This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 567 - 297: The Sudden Star Stream Dark Tide - Duke Bloodthorn’s "Recruitment"_2

Chapter 567: Chapter 297: The Sudden Star Stream Dark Tide - Duke Bloodthorn’s "Recruitment"_2

"It’s said that Gabriel was ready to directly search your memory, but your development potential is too terrifying, and with Luo Nan standing in his way, he could only give up."

"Earlier, Asimara specifically opened a communication line for Gabriel, probably because his father had ordered it. I speculate it must be related to you."

"He might come to you, name his price, and probably talk tough, but don’t pay him any attention, just endure it, and bring it up with Duke Bloodthorn."

Li Ming looked Feder up and down, shook his head and said: "Unwarranted kindness is either treachery or theft."

Feder’s face turned awkward as he sheepishly said: "We are old friends, after all. I’m just concerned about you."

"Of course, if you ever get a chance to look out for me in the future, that would be great."

Li Ming laughed, with an ambiguous meaning: "Are you so certain I will submit to Duke Bloodthorn?"

"You... what other choice do you have?" Feder was startled and couldn’t help but persuade: "Buddy, don’t be foolish, such high development potential, don’t waste it."

"Ha ha..." Li Ming shook his head, then asked: "How are things going with the Core Relics?"

"You’re still concerned about that?" Feder was surprised and speechlessly said: "The preliminary materialization has been completed, we’re finishing up, it should be ready in a few days."

Li Ming pondered for a moment and then stood up: "Alright, thanks for the heads up."

Feder wanted to say more but stopped, watching Li Ming’s retreating back, he still added: "After all, it’s Duke Bloodthorn, there’s no shame in it."

No response came, because Li Ming had already turned and walked into the cell, leaving Feder to shake his head helplessly.

He knew Li Ming quite well, seeming carefree, but possessed a very strong pride, just not very apparent.

He came specially this time, worried that Li Ming would be provoked by Gabriel venting his anger and suffer for nothing.

Sure enough, Gabriel arrived in less than two hours.

This time, Li Ming did not go out, just casually sat on the bed.

In the narrow cell, Gabriel stood expressionlessly on the open ground, with his close guard Luo Nan behind him.

"How are you feeling?" His voice was serene.

"Not bad, just that the suppressor is a bit uncomfortable," Li Ming said casually.

Gabriel, seeing the other’s attitude, didn’t know why, but thought of Azure Dragon, his frustration rose, and he lost the mood to beat around the bush, and said coldly:

"My father has asked me to tell you that as long as you are willing to imprint the Genetic Lock and serve him, he can give you everything you want."

"Everything I want?" Li Ming couldn’t help but spread his mouth into a grin, "Tsk tsk..."

Seeing his carefree attitude, Gabriel grew even more dissatisfied—his father was an Empire Duke, a figure many coveted but could not meet.

He said coldly: "Isn’t this what you want? You were defiant when you got caught, you know your own value."

"Why pretend to be coy now, and besides, I can tell you, it was Connet who leaked your whereabouts, the mess your teacher left is now your responsibility."

Gabriel’s eyes were cold: "Whether you agree or not, you will be imprinted with the Genetic Lock, also known as ’dog chain’; you have no choice."

Li Ming stared at him and suddenly asked: "How old are you?"

Gabriel frowned, his eyes becoming even colder, and Luo Nan quietly said: "Your Highness."

Gabriel snorted, "Nonsense."

He didn’t wait for Li Ming’s answer, dropped these words, and left on his own. Only after the cell door closed did Luo Nan speak with some hesitation:

"Your Highness, wasn’t your attitude a bit too harsh?"

"I’ve read his file, and his psychological analysis. He has pride in his heart, it needs to be ground away," Gabriel said expressionlessly.

Luo Nan sighed helplessly.

...

Just five days later, outside the detection region of the United Fleet, an uncountable variety of old and mismatched warships gathered, some even with repair marks on their hulls.

