Touring, Change

Wang Bert’s words left Wanda silent for a while. After a moment, she asked, "Is Tony Stark really that great? Isn’t he just a foul-mouthed, obnoxious bastard?"

"He is a bastard, and his mouth is foul, but that doesn’t detract from his greatness."

Wang Bert smiled. "Actually, even he hasn’t realized that he’s becoming great. He works hard every day now, practically like an old ox. If one day he needs to sacrifice himself for the world, he really will do it, even though that’s the thing he despises most."

"I don’t believe it."

Wanda said stubbornly. Wang Bert shrugged. Wanda’s heart was not bad, but the resentment she had accumulated over the years needed an outlet.

After a moment, Wanda asked, "Iron Man guards against you so much. Don’t you resent him?"

"I do, which is why I beat him up before. It felt pretty damn good."

Wang Bert smiled. "But I won’t stop him. If one day I really turn evil, I’d also want someone to stop me. You may not believe it, but I truly love Earth."

Wanda was somewhat moved. Then Wang Bert added, "After all, only Earth produces beauties who make my heart race. If Earth is gone, what am I supposed to do with the rest of my long life?"

Wanda was speechless. Though she knew it was improper, she still gave Wang Bert the middle finger.

"A lady shouldn’t make that gesture."

Wang Bert folded Wanda’s hand shut and said, "Little girl, Tony and I are working hard to help Earth. The organization behind you wants to destroy our efforts. I hope you can tell me who they are."

"Working hard to help Earth? For your own ambitions, you brutally shoved Earth into the interstellar era, causing countless people to lose their jobs and suffer. You call that helping Earth? Without your efforts, Earth would be better off."

Wanda snorted. These were the ideas Baron Strucker had always instilled in her. Simply put, Hydra were the good guys, while Super Heroes were the bad guys.

"So that’s what you think?"

Wang Bert was a little surprised, and a little disappointed. He said, "Fine, little girl. Let’s eat first. Afterward, I’ll show you exactly what Tony, Steve, and I have done. Entering the interstellar era was never about ambition. If it were, I’d turn Earth back into the Middle Ages and make the entire world my slaves."

Naturally, Wanda did not believe him, and Wang Bert did not say more. He first treated Wanda to several top-grade steaks, then brought her to the garage.

Wanda rubbed her slightly overstuffed stomach and asked in confusion, "Isn’t this an underground parking lot? How did it become your garage?"

"This is my garage."

Wang Bert shrugged. Ignoring the expensive sports cars, he led Wanda to a sleek black motorcycle and said, "Get on. I’ll take you for a ride."

Wanda was a little suspicious. "A motorcycle?"

Wang Bert did not waste words. He mounted the motorcycle, and after hesitating, Wanda carefully climbed on behind him. Just as she was about to hold onto the back, Wang Bert suddenly started the bike. She instinctively wrapped her arms around him to keep from falling off.

"Hold tight."

Wang Bert accelerated. The motorcycle raced toward the exit, then flew straight into the sky along the upward ramp.

In midair, the motorcycle’s two wheels spun and transformed into two plasma engines. The engines then sprayed Light Flame, and the motorcycle shot toward the coast at astonishing speed.

At the same time, a Defense Shield appeared around the motorcycle, blocking all the fierce winds outside.

"A Flying Motorcycle?"

Wanda was somewhat surprised. Wang Bert smiled. "More accurately, it’s a Sea-Land-Air Triphibian Motorcycle. Flying isn’t even the most expensive part. The Defense Shield is. The production cost of this motorcycle alone is over a billion dollars."

"Over a billion dollars?"

Wanda clicked her tongue and could not help saying, "You’re way too extravagant, aren’t you? Spending over a billion dollars on a motorcycle to pick up girls."

The motorcycle was extremely fast. By now, it had flown out of Manhattan and over the sea. Wang Bert accelerated again, and the violent airflow even split the ocean surface below into two sides.

"I use a flying sports car to pick up girls. This motorcycle is a gift I plan to give Ghost Rider. Besides its Defense Shield, it also has plenty of offensive weapons."

Wang Bert smiled. After flying for some distance, he controlled the motorcycle and plunged into the sea. Wanda stared through the Defense Shield at the underwater scenery, her eyes shining.

This was Wanda’s first time entering the sea.

