Next Step

Since Tony Stark had already addressed the point he had anticipated, Wei Xiuming wasn't surprised. After all, this man was the kind of genius who could solve the Extremis virus problem with a simple formula and even solve time travel issues. So he continued, "Mr. Stark, have you considered developing space technology, especially space folding technology—compressing all the modules of an Iron Man suit into the size of a wristwatch, which can be unfolded at will when needed, and compressing a combat unit tens of meters tall into the size of a capsule?"

"You've taken the first step in this regard, modularizing the Iron Man suit to save space."

Tony Stark pondered for a moment and felt that the plan was feasible—all he needed was a direction for development. As for the space technology that seemed to only exist in science fiction, the various experimental data required between research and mature application were not a problem. After all, he was Tony Stark, and science and technology had never been able to trouble him.

"There are also nano-armor created using nanotechnology—more like intelligent clusters composed entirely of Nanobots than Iron Man suit. They can be assembled into any machine according to their purpose, and as long as logistics can keep up and the consumed Nanobots can be replenished in time, they are invincible," Wei Xiuming continued.

"This technology can be used in industrial processing. Before breakthroughs in processing technology combining magnetic fields and gravity generators, autonomous nano-industrial robots have been the mainstay of spacecraft production..."

Realizing he had "unintentionally" revealed something significant, Wei Xiuming quickly changed his tune.

"There is also energy armor, which uses magnetic fields and high-energy beams to form a force field shield. There is no need to carry heavy armor; you only need to wear a pre-programmed force field generator. Once activated, the body is covered with an invisible shield, and you can control your power to fly and launch beam attacks."

"Finally, there is biomaterial armor that does not rely on external objects. It involves implanting a certain kind of microbial weapon into the body, making it an organelle in human cells like mitochondria. When activated, it transforms human cells into a higher level of existence."

Of the several proposals put forward by Wei Xiuming, apart from the final biochemical technology which did not quite meet his requirements, the rest were all very forward-looking. However, each of them required a technological breakthrough in a certain direction, which gave Tony Stark a sense of anticipation.

The meeting proceeded largely as Nick Fury had envisioned, but as Tony Stark prepared to leave, he seemingly casually remarked, "I appreciate you recovering my Hulkbuster Armor, preventing it from falling into the wrong hands—it's just missing an Arc Reactor."

This is merely a reminder, not a warning. Someone has taken the opportunity to steal Stark's technology. If criminals use Arc Reactor- powered weapons to cause damage, it has absolutely nothing to do with Tony Stark.

Nick Fury nodded in confirmation and left with Wei Xiuming.

The Abomination incident served as a signal, mobilizing the entire world. Countries began making moves in their military buildup, with the military placing orders with the Osborn Group more than once for a more powerful Knight Armor System.

Even the underworld began to stir with the tide, and criminal organizations and underground tycoons could no longer contain their ambitions and began to expand their power.

To deal with this situation, Nick Fury disguised himself and placed a Substitute Robot in his place, while the real Nick Fury went out to move around, which also kept Wei Xiuming busy.

As Nick Fury drove, he glanced at Wei Xiuming, who was wearing a gas mask, in the rearview mirror and asked, "What suggestions do you have for my Avengers Initiative?"

Wei Xiuming's voice sounded somewhat muffled after being masked by the gas mask, "Very good. Although the members include a playboy, an old-fashioned person, a prince who stepped out of mythology, a weirdo born from a scientific accident, a defector from the motherland, and a person who has no presence at all, they are all heroes. Whether it's an alien invasion or an evil organization trying to subvert the world order, they are always at the forefront."

"I've already sent Coulson to the Arctic. I hope he has a successful mission and can successfully dig Captain America out of the ice," Nick Fury said. "Coulson has always idolized Captain America."

It was Wei Xiuming who leaked this information, so of course he knew. "Where are we going next? I think you can roughly guess who I'm talking about—except for that alien Avengers, of course."

"As a villain running an evil organization, Ivan Vanko father and son have already arrived in the United States. We need to go and appease him now. Isn't it normal for a proper boss to meet a new employee, just like the example you used of Doctor Death and the Great Leader of SHOCKER?" Nick Fury joked.

"Tony Stark needs an opponent, an opponent with the same abilities."

Nick Fury understood the principle of "born in hardship, die in comfort." Apart from his less privileged background, Ivan Vanko was capable of competing with Tony Stark on most levels and was a good whetstone—something he and Wei Xiuming had already agreed upon.

The Vanko father and son had actually been kidnapped and sent to the United States by S.H.I.E.L.D.. agents long ago. Ivan Vanko grew up in Siberia, where the harsh climate gave him a strong physique, and his father's teachings filled him with wisdom. He did think about escaping, and with his strength and intelligence, it was not impossible—he even managed to escape from the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. at the beginning.

But Anton Vanko was already in the hands of the agents. His father, due to the hardships of his youth and the harsh climate, could no longer withstand any more treatment. The torment of illness made it impossible for Anton Vanko to move around on his own, and he was bedridden for years. Ivan Vanko could escape, but Anton Vanko could not. As his son, he could only swallow his anger and follow the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D..

After arriving in the United States, the mastermind behind the kidnapping of the father and son never appeared. It was as if all their efforts had not led them astray. On the contrary, they were treated well and well. The terminally ill Anton Vanko received excellent medical care and was estimated to live another three to five years. Even Ivan Vanko's pet parrot enjoyed high-quality bird food.

Investment should yield returns, and now is the time for them to make a difference.

"Perfect timing. I've already prepared the props for the disguise. Would you like to familiarize yourself with the role you're going to play?" Wei Xiuming patted his briefcase, which contained quite a few things besides the Dual Driver he gave to Bruce Banner.