Mark 7

Los Angeles, City of Freedom Villa.

Tony took a hot shower, toweling himself dry as he asked, "J.A.R.V.I.S., is Mark 7 complete?"

J.A.R.V.I.S.’s voice sounded. "Sir, assembly has just been completed, following Master Wang’s suggestions, your requirements, and my latest design plans."

"Tell me what’s been changed," Tony said.

"A triangular Arc Pulse Cannon has been added to the chest. It can release all energy at once, with power roughly equivalent to the United States military’s highest-powered laser weapon."

"Following Master Wang’s suggestion, a small amount of Vibranium has been added to the outer armor. It can absorb external energy and convert it into armor energy, effectively improving endurance while providing stronger defensive capabilities. It can withstand the explosion of a Jericho Missile head-on."

"The sealing and life-support systems have been redesigned, allowing underwater operation. A fire-suppression system has also been added."

"The left arm is equipped with a reusable triple-barrel laser weapon, while the right arm is equipped with eight miniature armor-piercing rounds."

"A heavy missile launcher has been installed on the right shoulder."

"Based on Mark 5’s deployment method, it can be disguised as a suitcase and deployed through an infrared sensor ring. Activation time is ten seconds, with an automatic flight speed of 1,200 kilometers per hour."

"A detachable backpack has been added, carrying seven types of weapons, including air-to-air micro-missiles, as well as three Arc Reactors of the same model."

"The hand and foot thrusters have been upgraded to temporarily increase flight speed. Maximum flight speed is Mach 5. This function consumes energy too quickly, so please replace the Arc Reactor promptly."

"Based on the latest virtual technology you obtained from Master Wang, I have completed a version upgrade. A combat analysis system has been added, capable of analyzing an enemy’s fighting style and combat intent in order to adopt effective countermeasures."

"Based on your love of kung fu, your admiration for Master Wang, and video analysis of more than three hundred fighting experts around the world, an assisted combat system has been developed."

Tony nodded. "Sounds pretty good."

He dried his hair and raised his right hand.

A mechanical arm automatically brought over the infrared sensor ring and fitted it onto his right wrist.

The familiar gold-and-red color scheme was beautiful.

"Pepper should like it."

Hearing "assisted combat system," Tony suddenly thought of someone else—a true fighting master.

"J.A.R.V.I.S., how does your assisted combat system compare to Master Wang?"

J.A.R.V.I.S. replied, "Sir, Master Wang’s fighting style cannot be replicated at all. All the fighting experts collected by this system combined are still nowhere near Master Wang."

Tony raised a brow. "Human reaction speed has limits. Can he really be faster than you?"

J.A.R.V.I.S. said, "Sir, according to scans and tests of Master Wang, even his cellular structure and genes have been altered to varying degrees. He can no longer truly be considered human. You need not feel discouraged. After all, Master Wang is not human."

"I’m not discouraged!"

Tony snorted, agreeing with J.A.R.V.I.S.’s last remark. "That’s right, that guy isn’t human! J.A.R.V.I.S., begin designing Mark 8."

J.A.R.V.I.S. said, "Certainly. Sir, what are your requirements?"

Without hesitation, Tony said, "Faster, higher, stronger! Upgrade the assisted combat system across the board. Collect videos of every fighting expert in the world. It has to surpass Master Wang!"

"Yes, sir."

J.A.R.V.I.S. said, "I hope you are mentally prepared. The success rate is infinitely close to zero."

Tony said, "…Building you was my greatest failure. I’ll replace you someday. What do you think of ‘Friday’?"

J.A.R.V.I.S. said, "The servant from Robinson Crusoe? Sir, plagiarism is shameful."

"I really want to smash you."

He walked to the display cabinet, opened it, and took out a bottle of erguotou. After uncapping it, he took a small sip. Instantly, his whole body grew hot, and he felt an urge to vent his frustration immediately.

Azeroth Essence wine really packed a punch!

