Li Ming’s expression changed slightly; he was not unfamiliar with the Torch Organization.
It was divided into several hierarchical layers, and the Firework Apostles were strong figures in the second tier, essentially B-level life forms.
That Ling Lan, a Firework Apostle? A B-level life form?
Li Ming was surprised, and a realization dawned on him—it wasn’t mere smuggling, it was human trafficking.
On the surface it was about those black metal blocks, but in reality, the most crucial was this Ling Lan.
A B-level life form, Li Ming felt an urge to leave this place as soon as possible.
After a moment of thought, he carefully wiped off his fingerprints and called Xu Heng back, pretending that nothing was amiss and asking him to put the items back.
Xu Heng checked for a while, making sure nothing was missing, and he truly breathed a sigh of relief.
"By the way, has the life energy level inspection ended?" Li Ming asked casually.
"It’s over," replied Xu Heng, pausing before adding, "It matches the data, no problems."
"What method did they use?" Li Ming pressed.
"Blood energy level detection, the most stringent method," Xu Heng replied, slightly hesitantly.
Unable to discern any clues from the blood test, Li Ming gestured that Xu Heng could leave.
When he returned after delivering the items, he found that Li Ming had already left the place.
"Strange..." he muttered, relieved that no incident had occurred.
They waited another hour; the screening was thoroughly completed, and indeed a few undercover operatives of the Torch Organization were discovered, but they were minor figures, of no major use.
When the screening at Hustar Star Port concluded and Li Ming came out, Luo Chuan was waiting outside.
Seeing him safe and sound, Luo Chuan finally relaxed and hurriedly pulled him into the car.
"Why are you so unlucky, everywhere you go, something happens," Luo Chuan said irritably.
"Brother, you shouldn’t speak so carelessly, making me seem like a jinx," Li Ming shook his head.
Luo Chuan teased, "Even if you’re not, it’s almost the same."
Then, he mentioned the death of Sain with some emotion, "It’s a pity, he actually had it tough."
"Indeed," Li Ming sighed in agreement.
When they returned to the lab, Chen Jinglong was already waiting for him.
Luo Chuan was sent out by Chen Jinglong, his expression odd, always feeling that there was something secretive going on between father and son.
"Sain... what happened?"
Li Ming hesitated before asking, as both he and the elder Chen sat down.
"Bizarre," Chen Jinglong frowned, "Clearly premeditated a long time ago."
"I heard it was done by the Torch."
"Yes, the Torch’s people confessed without denial," Chen Jinglong nodded, then shook his head, "But he said it was under the guidance of the Dimensional Gods."
"Someone talking in his head, initially suspected to be a Spiritual Ability User."
"So it was like that," Li Ming mused.
"He died in that bathroom you visited," Chen Jinglong glanced at him.
"What a coincidence," Li Ming was even more astonished, upon entering the star port, he had undergone a full-body scan, and he hadn’t carried anything.
"Enough about him," Chen Jinglong shook his head, "What about your side?"
"I was just about to discuss it with you," Li Ming said, his expression turning serious, "I suspect that those black metal blocks were just a smokescreen, the most crucial part was actually aiding someone in smuggling."
"Hmm?" Chen Jinglong perked up, "What do you mean?"
"Do you know about the Firework Apostles?" Li Ming ventured.
"Firework Apostles!" Chen Jinglong’s eyes almost emitted beams of light, as he suddenly stood up, "Are you saying that among those crew members, there are Firework Apostles?"
"I’m just speculating; I don’t have concrete evidence. I had the inspectors gather their personal belongings, and from one of the smart terminals, we extracted some fragmented data."
"No, it must be so," Chen Jinglong seemed quite agitated, pacing back and forth. "You really caught a big one."
"Do you know what those black metal blocks are?"
Chen Jinglong’s excitement wasn’t feigned. Without waiting for Li Ming to speak, he blurted out, "Dark Magnetic Titanium, this is clearly documented, a favorite of Thunder Hormuz."
