This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 736 - 383: Countermove by Countermove, Holy Castle Hard to Find

Chapter 736: Chapter 383: Countermove by Countermove, Holy Castle Hard to Find

Li Ming surveyed the surroundings, his tone still calm, "Abel is not an idiot. If I erase all the relevant data, how could he so easily accept the position of Inheritor with no apparent benefit?"

"Besides, the Empire hasn’t given up for so many years. They already have some data in hand. We just need to find it faster than the Star Abyss Empire or prevent them from finding it. Isn’t that enough?"

Someone voiced dissatisfaction, "Lord Azure Dragon, your words make it sound simple. But we know nothing—no clues, no data—how are we supposed to stop the Empire?"

"Simpler still..." Li Ming said casually, "I’ll give it to you."

As his words fell, the entire Iron Throne Hall sank into silence once again.

Since arriving here, this Lord Azure Dragon had repeatedly acted unpredictably.

The search for the Terrax Holy Castle was something nearly every major interstellar faction was pursuing. The secrets it held were sufficient to elevate them into superpowers of the interstellar realm.

As for the Eternal Silence Star, losing it had directly divided the Royal Family and the Lower House into a precarious tripartite balance.

Frankly, if they were to obtain relevant data, they would never so easily hand it out.

"Lord Azure Dragon, is what you said true?" someone cautiously inquired.

"Of course." Li Ming replied candidly, "My individual capabilities are limited. Competing with the efficiency of the Empire is impossible, so sharing it is better—it also shows my sincerity."

"Lord Azure Dragon truly is a straightforward person."

"The earlier doubts were merely reasonable concerns. I hope Lord Azure Dragon won’t take them to heart."

"..."

For a moment, the Iron Throne Hall became bustling once more, with voices warmly welcoming him.

"However..." Li Ming’s tone shifted, the lively noise abruptly halted, sinking back into silence.

He seemed indifferent, merely stating, "I have two small favors to ask. I hope you all can assist."

"Speak, Lord Azure Dragon." The Navigator was the one to respond.

"I want the Terrax Stone and the coordinates of an S-Class Dimension World." He uttered his demands. Of course, nothing would be handed over without conditions.

"Hmm..." The Navigator sank into silence, only speaking again after a brief pause, "Within three months, I can deliver two. As for the coordinates of an S-Class Dimension World, that’s difficult to promise; we can only keep watch for them."

The other shadows seated on the Iron Throne remained silent. At first, they thought Azure Dragon was offering his information freely to them, but it turned out to be a deliberate trade.

"Two, huh." Li Ming pretended to consider.

"Any more and there won’t be." The Navigator said solemnly, unwilling to offer a higher price.

"Very well, that’s settled then." Li Ming didn’t push further. Replicable digital data like this could be sold to others as well.

The others understood this and knew they couldn’t offer him a steep price.

"Where shall the Terrax Stones be delivered?" the Navigator asked.

"Send them to Li Ming’s Mechanical Court." He replied nonchalantly.

The Navigator then pressed him, "Lord Azure Dragon, could you transfer the data to me as soon as possible? My promise will not be broken."

The Navigator was visibly impatient.

"Surely I trust you won’t break your promise, but let’s wait until the items are delivered first." Li Ming responded coolly, thinking it only rational not to agree when he had no idea who the other party truly was.

The rest simply watched silently, inwardly feeling regret.

Azure Dragon was unyielding, and the Navigator, feeling somewhat helpless, said again, "Once Lord Azure Dragon gives me the data, we will formulate a detailed plan to search for the Terrax Holy Castle and the Eternal Silence Star."

"This will be a long-term project requiring substantial manpower and resources. I hope everyone will cooperate."

Hearing this, many became reenergized. Cooperation meant they had a chance to get involved in the endeavor, and all pledged their full cooperation.

This individual certainly knew how to win over hearts, but Li Ming remained indifferent. He didn’t even know who these people were; winning them over served no purpose to him.

The Navigator then shared additional information, "We’re already one step behind the Empire in this matter. I have reliable intelligence that the Empire has already made contact with Chrono, one of the Forbidden Life Forms from the Deep Dimensions, and the two sides have struck a deal."

"Chrono will serve as the Empire’s forward base within the Deep Dimension World to assist in the search for the Holy Castle and the Eternal Silence Star."

"Chrono?"

Li Ming felt a ripple of surprise in his heart, and others expressed their shock, "How could a Forbidden Life Form cooperate with the Empire? Aren’t they the staunchest opponents of these Empire Level Civilizations from the Main Universe?"

"The specifics are unclear; the Empire agreed to help Chrono with certain matters." The Navigator spoke ambiguously.

Certain matters?

Li Ming had a hunch—could it be to locate Talos?

He considered it highly plausible. Talos’s existence posed a real threat to Chrono, who couldn’t interfere in the Main Universe, making the Empire’s help an ideal solution.

The group found the situation tricky and lamented, "With the support of the Forbidden Life Form, the Empire is practically unbeatable in the Deep Dimension World. If they truly find another Holy Castle or recover the Eternal Silence Star..."

"I’ll investigate this matter as soon as possible and find a way to disrupt their collaboration." The Navigator said firmly.

"It’s not like thousands of years ago—the Empire, even if it finds them, will struggle to unlock them." The person seated beside Li Ming spoke, "So there’s no need to rush. This matter can also drain their focus, which isn’t entirely a bad thing."

Li Ming glanced at him.

"Lord Fallen Blood, is it true that the Holy Castle can only be opened by the Terrax?" Someone asked, clearly puzzled about the details of these secrets.

Fallen Blood? Li Ming glanced at the shadow beside him, intrigued by the peculiar title.

"Correct." The life form referred to as Fallen Blood nodded.