This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 702 - 366: Whoever dares to touch Li Ming, I, Azure Dragon, will retaliate at all costs!

Chapter 702: Chapter 366: Whoever dares to touch Li Ming, I, Azure Dragon, will retaliate at all costs!

"This is too cautious..." Li Ming muttered to himself, speechless.

Watching Prince Costat and his group hand over various protective measures to Abel and the others—barriers, rune stones, crystal balls, and the like—he couldn’t figure out their purpose.

In contrast, he stood there alone, with no one paying him any attention.

"Do you want this?" Abel extended a palm-sized barrier generator toward him. Its casing was forged from a peculiar metal shimmering with flowing light and was covered in intricate energy patterns as delicate as strands of hair.

The center housed a gem-like radiant core, surrounded by concentric micro-energy rings.

Clearly, it wasn’t an ordinary item. Li Ming was slightly surprised by Abel’s gentle demeanor, which even carried a smile.

[Quantum Defense Barrier--Special Type: advanced product of the Empire Science Academy.

Control Conditions: Fifty million units of metal energy

Control Ability--Emergency Barrier: Instantly activates a quantum screen capable of withstanding attacks from S-level life forms; duration depends on the attack’s intensity.]

Li Ming was taken aback. Being able to directly block attacks from S-level life forms was indeed impressive.

"Forget it." Li Ming tossed it in his hand briefly before throwing it back.

Abel raised an eyebrow slightly but said nothing more, stowing the device away. Opportunities to win favor would come later.

Bored out of his mind, Li Ming waited as they refused to let him enter ahead of schedule, leaving him with no choice but to linger there.

Costat’s heart fluttered slightly as he suddenly turned around. Sure enough, he spotted Diaz and Diwusi in the distance, their gazes sweeping over.

"Why are you here?" Costat frowned. This wasn’t part of the plan.

Li Ming sensed a disturbance and felt the chilling sensation of being watched. When he turned around, he found Diaz’s gaze had already landed on him.

Diaz... Li Ming had seen this man’s dossier before—his career was remarkable. Originally from an advanced civilization, he had fought his way up, eventually joining the Empire and pledging loyalty to Prince Ryan.

He belonged to Nicholas’s faction, with development progress exceeding sixty percent. His strength was formidable, his loyalty unwavering, earning him the nickname "Dragon Hunter General."

Li Ming’s expression grew heavier as he heightened his vigilance.

Diaz’s grim look remained as he said to Prince Costat, "I just want to ask Li Ming a few questions."

Prince Costat naturally objected, disliking scenarios that deviated from expectations.

But Diaz’s eyes were fixated squarely on Li Ming as he spoke, his voice frosty: "Nicholas—alive or dead?"

"Diaz!" Costat barked out angrily. With countless media outlets broadcasting live outside, asking such a question would invite trouble later.

But he couldn’t act impulsively. Diaz had calculated this point precisely, which was why he chose to interject now.

In the distance, two Divine Craftsmen were conversing. The Mechanical Soul Divine Craftsman furrowed his brow slightly, saying, "Costat is losing control of his subordinates. If this escalates, what will you do with Li Ming—will you protect him?"

The Creator Divine Craftsman replied flatly, "My friend merely asked me to recommend him; they didn’t ask me to protect him."

The unexpected turn of events sparked numerous discussions among the spectators, who couldn’t fathom what was happening.

"What is your intention?" Li Ming frowned slightly.

"Don’t play riddles with me. I know it’s Azure Dragon’s doing," Diaz said with a calm tone, coldly staring at him. "Where is your mentor?"

Li Ming shook his head and sighed. "To be honest with you, I have no idea where my teacher is."

"Don’t know?" Diaz remained stationary, his gaze icy. "Does your teacher think he has appeased the Empire’s fury?"

Li Ming remained silent as Costat shouted, "Enough!"

Diaz’s voice sank. "By administrative order of the Empire Royal Council, you are now suspected of being involved in the Central World attack incident. You will be placed under arrest."

Li Ming hadn’t seen this coming at all. Glancing at Prince Costat’s unpleasant expression, he had a vague understanding of the situation.

"Where is the Empire Administrative Order?" Li Ming asked sharply.

"Are you resisting arrest?" Diaz’s gaze abruptly hardened.

Without hesitation, he made his move.

Despite his elite upbringing, Diaz was battle-hardened after years of warfare, fully understanding the principle of giving one’s all in every confrontation, no matter how seemingly easy.

Even against Li Ming—an A-level life form—Diaz held nothing back, unleashing his full power!

Diaz’s arm shot forward, already enveloped in black scales. Each of these black scales shimmered with the brilliance of tiny star-like dots, appearing colossal enough to sever the Star River yet minuscule at the same time.

Shining Star Dragon—this was his Genetic Seed, a cosmic organism that traversed the interstellar expanse, immensely powerful.

As he struck, horrifying energy fluctuations erupted almost instantaneously, akin to a supernova detonating.

Erupting waves of black energy surged outward like a rampant beast breaking free from its restraints, roaring uncontrollably.

The void around him shattered inch by inch, as the space structure crumbled like fragile glass, unable to withstand the force, sending shards flying everywhere.

Meanwhile, Prince Costat’s expression darkened as though he had anticipated this. He acted simultaneously with Diaz—not to rescue Li Ming, though.

At this moment, he and Diaz were both representatives of the Empire.

A blood-red prison cage emerged from all directions, its surface radiating thick, viscous crimson light. Each bar was thick and twisted, rooted deeply in the void, exuding immense prohibitive force, freezing the space itself.

The previously rampant energy fluctuations, upon touching the cage, crashed against it like turbulent waves striking a sturdy breakwater and were mercilessly repelled.

If left unchecked, over eighty percent of the life forms present would meet their deaths, an outcome Costat wasn’t prepared to confront.