This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 735 - 382 Pioneer Ceremonial Meeting Iron Throne Hall_2

Chapter 735: Chapter 382 Pioneer Ceremonial Meeting Iron Throne Hall_2

Still, no one spoke.

A hush like the dead winter? Or was it still distrust? Li Ming also remained silent, and the entire Iron Throne Hall plunged into stillness.

The Azure Dragon’s move to directly breach the Iron Throne’s restrictions truly shocked many, making Blackbeard’s heart race.

The Azure Dragon appeared calm and unaffected, yet they were the first in all these years to act beyond the rules of the Iron Throne.

The intimidation prepared for this Divine Craftsman hadn’t been unleashed, and instead, it was he who startled them.

He murmured softly: "The overarching plan has already reached its conclusion. As for the smaller plans, we typically don’t notify each other unless it becomes absolutely necessary."

"Is that so..." Li Ming sounded enlightened, yet his tone soon shifted to a distant coldness as he said, "Or perhaps, even now, you all still don’t trust me?"

His voice echoed within the Iron Throne Hall.

"Lord Azure Dragon, I’m not afraid to offend anyone in my speech..." Finally, someone spoke. Blackbeard scanned for the voice and found it was the Beast Venerable.

A twitch crossed his lip; this insufferable fool knew how to offend people with every word, yet now he was cautious enough to lay down a disclaimer first.

"If you know your words easily offend people, then don’t speak them." Li Ming interrupted mercilessly, leaving Beast Venerable speechless. He instinctively felt irritation, but restrained himself and said coldly, "Blackbeard, you speak."

"Me...?" Blackbeard was dumbfounded.

"It’s not a big deal, really." The shadow seated opposite Li Ming spoke up, "We just wanted Lord Azure Dragon to give a detailed explanation regarding events in the Central World, especially concerning the Dominion Holy Image."

"We are not firsthand witnesses and lack much of the pertinent information."

The Azure Dragon studied the speaker and replied indifferently, "It was I who directed the Dominion Holy Image to choose Abel as its inheritor and simultaneously revealed the death of Hammer Divine Craftsman."

"You directed it?" The other seemed surprised. "Why would the Dominion Holy Image obey you?"

"That has nothing to do with you." Li Ming interjected coldly. "All you need to know is that I took the item and fulfilled my task."

Blackbeard swallowed audibly; this one truly was a cunning old fox, a master of deceit.

No one could prove the truth in his words, yet neither could they disprove it. Their plan had already reached an impeccable finish, making further argument essentially futile.

This Divine Craftsman was undoubtedly brazen.

In the Iron Throne Hall, many found themselves sharing that thought involuntarily.

Every newcomer before now had tread carefully, especially when their true form appeared in front of everyone. That sudden exposure to scrutiny instilled such panic and unease it would inevitably become a laughingstock for months to come.

But this Divine Craftsman was utterly different — it was as if he were making himself at home here.

"Hmm..." After a moment of contemplation, the opposing figure seemed to acknowledge something, shifting topics. "I also have a question: What is your relationship with Prince Costat? Why would he go to such lengths to protect Li Ming, even going so far as to release him outright?"

"Because he fears me dismantling the Empire." Li Ming delivered the words casually, leaving everyone stunned. Even the man across from him fell silent.

"Unsatisfied?" Li Ming sneered. "Do you need me to admit that I’m an old acquaintance of Costat, or even that I’m the proverbial nail planted by the Empire? Would that satisfy you?"

"You idiotic lot. Can’t you see it’s just Costat’s maneuver to sow discord?"

"Use your damn brains and think about it — even if I did have connections to Prince Costat, wouldn’t he have secretly released Li Ming instead of doing so openly?"

Li Ming unleashed a rant without reservation, reducing the Iron Throne Hall to silence.

Of course, some were resentful and wanted to refute him. It wasn’t as though the question hadn’t crossed their minds — couldn’t they even ask?

But no one ultimately spoke. In the Iron Throne Hall, the Divine Craftsman remained shrouded in mystery. And mystery equaled the unknown, which equaled fear.

