Qi Jun saw clearly that Hulk's eyes were filled with resistance, struggle, and defiance, suggesting that Bruce Banner's main consciousness was still fighting.
Unfortunately, while Bruce's main consciousness might influence a Level 1 or Level 2 Hulk transformation, by the time Hulk reaches Level 3, Hulk's consciousness completely suppresses Bruce's main consciousness. If Hulk were to transform to Level 4 or Level 5, Hulk's consciousness would completely consume Bruce's, becoming the primary consciousness. At that point, Bruce Banner would no longer exist.
"So, if you agree to submit to me, I'll help you never turn back into Bruce Banner. How about that?" Qi Jun, like a big bad wolf tempting a little white rabbit, spoke persuasively.
"!"
"Hulk! Never a slave!" Hearing Qi Jun's words, Hulk's eyes turned blood-red, indicating another transformation was imminent.
Qi Jun was startled. Damn it, at Level 3 transformation, he could only fight Hulk to a standstill with physical strength and needed magic to restrain him. If Hulk transformed to Level 4, Qi Jun's physical strength would be outmatched, and magic might not be able to hold Hulk anymore.
In essence, the power of Qi Jun's magic was proportional to his physical strength. The stronger his body and the more energy it contained, the more potent his magic. If Hulk underwent a fourth transformation, it would be difficult for Qi Jun to subdue him easily.
"Alright! Alright! Alright!" Qi Jun hurriedly tried to calm Hulk down, not wanting him to transform. Fortunately, Hulk's intelligence was still that of a child, making him relatively easy to pacify. Soon, under Qi Jun's assurances, Hulk calmed down again.
"Never a slave, never a slave, never a slave!"
"Okay, let's try a different approach." Qi Jun patted Hulk's arm, feeling a bit overwhelmed by how much bigger Hulk had gotten in his third transformation. Even with Hulk sitting down, Qi Jun could only reach his upper arm, not his chin. This form seemed even larger than when Hulk was in the Grandmaster's arena. Could it be that Hulk had mutated because of him?
"How about this: I'll give you a place to vent, where you can eat and drink as much as you want. But when I need your help, you come and assist me, just like friends. How does that sound?" Qi Jun proposed.
Of course, Qi Jun wasn't just bluffing; he genuinely planned to build a combat arena similar to the Grandmaster's. After acquiring three million symbiote warriors, he would have enough fighters to fill this arena. Even after separating Bruce Banner and Hulk's souls, Hulk wouldn't maintain his current size forever. With three million bio-symbiote warriors, there would be plenty of opponents for Hulk to play with.
Yes, Qi Jun's plan was to create an arena akin to the Grandmaster's. After separating Bruce Banner and Hulk, leaving Hulk on Earth wouldn't be feasible. Building an arena would provide Hulk with a place to vent his frustrations.
"Friends? Hulk! Friends?" Hearing Qi Jun's proposal, Hulk looked puzzled, happy, and hesitant all at once. But for Qi Jun, this was a very promising sign.
"Yes, friends! Let me, Qi Jun, be Hulk's first friend. What do you think?" Honestly, Qi Jun really wanted to be friends with this big guy—simple and straightforward. After being tricked by Thor, Hulk even dared to fight Surtur during Ragnarok.
"Okay!"
"Ha ha ha ha!"
"Hulk! Friends! Qi Jun! Friends!" Hulk pointed at himself and then at Qi Jun, laughing heartily.
"Yes! Friends! Hulk and Qi Jun are good friends!" Qi Jun bumped his fist against Hulk's extended finger, laughing together.
"Yes! We're friends!..." Suddenly, Hulk's massive body began to shrink. Bruce Banner, always vying for control, took advantage of Hulk's happiness and successfully regained control.
In no time, a shirtless man wearing only "indestructible pants" stood before Qi Jun. It was Bruce Banner!
Bruce Banner didn't immediately regain full consciousness. Struggling to stand and clutching his head as if something was poking at his brain, he looked around in confusion.
"Who are you!" After a while, Bruce finally snapped out of it. Without the piercing pain in his head, he noticed Qi Jun and instinctively jumped back, wary.
When Bruce transformed into Hulk, his main consciousness could only vaguely sense the outside world. He didn't know what was happening, especially with Hulk's third transformation completely suppressing his consciousness. Thus, he had no idea who Qi Jun was.
"Qi Jun, the real controller of the S.C.P. Corporation. You might not have heard of it yet, but soon, everyone will know the name. And I have another identity you might be more interested in—Hulk's friend!" Qi Jun smiled but didn't extend his hand for a handshake. It wasn't necessary.
"What?" Bruce was shocked, stepping back further as if Qi Jun was a terrifying monster.
"A friend. Hulk's friend," Qi Jun repeated, watching Bruce relax slightly before cautiously asking again.
"Yes, Hulk's friend! That green giant might be a bit reckless, but he's not bad as a friend!" Qi Jun responded cheerfully.
"What the hell!" Bruce's eyes widened in disbelief. "You think Hulk's rampages are just recklessness? Do you know how much destruction he causes? How dangerous he is? And you call him a friend?"
"I think you should calm down first," Qi Jun said calmly, pointing at Bruce's face, which had started to show a green hue.