This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 481 - 254: The Almost Nonexistent Sublimation Particles - Lao Shan’s Agony_2

Chapter 481: Chapter 254: The Almost Nonexistent Sublimation Particles - Lao Shan’s Agony_2

Connet just nodded upon hearing this; Kovis’s tasks generally don’t encounter any problems.

He then asked, "How is it on Ferguson Star? Have the people from the Yitelan Civilization withdrawn?"

Kovis appeared unconcerned, his tone casual, "They withdrew long ago, leaving only a few scattered squads of soldiers who don’t know what we’re doing there. We’ve appeared there once already; they surely wouldn’t expect us to return."

"Now is the best opportunity."

"Are you sure?" Connet frowned, "This matter is of great importance, if any accident occurs..."

"Enough." Kovis interrupted before he could finish, "I’ve already investigated; the Yitelan Civilization has long shifted its focus away from there."

Interrupted, Connet’s expression tightened, and after a long while, he asked again, "How many Ferguson people did the Yitelan Civilization evacuate..."

"Evacuate?" Kovis scoffed, "Why would the Yitelan Civilization retreat? Just because we appeared there and caused heavy casualties?"

"The Yitelan Civilization doesn’t care, not one of the Ferguson people was attended to."

"Not a single person was evacuated?" Connet’s expression turned cold.

"Ha..." Kovis stared at Connet, whose face bore a resemblance to his, "I say, Lord Chief, you don’t actually think you’re the good guy, do you?"

"Your hesitance, is it because you’re afraid of implicating too many people?"

Connet frowned, looking displeased: "I had no idea that the sacrifice of Dream would cause such severe casualties."

"You never mentioned it to me."

"What’s the point of saying all this?" Kovis appeared indifferent, "You don’t care about those people of Ferguson, do you?"

Connet stated firmly, "If we blindly harm the innocent, then how are we any different from the Yitelan Civilization? Aren’t we seeking revenge on the Yitelan Civilization because..."

Kovis interrupted with a cold laugh, "Then why didn’t you think about it when you approved Li Ming’s sacrifice to Superpower Istanbul to tear apart Jingnan Star?"

Connet fell into silence; after a long time, his voice hoarse, "It was a necessary sacrifice."

"Stop pretending, now that things have come to this point, consider this a necessary sacrifice too, if it helps ease your hypocritical conscience." Kovis’s mouth twisted into a smirk.

"The sublimation particles are the final piece of the puzzle. We both know how difficult it is to replicate this unique genetic particle, otherwise, the Core Relics wouldn’t be left there for so long."

"The Ascenders have long since vanished; there are no sublimation particles to be found anywhere in this universe."

"Now just a few deaths are needed to create them, a great deal. Suffer a bit, Ferguson people, I believe they can understand."

Connet’s gaze flickered, seemingly struggling, but it gradually became resolute: "Then let’s prepare to act."

...

"Old Sand..."

In the metallic corridor, Li Ming called out, the sound waves touching the metal walls on both sides forming a long and deep echo.

Sandro ahead hesitated, this address somewhat foreign to him. Was it him being called?

It must be?

Thinking in his mind, but his pace did not stop and even quickened a bit.

"Sandro!" Li Ming raised the intensity in his voice. Sandro’s face stiffened, and unable to continue walking with his head down, he reluctantly stopped.

As he turned his head, Azure Dragon was already standing beside him, his face forced into an ugly smile, "Lord Azure Dragon? Old Sand, is that meant for me?"

"That name is quite peculiar; I didn’t catch it just now."

"I never asked you why you didn’t stop just now," Li Ming remarked somberly.

Sandro’s expression changed, resignedly saying, "Lord Azure Dragon, I am a bit slow at understanding, please just say what you have in mind directly."

"What have the three of you been whispering about lately, all secretive, moving back and forth between each other?" Li Ming’s words carried a tone of scrutiny and interrogation.

