"Why do I feel like the Navigators’ attitude is a bit strange."
The arrangement in the room gradually came into view, and Li Ming sensed an inexplicable change in the atmosphere of the Iron Throne Hall.
He was only going to give a heads-up, yet he felt as if the Navigators were going to devour him, with a clear hostility.
Li Ming shook his head, got things arranged on the Pioneers’ side, stood up, and went straight out of the room, heading directly for the Restricted Area.
Flowing Shadow is divided into four layers, with the detention area on the bottom layer, further divided left and right by the central axis.
In the right J--1 detention zone, in a metal cell, four Mechanical Guards stood at the four corners of the room.
At the center, a metal disk emitted an eerie blue light, the circuits intertwining like a net, with Sol’s limbs tightly clung in a twisted posture.
The joints were fractured unevenly, revealing hints of white bone and torn muscle fibers, with blood slowly trickling down the limbs, his breath weak to the extreme.
A large hole was dug out in his chest, and metallic tendrils like venomous serpents had pierced into the flesh, merging and mixing, emitting wisps of blood mist.
The pain that cut deep into the bone made Sol’s limbs twitch instinctively, the metallic tendrils flickered with eerie electricity, each minute tremor brought searing pain that was heart-wrenching.
Garrett’s plight was not much better, although being of the Stone People, his internal structures were similar to flesh and blood, and he was pinned firmly in place.
The two looked extremely miserable, but for S-level life forms, these injuries were still nothing.
Li Ming did not underestimate them. He intentionally inflicted serious injuries on them, as the metal disk was merely an ordinary A-level item, theoretically unable to confine them.
However, these two assumed the Mechanical Guard was an S-level life form and thus dared not make any unnecessary moves.
"Garrett... do you think Lord Azure Dragon isn’t killing us because we still have value?" Sol’s voice trembled, seeking some comfort from his companion.
"Not necessarily, it could also be because he has a torturing kink." Garrett’s voice was dull, seemingly devoid of much fear.
Sol’s already pained expression turned even more sinister, his mind racing, not wanting to die, being an S-level life form with interstellar might, could gain prominent status anywhere, how could he die here.
A dull metallic clanging sound resonated, Sol’s gaze rippling, struggled to adjust his angle of view, and saw the resplendent Mecha.
It was the iconic Mecha of Azure Dragon, used by Li Ming as a defensive Mecha, with the imperial code name—Azure Dragon One.
The metal cell door opened, the Mecha walked in, its gleaming blue eyes revealing no useful information.
"Is it Lord Azure Dragon?" Sol tried to speak out.
But because of the positioning, Garrett was on the outside, Azure Dragon paused beside Garrett, and a cold voice echoed from within, "Give me a reason to spare you for now."
Sol’s heart quivered, "I... I have something to say..."
"It’s not your turn yet." Azure Dragon shook her head, while the Sky Shattering King in the corner lifted a hand, a thick stream of electricity accurately struck the hole in Sol’s heart, threading into the metal tendrils embedded in his flesh, coursing deep into his flesh.
Sol’s expression turned increasingly twisted, the suppressed, pained howls reverberating in the cell.
"Prince Ryan won’t let you off." Garrett was heavy but remained simple, neither fearful nor hateful.
"Stone People are indeed loyal." Li Ming admired briefly, then said, "Take him out and kill him."
A large and a small mechanical body emerged from the corner and lifted Garrett, making their way out.
Among the interstellar realm, Stone People were famously honest and naturally powerful, making them excellent companions and subordinates, which was why they’re nearly extinct now because of being so easily exploited.
"Now, it’s your turn." Li Ming approached Sol, looked down at his twisted, grimacing face, expectant eyes, and similarly asked, "Give me a reason not to kill you."
"I..." Sol’s tone halted, having prepared, hurriedly said, "Aren’t you curious why we’re here? And with the Swallowing Star Prison Dragon no less."
"Not curious." Li Ming shook his head.
"You already know?" Sol was startled, verifying his assumption.
Azure Dragon already knew about the blood sacrifice, Prince Ryan was in grave danger.
"Is that all you want to say?" Li Ming said flatly.
"Purpose, do you know Prince Ryan’s purpose?" Sol quickly asked, trying to find a place where Azure Dragon lacked knowledge to negotiate terms.
Li Ming sighed, realized this guy was still off track, had to say, "You need to demonstrate your value, not inquire about my needs."
Inquiring needs is negotiating terms, he did intend to leverage Sol, but dodging negotiating terms with him.
That would lead to many troubles.
Sol’s breathing hitched, his thoughts nearly stalled, demonstrate value? How?
"Forget it." Li Ming shook his head, "Get him..."
"Wait!" Sol gritted his teeth and shouted in a fierce tone, in the face of life and death crisis, his mind erupted with unprecedented potential: "Since you know everything, you should know we’re just scouts, if you kill us, this won’t end, it’s just the beginning."
"Oh..." Li Ming paused, contemplating: "Go on."
"I don’t know what you want to do, but if Prince Ryan learns of the changes here, he will certainly act swiftly, this is nearly a desperate action of the prince, no room for error," Sol spoke rapidly, the pace quickening: "I can buy you time!"