Chapter 304: Linck's Probing

Fortress Star, inside the training ground.

This was a training ground with an area much larger than a training room, capable of supporting larger-scale battles.

Paved with high-strength alloy, it could withstand stronger attacks. The structure was similar to a large stadium, with a giant domed roof covering the battlefield.

The entire training ground utilized nano-mimicry screens that could simulate battlefield environments. Both the underground of the training ground and the walls had transport passages connected to the warehouse for training-type mechanical bodies.

Li Yu sat in the high-altitude stands of the training ground, staring intently below. Hunter, Sinai, and even Peyton were all here, sitting or standing, looking down at the battlefield in unison.

At this moment, a fierce battle was taking place in this training ground.

Several deployment exits were revealed on the ground, and training-type mechanical bodies continuously crawled out. Mechanical beasts, turrets, each with different functions, crashed in waves toward the two figures in the center of the battlefield.

The level of this battle was D-class. The weapons used by these mechanical bodies weren't too powerful.

Bombs blasted patches of charred black on the alloy ground of the training ground, emitting booming explosion sounds.

The two figures in the center of the battlefield were a mecha warrior fully covered in black heavy mechanical armor, and a relatively small loli with blood-red aura lingering all over her body, looking somewhat uncoordinated.

They were none other than Tu Ying and Keller. The two were still young and in their juvenile stage.

However, because the bloodlines within their bodies were extremely unusual and both contained powerful strength, the two of them were far stronger than ordinary young children.

The two cooperated to exert extremely strong might, blasting the training-type mechanical bodies into metal fragments all over the ground one by one.

Peyton frequently had the two undergo this kind of large-scale training to exercise their reaction abilities and mentality.

Rumble—

The sounds of artillery fire in the arena were deafening. In the high-altitude stands, Li Yu rubbed his chin and said to Peyton beside him,

"Their strength is alright, but their combat isn't that great. They get flustered quite easily. They still lack experience."

"It's precisely because I noticed this point that I let them train," Peyton explained. The training ground here wasn't free; it cost money.

A massive amount of Star Coins had to be spent, from the mechanical bodies used for training to the usage time.

"Their potential is extraordinary..." Li Yu emphasized his tone. "They need to develop in all aspects."

Hunter couldn't bear listening anymore and said speechlessly, "They're still kids..."

Li Yu laughed it off. "It is precisely because of this that they can't lose at the starting line."

Sinai looked at Keller fighting fiercely. Although there was some reluctance in her eyes, she didn't stop it.

It didn't take long for Tu Ying to be panting heavily, and Keller couldn't even lift her little arms and legs. The mechanical soldiers stopped simultaneously, ending the practical combat training.

The two returned to the stands covered in sweat and panting heavily.

Li Yu smiled, nodded, and praised, "Fought well."

Receiving praise, Tu Ying was clearly a bit happy, but his emotional expression was relatively reserved, while Keller hugged the chilled blood plasma and gulped it down in large mouthfuls, not even having time to speak.

"Ding, please pay the training fee. 256 D-class mechanical bodies damaged, usage time 175 minutes, 3.6 million Star Coins to be paid."

A holographic screen popped up in front of the group, and Peyton paid it directly without blinking an eye.

Li Yu glanced at it. Although this amount of Star Coins wasn't much to him,

it still made a certain idea in his heart sprout once again. With their development, this small base was appearing increasingly "narrow."

He was afraid it wouldn't be long before it couldn't even hold the Sand Worms.

"If there's a chance, I have to get a whole planet to play with..." Li Yu added this matter to his plan, then asked Peyton about the Alien Queen's modification plan.

"There are still some materials that haven't arrived. Currently, only the first step has been carried out. You still have to wait..."

Peyton held multiple positions but didn't mind it. Modifying the Alien Queen was not a simple matter and required a large amount of auxiliary materials.

Similarly, the replenishment of the Meteor Fleet also required a period of time to complete.

Right at this moment, Claptrap sent a message. The weapons he ordered had been delivered, and the escort was somewhat unexpected to him.

It was actually the supervisor of Opto-Electric Technology—Linck, and he was currently in front of his base's gate.

"I haven't gone to look for trouble with you yet, but you've delivered yourself to my doorstep," Li Yu pondered.

Being bafflingly targeted by Strength King in the Vittel Galaxy last time made Li Yu feel it was strange. After all, not many people knew he had gone to the Vittel Galaxy to protect the Mermaid Princess.

