This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 268 - 148: Shadows in a Crisis_2

Chapter 268: Chapter 148: Shadows in a Crisis_2

"If you’re afraid of dying, you can leave first,"

Luo Chuan didn’t understand. What was going on with Feder? Splitting up seemed like a clearly better chance of survival.

Doral’s expression became solemn, "Your Highness, I swear to protect your safety with my life."

Feder’s expression was cold and hard, "If that’s the case, then let’s not say anymore."

Li Ming had been unresponsive all along, merely leaning against a box with a flickering gaze.

...

In the silent expanse of space, at an unknown location, a fleet arranged like a long dragon, its metallic shell reflecting the brilliant starry river, interstellar dust, and plasma streams pushed away by the fleet’s energy field, forming a trail that shimmered with silver-purple light.

The flagship was a streamlined interstellar battleship built from high-strength alloy and phase fiber composite materials, with foldable silvery feather-like alloy wings on either side, beneath which were hidden quantum entanglement propulsion engines, capable of instantaneous transitions in hyperspace.

The surrounding small escort ships, all standard vessels, were similarly shuttle-shaped, like a series of upright smooth discs, incredibly thin.

Under the dark purple matrix armor, a photon invisibility device was embedded, making the ship’s body almost undetectable in battle.

In the flagship, in the command room, a young man with a poised demeanor stood in front of a multitude of virtual screens, quite a few of which had blurred, he spoke, "Your Highness, Torch has made a move ahead of schedule."

"Made a move ahead of schedule?" A cold, astonished voice came from behind, "Why would that be?"

The young man turned around, his purple uniform regal and enhanced with gold patterns, respectfully saying, "Your Highness, it is because of Li Ming."

The throne in front of him hovered silently mid-air, supported by an anti-gravity matrix.

The surrounding space was covered by dynamic holographic murals, constantly flowing with majestic starry scenes, each star twinkling with a cold light.

The woman on the throne had an indifferent look, in a black nanofiber dress that hinted at subtlety beneath, the hem fluttering lightly with an invisible current.

Her legs crossed, the pale, smooth, and rounded thighs strikingly conspicuous in the dim cabin.

A faint blue halo surrounded, flickering faintly with the energy shield’s light.

"Oh?" Asimara slightly turned her head to look in another direction, where a person with an indifferent and calm expression stepped out from the shadows.

If Li Ming were here, he would undoubtedly curse under his breath; this person was the long-missing Wu Yanqing, who spoke lightly, "Isus, how is this related to Li Ming?"

"Of course, it’s related," Isus kept his eyes on Asimara, "Recently, on Feder’s orders, Li Ming killed the regional director of Star Creation Company, Sun Jing’an, in a temporary command post."

The excuse was the serious crime of arms trafficking, but I suspect it was to silence him."

"Thus, Torch’s use of Star Creation Company to smuggle materials and manpower was also exposed. To avoid complications, they had no choice but to act ahead of schedule."

A mysterious smile flickered across Isus’s face as he then looked at Wu Yanqing, "Professor, this disciple of yours is quite remarkable. He’s quickly gained favor with Prince Bai Jiang. I wonder if he still holds you in regard,"

Wu Yanqing frowned deeply, ignoring the sarcastic tone in Isus’s words, he asked, "Since Torch acted ahead of schedule, on Jingnan Star... "

"Torch has sacrificed Hormuz, Kutli, among a series of dimensional creatures, deploying at least four B-level life forms," Isus said, but then shook his head:

"Unfortunately, if they had just waited a bit longer, Torch would definitely have deployed more forces, perhaps even their leader would have appeared."

"It’s just these few B-level life forms, Your Highness might have made the trip for nothing."

Wu Yanqing looked towards Asimara, saying in a deep voice, "Your Highness..."

Asimara kept silent, the atmosphere heavy. Just as Wu Yanqing was about to speak again, she finally said, "Close the net, there won’t be any bigger fish."

