This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 663 - 346: Really Choosing an Inheritor? The Ambush of the Holy Mother Church!_2

Chapter 663: Chapter 346: Really Choosing an Inheritor? The Ambush of the Holy Mother Church!_2

This is a Tracker.

He could roughly guess that it was most likely someone sent by Chrono to hunt him down.

Just an S-level life form—luckily...

At first, he indeed had the impulse to flee, but after numerous attempts, he could roughly gauge the opponent’s strength and distance.

Moreover, he discovered that as long as he avoided using [Talos’ Heart], the opponent would have difficulty pinpointing his exact location.

He kept moving, making it far from simple for them to find him.

Not long after, they stopped atop an endless expanse of ocean.

"Your target destination is the next Dimension World we’ll be jumping to," Lauren said.

"One moment..." Li Ming nodded, activating his [Search] ability.

"A Dimension World composed of iron element..."

Li Ming’s pupils slightly contracted—an iron-element world? A metal world? He actually stumbled upon one!

Ever since learning about the unique structure of Dimension Worlds, he had speculated whether there might exist such worlds made entirely of pure metal elements.

After further investigation, he confirmed this guess—such worlds do exist, though they are exceedingly rare.

"That Dimension World is composed of iron element?" He turned to look at Robbin.

"Indeed..." Robbin nodded naturally. "That’s why the Holy Silver Civilization established a Secret Castle there to gather resources."

Li Ming shook his head speechlessly, realizing he hadn’t even asked Robbin about the nature of that Dimension World. His heart didn’t brim with excitement either.

Through documented research, he discovered that Dimension Worlds made of metal elements mostly contained ordinary materials, akin to a mining vein. Practical applications require extraction and refining.

For him, it was even more so. The raw metal energy contained in simple iron elements was far too scarce. To absorb the entire Dimension World would probably take countless years.

He could jot down its coordinates and return to mine it later, directly opening a Dimension Passage here—much more convenient than searching for Mining Stars.

"... the dominant lifeform is S-level..."

"S-level?" Li Ming’s heart trembled slightly, his casual attitude suddenly stirred—S-level dominant lifeforms often generate unique crystalline materials.

An iron-element S-level life form, solid and concentrated enough to resemble a walking mountain of metal energy—he didn’t expect such an unexpected find, fueling him with even more drive.

"...But it’s occupied by a group of powerful outsiders."

Piecemeal information trickled through his mind, prompting Li Ming to raise an eyebrow. Using [Exploration] ability repeatedly, he was already quite adept.

A few days ago, they passed by one of the Eternal Brilliance Federation’s Secret Castles. Even with an A-level life form stationed there, the evaluation from [Exploration] indicated merely "considerable strength."

This place, though, was deemed "powerful?"

After mulling over for a while, he refrained from jumping directly and instead chose to circle the Dimension World, seemingly searching for something.

Finally, after jumping across three or four Dimension Worlds, they found the crumbling remains of a small base on a barren wasteland.

A small base was meant to correspond with the Secret Castle for logistics and emergency operations, ensuring that the Secret Castle’s personnel could retreat without issues if unforeseen events occurred.

"This is a base belonging to the Holy Silver Civilization..." Lauren identified.

"Perhaps it was wiped out by the Star Abyss Empire," Robbin added.

Li Ming offered no comment, continuing his rounds meticulously, scouring the iron-element Dimension World in thorough detail, yet he didn’t find a corresponding Star Abyss Empire base.

"The Star Abyss Empire didn’t leave a support base here—to be this confident?" Lauren remarked, surprised.

Li Ming narrowed his eyes. "Use your tracking marker."

"Oh, okay..." Lauren nodded repeatedly. Even with a hazy suspicion that Li Ming might be targeting the Star Abyss Empire, she didn’t care—as long as it was within the scope of the Eternal Brilliance Federation.

As the ship’s bottom hatch opened, an arm-thick metal probe extended outward. Lauren was about to launch it when Li Ming stopped her.

"Hold on..." Li Ming instructed, "You two jump away from this Dimension World first and return in five days."

Lauren didn’t understand but complied anyway.

"I’ll stay too," Robbin volunteered.

After considering briefly, Li Ming nodded. Once the ship departed, Li Ming had Thunder simulate control signals, steering the probe gently through the Dimension Barrier.

"Hide yourselves..." Li Ming motioned to Robbin but did not stay with him.

