This is really not mechanical ascension
Chapter 829 - 429: Why Is It Azure Dragon Again? Trial of the Victors_2

Chapter 829: Chapter 429: Why Is It Azure Dragon Again? Trial of the Victors_2

Adam’s face also looked a bit awkward, as if trying to salvage his dignity, "Additionally, there’s a major direction in the investigation of Azure Dragon’s identity."

"Oh." Costate’s expression slightly shook.

"Talos." Adam uttered three words, and Costate was momentarily stunned, amazed: "Azure Dragon is Talos?"

After speaking, he seemed to ponder, "Indeed, it’s possible. The reason I encountered that dimension lifeform sent by Chrono was when Li Ming, or rather Azure Dragon, led me away."

Adam couldn’t help but nod, "The Blood of the World probe has shown a more precise reaction. With further optimization, we should be more confident in concluding."

Costate hesitated to speak, as this still didn’t explain why Azure Dragon could grow to such a level, almost cutting off from the interstellar tracks.

But he naturally wouldn’t ask aloud, instead saying, "On the way back, I thoroughly studied the data on the Eternal Silence Star..."

He was just about to share his plans and insights when Adam interrupted him, face changing, "On the way back, you were also researching?"

"Hmm, what’s wrong?" Costate was puzzled.

It turned out that the problem lay with Costate. Adam finally knew how the information had leaked. He figured that Azure Dragon might be able to probe through that crude mecha.

He sighed helplessly, without explaining, "Nothing, just that anything coming from Azure Dragon must undergo the strictest scrutiny and must be stored separately."

Costate was somewhat bewildered, not knowing why Adam emphasized again.

Just as he was about to respond, his eyes shifted slightly, turning to see the door being pushed open, a slender man with slightly dark skin walked in.

"Heckler?" Costate looked at him, a trace of surprise flashing across his eyes.

"The third one is also here?" The person noticed Costate, a sharp gleam flickering in his eyes, his voice hoarse:

"You brought Ryan back? Haven’t seen him in a while. Never thought he’d become a prisoner now. I’m curious to see his reaction."

Costate hadn’t spoken yet when Adam said, "Ryan has been detained. His mutation isn’t clear yet, earlier no one can contact him."

Understanding, Heckler nodded thoughtfully and directly started the main topic, "The selection of the chosen ones has concluded, with a final target set at thirteen thousand three hundred and thirty-two individuals, already as filtered as possible."

"Chosen ones?" Costate was stunned, "Has the Holy Castle awakened?"

"Confirmed four months ago." Adam nodded, "The Forging Hammer’s program, although lacking the Terrax Stone, couldn’t temporarily locate the Holy Castle, but it captured some fluctuations. It’s basically certain that the Holy Castle has awakened."

Costate suddenly realized that they each had their responsibilities, unclear about one another.

"Generally speaking, the chosen ones by the awakening Holy Castle wouldn’t exceed a thousand people." Adam looked towards Heckler.

Heckler shook his head, "Based on the traits we have of the chosen ones, we conducted a selection through various aspects like age, and we’ve already eliminated as much as possible."

"We have too little data. We don’t know which Dominator’s Holy Castle has awakened this time, and we can’t even determine what the Observer beside it looks like."

Adam nodded. With such difficulty, managing to filter out over ten thousand people was the best effort of the Empire Intelligence Organization.

"Over thirteen thousand people, just capture them all back." Costate couldn’t help but speak.

Though a Holy Emperor once successfully opened the Holy Castle, the related information is top secret, and only the Holy Emperor could declassify it. He didn’t know much.

"Impossible." Heckler shook his head, "The Observers sent by the Holy Castle to the chosen ones have various peculiar abilities. To ensure capturing them without fail, S-Class force must be used."

"S-Class force..." Costate slightly frowned, somewhat surprised, "It would take too long, and it makes too much noise."

Heckler nodded, "Indeed, and Observers could contact each other. If a large-scale capture occurs, the remaining will be even harder to select, and just because so many were selected, doesn’t mean none were missed."

"Actually there’s a simpler method, determining the Observer’s appearance among the chosen ones. But those guys are smart; among these filtered people, you can hardly find common traits beside them in any public recordings."

Adam frowned, looking at Heckler, "If there were only difficulties, you wouldn’t have come to report."

Heckler silently smiled, "Indeed, among these people, there is a major suspect."

He reached out his hand, a virtual screen popped up showing a picture, Costate and Adam simultaneously looked over—

[Robbin: The Star Thief, A-level life form, orphaned at a young age, once lived with a disdainful uncle...]

"This guy..." Costate felt a strange familiarity, as if he’d seen him somewhere.

Adam was also a bit shocked, "Him again."

"What’s with him?" Costate was slightly puzzled, was this A-level life form very special?

Heckler said quietly, "He is now one of Azure Dragon’s people."

"Hmm?" Costate’s heart skipped, blurting out: "How is it Azure Dragon again?"

The guy seemed to be everywhere.

"Indeed, him again." Heckler’s eyes flickered, and he added:

"We’ve investigated everyone under Azure Dragon. Those few Raiders have long been in contact with Azure Dragon, and performed outstandingly in the ruins of sublimation, staying isn’t strange."

"But this Robbin somehow stuck around, and now overlaps with the list of chosen ones we have. I don’t think this is a coincidence."

Costate also nodded, within such a massive data throughput, it’s nearly impossible for coincidences to occur, someone appearing on the list of potential chosen ones is still under Azure Dragon.

The answer was almost evident—Robbin is one of the chosen ones!

"The question is, how to get this person." Heckler continued, "He has barely left Li Ming’s side since contacting Azure Dragon."

Costate shook his head, "If it’s as you say, Azure Dragon knowing he’s a chosen one wouldn’t let go easily."

"How about I sneak in and snatch him out directly," Heckler suddenly said.

Costate’s heart raced, instinctively shaking his head, "No."

"Oh?" Heckler looked over with interest, "Why not?"

"Too aggressive a method, and it’ll easily attract everyone’s attention." Adam shook his head, "We just need to confirm the exact appearance of the Observer, and we can further screen."

"Let me think about this for now. Without my orders, no one is to act rashly."

Heckler’s gaze swept over the two, his meaning unclear, nodding, "Understood."

Costate sighed, "To enter the Holy Castle, only the final victor among the chosen ones can achieve that. Azure Dragon holds a key person, no matter what, entering the Holy Castle means not bypassing him."

"That’s the conventional method. It takes thousands of years to cultivate an X-level life form. It’s too lengthy. I found another way," Heckler shook his head, immediately attracting the two’s attention.

Adam seemed unaware, growing curious.

"The King-making Trial!" Heckler uttered these words, Costate was slightly confused, while Adam’s brows furrowed tightly:

"This is the trial for selecting kings by Terrax, and also the most difficult trial."

Heckler nodded, "Indeed, the essence of the Holy Castle is the palace of Dominator-level Terraxians, naturally with a sequence for the King-making Trial."

"It’s just, what method to trigger it, I’m still considering, so a large number of chosen ones are needed for experimentation."

"This is... an abandoned project by the Empire Science Academy," Adam suddenly said.

"No wonder you are the Holy Emperor, to know even this." Heckler was surprised, "Indeed, I didn’t come up with this. The proposal was abandoned initially because there were no suitable experiment subjects."

"But I’ve got a lead, can expedite this, yet no matter what, identifying the Observer remains the key."

"This matter is not urgent for now," Adam shook his head, seeming very patient, "First start with those on the list with higher suspicion."

Heckler nodded, showing no anomalies, "Understood."