Naturally, he heard that Sonia was out and about, asking around for contact information of influential figures.
Harvey acknowledged that everyone had their way of doing things and different approaches to handling matters. Although Sonia hadn't received immediate responses, it was only the beginning, so Harvey didn't worry too much. He was satisfied with Sonia's efficiency and expected no issues.
He soon headed to Tony's villa. Tony, having completed his research on the gravity devices and not needing to worry about sales channels, had taken a few days off.
"Well, this is a surprise. Instead of me visiting you, you're visiting me," Tony said, looking up from his surfing session. "To celebrate the success of the research, I'm thinking of throwing a party tomorrow for the Void Church members. Care to join me for a drink now?"
Tony, while drinking and surfing, sensed a slight tremor in the air behind him, signaling Harvey's arrival. He turned around and greeted Harvey with a smile. Tony had come to understand the universe and knew that his invention would soon bring him considerable wealth.
Though this research had cost Harvey over 800 million in development funds, Tony wasn't worried at all. Eight hundred million was nothing; on Earth, he could easily come up with one or two billion. Despite his current lack of funds in the universe, he knew that once the gravity devices began selling, he would quickly repay the investment and generate continuous wealth for himself and the Void Church.
"Sure, let's have a drink," Harvey agreed, taking a seat on the sofa next to Tony.
"You seem a bit down," Tony remarked, noticing that Harvey, who rarely took time off, had come to visit just to drink. Though Harvey was wearing armor and a golden mask, Tony had known him long enough to sense something was amiss even without seeing his face.
Tony was aware that Harvey wasn't fond of alcohol, as it had little effect on him. Harvey preferred beverages with better flavors.
"I'm not exactly in a bad mood," Harvey said. "I'm just wondering if my reputation isn't loud enough."
"Come on, your reputation echoes throughout the galaxy! How much louder do you want it?" Tony exclaimed, clapping his hands. "You wouldn't believe how shocked I was when I first searched for information about you online."
In the universe, the name Kassadin was legendary—described as the first-grade bounty hunter, or even as a deity, a monster, or a disaster. The most widespread and recognized reputation, however, was that of the Void God Kassadin. Every story underscored Kassadin's immense power.
Tony had also looked up information on King Odin and the Supreme Sorcerer Ancient One. Harvey had been truthful; those two were also top-tier figures in the universe, renowned across the galaxy and keeping Earth safe from any troublemakers.
Realizing that Harvey's concerns must have a reason, Tony asked, "What's the issue?"
Harvey explained, "It's about the sales channels. I told Sonia to mention my name directly, but she's been going around, pleading with people."
"I see. Don't doubt it; your reputation is more than enough," Tony reassured him. "However, it's normal for people to have different approaches. You know Sonia's work ethic better than I do. Every task assigned to her is completed flawlessly."
Tony continued, "Your reputation is significant, but my name isn't widely known. My inventions are newly developed, with no production lines or promotion yet. To sign a major deal and start making money quickly, one has to lower their stance and negotiate. Ensuring supply and demand is crucial for smooth financial operations and large profits."
"And don't worry, this will be the only time she has to negotiate so modestly. Once a big deal is secured, your reputation will grow. With the current gravity devices and future inventions, people will reach out to you without needing to beg."
Tony was somewhat exasperated. He had always communicated directly with Sonia via the cosmic communicator, and she would answer almost immediately, day or night, and handle his requests without complaint. Tony wondered about Sonia's past experiences, given her impressive efficiency.
"Indeed," Harvey said thoughtfully, his concerns easing.
"It's good you understand," Tony said, sipping his drink. "Sonia didn't mention your name because she thought it was a minor issue that could be resolved without it. But as you continue to succeed, your reputation will naturally rise, and people will come to you."
Since he had agreed to have a drink with Tony, Harvey spent some time chatting and drinking with him before heading back.
Tony noticed that Harvey didn't mention coming to the celebration the next day. Tony understood this, as Harvey's status in the universe was different from his status on Earth, especially on Void Island, where many situations were not suitable for his appearance.
