This is not mechanical ascension...

Chapter 515: Dead End Decision (New Year's Day, Happy New Year!)

The support from the Empire and the Federation was enough to prove his connections and power, and was more deterrent than just showing up quietly at the Dusk Banquet.

But these two parties did not issue statements out of consideration for his sake.

Adam was not aware of the Covenant's intervention for the time being. He just thought that Heckler had ambushed him and that the situation was still under control, so he issued a statement.

The federal government was reluctant at first, as issuing a statement would inevitably lead to follow-up consequences.

If not, then they are using their own reputation to guarantee others. It's not like they haven't done such things before, but they should do less of them.

However, the Empire has issued a statement, which makes the Federation feel slightly relieved.

In addition, the stargate node where the ambush took place is considered their actual controlled area, which is somewhat of a challenge to their authority.

Taking all factors into consideration, they didn't mind doing Qinglong a favor.

"If these guys knew from the beginning that it was the Star Alliance who was behind this, they would definitely not show their support." Li Ming understood this very well.

That's why we start with the Empire and involve the Federation.

The first step is completed, and the next step is the second step. His eyes flickered slightly, and he found the account of "Epic Dragon Blowing". He contacted the account anonymously and provided him with a video material.

There must be countless private messages on the other party’s backend page, and Li Ming even specially sent a gift worth one million star coins.

As expected, "Longchui" quickly replied, very excited: "Boss, where did you get this video material? Do you have more?"

Li Ming smiled slightly and closed the conversation page.

A day later, when the "kidnapping of Li Ming" incident was at its peak.

"Longchui" released a video, which, after a short delay, immediately ignited the heat of the event that had been brewing for several days.

The video title is: [It was the Star Alliance that kidnapped Li Ming! ? ]

This guy has been very active in recent events, and has been fighting with others crazily.

As soon as the video was released, it immediately attracted a large number of people who came to visit.

It looked like a close-up video, with faint bursts of flames in the desolate starry sky, but it was blurry and unclear.

Until the camera zooms out to a close-up, a red-haired figure wearing a mask becomes faintly visible, and a commentary is made considerately beside him - Beckett, a higher life form of the Covenant.

"I was wondering why this guy suddenly disappeared for a day while he was on the line. It turns out he was holding back something big."

"So clear? Long Chui can't be there, right?"

The barrage of comments filled the screen in an instant, and most people were just watching the fun, not realizing at the first moment what kind of impact this incident would cause.

Many people haven't even finished watching the video when related news has already topped the news - the kidnappers are the Star Alliance?
Many people have analyzed this video and used various technical means to prove whether it is fake.

In a highly developed interstellar society, it is not difficult to create fake videos, but at the same time, the means to detect fake videos are also very advanced.

Many people claimed to have found evidence of fraud at the first moment, but when people flocked to the site, they found out that it was just a means to attract traffic.

As a result, more people are curious about what Qinglong will do. Will he suppress the Star Alliance?
No matter how much the lower levels were in an uproar, the relevant higher-ups were caught off guard by the news.

On the Empire's capital planet, Adam stared expressionlessly at the virtual screen in front of him, on which was playing the video of Beckett and Rupert's attack.

Just a short segment, without their enemies, and without a final outcome.

"It's not Heckler..." Adam took a deep breath and couldn't help but want to curse.

His plan was originally very good. He would first stand on Qinglong's side with righteous indignation, and then point out Heckler to Qinglong after the incident became a hot topic.

He expressed his helplessness about the matter, and then gave a slight hint, letting Qinglong take action against Heckler and gradually get involved.

The result was fundamentally wrong; Heckler did not do anything at all.

"Coward!" Adam said in a deep voice. The intelligence department under his command had already done an analysis and basically ruled out the possibility that the video was fake.

In other words, the ones who attacked Li Ming were probably the Star Alliance.

"They forgot about the Star Covenant. They are quite curious about what happened in the Red River Star Stream." Adam's face was uncertain. After knowing that it was the Star Covenant that attacked, it was easy for him to figure out the other party's thoughts.

Gutierrez didn't know about the existence of the Mechanical Holy Spirit. Based on Qinglong's public information, he was naturally the easiest one to control.

"You're so good, Qinglong." Adam couldn't help but sneer. This video was exposed just right. He didn't believe that a third party would release this video.

