"Mr. Li, thank you for your appreciation, but I'm used to being here and don't plan to resign for now."
In the end, Stern still rejected Li Chuan's invitation.
This was because he currently had an experiment at a critical stage; if he could achieve a breakthrough, it would undoubtedly attract a large amount of wealthy capitalist investment to fund his research.
He could even benefit all of humanity on Earth, win the Nobel Prize, become the World's most famous and greatest biologist, and be remembered by history.
Li Chuan was not surprised by Stern's refusal, as he knew the reason for it.
It was mainly related to Dr. Banner. The genius Dr. Bruce Banner, who held seven doctoral degrees, had participated in the "Army Biochemical Force Enhancement Program" a few years ago at the invitation of a U.S. General.
This program essentially aimed to re-replicate the "Super Soldier Serum" from World War II using some leftover Captain America blood.
However, an accident occurred during the experiment, leading to Dr. Banner being exposed to gamma radiation and mutating into the much stronger and more terrifying Hulk.
To obtain the Hulk's power, General Ross began a global hunt for Dr. Banner. Dr. Banner, not wanting the uncontrollable destructive power of the Hulk to be used for war, began his journey as a fugitive.
During this time, he met Dr. Stern, who went by the alias Mr. Blue online, and sent his blood to Stern, asking him to help research a way to restore his body.
Stern was astonished by the miraculous nature of Banner's blood and extensively replicated it, planning to use Banner's miraculous blood to develop a wonder drug that could cure hundreds of incurable diseases, thereby achieving instant fame and winning the Nobel Prize.
"Dr. Stern, I know you have some ideas because of the blood Mr. Green gave you. However, you might not know Mr. Green's background, and even if you truly achieve results, it's unlikely you'll be able to publish them."
Li Chuan said with a smile.
Upon hearing Li Chuan mention "Mr. Green," Stern's expression suddenly changed:
"How do you know that?"
Mr. Green was the online alias of the netizen who sent him the blood, and he had never told anyone.
Li Chuan picked up a small spoon, stirred the coffee on the table, and explained:
"I have quite a few friends, so I know quite a lot. Let me briefly tell you about what you're currently researching."
Immediately after, he unhurriedly recounted Dr. Banner's identity, current situation, and what might happen in the future.
"Are you saying that even if I really discover something, I won't be able to publish it, and there's a possibility that General Ross will confiscate all my research data, and even imprison me?"
Stern's face showed a mix of emotions.
If what Li Chuan said was true, then given the nature of his country's government, this possibility was indeed very high.
Li Chuan nodded:
"Let me elaborate on the conditions I'm offering. Please consider them carefully.
First, I will fully support your research. Even if you don't develop the so-called drug that can cure hundreds of incurable diseases in five or ten years, I will still provide you with ample research funds and the best experimental equipment.
At the same time, you can rest assured that after you achieve results, you can publish them under your name to win the Nobel Prize. As for the trouble with General Ross, I will help you resolve it.
Moreover, I have many other excellent biologists like you, and I believe they can also provide you with a lot of assistance."
If Stern could develop a drug to cure hundreds of incurable diseases, it would absolutely bring enormous profits to the Group, although this would very likely infringe upon the interests of many people.
But so what? If they tried to deal with him openly, he wasn't an individual but a Group, with his own legal team, and now he had a connection with Tony, making it difficult to touch him given the prevailing trend.
He was even less afraid of covert attacks. With his current strength, if he disregarded the consequences, he could send the country's leader to the grave tomorrow.
Without regard for consequences, ordinary people, even the most powerful, face a dead end before those with abilities.
However, he wouldn't do that, as it would provoke the condemnation of various superheroes existing in this World, leading to more harm than good and making him a public enemy.
But if it was for the health of all humanity, to allow those with incurable diseases to be cured, standing from a righteous perspective to oppose those evil capitalists and corrupt government officials who tried to stop it.
Then there would be no problem; it was believed that any superhero with a sense of justice would likely actively help.
If Dr. Stern continuously failed to achieve results, it didn't matter. What he primarily valued was Stern's ability in biological science.
Helping everyone try to create potions and other products that can improve physical fitness using the Hulk's blood would also be good, and he could help with many future biological research projects.
He could also conveniently bring Dr. Banner over.
As for the experimental equipment and funding for the experiments, he would invest at the highest specifications, whether Dr. Stern was there or not.
Hearing the conditions Li Chuan offered, Stern paced back and forth in the room for a long while before finally making a decision:
"Okay, if you can truly do as you say, I agree to join your Group."
He wasn't entirely confident that he could definitely develop a drug to cure hundreds of incurable diseases, and the conditions Li Chuan offered were simply too good. Even if he did achieve results, those capitalists might not be able to offer better terms than Li Chuan.
The key was that since Li Chuan knew about "Mr. Green" and could find him, it indicated that he truly had the ability to resist General Ross.
"Welcome to Li's Group. Tomorrow, I will send someone to pick you up, and all your current experimental samples will be safely transported to the new laboratory."
Hearing Stern's reply, Li Chuan stood up, smiled, and shook hands with Stern.
If Stern truly didn't agree, he wouldn't force him, but he would definitely come to take a copy of the Hulk's blood samples and Stern's experimental data that night.
Currently, given his situation, relying on self-cultivation of Chakra and Chakra nature transformation alone would make it difficult to achieve significant strength improvements in the short term.
However, if he could obtain stable potions similar to the Super Soldier Serum and the Hulk transformation, then that would be another matter entirely.
"Currently, we have Dr. Stern and Dr. Ethan openly, and Dr. Smith and Dr. Lister secretly. Once we get Dr. Banner, making a stable potion that can enhance physical strength shouldn't be a big problem!"
After leaving Stern, Li Chuan secretly thought as he walked through the Grayburn College campus.
Dr. Ethan stayed with Tony for a few days. After learning that Li Chuan sold the green life-saving pills, which could have been sold at a high price, at a nearly break-even price to prevent the poorest people in the World from starving, he decisively joined Li's Group.
Note:
Happy Lunar New Year 2026!
First of all, I want to express my sincere gratitude to all of you for always being by my side and supporting me throughout this journey.
To ensure the quality of upcoming stories, I've decided to take a week off during the Lunar New Year (February 15th to 22nd) to rest and spend time with my family.
I will return on February 23rd, 2026. During this break, I will prepare many new chapters to post regularly upon my return. So please look forward to it!
Wishing you a warm, joyful, and wonderful holiday season!