This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 516 - 272: Did the Azure Dragon Do Everything?

Chapter 516: Chapter 272: Did the Azure Dragon Do Everything?

"After opening the Core Relics, you can pick whatever you want from inside, or rather, I’ll also give you Des’s share."

Li Ming was also testing the waters; it would be no loss for him since it was highly unlikely that he could obtain the Grade A Genetic Seed anyway, but this was clearly pie-in-the-sky talk, and he was not satisfied:

"Des disappeared, so his share should have been divided equally in the first place. You’re offering me his share as compensation now—what would the others think?" Li Ming shook his head,

"How about this, do you have precious metals or something? Give me some. I’m in urgent need."

"Precious metals?" Connet’s eyes flickered slightly, instinctively speculating that Azure Dragon was asking for precious metals to manufacture something, presumably to add to his arsenal and strength, which was practically the same as aiding the enemy.

Connet was also dissatisfied, "There are only two options: either we pay the compensation at once, you make the creation, take the money and leave."

"Or, we still divide the Core Relics like splitting a cake. Lord, do you think it’s too much to want both?"

"Wrong." Li Ming shook his head, "I am simply fulfilling my duties. It is you who added conditions, demanding more from me. This has nothing to do with the original agreement."

Connet’s temples throbbed as he said coldly, "We don’t have precious metals at hand. Lord, please propose another term."

"Sorry, can’t help you." Li Ming shrugged, "Then we’ll just have to keep negotiating, though there’s only half a year left, which will pass quickly."

Connet stared at him coldly, his face expressionless, his voice icy: "10 kilograms of Lan Hui Gold."

You agreed so quickly? Li Ming mused to himself, silently.

Lan Hui Gold, a regionally distinctive valuable metal produced by the Silver Star Cluster, was quite valuable.

With its price fluctuating around 50,000 Star Coins per gram, 10 kilograms would be worth five hundred million Star Coins; it should be possible to allocate five or six million.

Li Ming pondered further, then said, "At least 20 kilograms, otherwise no deal."

Connet’s expression turned colder: "Lord, isn’t it too much to push every step of the way?"

"Agreed or not," Li Ming said, unfazed by the icy temperature in the room, pressing relentlessly.

"Fine." Connet gritted his teeth as if suppressing his anger, almost popping the word out of his throat.

But then he said, "However, you’ll need to prove your capability of resolving the issue first, push the progress of the Sublimator, and then I can give you half, and the rest after the complete manufacture."

Li Ming stared at Connet for a long while without speaking, and Connet’s brows were furrowed tightly, "If you raise the price again, then we go our separate ways."

"That’s settled then," Li Ming finally said, unhurriedly.

"Hmph!" Connet seemed quite irritated, with no intention to say more, turned his head, and left the room.

Outside the door, his expression of wanting to tear Azure Dragon to pieces quickly faded away, he coldly glanced back, and swiftly left.

"Such urgency, is there a lead on the sublimation particles?" Li Ming pondered, feeling something was off.

He had thought that after the Torch Organization failed to sacrifice "Dream," they temporarily had no means to acquire sublimation particles.

The demand for the Sublimator should not be so urgent.

Des’s disappearance and the subsequent stagnation in the progress of the Sublimator had not resulted in excessive pressure from the Torch Organization, including Connet, which seemed to confirm his thoughts.

But today, for some reason, Connet became so eager, and even agreed to his tough conditions.

It was hard not to speculate that they had a new method to acquire sublimation particles.

"Sacrificing Dimensional Creatures shouldn’t be feasible anymore, what new method did they have?" Li Ming rubbed his chin, puzzled.

Yet he then made a show of rushing to the main ship’s laboratory, looking around here and there.

"Lord Azure Dragon comes at just the right time," Benny called out excitedly: "I’ve just had a breakthrough, the latest core crystal can now withstand about three seconds of energy focus, I was just about to call you for help."

"Impressive, impressive," Li Ming complimented twice, glancing at the data but not staying longer, claiming a sudden inspiration and hurriedly left.

"Lord Azure Dragon, Lord Azure..." Benny called out repeatedly, only to watch as Azure Dragon’s figure disappeared from view, sighing helplessly.

Meanwhile, on the other side, Ulrich had arrived at Theo’s room, beginning with a statement that made Theo’s expression change constantly.

"I feel that Des was a scapegoat for Azure Dragon."

Theo fixed his eyes on Ulrich, his gaze questioning: "What do you mean?"

"Do you remember when the Torch Organization suddenly attacked my lair?" Ulrich brought up the incident, making Theo’s face awkward, though he quickly regained composure.

Ulrich pretended not to notice, and continued, "In my repair room, there was a main ship gun barrel obtained from the Red River Star Stream."

"After the attack ended, that gun barrel mysteriously disappeared. At that time, this was a minor issue."

"You think it was taken by Azure Dragon?" Theo pondered, "At that time, there were too many Raiders, perhaps they saw it wasn’t easy to move, so they cut it into pieces and sold it just as material."

"Indeed, that’s possible," Ulrich nodded, then added: "Do you also remember when Tiago came to attack?"

"Back then, in my dock warehouse, Azure Dragon stored a long metal case reaching one hundred sixty-eight meters. Later, this metal case was moved to my castle. I had someone secretly investigate; inside was a gun barrel model."

Theo’s face changed, glanced at Ulrich. This guy was intently focused on Azure Dragon.