Chapter 202: Tony’s Explanation
This meant that Earth would have more powerful allies to face any future conflicts that might arise.
"It seems both of you have gained approval," he said, his tone still serious.
"Come with me; I'll explain a few things about the Void Church."
Banner and Steve followed him into a seaside villa.
It was the first time Tony removed his Iron Man suit in front of them.
Once the suit came off, Steve and Banner noticed Tony's strong, fit physique.
Though they knew Tony was already formidable, they weren't particularly shocked.
However, they were taken aback when Tony removed his helmet, revealing a youthful and handsome face.
"My God! Tony, how do you look so young?"
Banner's eyes widened in disbelief.
"So that's why you've been reluctant to take off your armor," Steve said, recalling his previous teasing about Tony's refusal to shed the suit.
"I apologize for my earlier comments," he quickly added.
"It's fine; it's all in the past," Tony replied casually.
"Once you join the Void Church and receive the blessing, you'll regain your youth as well."
"So don't be too surprised," he said with a grin.
Dressed in a shirt and shorts beneath his armor, Tony looked incredibly relaxed.
He then poured some drinks into several glasses, adding ice.
"I can't drink alcohol," Banner said quickly as he noticed Tony pouring a glass for him.
"That's alright. When Hulk comes out, I'll make him behave."
"To control the Hulk's power, the most important thing is not to fear it."
"Hulk has intelligence too; you've just resisted him for so long that every time he emerges, it results in chaos."
"If you embrace and accept him, things should change."
"And you haven't touched alcohol in a while, have you?"
"You've got no worries now; how can you not indulge a little?"
Banner felt tempted by Tony's words.
"Now, about the Void Church," Tony began, contemplating how to explain.
"Even though Harvey is here on Earth, the headquarters of the Void Church isn't located on this planet."
"It's on a distant planet called Xandar in the universe."
"Before I returned to Earth a little over a year ago, the Void Church already had hundreds of members."
"And each one is quite formidable."
Tony stepped onto the balcony, enjoying the view and sipping his drink as he spoke.
"How strong is 'formidable'?"
Steve asked, intrigued.
"Xandar is one of the major empires in the universe."
"It boasts the famed Nova Corps and its technology is highly advanced."
"The various races on Xandar, even without the blessings of the Void Church, possess physical qualities that are about on par with yours."
Tony casually glanced at Steve as he spoke.
"So in the universe, I'm just an average person?"
Steve replied, incredulous.
Banner was equally astonished; while Steve's strength might not be the strongest among the Avengers, his physical condition had already reached the peak for a normal human, bordering on superhuman levels.
Now Tony was saying there were plenty of beings in the universe whose capabilities matched Steve's.
"At least you're self-aware."
"The Super Soldier Serum is a rare commodity on Earth, primarily because our civilization hasn't developed for long enough."
"And even if a genius arises, infighting and greed can easily stifle such talent."
"In the civilizations that have united and embraced the interstellar age, they've improved the genetics of their entire species."
"This allows them to possess stronger physiques and extended lifespans."
"Naturally, some may even develop superpowers through these enhancements."
"Not everyone has combat-oriented abilities, but the fact that some possess innate powers is undeniable."
Before fully explaining the Void Church, Tony wanted to enlighten Steve and Banner about the universe.
After all, their limited experiences might create invisible shackles on their thinking.
"I feel like I'm starting to touch upon an extraordinary world..."
Steve reflected on Tony's words, feeling the weight of the realization.
"I think I'm beginning to understand why you had an issue with me."
Banner picked up on the praise Tony had for those born with powers.
"That's just a small detail. Even if we don't have innate superpowers, being seen as the 'naturally weaker' is only part of the story."
"There are other ways for us to become strong, like receiving Harvey's blessings and joining the Void Church."
"As a veteran who's been a member for a few years, I must enlighten you."
"By believing in the great Void, you'll gain not only extended lifespans but also the potential for infinite evolution."
"When I first joined, my abilities weren't as strong as they are now, and I was even weaker than your Super Soldier physique, Steve."
"But with each evolution, I became younger and more powerful."
"The Void is mysterious and grand. Though I've been a member for years, my understanding of it is still limited."
"However, the power the Void grants can rival that of many superpowered beings."
As Tony spoke, he casually waved his hand, and a ball of purple light, resembling flames, appeared in his palm.
"Is that power not from your technology?"
Steve's eyes widened as he stared at the purple light.
"Of course not. My tech is strong, but it's not that formidable."
"Currently, the Void Church has two primary paths of evolution."
"One is a pure enhancement of the body, like Kyle's, where one can ignore most attacks and crush countless foes with sheer strength."
"The other is the Void Power in my hand, which has endless applications."
"However, I still have a superficial grasp of the Void Power, so I haven't fully unlocked its potential."
Tony chuckled, shaking his head as he explained.