Chapter Thirty-Nine: Welcome to the Void

Just as Tony Stark was struck with awe, his body began to change; the violet power of the void was altering the very essence of his life.
"Host has successfully persuaded a being: Tony Stark, whose fate is of high rank. Reward: one hundred thousand void energy."
"The more times Tony Stark evolves in the future, the more void energy will be rewarded to the host."
"Host has persuaded the first creature to join the void. The option for a second hero template has been unlocked. Please select the timing to make your choice."
Upon hearing the hero template had been unlocked, Harvey's face broke into a genuine smile.
As long as he could obtain different hero templates, his strength would undergo a qualitative leap.
However, now was clearly not the time to choose, so Harvey was in no rush.
*****
Meanwhile, at Kamar-Taj.
The Ancient One wore a look of deep concern as she gazed upon the future of this universe.
In the past, she could see the future of the universe, but since about half a year ago, something unknown had happened to the river of time; the universe's future was shrouded in a mysterious darkness.
This was clearly an ominous sign, so she had been searching for the source, but after more than half a year, she found nothing.
All she could see was the entire universe veiled beneath an enormous dark star, vast as a galaxy.
It must be understood that even Dormammu had never managed to obscure her vision of the river of time.
This foretold that something unfathomable was happening in the universe.
The Ancient One wished to investigate, to stop it, but she was powerless.
"Stephen Strange... I hope you will be able to prevent this in the future."
She could only place her hope in her future disciple, whose talent surpassed even her own, and whispered a prayer.
No matter what the future held, she must await the arrival of the future Sorcerer Supreme, Stephen Strange.
*****
Time passed unnoticed. When Tony Stark finally returned to himself—
"Tony Stark, do you understand what the void is now?"
Harvey smiled as he saw Tony Stark open his eyes.
Tony Stark looked at the friendly Harvey Amberlack before him, feeling it all somewhat unreal.
"Though I don't fully comprehend it yet, I have realized the greatness of the void."
Yet Tony Stark nodded and spoke.
"Welcome to the void."

Harvey's face showed a sincere smile at the response, and he extended his hand.
"Thank you for granting me this chance."
Tony Stark paused, then reached out his own hand in gratitude.
Having witnessed the monstrous forms Harvey Amberlack could assume, Tony Stark felt only awe and gratitude for this opportunity.
Though Harvey Amberlack had described the void as a place, a race, a dimension, after witnessing those scenes, Tony Stark understood that Harvey Amberlack was the void itself.
The Harvey Amberlack before him would inevitably become the most terrifying will and presence of the void.
His intuition was correct: no matter how he improved his Iron Man suit, he could never oppose Harvey Amberlack.
Joining the void might well be the wisest decision of his life.
He dared not imagine what it would be like to become Harvey Amberlack's enemy, nor did he wish to be one.
The present Harvey Amberlack had not yet become the invincible figure that would dominate the universe,
yet Tony Stark now fully understood why Harvey Amberlack had said he could never reach his heights.
"It was but a trivial effort."
"Now that you have joined the void, let me tell you its essence."
"The essence of the void is survival, evolution, and adaptation."
"You now possess the ability to evolve by devouring creatures and matter."
"As long as you continue to devour and evolve, your power will exceed your imagination."
"Take time to savor your current weakness."
"It won't be long before your mindset transforms along with your strength."
Harvey released his hand and began to explain certain matters to Tony Stark.
"Didn't you say that was the price?"
Tony Stark was surprised to hear that evolution required eating, and asked.
"Indeed, it is a price, because you're not only devouring food—living creatures can be devoured as well."
"And by devouring creatures stronger than yourself, you will evolve faster and become even more powerful."
"So remember: never let that hunger control you, lest you become a mindless monster that only knows to devour and evolve."
"If you are consumed by hunger and wreak havoc, I will personally end you."
"I hope I never see that side of you."
Harvey admonished him seriously.

"Alright, I'll be careful."
Tony Stark grew solemn at these warnings and nodded.
No sooner had he spoken than he felt a wave of hunger from within—a hunger born of instinct, though it did not make him feel weak.
He immediately turned his gaze to the array of food on the table.
With his senses heightened, Tony Stark noticed that the surfaces of these foods glowed with varying hues of energy.
He realized the world before his eyes had changed, and looked back at Harvey Amberlack.
Yet he did not see any energy radiating from Harvey Amberlack; whether it was due to the vast disparity in power or Harvey Amberlack's skillful concealment, he did not know.
But Tony Stark paid it no mind, and immediately began to eat.
Previously, these foods were only delicious and filling, but now, as he ate, he felt a warm current infusing his body.
Within just two minutes, Tony Stark had consumed over a dozen dishes—far more than his usual appetite.
His body began to change: his brown hair grew richer in color, and his appearance became younger.
"System, in which direction will Tony Stark evolve?"
Harvey watched Tony Stark with interest.
"Other beings who join the void differ from the host; they do not possess hero templates."
"Therefore, these beings will initially evolve only their physical abilities, and what they ultimately become is unknown."
The system rarely responded, but it answered this question.
"So they need to evolve and acquire certain abilities through their own study, in order to truly grow strong?"
Harvey mused, but the system gave no further reply.
Harvey thought about hero templates and the essence of heroes, and understood the principle.
He could directly obtain hero templates, gaining certain abilities and a clear path for evolution.
Tony Stark, lacking a hero template, would have to rely on himself to evolve and explore.
But as long as Tony Stark did not succumb to desire and maintained his reason,
with his prolonged lifespan and a body destined to traverse the cosmos, learning and mastering extraordinary abilities would not be difficult.
The only requirement for gaining great power would be more time and effort.
Even without a hero template, joining the void and gaining terrifying evolutionary powers and an extended lifespan was already a tremendous blessing.