"It’s like you said, killing all these guys would certainly consume quite a bit of energy," several Commanders in the Ring Star Crown Guard chatted idly.

This situation has been ongoing for several days, and in the coming time, it is foreseeable that even more fleets will assemble.

"Rumors say the Core Relics are almost ready. If we keep dragging our feet, we might see some big shots coming from far away."

"Not very clear, we just need to follow orders... Huh?" A human commander suddenly expressed surprise, pointing at a fleet on the screen that was spreading out abruptly.

"What’s going on with them?" he instinctively asked, and before his words fell, a piercing alarm suddenly rang throughout the command center.

"Warning, detection of a massive energy tidal wave anomaly and interlayer energy convergence. The model matches, suspected to be Star Stream Dark Tide. Please evade as soon as possible!"

The commanders looked at each other, their faces suddenly filled with horror. Star Stream Dark Tide!?

Upon receiving the message, Asimara had urgently arrived, and all higher-ups gathered in the command center. There was no time to consider how such a massive Star Stream Dark Tide could be approaching them.

Virtual screens were extinguished one by one, and various reports kept coming: "Outer probes have been destroyed, estimated collision time in thirty-four minutes."

As soon as these words were spoken, there was a chorus of sharp intakes of breath. Their probes had already been dispersed to a three-day travel range.

Even with warp travel, it would take three days, but the Star Stream Dark Tide could sweep in within thirty minutes, which was truly terrifying.

Asimara’s expression was grave, and she quickly responded, speaking in a deep voice: "Within the next thirty minutes, fully retract formation, all Joint Shield Generators run at full power."

"Bombardment Ships, as well as the main warship turrets, fully charge and aim in the direction of the Star Stream Dark Tide’s arrival for the first wave of reduction."

"Additionally, using the Ring Star Crown Guards as the center, implement multi-layered defensive overlays!"

No one dared to slack, all were sweating profusely, commands were issued one after another, and the previously scattered United Fleet formation began to rapidly condense.

Time ticked away, minute by minute. Asimara stood at the ship’s window, her face somber, yet her heart filled with uncertainty and suspicion.

What she feared was not just the Star Stream Dark Tide, but also the events that might occur afterward.

The dark interstellar space was filled with alarming energy reactions, like a bugged-out region, constantly flickering.

In the visualized energy spectrum, it was like an overwhelming wave, moving slowly to the eye but actually rushing towards them with terrible speed.

Old warships along the path did their best to evade, but in the face of this interstellar catastrophe, everything seemed powerless, swept up without even a spark.

In the command center, everyone held their breath with focused concentration, silently bracing themselves.

"We are within the designated firing range, ready to bombard!"

"3, 2, 1!"

Boom!

The fully charged turrets erupted with blazing beams of light, with a dazzling energy tide roaring out, brightening the whole area. Under everyone’s watchful eyes, it plunged into that pitch-black tide.

Boom!

Everyone imagined the sound as ripples like water surfaced in space; the void twisted, and within the coverage area, even the distant stars disappeared instantaneously.

These were the extremes of space distortion forming a closed state, isolated inside and out, light included. Explosions could be seen endlessly bursting far away.

Subsequently, as if ignited, bright blue firelines spread from the impact point in all directions, like an immense, boundless celestial curtain being raised. Against it, the entire United Fleet seemed insignificant.

The interlayer energy ignited, turning into a tangible flood. It seemed terrible, but its power had diminished somewhat.

"The impact is coming!"

The blue fire-like celestial curtain collided with the thick Energy Barrier, instantly igniting a violent chain reaction, with continuous ripples.

All the Shield nodes operated at full power, buzzing non-stop.

"Beep—Beep—"

The lights flickered uncertainly, the ship’s body trembled severely, and the command center was dead silent. The Star Stream Dark Tide’s accompanying energy magnetic fields rendered all detection devices ineffective, and everyone’s palms began to sweat.

Meanwhile, in the Restricted Area, Li Ming looked up, observing the flickering lights, and waves of emotion arose in his heart, "Has it finally begun?"