This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 710 - 370: Is the Dust Settled...?

Chapter 710: Chapter 370: Is the Dust Settled...?

Li Ming exhaled deeply. The development progress had reached 30%, and the first ability of the Purple Blood Green Mane Genetic Seed awakened—Energy Adaptation.

After prolonged development, the seed’s adaptive ability strengthened Quantum Energy. The intensity surged swiftly until it nearly equaled the other Elemental Energy he mastered.

The effects also fed back into his physical body, causing a faint tingling sensation, as if countless tiny electric currents were coursing through him. His bones creaked audibly, like machines recalibrating and readjusting.

"Huff..." Li Ming exhaled again and clenched his fingers experimentally. His Power Burst Level had reached 55A.

Once the minor physical transformation concluded, it was expected to rise to 60A, double the pace of the development progress.

Only someone with resources like Abel could achieve this.

The Genetic Seed wasn’t the only factor influencing the Elements; there were also subtle, irreparable effects caused by innate Genetic Abilities.

Li Ming rose, adjusted slightly to the changes, stretched his body, and briefly glanced at several other screens, where people were still diligently studying.

Though these people appeared youthful, their average age was at least thirty. Watching their study session, Li Ming couldn’t shake the peculiar feeling.

Shaking his head, he sat back down to continue developing the Genetic Seed. This time, he acutely felt the decline.

After many enhancements, his initial development rate, which used to achieve a 1% progress in five to six days, now seemed to have stretched to over ten days. The precise figure required closer observation.

"The higher the Life Level, the more severe the decline..." Li Ming frowned slightly; he’d anticipated this outcome.

He casually asked the white little elephant, who was dozing nearby, when the process would be finished.

"Soon, don’t rush." The Dominion Holy Image glanced at him skeptically.

Li Ming’s recent physical reactions did not escape its notice—a clear sign of transformation following a specific development threshold, estimated to be 30%.

Combining this observation with Li Ming’s age, it felt unsettling.

For someone at this age to reach the level of an A-Grade Life Form, even with Level Sixty Development Potential as an explanation, the rapid development rate still seemed anomalous.

Watching Li Ming sitting cross-legged, the Dominion Holy Image felt an uncontrollable surge of curiosity, even forcing itself to ignore the codes it had left behind.

Moments later, outside the room, the white elephant’s expression turned blank. "Why did I use the Memory Demagnetization Protocol again?"

...

Beyond the walls, observers had grown scarce. Most had traveled across endless star systems, taken their photos or marked their attendance on-site, and promptly left.

The presence of Interstellar media, however, continued to grow, broadcasting in shifts.

"Dominion Holy Image..." An elderly man arrived, his hair and beard completely white, strands flying wildly like snow in the wind.

His body hunched, his facial wrinkles resembled deep ravines, and his tattered gray robe hung loosely on him.

He looked up, his expression complex. "Mechanical Transformation may be incapable of evolution, but it grants lifespans several times longer than normal Life Forms."

"A prolonged life of struggle is far less meaningful than beauty etched in the stars during a fleeting moment."

A sudden sound erupted as the ground lit up with intersecting patterns. Runes surged into activation, glowing faintly blue, as light spread swiftly across lines and formed a massive energy grid.

The space around them rippled invisibly, like phantom waves with elusive patterns, distorting light into unsettling refractions. The surrounding scenery blurred and warped.

Then, in an instant, reality solidified, forging a transparent crystalline barrier. Countless streams of fine Energy raced rapidly within, emitting a faint but piercing hum.

Blood-colored vines crawled through the void. Their stems were thick and grotesquely twisted, lined with bulging veins, while their burning leaves resembled flames.

Almost as the sound faded, this locale transformed into an isolated zone.

Costate, Diwusi, and Crow appeared from three different directions, positioning themselves near the old man.

"Guide—Polk." Prince Costate’s expression was grave as he stared at the elderly man before him.

"Second leader of the Holy Revolution Army, what is your purpose here."

Polk’s face flickered faintly, surprised, but he quickly regained composure, his tone calm: "Since you’ve prepared an ambush, haven’t you already guessed why I came?"

"Four vital civilization seeds gathered together—a rare opportunity indeed. You don’t have many years left to live. If you can take these four with you before death, that would be a fitting conclusion." Prince Costate’s gaze was cold and indifferent.

Diwusi held his head high, his neck smooth and pale, frowning. "Lord Polk, the Federation has never been your active territory. Why kill our people as well?"

"I recall you once praised the Federal system as superior."

Polk’s expression remained calm. "Yes, your system is decent, but it’s gone astray. Sacrificing everything for political votes—we’ve already intensified our activities within the Federation."

Diwusi scoffed coldly, while Crow, always reticent, responded bluntly: "No need for chatter with this old man. Let’s kill him."

"Wait. I want to know—what is the ’Great Interstellar Plan’?" Prince Costate stared at Polk.

Polk’s face shifted slightly, astonished: "You even know about the Great Interstellar Plan? You have someone in the core layers?"

"Hmph. Holy Revolution Army—your banners sound noble, but in reality, you’re nothing more than opportunists, rebels." Prince Costate sneered. "Every one of your leaders operates with their own calculations and interests."

Diwusi and Crow exchanged glances in silence.