Chapter 516: The Difficulty of Finding the Star Beast
"You also know that place?" Li Ming was a little surprised.
Gutierrez emphasized: "We discovered that place by chance, but for some reason, we traded the coordinates to Anatoly."
Li Ming didn't expect that there was such a secret, but then he became suspicious.
Could it be that the Star Alliance used the coordinates of the star beast to trade relevant information from Anatoly, which led to this ambush?
He thought about it in his mind, and quickly gave up the idea. Anatoly had leaked the news at least half a year ago, and at that time he had not yet decided to go to the Dusk Banquet.
It should be something else. As his thoughts drifted, he said, "Since you already knew about it and leaked the coordinates everywhere, that place must be something special."
Upon hearing this, Gutierrez acted very calmly: "Yes, the location of the star beast is not the main universe, but a mezzanine space cut out by the dimensional space."
"We speculate that it comes from the remnant space of the Terrax civilization."
"Terrax again..." Li Ming frowned, thinking about it, and couldn't help asking: "So, that space must be at least hundreds of thousands of years old, right? What kind of star beast has such a long lifespan?"
"We don't know the specific situation, we just know that it is in a free state. We discovered that place at least more than ten years ago, but the number of observations can be counted on one hand." Gutierrez explained in detail and seemed very sincere.
"We've used special methods to get people in only occasionally. We only know there's an extremely powerful star beast inside, but we don't know its exact strength yet."
Such detailed explanation... Li Ming seemed to be lost in thought, but then he said, "That means even if I go there, I may not be able to find it. Then what's the point of these coordinates?"
"I'm simply offering you an option based on your request," Gutierrez said sincerely. "As for the limitations, they're a fact, and I don't want to deceive you. The specific choice is up to you."
Li Ming remained silent. Gutierrez's words sounded high-sounding, but in reality they were just trying to tempt him. The actual value of these coordinates was not that high.
His main purpose in going to the so-called Dusk Banquet was to get clues about the star beast.
Now that he had obtained more information from Gutierrez, the necessity of continuing to the Dusk Banquet was greatly reduced.
The coordinates of this place are quite secret, and Anatoly can't just release it. It's hard to say how long it will take.
"Although this coordinate is not valuable, I am interested in it." Li Ming said, "But this price is far from enough. Let's add the Machinists Association."
"Hmm..." Gutierrez frowned. "If you add the Machinists' Association into the equation, the price is a bit high."
This time, the Star Alliance took the initiative, but was manipulated by Azure Dragon. Gutierrez understood that they had completely misjudged Azure Dragon, so they relaxed the situation this time, not wanting the situation to get any worse.
But Qinglong has not yet reached the point where he can completely crush them. The price they pay is limited, and it is impossible for them to allow Qinglong to demand without any bottom line.
He thought about it for a moment, but didn't refuse outright. Instead, he said, "But it's not that we can't agree. It's just that we are really curious about what happened in the Red River Star Stream..."
Li Ming understood Gutierrez's hint, but he couldn't say it directly. "I can't reveal any information about the Red River Star Stream."
He hadn't finished his words yet, and there was a second half: "However, do you know the name of the Alchemist Baron?"
"Alchemist Baron?" Gutierrez's heart moved slightly. He was not unfamiliar with this name.
The interstellar massacre that Ryan started took place in the Sea of Stars, most of which was considered the territory of the Star Alliance.
There is also a small number of garrisons originally stationed by the Empire and the Federation, whose civilizations have not joined the Star Alliance and are the grasping forces of the two major civilizations.
After the Empire withdrew its troops from the Ryan incident, the Covenant also conducted an in-depth investigation into the matter.
The Alchemist Baron... is Ryan's collaborator, but there is very little information about him and he has long disappeared without a trace.
"This person is not simple. He seems to have been in and out of the Red River Star Stream." Li Ming stopped talking.
Gutierrez's eyes flashed, then quickly faded. He said in a deep voice, "I understand. I was inconsiderate before. I hope we can cooperate more in the future."
Li Ming smiled without saying anything. Gutierrez struck while the iron was hot and asked, "What about our people?"
"Who?" Li Ming asked back.
