This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 700 - 365: The Last Hope

Chapter 700: Chapter 365: The Last Hope

Except for Robbin, the spectators present were initially bewildered.

Among them were many non-human races, who, in their eyes, thought all humans looked nearly identical and couldn’t recognize him at all.

Most humans were also puzzled, glancing at each other in confusion, as Li Ming’s entrance was too ordinary—he even jogged in, which made him seem overly down-to-earth and entirely out of place compared to the others present.

"He looks like... Li Ming?"

"Li Ming? Who is Li Ming? That name sounds kind of familiar..." The murmuring spread quickly.

Countless gazes converged upon him, scrutinizing, curious, envious, even jealous...

For the majority of those present, the name Li Ming was rather unfamiliar. Most people had first heard of him shortly after the Dominion Holy Image had initially appeared.

That was nearly a month ago, and the matter of inheriting the Hammer Divine Craftsman’s legacy had grown increasingly volatile, fueled by a flood of unprecedented rumors. Few had paid attention to Li Ming in the midst of it all.

Still, since he had been involved in the incident, people were soon able to identify him. Information passed quickly between them, spreading considerable surprise.

"This guy has a development potential of Level Forty-Six and is a student of a Casting Star Mechanic. A while ago, he was indeed in the spotlight, thought to have a great chance of inheriting the Hammer Divine Craftsman’s legacy."

"But now..." Someone looked up toward the sky at the highly talented individuals secretly cultivated at the top, and couldn’t help feeling pity for him.

Compared to ordinary people, Li Ming’s status was already quite distinguished, but when measured against these other individuals, he seemed diminished.

Prince Costat’s gaze fell upon Li Ming below. "He dares to show himself here? What on earth does Azure Dragon think it’s doing?"

"Moreover..." The prince’s deep-set eyes carried a faint hint of surprise.

Abel, who knew Li Ming’s information thoroughly, examined him closely and remarked, "So this is Li Ming. He doesn’t look particularly remarkable. Does Azure Dragon really believe that pushing the Holy Revolution Army forward will stop us from settling accounts with him?"

The truth about the attack on the Central World Empire Base was already known among the higher-ups.

Prince Ryan had taken over the investigation regarding Azure Dragon. Having lost both his great-grandson and grandson, there was no way he would let it go easily.

However, due to certain circumstances, that prince was still en route.

Abel pondered briefly. Seeing Prince Costat remain silent for too long, he asked again, "Moreover, what...?"

"He’s already an A-Level Life Form," Prince Costat finally remarked slowly.

"A-Level Life Form?" Abel’s heart jolted with shock, blurting out, "How is it possible, so quickly? He’s still so young!"

Li Ming had long since become an A-Level Life Form, but only a handful of individuals knew—each of them significant figures.

Austin, the Holy Mother Church... No one would leak such information to the Star Abyss Empire without good reason.

"Could it be that his development potential exceeds Level Sixteen?" Abel, catching on, speculated aloud, "This information came from an advanced civilization within the Northern Crown Star Ring. Perhaps their detection was inaccurate."

Prince Costat remained noncommittal, though Abel grew both wary and awed as he remarked, "Could nature truly produce a life form with a development potential surpassing Level Fifty?"

No matter how many detection measures Yitelan had used to verify Li Ming’s development potential, the official documentation held but four words—"According to detection."

Faced with contradictory data, Abel instinctively thought Yitelan had been duped.

"What a shame..." The young prince shook his head. Regardless of how high the opposing side’s potential might be, he wouldn’t be able to take the Hammer Divine Craftsman’s legacy.

And let alone that—the Empire still hadn’t settled accounts with his teacher. From the moment he appeared here, it was determined that he wouldn’t leave easily.

"Uncle..." Abel schemed internally and offered, "Let me handle this person."

"You want to recruit him for your own use?" Prince Costat returned to his senses. Abel nodded decisively.

Prince Costat, harboring some uncertainty, refrained from expressing approval or disapproval, his gaze flickering. "Let’s observe for now."

Diwusi lowered her eyes, gazing at Li Ming with faint curiosity. For her, this was the first time meeting the young man, and she hadn’t paid much attention to his teacher either.

However, the last attack on the Empire Base had indeed been quite fierce. To think the teacher would send the student into danger despite such circumstances...

Then again, turning her thoughts around: for someone like Azure Dragon, daring to attack the Empire Base already showed that the individual was impulsive and a risk-taker.

Beside her, Aistelle seemed indifferent, neither interested nor invested, as did the other two individuals from the Star Cluster Republic Alliance. They too remained silent, waiting patiently.

To claim the Hammer Divine Craftsman’s legacy, development potential was merely the entry ticket. Whether or not one could actually take possession was an entirely different matter.

The only noteworthy point was that Li Ming appeared to be a naturally birthed high-potential life form.

...

"Good luck..." someone near Li Ming suddenly shouted.

He was startled and turned his head to look—it was a middle-aged man, faintly agitated. He seemed somewhat familiar.

Seeing the mechanical staff in the man’s hand, realization dawned on him—this was the person who had mentioned his name to the Dominion Holy Image.

If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be receiving so much attention, Li Ming secretly muttered to himself.

But even if this guy hadn’t brought it up, someone else eventually would. His information was already no secret across the interstellar domain.

"Good luck... show them what you’re made of!" More and more people began shouting toward him, forming a growing wave. Almost all of them were mechanics.

After all, this was the legacy of the Hammer Divine Craftsman, the founder of the Mechanic Association. The fact that no mechanics themselves met the qualifications to participate in the evaluation was indeed frustrating.