"I haven’t offended them, have I?" Ulrich was puzzled as he reviewed the documents, his annoyed expression gradually turned strange: "Is it a civilization from the Federation’s side? This batch of goods is only worth twenty million?"
"This isn’t an event targeting us. According to my investigation, the Kaiyla Civilization is launching an anti-corruption investigation against the Mechanic Association, we just happen to be caught up in it." The assistant explained.
"An anti-corruption investigation against the Mechanic Association?" Ulrich was dubious, the Mechanic Association has long monopolized many industries of various civilizations.
If corruption were really checked, every instance would be successful, but under normal circumstances, no one dares to investigate.
"Are the rumors true? Are the Three Great Civilizations really going to take action against the Mechanic Association?" Ulrich pondered to himself.
And right at that moment, the extremely long line of spaceships extending from the Star Gate Node outside the Mechanical Court suddenly seemed to be cut off; for a long time, no more ships came out.
The Star Gate began to become extremely unstable, expanding continuously, as if entering an overload state.
The radars of all the ships present started to buzz, detecting rapidly escalating energy fluctuations, and the patrol fleet of the Mechanical Court had already begun to assemble.
In the next moment, a grand and majestic steel fortress slowly squeezed out from within the Star Gate, wrapped in a misty energy shield, with the surface of the spherical, translucent protective shield covered in countless light patterns creating circuits.
I’ts massive in size, far exceeding conventional motherships, comparable to a small satellite.
The assembled fleet of the Mechanical Court was like ants in front of it.
Following behind were the dark warships in formation, slender and sharp, with distinct edges, swarming out to form long dragons, quickly arranging into dense and neat formations in space, taking control of the Star Domain.
"What the hell? Where did this interstellar fortress come from? Almost blew up the Star Gate..."
"This is the Empire’s—Annushus, an interstellar heavy fortress, and the ’Axe Blade’ fleet."
"Why did the Empire’s fleet suddenly descend?"
In the broad-spectrum channel, chaotic signals were frantically transmitted, and all transport ships were cautiously held in place, too scared to move, fearing being targeted by this giant.
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, a figure flew out from the fortress, and all observing signals from the ships locked onto him. Recognizing the life form, their faces turned pale instantly, and their throats moved convulsively.
They knew that this Prince of the Empire seemed to have a vendetta with Azure Dragon, certainly coming with ill intent this time, with overwhelming forces, presumably ready to smash the Mechanical Court to pieces.
They grew increasingly terrified, fearing being caught in the crossfire.
But soon, a voice came through the broad-spectrum channel, "This is the Empire—Axe Blade warship, those not involved need not worry, stay calm."
Everyone present was bewildered but finally heaved a sigh of relief.
However, suddenly, a violent spiritual fluctuation swept across, covering a large area, even making some ordinary life forms experience splitting headaches, feeling the harshness in the voice—
"Azure Dragon, come out and meet!"
Alarms in the Mechanical Court were incessant, Ulrich, grim-faced, stared at the figure on the screen,
"He really came, a dignified Prince of the Empire, actually playing the gate-blocking game, blocking Li Ming’s door."
Then he breathed a sigh of relief, "Fortunately, Li Ming warned us in advance."
Outside the porthole was the endless star field, they had long left the Mechanical Court and were currently wandering in the Chaotic Star Gap.
"An overwhelming force." Monroe stood by with a grim face: "He comes with ill intent, once Lord Azure Dragon shows up, a battle is inevitable."
"This battle is meaningless." Ulrich frowned.
"If Lord Azure Dragon doesn’t show up, it would mean he’s scared." Monroe said helplessly, "The Mechanical Court may be Li Ming’s business, but it’s ultimately related to Azure Dragon."
"Can they win?" Ulrich was quite hesitant, they didn’t know Azure Dragon’s limits, but the status of a Prince of the Empire was substantial.
Monroe sighed: "Hard to say, even a victory would be of no use, as Ryan has the whole Empire behind him, win or lose, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks."
"The troublesome thing is that Ryan blocking here is akin to putting Lord Azure Dragon in a bind; he’ll have to show some stance, can’t just let Li Ming handle it all."
"Hmm..." Ulrich’s eyes flickered, "There’s actually a way to break this stalemate."
"Oh?" Monroe couldn’t help but look over: "What way to break the stalemate?"
"Blow up the Mechanical Court." Ulrich said decisively, "Once the court is blown up, Lord Azure Dragon would have no reason to appear, and it could even be pinned on the Empire."
"I’ve planted a ’Star Remnant Annihilation Bomb’ under the court, they haven’t blocked the signal, one command from me, and the court is gone."
"When did you plant it? How come I didn’t know?" Monroe’s face changed slightly, also warning: "Don’t act on your own authority."
"Of course, you don’t know, I don’t report to you." Ulrich waved his hand, frowning: "Don’t worry; even if it were used, it would definitely need the consent of Lord Azure Dragon."
"Li Ming’s business may not be much to Lord Azure Dragon, but it’s not insignificant either. Who knows how Lord Azure Dragon will deal with it."
Iron Throne Hall, a routine meeting of the Northern Crown Star Ring, including the Navigator and Fallen Blood, participated by fewer than ten people.
"Blackbeard is dealing with a few people, so we don’t need to wait for him." The Navigator spoke solemnly, "Let’s hear it, what have you gained in the past ten days?"
As the words fell, mist drifted around the throne, no one spoke, the atmosphere felt very unnatural.
"Falcon, you speak." Seeing no one talking, the Navigator had no choice but to point someone out.