This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 725 - 377: How Can You Still Call for Reinforcements?_2

Chapter 725: Chapter 377: How Can You Still Call for Reinforcements?_2

He frowned slightly; if he wanted to prove his role in this matter, he would have to disclose that Li Ming had secretly communicated with the Dominion Holy Image. But doing so might lead people to suspect that he was the true inheritor.

Especially those shrewd pioneers.

"Let them suspect, whatever. Azure Dragon is, after all, a Divine Craftsman. Without concrete evidence, mere suspicion doesn’t amount to much." Li Ming contemplated; perfection was unattainable, sacrifices had to be made.

Clarifying this matter would not only account for the benefits provided by the pioneers earlier but also serve as his entry ticket to that Council.

If he could discern the pioneers’ final plan ahead of time, things would be far smoother for him.

"Everything needs to connect seamlessly... How should I put this? Just say Azure Dragon and Forging Hammer are old acquaintances..."

As Li Ming was deliberating his words, his body suddenly jolted. His gaze grew profound. "So it was here... What a Prince Costat—the Empire’s right hand."

In connecting all the events and pondering his remarks for the pioneers, he figured out why Costat had been so cordial and why he chose to save him.

"Sowing discord..." He realized.

Because he couldn’t come up with a plausible explanation for Prince Costat confronting Prince Ryan over Li Ming.

Costat’s rationale for not escalating the matter fell apart. The situation at the scene had long spiraled out of control; even if not killed, capturing him would have sufficed. Yet he was let go.

Afraid of offending Azure Dragon? Even more unlikely.

It was extremely likely that Azure Dragon and Prince Costat had been acquainted for a long time, possibly having reached some sort of agreement—or were even friends.

"Without making a sound, they dug a pit for me." Li Ming realized and couldn’t help but utter some words of praise.

Prince Costat, from the outset, navigated situations with finesse, behaving with restraint as a stereotypical "nice guy," yet showed no restraint in setting up traps.

"So, Costat might have started suspecting Azure Dragon, perhaps even confirming that he is part of the pioneers group?" Li Ming speculated. Once this point clicked, many things became clear.

"This old fox is likely trying to recruit me to gain insider information about the pioneers." Li Ming’s deductions grew increasingly peculiar. "It seems this matter might not be entirely bad for me."

"If I cooperate with Costat as a double agent, internal pressures from the Empire would nearly vanish. Ryan alone wouldn’t be able to stir up any major trouble."

"But as for the pioneers’ narrative, I still need to carefully consider it."

Li Ming continued to deliberate, and amidst this, he contacted Blackbeard once. It took quite a while before Blackbeard replied with brief text, claiming he was too busy at the moment and would take the initiative to analyze the situation in a few days.

"This should work." Li Ming stared at his virtual screen, which was filled with densely packed text outlining his explanations for the pioneers as well as responses to various anticipated scenarios.

There were also simulations for handling possible situations with Costat.

After scanning the text, he thought of a few more details and made revisions.

Not long after, his expression shifted slightly, as he looked up into the frigid gale. A small shuttle descended, its propulsion engines powered down, landing atop the ice.

With a buzzing sound, the cabin door opened. Robbin emerged, his face brimming with excitement as he took in Li Ming’s revamped appearance. Confirming his identity, Robbin’s gaze softened with sincerity. "Old Li!"

"Old Li!" He quickened his pace and called out again.

Li Ming gave a speechless look, shaking his head. "Is that necessary?"

"Necessary, absolutely necessary..." Robbin nodded hurriedly, putting on a shamelessly servile display. "I didn’t expect Azure Dragon, the elderly sage, to turn out to be a Divine Craftsman. You’re his student, with a Level Sixty Development Potential—historically rare."

"Alright." Li Ming dismissed him nonchalantly, stowing away the Tank Guard and Four Heavenly Kings, "Let’s leave here first."

At that moment, Robbin’s fawning expression paused. Just as he was about to speak, Li Ming’s face darkened slightly. "Did you bring someone along?"

The gale was split apart by a T-shaped ship—a large vessel—which hovered over their heads. Its propulsion engines hadn’t been powered down, signaling hostile intent.

Li Ming frowned, reluctant to believe Robbin would betray him. But the scene before him was clearly within Robbin’s expectations.

