out dense insect-like shadows.
Gemini gasped. What was that?!
"Spatial feeling?" Harry carefully sensed it, his expression serious. "That light column tore through space. Those shadows came through a space gate—definitely not friendly. Are your things ready? We need to move."
Gemini had already changed into practical dueling robes. Her full set of protective gear was equipped, her potion pouch packed full. She pulled out a golden potion, drank a mouthful, then handed the rest to Harry.
"Felix Felicis?" Harry asked in surprise, taking it and also drinking a small sip.
"This is Banner's experimental version. Doesn't last as long as a real Potions Master's brew, but it's enough." Gemini explained, showing Harry her pouch with several more bottles. "These are for Tony and the others."
"Then grab onto me. We'll get nearby first!" Harry extended an arm. Gemini grabbed her broom with one hand and Harry's arm with the other.
The next second, they appeared in an alley near Stark Tower.
Various screams and cries had already begun around them. Gemini and Harry exchanged glances, both pulling out masks to wear before rushing toward the screaming.
Tony's group also arrived. Seeing the situation in these nearby blocks, Tony immediately panicked, quickly dialing his personal Woolworth Building line. "What are you waiting for?!"
"We're already on our way! Hold on! We'll be right there!" came the Auror Department's firm voice.
Tony saw from mid-air that beams of light shot skyward from the farthest affected blocks, exploding atop various buildings and connecting into a massive protective light screen. Except for the few alien forces that initially rushed into the crowds, everything else was intercepted at Stark Tower's top two floors. Those aliens kept pouring out of the black hole atop the tower, continuously attacking the seemingly thin light screen, creating ripples.
Tony stared dumbfounded at this scene. Wizards could actually do this?!
"Tony! What are you spacing out for?!" Sharp-eyed Gemini had already spotted the conspicuous Tony in mid-air. Seeing him motionless and dazed, Gemini knocked away an alien that approached, pointed at her phone to call up Jarvis, and connected to Tony's voice channel.
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