"Isus, you take command this time,"

"Understood, thank you, Your Highness," Isus’s expression brightened, then swiftly composed himself, turning while twisting the metal ring on his left finger.

The space around him vaguely warped as he pulled out a beautifully decorated metal sword, gripping it firmly with both hands, plunged it into the floor in front of him, his eyes faintly filled with fervor:

"Wing Shadow Fleet, prepare to move towards Jingnan Star!"

Wu Yanqing’s face was tense as if he had breathed a sigh of relief, yet worry lurked beneath it.

"Wu Yanqing," Asimara said slowly, "Your student seems quite extraordinary. In just a few days, Prince Bai Jiang has taken such an interest in him."

Wu Yanqing’s expression was impassive. "Should he see his Highness’s demeanor, he will naturally submit."

Asimara chuckled lightly and did not reply but said, "The C-level gene seed you wanted, I picked a Wind Thunder Winged Dragon. Even if it’s not part of the Flame Thunder Emperor lineage, it’s still a top-tier C-level gene seed."

"I’ve already handed it to Isus. If it passes his test, it will naturally be given to Li Ming."

Wu Yanqing furrowed his brows, looked at Isus, who nodded slightly, "Wind Thunder Winged Dragon gene seed. Such top-tier gene seeds are labor-intensive and offer little reward. If not for the Princess’s regard, the gene seed adjustment department would not bother."

Then he smiled, "Professor, rest assured, I will take special care of it."

Clutching the fists behind his back tightly, Asimara never engaged in a losing deal.

Li Ming was now mixed up with Feder and Prince Bai Jiang, and that C-level gene seed would not be easily given out.

Trouble!

Wu Yanqing nodded indifferently and withdrew into the shadows.

...

Boom!

The armored vehicle shook as it smashed onto an island beach, sending mud and sand splattering, with half of the vehicle’s front buried.

Li Ming and others quickly looked around as they got out.

"Our energy is depleted, we can only land here temporarily. This is an environmentally protected island within a conservation area, scarcely populated." Luo Chuan glanced at the offline map and roughly confirmed their location.

"Landing here is better than hiding in the open sea," Doral said, determining the direction, "The island’s trees are fairly dense; let’s find a place to hide first."

The group acted quickly, gathering whatever they could carry. The large iron box on Li Ming’s back was particularly eye-catching.

The star gradually moved to the other side of the planet, darkening the sky.

The group marched on, and in those two-plus hours, no one caught up with them.

This wasn’t good news. If the enemies hadn’t been captured, it meant they were amassing forces.

"As long as we survive today and wait for backup, Torch will be trapped." Luo Chuan encouraged everyone.

"The defense system of Blue Star is like a sieve; it was breached so easily." Doral remarked unkindly.

Luo Chuan frowned, "Sanger assured that there would be no problem with the Sky Space Shield, who knew it would be breached so effortlessly."

Doral’s expression was displeased, with a crisis of life and death imminent, no one could remain calm. However, the two only retorted a few words without breaking into an argument.

Entering the dense forest, the light grew dimmer, and roars from wild beasts echoed occasionally.

As they walked, a sudden explosive sound came from the sky, followed by a whistling wind, shaking the surrounding trees incessantly, their leaves fluttering.

"Not good, they’re here!" Luo Chuan’s expression turned serious, a dominating pressure from higher up the food chain enveloped everyone.

A shadow swept across the ground, appearing to be a massive winged bird. As everyone looked up, their hearts tightened.

The green winged bird hovered directly above, its feathers uniquely blue and shimmering with a metallic luster, with a wingspan of over a dozen meters, its sharp talons capable of easily tearing through solid alloy.

"A B-level life form!" Despair rose in Doral’s heart.

Li Ming’s expression darkened, arriving so quickly, a prime B-level life form, not even all-nighters would necessarily win, especially now.

However, he knew his own danger was not great; even if captured by Torch, he would be used as a bomb, certainly not killed on the spot.