This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 719 - 374: The Empire Is Old, Can It Still Command Respect? (Sorry, it’s late.)_2

Chapter 719: Chapter 374: The Empire Is Old, Can It Still Command Respect? (Sorry, it’s late.)_2

He glanced downward again; the cameras were still autonomously operating, and the communication signal hadn’t been cut off. His heart sank to the depths.

"Fool," Prince Ryan cast him a cold, scornful glance, his eyes filled with contempt.

The Creator Divine Craftsman and the Mechanical Soul Divine Craftsman exchanged silent, surprised glances. If things truly escalated to a fallout with the Empire, the ones to bear the brunt of the pressure would undoubtedly be them.

However, the crisis facing the Empire was clearly far greater, and the pressure became significantly dispersed.

"Lord Azure Dragon, release him. I guarantee Ryan won’t make a move and that this matter will end here." Prince Costat said in a deep voice, eager to end the confrontation quickly and make plans afterward.

He then turned to Prince Ryan, "Ryan, this cannot continue any further."

Ryan’s gaze flickered, and he coldly snorted, "Fine, we’ll end this here."

Costat let out a breath of relief—thankfully, Ryan understood the gravity of the situation.

Li Ming knew he couldn’t kill Abel. This fellow, to Li Ming, was a hot potato as well.

Since Costat had already given his assurance, Li Ming contemplated briefly, then opened the mechanical structure on his chest. Abel’s face turned ashen.

Though Abel was imprisoned by Li Ming, he was keenly aware of what was happening outside; he knew the Empire had suffered a massive setback this time.

Yet, within him, there was an imperceptible sensation of relief—this way, the Dominion Holy Elephant matter wouldn’t seem as catastrophic.

As Abel was about to step out, however, the surrounding mechanical structure abruptly slammed shut again.

"No, he can only be released after Li Ming has left." Azure Dragon’s voice resonated once more. Costat furrowed his brows slightly. "This is my guarantee. Does Lord Azure Dragon still not trust me...?"

Costat raised his head to look at Ryan, only for his expression to change drastically, "Wait...!"

Ryan’s mouth curled into a frigid smirk. Without a shred of hesitation, he made his move, "Since you won’t release him, then don’t release him at all!"

Ryan attacked with full force, holding nothing back. Golden energy fluctuations erupted suddenly, like the birth of a blazing new sun, radiating boundless light.

Even his strands of hair turned into flowing golden threads, each gleaming brilliantly, as if condensed from pure energy.

His body surged upward dramatically, his bones emitting crisp cracking sounds, while his muscles expanded, brimming with explosive strength.

A pair of golden wings suddenly burst open on his back—wide and majestic, with each feather distinct, shimmering with radiant golden light.

The wings spread fully, powerful energy flows coursing through them, stirring the surrounding space and exuding a reverent aura. Then, he vanished from where he stood at lightning speed.

Too fast for the naked eye to track, Li Ming had no chance to evade. In that instant, he felt an overwhelming impact, as though a supernova had exploded right before him.

The force surged violently, as if countless stars were pressing down all at once. The immense power instantly penetrated his mechanical body—every metal molecule trembled helplessly under this terrifying force, crying out in agony.

His vision blurred, and all he could hear was the deafening roar.

BOOM!

The dazzling explosion of energy became even more unrestrained, its brilliance reaching an unparalleled apex, akin to countless stars going supernova simultaneously.

The endless destructive force swept outward, tearing through space itself and creating fragmented zones of darkness and void.

The ferocious energy waves carried an intent to obliterate everything in their path, devouring the surrounding matter with abandon.

The two closest Divine Craftsman constructs began to dissolve, furious and aghast—neither had expected Prince Ryan to attack.

Several had perished silently, consumed by the energy. Terror-filled cries echoed from all directions—many had already fled great distances.

Yet the energy’s explosion was too rapid for everyone to dodge in time.

Li Ming already felt his mechanical body ache. Possessing the Tank Guard, it meant that the tank’s structure was also beginning to disintegrate. Even Li Ming hadn’t anticipated that Ryan would disregard Abel’s survival.

"Then come on!"

Across the sky, a flash of darkness emerged—a black cannon hundreds of thousands of meters long, already fully charged. Amidst the horrified gazes of everyone present, a black beam shooting from the heavens blasted downwards.

