Chapter One Hundred and Six: Tony's Vision and Ideals

Tony had not thought this way before, for his perspective had been confined to Blue Star. But after joining the Void, gaining an extended lifespan, and studying alien technology, his horizons naturally expanded to encompass the cosmos.

Indeed, remaining solely on Blue Star, restricted by its environment, available materials, and various research facilities, it was difficult for him to rapidly advance Blue Star’s technology, to transform the entire environment, and to swiftly usher Blue Star into the interstellar era, formally aligning it with the universe.

Yet Tony was never one to adhere rigidly to convention. Since Blue Star’s environment and resources were presently insufficient to support his ongoing research and inventions, he resolved to leave Blue Star first and seek development opportunities in the cosmos.

Confident that exposure to alien technology would enable him to invent new things to make money, rapidly accumulate wealth, and grow, Tony was not concerned about operating in space. With his Iron Man armor, the cosmic translator, and the universal communicator, language barriers resolved, he only needed to fully unleash his talents.

However, Tony was well aware that for this plan to succeed, he would need Harvey’s assistance. Apart from relying on Harvey, he had no other means to enter the cosmos directly. Without stepping into space, development was out of the question.

“Did Pepper agree to this?” Harvey asked, surprised but understanding Tony’s request.

“Talking with you is always a pleasure,” Tony replied with a smile. “I haven’t explained it to Pepper yet, but since we both believe in the Void and have long lives, and I won’t be gone long — just a brief separation — convincing her won’t be difficult.”

Tony realized he hadn’t even voiced his request before Harvey grasped it and smiled knowingly.

“If you’re not on Blue Star, aren’t you worried about what happens there?” Harvey asked again.

“What’s there to worry about? God-King Odin and Supreme Sorcerer Ancient One are still alive. If the sky falls, there are still tall men to hold it up. It’s precisely because of this timing that it’s suitable for me to roam the cosmos.”

Tony had long contemplated this question.

“That’s fine, but if you want to go into space, you must first arrange things on Blue Star properly.”

“When you want to come back, I hope you will rely on your own strength. I’m not going to be your personal chauffeur,” Harvey said.

To rapidly develop the Void Cult, having members was not enough; money was essential. Though bounty hunting was quite profitable—almost a no-cost venture for Harvey—making money through arms dealing and inventions was even faster.

So when Harvey saw how swiftly Tony invented things, he had intended to persuade Tony to join him in the cosmos. Now, without Harvey’s urging, Tony had already conceived the idea of venturing into space together.

This was not surprising. Tony was not only a genius inventor but sometimes a mad scientist, with a near-obsessive dedication to technology.

“I won’t trouble you when leaving, since I have no other way to reach space but to ask you. But if I trouble you on the way back, regardless of whether you agree, I wouldn’t be able to bear the shame,” Tony said, patting his face with his right hand and smiling.

“That’s reasonable. The Void Cult is newly established and truly short on funds. If you want to make money and research various things, I can provide initial funding. When your inventions earn money, I won’t take advantage—how about a 40-60 split, you get 60 and I take 40?”

Seeing Tony had thought everything through, Harvey began discussing terms without surprise.

“No need for a 40-60 split, even 50-50 is fine,” Tony replied frankly.

“After all, without you taking me to space, I can’t access the alien technology I want anytime soon. In the early stages, when I need to buy expensive equipment, I’ll also need to dip into your funds.”

Tony knew he didn’t need to hide anything from Harvey. He had always sought favors from Harvey, who never sought anything in return.

Now that Harvey said the Void Cult was short on funds at its inception, Tony naturally wanted to help him. Otherwise, if he always benefited from Harvey without reciprocating, he might find it awkward to ask for help in the future.

Tony was confident that once he entered the cosmos, he would soon make a fortune.

Not only enough to buy a spaceship outright, but at least to get a fighter to shuttle between space and Blue Star. If he was short of money, he could borrow some from Harvey to buy it.

With a spaceship, he would have the confidence to, within less than eight years from now until 2017, accelerate Blue Star’s civilization development.

Having joined the Void and gained at least a millennium of lifespan, and after learning about various cosmic civilizations, his vision no longer confined itself to America or other nations but embraced all human civilization.

He intended to rely on his inventions to bring about an epochal change in Blue Star’s technology, rapidly ushering it into the interstellar era and into the ranks of advanced cosmic civilizations.

But to realize this dream, he must help Blue Star survive the unknown, powerful crisis Harvey spoke of arriving in 2017.

Therefore, he must seize the time and do everything within his power now.

“That’s fine. I’m just about to rest on Blue Star for a while,” Harvey said. “I brought you some gravity devices to study, and you can use this time to talk with Pepper. Once you have her consent, I’ll take you to the cosmos. I don’t want this matter to cause any rift between you two.”

“All right,” Tony said, touched at the gravity devices Harvey brought and serious about Harvey’s concern.

Pepper had joined the Void with him without hesitation because of his persuasion. On Blue Star, apart from Harvey, only he and Pepper had joined the Void, depending on each other. Tony never intended to treat Pepper unfairly.

Moreover, since joining the Void, Pepper had become ever more beautiful, with tender skin and supple, resilient physique, opening new worlds to him time and again.

So before venturing into space, he would certainly discuss it with Pepper.

But Tony was not worried; within at most a year, he would master the comings and goings.

As the saying goes, short separations can strengthen a marriage; perhaps their bond would grow even stronger.