Chapter 645: Chapter 337: Impact and Response (Requesting Monthly Votes at the Beginning of the Month, Thank You for the Support, Bosses!)_2
Azure Dragon was a thorn in his side; even now amidst internal conflict and in a state of disarray, he was greatly concerned.
"Today, an S-level life form suddenly attacked Cold Sky Star," Albert said.
Nicholasās expression shook slightly, "An S-level life form? Whatās its background? How did the battle go? Did Azure Dragon appear?"
"Iām not sure about the specifics, only that it was a woman, and Azure Dragon did not appear..."
Albert had not finished speaking when Nicholas interrupted, frowning, "Azure Dragon didnāt appear? What about Li Ming? Was he captured?"
"No, an S-level Mechanical Body defeated that woman," Albert said with a sense of resignation.
"An S-level Mechanical Body?" Nicholas was astounded, his face turning unpleasant, "Can Azure Dragon even produce an S-level Mechanical Body?"
The information implied here was enormous. Mechanical Bodies are the culmination of various technologies, integrating material science, energy engines, and transmission efficiency.
Despite the abundance of Casting Star Mechanics in interstellar space, very few actually have the capability to produce such a device.
"Yes..." Albert looked resigned, "An S-level Mechanical Body serving as a bodyguard signifies great wealth and power."
"Moreover... halfway through the battle, that guy Reina appeared here as well, intending to move against Li Ming, but Azure Dragon left his mecha for Li Ming," Albert added.
Upon hearing this, Nicholas scoffed, "Reina... That old man Satoru Guya isnāt willing to let me take a piece of the pie, is he?"
"An S-level Mechanical Body, an S-level mecha both left for Li Ming, Azure Dragon truly values him, leaving Reina to return without accomplishing anything."
"Not without achieving anything," Albert sighed.
"Did he capture Li Ming?" Nicholasās face changed slightly, a Level Forty-Six Development Potential gem, who wouldnāt want it?
He looked at Albert with a hint of malice in his eyes.
"No," Albert said quietly, explaining, "On the contrary, Li Ming, wearing that mecha, inflicted severe injuries on Reina, who has now been captured."
"Inflicted severe injuries on Reina?" Nicholas pondered the words, finding them unbelievable, "Wasnāt that mecha supposed to be incapable of combat?"
"Weāve all been deceived, itās not that it couldnāt fight, it was too..." Albert struggled to find the words, "I reckon, with less than 30% development progress, it nearly had no chance of withstanding a direct confrontation."
Power, acceleration, simple and brutal.
"That powerful?" Nicholasās heart jumped suddenly, at the S-level life form tier, each development progress point takes decades or even centuries.
Each developmental milestone awakens abilities that bring significant enhancements.
Like Reina, many people make a spirited leap to become S-level life forms, only to stagnate for the rest of their lives.
Nicholasās face shifted between doubt and ease, then he relaxed and said, "It doesnāt matter, since he has captured Reina, that is a direct provocation against the Empire."
"Regardless of how many tricks heās hiding, the fact he chooses to conceal them means there are things he fears and dreads," Nicholas noted.
Albert nodded; the backing of the Star Abyss Empire was their confidence.
Just as he was about to speak, a noise came from the other side of the screen, apparently someone there to report; the voice was very familiar, seeming to be the intelligence aide.
"Duke, we just received urgent news. S-level life form Reina has been captured in the Chaotic Star Gap, falling into the hands of Azure Dragon."
The other side is quick to respond... Albert couldnāt help but nod.
"I am already aware..." Nicholas said indifferently, but before the intelligence aide could finish the report, he continued, "A message from Duke Guya suggests that Azure Dragon has sent word, asking them to send someone over for the transfer of Reina."
"Transfer Reina?" Nicholas stood up abruptly, exclaiming, "Heās releasing him?"
"It seems so."
"Did he set any conditions?" Nicholas pressed.
"Apparently not."
"Coward!" Nicholas gritted his teeth, "Reina was beaten at his doorstep, and just like that, heās set free? Without even setting terms?"
Albert was also taken aback, but quickly came to a realization.
Azure Dragon didnāt want to provoke the Star Abyss Empire and was extremely rational. The attack had only just happened, and he immediately sent a message, clearly not wanting to give the Empire the advantage of time.
No conditions were mentioned, to avoid providing any excuse for capture.
