CHAPTER 1003: CHAPTER 516: DEADLOCK AND CHOICE

"But from the very beginning, Li Ming was in the hands of Azure Dragon. He could appear at any time, with just a hint, he could make everyone think it was the Star Alliance that succumbed to Azure Dragon and handed him over."

"He can rub the face of the Star Alliance under his feet at will, it just depends on how Azure Dragon chooses to play it."

"This guy..." Adam’s face was grave, "Just a simple attack, and he’s found so many opportunities."

"Isn’t this great enemy a bit too well chosen?"

...

"Did the Star Alliance meddle as well?"

More confused than Adam was Heckler, who watched the video, already bewildered.

After a long time, he finally struggled out of it, looking sullen, "Anatoli..."

The information about Li Ming attending the Dinner at Dusk alone was only known to Anatoli.

He had spent a hefty price to obtain this data from Anatoli.

But now it seems, the other party had also sold this information to a third party.

This led to a situation where, at the Flowing Light Star Gate Node, the most accessible place to make a move and confirm identity, both his people and those of the Star Alliance made a move.

Even Heckler had the urge to curse, what a mess this was.

Lair is probably already in the hands of the Star Alliance.

They actually dispatched two X level life forms, the Star Alliance’s gesture is indeed grand.

Heckler couldn’t help but feel a bit stifled, as just one faction within the Empire, the power he could wield was naturally less than that of the Star Alliance.

He took a few deep breaths to calm his mind, the current situation was very complex, and beyond his expectations.

Since Azure Dragon issued the announcement, this matter had been trending towards an unknown direction.

The Empire and Federation swiftly voiced their support, which further astonished Heckler, making the situation seem chaotic.

Until this video emerged, he vaguely sensed the outline of the situation in front of him, but he couldn’t quite grasp it.

"These matters seem peculiar inside and out." Heckler couldn’t help but grit his teeth, his expression changing:

"No, I know too little. I can’t keep using Azure Dragon to make an article. The cost is too high, putting more resources in will cause trouble."

......

In the Star Alliance council chamber, Antigo’s expression was ugly, "How does he have the video?"

"If the attack had succeeded, everything should be in Beckett’s hands."

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

"Lost? What do you mean?" Antigo was puzzled, "There hasn’t been any definite news yet, why say the attack failed."

Zig couldn’t help but sigh, "Don’t you see yet? Li Ming wasn’t caught from the start, Azure Dragon deliberately made a big fuss."

"Deliberately, why?" Antigo still didn’t understand.

"He enwrapped himself with the might of the Empire and Federation, claiming his student was kidnapped, and that the kidnappers were us. How do you think the outside will see it?" Zig asked.

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

Zig shrugged, "But now we have no bargaining chips."

Antigo snorted coldly, "Then Azure Dragon is exceptionally skilled."

"You still don’t understand, we have no bargaining chips, the chips are in Azure Dragon’s hands, Azure Dragon could negotiate with himself." Zig said without words:

"He could sternly rebuke us, even publicly in the interstellar, and then Li Ming appears again."

"What do you think the interstellar will think?"

Antigo furrowed his brows, contemplating for a moment, finally understanding, "They will think we gave in, even if Azure Dragon insults us more, we wouldn’t dare do anything."

"Right." Zig was helpless.

What the interstellar thinks is one thing, the key is how the many member civilizations of the Star Alliance see it.

The big brother couldn’t bear it, even if the face was slapped rotten, they wouldn’t dare to speak, naturally, some would become restless, the trouble it causes would be substantial.

"But we didn’t catch Li Ming, couldn’t we just make a statement?" Antigo said again.

"Statement... Who believes it? Beckett and Rupert are in his hands, there are plenty of ways to confirm it, perhaps someone might even mock us, saying we dared to act but didn’t dare to admit it." Zig said helplessly, this is an unsolvable deadlock.