From the ship descended a figure resembling a shooting star crashing to the ground, ripping through the frigid wind with a formidable force that created a temporary vacuum.

Landing on the thick ice with a deafening "boom," the ice surface instantly shattered, sending massive chunks flying in every direction.

Spiderweb-like cracks quickly spread outward, with bone-chilling cold seeping from the bottomless fissures.

The entry was impressive. Li Ming stayed alert but soon found himself perplexed.

As the ice fog dispersed, the figure emerged—it was a burly man with a scarred face, donning black combat armor. Two crossed handles protruded from his back, and he clasped his fists with an icy voice: "Why aren’t you running?"

Just an A-level life form? Robbin must have lost his mind bringing an A-level life form to ambush him.

The man’s eyes locked onto Li Ming, revealing a hint of wariness that quickly dissipated. He then looked towards Robbin, speaking indifferently: "Is he your friend?"

"You may not know, but our fight isn’t an event outsiders can interfere in."

What the hell?

Li Ming was somewhat baffled but soon pieced it together, his gaze narrowing.

Another inheritor?

"Such a pity. Your friend will end up dead because of you as well." His eyes turned frosty as he, based on his understanding of the rules and confirming the opponent’s A-level status, ceased worrying altogether.

"Boss, I didn’t mean to... Could you please..." Robbin pleaded cautiously.

Li Ming understood. No wonder Robbin was so sycophantic from the start—he clearly needed a favor.

Perfect. Li Ming was curious about what these inheritors were all about. If he couldn’t deal with Robbin, this guy could serve as a suitable subject.

The scarred man sneered but before he could speak, his face suddenly changed dramatically. His vision blurred, and he felt an overwhelming energy surge engulf him.

In an instant, he saw only a glowing fist shrouded in flames—plain and unassuming yet brimming with sheer destructive force—hurtling toward his skull like a ferocious beast.

The fist twisted the surrounding space violently, moving at such a staggering speed that it exceeded his visual limits, leaving only a faint afterimage.

Impossible!

His pupils constricted severely, filled with boundless fear, yet his body failed to react before the terrifying speed.

In just a split second, his face caved in, and the world spun around him. Agonizing pain surged like a tidal wave through his nerves, every cell scorched with blazing agony, and his senses felt pierced by steel needles.

Like a cannonball, he was flung backward, tearing through the atmosphere in a wave of pressure, the air shrieking in protest along his trajectory.

Ice shards scattered in all directions, glittering in the cold air as countless frosty crystals emitted a chilling glow.

"Still alive?" Li Ming was astonished—he had held nothing back in that punch.

"He’s trying to flee!" Robbin suddenly shouted.

"...Skull... Skull..." the scarred man groaned, his face collapsed inward. Ice-cold mechanical sounds echoed in his ears—a chilling contrast that now brought him solace.

"Detected interference with hunting protocols. Enemy strength exceeds predictions. Preparing for withdrawal."

Purple energy began to envelop him. The scarred man was filled with bitter resentment; he had underestimated his opponent’s strength. "Damn it! When I grow stronger..."

Before he could finish, his vengeful expression froze, his heartbeat nearly halting as darkness filled his vision. A massive mechanical hand seized his entire body, the purple energy covering him whining under its unbearable pressure.

"Warning: Enemy strength cannot be estimated. Spatial warp sequence aborted."

The chilling mechanical voice pushed the scarred man to the brink of despair. The steward had once helped him escape from an S-level life form—yet now it spoke words of impossibility.

"Interesting..." The hulking mechanical body stood upright. Li Ming had shifted into the Mechanical Sovereign form—not the... uh... Xuanwu form.

Calling it "Iron Turtle" didn’t sit well with him, so he decided to dub his full-defense form "Xuanwu."

And his half-power, half-defense combat form would be called "White Tiger."

At its peak, the White Tiger form could probably go toe-to-toe with an S-level life form with 90% development progress.

Though damaged and not yet fully repaired, capturing this little guy posed no challenge.

The scarred man was clueless, his vision gradually sharpening. When he caught sight of those azure-blue mechanical pupils, a profound dread consumed him.

"Li... Li Ming?"

He recognized it—the very mechanical body that had taken a direct hit from Prince Ryan.

In his confusion, he couldn’t grasp what went wrong. Due to his hidden knowledge and the Observer’s warnings, he didn’t dare approach such major figures.