Chapter 999: Chapter 514: Azure Dragon’s Connections

Finally, through the official webpage of the Mechanical Court, Lord Azure Dragon’s first interstellar announcement was officially released. It was brief but very direct.

[…A warning to those who have kidnapped Li Ming and the forces behind them, your actions have crossed the line. Should Li Ming suffer any form of harm, I will spare no expense to find you and eliminate you…]

At first, there was no sound.

But just two or three hours later, it became news that major media outlets were vying to report,

Who is Azure Dragon? One of the ten founders of the High-level Life Form Union, one of the three Great Masters of the Mechanic Association. Recently, he allegedly led the Mechanic Association out of a desperate situation, and the aftermath has yet to subside.

The first interstellar announcement made by such a figure is naturally very special.

The content within it stunned many.

Everyone who read this announcement felt an indescribable excitement; something big was about to go down.

Many people immediately shouted with might, life forms of such charisma are indeed rare in the interstellar realm, typically similar announcements were made by various civilizations.

But soon, some jumped out to oppose, thinking this announcement held no significance.

“This announcement by Lord Azure Dragon was made with grandeur, but how come he couldn’t protect his own student? If those people dared to act, naturally they fear no retaliation.”

“Exactly, if they really refuse to hand him over, isn’t this putting on a show?”

“So the catastrophe at the Flowing Light node was because of his student. Shouldn’t Lord Azure Dragon consider compensating the injured relevant personnel and families?”

“Idiots, asking the victim to compensate, why not find the attackers?”

Across the Interstellar Network, those mouthing off were countless.

…

On the Empire Capital Star, Heckler’s face was grim as he stared at the battle reports on the virtual screen, gritting his teeth: “So many traps, truly a bait.”

“Well done, Azure Dragon.”

The situation was relayed back immediately, but there was no response from Lair’s end; he couldn’t figure out the specifics and could only wait for now.

As he kept waiting, the second report came in, indicating that many blockade traps left at the scene were not of his doing.

He immediately suspected these traps were Azure Dragon’s doing, releasing Li Ming as another bait.

“If it’s bait, how could he know I would act?” Heckler frowned, “Was the information he initially provided to Anatoli false?”

He couldn’t figure out what was going on but guessed that Lair probably wouldn’t return either.

“Another X Level Life Form lost.” Heckler’s heart bled; such life forms are not common, each requires a massive investment of resources to cultivate.

Moreover, these X Level Life Forms under his command all belonged to the Lower House; the disappearance of the Scarlet Wolf had already put considerable pressure on him.

Thinking about those people’s faces, Heckler’s expression became more unpleasant.

He was in the Lower House, while Ryan was in the Upper House, essentially in a cooperative relationship.

The Upper and Lower Houses needed someone from the Royal Family to represent them, preventing the Advanced life forms who only followed the Royal Family’s orders from targeting him.

Yet, they weren’t content to be suppressed by Adam, thus leading to long-term cooperation.

Over the years, although they prospered together and suffered together, many disputes still existed.

“Beep–” As he pondered, the smart terminal suddenly rang, and an urgent message popped up.

Just a glance, and Heckler’s pupils suddenly contracted–“Li Ming has been captured!?”

He stood up abruptly, meticulously examining the announcement released by Azure Dragon on the screen, weighing each word.

He felt incredulous, a glimmer of hope rose unexpectedly, “Could it be, Lair succeeded?”

A spark of hope just appeared, swiftly drawn into the fuel of disappointment, expanding rapidly.

“Maybe, Lair lost all means of communication due to an emergency,” Heckler paced back and forth, but his face still sank.

Though the hope was extremely tempting, he was not one to drink poison to quench thirst; with the information available now, if Azure Dragon truly acted, Lair could not have succeeded in capturing Li Ming.

“Unless there are other changes.” Heckler urgently wanted to figure out what exactly had happened.

…

The waves caused by Azure Dragon’s announcement were not limited to this.