Afterwards, Li Yu listed a few suspects. Linck's suspicion, if not the highest, was also extremely high.

However, within Returning Star's Central Star System, Li Yu couldn't do anything to this guy, so he could only drop it for the time being.

And after settling the logistical work for the Meteor Fleet, he ordered some things from Opto-Electric Technology again. He didn't expect the other party to deliver them to his doorstep so quickly, and it was even delivered by Linck personally.

Li Yu thought for a moment, then immediately returned to the base from the back door with the others, simultaneously opening the base gate to let Linck in.

"Haha... Returning Star's youngest fleet commander, truly makes one sigh with emotion." Linck quickly walked up, his face carrying just the right amount of surprise and exclamation.

Li Yu simultaneously wore a smile that made it impossible for people to see his depths. The two shook hands casually and sat down.

As Opto-Electric Technology's civilization supervisor in Returning Star, Linck's strength wasn't considered strong, just a B-Tier Lifeform.

Or rather, Returning Star also wouldn't allow an A-Tier Lifeform of the Star Glory Empire to operate openly here.

Therefore, Linck's strength had to be low. However, to some extent, people like them didn't need overly strong power.

"These are the Nano Blank Cores you requested..." The people Linck brought presented ten metal crates. After opening them, they were filled with sphere-shaped Nano Cores.

Linck introduced, "After writing the program into them, the Nano Cores can have up to a B+ class combat power. This is already the highest level weapon Returning Star allows to be sold externally."

Everything involving the A-class was strictly controlled by various civilizations. If it leaked outside, the trouble it caused would be extremely tricky.

If one wanted A-class weapons, they could only apply for them, and the application procedure was extremely complicated, and the waiting time would also be very long.

Li Yu had also submitted an application to Returning Star to see if he could freeload. The reply did not exceed Li Yu's expectations—take a number and line up, there were too many A-Tier Lifeforms applying.

He nodded. Before purchasing, he had long understood the Nano Cores and read a lot of basic information.

The Nano Cores were placed to the side. Li Yu looked at Linck, who was sitting motionless on the sofa, knowing that this guy definitely didn't come purely to deliver weapons to him.

After a moment of silence, Linck took the initiative to speak, "I heard that you will also join the operation against Amethyst."

His attitude was very respectful, entirely opposite to when the two first met. On the surface, it seemed to be because Li Yu had become an A-Tier Lifeform and was also the commander of the Meteor Fleet.

With his strength and status rising together, it was only right for him to have this kind of attitude. However, Li Yu didn't think so. Who knew what kind of bad ideas this guy was harboring in his heart.

"Your Excellency Linck, can I assume you are inquiring about Returning Star's military secrets right now?" Li Yu looked at Linck, his eyes holding an inexplicable meaning.

Linck's heart suddenly jumped, but he smiled on the surface. "The disturbance with the Amethyst Civilization is so huge, everyone is as clear as a mirror in their hearts. His Excellency the Baron does not need to ridicule me."

Li Yu was noncommittal and changed the subject, "So what if I am, and what if I am not?"

Li Yu answered ambiguously and didn't give a precise answer.

Linck secretly cursed 'little fox.' Li Yu's answer was watertight, unwilling to leak the slightest bit of information.

"If you are, I have a transaction I want to discuss with you..." Linck revealed a smile.

If possible, Li Yu really wanted to turn this guy into his Zealot, or try using the Seed of the Voice.

But Li Yu wasn't sure if Linck had means to resist mental power. If he did, doing so would instead alert the enemy.

However, as the branch supervisor of Opto-Electric Technology, and in a place like Returning Star's Central Star System at that, it would be somewhat unjustifiable to say he didn't.

"What transaction, you can tell me about it..." Li Yu was somewhat surprised and didn't refuse immediately.

Linck spoke slowly, "Opto-Electric Technology has quite a few industries within the Amethyst Civilization. If possible, I hope you can inform us during certain specific periods so we can evacuate in advance."

Li Yu had a weird expression upon hearing this. Linck made it sound nice, but wasn't this just asking him to be a mole inside?

Linck hadn't finished speaking, he continued, "As a reward... we will provide generous compensation."

Li Yu wasn't surprised the other party had this kind of operation; bribing moles was very normal. What he was curious about was why the other party chose him as the target of bribery.

Did he look like he had a very good relationship with the Star Glory Empire?

"Supervisor Linck's words really surprise me..." Li Yu maintained his ambiguous attitude, and instead asked, "It's just, why did Your Excellency choose me?"