The one who sent this video must be Qinglong, which means that the other party had already determined that the person who took action was the Star Alliance.

"He didn't want to fight the Covenant alone, so he dragged us into it." Adam realized that he had fallen into a trap this time.

The announcement of support has been released, and the Empire, the Federation and others have all been tied up in the car by Qinglong.

The Azure Dragons can use their prestige to their advantage against the Covenant.

"No..." Adam's eyes suddenly became deep, "Li Ming, was he really arrested?"

He thought of Qinglong's previous strong reaction and felt more and more that something was wrong.

He originally thought that it was because of Li Ming's loss of composure due to being arrested, but now thinking about it, it is not that simple.

"This is a dead end..." Adam realized this and his face changed. "Qinglong has evidence of the Star Alliance attack in his hands, but he announced to the public that he had been captured and issued a strongly worded statement."

"Now that the situation has become so serious, many people believe that it was the Star Alliance that did it. I'm afraid many people want to see the game between the two."

"But from the beginning, Li Ming was in Qinglong's hands. He could appear at any time. With just a few hints, he could make everyone think that the Star Alliance had surrendered to Qinglong and handed over the person."

"He can rub the face of the Star Alliance under his feet at will. It depends on what Qinglong chooses."

“This guy…” Adam’s face was serious, “A simple attack allowed him to find so many opportunities.”

"This great enemy, isn't it a very suitable choice?"

……

"The Star Alliance is also involved?"

The one who was even more confused than Adam was Heckler. He was already at a loss as he watched the video.

After a long time, he finally struggled out, his face grim, "Anatole..."

Only Anatoly knew that Li Ming went to the Dusk Banquet alone.

He spent a lot of money to get this information from Anatoly.

But now it seems that the other party has sold this information to a third party.

This resulted in his people and the Star Alliance people taking action together at the Flowing Light Star Gate Node, the easiest place to take action and confirm identities.

Even Heckler felt the urge to curse at this moment. What the hell was going on?

I'm afraid Lyle has fallen into the hands of the Covenant.

The Star Alliance was really generous in sending two X-level life forms. Heckler was inevitably a little frustrated. He was just a faction in the Empire, and the power he could mobilize was naturally not as good as that of the Star Alliance.

He took a few deep breaths to calm himself down. The current situation was very complicated and beyond his expectations.

Ever since Qinglong released the announcement, this matter has been developing in an unknown direction.

The Empire and the Federation followed closely to express their support, which surprised Heckler even more and made him feel that the situation was chaotic.

Until this video appeared, he vaguely felt that the context of the situation was right in front of him, but he couldn't grasp it.

"There's something weird about these things." Heckler gritted his teeth, his face changing:

"No, I know too little. I can't make any more use of Qinglong. The price I paid is too high. If I put more resources into it, something bad will happen."

.........

In the Star Alliance Council Hall, Antigo looked grim, "How come he has the video?"

"If the attack is successful, everything should be in Beckett and his men's hands."

"The attack failed." Gutierrez shook his head, already understanding: "This is a trap, we lost."

"Failed, what do you mean?" Antigo was puzzled. "There is no definite news yet, why do you say the attack failed?"

Zigg couldn't help but sigh, "Don't you understand yet? Li Ming was not caught from the beginning. Qinglong deliberately made such a big fuss."

"Intentionally, why?" Antigo was still puzzled.

"He used the power of the Empire and the Federation, claiming that his students were kidnapped and that we were the kidnappers. How will we respond in the eyes of the outside world?" asked Sieg.

"Response? According to our plan, it's nothing more than negotiation." Antigo frowned.

Zigg spread his hands: "But we have no bargaining chips now."

Antigo snorted coldly: "That means Qinglong is very skilled."

"You still don't understand. We don't have the bargaining chips. The bargaining chips are in Qinglong's hands. Qinglong can negotiate with himself." Sieg said speechlessly:
"He could have rebuked us in harsh terms, even publicly insulted us in StarCraft, and then Li Ming would have appeared again."

"What do you think Star will think?"

Antigo frowned, and after thinking hard for a moment, he finally figured it out, "They will think that we have given in. Even if Qinglong insults us again, we will not dare to do anything."

"Yes." Sieg was helpless.

What the interstellar community thinks is one thing, but the key is what the many member civilizations of the Star Alliance think.

