This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 422 - 225: Seeing Feder Again - Nurturing the Seedling

Chapter 422: Chapter 225: Seeing Feder Again - Nurturing the Seedling

His mechanical pupils burst forth with an intense light.

Although the exterior form was quite different, the combat techniques displayed by this silver mechanical body, as well as its combat habits, gave him a strong sense of déjà vu.

Duke Monroe!

His heart was struck with horror. Ulrich and his two companions were unaware that Monroe was still alive, and they would not think in that direction. But he knew clearly.

"The nano-curse of the Star Abyss Empire has actually been repaired?" Jesaya couldn’t help but feel shocked.

The last time he heard about Azure Dragon slaughtering through the steel castle, resulting in heavy losses for Ulrich, he felt a schadenfreude but also thought that perhaps this person had the capability to repair Duke Monroe.

But at that time, he was already in the Torch Organization and couldn’t possibly facilitate any connections for him. However, he never expected Azure Dragon to have come into contact with Monroe and even repaired him.

After observing for a moment more, his shock subsided slightly. It was clear that Monroe’s strength had not returned to its peak, and it seemed like he even had a bit of a struggle against Tiago, but it was still astonishing.

Regaining his composure, he realized that everyone’s attention was focused on him. Connet, looking puzzled, asked, "Has Lord Jesaya discovered something?"

"The structure of this Combat Mechanism is phenomenal, with a variety of force fields, complementary weapons and defenses, and it even has short-range warp capabilities." Jesaya praised repeatedly, becoming more convinced that Azure Dragon would definitely solve the current dilemma.

Des withdrew his gaze, appearing expressionless on the surface, but just as shocked inside, with an even greater sense of crisis.

He too could discern the level of technology required.

Connet nodded: "Exactly, because of this, I believe the arrival of Lord Azure Dragon will definitely bring us good news."

Des wanted to say more but then he heard Connet add: "If you really cannot cooperate with him, you are free to withdraw, naturally, after we have finished exploring the Ascender Relics."

Des’s expression changed slightly. With Azure Dragon bringing three Level-A life forms, the overall power was overwhelmingly superior and he truly couldn’t resist, only able to say with a grim face: "I hope he can really help, and not be bringing a wolf into the house."

...

In the bizarre trajectory of a warp jump, Ulrich’s spaceship – the Cruise – was a specially customized large spaceship. Its exterior was a sleek, silver spindle shape, almost as long as a small Warship, with a focus on comfort and practically no firepower systems.

Accompanied by five or six small Warships, including the spaceship previously stolen by Li Ming, which belonged to Duke Bai Ye, they all traveled together in sync.

This was not the first time Ulrich was fleeing. He had already made all necessary arrangements to minimize losses.

In the conference room, Li Ming pushed open the door and entered. Theo nodded and said, "Torch Organization has agreed to our visit and provided coordinates."

"The headquarters?" Li Ming asked as he took the nearest seat.

"Don’t know, but probably not." Theo shook his head, "It’s on the outer edges of the Red Star Stream, we should arrive in about fifteen days."

"That’s quite close," remarked Li Ming thoughtfully, only to hear Theo continue, "They have imposed further detailed restrictions."

Li Ming had no interest in listening, his eyes glazing over, and the others didn’t take it seriously either.

Once they really get in, everyone is an enemy. Who cares about following those bullshit terms.

After discussing a few more matters, everyone dispersed, walking through the corridors and down the companionways to their own rooms.

Having already been cleared the room for the first time, Ulrich finally stopped making useless efforts. Any surveillance equipment was useless.

He turned on the smart terminal, and the Black Hole Network’s backend popped up with numerous messages. The Borneost Civilization had bid up to four billion Star Coins.

And the Duke insectoids bid just one billion more than them, clearly intended to be irritating.

Borneost had stopped raising their bid, hoping to continue communications with Li Ming.

After thinking, he edited a message and sent it over: "Fixed price, forty-five billion Star Coins. If you agree, I won’t deal with the Duke insectoids."

Then, he began to search for metal materials on the Black Hole Network.

Purchasing metal materials on the Black Hole Network came with a steep markup.

But he was about to make contact with the Torch Organization, and for a long time to come, he would probably be at their headquarters, possibly without the chance to interact with the outside world. So, he prepared to buy some in advance, just in case.

"No stock again..." After half an hour, Li Ming was speechless, faced with a bold "Out of Stock" sign.

To avoid a little loss for himself, he originally wanted to buy his old friend, Flame Blue Alloy. Everything went smoothly before he entered the amount for purchase, which then turned red.

The Black Hole Network indicated that the stock of Flame Blue Alloy was not that much, requiring at least a three-month wait.

Three months was too long, so he switched to other alloys, with reserves ranging from one billion to five billion.

Essentially if the purchasing amount exceeded five billion, the display would show out of stock. He then prepared to make a combined purchase.

Only to find out at the time of payment, due to different places of origin, the waiting time was also different.

Estimating, even for the last batch of alloys to arrive, it would take at least a month and a half.

"It looks like I can only buy expensive alloys..." Li Ming felt pain in his teeth. Sorting by price from high to low.

The most expensive alloy was named "****" – yes, without a name, because information is money.

Ordinary alloys don’t need obscuration, but such top-tier alloys require verification of funds, and it’s the same for other relatively pricey items.

If the backend detects that the balance isn’t sufficient, even the name won’t display.

There was only a price, hundred billion Star Coins per ton. After deducting 20% comprehensive transportation costs, and once the payment was received, not even half a ton could be bought.