This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 737 - 383: Countermove by Countermove, Holy Castle Hard to Find

Chapter 737: Chapter 383: Countermove by Countermove, Holy Castle Hard to Find

Li Ming listened quietly, unaware of these secrets.

"Like all civilization remnants, the Terrax Holy Castle is prepared only for its own people. Without sufficient bloodline concentration, one will not be acknowledged."

A voice came from the rear left, "But interstellar humans are mixed descendants of Terrax people. How could they fail to unlock it?"

Hmm? Li Ming was somewhat surprised. Humans, descendants of the Terrax people?

But upon further thought, it seemed reasonable. No wonder Robbin was chosen.

"The bloodline concentration of mixed descendants has been iterating. Back then, the brilliant Holy Emperor who unlocked the Eternal Silence Star also did not open it through conventional methods." This Fallen Blood seemed to know even more secrets.

Li Ming was very curious about this but refrained from asking questions. Fortunately, not everyone in the Iron Throne Hall knew these secrets either, and someone promptly asked, "Fallen Blood, the special method you mentioned, does it mean the chosen ones?"

"Correct. The trial program left behind by the Terrax people periodically selects a batch of mixed descendants with relatively high bloodline concentrations, provides them with abundant resources, and nurtures them into powerful lifeforms." Fallen Blood narrated.

In other words, individuals like Robbin, Li Ming mused silently. These interstellar elites indeed have some understanding of people like Robbin; this is not the first occurrence.

Fallen Blood’s voice remained calm: "These individuals generally reach extremely illustrious achievements within five to six hundred years, only to vanish without a trace thereafter. Presumably, they participate in some form of selection or trial, succeeding in which grants them entry into the Holy Castle."

"There does indeed seem to have been such individuals. Over a thousand years ago, the Holy Blade, Marzak, disappeared suddenly, leaving behind a mystery." Someone brought up an example.

Li Ming was deeply shocked. Who was this Fallen Blood? They knew remarkably detailed information.

The vanished individuals must have gone to participate in the Titan Trial, yet failed to return. The Titan Trial appears far from safe.

Fallen Blood continued, "I estimate that the new batch of chosen ones should have already begun to emerge. Everyone should pay attention to those awe-inspiring, exceptional young lifeforms suddenly appearing."

As soon as he finished speaking, Li Ming could feel numerous gazes turning his way.

Azure Dragon’s student Li Ming happened to fit the described criteria.

But Fallen Blood quickly added, "Lord Azure Dragon’s student can be excluded, for due to the influence of Terrax bloodline, their development potential cannot reach Level Sixty. The Terrax people walk a different Evolution Path."

Fallen Blood briefly elaborated, and Li Ming sighed deeply. Individuals like Robbin are evidently not secrets among higher-level lifeforms.

This Fallen Blood seemed so well-informed; they must have experimented on quite a few test subjects.

The Terrax Holy Castle and Eternal Silence Star are uncontrollable variables to the Pioneers, who strive to bring them under control.

The meeting went on for a long time. The plans concerning the Holy Castle were already being set in motion, along with the Sea of Stars project, where Ryan was the main person in charge. Certain plans seemed heavily targeted toward him, and Li Ming showed great interest, discussing many finer details.

Li Ming also participated in several votes. On the surface, the Pioneers did appear to have accepted him. He even went out of his way to mention the Mechanical Court, asking everyone to watch out for his student’s business.

"...As for the Northern Crown Star Ring, with Nicholas’s death, Satoru’s subordinates are preparing to reclaim their lost interests." Blackbeard brought up the issue, discussing whether there might be an opportunity to meddle.

Northern Crown Star Ring? Li Ming’s eyes glimmered, but he remained silent, only listening.

After the council adjourned, shadows dispersed, leaving the Iron Throne Hall in its customary silence once more.

However, in a small room cloaked by the black walls, utterly out of reach of anyone’s perception, four Iron Thrones faced each other in pairs, shrouded in a haze of shadows.

"Navigator, is it possible to backtrack his coordinates using the ring?" asked a shadowed figure.

