Chapter 1002: Chapter 516: Deadlock and Choice

The support from both the Empire and the Federation is enough to prove his connections and influence, far more intimidating than simply appearing at the Dinner at Dusk without a ripple.

However, the statements from these two parties are not out of regard for him.

Adam does not yet know about the Star Alliance’s meddling and only thinks that Heckler ambushed him, believing that the situation is still within a controllable range, which is why he issued a statement.

On the Federation side, they were initially reluctant, as issuing a statement would inevitably require a subsequent result.

If not, it would be like staking their reputation to guarantee someone else, something they have done before, but prefer to do as little as possible.

However, the Empire had already made its statement, which gave the Federation a slight sense of assurance.

Moreover, the Star Gate Node where the ambush occurred is considered their actual control area, which also somewhat challenges their authority.

After comprehensive consideration, they didn’t mind doing Azure Dragon a favor.

“If these guys knew from the start that the Star Alliance was behind it, they certainly wouldn’t have offered support.” Li Ming was very clear in his mind.

That’s why he started with the Empire to sway the Federation.

The first step was completed; next was the second step. His eyes flickered as he found the account of “Epic Dragon Blow” and anonymously provided them with a video file.

The other side’s backend page must have countless private messages, so Li Ming even sent a gift worth a million Star Coins.

Sure enough, “Dragon Blow” quickly responded, quite excitedly: “Sir, where did this video come from, and is there more?”

Li Ming smiled slightly and closed the dialog page.

A day later, when the “Kidnapping of Li Ming” incident was at its peak.

“Dragon Blow” released a video, which, after a brief delay, instantly ignited the event’s brewing heat over the past few days.

The video’s title was–[Was Li Ming Kidnapped by the Star Alliance!?]

This guy had already been active in the recent events, fiercely arguing with others.

With the video’s release, it immediately attracted a large number of people coming for the excitement.

Like a close-up video, in a desolate starry sky, faint explosions of flames could be seen, but very blurry, indistinct.

Until it zoomed closer, revealing a red-haired figure in a mask fleetingly, with an annotation next to it–Star Alliance High-level Life Form–Beckett.

“I was wondering why this guy suddenly disappeared for a day during the arguments, turns out he was brewing something big.”

“So clear? Could Dragon Blow actually be on-site?”

The barrage instantly covered the screen, with the majority just watching the spectacle, not immediately realizing the potential impact of the event.

Many hadn’t even finished the video before related news had already topped the charts–Was the kidnapper the Star Alliance?

Many started analyzing and using various technical means to argue whether the video was fake.

In a highly developed Interstellar society, faking videos isn’t particularly difficult, but the means to detect fake videos are also very advanced.

Many immediately claimed they had found evidence of forgery, only to discover it was just a way to attract traffic.

Thus, more people were curious about what the Azure Dragon Association would do, wondering if they would suppress the Star Alliance.

No matter how chaotic it got at the lower levels, the relevant high-level figures were all caught off guard by this news.

In the Empire Capital Star, Adam watched the virtual screen in front of him without expression, which was playing the attack video of Beckett and Rupert.

There was only a short clip, with no sign of their enemies, nor a final result.

“So it wasn’t Heckler…” Adam took a deep breath, struggling to hold back a curse.

His plan was good, initially taking a righteous stand with Azure Dragon, waiting for the matter to become a big deal before pointing out Heckler to Azure Dragon.

Pathetically expressing helplessness over the situation, then giving a slight hint to let Azure Dragon take action against Heckler, gradually drawing them in.

But fundamentally, he was wrong; Heckler hadn’t actually acted.

“Coward!” Adam said in a deep voice, as his intelligence department had already analyzed and largely ruled out the possibility of video forgery.

This means that those who attacked Li Ming were likely from the Star Alliance.

“I really forgot about the Star Alliance; they are quite curious about what happens in the Red River Star Stream.” Adam’s expression was unpredictable, realizing it was the Star Alliance that attacked, he easily deduced their intentions.

Gutierrez didn’t know about the Mechanical Holy Spirit, making Azure Dragon the easiest to handle based on the information available.

“Good for you, Azure Dragon.” Adam couldn’t help but sneer, the exposure of this video was eerily timely, and he didn’t believe a third party would release it.

The one who released the video must be Azure Dragon, which means they had long confirmed the perpetrators were the Star Alliance.

“They don’t want to face the Star Alliance alone, so they dragged us into this.” Adam realized he had fallen into a trap this time.

With the declared support already published, the Empire, Federation, and others were all on the same train with Azure Dragon.

Azure Dragon could freely leverage their prestige to confront the Star Alliance.

“Wait…” Adam’s eyes suddenly turned profound, “Was Li Ming really captured?”

He thought back to Azure Dragon’s previous strong reaction, feeling increasingly that something was off.

He initially assumed it was due to Li Ming’s capture leading to such agitation, but now it seemed not that simple.

“This is a dead end…” Adam realized this, his expression shifting: “Azure Dragon holds the evidence of the Star Alliance’s attack yet outwardly declared he has been captured, issuing a strongly worded statement.”

“Now that the situation has escalated so much, many believe it was the Star Alliance’s doing, and many probably want to see the game between the two.”