This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 752 - 391: Underwater Changes

Chapter 752: Chapter 391: Underwater Changes

"As expected of the Azure Dragon, let’s continue!" The Mechanical Soul Divine Craftsman walked straight forward.

Two mechanical fingers split open, transforming into data interfaces, revealing complex circuit patterns that indistinctly emerged, directly inserting into the mechanical body’s head.

Instantly, dazzling electric sparks burst forth like brilliant starlight scattering in all directions, while intense current wildly transmitted along the interface, emitting a "zzzz" sound...

"Data ghost infiltration, let me see where this pair of invisible hands is coming from." The Mechanical Soul Divine Craftsman’s mechanical pupils flashed with frenzied data flickers, creating a storm of data integration.

Becoming dazzling beams of light, inside the mechanical body, forming a dizzying digital maze, searching every corner.

"Can’t find any traces? Such high-level technology, then I’ll use a code storm to invade..." The Mechanical Soul Divine Craftsman’s expression was serious, becoming even more excited; it was rare to encounter an opponent like the Azure Dragon.

"Pulse hijacking, virtual data black hole, worm virus, logic bomb detonation..."

The Creator Divine Craftsman, looking at the faintly blood-boiling Mechanical Soul Divine Craftsman, couldn’t help but shake his head.

...

On the other side, Li Ming, who was preparing to go out, had just opened the door when he ran into Ulrich, who came to report.

"Getting ready to go out?" Ulrich, being perceptive, stepped aside.

Li Ming sighed to himself, "Nothing much, do you have something to report?"

"Oh, it’s still the old issue." Ulrich helplessly said, "Over at the Sea of Stars, our business has been severed, and several companies from the Lavenks Star Ring have canceled their orders."

"The only planet headquarters of the Intelligent Prosthetic Company we contacted has just suffered a major terrorist attack; all life forms on that planet have perished."

Hearing this, Li Ming couldn’t help but look over, "All dead?"

"Yes, it’s a bizarre death, causing a huge uproar over at the Sea of Stars." Ulrich said helplessly, "It seems that the might of the Universe also does not want us to extend our reach."

"Donate some Star Coins in the name of the Mechanical Court." Li Ming pondered, and Ulrich nodded, "Already on it."

Li Ming nodded, leveraging the reputation of the Divine Craftsman, the Mechanical Court experienced a period of wild growth, but as they expanded, many began to realize that this Mechanical Court might not be just playing around.

In the Chaotic Star Gap, it’s still manageable; brute force is the law, and even though the pace of expansion has slowed, it’s still ongoing, entering a phase of fair competition.

Those mechanics could only quietly complain, being bled a little, with no one daring to openly obstruct.

But once outside the Chaotic Star Gap, it’s different; in the Sea of Stars, he originally intended to use Trevor as a lever to slowly infiltrate, since he’s not just about making munitions.

By opening more sub-bases, branching into other industries, the expansion rate could be faster as well.

However, Prince Ryan, despite having his own impending crises, still hasn’t forgotten to target him, nearly openly decreeing that civilizations in the Sea of Stars are not allowed to cooperate with him.

If he couldn’t get in, that would be one thing, but even Trevor was affected, and his business shrunk considerably.

Other directions are more or less the same; the Empire and its allies are jointly suppressing the Mechanic Association, making business difficult for anyone, not just him.

The Federation is a bit better, but not by much, only providing a fair competition environment.

Some small, scattered civilizations aren’t impeded, but they can’t form a climate, with their own civilization currencies having an exaggerated exchange rate with the Star Coin, reaching as high as 1:1296.

"The dividends from the Azure Dragon are about to run out, unless we stir things up again, or directly endorse the Mechanical Court..." Li Ming pondered silently, then shook his head and said:

"Forget it, let’s temporarily halt the expansion plans and continue consolidating the market in the Chaotic Star Gap; the main focus remains on munitions, as other industries are monopolized by giants, while munitions belong to the Mechanic Association."

This kind of business involves too many levels and people, it’s impossible to use the Azure Dragon to pressure every single one.

He can’t possibly go in the guise of a Divine Craftsman to each low-level and intermediate civilization to negotiate with their representatives one by one, it would be too costly.

"Understood." Ulrich also sighed in relief; the operations were too large, and so was the pressure.

Watching Ulrich leave, Li Ming furrowed his brow, still contemplating about Ryan, this guy.

He constantly observed the other’s movements, and he had extensively studied the guy’s past record, which could be summarized in eight words: decisive in killings, ruthless and merciless.

He once competed with Adam for the Holy Emperor’s position, almost succeeding, representing the power of a considerable number of emerging nobles.

Li Ming, merely a student of the Azure Dragon, others might not bully the weak, but this Ryan might not be the same.

The gold content in being unscrupulous is quite high.

...

Earlier, in the Sea of Stars, Mortonster Advanced Civilization -- Hel Star System -- Nanluo Planet, a bustling planet, serving as one of the core planets of the entire civilization, a highly important economic center.

With a permanent population exceeding five billion, it also served as one of the Star Abyss Empire’s major military bases in the Sea of Stars, garrisoning over three million soldiers.

However, a three-month-long demonstration had erupted here, demanding the expulsion of Empire troops, claiming it to be an oppression of interstellar imperialism.

Half a month ago, due to various factors, the Empire troops had already been forced to withdraw, and today was their last day of withdrawal.

In a certain city, hover vehicles were commuting along the flight routes, but with very slow traffic as the Morton people participating in the demonstration had occupied the major transportation hubs; their numbers were considerable, shouting hoarsely and loudly, with numerous media broadcasting the event.