"Beckett and Rupert..." Gutierrez reminded.
"What?" Li Ming was confused.
Gutierrez frowned and said, "We are willing to pay the ransom according to interstellar rules."
"What are you talking about, sir?" Li Ming still looked helpless.
Seeing Li Ming like this, Gutierrez felt a little uneasy, but it seemed unlikely.
Didn't Qinglong leave any room for maneuver from the beginning? If they didn't retreat, he would continue to fight without considering them at all?
Those who are barefoot are not afraid of those who wear shoes. The more reckless Qinglong is, the more afraid he becomes.
But Gutierrez was reluctant to believe it.
"I will never go back on my word, please rest assured." He thought Qinglong was worried about their deal, so he emphasized.
"Of course I believe you." Li Ming nodded, and Gutierrez ended the communication hesitantly.
Li Ming waited for a moment, and the other party sent a series of coordinate areas.
After a quick look, I found that there was basically no civilization nearby the border area between the Starry Sea and the Desolate Channel.
"There shouldn't be an ambush, right?" Li Ming muttered, "The space left behind by Terrax..."
At the same time, on the interstellar network, the heat of Li Ming’s kidnapping incident did not subside at all. Instead, it intensified with the appearance of the suspect "Star Alliance".
Not long after, the official account of the Mechanical Royal Court even liked the video, which triggered a lot of overt and covert inferences.
Everyone was waiting for Qinglong's reaction, to see how he would react when facing the Star Alliance, one of the three major civilizations.
However, a reversal occurred on the sixth day after the attack, when the Star Alliance also issued an announcement, followed by a flood of news.
"The Star Alliance officials, citing Azure Dragon's announcement, will track down and curb this destabilizing behavior in the interstellar space at all costs."
It is even more harsh than the empire's "no tolerance", and even says "no matter the cost".
The many interstellar life forms waiting to see the show dropped their jaws in shock.
What does this mean?
Instead of refuting the rumor, the Star Alliance cheered for Qinglong, as if he was not the attacker at all.
And soon, Qinglong also responded.
First of all, of course, I want to thank the three major civilizations for their support. As the pillars of the interstellar system, the three major civilizations have a pivotal position in the interstellar system...
“…I believe that no organization or force can get away with it under the threat of the three major civilizations…”
Qinglong’s response is even more confusing. Are the attackers from the Covenant?
That "Dragon Blowing" video doesn't look fake. Could it be that the Mechanical King Court accidentally liked it?
However, another day passed and the situation took another surprising turn.
Li Ming was sent back!
The Machinists Association reposted the video released by Qinglong. In the screen, Li Ming looked very haggard, but there was no visible injury, and his speech was very clear.
“…Thanks to all civilizations…”
Is the person really back?
The interstellar network began to boil over with shock, astonishment, and suspicion.
Some people say that this is a fake person created by Qinglong to save face.
Some people also said that the attackers were forced to send the people back due to pressure from the three major civilizations.
But soon, spokespersons from the Empire, the Federation and the Covenant all expressed their congratulations on this matter.
All the voices of doubt suddenly died down, and the three major civilizations had verified it. Even if it was fake, it was true.
But many doubts remain.
What happened to the Covenant attack video?
Who is the attacker?
This is the stage for many interstellar experts, and various analyses emerge in an endless stream.
The mainstream speculation is that the Star Alliance and Qinglong reached an agreement to eliminate the impact of this incident and then sent Li Ming back.
There is a lot of evidence on the surface, and it is not difficult to make a guess after careful analysis, but neither Qinglong nor the Star Alliance has admitted it.
These speculations can ultimately only be attributed to conspiracy theories.
It only took eight days from the attack on the Star Gate node to the end of the incident.
But during these eight days, many people's understanding of Qinglong was refreshed.
Among the hazy and vague concept, there is a more specific impression -
He has a terrifying network of contacts and can even make the three major civilizations speak publicly.
Gradually, Qinglong, the "new interstellar star", began to develop into an "old star".
The situation gradually calmed down, and outside the Evening Star, there seemed to be a lot more spaceships in orbit.
