Tony, Do You Want a Child?

Someone once said that Iron Man Tony had smiled his happiest when his armor first carried him over New York's skies. Back then, he had smiled like a child.

Just like what Qin Yi was seeing before him now. Of course, it would have been even better with some music.

Inside the steel armor that shot up from Howard Estate, Tony excitedly watched the ever-changing scenery before his eyes, unable to hide the shock in his heart. His mouth hung open in delight as he laughed loudly.

"Yeah... Hahahaha!"

Sure enough, armor was every man's romance.

Through the armor's visual feed, the confident Tony turned and challenged Qin Yi, who was flying beside him.

"Qin, let's see who can fly higher."

Without waiting for Qin Yi to agree,

the thrusters beneath the armor's feet surged to full power, propelling it higher into the atmosphere with two streaks of flame.

"Jarvis, can you scan Qin's location?"

Tony had also created the artificial intelligence Jarvis ahead of time. As Tony's assistant, Jarvis was responsible for connecting to any network terminal and operating the Iron Man suit's internal systems.

"Mr. Qin... is above us. If we continue ascending, sir, icing may become a problem."

Tony said without hesitation,

"Keep going. Higher."

When the silver-gray armor reached Qin Yi's altitude, Tony swayed as he looked down at the land below, then turned to Qin Yi and asked,

"Qin, do you think it's possible to fly into outer space?"

Qin Yi casually tapped the armor on Tony's body. The ice covering it shattered and vanished.

"If we're fighting in outer space, we'll need to change the materials. There's plenty of time. Let's head back first. If satellites catch us, people on Earth will probably get nervous again."

Tony nodded and followed the spatial vortex behind Qin Yi back to Howard Estate.

In the year 2000 of the Marvel Main Universe, many things happened because of Qin Yi.

Mutants slowly began integrating into human society.

After their trip to the Zombie Universe, Tony combined the Wakandan technology they had brought back with Howard's research and successfully created the Mark II eight years ahead of schedule.

Qin Yi, now the Sorcerer Supreme, returned to his usual peaceful life.

Wanda followed the Ancient One at Kamar-Taj to study magic.

However, Wanda's talent fluctuated wildly. Whenever Qin Yi was nearby, she did not even need to practice and could directly cast the spells the Ancient One demonstrated.

When Qin Yi was absent, Wanda's progress in training slowed considerably.

The Ancient One racked her brains but still could not figure out why.

After learning about it, Qin Yi muttered inwardly, Could it be because of the Mind Stone's energy?

Back in the Zombie Universe, Qin Yi had absorbed half of the Mind Stone's energy.

In other words, to Wanda, Qin Yi was now equivalent to half a Mind Stone.

But could a Mind Stone from another universe also stimulate Wanda in this universe?

If Qin Yi had not brought Wanda and Pietro to Kamar-Taj,

they would have later been in a Hydra laboratory, where the Mind Stone catalyzed their own powers.

Qin Yi shook his head and stopped dwelling on the reason.

He took some time to repair all the teleportation arrays of the three Sanctums.

He even added hundreds of defensive arrays to each Sanctum.

The expressionless Sanctum Masters watched the new Sorcerer Supreme numbly

as he released every defensive array recorded at Kamar-Taj with a wave of his hand.

He did not even need hand seals or a Sling Ring.

With a large infusion of funds, the mages of the three Sanctums no longer lived in such poverty.

Everyone was filled with gratitude and respect for the new Sorcerer Supreme.

Qin Yi even allowed

the mages and apprentices of Kamar-Taj to set up stalls in the solemn and dignified Kamar-Taj, specifically to sell Eastern snacks.

After all, going through the Hong Kong Sanctum to reach the snack street every time was simply too troublesome for Qin Yi.

The retired Ancient One smiled faintly as she looked upon the gradually more lively Kamar-Taj.

She slowly returned to her room, changed into the casual clothes Jean Grey had secretly bought for her, and put on a pair of large sunglasses. After studying herself in the mirror for a long time, she was still dissatisfied, so she found a white sunhat and put it on.

Nodding approvingly at her reflection, the Ancient One casually drew a golden portal and entered it with a smile.

Elsewhere, after more than two months of construction, the Illuminati's base was finally complete with Magneto's help, though it remained empty.

Qin Yi and the suave bald Charles stood in the futuristic main hall, where a huge round table sat in the center.

Charles looked around in astonishment and asked Qin Yi,

"Qin, this technology isn't something Earth can currently possess."

As he walked to the round table, a luxurious chair automatically rose from the seat of honor. Qin Yi sat down, placed his hands behind his head, and looked up at Charles.

"Charles, after all, we'll be facing threats from beyond Earth. Some things can't be rolled out across Earth immediately. We'll use them first and treat it as a trial run before wider adoption."

Charles nodded. After experiencing the peace conference, he had also seen through the hypocritical politicians at the top of the United States, along with the shameless, greedy, blood-soaked capitalists behind them.

If those people truly gained control of this technology, Earth would once again be shrouded in the shadow of war.

"By the way, Charles, would the X-Men be interested in joining the Illuminati? Right now, it's just the two of us without anyone else. We're short on companions to carry out missions and talented people from all walks of life."

Charles considered the feasibility in silence. After a moment, he said to Qin Yi,

"I'll speak to them later."

Qin Yi nodded, then added,

"Full benefits, four workdays and three days off, paid annual leave, and their families get the same benefits. Of course, if needed, I can also arrange trips to other planets."

"Also, I set up hundreds of magic arrays and offensive arrays outside the base. Take this when you bring them here."

Charles accepted the metal token Qin Yi handed him. Magical energy flowed across its surface.

While Qin Yi was still saying something, Ikong's phone rang. Qin Yi curiously took out his phone. Why had people suddenly started calling him so often lately?

After he answered, Aunt Maria's delighted voice came from the other end.

"Little Qin, come back quickly! Pepper is pregnant!"

What!!!

When Qin Yi rushed back to Howard Estate, Tony explained everything to him.

That afternoon, Tony was still immersed in the joy of flying in the armor. He remained in the lab in high spirits until Pepper's call came in.

Although Tony did not know why Pepper wanted to meet him, with a mixture of responsibility and reluctance, he still agreed to meet her at the café they often visited.

Inside the café,

Tony noticed from the moment they met that something was off about Pepper's expression. It was filled with excitement, fear, and helpless confusion. Tony could not understand what had happened to make so many emotions appear on Pepper's face at once.

Only after a long while, after Pepper made up her mind, did she softly say to Tony,

"Tony, do you want a child?"

Tony froze for a long time. His face turned a little excited, then a little frightened. Finally, he looked at Pepper with a helpless and bewildered expression.

The two simply stared at each other.

A long time later,

with neither of them having any idea what to do, they returned together to Howard Estate and told their parents that Pepper was pregnant.

Overwhelming joy filled Howard and Maria's hearts. Maria carefully held Pepper's hand and asked her question after question.