This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 685 - 357: Secrets of the Past_2

Chapter 685: Chapter 357: Secrets of the Past_2

The Prophet’s originally calm tone instantly turned suspicious: "What do you mean by ’can’t solve it’?"

"Literal meaning. That virus—I created it by accident, and it possesses irreversible and extremely destructive power."

"I assume Fusi must have already fallen from the S-level life form status, right?"

The Prophet remained silent. It was far more than a mere downfall.

After falling to the level of an A-level life form, it didn’t mean that the S-level genetic seed within her body had just disappeared. It remained active inside her, causing her body to distort abnormally.

Almost the only option would be forcibly removing the S-level genetic seed, which would inflict severe damage on her body.

Now, the high-ranking figure code-named "Desire Witch" was almost entirely insane. Being forced to witness oneself gradually devolving from a high-level life form—such a process was tormenting beyond belief.

Even figures like the Prophet, the Holy Mother, or any member of the organization could feel a chilling dread and a nightmarish despair if placed in the same situation.

And now, Azure Dragon claimed that there was absolutely no solution? The Prophet was instantly skeptical.

Li Ming spoke in an indifferent tone: "I’m not lying to you. You must’ve already tested her development potential; it’s at 0%. This is the devastating power of the virus—nobody can fix it."

To heighten the credibility of his words, he added, "Under the current circumstances, I have no reason to deceive you."

"I named it the ’Eternal Nightmare’—a nightmare even its creator cannot resolve."

Nightmare... eternal nightmare. Thinking about the state of desire, she felt an indistinct chill creeping upon her.

This virus, even in interstellar history, could rank among the infamous ones. She even wanted to question Azure Dragon—what were you doing, researching such a self-defeating virus?

She coldly said: "Your methods leave no retreat—both ruthless and heartless."

Li Ming chuckled faintly upon hearing this: "I never proactively provoked you."

Listening to Azure Dragon’s shameless response, the Prophet’s mind conjured only eight words: "Pretend to be virtuous while playing the scoundrel."

Her tone grew chillier as she continued, "Since that’s the case, why are you even proposing negotiation, returning Fusi to us? Is this some kind of warning?"

"No, no..." Li Ming shook his head. "I have something you want, so negotiation is inevitable. As for the Desire Witch, I must ask your pardon."

"You could’ve approached this in a more civilized, more honest manner. Sending an S-level life form secretly—it puts me at unease."

"Are you willing to hand over Li Ming’s seed?" The Prophet ignored the latter half of his sentence.

"I can consider it, but I want to know, why do you need Li Ming’s seed?" He then emphasized, "I want the truth, not some evasion."

The Prophet felt increasingly aware of Azure Dragon’s cunning, though she had anticipated it beforehand.

The Prophet made a shocking proposal: "Lord Azure Dragon, let’s collaborate and together search for the Eternal Silence Star."

Collaboration?

Such an abrupt suggestion caught Li Ming by surprise. He remained noncommittal: "What sincerity do you offer?"

The Prophet immediately replied, "The reason we need Li Ming is because we require a life form with level fifty development potential. We have a way to perfectly inherit Li Ming’s exceptional development potential, and enhance descendants to level fifty."

"Level fifty?" Li Ming pondered. The Dominion Holy Image also required level fifty; level fifty seemed to mark some kind of threshold.

"Then, sacrifice this life form with level fifty development potential, and we’ll use a special method to locate the Eternal Silence Star."

Sacrifice a life form with level fifty development potential?

Li Ming subconsciously gasped. This was someone with the potential to become an X-level life form.

Sacrificing that? Just how powerful was the Eternal Silence Star?

Though curious, he refrained from asking.

As for the whereabouts of the Eternal Silence Star, he didn’t mind being unaware, but being entirely clueless about its purpose seemed wrong.

Li Ming didn’t believe them right away; after all, it was just their word. After thinking briefly, he said, "Let me think about it. I’ll give you an answer in some time."

