Chapter 189

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Tony had always been an extremely proud and confident person. He believed he was the smartest person on Earth and perhaps even one of the smartest in the universe. So, when Zhou Cheng mentioned several times that there were people smarter than him, Tony was both incredulous and dismissive. 

In Tony's view, whatever those people had accomplished to make Zhou Cheng think they were smarter was only because Tony hadn't done it yet. If he had, he would have done a better job. Simple as that! 

However, at this moment, Tony found himself less confident. Creating a habitable planet was a task even someone like him found astonishing. But what Tony didn't expect was that this shock was just the beginning. 

It wasn't just about creating a habitable planet - the fact that it could be done in just a few hours was mind-boggling. A few hours! What kind of galactic joke was this?

If someone else had told Tony about this, rather than it being a spoiler from a diary, he would have slapped that person across the face. Who did they think they were fooling? Construing an Iron Man suit took him half a month!

Then there was the mention of Counter-Earth in the diary. Tony found it hard to stay composed. The concept of Counter-Earth had existed, even survived in astronomy for a long time. Traced back to the 5th century BC by a philosopher's hypothesis, it suggested a ninth planet besides the eight recognized ones, situated on the opposite side of the Sun's orbit. Scientists had found no evidence of its existence despite various observations and research.

Tony, like most people (including Iron Man), considered Counter-Earth nonsense. Yet now, his confidence was shaken. Could the Counter-Earth created by the High Evolutionary mentioned in the diary be that very Counter-Earth the astronomy community theorized?

Besides, some previous speculations about Galactus devouring planets were also confirmed here. It turned out that Galactus was indeed a cosmic giant specialized in devouring planets!

And the High Evolutionary could fight such a being? His powers were terrifying indeed. A super powerhouse! Undoubtedly, the High Evolutionary was one of those cosmic super heavyweights.

The diary mentioned that the High Evolutionary in Universe 199999 was incredibly powerful, even though it wasn't clear if he reached such levels. Adam Warlock, who was incredibly powerful, appeared weak and small before the High Evolutionary and was toyed with at will. The diary notes that Adam Warlock had almost single-handedly swept the entire Guardians of the Galaxy. 

If not for the High Evolutionary's pressure forcing Adam out of his cocoon early to chase after Rocket Raccoon, meaning Adam was not mentally matured, he would have annihilated the Guardians of the Galaxy without any trouble. Even in this state, no one in the Guardians could challenge Adam unless Star-Lord regained his godly powers.

Despite appearing mortal, Star-Lord had significant potential, able to withstand the power of an Infinity Stone with his flesh and blood. 

Tony's brow furrowed slightly as he memorized the name "Adam Warlock." This clearly indicated another individual possessing remarkable power. Given the name "Adam," associated with the first man created as per the Bible who was forced out of Eden after eating the forbidden fruit and became a progenitor of humanity, it was of significant importance. 

Whoever bore such a name wouldn't be a mere nobody. Tony quickly deduced basic information about Adam Warlock: undoubtedly an extraordinary individual with supernatural powers akin to a sorcerer. 

Although the diary didn't reveal much about Adam Warlock's strength, it noted that he could sweep the Guardians of the Galaxy, proving his might. The Guardians themselves, with their extravagant title and collaboration with the Avengers, couldn't be weak. Plus, Star-Lord's lineage as the offspring of a Celestial made his potential enormous. His ability to kill his Celestial father alone was telling.

Thus, the diary mentioning that Star-Lord could handle the power of an Infinity Stone was not surprising. But the fact that Star-Lord had lost his godly powers? He had become mortal? Whatever caused this transformation was unknown to Tony and was not the pressing issue.

What mattered was the diary giving Tony a clear display of Adam Warlock's formidable powers. Tony surmised that Adam Warlock was closely associated with the High Evolutionary. The term "emerged from a cocoon" indicated a high possibility that Adam Warlock was nurtured by someone. 

Who could it be? Given the High Evolutionary's identity and the diary's context, Tony almost immediately guessed: the High Evolutionary. A master of space genetics, the High Evolutionary could evolve planets and biology. Cultivating powerful subordinates was not beyond such a person.

"The Power Stone symbolizes strength, containing power that makes the entire universe tremble! When Ronan had the Power Stone, he cowered before Thanos, but once he obtained the stone, the situation reversed, and even Thanos dared not overstep. The Celestial Seeker, Eson, wielded the Power Stone to destroy entire planets with a single touch!"

"Across the universe, hardly anyone could grasp the Power Stone barehanded. Perhaps only someone like Thor could manage it."

"Otherwise, how could Star-Lord's name be known throughout the universe and be found by his father, Ego?"

Tony, standing before the diary, showed a hint of surprise.