"Then just make a fake one, argue with him to the end." Antigo angrily said, "Can such a big Star Alliance really be manipulated by him?"

"According to what you said earlier, people in his hands could easily release some blood to prove real or fake." Zig helplessly said, "Moreover, that’s preparing to tear faces apart, this Azure Dragon harbors too many secrets, tearing apart faces is not a good choice."

"Still reckless." Gutierrez finally spoke, "This Azure Dragon, too tricky."

Zig repeatedly sighed, Antigo frowned, "Is there no other way?"

"There is, find Azure Dragon, directly capture him." Gutierrez said.

This time even Antigo didn’t speak, the atmosphere gradually becoming oppressive.

"Let’s talk to him, he should be waiting for us now, he could berate us furiously, or have a calm attitude in negotiations with us." Gutierrez said: "It depends on our choice."

......

"Hmm, the development rate has skyrocketed, the effects produced by that Ultimate Source Material should also be significantly improved."

In the spaceship room, Li Ming was experiencing the soaring development rate, with various energy particles surging through him.

Suddenly, the intelligent terminal buzzed, and Li Ming opened his eyes to glance over, unable to help but grin.

After a brief tidying up, he chose to answer, and it was still a video call, with the screen popping up, showing the Star Alliance Chairman, Gutierrez.

Although the communication was established, neither of them spoke at first. Li Ming wasn’t in a hurry, his expression calm.

After a long time, Gutierrez finally spoke, "Lord Azure Dragon."

This greeting bore a meaning vastly different from their last communication, filled with complexity.

Li Ming didn’t mind, and said flatly, "Lord Gutierrez, how do you have time to contact me amidst your busy schedule?"

He replied casually, as if the bustling rumors outside had nothing to do with him.

Gutierrez’s expression changed for a moment, but soon collected himself, and said straightforwardly, "Lord Azure Dragon, this situation is truly unexpected, due to various reasons. Surely, you can understand."

"Unexpected? Understand?" Li Ming paused, expressionless, "Of course, I can fully understand you, so surely, you can understand me as well."

Gutierrez was silent, "Speak directly, what kind of price should we pay to resolve this matter."

This guy was direct, his purpose was precisely such, and Li Ming didn’t hold back, saying, "I want an X Level Gene Seed."

"X Level Gene Seed?" Gutierrez frowned, the request unexpected, but he nodded immediately, "Okay, it will take about ten years to deliver to you."

"Ten years?" Li Ming frowned, "That’s too long."

Given the current situation, who would remember it in ten years, let alone ten years, even one year is not acceptable.

Gutierrez explained helplessly, "Ten years is already short, X Level Gene Seeds aren’t easy to produce."

"Then give me the corpse of an X Level Star Beast." Li Ming switched conditions.

"The corpse of an X Level Star Beast..." Gutierrez hesitated, reluctantly saying, "It would also take some time, the Star Alliance’s situation is special, not like the Empire or Federation, I need to coordinate among various civilizations."

"Since you have no sincerity in cooperation, then forget it." Li Ming said coldly, "I will spare no effort to find my student."

Gutierrez’s eyes turned slightly cold, but he said, "We can stop suppressing the Mechanic Association."

"I don’t care." Li Ming shook his head, currently, the framework of the Mechanic Association was already sufficient to support his development, this matter was not an urgent task.

So troublesome... Gutierrez only felt it was tricky, they had estimated the Azure Dragon would take the Mechanic Association as a bargaining condition.

"I can tell you a coordinate of a Star Beast." Gutierrez contemplated.

"Oh?" Li Ming’s eyes flickered with interest.

"However, that place is quite special, and for a typical life form, they might not even get to see the Star Beast, and it is extremely powerful." Gutierrez reminded.

Li Ming squinted his eyes slightly, already guessing, "What you’re talking about, isn’t it the coordinate controlled by Anatoli?"

Gutierrez nodded, "Yes, it’s that Star Beast."