The Black Book: Seven Deadly Sins-Chapter 508: Sin of Pride

"Divine Suppression, Threat Level: SSS."

"Legendary Power, Threat Level: SSS."

"Our Victory Assessment: 0.0000%"

"Combat Advice: Escape!"

The imposing and majestic mecha showed no hesitation at the sight of the never-before-seen blood-red "run" indicator. Its steel wings emitted sword-like flames and left a clear Mach ring as it shot skyward like a rocket.

"Sliding halfway and still thinking of escaping?"

With a sinister smirk, Zhu Haomiao flapped his wings downwards vigorously, pushed off with his legs, and a dome of milky white sonic clouds exploded above his head as he vanished from the spot instantly.

Boom!

The powerful recoil blasted a shallow pit over a meter in diameter into the ground, splattering dirt all over Tony’s face.

"Pah, pah, pah!"

Spitting out the dirt from his mouth, Tony staggered to his feet, determined the direction, and limped out of the park.

After finally catching a taxi back to the mansion, with the help of the mechanical arm Dumm-E, Tony endured discomfort and immediately began improving his battle armor.

The recent experience had been too traumatic for him, even more than the despair in that dark cave. He had felt everything was under control, that even after losing propulsion and falling, he could still recover at the last moment. But unexpectedly, disaster struck without warning, destroying his composure and confidence.

If not for the timely arrival of Mr. Zhu, he might have ended up falling to his death!

With high pride and arrogance, how could Tony tolerate such a foolish and humiliating death?

Gritting his teeth fiercely, Tony’s mind flashed back to the oddly styled sci-fi mecha, and his heart grew heavier.

It was obviously technology he had never seen before. Could there be someone in the world smarter than him, capable of creating a weapon far surpassing today’s standards?

Thinking and improving simultaneously, Tony Stark advanced methodically.

It wasn’t long before his peripheral vision caught a shadow’s reflection in the glass.

"Aah!"

Startled, Tony turned his head to find Zhu Haomiao watching his damaged armor with keen interest.

"How did you get in?"

His workshop had the highest security level in the world!

Instinctively blurting out his confusion, Tony’s mind suddenly recalled the magnificent Starfire Gate before softly slapping himself.

"Sorry, pretend I didn’t ask."

After wiping his face, Tony’s expression turned serious as he asked gravely.

"Do you know who attacked me just now?"

"No idea?"

Without lifting his head, Zhu Haomiao’s gaze was drawn to the silver battle armor displayed nearby, examining it like a favorite toy.

"He escaped?!"

"No."

"Did you catch him?!"

"Didn’t catch him, ate him."

"???!!!"

Tony’s face froze as he pondered, thought, and analyzed, eventually scrunching his features into a bemused expression like an elderly person on the subway.

"Ate him... ate him?"

Was this a metaphorical expression? Or a theological term?

Nonetheless, Zhu Haomiao smacked his lips, swallowed, and gave a thumbs-up.

"Yeah, melted in the mouth, tasted terrific."

"......"

Realizing that "ate" meant quite literally "ate," Tony Stark fell into deep silence.

Reflecting on Zhu Haomiao’s immense dark wings, Tony felt a sudden unease, as if he was facing not an innocent young man but a cold and ruthless God Demon.

Yet reason quickly overpowered emotion, and Tony crushed the fear in his heart, directly meeting the youth’s flawless side profile.

"That’s my earlier trial armor—do you like it?"

"Yeah, it’s pretty cool."

"I can give it to you."

"No need, it’s just a toy to me; it would break with a press."

"......"

Though he wanted to explain the hardness of titanium alloy, considering Zhu Haomiao’s mysterious power, Tony painfully realized his prized weapon might genuinely be just a toy to him.

Suddenly, a feeling of dissatisfaction arose in his heart as a seed quietly took root and sprouted. Tony silently resolved to create armor strong enough to rival him!

Meanwhile, a mysterious resonance echoed deep within his soul, and Zhu Haomiao turned his head in surprise, momentarily sensing the Original Sin’s divinity flicker in Tony.

"Tony..."

"Hmm?"

"You’ve committed the sin of Pride."

"Huh??"

"As a mortal, you dare to rival the gods. Heh, truly an interesting fellow!"

Patting Tony’s shoulder, Zhu Haomiao’s eyes gleamed with excitement, like a craftsman nurturing an artistic creation.

"However, perhaps it’s precisely this trait that pushes you to that final step, writing a legend..."

Heard beside him were soft, mosquito-like whispers. Tony Stark couldn’t quite decipher them, but before he could inquire, the dark-clad youth diverted his attention.

"By the way, the life-saving cultivation technique you’ve been longing for is complete—do you want to learn it?"

Eyes brightening, Tony Stark nodded eagerly and earnestly cupped his hands in salute.

"Master above..."

"No, no, no! I’m not your mentor!"

Raising his hand in a threefold denial, Zhu Haomiao interrupted Tony’s gesture, seriously explaining.

"You need to think carefully—you’re just a mortal. Cultivating this technique carries great risks, and if anything unexpected happens, I’m not responsible."

Upon hearing this, Tony Stark, recalling the tricky technique he’d researched, solemnly asked.

"Could it lead to madness?"

"Uh... in a way, yes."

After pondering for several seconds, recalling the worsening darkness spreading across his chest, Tony gritted his teeth fiercely.

"I’ve decided to try it!"

"Okay, this technique is called ’Constant Star Melting Furnace Body Tempering Technique.’ I will now teach you the First Level."

......

Over half an hour later, Zhu Haomiao expressed a soul-filled sigh as he looked at Tony’s confused face.

"I’ve never seen anyone so dim-witted."

"......"

For the first time in his life, Tony Stark’s face turned red as he experienced the agony of being a failing student.

.........

"My Lord."

The brilliant Starfire Gate opened as Wilson respectfully touched his chest and bowed, suddenly noticing his master’s weary expression.

Not only him, even Bruce Banner beside him noticed Zhu Haomiao’s fatigue, couldn’t help but curiously scrutinize him.

Soon, Bruce Banner came to an understanding, followed by an even deeper confusion.

It wasn’t physical fatigue but spiritual exhaustion... who could weigh down Mr. Zhu like this?!

"Brew me a strong pot of coffee."

After wiping his face, Zhu Haomiao forcibly roused himself, casting aside Tony Stark’s suffocating stupidity.