CHAPTER 855: CHAPTER 442: IF WE HAVE TO FIGHT, I’LL BE THE FIRST TO RUN! (SORRY, IT’S A BIT LATE)_2

But it was simultaneously bound by an extremely powerful force, and then, in an instant, reversed; time and space seemed to flow backward, energy receded, and everything returned to silence.

"No more fighting!" A tumultuous spiritual fluctuation swept out, and a colossal life form appeared like a small mountain, its entire body shimmering with radiant hair, with four gigantic horns atop its head, now slowly shrinking.

"No wonder the Empire would invite you. It turns out you’ve advanced your time ability to the X level, integrating time and space..."

Barbaro’s face looked unsightly. Not far from him, purple symbols converged, transforming into a smiling Anduin, wearing a purple robe.

"Just lucky..." Anduin responded, then shook his head, "Barbaro, you don’t have to be so angry. The High-level Life Form Union can’t possibly consist of only ten people. Sooner or later, it will open for more to join."

"I know that." Barbaro snorted coldly, "But they’re no longer the founding ten, losing many rights. And among those ten people, is each one stronger than me?"

Anduin shook his head helplessly, "The Empire never said the invitation is based on strength alone."

"Then what’s it based on?" Barbaro frowned, "If they are high-level life forms, is it judged on philosophical understanding instead of strength?"

"You’re indeed a bit stronger than me, I admit." Barbaro said, then turned to leave.

"Wait, where are you going?" Anduin asked, frowning, and his figure dispersed, already beside Barbaro.

"I’m going to find those not as strong as me, defeat them, and take their place," Barbaro said in a deep voice.

"Who told you defeating them allows replacement?" Anduin sighed, "You don’t understand. The Empire needs those who can speak for them, to stand with them."

"Even if you’re stronger than some, the Empire doesn’t believe you stand with them and won’t invite you."

"No, I certainly understand." Barbaro said deeply, "But I don’t believe a failure can also become one of the founding ten of the High-level Life Form Union, and the Empire would have the face to let him stay."

"You..." Anduin looked at him with uncertainty and a cold expression, "Who contacted you recently? The Federation? Or the Star Alliance? What did they promise you?"

"That’s none of your business." Barbaro replied expressionlessly, "Don’t try to stop me; you’re stronger than me, but not to the extent of overwhelming me."

"Who are you going to find?" Anduin’s face changed.

He replied unceremoniously, "Even more none of your business."

Anduin suddenly said, "Azure Dragon?"

Barbaro abruptly turned his head, "You also think I’m stronger than him?"

Anduin: "..."

Indeed, merging multiple Genetic Seeds isn’t working; the muscles want to take over the brain.

His eyes flickered, "I’ll go with you."

Barbaro was surprised, glanced at him, and then indifferently said, "Suit yourself."

...

"Finally back."

Exiting the Star Gate, the Mechanical Court was near at hand, and he immediately contacted Vermilion Bird, using a special passage to bypass the cumbersome identity verification and descended on the Mechanical Court.

Ulrich got the news and hurried over at first notice, scrutinizing, only relaxing after confirming Li Ming was fine.

He apologized profusely, "Li Ming, my oversight with Kayna caused this situation."

"It’s not your fault." Li Ming shook his head, then had someone bring out a metal chair from his old little spaceship,

The surface appeared deep black and purple, engraved with complex symbols, with shackle-like restraints on the armrests.

[Truth Chair--S Level:

...

Control ability--Honesty: Any life form under A level sitting on it will truthfully answer your questions.]

This was something Li Ming upgraded on the way, just right for checking spies.

At A level, the ability wasn’t so strong, only inducing a hypnotic-like state, which some specially trained undercover could withstand.

Rising to S level, it indeed transformed significantly, making memory investigation easy, yet such an ability is akin to a formidable superpower.

"Truth-Telling Chair, any life form sitting on it below A level will tell the truth." Li Ming introduced simply.

Ulrich’s face changed immediately, eyes reflecting immense dread.

"Take it to see if there are other internal traitors," Li Ming said.

Ulrich nodded hastily, had someone carry the chair away in a rush, not daring to touch it himself.

Li Ming thought for a moment, then had Vermilion Bird prepare a spaceship and had Tank Guard place the black Rune Stone on it.

Leaving a few Mechanical Bodies to control it, he left the Mechanical Court. Not knowing what this thing was made keeping it around feel unsettling, so he simply placed it in space.

Having settled everything, Li Ming returned to the core base, seeing Robbin at the room door,

"You’re back..."

He seemed rather aggrieved, "You didn’t call me out either."

"I wasn’t out to play." Li Ming shook his head, opening the door, with Robbin following close behind, sighing heavily, "Sigh..."

"Ever since Feder went to study in the Sea of Stars, I don’t even have anyone to talk to."

"Developing Genetic Seed, talking to someone doesn’t increase development progress," Li Ming said.

Robbin almost choked, wavering, "I have an old friend who recently offered me a well-paid task, inviting me."

Li Ming glanced at him, "Nothing’s a secret here with me."

"Trap?" Robbin was slightly dazed, "But this friend of mine..."

"Up to you. If you go, leave the steward behind." Li Ming said quietly, "If it’s a trap, tough it out and don’t mention this."

"Uh... never mind then."

Li Ming’s words were intimidating, causing Robbin’s face to light with unease as he scratched his head and left.

Li Ming didn’t mind, closing the door, he logged into Azure Dragon’s account, entered the Black Hole Network, and joined a chat group.

In the next moment, fluorescent lights flickered around, and two virtual projections appeared, Reynolds and Mikhail.

The virtual projections were indeed their true forms, Reynolds being brawny, with sturdy muscles, skin of purplish-red, standing about four meters tall, resembling a Forging Hammer in appearance.

They both belonged to the same race.

Mikhail had a slender build yet exuded a touch of nobility, wearing a platinum robe, with long, pointed ears, a Pure-blood Elf, extremely rare in interstellar space.

However, his usually cold face now seemed somewhat anxious and irritable, looking displeased: "The situation is increasingly tense. There have already been casualty incidents; a Mechanic from a small civilization even had a firepower confrontation with the ruling government."

"What a bunch of fools!"

"So soon?" Li Ming frowned, "It’s not even a month yet."

Mikhail said gravely, "The lower-tier Mechanics are even worse than I imagined. That small civilization hasn’t even abolished the death penalty; given that Mechanic’s guilt, death is certain."

"Then the next step should be condemnation and division." Li Ming pondered, "What do you think the chance is for achieving joint governance?"

Mikhail replied helplessly, "The Mechanician Association lacks a moat. Against interstellar pressure, we can’t hold our ground."

"Do your best." Li Ming shook his head, as none believed that the Mechanician Association could withstand the current wave.

"The longer it drags on, the more I benefit, while the two Divine Craftsmen here suffer less."

"Do you think if we three join forces, we could reach the level of a Forging Hammer?"

Go against it?

Li Ming was speechless; his interests in the Mechanician Association were minimal after all. While everyone engaged in covert machinations was one thing.

To think it would lead to a showdown with the entire interstellar, sorry, but he’d be the first to back out if that’s the case. Has Reynolds lost his mind?

To really flip the table on the whole interstellar, sorry, he’d be the first on the escape pod.