Big Brother is unable to take responsibility, and dares not say a word even after his face is beaten to pieces. Naturally, there will be people who are ready to make a move, and the trouble caused is not small.

"But we didn't catch Li Ming, so why not just make a statement?" Antigo said again.

"The statement... who would believe it? Beckett and Rupert are both in his hands. He has plenty of ways to prove it. Maybe someone will even ridicule us for not daring to admit it after having done it." Sieg was helpless. This was a difficult dead end.

"Then let's make a fake one and fight him to the end." Antigo said angrily, "How can such a large Star Alliance be controlled by him?"

"According to what you said before, if someone spills some blood on his hand, it can prove the authenticity." Sieg said helplessly: "Besides, that means they are ready to break up. This Qinglong hides too many secrets. Breaking up is not a good option."

"It was still reckless." Gutierrez finally spoke, "This Qinglong is too tricky."

Sieg sighed repeatedly, and Antigo frowned, "Is there nothing we can do?"

"Yes, find Qinglong and capture him directly." Gutierrez said.

Now even Antigo was silent, and the atmosphere gradually became dull.

"Let's talk to him. He should be waiting for us now. He can scold us angrily or negotiate with us in a gentle manner." Gutierrez said, "It depends on our choice."

.........

"Well, the development rate has skyrocketed, and the effect of the Ultimate Essence should also be greatly improved."

In the spaceship room, Li Ming was experiencing a surge in his development speed, with various energy particles surging throughout his body.

Suddenly, the smart terminal buzzed. Li Ming opened his eyes and glanced at it, and his mouth couldn't help but grin.

After a quick tidying up, he chose to answer the call. It was still a video call. The person who popped up on the virtual screen was none other than Star Alliance Chairman Gutierrez.

Although the communication was established, neither of them spoke at the first time. Li Ming was not in a hurry and looked calm.

After a long while, Gutierrez finally spoke: "Your Excellency Qinglong."

This greeting was completely different from the last time the two of them contacted each other, and the emotions were mixed.
Li Ming didn't care and said calmly: "Mr. Gutierrez, how can you find time to contact me in your busy schedule?"

He responded in a normal and casual manner, as if the rumors circulating in the outside world had nothing to do with him.

Gutierrez's expression changed for a moment, but he quickly calmed down and said bluntly, "Sir Qinglong, this situation is really unexpected, for various reasons. You should understand."

"Surprising? Understand?" Li Ming paused, expressionless: "Of course I can fully understand you, so you should also be able to understand me."

Gutierrez was silent. "Just tell me, what price should we pay to resolve this matter?"

This guy was quite direct. This was his original purpose. Li Ming was not polite and said, "I want a copy of the X-level gene seed."

"X-level gene seeds?" Gutierrez frowned. This request was unexpected, but he nodded immediately and said, "Yes, it will take about ten years to deliver it to you."

"Ten years?" Li Ming frowned. "This time is too long."

Who will remember the current situation ten years from now, let alone ten years, even one year will not be enough.

Gutierrez explained helplessly, "Ten years is a short time. It's not that easy to get the X-level gene seeds."

"Then give me the corpse of an X-level star beast." Li Ming changed the condition.

"X-level star beast corpse..." Gutierrez hesitated, and said helplessly: "We have to wait. The Star Alliance is special. It is not the Empire and the Federation. I need to coordinate with all civilizations."

"Since you have no sincerity in cooperating, forget it." Li Ming said coldly, "I will find my student at all costs."

Gutierrez's eyes were slightly cold, but he said: "We can give up suppressing the Machinists Association."

"I don't care." Li Ming shook his head. For now, the framework of the Mechanics Association is sufficient to support his development, and this matter is not a top priority.

It's really difficult... Gutierrez just felt it was tricky. They had expected Qinglong to use the Mechanics Association as a condition.

"I can tell you the coordinates of a star beast." Gutierrez thought.

"Oh?" Li Ming's eyes flickered slightly, and he showed some interest.

“However, that place is quite special. Ordinary life forms may not even be able to see the star beasts, and they are extremely powerful,” Gutierrez reminded.

Li Ming narrowed his eyes slightly, and guessed in his heart: "Are you talking about the coordinates that Anatoly has?"

Gutierrez nodded: "Yes, it is that star beast."

(End of this chapter)