This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 369 - 198: Speculations from All Sides, Winds and Clouds Stir Simultaneously_2

Chapter 369: Chapter 198: Speculations from All Sides, Winds and Clouds Stir Simultaneously_2

Rob said gravely, "Ulrich defended himself, claiming those missing items had nothing to do with him, but we all suspect they are indeed in his possession, including a special item used by the Star King to mold the Land of Stars."

"It must be the Antimatter Reassembly Device," Li Ming said, looking at him with interest.

"My uncle has tested him many times. Lord Ulrich has quite a few complaints about you and is very wary of the trouble you bring," Rob spoke frankly. "My uncle even suggested killing you outright, but Ulrich wouldn’t agree."

"The only explanation I can think of is that he needs you, irreplaceably so. I guess that he needs you to repair that item for him."

Li Ming’s expression changed as he found himself at a loss for words. It turned out Sandro was also harboring ill intentions; Li Ming had thought he wasn’t really concerned with matters like the Sublimation Relics, but it seemed Sandro was only focused on Ulrich.

Li Ming wondered if Theo knew about this. If Sandro suspected it, there was no reason for Theo not to speculate.

However, his sole aim for now was to become an S-level life form. Everything else could be put on hold.

And since Sandro was still a long way from becoming an S-level life form, he must be targeting Ulrich for this reason.

Surrounded by villains, Li Ming silently mourned for Ulrich.

Seeing the changes on Li Ming’s face, Rob quickly continued, "You don’t have to rush to dismiss this. First, suppose everything is as I’ve surmised."

"Do you think you’re in danger?"

Interesting, Li Ming pondered, feigning contemplation. "Perhaps."

Rob shook his head. "I don’t know your origins. You might not care about a mere A-level life form."

No, I do care. I really do. An A-level life form is not insignificant, Li Ming retorted, asking in return, "Why tell me all this? What’s your point?"

"Cooperation," Rob said gravely. "I don’t know if you’ve discussed with Ulrich, but if the repair is completed, whether you can leave or not."

"If he promised you anything, don’t believe it. To ensure no secrets are leaked, Ulrich will surely kill you," he added.

"If you were a legitimate great Mechanic from a traditional civilization, maybe he’d have some reservations. But you’re just a renegade Great Mechanic."

Rob seemed to be deliberately trying to scare him. Li Ming considered this for a moment and then said gravely, "His words can’t be trusted, but can yours?"

Surprised by the reply, Rob’s eyes widened as he stood up abruptly, excitement on his face. "That item, is it really in his hands?"

I knew it, Li Ming thought with an inward sneer, playing these games with me.

Rob had said so much, but fundamentally, he was still probing whether that item existed and whether it was in Ulrich’s hands.

His expression darkened. "You... you’re tricking me?"

Rob took a deep breath, suppressing the excitement in his heart. This matter was simpler than he had imagined, probably because the other party also had doubts about Ulrich’s integrity.

"No, I am simply confirming this point." Rob shook his head, stressing his words. "You must have doubts in your own heart as well; otherwise, you wouldn’t have engaged in this conversation."

Li Ming snorted coldly and remained silent.

Rob continued to persuade, "Your time is running out, Lord. Ulrich has already forced you to come to the castle, and you can’t delay much longer. There’s no time left."

"Don’t be fooled by Ulrich’s current lack of restraints on you; it’s all an illusion. The moment the repair is completed, he’ll kill you immediately!"

He thinks I came here under duress, so he’s probing, afraid he might not get another chance to contact me, Li Ming reflected thoughtfully.

Li Ming’s gaze flickered, and finally, as Rob had anticipated, he said, "You want to cooperate. What kind of cooperation do you propose?"

"We can help you get out," Rob declared immediately. "Inside and out."

"That simple?" Li Ming frowned.

"The Collector is the smallest dominion among all A-level life forms in the Land of Stars, with the weakest forces under his command," Rob said confidently.

