Chapter 1041: Chapter 535: I, Azure Dragon, Will See This Through to the End!
“Hmm… it should be in the Beilan Vortex Meteor Belt, are they researching something?”
As soon as the words fell, even Li Ming was slightly shocked at heart.
The coordinates of the Divine Craftsman Laboratory were near the Beilan Vortex Meteor Belt, a unique stellar feature in the universe. How could this have been leaked?
Although not the exact coordinates, to describe it to this extent is nearly as revealing.
The construction of the laboratory likely used the mechanical bodies under their control, so the level of secrecy needed no explanation. How could there have been a leak?
Mikhail’s eyes moved subtly, his expression didn’t change much, but inside he was already in turmoil. At this moment, he even suspected Azure Dragon.
But he quickly dismissed this suspicion, leaking those coordinates wouldn’t benefit Azure Dragon at all; instead, it would be a hindrance.
Only Reynolds showed the most significant change in expression, saying in a deep voice, “Are you monitoring us?”
“Don’t misunderstand, we just happened to learn of it.” Alves calmly explained, then added, “Of course, I’m also curious. What kind of matter could compel the true bodies of two Divine Craftsmen to stay together for such a long time?”
“The Holy Spirit Civilization ruins?” Alves looked at Azure Dragon as he said this, tentatively suggesting, “A little revival secret?”
Li Ming sighed inwardly, realizing all the while that the Empire and Federation never rested easy regarding them as the three unstable factors.
Both the Empire and Federation had participated in the exploration of the Holy Spirit Civilization ruins, aware that the so-called little secret of the Star Spirit was obtained by Li Ming.
“This has nothing to do with you,” Mikhail said indifferently.
“It definitely does…” Alves smiled, “We still need to know what’s been delaying our cooperation with the three of you, to the extent that not even your true bodies were willing to be dispatched.”
“Naturally, we only wish to know and have no intention of interfering,” Alves added.
They’re exchanging leverage against each other, Li Ming finally understood the purpose of this scene.
He didn’t mind, but Reynolds and Mikhail clearly couldn’t accept it.
“Impossible!” Reynolds shouted resolutely and angrily, looking around, “We refuse. What do you intend to do, attack us directly?”
“Then the three of us will accompany you to the end, let the interstellar see what it means to be–Divine Craftsmen!”
“What a bold spirit!” Alves applauded, then reassured, “It won’t come to that. Kerlans, South Wind Star System, Gubao Star, Lunadite, are all your most solid defense fortresses. Even if we attack, the losses would be significant.”
As soon as the words dropped, Reynolds’ mechanical pupils locked onto Alves, and the energy engine in his chest roared.
Mikhail couldn’t hold back either, his face changed dramatically.
Hmm? Could these be their bases?
Li Ming noticed their reactions and couldn’t help making assumptions.
A crafty rabbit still has three burrows; not to mention Reynolds and Mikhail, who likely have numerous bases and sub-bases.
Yet, some are necessarily more critical than others, where certain core bases bear the majority of their secrets and power.
To see Mikhail so out of composure, it was likely the most core base.
Mikhail tried to calm himself, speaking slowly, “These two bases ceased external material exchange over two thousand years ago, self-sustaining.”
“Even back then, the confidentiality measures were exceedingly high, and I always thought no one knew.”
“As expected of the Empire, Federation.”
Having the bottom line exposed left Mikhail feeling forlorn inside.
The four coordinates, two of which were his base coordinates.
The other two likely belonged to Reynolds and Mikhail each.
Reynolds was initially supported by the Forging Hammer, barely needing external resources. The leaks were minimal, understandable.
Azure Dragon was only detectable at one location, already considerably concealed.
As for him, he once required collaboration and contact with many, so one more leaked coordinate was comprehensible.
Alves maintained a smile, “Two thousand years isn’t exactly distant; we might possess some records that Your Excellency has already forgotten.”
Reynolds fell silent, looking extremely grim, even hearing the hum from within the mechanical body.
