This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 679 - 354 [Energy Lord] Clash in the Shadows_2

Chapter 679: Chapter 354 [Energy Lord] Clash in the Shadows_2

"I can’t see it. What he’s done has disrupted the stability of the Dimension World." The Prophet flew back, "I can barely trace back to this point; anything before this is invisible."

The Holy Mother’s expression shifted, her brows furrowed as she said, "So Adas’s matter is just going to be buried like this?"

The Prophet sighed helplessly, "There’s nothing I can do. I suggest you investigate the name Talos. The person pursuing him is not ordinary; their strength is immense. They wouldn’t appear here for no reason."

The Holy Mother took a deep breath, feeling a surge of frustration, "I suppose there’s no other choice. Additionally, you’ll handle contacting Azure Dragon to test out his attitude."

...

Inside the hotel room, Li Ming tightly held the [Energy Guardian] badge in his hand, controlling it before expending it, and the Control Page popped up.

[Gun Master] → [Energy Lord]

[Gun Dominator: Master of manipulating firearm weapons, with the abilities of [Strategic Support] and [Heart of Energy].

[Strategic Support: Can pre-arrange special Controlled Objects to provide crucial support during key moments without occupying the main Control Bar.]

[Heart of Energy: Can synchronize its own enhancements onto bullets, manipulate their trajectory, and avoid harm from energy attacks emitted by oneself or Controlled Objects.]

[Gun Heart] evolves into [Heart of Energy], energy attacks can’t harm me?

Li Ming’s heart skipped a beat; this ability seemed straightforward but was actually highly formidable.

After all, energy doesn’t distinguish between ally and enemy, just like bullets fired from a gun barrel—it causes damage no matter who it hits.

This has always been a significant limitation on individual strength during large-scale interstellar warfare—when the main cannons fire in unison and energy obliterates everything, it doesn’t matter who’s friend or foe.

But with this ability, Li Ming could completely resort to some "shared fate" tactics during a clash, saying something like "fire at me," for example. The scene should be quite thrilling.

Five million metal energy, cost-effective and satisfying, Li Ming thought as he pulled out his intelligent terminal, switched to [Communicator], and began constructing an external communication network.

He quickly completed the setup, connected to the Black Hole Network, then scanned related information about the Central World, particularly searching for details regarding the detection of Mimic Masks.

Indeed, it matched his recollection—no one mentioned anything about it.

"How could this be? Based on the nature of this group of people, they should’ve been cursing already." Li Ming pondered aloud, his gaze suddenly deepening as he recalled that speaking on the Black Hole Network required leaving the Central World first.

Those willing to undergo detection were generally not insecure about it, and such people wouldn’t necessarily make it widely known.

On the other hand, those who avoided detection likely had issues—with most being under interstellar warrants. Such individuals might not be able to leave the Central World and might be marked for tracking.

I’m probably marked too, Li Ming thought with a furrowed brow before logging into Azure Dragon’s account to attempt contacting Blackbeard.

There was no immediate response; after waiting two to three hours, the other party finally replied.

This time, it wasn’t a video but an audio message.

"You’ve finally remembered to contact me." Blackbeard’s tone carried a trace of bitterness.

"What’s the situation with Reina?" Li Ming cut straight to the chase, avoiding small talk.

Blackbeard froze momentarily, silently lamenting. Last time he had tried discussing Reina, Azure Dragon had asked him about the Dominion Holy Image instead.

This time, wanting to talk about the Dominion Holy Image, Li Ming was asking after Reina instead.

"...It’s mostly prepared. Soon, someone will attack him. We have witnesses and material evidence; Satoru will request the Royal Council to revoke his Duke title." Blackbeard said helplessly.

"This is equivalent to tearing his dignity apart—he won’t let this slide easily."

Li Ming nodded slightly and continued to ask, "Where’s Nicholas?"

Blackbeard paused, his tone uncertain and startled, "You know he’s in the Central World?"

Then he added, "He’s here for both credit and refuge."

So he really came... Li Ming narrowed his eyes slightly, "For credit?"

"Correct." Blackbeard hesitated, "Within the Star Abyss Empire, he’s one of the only two who’s interacted with you directly. Satoru is still recuperating, and Nicholas was transferred here to provide strategic advice."

