Chapter 998: Chapter 514: Azure Dragon’s Connections

The laboratory lights were stark white, glaring. Reynolds and Mikhail stood before the holographic projection table.

The three-dimensional model suspended in the air was a complex molecular structure, composed of countless glowing lines and nodes, each detail slowly rotating.

Reynolds lightly tapped in the void, adjusting the model’s parameters.

Mikhail occasionally glanced up at the screen, frowning slightly, then adjusted the quantum spectrum analyzer. The instrument emitted a low hum, with complex data streams flickering on the screen.

Suddenly, a node within the model emitted a glaring red light, and the entire structure began to tremble unstably.

Mikhail immediately approached the console, fingers reaching inside, attempting to stabilize the model, but to no avail; it eventually collapsed.

“Well…” Reynolds sighed, but wasn’t too disappointed. As he was preparing for the next experiment, Mikhail spoke, “Azure Dragon is here…”

“Oh?” Reynolds was slightly surprised, astonished, “You’re monitoring his mechanical body?”

The next moment, the sealed doors of the laboratory opened, and indeed, Azure Dragon walked in.

“What a coincidence, we just encountered a tricky problem.” Reynolds grinned, initially intending to recruit help, but sensed something was amiss.

This mechanical body emitted an aura of “stay away” and had a metal cheek capable of showing many micro-expressions, yet it was extremely cold.

“What’s wrong?” Mikhail was the first to ask.

Azure Dragon’s detached mood was conveyed through this mechanical body.

“Li Ming has been captured,” he said in a deep voice.

“What?” Reynolds was taken aback, reacting strongly, “Who dares to act against your student?”

Mikhail’s brow furrowed slightly, equally surprised.

“I don’t know for now. I was invited to the Dinner at Dusk, but was tied up with other matters, so I sent Li Ming in my place. He was ambushed midway and is currently missing.” Li Ming briefly explained.

“Dinner at Dusk…” Mikhail pondered.

Reynolds recalled, “The metal parts you sent me earlier…”

“No, that was another matter,” Li Ming shook his head.

Reynolds nodded, feeling a bit speechless, and hesitated before continuing, “You could have sent a mechanical body instead of asking Li Ming to handle it for you all the time.”

Li Ming glanced at him. Ever since Reynolds suspected him to be the Hammer Divine Craftsman, his naturally familiar personality had become even more uncontrollable.

“Saying this is pointless. Couldn’t you have descended beside Li Ming at that time?” Mikhail inquired.

“The opponent sealed the space and used multiple interference methods,” Li Ming replied coldly.

Mikhail felt a slight stir in his heart, remembering this matter, planning to investigate the area where the incident occurred to see what sealing methods were left behind.

“Has the perpetrator contacted you?” Reynolds couldn’t help but ask, “They probably kidnapped Li Ming to target you.”

“The Holy Mother Church?” Mikhail interjected suddenly, “They have reasons specifically targeting Li Ming.”

“No one has contacted me so far,” Li Ming’s voice was icy, “I want to issue an interstellar warning to the assailant. Anyone who dares to harm a hair on him, I will fight to the end.”

“No problem, I’ll cooperate with you,” Reynolds assured, patting his chest.

“Isn’t that too intense?” Mikhail hesitated, “Declaring to the interstellar community might be hard to retract later.”

“I’m just stating my stance, ensuring Li Ming’s safety,” Li Ming said in a deep voice, “Regardless of consequences.”

Mikhail couldn’t help but be surprised, witnessing this side of Azure Dragon for the first time.

Li Ming truly was his inverse scale, but knowing this earlier, why let Li Ming roam freely in the interstellar space, where there’s always a risk of misstep?

“Stop nagging, will you cooperate or not?” Reynolds rudely said.

“Do you have any suspects?” Mikhail couldn’t help but ask.

“It shouldn’t be the Empire and Federation; they’ve seen the Mechanical Holy Spirit,” Li Ming stared at Mikhail.

“If not the Empire and Federation, there aren’t many suspects left, could it be the Star Alliance?” Reynolds muttered.

Mikhail pondered, the Star Alliance was unaware of Azure Dragon’s true strength. Recently, they approached us regarding the Red River Star Stream matter but were refused.

If they insist on uncovering the truth, targeting Li Ming to coerce Azure Dragon is possible.

Although it’s just a possibility, Mikhail still considered the potential aftermath of declaring to the interstellar community alongside Azure Dragon.

“Lord Mikhail, what about you?” Li Ming spoke up. He came to clarify the positions of these two.

Especially Mikhail, who was accustomed to being ambiguous, which he disliked.

Mikhail felt a headache approaching; he dreaded making clear-cut positions, especially with numerous businesses in Star Alliance territory.

Yet, given Azure Dragon’s current mood, earning his grudge might not bode well.

“…Fine, we don’t know who it is now. Even if it’s the Star Alliance, there’s room for negotiation.” Mikhail decided to temporarily side with Azure Dragon.

He immediately stated solemnly, “We three Great Masters share a bond; Li Ming is akin to our student. Naturally, we won’t stand idly by, nor will the Mechanic Association.”

“Good, thank you both.” Li Ming nodded without saying more, then turned and left.

“Who on earth is so foolish to dare act against Li Ming?” Reynolds frowned, while Mikhail glanced at him, sighed inwardly, and didn’t want to engage further.

Li Ming opened his eyes slowly, briefly contemplated, then took some time to contact a few people,