"Impossible. The ring last disappeared within the Mechanical Court. Even during communications, there was no detectable connection, as though he simply descended out of nowhere." The Navigator’s voice was grave. "This Azure Dragon is far from simple."

"That’s the very reason I refrained from asking him about the Infinite Hammer or the Holy Spirit Core. He wouldn’t admit anything."

"I thought we’d probe his depths this time, but he’s only become more enigmatic." Fallen Blood sighed deeply.

"Bringing him into the fold—who knows if it’s a blessing or a curse? The only thing certain now is that he isn’t part of the Empire. Perhaps he’s a mere opportunist."

"A powerful opportunist is even more troublesome; he should never have been brought aboard." The speaker was bluntly critical.

Navigator shook his head. "It’s too late for second-guessing now. This guy calculates everything meticulously. He masked his true capabilities behind the guise of a Casting Star Mechanic early on, and only revealed his true abilities at the decisive moment, leaving us with no way to extricate ourselves."

"Regardless, as things stand, it’s beneficial for now. Excessive wariness isn’t necessary, but preparedness is non-negotiable." Fallen Blood pondered aloud, "His only connection to the interstellar world is Li Ming. Let’s start by investigating that Mechanical Court."

"I’m afraid... it’s a trap." Someone remarked ominously, "The Sister’s Heretical Cult fell victim to such bait, losing one S-Class lifeform. The second vanished without a trace, likely doomed."

"The way he brought up the Mechanical Court during the council—it almost seemed like he was urging us to act quickly."

The four-man group lapsed into silence, hesitant to make any moves against the enigma-shrouded Azure Dragon.

Fallen Blood sighed helplessly, "We don’t intend any harm; we’re just trying to investigate. He has plenty of Mechanical Bodies under his control—how about releasing a virus into them?"

...

Li Ming’s consciousness returned, leaving him with an odd sensation. He originally intended to take out the ring and fiddle with it, but after some thought, decided against it.

It seemed he’d passed the Pioneers’ scrutiny; he could now learn of major developments ahead of time and utilize their intelligence network.

He organized the information he’d just gathered from the council.

The Terrax Holy Castle—besides the routine plans, the biggest variable remained the Holy Castle itself.

And he had moved ahead of the Empire by extracting the purple Skull from Folded Space, which stayed in its dormant state.

"Only those with sufficient bloodline concentration can become chosen ones..." Li Ming infused it with metal energy, directly pouring in seventy million units.

At the moment control was achieved, green flames ignited in the Skull’s eye sockets.

"...Forced interferer detected...

"...Binding chosen one suspected dead...

"...Preparing for self-erasure..."

This object was far inferior to the steward; upon detecting the binding chosen one’s death, it immediately adopted a self-destruction protocol. With purple radiance flashing on its surface, it resumed its preset routines. Li Ming promptly shoved it into Control Space.

Then he opened his smart terminal and began searching for information on the so-called Holy Blade.

"Holy Blade—Marzak, hailing from a low-level civilization, achieved X-level lifeform status within a mere seven hundred years..."

"...Abruptly disappeared without a trace thirteen hundred years ago..."

An X-level lifeform, and still they couldn’t return? Li Ming felt a faint awe. X-level lifeforms failing to return?

"Just what kind of trial is this Titan Trial?" Li Ming inhaled deeply and switched to the [Mechanical Auxiliary Heart], attempting to activate its abilities.

In an instant, Li Ming experienced a strange and inexplicable sensation—something seemed to be summoning him from afar, but as though through a sheet of glass.

He saw himself seated on the ground from an oddly detached perspective, as if assessing whether this was the intended target.

The [Selection] ability specifies a lifeform to participate in the Titan Trial; it isn’t limited to oneself.

Li Ming hesitated slightly, canceled the ability, and his consciousness returned to his body in an instant.

Eyes flickering, he switched on his smart terminal and posted a task on the Mechanical Court’s intranet.

The task was marked as potentially life-threatening, but the reward was considerable: a B-Class weapon alongside a million Star Coins.

Within less than thirty seconds, someone accepted it. There were quite a few individuals in the base who had once been Theo’s subordinates. As mercenaries, living on the edge of danger was their norm, and risking their lives was routine.