This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 178 - 107: 300,000 Metal Energy Super Electromagnetic Sniper Gun Profession--【Sword Wing Knight】(Two-in-One)_4

Chapter 178: Chapter 107: 300,000 Metal Energy Super Electromagnetic Sniper Gun Profession--【Sword Wing Knight】(Two-in-One)_4

High-ranking combat mecha usually have dedicated ability release points, but these can also compromise the integrity of the mecha, making it difficult to achieve both.

However, just the profession of the [Sword Wing Knight] eliminates this concern for Li Ming.

He was in good spirits, pondering whether or not to enhance the Tank Guard 211 with the power of the heavy mother ore.

The Tank Guard 211 was already an excellent heavy combat armor, with pure alloy defenses and simple joint assistance.

It was currently a D-grade Controlled Object, and upgrading it would require 70,000 points of metal energy.

Even for him now, that was quite a substantial figure.

"Let’s not rush, let’s upgrade the main things first."

Li Ming shook his head. He had been waiting for a big upgrade for a long time, and it was time to upgrade that heavy sniper rifle in his hands.

Initially a E-grade Controlled Object, to upgrade to D-grade it needed 8,000 points of metal energy, but to reach C-grade it required 80,000 points.

With 88,000 points of metal energy invested, the [Reinfeld Heavy Sniper Rifle] had undergone a major transformation.

When upgraded to D-grade, its overall length expanded to an exaggerated three meters, resembling a sniper cannon.

But now it had shrunk back to around two meters. However, it became several times heavier, turned purple throughout, felt cold and delicate to the touch, the barrel flattened, and every five centimeters there was a raised energy constrainer.

The magazine part had also changed into an Energy Generator, although after loading it still existed.

[Super Electromagnetic Sniper Gun--C-grade: Originally a high-end product from Reinfeld Military Weapons, upgraded multiple times.]

...

Control Effect: Assassin Skills--Master Level

Control Ability--Charged Strike: Charge for one second, with a 600% increase in speed and 600% increase in power.]

Having reached C-grade, it had morphed into an energy weapon, but it could still fire physical bullets. If Li Ming used his physical strength to condense bullets, then they would become energy bullets, with extremely long intervals between shots.

This type of energy, named "super electromagnetic", meant the power of ordinary bullets was incredibly impressive, easily capable of killing E-grade life forms, and could also severely damage D-grade life forms.

With the abilities’ enhancement, it reached a terrifying 600%, which could be the core of a burst-type Control Object.

Meanwhile, the Control page popped up a prompt--

[Assassin skills advanced to Master Level, ability obtained--[Backstab]. Do you wish to consume Controlled Objects to permanently solidify it?]

[Backstab: Within a 1-meter range of the target, if undetected, the first attack will hit with certainty.]

The [Backstab] ability was quite decent, but of course, he wouldn’t consume this sniper rifle to obtain it.

Nonetheless, he was curious about what "certain hit" actually meant, considering having Zhang Huaiyuan look for similar items, to see if he could gain the assassin profession.

"Right, there’s also the advanced profession for firearm technology; I need to work on that, too. I have a feeling that these two professions are quite compatible." Li Ming mused, sending two messages to Zhang Huaiyuan.

He checked the Black Hole Network, the lame man still had no news. Another reason he upgraded this gun was to fire a bullet called Night Chaser.

"No news is also news, just wait." Li Ming shrugged, from 330,000 metal energy, he was now down to around 210,000.

However, his overall strength saw another small increase, with many more tactics at his disposal.

When it came time to spend, he would not hesitate. During the last battle, if he was missing just one or two Controlled Objects, he wouldn’t have been able to defeat Balkan.

Not to mention reaping a series of benefits.

But now there was no immediate need to spend metal energy, so he decided to save it.

After tidying up and calming his mind, Li Ming continued his work on gene seed development.

Perhaps because of the Xunying Company matter yesterday, Zhang Huaiyuan delivered the items he needed the next day.

"Brother Ming, these lethal weapons are not easy to obtain. I contacted the gates of the city guards for you, and as they know I am working for you, they let it slide easily. These are all illicit goods," Zhang Huaiyuan cautiously explained,

"As for the training pistol you wanted, Minister Meng Wankui personally arranged it."

After discussing the Xunying Company matter with his father yesterday,

His father repeatedly emphasized the importance of building a good relationship with Li Ming.

At the same time, his father revealed a crucial point he had never mentioned before.

Li Ming was not using him just because he was efficient in getting things done, quite frankly, Li Ming could assemble a line of one or two thousand capable people for him to choose from if he wished.

The main reason was still the promises of loyalty and Zhang Huaiyuan’s "faithfulness."

"...He may consider you a friend, but you must always behave as a subordinate..." These were his father’s exact words, spoken with utmost seriousness.

Not to hide anything was one form of "faithfulness."

"Understood." Li Ming nodded. Zhang Huaiyuan hesitated for a moment before adding, "My father said, regarding the business partnership with Xunying Company, you hold a 30% stake."

"Oh?" Li Ming looked at him, unsurprised, and nodded, "Tell Uncle Zhang, I will remember this."

He didn’t have to contribute manpower, material resources, or energy; a 30% stake was not low.

"By the way, if you have time in your daily routine, keep an eye out for news of mother ore." Li Ming said to Zhang Huaiyuan before leaving.

"Mother ore?" Zhang Huaiyuan pondered, "Mother ores are quite rare, their traits differ and can be utilized in various ways, whenever they appear, they are objects of contention, and obtaining them through normal channels would be difficult."

Li Ming, of course, knew that mother ore was not often seen even on the Black Hole Network, and it was quite expensive.