Tony planned to wait until the gravity devices were secured with buyers before contacting Pepper to share the good news.
He had clear plans for the future. In the next seven months, Tony was confident he'd have enough money to buy a space fighter. With more money, he'd purchase a medium-sized spacecraft and start bringing cosmic innovations to Earth.
With the gravity devices developed, Tony also aimed to research wormhole jump technology and advanced propulsion systems. Enhancing J.A.R.V.I.S.'s computational power would further strengthen his Iron Man armor, keeping his identity hidden on Earth for a while longer.
He needed to master the production of space fighters and spacecraft to lead Earth into the interstellar era and connect with the universe. Once Earth was integrated with the universe, the Void Church's reputation would also reach Earth. By then, even if his identity were exposed, it would likely only bring some jealousy and gossip.
Tony was aware that as the Void Church expanded and its membership grew, Harvey was gradually raising the standards for selection. The initial members were just him and Pepper, with no real tests involved. Later batches, like the one including Reno, required a four-day trial.
Now, less than a year in, the Void Church has 237 members. If Harvey had made the trials less mysterious and more open, there could have been tens of thousands of members by now.
However, this gradual growth had its benefits. Despite rumors of the Void Church being enigmatic or deceptive, there were no reports of members causing disruptions or breaking the rules. Once Tony helped Earth through its crisis and led it into the cosmos, he would likely take Pepper with him to the universe.
Even if the Void Church wasn't fully expanded or comparable to Asgard, having Kassadin, or Harvey, as the Void God meant that its members would have a reliable and powerful ally in the universe.
Tony then instructed his secretary to bring in more chefs and contacted various members of the Void Island to announce the celebration feast.
On Earth, high-profile events like masquerades, charity balls, and celebratory feasts often involve more socializing and networking than actual eating. But for the Void Church, a large celebration was an opportunity for significant energy and accelerated evolution.
As a result, the Void Church's community was abuzz with excitement as the news spread.
"Big spender! Rich guy!"
"When's it happening? We're on a mission right now but should be back by tomorrow afternoon."
"Tony Stark is treating us! How could we miss this?"
"I still have work tomorrow."
"But this is a feast from a big spender! A day's wages don't compare to the value of this meal."
"True. I'll take the day off."
"+1" "+1"
The Void Church's community went wild over the news of Tony's celebration feast. Although many had resigned due to blessings received, some still held onto their jobs, waiting to strengthen their powers before quitting for better opportunities.
There were already rumors in the group about Tony Stark's occasional treats, making those who missed out envious. Now that Tony Stark was hosting an event for everyone, everyone was determined to attend.
The creator of this community was Sonia, who had set it up at Tony's request.
Sonia, busy with communications, heard constant notification dings and checked the lively chat. She smiled, pleased with how Tony's arrival had not only resolved funding issues but also enhanced the Void Church's cohesion.
Sonia, however, would not attend the celebration, as Kassadin was not suited for such events. It wouldn't be right for her to feast while Kassadin stayed home.
But Sonia felt it necessary to consult Kassadin about the funds required for the celebration.
She found Kassadin on the balcony, gazing into the distance.
"Mr. Kassadin, Tony Stark plans to host a grand celebration feast. How much should we allocate for this?"
Harvey, not specifying an exact amount, replied, "Just cover it all. I have 2 billion on hand, so spending a few tens of millions is no problem. Once Tony sells the gravity devices, he'll naturally reimburse me."
Tony hadn't held a large charity or celebration in a long time. On Earth, he couldn't reveal his true identity, but in the universe, with his successful research, it was natural for him to host a grand celebration. Tony's flamboyant nature couldn't resist such an opportunity.
"Alright, one more thing to report," Sonia continued. "Someone has agreed to place a 10 billion order but has one condition."
"What's the condition?" Harvey asked.
"They want a chance to speak with you directly."
"Did you mention my name?" Harvey asked.
"No, they knew it was me contacting them and made the request through me for your consideration," Sonia explained.
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