Suddenly, J.A.R.V.I.S.’s voice sounded.

"Sir, a missile has been detected heading this way. Its flight speed is Mach 3. It is expected to arrive in ten seconds."

"According to security protocols, initiating armor deployment and emergency response procedures."

"Launching interception missile!"

Before J.A.R.V.I.S. had even finished speaking, Tony shouted, "No, protect Pepper!"

The gold-and-red armor broke apart into dozens of components and flew toward Pepper in the upstairs bedroom, quickly completing deployment on her right arm.

Infrared targeting, precision guidance.

Shoulder-mounted heavy missile launched!

That chain of commands took time. By the time the interception missile launched, the incoming missile had already reached the villa.

The two missiles collided.

Boom!

The violent explosion generated a powerful shockwave, shattering the glass across more than half the villa. Flying shrapnel destroyed portions of the walls, causing extensive collapse.

Tony was struck by the shockwave and thrown to the ground, his entire body aching.

He had injuries all over, but none were serious. As Tony climbed back to his feet, he shouted, "J.A.R.V.I.S.!"

"How’s Pepper?"

J.A.R.V.I.S. replied, "Armor deployment was successfully completed before the missile exploded. Miss Potts was not injured. Sir, multiple injuries have been detected on your body. The active ingredients of the Azeroth Essence wine remaining in your system are healing your wounds. The bleeding has stopped."

Tony let out a breath of relief.

He had previously spent nearly a hundred million dollars buying ten bottles of wine from Master Wang. He had thought he had been ripped off, but the effects were genuinely impressive.

He had been drinking it for less than half a month, yet not only had his endurance increased severalfold, his physical qualities in every respect had improved considerably. His muscle strength and bone density had both increased to varying degrees. After such a powerful explosion, he had somehow suffered neither fractures nor internal bleeding.

All thanks to Master Wang!

"Sir, five aircraft have been detected: four F35 fighters and one Quinjet."

"The enemy has launched another five Jericho Missiles. Please evade immediately."

Evade?

Where the hell was he supposed to evade to?

I built the Jericho Missile. Wouldn’t I know how powerful it was?

Tony smiled bitterly. Remembering Mark 7’s new feature, he immediately shouted, "J.A.R.V.I.S., get Pepper somewhere safe, then come pick me up!"

Before his words had faded, he sprinted out of the villa and jumped into the sea!

The next second, all five missiles struck the villa at once.

The villa, worth tens of millions of dollars, along with the billion dollars’ worth of high-tech equipment and Iron Man suits inside it, was completely destroyed by the Jericho Missiles Tony had personally designed.

More missiles came flying in from the distance. The mountainside gave way, and huge amounts of rock and earth, together with the collapsing villa, tumbled toward the sea.

Splash!

Tony hit the water. Enduring the intense pain from the impact, he held his breath.

His physique, even stronger than an Olympic champion’s, gave him greater lung capacity. Holding his breath underwater for five or six minutes was no problem.

"Fortunately, all the data was backed up in advance, including J.A.R.V.I.S.’s intelligent program."

Tony swam downward with all his strength.

Seconds ticked by.

The four F35 fighters circled in the sky, while the Quinjet hovered directly above the water and began a deep scan. Several missiles were about to launch.

Just then, J.A.R.V.I.S.’s voice sounded. "Sir, Miss Potts is safe. Armor deployment is in progress. Estimated time of arrival: ten seconds… arrived!"

Whoosh!

The first armor component pierced through the water and attached itself to Tony’s right arm, followed by the second.

In less than ten seconds, every piece of armor was in place.

Feeling the icy metal closing around him from all directions, Tony steadied himself and regained his confidence.

"Activate the fire-suppression system. Begin draining water."

"Activate the life-support system."

"Activate the combat analysis system and assisted combat system."

"Activate electromagnetic interference. Block all external scans."

"Sir, shall we begin the counterattack?"

Tony raised both hands and snorted. "Counterattack!"