This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 361 - 194: Intertwining Contradictions_2

Chapter 361: Chapter 194: Intertwining Contradictions_2

"This matter will certainly not end simply. I even suspect that the Judge Civilization deliberately sent four B-level life forms to their deaths."

"After their demise, there would be legitimate grounds to deploy troops openly, even to compete with Yitelan’s United Fleet."

Such speculation was wildly imaginative but not impossible, Li Ming contemplated.

"Who cares? The Red River Star Stream is boundless, there will always be a place for us." Sandro remained nonchalant as ever, a testament to an A-level life form’s confidence.

"Recently, there have been quite a few spies in the Land of Stars." Theo suddenly brought up the matter, having stumbled upon an unexpected discovery during the search for Seraad.

"From various civilizations and forces, their targets are mixed. However, some are aimed at Lord Azure Dragon."

All three turned their attention again, and Li Ming raised an eyebrow, "Oh?"

"Better to be cautious during this time."

"Thank you for the warning." Li Ming couldn’t fathom what Theo was really up to.

After chatting a bit more, Li Ming lost interest in staying and got up to leave.

After the door closed, Theo fell silent for a moment before suddenly saying, "I plan to ask for help from the Torch Organization."

Ulrich’s expression tensed, "The Torch Organization?"

Theo nodded, "Yes, that’s the only solution I can think of. Many dimensional creatures possess unfathomable powers, which might help locate Seraad."

"And what price must you pay?" Ulrich frowned.

Theo gave him a glance, "When the time comes, I will need to do them a favor."

"What favor?" Ulrich pressed on.

"It’s not yet time." Theo shook his head.

Sandro suddenly said, "Ulrich, according to you, this Mechanic is nothing but trouble; why do you keep holding on to him?"

"Just to fix one or two of your things?"

Ulrich, his train of thought interrupted, answered irritably, "It’s none of your business."

Sandro snorted, "All this hindrance, might as well just kill him."

Theo frowned, "A Mechanic of such caliber, how can you talk of killing so lightly?"

Ulrich shook his head, agitated internally.

...

After leaving the banquet, Li Ming was escorted back by Huo Tan. Once back in his workshop and certain that he was alone, he habitually glanced at his smart terminal.

He noticed that a few hours ago, Feder had tried to contact him. After some thought, he called back.

The wait was longer this time, and just as he was about to turn off the virtual screen, Feder’s voice came through.

"Sorry, just got back to my room, was in a meeting just now." Feder began with a brief explanation and, without idle talk, went straight to the point, "I’m calling to inquire about something, the death of Seraad and the Judge Civilization’s special operations team. Are you aware of it?"

So it’s this matter you’re after, then you’ve come to the right person.

Li Ming did not immediately respond, instead asking, "Why are you inquiring about them?"

"A few days ago, the Judge Civilization submitted a request to the United Fleet, claiming their people died in the Land of Stars and asked to join the siege against the Power of the Stars!" Feder cursed, "Those one-eyed folks clearly have ulterior motives—they want a piece too. The Land of Stars is too chaotic; to this day, our people still don’t have accurate information."

"I want to know exactly what happened. Your teacher, Azure Dragon, should know, right?"

Li Ming pondered, watching his expression, Feder’s face fell, "Brother, we’re all our own people now, stop trying to trick me into giving you something."

"Not tricking." Li Ming smiled, "This time, four B-level life forms from the Judge Civilization died, they were killed by Seraad."

"Really dead..." Feder was somewhat surprised, "That Seraad is quite formidable, seems like he stole something from Grey Eyes, do you know about it?"

"I do." Li Ming nodded, and seeing the expectant look in Feder’s eyes and the smiling silent face on the screen, he sighed, "What do you want?"

"I want to know, where is the site of that civilization’s ruins?" Li Ming inquired.

"You want to know? Or does your teacher want to know?" Feder asked instinctively.

"You guess."

Feder didn’t respond immediately, his eyes bulging before he deliberately lowered his voice, "Your teacher doesn’t have a way to get in, does he?"