Just then, a school of brightly colored fish swam toward them. Wang Bert slowed the motorcycle and drove into the school.

Seeing the fish swimming around them, Wanda could not help smiling. She even placed her hand on the Defense Shield, which was covered by the fish.

That was only the beginning. Wang Bert spent the entire afternoon playing with Wanda in the sea. Not only did they see all kinds of fish schools, they also interacted with sharks and whales. Wanda was as happy as a child and had even forgotten that she was a prisoner.

Once the sky turned dark, Wang Bert brought Wanda to Africa and sped forward.

Wanda gradually calmed down. Remembering how she had acted that afternoon made her blush. Then she thought of something, released her hold around Wang Bert, and demanded, "What are you trying to do to me? According to the information, you can open portals. There’s no need for you to ride a motorcycle at all."

Wang Bert smiled. "You really are merciless once you turn on me. You were so happy this afternoon, hugging me and cheering the whole time. Now that you’ve had your fun, you start questioning me."

Wanda blushed even harder. "I won’t fall for the tricks of a scumbag like you. Give up."

Wang Bert smiled and did not say anything more. Wanda blinked, growing suspicious. Was this guy actually trying to pick her up?

At that moment, Wang Bert stopped the motorcycle. Pointing at a construction site in the distance that was still active at night, he introduced, "That is the construction site for the Super Highway. Osborn Corporation has reached agreements with most African countries to build a Super Highway that circles Africa. This is only the beginning. In the future, this Super Highway will cross the seas and circle the entire world."

"A Super Highway around the world?"

Wanda was somewhat shocked. Looking at the robots working in the distance, she asked in surprise, "Huh? Why are they all robots?"

"They’re construction robots. Their intelligence isn’t very high, but it’s enough."

Wang Bert said, "They haven’t been put into other markets yet because that would put a large number of construction workers out of work. Wanda, we aren’t as radical as you think. At every step, we weigh the impact on the existing system."

While they were in the sea, Wanda had already told Wang Bert her name.

Wanda hesitated before asking, "What exactly is the Super Highway like?"

"The trains on the Super Highway are faster than airplanes. It can connect the entire world and turn it into a true Global Village."

Wang Bert said, "There’s a saying: if you want to get rich, build roads first. This Super Highway can help countless people in Africa escape poverty, war, disease, and suffering."

Wanda fell silent. Though she had not received much education, she knew how important a road could be.

After showing Wanda around for a while, Wang Bert started the motorcycle and continued onward. This time, his destination was the crop Experiment Base near Wakanda.

Looking at the orderly golden wheat fields under the moonlight, Wanda asked in shock, "Aren’t these wheat plants a little too tall? They look taller than I am."

"You’ll know once we go down and take a look."

Wang Bert smiled. He landed the motorcycle and brought Wanda to the edge of the wheat field. "This is wheat cultivated with alien technology. Its yield can reach several times the original amount."

Wanda cried out, "Several times?"

"Yes, and this is only the most conservative technology. More advanced versions are still being tested."

Wang Bert asked, "Wanda, what do you think would happen if everyone in the world lived like Americans?"

Wanda shook her head. "That’s impossible. Earth doesn’t have that many resources."

"Right. Insufficient resources are destined to cause internal conflict."

Wang Bert nodded. "The only way to change this situation is to develop technology and create resources capable of satisfying everyone. The alien technology we have can not only multiply wheat production several times over, but also greatly increase cattle and sheep production. In a few years, we’ll be able to ensure everyone in the world has enough to eat. In addition, the new energy from Stark Industries has begun to spread. When that happens, energy prices will drop drastically, and most people will be able to use affordable, high-quality resources. Wanda, we want to enter the interstellar era not for some ambition, but so everyone in the world can live like Americans, or even better."

Wanda was somewhat shaken. She had never imagined that Blood God, Iron Man, and the others harbored such grand ambitions. As a poor person, she had once yearned for America’s prosperous lifestyle—yearned for it very deeply.

As if trying to convince herself, Wanda argued, "It can’t be that simple, can it?"

"Of course it isn’t that simple. There is still much to do, but as long as the political situation remains stable, advanced technology will certainly make humanity’s lives better and better."

Wang Bert smiled. "Over the years, the six permanent members have been stabilizing the world situation. Once the Earth Federation is truly established, there will no longer be war on Earth. All humanity will work together and push toward space."

"There won’t be any more war?"

