Chapter 205: No Shortage of Funds
After they finished eating, they felt a surge of energy erupting from within them. It was a feeling of exhilaration as if every cell in their bodies was celebrating.
"The direction of your evolution stems from your innermost desires," Tony explained. "You could enhance your physical form, gain the power of the Void, or even learn to breathe underwater—anything is possible."
He watched them intently, sharing his experiences. He had been able to breathe underwater for a long time, which helped him assess the Hulk's strength during their battles.
Both men immediately thought of enhancing their physical forms first.
Steve, accustomed to his strong physique and having honed his close combat skills for a long time, naturally leaned toward physical enhancement.
Banner, aware of the need for gradual progress, decided to focus on improving his physical condition before anything else. Though he transformed into the Hulk and his strength was terrifying, he was still fundamentally just an ordinary man.
Even though he wouldn't die from a gunshot when transformed, who wouldn't want a stronger body?
For a man, saying anything about poor physical capability was simply unacceptable.
In the beginning, the energy required for evolution was minimal, so Tony's lavish feast allowed both of them to evolve twice.
Steve's body and appearance didn't change much, but Banner's wrinkles had noticeably begun to diminish.
"It's no wonder the rules of the Void Church are so few; this feeling of evolution is indeed intoxicating," Banner mused as he looked in the mirror, noting the signs of youthful vitality returning. He was struck by an overwhelming desire to consume more, realizing that if he didn't exercise restraint, he might easily turn into a monster.
"Our understanding of the Void is still shallow," Tony continued. "But the core principle of the Void is maintaining one's true self. To avoid losing your essence, you need something concrete or a powerful belief to help you control the overwhelming desires that come with evolution."
Steve pondered over Tony's words, realizing why Harvey had only inquired about his ideals and hopes.
"I'm not in a rush; I can take my time," he replied. "But I do have a question: if I look younger, what will I do when I go out?"
Banner chimed in, "Although you're a doctor, you used to be a well-known figure. Wherever you go, people recognize you."
"And you're different; most of the people who know you are from the scientific community," he continued. "You know how most scientists prefer to stay in their labs."
"I can have JARVIS create a false identity for you. You can just disguise yourself and go out without a hitch," Tony suggested. "If you change your identity, you'll find it much easier and more liberating."
There was a hint of envy in Tony's tone.
"That makes sense," Banner agreed. "But I feel I need to master the Hulk's power first."
"If I go out while still struggling to control it, it could lead to disaster," he said, reflecting on Tony's advice.
"That's up to you; this island usually doesn't see much action," Tony replied. "If you want to stay here for a while, I can hire people to arrange daily meals for you."
"There's Wi-Fi and all the amenities you could want; you shouldn't feel bored," he added supportively.
While Tony could manage the Hulk, it was a delicate situation, especially in busy areas where the Hulk's rampage could lead to casualties.
That's why he brought Banner to his private island.
Regardless of whether Banner joined the Void, he needed to practice how to control his internal powers.
To Tony, Hulk wasn't a ticking time bomb, but to others, he was far more terrifying than one.
"I can't accept all this generosity from you," Banner protested, feeling guilty.
"Expand your horizons and think big," Tony encouraged. "Right now, you can't fully control your powers, which limits your actions. But once you master them, we can collaborate on various cosmic technologies and help Earth transition into the interstellar age."
"I won't cut any corners on your food and housing. If you don't rob, you might find it challenging to even eat."
Tony smiled as he said this.
Banner's achievements in physics were remarkable, and having him as a partner would undoubtedly speed up Earth's advancement into the cosmic era.
"Alright, Tony. Thank you."
Banner thought over Tony's words and agreed.
"What about me... with all this food, I don't have the funds to cover it," Steve interjected, pointing at his face.
He wasn't trying to embarrass himself by asking Tony to cover his expenses; the truth was he had just emerged from decades of being frozen.
While he could have let SHIELD cover his living expenses, joining the Void meant his body would undergo significant changes, including looking younger.
This would arouse suspicion within SHIELD, potentially revealing that he joined the Void Church.
The mere thought of SHIELD wanting to study him or examine his blood made Steve hesitate to seek help from Tony.
"You can stay here too," Tony said grandly, waving his hand. "As a fellow member of the Void Church, it's no trouble for me to take care of you."
While he was just an ordinary man without flashy superpowers, in the eyes of everyone else on Earth, Tony Stark was regarded as having abilities simply because he was undeniably wealthy.