On a planet situated on a desolate route, originally a Dead Star, not dependent on any star, without any resources.

Chosen as the venue for the Dinner at Dusk event after undergoing multiple transformations, the surface is now covered with lush vegetation.

Giant trees rose from the ground, their canopies swaying gently in the breeze, their leaves glittering with luminescent bio-light, continuous palaces hidden among them.

In the planet’s atmosphere, glowing plankton drifted like stars in the night sky, shuttling through the clouds, adding a dreamy halo to the planet.

In outer space, numerous ships were docked in orbit, each vessel extremely unique, customized advanced models.

Streamlined silver ships, their surfaces covered with a liquid metal coat, hulls made of transparent crystalline materials, internal structures clearly visible, resembling floating crystal palaces.

The whale-shaped ships were the most striking, their hulls covered with bio-armor, their surfaces flowing with glowing energy veins, slightly cresting like living beings.

In a certain palace on the surface, Anatoli stood in front of a smooth stone slab, bowing his head, focused.

Pressing down on a creature similar to an octopus, its tentacles covered in luminescent scales.

Each scale shimmering with nebula-like colors, semi-transparent flesh swirling with liquid energy inside.

The knife edge cut across the tentacles, and the incision instantly emitted a rainbow-like halo.

Anatoli’s movements were precise and elegant, each cut just right, both preserving the freshness of the ingredient and highlighting its unique beauty, delivered to those in front of him.

“Rainbow Flowing Squid…” Gusta raised his hand, the meat slice thin as a cicada’s wing fell into his mouth, praising involuntarily: “It’s indeed Anatoli…”

“You are too kind.” Anatoli slightly bowed.

“This Lord Azure Dragon, quite the strong stance.” A seductive voice sounded, Sener sat on the sofa beside, legs crossed, tight combat suit outlining her alluring figure.

The other six present showed passive expressions upon hearing this.

“Li Ming’s development potential is already the highest openly recorded in interstellar history; losing such a student would make anyone anxious.” Wanderer Perkins resonated, his ten-meter-tall imposing stature casting a significant pressure, as his gaze brushed over the meal thinner than her hair.

“Anxiety is understandable, but this reckless style, doesn’t quite match the Azure Dragon I heard of.” Sener shook her head, feigning amusement: “If no one responds to him, isn’t this too humiliating?”

Anatoli remained silent, just continuing to handle the ingredients.

“Azure Dragon…” Gusta slightly frowned; he hasn’t interacted much with this person either.

But recently heard some rumors, the events at the Red River Star Stream seemingly had a significant connection to Azure Dragon.

Even the Black Hole Network urged him to quickly clarify this matter; with known information, the Black Hole Network already simulated this.

This matter has an 80% probability involving major interstellar changes.

Sener shook her head: “A previously unknown figure, not clear why the Empire would elect him.”

Perkins couldn’t help but speak in a deep voice: “Should we lend him a hand? After all, he’s one of the ten founders, if he embarrasses himself too much, it won’t look good for us either.”

“Why should we clean up the mess?” Sener frowned, “Our prestige isn’t meant for such consumption.”

“Even if we want to help, this Lord Azure Dragon should actively ask for our assistance, us going out of our way to help?”

“Chairman?” Perkins ignored the woman, looking towards Gusta.

Gusta pondered, about to speak, he was moved, took out the smart terminal from his bosom, it was an urgent message from the Black Hole Network.

Just a glance, and his pupils slightly contracted, after a moment of silence he spoke, “It seems this Lord Azure Dragon has quite an extensive network.”

He casually pinched, a virtual screen popped up, the others couldn’t help but look; it was two brief notifications–

“Empire official cites Azure Dragon’s announcement, claiming there will be no tolerance for actions undermining interstellar stability.”

“Federation official cites Azure Dragon’s announcement, sternly denouncing such acts undermining interstellar stability.”

Both the Empire and Federation supporting Azure Dragon, the scene fell into silence.