This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 772 - 401: Sudden Attack Is Just the Beginning

Chapter 772: Chapter 401: Sudden Attack Is Just the Beginning

Outside the porthole, the warp passage was full of bizarre and colorful lights, like stars flowing by.

Li Ming’s eyes were vacant as he secretly calculated based on the information provided by Asimara.

Among Levinbeck’s group, there were two S-grade entities, with development progress seemingly over 60%, but they posed no threat to him.

Only Levinbeck’s specific strength was unknown, but Li Ming estimated that his actual strength was certainly comparable to that of a Divine Craftsman, possibly even more mysterious.

But it’s not known whether that weird person is Levinbeck; although the probability is high, it cannot be guaranteed.

The information obtained from the Blood Seed confirmed to him that Levinbeck was deceiving Prince Ryan.

SURELY HIDING HIS IDENTITY, EVEN IF IT’S LEVINBECK, THERE’S A HIGH PROBABILITY IT’S NOT HIS TRUE SELF, OTHERWISE, PRINCE RYAN WOULD DEFINITELY SEE THROUGH IT.

"But I need to find out that weird person’s specific strength, otherwise, there might be changes." Li Ming thought to himself, calling Feder over to relay a message to Asimara:

"Tell those people that the Judger Civilization has been acting frequently recently, and Satorugua has possibly invested more power. Let them be careful."

Although Feder didn’t understand why, he nodded. The voyage was not short, even taking a shortcut through the nearest Star Gate, it would still take nearly twenty days to arrive.

...

In the Empire Capital of the Star Abyss Empire.

Prince Costate wore a solemn face as he walked through the grand corridor, flanked by burly soldiers clad in golden mechanical armor, engraved with intricate patterns, with complex energy circuits faintly visible.

The silent footsteps only deepened the silence. He quietly pushed open the luxurious door and quickly approached Adam, who was standing in front of an interstellar diagram.

"Holy Emperor, the latest news from the Sea of Stars, Commissioner Carpen encountered an attack by a group of exiled Star Thieves and died with no burial place." Costate’s expression was grim:

"Ryan has already issued a wanted order, but no clues have been found yet."

Adam’s expression was indifferent, his voice cold: "At such a critical moment, they still dare to kill an investigation commissioner. Has the garrison base rotted to such an extent?"

"It might be worse than we imagined." Costate said in a deep voice, taking out some materials, "Commissioner Carpen had already received internal reports from more than one officer on the way."

Costate pulled out some printed materials. Adam took them over, his pupils gleaming gold, his voice repressed with anger: "A 0.35 mechanical kinetic bullet is priced at 100 Star Coins, and the garrison base approved them all?"

"An exercise for a thousand people requires 3 billion Star Coins?"

Adam knew the garrison base had already decayed beyond recognition, but this situation was still far beyond his expectations.

"Not only that, these garrison bases are like states within a state in the Sea of Stars, running amok in many civilizations, not being judged even if they commit crimes." Prince Costate said helplessly:

"The Empire’s reputation has already been tarnished by them. Due to the rise of the Star Cluster Republic Alliance, our interests in the Sea of Stars may not even cover the annual military expenditure."

These garrison bases have developed over time, from initially influencing expansion nodes to now becoming problematic burdens, with benefits not matching the sacrifices.

"Even now, it’s not easy to downsize them; the Upper House has been constantly preventing it, and external attacks instead allow them to settle accounts, reporting losses at ten to a hundred times the actual amount."

"I want to dismantle these external garrisons, but it mustn’t be done this way." Adam’s face was dark, and if this continues, it would not achieve the effect he desired.

Now the Empire is like a giant full of sores. He wants to cut away the rotten flesh without affecting the still-intact parts, without causing massive bleeding, which is nearly impossible.

Even in the current extremely unstable situation, there are constraints everywhere.

Costate also didn’t know what to say, just remained silent. Cleaning up the old Empire is not that simple, with various interest groups deeply rooted and intertwined.

Only with united interstellar effort could it be remotely possible to achieve.

"I believe a catalyst is needed." Costate tried to ease the burden on his elder brother.

"60% of the Upper House’s interests lie in the external garrisons, and there’s Ryan, the biggest problem, too. Without a suitable catalyst, it’s untouchable."

"There will be one... very soon." Adam suddenly said, leaving Costate slightly stunned, as he wanted to discuss an idea or feasible plan with him.

But he didn’t expect Adam to seem so confident, which confused him, yet wisely, he didn’t ask further questions.

After a moment of silence, Costate switched topics by asking: "When should we announce the High-level Life Form Union? Several people have been pushing for it."

"Have them wait patiently, this matter also needs a catalyst, and it’s already very near."

Adam’s eyes were distant, his mind inevitably filled with turmoil; this time it’s truly a global effort, and if successful, it could solve many troubles at once.

Costate was once again surprised, sensing that this Holy Emperor seemed to be planning something major. The Royal Mechanic Association countered the impact of the Mechanician Association on them.

And the role of this High-level Life Form Union would be extraordinary. Just announcing it would stir up enormous waves, not knowing what event it was intended to counter.

Skipping this topic, he continued: "I heard there’s good news from the Star of Eternal Silence search?"

"Yes." Adam finally showed a slight smile, "Chronoa’s assistance was significant, and according to the clues from the Hammer Divine Craftsman, we’ve already found quite a few traces."