This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 309 - 168 Betrayal Atom’s Scheming _2

Chapter 309: Chapter 168 Betrayal Atom’s Scheming _2

Duke Bai Ye couldn’t help but nod, "This is a good plan."

But Atom, still worried, said, "There’s no problem with your injury, right? With an arm missing, how much strength do you still retain?"

Duke Bai Ye spoke in an even tone, "I still have the Ice Storm Spear. With it, even with an injury, there’s no problem at all."

"He’s only a bit faster, that’s all. If you’re on your guard, that advantage vanishes into thin air."

Atom cursed under his breath, his desire for B-level weapons growing even stronger.

The two continued to refine their plan, scrutinizing every detail, striving for a fail-proof strategy.

...

Two days later, Neil reported in a hurry over the channel, "My lord, we have found signs of a life form having lived at a location, and we’re now tracking its trail."

Duke Bai Ye’s eyes flickered imperceptibly as he ordered calmly, "Continue the tracking, see if you can pinpoint its location."

"Yes, sir!" Neil took the order, and after a few hours more.

Neil’s hurried report came through.

"Target spotted, target spotted!"

"He has killed Ker!"

"He’s fleeing the scene!"

Duke Bai Ye rose abruptly, his expression fierce, and took a small flying craft from the warship to rapidly close in on the target location.

Upon arrival, not far away was a Thunderstorm Zone, with lightning flashing; Atom arrived belatedly.

"I came over as soon as I got your message. Is he inside here?" Atom asked with a grave demeanor.

"Indeed, my men have followed him here," said Duke Bai Ye in a deep voice, "Let’s go, we can’t let him get away this time!"

Duke Bai Ye, his arm still unrecovered, held the Ice Storm Spear in his other hand and strode into the Thunderstorm Zone, with Atom closely following, signaling his subordinates with a glance.

Among the ranks of both sides, a few C-grade life forms exchanged glances before quietly opening the command channel to issue orders.

Then, the warships scattered around the planet’s low orbit quickly converged toward these coordinates.

Elsewhere, Ya Ro leaned against the cave wall, his brow furrowed. Li Ming had been out for two or three days, and he hadn’t returned yet. Could something have gone wrong?

Although Li Ming had told him not to leave this place, Ya Ro wasn’t some greenhorn new to interstellar space. Unable to suppress the restlessness in his heart, he carefully left the Thunderstorm Zone.

After coming out, he immediately looked for cover to avoid direct exposure under the open sky, and advanced cautiously.

Boom!

The tremendous roar of the warships navigating the near-planetary orbit was like thunderclap.

Ya Ro froze, his brow deeply furrowed. "This is already the fifth one, whether it’s the raiders’ warships or the Sela people’s warships, they’re all gathering in one direction. Something must have happened."

Realizing something was amiss and feeling even stronger trepidation, he quickened his pace significantly, and after two or three hours more.

He saw, on the outskirts of a Thunderstorm Zone, a fleet encircling the whole area. The raiders’ fleet and the Sela people’s fleet seemed to have a clear division of labor, each responsible for a section of the region.

They also began setting up various electromagnetic snares and traps.

"Dammit, Li Ming couldn’t have been blocked in there," Ya Ro realized, his anxiety growing.

What he feared most was now happening. Li Ming was fast indeed, but not invincible. With the enemy already in position, even if Li Ming ran out, he would not be able to escape the blockade of this fleet.

Further more, two B-grade life forms were in pursuit and setting up a blockade.

Glancing around and not finding Atom or Duke Bai Ye, he instantly realized that both of them had already entered the Thunderstorm Zone.

"How could this be..." Ya Ro was confused. Since arriving on this planet, Li Ming had been cautious and methodical. How had he suddenly ended up trapped in this area?

His mind was full of doubts, but now was not the time for them.

He adjusted the Mimic Mask slightly, and gradually emerged from his hiding state, boldly blending into the line of raiders ahead.

