However, it was also because of those words just now that the atmosphere between them improved significantly.
After some casual chatting, Pepper curiously inquired about the qualities a woman needed to possess to meet Harvey's ideal.
"Just tell us, I'm quite curious about how you choose," Tony Stark said, also becoming a bit gossipy.
"If you're asking what qualities are required to meet my expectations..."
"They need to be beautiful, intelligent, and strong," Harvey said after some consideration.
He occasionally sought out young and beautiful women for a night, but that was merely for pleasure, an occasional whim, not a selection of a woman who truly met his ideal.
"Beautiful appearance, a smart mind, and a strong character, huh?"
"There are many who meet the first two points, but meeting the last one isn't so easy."
"Women, after all, are not men; even if they appear strong on the surface, most are still relatively delicate deep down," Pepper said thoughtfully after hearing Harvey's words.
Tony Stark, upon hearing Harvey Anberaka's criteria, had a different feeling.
The first point Harvey Anberaka mentioned, 'beautiful,' was easy to understand: outward beauty.
As for 'intelligent,' it shouldn't just be about being smart, but rather about being able to understand Harvey's thoughts through subtle cues.
Knowing what to say and what not to say, what to do and what not to do—this alone would exclude countless women.
Because women are emotional; they might shed tears over some things and might not be able to remain calm over others.
And the 'strong' Harvey Anberaka spoke of should not only mean strong-willed but also physically powerful.
Otherwise, the other party wouldn't even be able to understand Harvey Anberaka's thoughts and actions, let alone support him.
Tony Stark thought about women who met such standards in his mind but couldn't find a single one.
"Your standards are a bit idealistic; I'm afraid it would be very difficult to find a woman who truly meets your ideal, even if you search the entire World," Tony Stark said.
"I know, but I have plenty of time to search, and if I don't find one in the end, it doesn't matter," Harvey said with a smile upon hearing Tony's words.
"Your words are too absolute."
"Although the requirements are very high, there are many strong women in the World who are beautiful, intelligent, and strong-wwilled," Pepper retorted, feeling that Tony and Harvey's statements were too definitive.
"Pepper, you didn't understand his meaning," Tony quickly said, then glanced at Harvey, wanting to see his reaction.
It's easy to cause resentment if someone who doesn't understand the topic forcefully interjects.
"Yes, but if there's an opportunity, Miss Pepper, you will understand too," Harvey said with a smile, sensing Tony's glance.
Harvey Anberaka's unintentional remark made Tony Stark's eyes flicker.
Was he implying that Pepper could also gain power, or was he simply overthinking it?
"Is it possible for her?" Tony Stark asked Harvey to confirm.
"That depends on whether you can convince me," Harvey said meaningfully.
"Give me some time; I need to think it over carefully and talk to her," Tony Stark knew from this sentence that Pepper also had some chance, even if that chance required effort, but this was undoubtedly good news for him.
"As you wish," Harvey said with an indifferent expression, then continued to quickly finish the food in front of him.
"What are you talking about?"
"Who is she?"
"Is she the woman Mr. Harvey Anberaka desires?" Pepper asked, confused and a bit strange, having overheard the conversation between Tony and Harvey.
"No, if I think it's appropriate, I'll explain it to you."
"If I don't bring it up to you, then don't pry too much," Tony Stark said, shaking his head.
Right now, he himself didn't know whether he should accept it.
And even if he accepted it, whether Harvey Anberaka would agree was another matter.
After all, in the matter of asking Harvey Anberaka to become a transcendent being, he was not the dominant party.
Not to mention getting Harvey Anberaka to agree to let Pepper become a being similar to himself, so it was not yet time to explain.
Pepper, upon hearing these words, became even more curious and wanted to understand what was going on.
She was about to ask, but she saw Harvey Anberaka next to her and restrained herself from this impolite action, planning to ask Tony privately later.
"Eating like this is too slow; I'll leave some for you. I'm going to eat over there directly," Harvey looked up at Tony, stood up, and said.
He knew the seed of desire had been planted; now he just had to wait for it to blossom and bear fruit.
Humans are a race that yearns for Evolution, craving longer lifespans and greater power.
And when they know that this Evolution carries no life-threatening danger, aside from those content with mediocrity, anyone with desire will generally not refuse.
Is Tony Stark a person willing to be mediocre?
The answer is clearly no; no matter how his personality changes, the madness of a scientist deep within Tony Stark will not disappear.
Otherwise, Tony Stark would not have created Ultron, this terrifying humanoid weapon, despite others' objections.
And according to Tony Stark's intellect, Harvey could easily foresee that Tony Stark, after joining the Void and using the abilities he gained, would create even more terrifying technology.
"It's fine, just eat; our appetites aren't that big," Tony said, not minding that Harvey wanted to eat faster.
Harvey nodded, then walked towards the tables laden with food.
Although he said he wanted to eat quickly, Harvey didn't gobble down his food; his movements remained elegant.
Tony Stark watched Harvey's astonishing appetite, deep in thought.
If he gained power similar to Harvey Anberaka, acquired a lifespan of hundreds or even thousands of years, and controlled extraordinary power, with the only cost being a very large appetite...
He would accept this cost; he had plenty of money to feast every day, as long as he didn't have to eat people.
But he still found it difficult to make a decision, and he knew why.
Because of his fame, he was a public figure.
The moment he gained power, if he became too young, he would definitely be discovered by others immediately, and then those people would view him as an anomaly.
This was a psychological problem, and the most difficult one to solve.
Harvey Anberaka saw through his current dilemma, which was why he hadn't thought of rushing him.
He merely gave him an opportunity to see if he could figure it out and fully accept it himself.