"There are no eternal enemies, only eternal interests. After all, the rest are all native Returning Star people..." Linck's words seemingly made sense.

Compared to those native Returning Star people, Li Yu's style leaned more towards using unscrupulous means for the sake of interests.

However, this didn't dispel Li Yu's suspicion. The other party seemed to be bribing a mole, but Li Yu always felt it was a front.

If he really acted according to Linck's idea, what he'd be revealing to the other party together then would likely include his own position.

Anyway, because of the Vittel incident last time, Li Yu didn't trust Linck.

Li Yu's eyes moved slightly, and he said thoughtfully, "This matter... is not impossible..."

Linck's eyes brightened slightly, but then he heard Li Yu say, "However, the risk I am taking seems quite substantial..."

"...What if you guys suddenly turn hostile and refuse to acknowledge me when the time comes, not giving the compensation? Where would I go to reason?"

Linck frowned tightly and asked, "Then what is your meaning?"

"...Why don't you pay me a portion first, to show your sincerity." Li Yu smiled, then looked at the ten Nano Cores in front of him.

"How about... using these ten Nano Cores as the initial compensation..."

Linck's mouth twitched slightly. This was preparing to catch a white wolf with bare hands. The intelligence analysts' judgment was indeed correct; this guy was solely driven by profit.

The external selling price of this kind of Nano Core was five hundred million Star Coins. These ten cores were five billion Star Coins, which was no longer a small figure.

Linck felt that if he agreed, it would be like throwing meat buns at a dog.

"This is not within my authority... I still need to go back and ask for instructions." Linck tactfully declined.

Li Yu wasn't surprised either, shrugging his shoulders and saying, "That is truly disappointing."

His fingers moved slightly, and several imperceptible golden runes surged into all the electronic devices on Linck and his entourage.

Li Yu increasingly felt now that the function to enlighten Transformers was simply too useful.

A massive amount of data was transmitted to Claptrap, while Linck was completely unaware. Interestingly, Linck actually recorded their conversation just now.

This made Li Yu secretly sneer. Audio and video recordings were all tricks he had grown tired of playing.

"Since that is the case, I will take my leave first." Linck stood up, his attitude still very respectful, not feeling angry because of Li Yu's exorbitant demand.

Sending Linck off, Li Yu reviewed the information compiled by Claptrap. There wasn't too much highly classified information; those were all stored in higher-level servers.

However, there were a few pieces of information among them that caught Li Yu's attention—

"Titus has confirmed the location of the Heart of the Titan."

"Li Yu is suspected of embarking on the Path of Divinity; almost all the survivors in the Hengfeng System have become Li Yu's believers."

"Horus secretly leads the Royal Fortress Fleet, Fanny Fleet, Callas Fleet... heading to the No Man's Land..."

These three pieces of news were all transmitted to Linck by others.

Li Yu was completely clueless about the first one. What Heart of the Titan? The name sounds like a Titan's heart? But the Titans have been extinct for who knows how many years; how could there still be a heart?

The second piece of news was also accompanied by a large amount of investigation data, analyzing the current special situation of the Hengfeng System in detail.

Clearly, someone was paying close attention to him. The situation of the people in the Hengfeng System was very difficult to hide from the eyes of those who cared.

It was just that the majority of people in Returning Star didn't care about the Hengfeng System, while Linck cared extraordinarily about Li Yu's actions and investigated very carefully.

Li Yu also knew about the third piece of news. When he had nothing to do, he would "peep" on Horus. This old man had radiated his second spring not long ago and taken office again.

The Royal Fortress belonged to Returning Star's super-large fleet sequence, possessing a hundred thousand regular warships. Adding the other small and large fleets, Returning Star deployed nearly two hundred thousand warships this time.

Although it wasn't enough to look at in the face of some large-scale interstellar wars, in a small place like the No Man's Land System, it was already shocking enough.

Due to the impact of this matter, the atmosphere among Returning Star's high command also showed signs of a coming storm.

Linck still had schemes against him. The situation in the Hengfeng System shouldn't be leaked for the time being, but it also made Li Yu involuntarily feel a sense of urgency.

Ten nanospheres were lined up in a row in front of him, each the size of a football. Only after writing programs into them could they become killing machines.

However, Li Yu clearly wasn't preparing to use that method to awaken them. Golden runes surged from his fingertips, gradually fusing into the ten nanospheres.

(End of this chapter)