This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 760 - 395: The Sequence of Events and Serendipity

Chapter 760: Chapter 395: The Sequence of Events and Serendipity

"Ryan? Blood Sacrifice?" Li Ming frowned, the term was both unfamiliar and familiar.

What shocked him even more was Prince Ryan’s idea, to sacrifice the entire Northern Crown Star Ring. What an interstellar massacre this would be.

By what method? For what purpose?

In an instant, a multitude of thoughts interwove in his mind.

"No rush, tell me everything you know." Li Ming’s calmness somewhat steadied Feder’s emotions.

Speaking of it now, he still felt lingering fear, catching his breath before saying: "More than half a month ago, Duke Xavier suddenly approached Asimara, saying he intended to intervene in our war with the Judgers."

Li Ming’s expression flickered, and after a moment, he matched the name to its target character, Asimara’s fiancé, Nicholas’s eldest son, now having inherited the Duke position.

Li Ming also thought of Old Wu. With divergent thinking, he couldn’t help but ask: "The two of them aren’t married yet?"

Originally feeling apprehensive, Feder was taken aback at Li Ming’s inquisitive gossip, a bit speechless, but explained nonetheless:

"Ideally, they should have been married half a year ago, but news of Duke Nicholas’s death came, and Asimara used this as an excuse to delay."

"I found it odd at the time. Nicholas’s death, Xavier’s succession as Duke, should be favorable for Asimara." Feder’s expression visibly relaxed, revealing more as he continued:

"I later found out that Nicholas’s brothers almost entirely divided his inheritance, leaving Xavier with little more than the title of Duke, unable to even intervene in our war with the Judgers previously."

"Asimara is so pragmatic; marrying him would mean involving herself in court battles for Xavier."

Li Ming came to realize, signaling Feder to continue. Having finished this piece of gossip, Feder was now quite composed, continuing with a hint of mockery:

"Yet Xavier thinks Asimara is on his side, completely unaware that she concealed the truth about Gabriel’s death."

"At that time, we were fiercely fighting the Judgers; Duke Bloodthorn died, and we had no one to help us, while Duke Guya had fully recovered, causing us to face defeat after defeat."

"It was then that Xavier came personally, found Asimara, and brought several mysterious individuals, declaring they’d help us achieve victory."

"He told Asimara part of the story..." Feder said, his gaze unfocused as if recalling the hurried afternoon Asimara approached him.

He had seldom seen such a panicked expression on a woman he could call his aunt.

"Xavier wanted Asimara to help them scatter something called ’Blood Seed’ on every life planet in the Northern Crown Star Ring."

Feder spoke heavily: "Asimara told me that once activated, the Blood Seed would consume all life on the planet."

"Blood Seed?" Li Ming thought, searching his mind, but found no related information. He scrutinized Feder up and down: "Mind giving a blood sample?"

He did not immediately believe, even suspecting whether this person was really Feder.

"No problem." Feder sighed helplessly, having anticipated Li Ming’s personality, rolling up his sleeve.

With a quick draw of blood, Li Ming sent a mechanical body to test it while he asked: "Why did you fake your death?"

Feder explained in detail: "Asimara told me this because she wanted me to find a way to notify you."

"The matter was too significant; I didn’t even dare use the Black Hole Network to contact you, and all of us core members were under strict watch, almost finding no chance to leave."

Afraid to use the Black Hole Network... Li Ming remained silent, shaking his head: "Actually, there’s no need for such measures, the Black Hole Network can be trusted."

Can be trusted? Feder paused slightly, vaguely dazed.

Li Ming didn’t explain further; he had done a lot in the past half year, and had delved into the Black Hole Network extensively.

He had used the Black Hole Network for many activities, and when he was weaker, none of it mattered much.

But now it was different; he had to confirm whether it was truly safe.

Though he had been in contact with plenty of cosmic interstellar powers, the Black Hole Network always remained as securely hidden as an iceberg underwater.

He subtly inquired from people like Austin, Abel, and the Pioneers.

He discovered that although many bigwigs privately used the Star Network to build their own communication networks, they still greatly trusted the Black Hole Network.

Because the Controller of the Black Hole Network, seemingly, was not a person; based on various clues, he inferred it was an intelligent entity that had birthed autonomous consciousness.

The emergence of the Black Hole Network stemmed from the dawn of the AI crisis in the Federation.

Before this crisis, the Star Network had a dark side, but it was all minor skirmishes.

The AI crisis led to a century-long interstellar internet disconnection. Not long after reconnecting, the Black Hole Network emerged, growing swiftly and astonishingly.

Although possessing high intelligence and autonomy, the Black Hole Network still acted according to rules, never deviating.

Interstellar bigwigs more or less knew these facts, hence their trust in the Black Hole Network. However, ordinary life forms unaware of these facts engaged in much conspiracy theorizing.

Including but not limited to theories that the Black Hole Network is controlled by the Three Great Civilizations, aimed at pre-emptively identifying and addressing forces harmful to civilization.

Rumors even circulated that orders placed on the Black Hole Network in the morning would lead to someone being taken away by afternoon.