"My uncle will hold off Ulrich, and our people will be able to easily maneuver around this area,"

Li Ming felt a stir in his heart and then couldn’t help but get a sense of elation. Wasn’t this the opportunity he had been waiting for, delivered right to his doorstep?

But as an experienced actor, he still adhered to professional ethics, his expression changing as he asked, "But how can you ensure that you won’t kill me?"

"It’s quite simple," Rob stated bluntly, "Our only target is that ’thing.’ Once the operation is over, we need to retreat; we won’t have the time to tangle with you further. Your personal strength is not low, and you are fully capable of escaping."

Making sense, Li Ming nodded inwardly and, after a moment of thought, he said, "Alright, let’s do it that way."

"However, I still don’t know where the repair work will be carried out."

Rob spoke confidently, "The Collector is cautious, so the site of repair will likely still be within this castle. We have already discovered that three months ago, he ordered an advanced safe named ’Stellar Wall’ from the Giant Shield Company."

"It arrived a month and a half ago, and most likely, it will be converted into a laboratory. Based on the Interstellar Alliance’s human rights regulations, such safes have difficult-to-meet yet fatal flaws to prevent them from being used as private prisons."

Li Ming was quite taken aback, "You’ve done your research well."

"Of course, as long as you cooperate at the time and sever the power supply, the system will lock down. If you open it from the inside, you’ll be able to escape,"

Rob spoke with a teasing smile, "I hope you won’t be so conspicuous when you hide next time. It wouldn’t be good to be targeted by someone again."

His tone was light, as if their plan had already succeeded.

He was even drawing pie in the sky for me, Li Ming secretly shook his head, thinking this guy believed he had been discovered by Ulrich.

The reason Ulrich treated him this way was partly to appease him, but also partly out of fear.

Li Ming surmised that Ulrich must have felt the appearance of Azure Dragon was specifically targeting him, which was why he was in such a difficult situation.

He even suspected that Li Ming, the Great Mechanic, might have some trump cards up his sleeve that could be used against an A-level life form after repairs were completed.

Yet in the eyes of Rob and his group, there was another "truth"; he was a coerced victim, completely incapable of resistance.

Rob discussed some details with him before letting him leave, and then couldn’t help but clench his fist, release it, and clench it again, his breathing heavy.

After calming down for a moment, he hurried off to another large room where Sandro was in the middle of developing gene seeds, a volcano-like intense heat hitting him in the face.

"Uncle," Rob called out, and Sandro opened his eyes, turning off the interference field.

The pent-up Rob said with excitement, "I got it out of him, that ’thing’... is really in Ulrich’s hands."

What!

Flames nearly burst from Sandro’s eyes as a frightening aura gushed forth, the floor creaking under the strain and cracking.

But in the next moment, the aura receded, and Sandro glared angrily before bursting into laughter:

"Good, I just knew it, I just knew it. That damn Ulrich, always the smartest, hiding it for so many years. Let’s see how much longer you can hide!"

"I’ve already agreed with Azure Dragon that if he disappears for more than ten days, we will make our move," Rob continued.

Sandro nodded in satisfaction, "You’ve done well. With that ’thing,’ I can restore the glory of the Land of Stars!"

Hearing this, Rob hesitated, "Uncle, we don’t necessarily have to be fixated on the Land of Stars, the interstellar space is so vast... "

"You don’t understand," Sandro shook his head but didn’t explain much. After a brief moment of excitement, he asked for details. Having heard the description, he grew skeptical, "That easy?"

"It sounds simple, but the psychological battle at the time was very tough," Rob couldn’t help saying, blaming himself for not being smart when he needed to be and being too foolish when he shouldn’t be.

Sandro frowned and nodded, "After the action is over, you’re going to let him go?"

"How could I..." Rob shook his head, a fierce smile appearing, "He’s the Great Mechanic, how could we let him go so easily? Don’t worry, I’ll give him a big surprise."