Amidst Nicholasās roar, the communication ended, and Albertās expression changed uncertainly, not knowing whether to leave or stay.
Backed by the Star Abyss Empire, even in Reinaās situation, there wouldnāt be a threat to life. This was an advantage, but it also meant there was a price to pay.
...
In the room, Li Ming felt the surging energy within his body, his cells extraordinarily active as if soaking in a hot spring, with every cell writhing, clearly feeling himself growing stronger every moment, even if it was just a tiny bit.
The changes brought about by the Genetic Seed permeated his entire body.
He had used the Genetic Essence extracted from Reina to enhance one of the remaining three Evolution Theories under the Evolution System - the [Flame Thunder Emperor Evolution Theory].
Transforming it into S-level [Flame Emperor Evolution Source].
"The Genetic Essence has elevated from A-level to S-level, the development potential buffed from 16-fold to 32-fold, and after the enhancement of the [Ascension Source Crystal], it has reached a total of 256-fold."
Li Ming pondered, as each upgrade, with the boost from the [Ascension Source Crystal], was tantamount to a massive surge.
Perhaps because the upgrade only used a single S-level Genetic Essence, there was no special change to the Evolutionary Source, only an improvement in the data.
He glanced at the smart terminal; Duke Guyaās response had already arrived, agreeing to arrange the handover at the Twin Peaks node.
Li Ming replied with "Okay," set the time, and then opened the Black Hole Network.
Sure enough, the battle from half a day earlier was already spreading throughout the Chaotic Star Gap, with blurry combat recordings to boot.
Li Ming went in and took a glance; Thunderās figure was clearly visible, and the way he brought Reina back was also clear.
"An S-level Mechanical Body, this Lord Azure Dragon is really impressive, didnāt show his face and dealt with two S-level Life Forms just by using his studentāone caught, one fled."
"Not sure where this guy popped up from, even after coming to the Chaotic Star Gap, he canāt stay out of trouble."
"Heard that the captured S-level Life Form belongs to the Star Abyss Empire, tsk tsk... now this will be interesting to watch..."
Li Ming scanned the discussions; though varied, the consensus was that Lord Azure Dragonās strength and tactics were recognized on a much higher level.
Sigh... Boasting, compensating for boasting, the more you boast, the bigger it gets... who knows when Iāll be able to fully live up to it.
For now, as long as he doesnāt push those major forces into a corner where they have to deal with him, his bragging cannot be penetrated yet.
Leaving the room, he found Robbin, who greeted him warmly: "Are you all packed? Itās time to go."
"Yes, all ready..." Robbin nodded repeatedly, having long been prepared.
The spaceship they were taking belonged to Robbin.
Ulrich and the others were seeing them off. Robbin took a cautious glance at Thunder following by Li Mingās side, "Heās coming along?"
"Of course, heās my bodyguard, naturally he follows." Li Ming stated as a matter of course.
Robbin was envious and puzzled, "What about this planet then?"
"If Iām not here, and neither is my teacher, who will make a move against this place?" Li Ming chuckled.
The planet didnāt seem like a significant threat in the eyes of others, nor were its inhabitants.
"After yesterdayās battle, the situation should get much better. As for this placeās matters, Iāll leave them in your hands." Li Ming told Ulrich.
"Understood." Ulrich nodded, a growing respect for Li Ming evident, "Those small arms dealers, most are just making noise behind the big dealers, but after yesterdayās fight, today quite a few have placed orders."
"If we push a bit harder, we should be able to expand our market share significantly."
As peopleās reputation builds, so does the shadow of the tree they stand under, the Chaotic Star Gap in outward rumor is an exceedingly chaotic place, but thatās only true for the middle and lower tiers.
There had been no High-level Life Form battles for some time, and yesterdayās fight caused quite a stir, essentially a personal endorsement by Lord Azure Dragon.
"Hmm." Li Ming nodded, feeling quite assured of Ulrich and their ability to handle things.
"Heās coming with us, too?" Robbinās body shook as he looked at Reina, who was restrained by the Tank Guard, swallowing hard.
"Iām handing them over to the people of the Star Abyss Empire, at the Twin Peaks node." Li Ming said casually. The two boarded the spaceship, the engines roared to life, and as they were seen off by the crowd, they broke through the atmosphere and vanished into the sky.