He understood Alves’ subtext, that these were just what they disclosed, perhaps there were more they hadn’t mentioned.
The hardest part to accept was leaking more than Mikhail; that guy hid so deeply yet revealed as much as Azure Dragon’s base coordinate.
Li Ming looked on quietly, reflecting on the excessively bulky structure of an Empire Level Civilization, yet noticing its advantages.
They might even establish a department for a newly emerging power or individual, lasting thousands of years for the sole purpose of collecting data and information.
As the target’s importance increases, the resources mobilized will grow significantly.
These coordinates now possess extremely high confidentiality, but perhaps they weren’t much initially.
The atmosphere grew silent, Reynolds and Mikhail said nothing. Although they had accumulated thousands of years, if someone discovered their nest, various electromagnetic interference devices could render the vast majority of mechanical bodies useless.
Mikhail was more uneasy, pondering whether the Empire and Federation might already be stationed outside.
“Cooperate, or not? Speak, or stay silent?” Tan Ding spoke again, the tone still indifferent.
“Hmm…” Li Ming mused aloud, feigning confusion as he asked, “What do these coordinates mean?”
Mikhail’s gaze sharpened abruptly, his heart stalling briefly. Mechanical pupils gleamed with astonishment—none of Azure Dragon’s bases were among them?
The moment Azure Dragon spoke, he realized that the other two belonged to Reynolds; there wasn’t any Azure Dragon’s base.
How formidable—considering the Empire’s and Federation’s emphasis, they hadn’t discovered his base?
Reynolds responded a beat slower, but he too awoke to the realization, exclaiming in amazement, “The remaining two are Old Mi’s?”
Alves’ smile subtly waned.
Azure Dragon was the most troublesome one, scoured thoroughly yet almost nothing was found.
Even the backup of the Forging Hammer’s consciousness couldn’t leave no interstellar trace, resources wouldn’t appear out of thin air.
The Mechanical Court’s resource throughput wasn’t much, up to now. A substantial part had transformed into mechanical bodies.
Alves stayed silent for a moment, then resumed his characteristic smile, “Last time I heard Li Ming was kidnapped, I didn’t get the chance to ask—no injuries, I hope?”
“Li Ming?” Li Ming said his own name, with a hint of playfulness, chuckling twice before pausing and sneering, “Ha…”
The laughter grew louder, reverberating through the empty dock.
It went so far that Alves’ expression tightened, and his face turned expressionless.
Tan Ding furrowed his brows, eyes chilling.
Yet Reynolds seemed emboldened, silently sneering.
Mikhail exhaled a deep breath, realizing the Empire and Federation truly had no recourse against Azure Dragon.
They even resorted to Li Ming.
Amidst the laughter, Alves felt a nameless anger rising, his calm demeanor shattered as he coldly remarked, “Lord Azure Dragon, what’s so amusing?”
They indeed hadn’t found Azure Dragon’s base or any clues, but they weren’t entirely out of options.
Li Ming eventually quietened his laughter, shaking his head, “Nothing, just the thought of how many fish Li Ming has baited, made me chuckle.”
Fish? Alves felt his temples throb.
“Li Ming is fine, Your Excellency needn’t worry, and besides…” he suddenly paused, drawing all eyes to him.
When he spoke again, his voice was incredibly cold, “I don’t mind being direct. I understand your concerns, but as Reynolds said, we promised initially, so we won’t renege.”
“Recently, regarding the Star Alliance, you all know, and I’m grateful for the Empire and Federation’s righteous words.”
“Yet simultaneously, the Star Alliance offered me blank checks, willing to meet any condition I set.”
Li Ming spoke offhandedly, anyway, no one would verify such things.
Once he finished speaking, silence prevailed, and Li Ming scanned around, even Alves and Tan Ding appeared reluctant to meet his gaze.
Suddenly, Li Ming’s voice rose several notches: “But, I refused, which is why the Star Alliance is so calm now!”
“If you still worry, whatever you wish to do, I, Azure Dragon, will see you to the end!”