Even I would need a lot of time to research before I could synthesize it. The strength of this metal should be comparable to Adamantium. Do you have its formula?"
"No, otherwise, did you think I'd give it to you for free?"
"I knew it. Reconstructing the formula from the metal itself is almost impossible, but that's not the case if it's me."
Tony pouted, but the excitement in his eyes didn't diminish in the slightest; he was already thinking about how to overcome these challenges.
Qinuo felt it was about time and, with a look of anticipation, said to Tony,
"Tony, I came here specifically today because there's something else I'd like to ask for your help with."
Tony was in a great mood and couldn't help but raise an eyebrow upon hearing this.
"Oh, really? I'd like to hear what kind of matter could stump the Demon King. Go on, I'll help."
After all, putting aside these tempting metals, just based on their friendship alone, helping out was a simple matter in Tony's eyes.
Upon hearing this, Qinuo began to describe: "Help me design a vehicle. It needs to have the ability to fly, dive underwater, and ideally, transform—that would be even more perfect.
Oh, and its material needs to be tough enough, as safety is very important. Also, the internal space needs to be large, and if possible, it should be able to fly into outer space…"
As Qinuo spoke, the image of the vehicle seemed to appear in his mind, and he didn't notice Tony's expression gradually stiffening.
And as Qinuo's endless demands kept coming out one after another, Tony's originally clear complexion had now turned as black as the bottom of a pot.
When Qinuo finally stopped, still not entirely satisfied, he looked up and saw Tony's grim face, then tentatively asked,
"Did… did the requests I made go a bit too far?"
Tony twitched his lips, glaring at him with a fake smile.
"Hmph, too far? What's too far?
Oh, right, what did you say at the beginning? I almost got dizzy from all your demands."
"Tony, I came here today to ask for your help with something." Qinuo repeated honestly.
"No, I won't help. Get out of here!"
As Tony spoke, he stretched out both hands and pushed hard at Qinuo, but Qinuo stood rooted to the ground, unmoving, which only angered Tony more.
"Hey! Tony, you promised me! How can you go back on your word?"
Qinuo looked speechlessly at Tony, who was red-faced and pushing hard on his two pectoral muscles.
"What did I promise you? Do you have proof? Hmph!"
Tony decided to be completely unreasonable, gritting his teeth as he spoke and then complaining like a machine gun.
"Do you know how busy I am right now? The reactor renovation project for Stark Tower, the war armor needs to be improved in six months, the Hell's Paradise project, and that high-tech stuff from a thousand years later.
I haven't even finished digesting all that yet, and now eternity stone and these strange metals have popped up for me to deal with. Every day, I'm so busy I don't even have time to throw a party to relax.
If I agree to design a vehicle for you, then I really won't even have time to spend with Pepper.
Alright, alright, just get out of here. I don't even want these metals anymore!"
The more Tony spoke, the angrier he got. He thought about how, in the past, everyone revolved around him, working for him. Who would have thought that now, somehow, he seemed to be working for this guy, Qinuo? What kind of situation was this?
Qinuo also felt it was a bit much, especially since most of these crucial matters were related to him. He looked at Tony, who was preparing to put on his armor.
"Don't get so worked up, Tony. Let's discuss it again."
"There's nothing to discuss. Get out now."
Tony didn't give Qinuo a chance to continue speaking. He put on his armor, squatted down, and was about to lift Qinuo onto his shoulders.
"I've prepared a gift for you."
"I don't want any gift! I want to rest, party, drink… Damn, why are you so heavy!"
The armor on Tony's body was now groaning under the strain, making a heart-wrenching creaking sound, as if it would fall apart any second.
"A gift that will definitely satisfy you. If you're not satisfied then, I'll give you the Demon Group."
Qinuo tapped Tony's iron head.
"…Really?"
Upon hearing this, Tony's movements unconsciously stopped.
"Really. Do you want to sign a Demon contract?"
Qinuo pulled out a contract.
"No need for that. When will you give it to me?"
Tony knew that Qinuo never made a losing deal. If he dared to use the Demon Group as a wager, he must be confident that it was a gift that would satisfy him.
What could it be? A spaceship, alien technology, or special materials?
"In a few days. Also, can you get up?"
Qinuo looked at Tony, who was wearing his armor and hugging his leg, feeling strange but couldn't pinpoint why.
"Okay… the joint just overloaded and got stuck. Wait a moment." Tony found he couldn't move.
"Can you do it? If not, I'll just dismantle it."
"Right away, right away. This armor is still a prototype and hasn't been debugged yet."
"Hurry up…"
At that moment, a voice came from behind them.
"Tony… oh my God, what are you two doing?"
Pepper covered her mouth in disbelief, looking at the Iron Man armor kneeling in front of Qinuo.
Lorna, beside her, also widened her eyes.
Qinuo and Tony also realized something was wrong.
"It's not what you think!"
"Wait, Pepper, let me explain."
Tony shouted anxiously, his voice coming from inside the armor, tinged with panic.
"Don't explain yet, just let go of me first."
"Oh, oh… FK, the power system is broken."
"I'll do it."
Qinuo was too impatient to wait and directly began a violent disassembly.
Clang, clang, clang—
Parts flew everywhere, and Tony was shaken violently inside the armor.
"Gently, gently, my God!"
Pepper and Lorna watched in shock from the side, hearing only Tony's continuous curses from inside the armor.
In a few breaths, Tony was released, but he also had a large bruise on his body from the violent disassembly.
"Couldn't you have been gentler?"
Tony complained.
"Any gentler, and my reputation would be ruined."
Qinuo took out a healing potion and injected it into Tony.
"Why don't you buy a strengthening potion?"
Qinuo asked.
Tony coughed dryly.
"I was just worried that the potion would affect my brain structure and thinking, so I only used it on Pepper."
"Suit yourself. Anyway, with Pepper around, she can protect you at critical moments."
Qinuo no longer tried to persuade him.
If the potion had that side effect, Banner and the others wouldn't have used it.
It was probably due to Tony's own pride, and also Killian's influence.
Although he had given up his hatred for Tony because of the Demon contract, he still found him annoying in various ways.
Tony should have known of his existence for a long time, and he felt a bit guilty for almost destroying a genius due to his past arrogance.