Today is the tenth day of the Dusk Banquet. In the main Dusk Hall on the ground, countless glowing threads hang from the dome, interweaving into a swaying light curtain.
The galaxy-long table flows on its own, carrying steaming soups and sizzling barbecues.
Those present were basically X-level life forms, of different races and sizes.
But Anatoly had already made arrangements. Everyone stood in their proper place, and waiters in yellow robes moved around.
The sound of clinking glasses continued to ring out, and many X-level life forms gathered in twos and threes, talking to each other.
"...Isn't that Lord Qinglong here?"
I don't know who said this, but the originally lively atmosphere suddenly became quiet.
The expressions of the many X-level life forms present changed to some extent. Those who knew each other looked at each other and then quickly looked away.
This Lord Qinglong has been in the limelight in the interstellar space recently.
A student was kidnapped, and the three major civilizations expressed their support. What kind of momentum is this?
"Seven people from the United Organization of Higher Life Forms have come, but it's a pity that such an important person didn't come." The voice continued.
Everyone looked in the direction of the sound and found that it was an interstellar human with an unfamiliar face. He was holding an amber wine glass and sighing repeatedly.
Where did this guy come from, he has such courage.
Isn’t this clearly saying that the seven people who came together are not as important as Qinglong alone?
He seemed to realize he was wrong, and quickly added, "Of course, I'm not saying the other seven aren't important. It's just... His Excellency Qinglong has extensive connections. I previously offended the Empire, and I wanted to ask him for help in reconciling..."
It would have been fine if he didn't explain, but once he did, everyone's faces looked even weirder.
"Thomas... He seems to be from the Federation. He became a new X-level life form more than ten years ago. Why would Anatoly invite him?" someone whispered.
Gustav, who was at the front row, had a calm expression, while several people from the Higher Life Forms United Organization gave him cold glances.
There was something slightly off about the atmosphere at the banquet.
At this moment, the surrounding lights suddenly went out, and wisps of golden light gathered from all directions, gradually condensing into a human figure in the center of the banquet.
Bang!
A golden light suddenly exploded, and Anatoly, dressed in formal attire, bowed slightly. "Welcome everyone to the evening banquet."
Everyone present raised their glasses and nodded. Qinglong seemed to have skipped over the topic. Only Thomas, who had spoken first, seemed to be unable to sense the atmosphere around him and spoke again:
"Sir Anatoly, I received news that Sir Qinglong might come. Why didn't he come?"
Anatoly paused, then shook his head and said, "Your Excellency Qinglong has never replied to me that he will attend the Dusk Banquet."
"Really?" The other party was a little surprised. "I thought he would definitely come to such an important party."
Anatoly's eyes narrowed slightly, and the others remained silent.
"Okay, let's talk about star beasts." Gustav began.
Anatoly's expression darkened slightly, but he quickly calmed down. "There's no rush for the Star Beast..."
"We're so anxious. It's been over ten days..." Senier said with a smile, "We came here just for this. Otherwise, who would waste time just eating and drinking here?"
"yes…"
Anatoly's expression became increasingly indifferent. The Dusk Banquet was supposed to be his home turf, but he ended up talking about the Azure Dragon right from the start.
Now, those guys didn't even let him say a word and forced him to get to the point.
He wants to gain popularity through this, but someone won't let him.
Then he thought of Qinglong again.
This person quietly accumulated a huge reputation, which really made him jealous.
He had originally used the Star Beast to attract everyone here, so it was not easy for him to turn hostile now. After a brief thought, he said, "Since everyone is so anxious, I won't keep you in suspense."
Anatoly kept the topic in suspense, but then changed the subject: "However, finding the star beast is not that simple. There are many difficulties."
"What do you mean?" Senier frowned and asked dissatisfiedly, "What's going on?"
"That star beast is not in the main universe, but in a mezzanine space. It is a relic of Terrax. It requires advanced technology and is very difficult to find. This is the first difficulty." Anatoly explained.
"Mezzanine space? Terrax?" Many people looked at each other in confusion. Before they had time to think too much, they heard Anatoly continue:
"Secondly, that place has a unique form of existence and extremely strong defenses. Breaking through head-on is unlikely..."
(End of this chapter)
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