The scene shifted to an earth-element Dimension World, brimming with jagged rocks, its ochre glow illuminating the whole landscape.

"Li Ming really stays alert—a S-level bodyguard by his side, yet still so cautious." Robbin found a hiding spot, murmuring his admiration while asking his butler to help him conceal himself.

Ten minutes later, space rippled faintly. However, what appeared wasn’t the Dimension probe returning, but a pitch-black jumpship—its design noticeably different from typical Star Abyss Empire aesthetics.

The ship emitted an invisible pulse, revealing several silhouetted figures masked in black veils. One of them clutched the launched Dimension probe in her hand.

"Holy Mother Church..." Li Ming, hidden elsewhere, narrowed his eyes slightly.

The veiled figures had characteristics matching Holy Mother Church members—95% of whom were female.

Li Ming frowned deeply in the shadows. "How could they be here—could it be..."

"Earth Mother, we found no ships," the figures reported shortly after regrouping.

"Nothing?" The figure referred to as Earth Mother pondered silently, studying the probe in her hand. "This is the standard model from the Eternal Brilliance Federation, unlikely related to Li Ming. A malfunctioning probe, perhaps."

"So they really are here for me." Li Ming’s eyes glinted darkly. It was clear this group was lying in ambush, opportunistic against him, and refusing to cooperate with Azure Dragon—they were targeting him specifically.

Who leaked the information—was it Austin?

Unlikely. If it were him, there’d be no need to have Trevor interact with me.

I’m no secret to Austin. His search for Dimension-related items isn’t classified either. Those who dig deep enough could infer I’m headed for the Dimension World.

But how did they figure out my exact destination?

Li Ming frowned, his gaze flashing coldly. Meanwhile, the veiled figures finished packing up and returned to their jumpship, ready to leave.

Yet amidst the unnoticed moments, as outlines of figures crisscrossed against the ship’s shadows, faint disturbances rippled.

...

Ever since the sudden descent of the Dominion Holy Image, tidal waves erupted across the interstellar network of the Main Universe, attracting countless Mechanics from innumerable Star Systems.

Under immense pressure, the major decision-makers of the Central World were forced to cede significantly large areas for these people to gather.

In front of the towering Dominion Holy Image, an expansive region was demarcated, jointly guarded by agents from multiple factions.

Meanwhile, Jaint remained pinned beneath the Dominion Holy Image’s feet, its head the only part visible, thoroughly humiliated—even its facial damage remained unrepaired.

Representatives from the Star Abyss Empire repeatedly sought negotiation, only to be firmly rebuffed by the Dominion Holy Image, which showed no intention of releasing anyone.

Rumors swirled of several prominent figures secretly arriving at the Central World, though none revealed themselves.

"Sigh, it’s been over ten days, and the Dominion Holy Image only stated it would select an inheritor—there’s no criteria or standard. How do we compete for this?"

"Yeah, I’ve heard several Casting Star Mechanics presented themselves, but even they weren’t treated kindly by the Holy Image..."

The bustling masses were almost deafening, but suddenly, from a specific direction, fervent commotion blossomed—everyone turned to look.

A cadre of crimson mechanical bodies escorted a figure forth—a humanoid mechanical body with well-defined features, devoid of mimicry skin, showcasing mechanical beauty only.

"Mechanical Soul Divine Craftsman—Alex," someone whispered tensely. After over ten days, the emergence of the first major figure caused a stir.

"This is his mechanical vessel—the Puppet Master. His true form isn’t present."

As soon as attendees identified the Divine Craftsman’s vessel, the bustling crowd erupted before abruptly calming, smothering their excitement.

The Mechanical Soul Divine Craftsman moved straight to the forefront, stopping before the Dominion Holy Image.

"So, it’s you..." The Dominion Holy Image finally spoke, its voice deep. "It’s been thousands of years, hasn’t it?"

"Three thousand one hundred twenty-six years," Alex responded flatly, expressing nothing: "Where’s the Forging Hammer?"

"Dead." The Holy Image declared unapologetically, leaving the surroundings dead silent.

Alex remained stoic before finally asking, "Why aren’t you dead?"

"You ask too many questions," the Holy Image dismissed, "You’re here for me to choose? Sorry, the Forging Hammer’s inheritance won’t go to you."

Alex fell silent again, only breaking it after a long interval to inquire, "If it’s a selection—what sort of qualifications would be deemed worthy?"