"It’s both to stall the storm targeting the Main Universe and to urgently deal with you."

Seeing Azure Dragon remain silent, Blackbeard tentatively asked, "Where are you currently?"

Li Ming spat out two words, "You guess."

Blackbeard was speechless, letting out a bitter chuckle, "You still have time to joke, Milord?"

Li Ming said nothing.

Blackbeard didn’t drag on the idle chatter and simply asked, "Regarding the Dominion Holy Image matter, how do you plan to proceed? They won’t let Li Ming near the Dominion Holy Image, that’s for certain."

Li Ming’s voice turned cold, "I plan to ask them."

Blackbeard was briefly puzzled, "Ask what?"

"Does my student not even have the right to inherit it? Or, do I need to prove myself more formidable to protect him?"

Blackbeard felt a sharp jolt; of course, he knew the problem wasn’t about the Hammer Divine Craftsman’s so-called legacy.

The Hammer Divine Craftsman had been missing for so many years—his possessions had long been divided up. At most, what remained were an old elephant and a hammer, or some residual reputation.

The old elephant was highly intelligent but uncommandable; the hammer had disappeared without a trace. These fragments alone wouldn’t stir an Empire Level Civilization.

What they truly cared about was something else: why did the Hammer Divine Craftsman vanish? And whether he found certain things before disappearing.

Especially for the Star Abyss Empire.

If Azure Dragon took the initiative to interact with those figures, there was a slim chance they’d reach an agreement to let Li Ming participate in a fair evaluation.

If Li Ming were genuinely recognized, he might take away the objects but leave specific pieces of information behind.

But for those people, that wouldn’t do.

"Lord Azure Dragon..." Blackbeard advised tentatively, "I suggest you don’t..."

Li Ming interrupted immediately, "Speak your mind directly."

"Sigh..." Blackbeard sighed heavily, "It’s like this: according to our original plan, you and two other Casting Star Mechanics were supposed to expose the truth. However, now that the Dominion Holy Image has surfaced, no allegation regarding Hammer Divine Craftsman’s disappearance would hold without it."

"So, if Li Ming were truly recognized by the Dominion Holy Image, could it..."

Blackbeard trailed off tactfully, while Li Ming sneered internally—how presumptuous the lot of them were!

If he ever gained recognition, even setting aside doubts about whether the mechanical elephant would heed him, speaking that openly in public would thoroughly offend the Star Abyss Empire.

Previously, three Casting Star Mechanics shared the burden of the Empire’s wrath. Now, there’d be no one left to shoulder that firepower but himself.

"Don’t you think this is a bit much, Milord?" Li Ming countered.

Blackbeard chuckled bitterly; who could’ve predicted the plan would become like this?

In their blueprint, exposing the affair was supposed to be pivotal, with even greater schemes to unfold subsequently.

Though subsequent moves merely exploited public sentiment sparked by this revelation—not directly tied to exposing the Star Abyss Empire—it still stung to see years of effort potentially amount to nothing.

Li Ming also sensed something amiss. Blackbeard had previously indicated the Pioneers were preparing to severely weaken the Star Abyss Empire in one fell swoop—a momentous turning point.

But now, he felt that even if the scheme failed, Blackbeard was merely uneasy rather than desperate.

Was it overly calm composure or something else?

"Can you guarantee a way for Li Ming to access the Dominion Holy Image?" Considering this, Li Ming questioned again.

Blackbeard’s tone jolted, "If you’re willing, Milord, we can ask a Divine Craftsman to facilitate this."

"A Divine Craftsman?" Li Ming felt a slight ripple at the mention.

However, Blackbeard added, "The Creator Divine Craftsman has always been dedicated to nurturing outstanding Mechanics talent and upholding the Mechanic Association’s reputation. His involvement could at least create an opportunity."

Whether this explanation was genuine or merely convenient rhetoric, Li Ming couldn’t be sure.

"Additionally, regardless of success or failure, we’ll provide appropriate assistance and invite you to join the Pioneer Council."

Hearing this, Li Ming’s gaze involuntarily narrowed.