Li Ming revealed an enigmatic smile, "You guess."

I guess you... Feder almost spat blood, his expression hesitant.

"I can guarantee that this piece of information is worth more than you think; you can’t possibly imagine what Theo really lost," Li Ming added.

Feder glanced at Li Ming. Although the guy was quite shady, he was still credible.

He hesitated, "I don’t know the exact location. The inside of the Red River Star Stream is too chaotic. All I know is that Asimara seems to have left some means to locate it."

"But it can only be found during the tidal period of the Red River Star Stream."

Li Ming suddenly understood; no wonder Yitelan didn’t station troops there. The Red River Star Stream was incredibly chaotic, with magnetic storms almost incessant.

The interference in the nearby asteroid belt was already severe, not to mention inside it.

"Then let’s leave this message unpaid for now, but I hope when you get the specific news, you won’t hide it," Li Ming said, staring at him without making any threatening remarks.

Feder hesitated, then nodded, "I’ll tell you."

Only then did Li Ming leisurely say, "The thing Grey Eyes lost is called the ’Casablanca Flower.’

It wasn’t that he trusted Feder so much; rather, such information was highly time-sensitive. If he didn’t release it now, it would soon become worthless.

Feder’s pupils suddenly contracted as he exclaimed involuntarily, "The Casablanca Flower? Is he preparing to become an S-class life form?"

"That’s my teacher’s deduction," Li Ming confirmed.

"How is that possible? Where did he get it from?" Feder couldn’t help but asked.

"From the Star Abyss Empire."

Feder froze in place, then suddenly realized, "It must be the Star Abyss Empire, it has to be them!"

"Damn!" He cursed.

Li Ming grinned, "The person standing behind Asimara and the person supplying Grey Eyes with the ’Casablanca Flower’ don’t seem to belong to the same faction."

Feder’s face tensed but then relaxed, "Since you’ve guessed it all, it’s all the same old issues. Thanks for the information, I have to go now."

The screen went dark, and Feder rushed out. The metal doors slid open horizontally, and the corridor was filled with many soldiers in military uniforms.

He headed deeper, with many greeting him along the way.

Upon arriving at the vice-commander’s room, the door opened, and the room went silent.

The middle-aged man standing before the huge strategy sand table turned around; his expression was stern, his eyebrows furrowed tight, and he exuded an aura of authority—it was his father, Prince Bai Jiang.

"Commander, I have urgent intelligence," Feder said, bracing himself.

"Come with me," Prince Bai Jiang said with a grave voice, taking Feder into a compartment of the command room.

"Li Ming told me that, indeed, four B-class life forms of the Judge Civilization were killed by Seraad," Feder said hastily,

Prince Bai Jiang frowned even deeper, displeased, "Just three minutes before you came in, I also received this intelligence."

"Is this what you call urgent intelligence? Is that all Li Ming knows?"

Facing his father’s reprimand, Feder’s mind tensed as he said gravely, "What Seraad stole was the Casablanca Flower..."

Before the words had finished, Prince Bai Jiang’s face changed abruptly, a fearsome aura exploding from his being, with Red Arcs surging and his life flame burning as though tangible.

Feder looked on in shock. Prince Bai Jiang’s aura quickly subdued as he said gravely, "Are you sure the information is true?"

"Li Ming said it himself; it comes from his teacher, it’s 90% likely to be true," Feder hastened to say, further adding, "The Casablanca Flower comes from the Star Abyss Empire."

This time, Prince Bai Jiang wasn’t as surprised, "Predictable, whoever can provide such a thing is definitely not an ordinary advanced civilization."

"What about us?" Feder asked tentatively.

"Act as if nothing has happened. You never heard this intelligence."

"Ah?" Feder was perplexed.

Prince Bai Jiang didn’t offer any further explanation, his icy demeanor softening slightly, "You did well. If Li Ming confides such intelligence to you freely, he must trust you a lot. Keep that trust going; his value is significant."

Feder hesitated, a bitter taste in his heart, but seeing the rare softness on his father’s face, could only say, "I understand."