Li Ming sighed. "I was once intrigued by your existence. It took considerable effort to join you, and now it’s just downright disappointing."

"Enough. Let’s leave it at this. Neither of us owes the other anything."

"Wait..." The opposite figure called out, "Lord Azure Dragon, please don’t misunderstand. We are simply exercising reasonable doubt; there’s no need for such a strong reaction."

Once aboard the ship, there’s no getting off it — especially when dealing with a Divine Craftsman.

"I just didn’t expect anyone would ask such an idiotic question." Li Ming replied indifferently, his remark leaving the opponent visibly frustrated. After a long pause, they said, "The ring delivered into your hands already symbolizes our sincerity."

"And my descent here symbolizes mine."

Not an ounce of loss would be tolerated.

Finally, the other refrained from further small talk, solemnly proclaiming, "Iron Throne Hall welcomes Lord Azure Dragon’s arrival."

Buzz--

The Iron Throne Hall trembled. Lines of light illuminated the floor, weaving intricate and enigmatic patterns. Radiance surged through the lines like kindling flames.

Each thread pulsed with potent energy fluctuations that distorted the surrounding air, enveloping the hall as if also welcoming the Azure Dragon’s joining.

Blackbeard froze, others dumbfounded. The Iron Throne Hall could do this?

He couldn’t resist glancing toward the shadow seated opposite the Azure Dragon. Those who arrived earlier always knew the identities of later members, while newer entrants rarely discerned earlier ones.

Everyone knew the Navigator existed among them. Organizer, without question, not simple — yet never before had their trail surfaced.

This time... suspicions brewed.

"You may call me Navigator." The figure introduced themselves.

"An honor." Li Ming’s tone eased slightly. "Now can you tell me about the general situation of this Iron Throne Hall?"

"We Pioneers have but one aim: to dismember the Empire. Any member may propose a plan, and if deemed conducive to the greater cause, it will be implemented after discussion." The other explained succinctly:

"This is no tyranny; every plan requires a vote to pass."

So it really did involve voting... Li Ming had initially thought Blackbeard was just humoring him.

Someone else chimed in: "After the Polk Declaration, we estimated a three-month period of chaos within the Empire."

"But the Empire’s reaction was swifter than anticipated. Behind closed doors, arguments raged incessantly, yet the three factions yielded on certain fronts and forged a major strategy with a core value: Toughness!"

"Every provocation must be answered tenfold. Every loss must be avenged tenfold. Should the enemy kill one soldier of the Empire, ten or even a hundred of theirs will be slain in retaliation. Even if hundreds or thousands of times the resources are required, it will not be spared."

Li Ming hadn’t contacted Abel yet and was genuinely surprised to hear this. It sounded like an unyielding stance.

"Glory Saint Emperor Adam certainly knows his ways, which is why he nearly annihilated the Sister’s Heretical Cult back then." Someone remarked.

The Navigator’s voice remained calm: "Dismantling the Empire was never going to be easy. Those adversaries won’t succumb easily."

"Our immediate goal is to remove the Empire’s garrison presence from the Sea of Stars."

Li Ming pondered. Though the boundaries of the known Universe had constantly been expanding, it had been ages since any Star Ring structure or even Star Clusters were discovered.

Let alone the Sea of Stars, such massive interstellar constructs and hubs of civilization.

Both the Empire and Federation had spent countless efforts expanding their influence there.

If truly evicted, the damage to the Empire would be monumental.

"But there’s a troubling matter." The Navigator abruptly added, "The Empire has obtained the Terrax Holy Castle’s computation program from the Dominion Holy Image and Hammer Divine Craftsman’s trajectory clues for the Eternal Silence Star."

"If the Empire acquires either of these, all our efforts will collapse."

"Lord Azure Dragon, do you have anything to add?"

Li Ming could clearly sense the many gazes converging upon him. After all, he had claimed to direct the Dominion Holy Image to select Abel as its successor.

That effectively meant he had delivered the items into the Empire’s hands.

Li Ming was slightly taken aback. Did they know about this?

Based on Abel’s account, only the Empire’s innermost core personnel — at least S-Class Life Forms — knew of this information.