Shadows of the Deep Space Chapter 1858 - 570: Response_4

"What course of action should we take now? It made it quite clear that if the Dimension Stone is not surrendered, it will not offer any assistance." Su Ming voiced, a troubled frown creasing his brow.

"Any terms can be debated, but this matter of the Dimension Stone is non-negotiable; it cannot be handed over," Long Bai stated firmly, shaking his head.

"I understand. I shall return and convey your decision." After a momentary silence, Su Ming replied.

"Very well." Long Bai responded with audible weariness.

With that, Su Ming and Celeste departed the office, their steps directed towards the landing bay.

As they walked, Celeste, her cheeks puffed with indignation, turned to Su Ming. "This Dragon String is truly outrageous! How could he renege on his word? No wonder others are unwilling to help us!"

"Celeste, it's not that simple. While President Dragon String did break his promise, he had no other choice. He is the leader of the Human Clan, not merely representing himself! From a perspective of racial survival, he cannot possibly surrender the Dimension Stone. As the saying goes, 'different clans harbor differing intentions.'" Su Ming explained patiently to Celeste.

"Then he shouldn't have agreed in the first place!"

"Think about it, if he hadn't agreed, how could our mechanical allies have aided humanity?"

"Precisely! Without their backing, would humanity have perished long ago? Is breaking a promise such a trivial matter?" Celeste retorted, her voice laced with anger.

"That is precisely why Dragon String offered his apologies!" Su Ming replied, a hint of a headache evident in his tone.

"Does an apology truly suffice?"

"I am aware it does not."

"If you were in his position, what would you have done?" Celeste inquired, still bristling.

"To be entirely frank, if I were just an individual, I would absolutely hand over the Dimension Stone once a promise was made, regardless of whether humanity survived or not! However, if I held the mantle of leadership, I also could not part with the Dimension Stone," Su Ming responded earnestly. He understood the weight of such responsibilities perhaps better than anyone.

Celeste huffed, puffing out her cheeks once more, but remained silent, choosing not to press the matter further.

...

Not long afterward, Su Ming and Celeste found themselves back in the underground secret chamber of the City Lord Mansion.

Re-entering the Virtual World, they materialized in the central plaza of the City of Prophets. There, a solitary girl stood, her presence silent.

Su Ming took a deep breath and approached the girl, offering his sincerest apologies. "Senior, I am profoundly sorry! We have indeed broken our agreement. The President of the Dragon String Council himself stated that you are the only one he has ever wronged in his lifetime."

The girl's icy demeanor faltered slightly upon hearing Su Ming's words. She then spoke, her voice cold. "Hmph. Tell him to cease his insincere words. Just give me the Dimension Stone."

"I beg your pardon, Senior. Dragon String has already conveyed that all matters are open for negotiation, with the sole exception of the Dimension Stone. It pertains to the very survival of the Human Clan. As their leader, he is compelled to break his promise." Su Ming replied, his expression grave.

"If that is the case, then there is nothing further to discuss. I will not assist you. Take care of yourselves!" With those words, the girl turned and gestured with her ethereal hand.

*Ka-cha!*

A profound chasm abruptly rent the space between Su Ming and the girl, severing ties with the Human Clan. Subsequently, the girl turned and walked into the cross-shaped fissure, vanishing from sight.

The luminescence emanating from the Mechanical Spire flickered out, plunging the entire world back into an unnerving silence.

"Alas!" Witnessing the scene unfold, Su Ming let out a sigh of helplessness, the negotiations having ultimately failed.

"Hmph, if I were in that position, I wouldn't help either," Celeste muttered rebelliously.

"Some matters transcend simple right or wrong; they are matters of perspective. You will comprehend this in time," Su Ming explained patiently to Celeste.

"Fine, so what do we do now?" Celeste inquired, her pout evident.

"There is naught we can do but rely on ourselves. Having embarked on this path, we must see it through to its conclusion," Su Ming declared calmly.

"Mm." Celeste nodded, a flicker of understanding in her eyes.

...

Shortly thereafter, Su Ming led Celeste to the courtyard of the City Lord Mansion.

"Boss, is the task completed?" Ankaga greeted Su Ming as he approached.

"In a manner of speaking. Take Celeste back to the World Eye and oversee the repairs on the Gray Angel," Su Ming instructed Ankaga.

"Understood!" Ankaga affirmed with a nod.

"Su Ming, I'm departing!" Celeste bid farewell to Su Ming.

"Farewell." Su Ming responded with a nod.

Celeste then accompanied Ankaga into the cockpit. Soon, Ankaga piloted the Night Demon Mecha and ascended rapidly into the sky.

"Alas~" Su Ming remained standing for quite some time before finally turning to depart.

...

Xiguang Laboratory - Underground First Floor.

Within the stark, cold corridor, Su Ming made his way towards the central laboratory. Along his path, researchers and guards alike observed him, offering respectful greetings.

"Lord Su Ming."

A soft hum came from Su Ming.

He gave a slight nod in acknowledgment.

Swiftly, Su Ming reached the main laboratory.

Dr. Blakes was observed standing before the console, a combat display of the Void Hunter projected before him.

Proceeding directly to Dr. Blakes' side, Su Ming gazed at the image of the Void Dragon Hunter engaging Ferion and the others. He inquired with astonishment,

"What type of mecha is this? It's incredibly powerful! Beams seem ineffective against its armor, and it effortlessly breached the blockade formed by the Erosion Shadow Mecha squad."

"The mecha's pilot is Mechanical Lord Cross."

"Cross? Hold on, isn't this mecha the Purgatory Blade? While they bear a resemblance, the original Purgatory Blade wasn't nearly this formidable," Su Ming questioned, his brow furrowed in concentration.

"Indeed, this mecha is the Purgatory Blade, but it has undergone reforging. If my understanding is correct, this mecha has been augmented with a second kind of Primordial Stone, a remarkably scarce one known as a Dimension Stone."