Carrying world-shattering energy, wherever the beam struck, space was torn apart, generating a horrifying cascade of spatial rifts.

The radiance instantly illuminated the entire sky, though it carried endless darkness and despair as well.

The air compressed abruptly before exploding, creating violent shockwaves that spread madly outward in all directions. Anything blocking its path was instantly vaporized, leaving no trace behind.

Like ink spilled into gold liquid, the two energies intertwined—a dark power tangling with radiant energy, clashing and tearing into a twisted vortex of energy.

It then unleashed a series of chain explosions even more terrifying, each resembling the birth of new star systems bursting into light.

The energy’s shocks rippled outward like waves from the explosion’s core, causing chaotic devastation.

Prince Costat’s face grew livid with rage. Grinding his teeth, he muttered, "Ryan must think the Empire isn’t chaotic enough!?"

If Abel were killed, there’d be no need for external enemies—the Empire would erupt into civil war right away.

What shocked him even more, however, was that Azure Dragon also fired the cannon?

His own students were still within the blast radius!

Two lunatics—lunatics!

Though furious, Costat managed to maintain composure. At the edge of the battlefield, he conjured a blood-red veil.

This energy fluctuation must be contained; otherwise, the Central World would see massive portions destroyed—all of which the Empire would have to answer for.

"Diwusi!" He called out gravely. Diwusi acted simultaneously. Blood energy and flowing runes appeared at the edges, suppressing them tightly.

Farther away, media reporters using long-distance recording devices felt as if they’d narrowly escaped death, only to proceed with even greater intensity in capturing footage.

Within the raging energy vortex, a figure suddenly shot out. Prince Costat’s gaze immediately shifted, his face showing some surprise and a growing relief.

"He’s unharmed?"

The figure was none other than Li Ming in his mechanical body.

The defensive capabilities of this mechanical body were so formidable? Even able to withstand attacks from an X-level life form? Diwusi was deeply astonished, while Crow’s expression turned grave.

Blackbeard stared blankly before finally letting out an internal sigh of admiration.

All the high-ranking lifeforms present were shaken to their core.

Following closely, a golden figure emerged, and Prince Costat quickly acted, shrouding Ryan in blood-red energy.

"Get out of my way!" Prince Ryan’s icy expression remained unyielding. His injuries weren’t visually apparent, and his aura was still potent, but dark streaks had started spreading across his golden hair.

The [Dark Matter Splitting Hammer] inflicted continued damage proportional to the initial strike’s intensity.

Ryan was equally stunned—that mechanical body had actually withstood his attack. Even stranger, the dark matter energy didn’t seem to inflict significant damage upon the mechanical body.

Still, the energy continued lightly eroding his body—though its magnitude fell short.

Yet certain aspects of this display were enough to leave him deeply unsettled.

"Stop it!" Costat roared furiously. He had already promised Azure Dragon, yet Ryan had blatantly humiliated him, acting without concern for Abel’s safety. These successive twists were enough to ignite tremendous wrath within him.

The two men stood at odds, while Li Ming panted heavily—his Mechanical Sovereign covered in scorch marks, severely damaged, with portions even entirely pierced through.

However, the "super iron turtle" reputation wasn’t just talk; he’d barely endured Ryan’s attack.

Because of the [Energy Lord] ability, attacks from the Dark Matter Splitting Hammer couldn’t harm him. This prompted him to decisively target himself.

Due to the possession and [Guardian Armament] traits, the entire Mechanical Sovereign was treated as his "true body."

But if Ryan struck again, Li Ming certainly wouldn’t be able to withstand it. Remaining highly vigilant, he began contemplating ways to escape.

He could possess Controlled Objects—playing dead wouldn’t be difficult.

Yet amidst the focused gazes of the surrounding crowd, Ryan ultimately refrained from clashing with Prince Costat further. With an expression of cold indifference, Ryan turned and left.

He understood clearly: failing to kill Abel in one strike meant Costat wouldn’t allow a second opportunity to act.

Clang!

The mangled metal structure opened, and Abel rolled out, his body drenched in blood. Severely injured, he clung weakly to life, his gaze vague and unfocused.

Yet in his ears, that voice echoed relentlessly: "Remember this moment—Ryan didn’t care about your safety and even wanted to kill you."