"Hey, Caso!" he called out, as if he owned the place.

The Lizard Man named Caso turned around, a shotgun chain as thick as an arm slung across his body, his expression uncertain, "Who are you?"

Ya Ro feigned annoyance, "I’m Phil, don’t tell me you’ve forgotten, damn, you, last time that lizard fish, you had me save it for you, I thought you were going to eat it, but then you went and pulled out all its teeth..."

"Ah, ah..." Caso embarrassedly interrupted, hesitantly saying, "Phil buddy, I remember now, I do."

The raiders nearby exchanged looks, their glances laden with innuendo.

"The old wolves are busy setting up Gravity Field traps. I gotta get back to the Scalesnake for a good lay-down, forgot some stuff," he explained, "Can I borrow your flyer?"

"Borrowing’s no problem, but when you return it, make sure it’s got a full charge of energy blocks," one of the raiders said.

"Damn, you’re really ripping me off," Ya Ro snorted coldly.

"Then forget about it. If you can’t carry out Telo the boss’s orders..." Caso also chuckled slyly.

"Fine, fine, just my bad luck," Ya Ro cursed under his breath as he agreed, and then he flew off toward the Scalesnake in a small flyer.

He was extremely familiar with the internal structure of the Scalesnake and knew the raiders’ communication protocols well, greeting everyone he encountered along the way.

"Boss, the Gravity traps on the perimeter are pretty much in place. The electromagnetic tripwires and stance traps are all set up too..."

Telo stood in front of the command platform on the second floor, staring at the numerous screens in front of him, "I got it. Go communicate with those Green Algae, see if there’s anything we missed."

"Yes!" The subordinate hurried off.

As Telo looked around and down at the working staff, he suddenly experienced an indescribable sense of satisfaction; his power had ranked quite low under Atom’s leadership.

He had never even been considered for the role of temporary commander; now that he was abruptly given the chance, the feeling was just too...

Suddenly, a chill ran through him, and he instinctively threw his hand behind him only to hear a thump! But it was caught, and a familiar voice sounded in his ear—

"Telo, long time no see."

Along with this voice came a piercing pain at his temple.

His body froze instantly, his eyes widened in shock, his voice trembling, "Ya... Ro? Is that you, you actually..."

"Telo, I know what you’re like. I don’t want to make this hard for you. Just answer my question," Ya Ro’s voice was ice cold.

"Where’s Atom?"

"Gulp..." Telo swallowed nervously; he dared not move. That Wave Pulse Shocking Dagger could easily penetrate his skull and turn his brain to mush with little effort.

"Be careful, we’re... we should be on the same side now..."

"On the same side?" Ja Ro echoed, puzzled.

Hastily, Telo explained, "Yes, that B-grade Life Form that escaped from the spaceship, you must know him; he’s now working with Boss Atom. They’re planning to join forces against the green-haired Sela, Duke Bai Ye."

"What?" Ya Ro was taken aback. Li Ming was working with Atom? Joining forces against Duke Bai Ye?

How could that be? Li Ming was just a C-grade Life Form; even if he was a bit quick, that was hardly enough for Atom to join forces with him.

After following Atom for several years, he knew Atom was cunning and avaricious, not someone who could be swayed by a mere few words from Li Ming.

"You’re lying to me?" Ya Ro’s voice sank, "Telo, you’ve gotten smarter now."

"I’m not lying to you," Telo hurriedly explained, "Those Green Algae have been secretly killing our brothers. Duke Bai Ye got ambushed by your friend, lost an arm, and now is the best time to strike."

Li Ming had broken one of Duke Bai Ye’s arms? How could that be possible!

Ya Ro’s pupils narrowed, instinctively disbelieving.

Duke Bai Ye was a genuine B-grade Life Form, with B-grade weapons to boot. It was remarkable to even manage to parry a blow or two head-on, let alone break an arm; it was enough to boast about if word got around.

But Telo’s current expression, and his certainty, forced Ya Ro to entertain the possibility.