This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 144 - 96: Taking Stock of Oneself - The Terrifying Power of the King of Reels

Chapter 144: Chapter 96: Taking Stock of Oneself - The Terrifying Power of the King of Reels

[Thunder Burn Device], no matter how high the required metal energy is, it must be controlled, as it is the cornerstone for developing gene seeds, and its ability will not overlap with other abilities.

70,000 units of metal energy lost, Li Ming glanced at the remaining balance of metal energy and sighed again, it really flowed like water.

Adding 180,000 metal energy, now only a small fraction is left.

Just unlocked another Control Bar, taking this opportunity, Li Ming thoroughly reviewed everything he controlled.

The most important were four pairs of D-level shoes, [Fusion Particles], [Tank Guard 211], [Constructed Crystal Shield], [Righteous Gauntlets], [Thunderclap Exoskeleton]...

Lower grade items could not be enhanced further, but most of his Controlled Objects were D-level, temporarily needing no upgrades, except for the frequently used intelligent terminal.

On regular days, for monitoring probes and clearing residual traces, he consistently upgraded this device as his life form improved.

This device didn’t need much to upgrade, now upgrading to D-level costs just 3000 points, a mere trifle.

[Starlink Terminal Advanced Version--D-level: Katai Company’s seventh-generation Intelligent Terminal, featuring a full range of functions

...

Control Effect: Hacking Technology--Advanced

Control Ability--Intelligent Assistance: Can mimic and process environmental information within a 50m radius around the host.]

The hacking technology was upgraded to a considerable level, no longer needing the cracking software he had written before. Once activated, he would have a clear 50m field of view.

The device was now palm-sized, resembling a thin metal plate, controlled by a pop-up virtual screen.

He considered that upgrading to C-level was too expensive, indulging tens of thousands, even hundreds of thousands, might not even make a splash.

The laboratory staff were nearly driven mad by him; last month alone, he had used eight million.

Just now when Luo Chuan delivered items, the look in his eyes was as if he wanted to devour him alive, hesitating several times, surely it was related to this matter.

Of course, his frightening progress in development, could overshadow all else.

A few days ago, listening to those professors’ lectures, he realized that there are many obstacles that hinder the evolution of life forms.

The difficulty of developing high-grade gene seeds will increase, and as gene seeds are developed to a certain extent, the difficulty increases further.

Not only that, his own cells also suffer from iteration and fatigue.

Countless laboratories and research institutes are committed to solving or alleviating this issue, while the inherent developmental potential of life forms mitigates these evolutionary resistances.

People with very mediocre development potential, even if resources are indiscriminately amassed, can at most develop up to a C-level life form, making further enhancement difficult.

The rate of development would drop to a frustratingly slow pace as potential is exhausted.

This also made him realize that external detection devices were misjudging his developmental potential.

The so-called developmental potential is hidden deeper in the genes, a factor interstellar detection devices,

At least most of the detection devices he encountered, could not detect it, they could only judge based on the overt development rate.

The development potential perceived by the outside, and the development rate he understood, were actually different.

When Li Ming recognized this issue, he didn’t react particularly, just kept investing metal energy anyway, his frightening development rate could cover everything.

Now he had five Control Bars, if all were filled with the Genetic Radiation Device and [Thunder Burn Device], the development enhancement could reach a massive 18 times.

"So, grabbing a bit more from the laboratory shouldn’t be a problem," muttered Li Ming, glancing at the intelligent terminal, his eyebrows lifting: "Speak of the devil, and he shall appear."

Zhang Huaiyuan arrived again.

...

"Junior Sister, where’s Brother Ming?" Zhang Huaiyuan greeted the lab personnel familiarly as they unloaded iron boxes.

Then he handed out cigarettes to each one, becoming familiar with most staff members after two or three visits.

Li Ruoning hesitated, glancing at the large iron boxes, recalling Luo Chuan’s expression at this morning’s meeting.

"He’s probably resting, but here he comes," Li Ruoning said, looking at the boxes being unloaded and managing a strained smile.

Zhang Huaiyuan’s eyes lit up, he sprinted over, "Brother Ming."

His attitude seemed more eagerly respectful, which was not without reason.

After sharing the ordeal of a few people with Li Ming last time, it didn’t take long for everyone’s troubles to dissipate completely.

Originally, Zhang Huaiyuan was uncertain whether this matter was related to Li Ming.

But a few days later, when officials from the local city guard approached him, the conversation hinted that their troubles were orchestrated by Bian Li.

And Bian Li died the day after he approached Li Ming.

He wasn’t sure if the two events were related, but it likely wasn’t a coincidence.

"Three million worth of Flame Blue Alloy," he pointed at those boxes, "It’s all in here."

"Mhm," Li Ming nodded, as Li Ruoning hesitated and cautiously approached, now somewhat afraid to lead Zhang Huaiyuan back to the finance office.

Li Ruoning couldn’t help but ask, "The materials for development worth millions bought earlier, have they already been used up?"

"Almost, it’s better to have them just in case," Li Ming casually replied.

Li Ruoning reluctantly nodded, distracted, leading Zhang Huaiyuan to the finance office.

Three million Flame Blue Alloy, could provide him roughly fifty thousand units of metal energy.

Now fifty thousand units of metal energy could barely recover any energy, Li Ming shook his head helplessly.

By mid-afternoon, Li Ming emerged from the workout room, having used the E-level Gene Refinement Potion.

"Now the base energy level can reach about 6D, the combat techniques of low life form gene seeds don’t provide such tremendous amplification for high-tier gene seeds."