"The dimensional creature Thunder Hormuz can temporarily grant an individual astonishingly destructive powers."
"If a Firework Apostle conducts the sacrifice and receives the blessing, his power will increase significantly. Even if it doesn’t reach the level of an A-ranked life form, no one in the B-ranked life forms could withstand him."
Li Ming was slightly stunned; those dimensional creatures had quite bizarre abilities.
"In a few days, Yitelan’s investigation team will arrive, including the son of Prince Bai Jiang, along with Duke Bai Ye from the Sela Civilization, all big figures. If they all die on Jingnan Star..." Chen Jinglong paused, his face turning solemn, "it would cause an incredible stir."
Is this the ultimate goal of the Torch? To cause a major incident?
They must also be adapting to the situation. It wasn’t their original intention, but as events unfolded and various forces converged, the idea occurred to the Torch.
Truly worthy of a terrorist organization, Li Ming secretly marveled.
"We can’t keep dragging this out; it’s time to close the net." Chen Jinglong’s thoughts quickly turned, decisively making a decision.
Earlier it was about fishing, but knowing this situation and not acting would be suicidal.
"Ah, ah... Chancellor." Li Ming stopped Chen Jinglong, "Whatever you do, please don’t expose me; I really don’t want to be targeted by the Torch,"
"Don’t worry, I will have a plausible explanation for the source of the news." Chen Jinglong reassured him, then hurriedly left, not forgetting to remind Li Ming to stay put in the coming days.
After Chen Jinglong left, Li Ming pondered his earlier words.
"So, those black metal blocks are like the cake for Thunder Hormuz."
Li Ming’s expression was odd, but now the cake was only a shell; he had already eaten everything inside.
Could this get messy?
Under the night sky, in a storage room of a secluded factory area in Jingnan.
Ling Lan was here, but now looked completely transformed, her body entirely covered in fine scales, her cheeks elongated, even her face covered with blue scales fluctuating with her breathing.
Clad in a red coat, standing only about one and a half meters tall, yet her posture was elegant and serene.
Li Bo’er was nearby, surrounded by Torch members, and on the floating transport pallet behind them were boxes containing the black metal blocks.
"Was it really not your people?" Li Bo’er frowned in confusion, "If it wasn’t you, then why was Sain killed by the Torch?"
"We’re also puzzled. Those men were indeed sent by us, but it was to protect the Firework Master." the Fire Source Master hurriedly explained:
"The assassination of Youke has already cost us heavily in terms of undercover personnel on Jingnan Star, leaving us without sufficient strength to mount such an ambush."
"Never mind that now." the Firework Master shook his head; his green, vertical pupils gleamed with faint murderous intent, "The urgent task is to sacrifice the Dark Magnetic Titanium, anchor to this planet, and gain the power to sweep across B-ranked life forms on this planet."
"Only then we can proceed with the next plan."
"Understood." Several people spoke in unison, stepping to the center of the warehouse. One operated a smart panel, and a rumbling sound could be heard from beneath as it started to rotate, the metallic surface layer of the ground receding.
A large disc, engraved with complex patterns and symbols and made of alloy, was revealed, indestructible.
"Place the items there." The Firework Master instructed.
The group immediately set to work, extracting the Dark Magnetic Titanium from its boxes.
"Hmm?" Li Bo’er had just picked up a piece of the black metal, and his movements suddenly paused.
"What’s wrong?" the Firework Master noticed his unusual behavior and asked,
"This Dark Magnetic Titanium feels lighter." Li Bo’er weighed it in his hand; he had been the one to originally move the metal up and had casually touched a few pieces, but without quantitative data and because of moving the entire box, it had been difficult to notice any difference.
The Firework Master frowned slightly, thinking it was something serious, "It might be an illusion. Hurry up."
Li Bo’er looked hesitant, weighed it again, but said no more and continued the task.