Assassination

Dobekla's eyes glowed red again. He already possessed super vision and laser eyes, and after scientific analysis and modification, his eyes could see through false illusions. Lu Li's dream magic might not necessarily work on him.

"Indeed, the life force inside is immense and pure," Dobekla said. The others looked at the red liquid with envy. They trusted Dobekla; he was known for his unwavering adherence to justice, and he wouldn't lie about such things.

Both the Mechanical Watch Association and the Bloodline Light Association have shown great interest in Activated Plankton Algae. One believes it may forge more powerful active metals, while the other believes it can help us further understand the definition of life.

"Since I only have this much, I can't conduct experiments on-site. However, I will bring two finished products with me when the plan is submitted to the Starshine World Council for final review." Lu Li asked with a smile, "So, are there any other questions?"

"This is a blasphemy against the creation of life by the Starshine God." A high bishop of the Starlight Sacred Radiance Church, who was sitting there, sighed and then got up and left. It seems that the Holy Radiance Society not support the Starshine Grand Barrier project.

With the archbishop's departure, Lu Li announced the end of the press conference. Lu Li then waited at the back of the venue for the arriving guests.

Contrary to Lu Li's expectations, the first person to come to him was not Dobekla, who was theoretically on the same side, but Harold Winston, a representative of the Mechanical Watchers. He was a typical Mechanical Watcher, with most of his body parts replaced with mechanical ones, not for strength, but simply to save his life.

Harold was also a time traveler, and his time was at the end of the Starry Dark Age, when humanity was launching a counterattack against the Demon Calamity and the Star Calamity. In other words, he was at least 200 years old, because the end of the Dark Age was two hundred years ago.

Unlike most time travelers, he was transported to another world because of a scientific instrument explosion triggered by a rebellion. He didn't have any superpowers, and during the counterattack, in order to survive, his body was damaged and replaced with mechanical parts.

"Sorry to bother you." Harold extended his mechanical hand and shook hands with Lu Li, a smile appearing on his wrinkled face. "May I take a look at the research report on the activated algae?"

"There's nothing wrong with that." Lu Li's eyes swept over Harold's body, and he roughly understood why the other party was in such a hurry to come to him. He handed the research report to Harold.

Harold thanked him, took the report, and read it carefully. Occasionally, he would ask Lu Li questions about technical terms. After a while, he closed the report and said, "As you can see, I don't have much time left."

"Most of my body parts have been replaced with mechanical components. Although the human body is constantly maintained with various medicines, the human body and machines are not a perfect match. As I age, the initially insignificant rejection reaction will gradually take my life."

"And within Mechanical Watch, there are about three hundred veterans around my age," Harold said. "We've been researching bioactive metals for years, but progress hasn't been significant."

"And your activated algae is currently the most likely item to successfully produce large quantities of active metals," Harold said. "That's why I came to you to ask for some activated algae."

"I can give you a certain amount, but not too much." Lu Li nodded.

These veterans are a legacy of history. Those who didn't experience it will never know the despair of that era, or what they sacrificed for the counter-offensive. Now, their bodies are aging, and the mechanical parts that once sustained their lives have become their cause of death.

Algae can activate the mechanical parts of these veterans, and with the right techniques, they could potentially live for another one or two hundred years.

"I have three conditions," Lu Li said. "I need your support for the Great Barrier Project."

"No problem." Harold nodded. This was to be expected. In fact, even if Lu Li didn't provide the living algae, most of them would probably agree. After all, the Mechanical Watch Association was founded by survivors of the Dark Ages, and their hatred for the Star Calamity and the Demon Calamity was something that others could hardly understand.

"Secondly, I have some personal requests. I need some scientific and technological information, and of course, I can share some of the technology used to create Shimada Kako," Lu Li said.

"That Shimada Kako, who completely transformed from a human into a robot? That's fine too." Harold nodded in agreement.

"Third, if necessary, use Theseus." As soon as Lu Li said this, Harold's expression showed a hint of realization.

"So that's how it is. You're one of Theseus's men. No wonder you were able to produce something like this." Harold clearly had some misunderstandings, thinking that the activated algae was related to Theseus, after all, Theseus was known for his biotechnology and mysticism, but Lu Li had no intention of correcting him.

"I agree to this as well." Harold thought for a moment, then nodded in agreement. In any case, he needed to get the activated algae first.

"Now you can take some of the activated algae with you." Lu Li did not sign a contract with Harold. Firstly, Lu Li did not have any powerful contract documents. Secondly, contracts, when not strong, are only effective against honest people, not against scoundrels. In the Starshine World, there are too many ways to render them ineffective.

After the agreement was reached, Harold left with a small portion of the activated algae. As Lu Li watched Harold's departing figure, a smile crept onto his lips: Harold Winston, I hope you won't regret this.

Not long after Harold left, Dobekla pushed open the door, adjusted his glasses on his high nose bridge, and walked in with a smile. His adoptive parents had always been committed to raising him to be an upright person, and he had not disappointed them. He was now the most popular superhero, possessing all the qualities of a hero.

"Congratulations, Mr. Lu. If nothing unexpected happens, the Starshine Grand Barrier should be approved by the council." Dobekla approached Lu Li.

"Mr. Dobekla, you forgot to knock. That's very impolite," Lu Li reminded the approaching "Dobekla." Then, Lu Li's body was punched and exploded, turning into a phantom and slowly disappearing.

"What an incompetent Assassin." Lu Li's figure appeared on the other side, muttering to himself, but then he ran towards another window because "Dobekla" had lost his glasses, and a scarlet light flashed in his eyes.

A feeling of being exposed rose in Lu Li's heart. Sensing something was wrong, he saw Dobekla's fist appear before him. This imposter actually possessed most of the original's abilities, enough to kill the Lu Li of the past.