Wanda looked dazed. Perhaps she should not blame Tony Stark. If she had to blame someone, it should be those bastards who started wars.

"Come on, let’s visit some other places."

Wang Bert waved to Wanda. She nodded, got on the motorcycle, and then very naturally wrapped her arms around Wang Bert.

Half an hour later, Wang Bert pointed at a city under construction below and introduced it to Wanda. "This used to be the most chaotic place in Africa. To help the poor people here, Wakanda sent troops to deal with all the warlords. After that, Wakanda used ample funding to relocate the population on a massive scale. They plan to build Africa’s first Super City here, a fully modern, intelligent Super City. Urbanization is the major trend of the future. Later on, intelligent robots and a small number of humans will farm outside, while everyone else lives in cities and occasionally goes out for travel and vacations. Humanity and nature will reach a balance. In addition, the city will be equipped with a Defense Shield to ensure safety."

Wanda listened with great interest and could not help asking, "Will there be enough room for everyone in the city?"

"Yes. We’ll build super high-rises containing hospitals, schools, entertainment venues, and so on. Each will be like a small town."

Wang Bert smiled. "Let’s put that aside for now. Down there is a school run by an old friend. Let’s go take a look."

That old friend was naturally Baron Mordo. Looking at the holographic teacher in the classroom, Wanda asked in surprise, "Not a real teacher?"

"Not many teachers are willing to come to Africa, but fortunately, technology can solve that problem. There is little difference between a holographic projection and a real person being present."

Wang Bert smiled. "Technological development can solve many problems, such as the ever-insufficient education resources. Actually, holographic projection is not the best technology. In the future, we’ll create a virtual world. Then educational resources will become fair and abundant. No matter how poor you are, you must not neglect education. Once education improves, any place can flourish, and Africa is no exception. These children are the future of this city."

"Being able to go to school is wonderful."

Wanda said enviously. She had once hated going to school, but after that shell fell, she never had the chance to attend school again.

By now, Wanda knew that Wang Bert and Tony Stark were truly good people.

At the same time, Wanda had accepted Wang Bert’s interstellar era—only the interstellar era could solve humanity’s current problems.

"Come on, let’s visit some other places."

Wang Bert took Wanda’s hand and smiled. Wanda did not refuse and followed him away.

Not long after the two left, Baron Mordo, carrying a large machete, frantically chased Red-Clothed Mercenary Wade from behind. From the look of it, he was clearly furious.

Wade roared in dissatisfaction, "Mordo, are you crazy? I taught for you for free all day, and now you want to chop me up?"

Mordo roared, "You bastard, you actually took my students out to scam people and stage accidents! If I don’t kill you, I’m not the principal of this school!"

Wade shouted, "I was teaching them a class on scams so they won’t be scammed by others in the future."

"You were using them to make money. Don’t think I don’t know. You stuffed all the money into your own pocket."

Mordo shouted. Seeing people looking their way, he hurriedly opened the Mirror Dimension and pulled Wade inside. Then he and a group of poison zombies crazily pursued Wade.

"That was tuition! Damn, why are there even more poison zombies here now? Hey, One-Eye, long time no see. You look like you’ve lost weight."

Wade ran while greeting the zombies he "knew." Thinking of something, he turned and shouted, "Mordo, if you hate me so much, why won’t you let me leave?"

"You think I want to keep a bastard like you here? You’re a damned source of corruption. Anyone who gets close to you gets led astray."

Mordo cursed furiously. Ancient One had specifically ordered Wade to stay. If he guessed correctly, it was probably because Ancient One did not want this bastard going out and harming other people.

"You don’t want me to stay, yet you insist on keeping me. Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for me? Let me tell you, unless it’s a million dollars, I will never sell myself."

Wade shouted. Mordo was so angry that he hurled his axe directly at him, smashing Wade into the group of zombies.

"You have no martial virtue! You actually dared to launch a sneak attack!"

Wade cursed, then shouted at the poison zombies closing in around him, "We’re all old friends, go easy on me. Oh…"

Between life and death, Wade saw that noble, aloof figure again. He did everything he could to look at the figure, wanting to see what they looked like. Unfortunately, as before, just when he was about to see clearly, he slipped out of that state.

Wade thought with a dreamy expression, What a pity. That must be a super gorgeous beauty. Looks like I’ll have to get near death a few more times in the future.