This is really not mechanical ascension Chapter 1153 - 591: The 50 Billion Metal Energy Gap (Part 2)

What concerned him more was how long the developnt progress had been deteriorating.

After a brief attempt, his expression twisted slightly. Even though he had expected it, he couldn’t help but curse, "Damn, how did it deteriorate so severely."

The rate of developnt decay is not without patterns. The stronger the Genetic Seed, the lower the developnt potential, and the more severe the decay.

This ti, it had directly deteriorated by double. At his current developnt rate, increasing it by 1% on a 60% basis would take a month.

Without the help of the Eternal Silence Star, it would take three months.

Even with the help of the Eternal Silence Star, reaching 90% developnt would take at least two and a half years.

Calming himself slightly... Li Ming frowned. The tifra wasn’t unacceptable.

However, it would be best if it could be shortened.

And at present, he almost only had one thod, which was to completely repair the Eternal Silence Star.

Thinking of such a large gap, Li Ming couldn’t help but grit his teeth.

Checking the Control System, his tal Energy balance currently remained at fifteen billion.

Of course, it wasn’t solely due to the chanical Court’s contributions but earlier interest-free loans that he had mostly converted into tal Energy, hence skyrocketing to fifteen billion.

But there was still a long way to go to five hundred billion.

The benefits of repairing the Eternal Silence Star are self-evident. It not only shortens developnt progress but is also an extrely powerful weapon, beneficial in facing the upcoming situation.

Li Ming hadn’t just thought of this suddenly; he had been pondering it before, but options were limited.

"Reynolds and Mikhail can probably still be squeezed for so more. Although it’s impossible to get it all at once, a hundred billion shouldn’t be a problem..." Li Ming calculated, pausing briefly, "a hundred and fifty billion isn’t impossible either..."

"But I still need to find another two hundred billion...tsk..."

Li Ming’s eyes flickered. Truth be told, he had thought about resorting to robbery.

After all, he was now opposing the Three Civilizations, so he wouldn’t feel remorseful taking action.

However, that was still the issue; he needed to send soone to gather intelligence first, or he would just be like a headless chicken.

Moreover, the inventory of advanced alloys wouldn’t be substantial; they are extracted and manufactured on demand.

And absorbing low-level alloys would consu too much energy.

Despite nurous issues, he had already dispatched a Navigator to assist in gathering intelligence; if they really identified a suitable target, it would offer a path forward.

"A multifaceted approach is the way..." Li Ming figured, noting that nearly half a year had passed since he last "squeezed" Reynolds and Mikhail, so their resistance should have weakened.

He muttered, "At worst, I’ll take interest-free loans again, it’s not like I won’t repay them."

Casually opening his smart terminal, Li Ming browsed the latest news.

As soon as he entered the Star Network, he was pushed with the latest turmoil regarding the Chaotic Star Gap.

"Public opinion is ready..." Li Ming was not surprised, and after a quick glance, he found there was hardly any fabricated news among them.

The Chaotic Star Gap is precisely such a cesspool, a haven for criminals where no laws exist.

The call to eradicate the Chaotic Star Gap was high on the Interstellar Network, urging the Three Civilizations and various organizations to take responsibility for maintaining economic stability and to eliminate such a place.

According to statistics from relevant agencies, the High-level Life Form Union was ntioned far more frequently than the Three Civilizations.

With the education from various interstellar dia, most people who followed this news knew that both Azure Dragon and Anduin, mbers of the Council, had significant ties to the Chaotic Star Gap.

All active X Level Life Forms, who were mbers of the High-level Life United Organization, were naturally expected to express their stance.

"Maintaining interstellar stability cannot beco just a slogan!"

Li Ming looked at the large characters on the screen, unsure of who created the petition website, but the slogan was highly provocative. The number of signatures on the petition was countless.

"Tsk tsk..." Li Ming smirked aningfully; this was the brilliance of the Chaotic Star Gap, as it required little promotion, and the evident facts themselves were enough to spur the montum for "eradication."

