This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 699 - 364: 4 Heavenly Kings, The Center of Attention_2

Chapter 699: Chapter 364: 4 Heavenly Kings, The Center of Attention_2

How to utilize this metal energy had long been decided in his mind: upgrading and enlightening the remaining Mechanical Guards.

He possessed two Terrax Stones now, but he wasn’t in a rush to upgrade his Controlled Objects.

Upgrading one Mechanical Guard wouldn’t result in much of a power boost.

But creating three directly? That would completely change everything. Leveraging the [Guardian Armament] ability would transform a quantitative change into a qualitative one.

In the past ten or so days, he had already carefully considered that this approach was significantly stronger than upgrading two Controlled Objects while upgrading just one Mechanical Guard.

Enough procrastination—it was time to act. He took out Taipo and began the upgrade process immediately, dumping one billion metal energy into it.

The towering golden Mechanical Body started disintegrating, with its components scattering outward like a myriad of dazzling stars.

Then, beginning from the foundational layers, brilliant lights wove and flickered, reshaping its enormous mechanical shield. The once-thick shield face became smoother, its surface now adorned with mysterious energy patterns.

The metallic structures of its arms seemed to come alive, shifting from their orderly forms into twisted, extended figures, sprouting sharp protrusions and intricate textures.

The structural components of its legs became continuously thicker and sturdier, with a film resembling an Energy Shield appearing over their surface, faint currents coursing through it.

Metal plates on its shoulders folded and recombined, forming firm structures reminiscent of mountain ridges, exuding an oppressive weight.

"Master..." Upon the upgrade’s completion, Taipo became taller and bulkier, now reaching three meters in height. It let out a low, reverberating voice as it knelt on one knee before him.

Li Ming nodded and sent it to the back, preparing to enlighten the other two [Mechanical Guards].

Thunder and Taipo excelled respectively in offense and defense. He mused, "As for the main structure, one with endurance, and the last one—make it more balanced..."

He didn’t deliberate long. After all, the Mechanical Guards primarily depended on the 50% Buff drawn from him.

He first took out two Mechanical Prototypes and then began modifying, strengthening, constructing, and upgrading...

The mechanical structures underwent reassembly. A series of intricate components leapt, clustered, and meshed; gears locked and spun rapidly, emitting crisp metallic clinks.

Drive shafts stretched and retracted while metal plates folded and expanded, forming intricate yet orderly geometric patterns. Wires intertwined and weaved into a complex energy network as chip modules rapidly snapped together.

From scratch, each creation consumed over one billion one hundred million.

After five or six hours of effort, Li Ming took a deep breath and gazed at the four Mechanical Bodies standing in sequence before him. A massive sense of security and power surged within him.

"Alright, I’ll call you the Four Heavenly Kings." Starting with Thunder, Li Ming renamed them: "Sky Shattering King."

"Taipo, you’re now Heavenly Sovereign."

"Next is Eternal King." He pointed to the silver Mechanical Body whose rear structure resembled blossoming metallic flowers, with four mechanical arms extending outward. Each arm’s end contained an energy core glowing with multicolored light, a silver faceplate with an imposing and merciless mask.

The body hosted multiple energy cores, capable of providing substantial energy supply in a short span of time.

"Finally—Tai Heavenly King." Li Ming’s gaze landed on the black Mechanical Body, its build proportionate and most resembling a normal human. Its head was streamlined, while its eyes glowed with eerie blue light. The black metallic surface radiated a matte finish.

The Mechanical Body’s rear featured a slightly raised ridge structure, while its abdomen had dense metallic textures woven into intricate patterns. At the center glimmered an energy engine glowing gold.

"Yes, Master." The Four Heavenly Kings responded in unison.

Li Ming rubbed his hands together. [Guardian Armament], this ability wasn’t merely about stacking mechanical components; when combined, their performances amplified one another.

Based on his current Buff configuration, under normal combat conditions, each surpassed one hundred and twenty times in both strength and defense Buffs.

Even at merely 50% Buff, the Guards’ energy levels could reach 60S, capable of facing off against S-level life forms with 40% or even 50% developmental progress.

The strongest combat configuration, however, was purely stacking defense.

Strength couldn’t be multiplied, but defense could—in excess of two hundred and fifty times defense stacking—while using [Guardian Armament] with Tank Guard as the main structure.