Ronan and Thanos were both mentioned in the diary as intergalactic overlords. Thanos needed no introduction; the diary had described him in great detail. Although Ronan was mentioned less frequently, his ability to terrify the people of Xandar spoke volumes about his formidable power. 

Tony never imagined that there could be any connection between the two. What kind of relationship did Ronan and Thanos have? Tony couldn't be sure. However, from the diary's descriptions, it seemed clear that even though Ronan was also a cosmic overlord, he was far inferior to Thanos. Ronan was described as being terrified in Thanos' presence, but after getting the Power Stone...

Wait a minute! The Power Stone was in Ronan's possession? A glint flashed in Tony's eyes. Another Infinity Stone had surfaced! This was invaluable information for Iron Man. Considering Thanos' quest to collect the Infinity Stones, it seemed inevitable that Thanos and Ronan would eventually clash.

Tony recalled that Ronan was killed by Star-Lord—not quite, rather defeated through Star-Lord's dance-off. What exactly happened, Tony couldn't ascertain.

"Searcher Arishem?" Tony's attention was drawn to this name. This was the third member of the Celestials mentioned in the diary, following Tiamut and Ajak. Unlike the others, this Celestial had the prefix "Searcher," indicating his role. What was Arishem searching for? And if there was a "Searcher" among the Celestials, were there other titles as well?

While details about Tiamut were still unclear, since the diary provided no further information, Ajak would initiate a judgment upon Earth under certain conditions. What role did Ajak play among the Celestials? Could he be the "Judger"? These were all Tony's speculations without any evidence. Nonetheless, Tony gained a better understanding of the Celestials as a group.

Moreover, the diary revealed another crucial piece of information: the Celestials had also collected Infinity Stones! This was utterly surprising for Iron Man. The Celestials were beings of such high stature, even above deities like Odin, the Ancient One, and Thanos. To think that they also collected Infinity Stones indicated that these stones were far more important than Tony had initially imagined!

Upon seeing the destructive power wielded by the Power Stone, Tony felt his heart pound. Just one touch could annihilate an entire planet? This was the Power Stone! This was the Infinity Stone! Its existence was truly awe-inspiring, containing the universe's most potent force.

Alright, Tony retracted his earlier thoughts. For Star-Lord to withstand the Power Stone physically was indeed abnormal and impressive!

Wait! In his amazement, Tony had another realization. The diary previously mentioned that Star-Lord became a legendary thief and caught Ego's attention because he defeated Ronan during the latter's invasion of Xandar. But now it says Star-Lord did so by grabbing the Infinity Stone with his bare hands. These events must have occurred simultaneously—or were actually the same event. Considering the diary's latest note about Ronan obtaining the Power Stone, it was clear that Star-Lord must have defeated Ronan during his invasion of Xandar and seized the Power Stone. Otherwise, how else would he grab the Infinity Stone barehanded?

So, did Star-Lord ultimately take the Power Stone? Is that why the Guardians of the Galaxy joined forces with the Avengers to fight Thanos? Because after taking the Power Stone, Star-Lord naturally became Thanos' target?

"Such a high-caliber setup, utterly wasted by Star-Lord," Tony read with sarcasm. "If Stark is a mortal comparable to gods, then Star-Lord is a god comparable to a mortal. With such incredible origins, he remained a small-time lackey under Yondu. Wasn't that disappointing? At this moment, has the lackey Star-Lord found the Power Stone or encountered Thanos' daughter, Gamora?

"And if Gamora hadn't met Star-Lord, during the Infinity War, he wouldn't have angrily attacked his father-in-law, leading to the Avengers' defeat. Thanos would have been captured on Titan!" Tony almost laughed out loud at the diary's description. Zhou Cheng could be so scathing! If Star-Lord read this, he might go crazy with anger. Tony thought Zhou Cheng had been harsh on him, but now it seemed Zhou Cheng had been rather kind.

After a brief internal complaint, Tony refocused on the diary. The name Yondu caught Iron Man's eye. But the diary provided no details about Yondu, so Tony could not draw any conclusions. All he could do was remember the name and keep an eye out.

Tony's interest was piqued again by the implication that Star-Lord had been collecting Infinity Stones. Was this the reason for the clash with Ronan? Star-Lord was from Earth, not Xandar. Considering his current status as Yondu's lackey, was this mission to collect Infinity Stones ordered by Yondu or Star-Lord's own decision? Either possibility seemed feasible, but Tony couldn't determine which was true.

"Gamora is Thanos' daughter!" Tony read this revelation in shock. This he had not expected. The Guardians of the Galaxy were enemies of Thanos! And yet, Thanos' daughter was among Thanos' adversaries?