Sandro was a man who bullied the weak and feared the strong; dealing with him required a firmer approach.

Sandro hesitated to speak, Li Ming frowned slightly, "The four of us came here together, and you all have a share of the bounty because of me, what else could you possibly keep from me?"

Sandro glanced left and right, not foolish enough to speak openly in the corridor,

Entering his room, Li Ming was greeted by a pungent smell of sweat. He looked around; it was exceptionally messy.

Sandro was fiddling with a shielding device. It took him a while to get it working, and once he managed to isolate the two of them, he let out a sigh:

"Buddy, it’s not that I don’t want to share with you, but honestly, I have no clue what those two are doing behind the scenes."

"I’ve been observing them for a time too, Ullrich mysteriously often contacts Theo, but whenever I ask, they say nothing."

"Are you being excluded?" Li Ming’s gaze was peculiar.

Sandro’s complexion grew even more dispirited. His stupidity was only relative, and he had already realized that he had been isolated.

This made him extremely uneasy. His strength wasn’t strong, both Theo and Ullrich excluded him from their plans, and he couldn’t blend into other small groups either.

It was very likely that he could end up as cannon fodder in case of any accident.

"Um..." Li Ming mused. He had been busy with the affairs within the Torch Organization and hadn’t paid much attention to Theo’s side.

Mainly because those two didn’t pose a great threat to him, but he still had to be cautious.

His visit to Sandro today was also due to this reason.

"Maybe, you can help me figure out what they are up to." Li Ming suddenly spoke. The dispirited Sandro looked up, initially puzzled but soon realized.

Could it be that Azure Dragon was accepting him?

Or perhaps using him. He didn’t care and eagerly responded, "No problem, I can help you."

But then helplessly added, "But that Ulrich is really detestable. He always marginalizes me, making it hard to get any words from their mouths."

It’s because you previously backstabbed him. Li Ming, expressionless, shook his head: "They isolate you simply because you are of no value."

"You don’t have to do anything. Just come by my room more often in this period, and they will naturally seek you out."

Sandro, puzzled, "Is it that simple? I’ve been turned away several times when I went looking for Ulrich and Theo. They wouldn’t meet me."

"It’s that simple."

"What should I do when they seek me out?" Sandro asked further.

"Say whatever you want to say, ask whatever you want to ask," Li Ming frowned, "Just react naturally, as you would."

"This..." Sandro hesitated, "Will that work?"

Li Ming frowned, visibly impatient, "Don’t overthink, and don’t try to be too clever. Ulrich can spot it immediately if your reactions are natural or not."

"Alright, alright." Sandro smiled awkwardly, his attitude not at all resentful towards the unfriendly Azure Dragon.

In the survival of the fittest, the weak are dominated by the strong, even to the point of being devoured – this was how Sandro always viewed the world.

"By the way, there’s one more thing." Sandro initiated, trying to show his worth, "Those two guessed that the materials were manipulated by you."

Li Ming’s eyes flashed but he wasn’t surprised.

Sandro added, "Also, they believe that you are the pillar of the Torch Organization; only if you are alive can they share the spoils, so they need to protect you."

"They didn’t disappoint me after all." Li Ming has always been very cautious about Theo and Ullrich.

"Let me know if there’s anything else."

Stepping out from Sandro’s room, the fresh air immediately opened up Li Ming’s lungs. After taking a few deep breaths, he headed towards the Core Laboratory.

Today involved repetitive work on the manufacture and assembly of components; Li Ming also found time to chat with a few staff members.

Not just him, both Des and Jesaya’s attitude had softened a lot towards other experimental staff, even offering occasional guidance.

This pleasantly surprised those experimental personnel, who were initially apprehensive.

Over the next three or four days, the Core Laboratory was noticeably calm, the only change being the previously almost stagnant atmosphere had relaxed too much.

Every now and then, someone would crack a joke, sparking a round of laughter.

Even Des, known as the coldest, had recently been getting along well with a few workers.