This is really not mechanical ascension

"Remember this place, this is the headquarters of our Team Seven," Yang Peng said as the elevator doors opened to reveal quite a sizable crowd, roughly estimated to be a few dozen.

The team worked methodically, naturally greeting Yang Peng as they saw him.

The Security Department had twelve subdivisions, each with over a hundred members covering intelligence, logistics, and field operations.

Yang Peng belonged to Team Seven, while Zhao Xiong led Team Three. Both were strong contenders for the next head of the Security Department, and they were often at odds.

"Li Ning must have told you already. You can start by learning from him," Yang Peng said casually, pointing to an empty seat, "That's your workstation. Normal work hours are from 7 am to 5 pm, and you must be present in case of an emergency."

"Your salary will be three thousand Star Coins a month."

Hearing this, Li Ming's expression turned somewhat strange, "Three thousand?"

"You're still in your probation period; three thousand is quite a lot," Li Ning explained, sitting beside him. "I don't make much more either."

After the recent events, Li Ning no longer looked down on Li Ming as a child. His current energy level was only 0.9, and Li Ming could soon catch up to him.

Li Ming's mouth twitched, but he said nothing.

After briefly setting up Li Ming, Yang Peng clapped his hands to gather everyone's attention and said gravely, "Gather around to discuss the clues from the Red Street Beheading case."

Red Street? Beheading? Something stirred in Li Ming's mind—it was his case.

"Old Knife, your turn to talk," Yang Peng stepped aside, and an middle-aged man known as Old Knife nodded and stepped forward:

"Based on the precise time of death, Wang Bo must have died before Ma Wu. There are numerous signs of struggle at the scene, including shattered stones on the ground, but no items characteristic of a life form were left behind."

"We pulled their interstellar net data and found that Wang Bo had sent a message to Ma Wu within their time of death, likely luring him out."

"The perpetrator was very meticulous, even mimicking Wang Bo's habitual phrases and punctuation habits."

"Some witnesses from Red Street that night also mentioned hearing faint noises from that alley. A woman named Ling Zi, who had close contact with Wang Bo, said he disappeared silently right before her eyes."

Old Knife glanced at Li Ming as he mentioned this because Wang Bo had been muttering about Li Ming just before his death.

Logically, he should be a prime suspect, but for well-known reasons, no one believed he was the perpetrator.

"Li Ning, how is the investigation on the Mechanical Transformation bodies going?" Yang Peng inquired.

Li Ning stood up, "This month, a total of 186 Mechanical Transformation entities entered Silver Grey Star, 28 of which were equipped with armed prosthetics."

"Sixteen had left before the incident, leaving twelve. Eight of those have alibis, leaving four that I am about to check."

"But these four are not F-grade life forms..." he hesitated, "and also..."

"Speak your mind!" Yang Peng frowned slightly.

"I feel they don't fit the profile of the perpetrator, this must be the work of other forces on Silver Grey Star."

Li Ming raised an eyebrow, good guess, I support you.

"I was just about to say..." Yang Peng's eyes flickered as he rose and said, "Last night, and early this morning, the Rose Society and the Wild Dog Gang each lost a member."

The people in the room exchanged looks in surprise, and Li Ming's interest was piqued, Was someone else making moves?

"So, these three major gangs are causing trouble with each other?" Li Ning speculated.

"It's too early to say," Yang Peng did not conclude, "Scar-faced Tiger doesn't think it's the work of other gangs, but we still need to investigate. Li Ning, go to the Rose Society tomorrow."

"Yes!" Li Ning responded, and Yang Peng delegated other tasks.

"Gee, gee... Li Ming, take a look... The head burst open, like a watermelon..." Li Ning remarked, as he looked at a few crime scene photos on the virtual screen.

He offered them to Li Ming, curious to see the newcomer's discomfort—perhaps he might even throw up. Several veterans nearby, overhearing this, also cast surreptitious glances.

They had done the same to Li Ning years ago, which resulted in him not eating for three days.