After speaking, he prepared to end the communication. Unexpectedly, the Prophet posed one final question: "Lord Azure Dragon, are you familiar with the name ’Talos’?"

Talos? Have they actually encountered that person?

Li Ming hesitated before replying, feigning nonchalance, "Talos? Never heard of them."

"I see." The Prophet closed the communication, while Li Ming habitually began reviewing the exchange. His thoughts raced, gradually constructing connections.

No matter what they intended for the seed, I must first hand it over. As for its eventual use, that would be up to them.

While the Prophet seemed to divulge substantial information, Li Ming was certain they hadn’t shared the deepest secrets.

For instance, the matter of the Eternal Silence Star’s disappearance—he firmly believed the Pioneers and the Star Abyss Empire must know.

Over the years, there would surely be individuals who were aware.

The latter explanation regarding sacrificing level fifty development potential seemed vague—a ploy to ease his concerns, perhaps.

The acquisition of the seed took precedence, making Fusi and even Adas’s affairs temporarily ignorable.

Collaboration? Sacrifice?

He speculated inwardly, as elemental fluctuations rippled across his skin, his thoughts slowly settling into stillness.

Several days later, information regarding the Central World at last began circulating on the Black Hole Network.

A self-proclaimed witness claimed to have been detained there by multiple factions, subjected to identification audits and beatings.

According to him, the individual carried an interstellar warrant for his capture.

He recounted arriving at the Dominion Holy Image, discovering a device capable of detecting Mimic Masks, and immediately turning away, preparing to leave the Central World.

But before he could retrieve his ship, the audit personnel found him, detained him on the spot, and confirmed his identity.

Without adequate connections or shrewdness, he said, escape would have been unlikely.

"It’s essentially a death trap. The empire-level civilizations and the interstellar alliance exploit the opportunity to hunt fugitives en masse, striving for achievements."

His complaints only drew jeers.

"After everything you’ve done, do you truly think yourself innocent?"

Li Ming was reading the reports when an urgent knock sounded at his door. Without waiting for permission, Robbin barged in, his face shifting as he spoke, "Audit soldiers are here, downstairs."

"I arranged with the hotel owner that if any soldiers came looking for us, I’d be notified ahead of time."

Li Ming’s gaze shifted subtly but appeared indifferent.

Robbin, however, was visibly anxious: "Should we prepare to leave first?"

Li Ming signaled for silence. Moments passed, and then came a measured, restrained knock at the door.

Li Ming opened the door, revealing a team of soldiers donning blue combat armor. The armor emitted an eerie azure glow, the helmets streamlined with transparent visors displaying tactical and data overlays.

On their shoulders and elbows, miniature thrusters and weapon interfaces gleamed, while their leader, a B-level life form, held a laser gun, his gaze cold: "Brown, Nite."

He called out their false identities in a solemn tone: "Under the [Temporary Joint Audit Regulations], we will now conduct identity verification for both individuals. Please refrain from resistance and provide identification."

Li Ming stepped aside, appearing cooperative: "Please, come in."

His compliance eased the soldiers’ demeanor, and they filed in smoothly.

Robbin remained highly alert, ready to act at the slightest provocation.

After the door closed, the soldiers’ expressions abruptly grew vacant and dull.

Li Ming calmly stated, "The audit is complete. These two identities present no issues."

The leader nodded sluggishly, "Understood. No issues detected."

He took out a smart device and began filling out forms.

Robbin watched, dumbstruck, while the butler exclaimed with surprise, "He has mind power."

The audit soldiers left the room in a daze, and only upon exiting did their awareness return.

The team exchanged confused glances. The leader frowned, surveying the room and checking the time, only to have his thoughts interrupted by the next task reminder. "Move out," he ordered.

Inside the room, Robbin was astonished, "That was resolved so easily?"

"Not easily," the butler clarified. "That B-level life form has a development progress of over 60%. To control him directly, the mind power must at least be A-level."

Robbin mentally reeled. Could Li Ming truly be an A-level Spiritual Ability User? How was that even possible?

He couldn’t make sense of it.