This truly turned into a super indestructible tank. Li Ming’s mind stirred eagerly, wondering if it could withstand an X-level attack.

For now, he stored away the Four Heavenly Kings. Amid the turbulent current situation, enhancing one’s strength always brought peace of mind.

The Pioneer group practically delivered the items right on schedule. Within merely two days, areas near the Dominion Holy Image began being cleared.

Although online public opinion clamored loudly, no one dared voice a single protest in the Central World. The iron fist of civilization would indeed strike hard.

Due to the event’s terrifying level of attention, swarms of overt and covert journalists populated the Central World. Self-media bloggers were countless, surely aiming to capitalize on the wave of traffic.

In just one day, the surroundings of the Dominion Holy Image were wholly cleared into a vast open space.

The Three Civilizations’ high-ranking officials had arrived, traveling via custom flying devices. They didn’t employ sight-blocking fields this time to obscure views—rarely confident, they had nothing to hide.

"...Someone is fanning the flames behind the scenes, deliberately boosting this event’s attention to astronomical levels; we had intended to act covertly." Prince Costate sighed, seated at the circular table alongside several virtual figures.

"...No leads on this; under such massive scrutiny, tracking the source of information is nearly impossible—all roads inevitably lead to the Black Hole Network..." said Diwusi in a calm tone.

"...The Black Hole Network..." Prince Costate lamented. "Such a scourge."

"What’s the use of heightened attention? With us here, we can shut down the Central World’s external network at any moment." Crow spoke indifferently.

"Forget it; let’s prepare to begin." Prince Costate pondered aloud.

"The Creator’s Divine Craftsman hasn’t arrived yet." added Diwusi lightly.

"The Creator Divine Craftsman?" Prince Costate frowned.

...

The Star Abyss Empire’s golden flying device opened, releasing two figures—one elderly, one young.

"Prince Costate... Beside him must be Glory Saint Emperor Adam’s seventh son." Someone exclaimed below, filled with envy: "People born at the finish line."

"So handsome..." a female life form licked her lips.

"The Federation’s advanced genetic progenitor—Aistelle." Another burst of noise followed.

"Lord Diwusi..." Someone’s eyes burned with fervor, gazing at Diwusi clutching a scepter, yearning to throw themselves at him. A silver-haired young girl beside him remained expressionless.

These individuals were of extraordinary origin, having never appeared in the Interstellar Network before. Recording devices buzzed non-stop.

"Damn it, not a single Mechanic here; that’s Hammer Divine Craftsman’s legacy! Surely they wouldn’t hand it to people completely uninvolved in mechanics." Many Mechanics grumbled indignantly.

"Isn’t it starting yet?" Abel, beside Costate, asked.

Looking at the nearly endless masses below and the flying devices converging from all directions, all focused with reverence and awe, he relished the attention.

"Creator, where are your people?" Costate Golden King glanced toward another floating mechanical flying device, where two figures stood.

Both were Mechanical Bodies, one red, one white—not true Divine Craftsmen bodies.

"If they don’t come soon, they’ll be deemed forfeited." Diwusi casually added.

The surrounding area broke into noisy chatter. Among the six participants vying for the Dominion Holy Image, information about the other five had long been widely disseminated.

However, the person recommended by the Creator Divine Craftsman remained completely undisclosed, with impeccable secrecy.

This piqued many people’s curiosity—who exactly was this individual?

"I’m not sure if he’s here; he should be on-site." The Creator Divine Craftsman spoke slowly. His Mechanical Body’s surface gleamed smooth, pristine white, with finely chiseled features.

"You don’t even know if the person you recommended is here?" Costate frowned slightly, unable to decipher the situation.

Those present exchanged bewildered looks, sensing something unusual.

"He’s arrived." Suddenly, in the crowd, a clear voice rang out—not loud.

As people turned their attention, he had already crossed the barricades and stepped into the arena.

"Hmm?" Prince Costate lowered his gaze, his expression suddenly becoming deep. Abel’s face remained neutral, yet his brows furrowed sharply.

Since entering the arena, the man’s face had begun to shift slowly. Countless gazes locked onto him as cameras zoomed in, capturing the Mimic Mask’s momentary freeze—a flurry of photos sealed the scene.

"Li... Li Ming?" From another direction, Robbin, hidden among the crowd, stared with wide-eyed disbelief.

No wonder Li Ming had deliberately separated from him when leaving.

Old Li, you really don’t give a damn about dying, huh.