"Quite horrific indeed," Li Ming stared a while longer, no wonder it's said that suspects often return to the crime scene to observe.

This feeling was indeed quite peculiar.

Li Ning intently stared at Li Ming and realized the guy didn't show the slightest discomfort, which she found boring.

Especially upon hearing some old-timers next to her mention things like, "hasn't eaten in three days..." her face couldn't help but turn red.

Is this guy naturally cut out for this job?

"Cough, cough... Looks like it's almost time to get off work. Don't be late tomorrow; we have to go out on field duty." Li Ning changed the subject, "You're in luck, your first field duty is with the Rose Society, a place full of beauties."

Li Ming then inquired about life energy levels.

It was then clarified that below 1G were life forms that hadn't integrated the gene seed.

After fusion, the energy level generally exceeds 1G, advancing to a measurement unit marked by the suffix F. Only at 100F does one step into E-grade life forms, with the measurement unit changing to the suffix E.

The calculation formula is quite complex and commonly used among interstellar spaces, with vast differences, where 100F equals 1E.

Speed and strength each have specific calculation formulas; achieving one is enough for recognition.

This discussion is about conventional self-energy levels, excluding any other means. Many gene seeds' evolutionary focuses vary.

When a gene seed focused on either strength or speed is developed to its peak, it might exceed the standards of its layer but not by much.

"That means, even among life forms of the same level, the strength gap can be as much as a hundredfold."

"My energy level should be under 10F..." he estimated, considering his close combat skills boosted by his beginner-level techniques were pretty good.

Initially, he managed to produce 0.3G without using much force, increasing slightly to 0.6G.

His real energy level should be around 5 or 6F, but it could double if he were to enhance it with his Control Object Ability.

For the rest of the day, there wasn't much else; Li Ning simply helped him become acquainted within Team Seven until it was time to clock out.

He finished work while Li Ning hadn't yet, still organizing documents. With not much left to do, Li Ning let him go first.

As Li Ming made his way downstairs, he encountered several officers who subtly sized him up.

Clearly, the incident in the training room earlier that afternoon had spread, putting Zhao Xiong to shame, and giving many their first impression of him—

Quiet, but with words that were deadly when spoken.

"Hey..." At the door, a familiar figure sprung out; it was Yang Yu.

She changed into a different outfit, wearing snug jeans that showcased her shapely figure, a crop top revealing her creamy midriff, radiating youth.

"Why are you here?" Li Ming was surprised.

"It's your first day at work; Grandpa asked me to pick you up," Yang Yu explained as she appraised Li Ming from top to bottom, her crescent eyes curving, "I didn't see it before, but you do look handsome when dressed up."

Li Ming had now switched into a uniform that fit perfectly, interwoven with blue and black stripes, his posture upright, his shoulders broad, and his waist slim.

It wasn't just the clothes—over these days, Li Ming's demeanor had already transformed significantly, and changing into this outfit only made it more apparent.

"You still needed to pick me up..." Li Ming fell silent and went home with Yang Yu. It was prime time for getting off work, and the sky rail was packed.

Yang Yu chattered nonstop, sharing some fun stories, or talking about some clothes she bought. Li Ming listened in silence, occasionally making an "Mmhm" in agreement.

The two standing together attracted many envious glances, young yet guarding the city, and having such a beautiful girlfriend; truly a winner in life.

Old Man Yang had already prepared dinner. Li Ming ate with him, chatted for a bit, and Old Man Yang, looking at Li Ming now, felt very content and took a few drinks.

"Not bad, not bad, when I die, I can face Old Li with dignity..."

Old Man Yang and the grandfather of the former incarnation were among the first generation of immigrants to Silver Grey Star, often supporting one another in their generation.

Amidst Yang Yu's complaints, they assisted Old Man Yang upstairs, cleaned up the kitchen, and then Li Ming headed home.

Just as he left, his heart suddenly skipped a beat, compelling him to eye the shadowy area in front of the store.

It was now close to seven, and as the streetlights turned on, under the shadows, a vague figure was discernible.