Psychological Issues

After those words, the atmosphere among them improved quite a bit.

After chatting for a while, Pepper curiously inquired about the qualities a woman needed to possess to meet Harvey's ideal.

"Just tell us, I'm really curious about how you choose," Tony Stark said, becoming a bit gossipy.

"If I were to say what qualities would fit my ideal," Harvey considered for a moment before speaking, "she would need to be beautiful, intelligent, and strong."

He occasionally sought out young, attractive women for a night of pleasure, but that was purely physical and not about finding someone who truly captured his heart. It was just a whim.

"So, beautiful appearance, sharp mind, and a strong will," Pepper mused. "There are many who fit the first two, but the last one isn't so easy. Women, after all, aren't men; even if they appear strong on the outside, most are quite delicate underneath."

Tony Stark had a different take on the criteria Harvey Anberaka had mentioned. He easily understood the first point, beauty, referring to physical appearance. As for intelligence, he suspected it meant more than just being smart; it meant understanding Harvey's thoughts from mere hints, knowing what to say and what not to say, what to do and what not to do. That alone would disqualify countless women. Because women are emotional, they might shed tears over certain things or be unable to remain calm. And the strength Harvey Anberaka spoke of, Tony believed, wasn't just mental fortitude but also sufficient physical power. Otherwise, such a woman wouldn't be able to support Harvey Anberaka, let alone understand his thoughts and actions.

Tony Stark thought about women who met such standards but couldn't recall anyone. "Your criteria are a bit idealistic," he said. "I doubt you'd find anyone truly fitting your ideal anywhere in the world."

"I know, but I have plenty of time to search. And if I don't find anyone in the end, that's fine too," Harvey replied with a smile.

"You two are being too absolute," Pepper interjected, feeling Tony and Harvey were being too definitive. "While the requirements are high, there are quite a few strong, beautiful, and intelligent women with resilient hearts in the world."

"Pepper, you don't understand his meaning," Tony quickly said. He glanced at Harvey, wanting to gauge his reaction. Forcing one's way into a conversation without understanding the topic could easily annoy someone.

"Yes, but if you have the chance, Miss Pepper, you'll understand," Harvey said with a smile, acknowledging Tony's glance.

Harvey Anberaka's seemingly casual remark made Tony Stark's eyes flicker. Was he hinting that Pepper might also gain power, or was Tony overthinking things?

"Is she a possibility?" Tony Stark asked Harvey, seeking confirmation.

"That depends on whether you can convince me," Harvey replied meaningfully.

"Give me some time. I need to think about it carefully and talk to her," Tony Stark said. Hearing this, he knew Pepper had a chance, even if it was a chance that needed to be fought for, which was undoubtedly good news for him.

"As you wish," Harvey said, feigning indifference as he continued to quickly devour his food.

"What are you guys talking about?" Pepper asked, confused by Tony and Harvey's conversation. "Who is she? Is she a woman who fits Mr. Harvey Anberaka's ideal?"

"No, if I think it's possible, I'll tell you," Tony Stark shook his head. "If I don't bring it up with you proactively, then don't pry too much."

He himself didn't know whether he should accept it now.

Moreover, even if he did accept, it was another matter whether Harvey Anberaka would agree.

After all, he wasn't the one in charge when it came to asking Harvey Anberaka to become a transcendent being.

Not to mention asking Harvey Anberaka to agree to let Pepper become a being similar to himself, so now was not the time to explain.

Hearing this, Pepper became even more curious, wanting to understand what was going on.

Just as she was about to ask, she saw Harvey Anberaka beside her and restrained the impolite behavior, deciding to ask Tony properly in private.

"Eating like this is too slow. I'll leave some for you all. I'll go eat over there directly."

Harvey glanced up at Tony, stood up, and spoke.

He knew the seed of desire had been planted, and now he just had to wait for it to blossom and bear fruit.

Humans were a race that craved evolution, craving longer lifespans and greater power.

And when they knew that this evolution posed no life-threatening danger, except for those content with mediocrity, anyone with desire would basically not refuse.

Was Tony Stark someone willing to settle for mediocrity?

The answer was clearly no. No matter how his personality changed, the madness of a scientist in Tony Stark's bones would not disappear.

Otherwise, Tony Stark would not have created the terrifying humanoid weapon Ultron against everyone's opposition.

And with Tony Stark's intellect, Harvey could foresee that Tony Stark would create even more terrifying technology by joining the Void and relying on the abilities he gained.

"It's fine, you just eat. We don't have big appetites."

Tony didn't mind seeing Harvey wanting to eat quickly.

Harvey nodded at his words and walked towards the tables filled with food.

Although he said he wanted to eat quickly, Harvey didn't wolf down his food; his movements were still elegant.

Tony Stark watched Harvey's astonishing appetite, lost in thought.

If he gained powers similar to Harvey Anberaka, a lifespan of several hundred or even thousands of years, and controlled transcendent power, with the only price being a greatly increased appetite.

He could accept this price. He had plenty of money to eat and drink heartily every day, as long as he didn't have to eat people.

However, the reason he still found it difficult to make a decision was also something he understood clearly.

Because of his fame, he was a public figure.

The moment he gained power, if he became too young, he would be discovered by others immediately, and those people would regard him as an anomaly.

This was a psychological problem and the most difficult one to solve.

Harvey Anberaka saw through his current dilemma, so he didn't think of rushing him.

He simply gave him an opportunity, seeing if he could figure it out and fully accept it himself.