Chapter Forty-Four: Tony’s Evangelism

"Tony, what exactly happened to you?"
"Have you developed genetic engineering?"
Pepper rubbed her eyes, unable to believe what she saw as she took a few steps closer to Tony, scrutinizing his appearance with a heart full of suspicion and wonder, yet her words carried a hint of excitement.
After all, Tony's genetic research might be related to longevity.
As long as there were no significant side effects, this would become a treasure sought after by countless women.
"Shut up!"
Seeing the flicker of excitement on Pepper's face, Tony barked at her.
Pepper trembled at his words, startled.
It was the first time Tony had ever shown anger toward her, telling her to shut up.
"Pepper, you must have a lot of questions for me."
"I'll tell you everything, but from now on, you can say whatever you like in front of me."
"But when you're outside, dealing with others, you must restrain yourself."
Tony walked toward Pepper with his hands behind his back, his expression grave and serious.
Her habit of speaking without regard was tolerable in front of him, but if she acted the same way before Harvey Amberlac, it might leave a poor impression.
"Is that an order?"
Pepper wanted to retort as usual, but seeing Tony exuding confidence and authority, she could only ask quietly.
"It's not an order, it's advice."
"Because what I'm about to tell you will open a new world for you."
"In the future, if you stay by my side, you will attend some special occasions with me, meet unusual people and things."
"Those people and things are far more extraordinary than anything you've seen or heard."
"Sometimes, your impulsive words or actions could attract disaster—even one I can't withstand."
"So you must remember this."
Tony walked toward Pepper as he spoke.
"Is this a proposal?"
Hearing Tony talk about her future at his side, Pepper looked incredulous.
She knew their relationship was more than friends, but not yet lovers.
Tony, a wealthy playboy nearly forty, never seemed to need to settle down.
She had always waited for him to truly commit, but never expected him to say such things so suddenly.
"You can think of it that way."
Tony did not deny it.
Pepper had expected Tony to dodge or deny as he always did, but he was direct this time.
"Alright, go on, I'm listening."
Her heart fluttered, and she spoke with unconcealed joy.
"You asked me before why I've suddenly become younger, and I didn't answer then."
"Because at the time, I hadn't decided whether to accept it."
"But now I can tell you the secret behind my transformation, including a world that ordinary people can never access."
Tony sat on a chair and began to speak.
Pepper felt something strange but nodded, signaling she was listening.
"The reason I became young is that someone introduced me to a new world."
"It gave me a prolonged lifespan, greater strength."
"I've learned the essence of life, the other side of the world, the vastness of the universe, and the truth about gods."
"And the person who led me into that world is none other than Harvey Amberlac."

Seeing Pepper so obedient, Tony continued.
"Tony, have you been recruited into a pyramid scheme?"
Pepper paused at the unusual words and spoke.
Tony wasn't surprised by her reaction, knowing facts spoke louder than arguments, so he didn't bother to debate.
He simply lifted his foot and stomped on the floor.
With a loud crack, the floor shattered beneath his foot.
"How did you do that?"
Pepper's eyes widened in astonishment at the force.
Tony was never frail—inventing things required strength—but she knew his physique was only slightly stronger than average.
Now, with one stomp he broke the floor, a feat well beyond his former strength.
"This is power from the Void. No need to hurry, I'll explain everything."
Tony feigned nonchalance, crossing his legs and gently shaking off the pain in his foot as he spoke.
He had expected to crack the floor, but didn't anticipate breaking it outright, and his foot hurt as a result.
Yet the pain was quickly fading, which surprised him, though now was not the time to marvel.
More important was persuading Pepper to believe in and join the Void with him.
"Sir's physical condition is now several times stronger than before, far beyond ordinary humans,"
Jarvis added, following Tony's prior instructions.
Pepper looked at the rejuvenated, handsome Tony.
She didn't understand what the Void was, but knew what she had to do.
She obediently found a chair and took a seat.
"Before you glimpse the Void, I know you will have doubts."
"I was the same before I faced it directly, unable to grasp what the Void truly meant."
"But now I know: the Void is evolution, adaptation, survival."
"I realize these words may not make sense to you now."
Tony Stark looked at Pepper's docile demeanor and began to explain.
Then, seeing her puzzled expression, he switched to more straightforward language.
"Simply put, it grants you certain superpowers. Most importantly, it gives you a lifespan of hundreds, thousands, maybe even more years."
"As you see, I have already joined the Void, so I gained power and youth."
"Pepper, as a woman, you may not crave power as much."
"But tell me, do you wish for eternal youth?"
Tony posed the question to Pepper.
"I do, every woman does."
"But I need to know—what's the price?"
"If you want superpowers or a longer life, there must be a cost, right?"
Pepper considered the easy-to-understand explanation and calmed herself to ask.
"The price is an enormous appetite—you'll need to eat massive amounts of food every day."
Tony answered seriously.
"Like Harvey Amberlac?"
Pepper immediately thought of Harvey Amberlac.
"Yes, though you could call it a price, you could also say it's a requirement for evolution."

"To evolve, you must eat—the more you eat, the more you evolve, the more power you gain, the longer you live."
"The real price is psychological—you must resist temptation."
"Because once you have extraordinary power, your mindset changes."
"Like me now—I used to avoid telling you my true feelings out of trivial fears."
"But now it's different. I have at least a thousand years, maybe more."
"And I've asked Harvey Amberlac to let you join the Void with me."
"I want you to join the Void with me, to share the long years ahead."
"I hope you won't let my efforts go to waste, Pepper."
Tony gazed at Pepper with unwavering intensity, his words full of sincerity.
He knew this opportunity was unique; if Pepper refused, there might never be another.
And if she refused altogether, they would inevitably become people of two different worlds.
So he seized the moment to express his long-held feelings.
"I don't crave power, but the pursuit of eternal youth is instinctive for women."
"And I thank you for fighting for this chance for me."
"But I have a question for you."
Pepper met Tony's burning gaze for a few seconds, then shyly looked away and spoke softly.
"Ask."
Tony's heart sank slightly, but he suppressed his anxiety and replied.
"If I eat like Harvey Amberlac every day, will I get fat?"
Pepper voiced her concern.
"That's all?"
Tony had anticipated more serious worries and had been pondering solutions, but Pepper's concern was about gaining weight?
"What do you mean, 'that's all'? With an appetite like Harvey Amberlac's, it's easy to imagine getting fat."
Pepper defended herself earnestly, seeing Tony's speechless expression.
"I can't give you a definite answer, but judging by Harvey Amberlac, it's manageable. His figure is enviably well-maintained."
"There are many things I haven't told you yet, but please give me your answer now."
"Will you join me in the Void?"
"Will you embrace a longer life and explore the other side of the world with me?"
Tony Stark saw that Pepper wasn't weirded out but was arguing seriously, and he smiled, issuing a heartfelt invitation.
"I want to, but what should I do?"
Pepper gazed at the confident, more handsome Tony and asked quietly.
"I'll ask..."
Tony was overjoyed and was about to say he'd take Pepper to see Harvey Amberlac.
But before he could finish, Pepper's eyes closed, her body lay suspended in the air, and, wearing a skirt, even a hint of lace could be seen.
But none of that mattered—what mattered was that Tony saw purple energy enveloping Pepper's body.
"The Void truly is mysterious and magnificent."
Tony sighed at the sight.
The person he cared about most was allowed to join the Void with him, to explore the other side of the world together. Such grace and generosity could only be described as greatness.