This is really not mechanical ascension-Chapter 886 - 458: Found It! The Azure Dragon is actually in... (Last day of the 24th year, wishing big shots a Happy New Year)

Chapter 886: Chapter 458: Found It! The Azure Dragon is actually in... (Last day of the 24th year, wishing big shots a Happy New Year)

"Hmm?" Li Ming’s eyes suddenly brightened, "Go on..."

Out of sight of Li Ming, Abel’s face was tense, "The Lower House confirmed that the Holy Castle has been resurrected, and it seems your teacher is also one of those in the know, maybe they will make some move."

The Empire... the Lower House, confirming the Holy Castle is resurrected... does it concern me?

Could they already know I entered? Li Ming instinctively speculated deeply, then denied it.

No, the Holy Castle is too significant, something that can reverse interstellar situations; if the Empire knew I had partially entered, they would take action against me, no matter what.

Abel’s words were vague, this guy probably only knows some clues, I still need to squeeze more out.

"Your Highness..." Li Ming smiled, "As a transaction partner, I must remind you that even if you’re unsure of the accuracy of the information, you shouldn’t use words like ’possibly,’ ’seem,’ or ’maybe,’ as they could get the price cut."

Abel clenched his fist, forcing out another sentence, "They compared and screened information on chosen ones over the years, finally confirming there is such a person next to your teacher."

Robbin!

Li Ming’s face darkened, as expected of the Empire, they could screen that out too.

Judging by the situation, they probably screened it out a while ago.

However, why haven’t they made a move...

Li Ming frowned deeply, thinking of many things, perhaps they’ve already taken quite a few actions, just none succeeded.

He thought of the mysterious invitation Robbin received and the sudden arrival of Barbaro.

He still wasn’t sure what Barbaro was there for, only speculating that perhaps they wanted to make a move against him.

However, the chosen ones need to be at least Level x to participate in regular Titan Trials.

Currently, they are generally at A Level; if they make a move now, is the Empire planning to intensively cultivate them like a breeding ground?

Li Ming felt this probably wasn’t the case, as that would consume too much time and resources.

"What do they seek from the chosen ones?" Li Ming pondered and asked.

Abel remained silent for a moment before saying, "I don’t know."

"Tsk, if there’s only such a piece of information, the value takes a nosedive." Li Ming shook his head, "Do you know how long that list is?"

"One thousand three hundred people, the low-level members are at least wives of high-ranking military or administrative officials in a star system, intermediate at least a governor, let alone high-level members..."

With each quantifier Li Ming uttered, Abel’s heart trembled, stirring an uncontrollable greed.

Compared to the meager resources at his disposal, this seemed like an overpowering force to him.

If it could be turned to his use, not to mention switching between attack and defense, it would at least give him the confidence to overturn the table.

Of course, he’s referring to overturning the table with his brothers.

"How about this, I’ll count your information as worth thirty low-level members," Li Ming responded with an odd pricing method, "plus one intermediate member."

"This is the Empire’s core secret, valued at just that little? I need more added!" Abel was quite dissatisfied; he had mustered considerable courage to start exchanging these already core secrets.

"Hmm..." Li Ming deliberately pondered, "Considering we’re old friends, and the foundation of trust needs to be built up, I’ll add ten more low-level members, and one more intermediate member."

It’s still... Abel instinctively calculated, but his face turned ugly, realizing he had already started weighing how much other information was worth.

An inevitable wave of guilt surged in his heart, but seeing the encrypted file sent by the other party, he still opened it at the first opportunity; when he saw the string of names, an indescribable feeling surged forth.

Li Ming said warmly, "I hope the friendship between me and Your Highness can last long, supporting and helping each other."

Abel’s face changed, and he said sternly, "Don’t imagine using this to coerce me into doing something."

"Your Highness’s vigilance is too strong, you mentioned this before, why would I coerce you? What good would it do me?" Li Ming retorted, then added:

"On the road to the throne of the Holy Emperor, there are always many obstacles; I hope Your Highness remains strong."

"You..." Abel couldn’t speak, inexplicably feeling seen through, this uncomfortable feeling made him directly end the communication.

"Tsk... feels like he’s been provoked..." Li Ming shook his head, the intelligence Abel could provide was quite advanced, even if only hearsay, it was still valuable.

For instance, the matter concerning Robbin.

"The Lower House’s power mainly lies within the Empire, sharing power with the Royal Family; for Adam, this is a more troublesome opponent. Giving the Holy Castle to them should be to prevent them from causing mischief in the Upper House, employing the age-old strategy of lips and teeth—helping each other’s survival."

Li Ming knew more information, aware that Adam’s ambition was quite large.

"But he can’t possibly allow the Holy Castle to really be found; otherwise, how can he consolidate power, rather he must delay time? With the Azure Dragon stationed at the Mechanical Court, without Adam’s support, outwardly no one should dare to come directly."

He became clearer as he pondered, "However, once my alias shows up elsewhere, wait... won’t that so-called appraisal meeting probably also have ties to the Lower House?"

A flash of inspiration struck Li Ming’s mind, yet his face turned uncertain: "Regarding the Holy Spirit Civilization Ruins, the Azure Dragon is bound to take action; if not, bringing Robbin along might even be a fishing expedition..."

"But the situation of the Red River Star Stream is more complicated, and the Mechanical Court now is not small in scale; if the Lower House came up empty-handed, embarrassed and enraged, and wipes me out, wouldn’t it be a complete loss?"

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