"Nevertheless..." Li Ming also realized another point: this issue had been brewing for over half a month, yet the Three Civilizations had shown no reaction.

"According to my estimate, their action plans and personnel deploynt likely comnced long ago. Public opinion appears to be just a first step when, in reality, it’s unknown how many steps have already been taken."

"But they don’t seem to be in a hurry..." Li Ming absent-mindedly scrolled through the screen.

The public opinion phase was dispensable; the fact that the Three Civilizations were taking their ti suggests that this issue’s priority was not high.

"They probably think this matter can’t cause substantial harm." Li Ming speculated, "So their enthusiasm isn’t that strong."

This was a cognitive difference between both parties; the chanical Court cost him a lot of effort, and the X Level Gene Seed modulated by Shepherd was crucial.

However, only he knew this. From an outsider’s perspective, the chanical Court seed to be just Li Ming’s business, unrelated to Azure Dragon.

And the X Level Gene Seed modulated by Shepherd was not considered too precious.

"Ha..." Li Ming couldn’t help but grin, silently applauding his past wisdom, "That’s the benefit of a mask."

"They probably still prioritize the Holy Castle as their top priority."

He naturally welcod such a developnt, hoping the matter would drag on as long as possible.

After roughly finishing the news, Li Ming picked up Azure Dragon’s smart terminal and found a large number of ssages.

Li Ming also received reminders during the developnt process, though none were significant, so he hadn’t bothered with them.

A most important one was a ssage from Anduin inquiring when he could discuss the current situation.

Compared to him, Anduin was more anxious; the mont interstellar public opinion shifted, he realized what the Three Civilizations intended.

It wasn’t just him; Shepherd and all X Level Life Forms active in the Chaotic Star Gap were very concerned about this.

Li Ming thought for a mont, then sent a ssage to Anduin and received an imdiate response along with a link.

"...Are they having a eting?" Li Ming was surprised, pondered for a mont, and then activated Mimicry to link to the virtual eting room.

The blue light projections intertwined around him, quickly sketching out a small virtual eting room.

A few gathered in small groups; there were only six in total.

Anduin, Shepherd, and Barbaro were present, along with three others.

All of them were X Level Life Forms from the Chaotic Star Gap, engaged in different fields, whom Li Ming hadn’t interacted with much before. It was only due to a recent gathering that he had briefly t them.

The Captain--Sven, the Snake Hunter--Carter, the Crimson Corruption--Benito.

Anduin’s brows were tightly knitted, Barbaro’s face was flushed, Shepherd expressionless, while the other three didn’t look too good either.

Upon Azure Dragon’s arrival, everyone suppressed their thoughts and greeted him, "Lord Azure Dragon..."

"Mm." Li Ming nodded faintly, "Apologies everyone, when Lord Anduin contacted earlier, I was handling so critical matters and couldn’t spare the ti. I hope you’ll pardon ."

"No worries." Anduin spoke, "We understand."

"Lord Azure Dragon..." Scar sighed. He was a misty murloc, with gray-blue skin covered in tiny scales, pupils constricted into vertical lines, and webbed mbranes between his fingers,

"It’s great that you’re here to discuss."

"Due to the last incident, the Three Civilizations clearly intend to use the Chaotic Star Gap as a show of force."

Li Ming looked at Scar, understanding that he was essentially saying that the troubles at the Chaotic Star Gap were due to him.

He didn’t care about the other’s little thoughts, as that was essentially the truth.

"Hmph..." Benito sneered. He was a crystal being, with diamond-shaped crystals growing at his joints, semi-transparent pale purple skin showing energy veins, and three rotating Magnetic Crystal Cores embedded in his forehead.

"The Chaotic Star Gap has existed for so many years for a reason; if not for the Chaotic Star Gap accommodating these sinners, there would be other places. Now they think of eradicating it."