Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent

Chapter 314: Sect Master

Clank!

The shattered Golden Thread Ring-Blade smashed heavily onto the ground.

Under the stimulus of this sound, Shi Shihu, whose mind was frozen by the continuous shocking scenes earlier, as well as the Martial Saints and disciples who could barely comprehend such terrifying power, all shuddered simultaneously.

Their gazes toward Li Pin were filled with uncontrollable fear.

Li Pin maintained his outstretched hand as metal fragments fell from his fingers, his gaze indifferent as he looked at Shi Shihu. "The Dragonfist Sect's martial art is a complete mess."

Shi Shihu's countenance turned deathly pale.

Feeling the definite fractures in his finger bones, triquetral bone, lunate bone, and the near loss of mobility in his right foot, his heart sank rapidly.

This was a Martial God! The man before him, who appeared to be in his thirties, was a true Martial God!

Not only had he condensed a Lifeform Force Field, but he had also comprehended the Celestial Force Field and combined the two, forming the true path of a Martial God.

How could such a person exist in these parts? Wasn't it only possible to nurture an expert like this through the assistance of multiple Master Astral Cultivators, in places like the Six Extremities?

Shi Shihu stared at Li Pin with shock. How is this possible?

If it weren't for the significant difference between this Martial God Li and the pioneer of the Martial God path, he might have mistaken Li Pin for the Martial God.

After a while, Shi Shihu took a deep breath and looked around.

All the Martial Saints of the Dragonfist Sect had rushed out of the inner courtyard after hearing that someone was causing trouble... but they didn't dare make a move.

Li Pin, with his flesh and blood... had left them reeling with shock.

Or rather, having watched him use the Celestial Force Field to withstand Shi Shihu's lethal move—the Azura Dragon Netherfire—and then crush the Golden Thread Ring-Blade barehanded, they were appalled. The sight had been too terrifying. Even though there were over ten Martial Saints present, none of them dared to make a move.

All of them had a look of horror on their faces.

Well... there were some in crowd looking... excited or agitated.

However, that was beside the point. The point was that even if Shi Shihu gave the order, and all the Martial Saints were to obey his command to surround and kill Li Pin, it would be meaningless.

The gap was just too great. His previous exchange with Li Pin made Shi Shihu realize he was no match to Li Pin. They weren't even on the same level. If they forced a fight, the entire Dragonfist Sect might just become history.

Shi Shihu took a deep breath, his expression slightly desolate. "I've lost."

"You call yourself a Martial God, yet you haven't even comprehended the Celestial Force Field...." Li Pin looked at Shi Shihu. "I'm very disappointed."

Shi Shihu felt a bit embarrassed. "I'm indeed not a Martial God. I only wanted to quickly use the name of Martial God to rally the Martial Saints in Molong Country and the surrounding areas to strengthen the Dragonfist Sect's prestige. By doing so, we can prevent Molong Country's royal family from arbitrarily suppressing us again whenever they feel like it...."

As he said this, he glanced at Wen Xingchen. "It's true that an elder from my Dragonfist Sect went down the mountain with ill intentions toward Lord Wen. However, that was because he was hired by Lord Cui, and his actions were only meant to threaten Lord Wen...."

"What was done, was done. The rest doesn't matter," Li Pin said calmly.

Upon hearing this, Shi Shihu fell silent.

"I came here to find like-minded people, to explore the Martial God Path together through combat, but it turns out...."

Li Pin shook his head.

Shi Shihu lowered his head. "The path of the Martial God requires the tireless assistance of a Master Astral Cultivator, and there isn't a single one of them on this land..."

Li Pin looked at him, his eyes narrowing. "Who said you need the assistance of a Master Astral Cultivator to cultivate the Martial God path?"

Shi Shihu froze, then looked at him in disbelief. "Martial God Li... y-you comprehended the mystery of the celestial movements through your own understanding, and thereby manipulated the Celestial Force Field!?"

"What else could it be?"

Shi Shihu looked at him, not knowing how to respond for a moment. "I...."

The Six Extremities had already announced the pros and cons of the Martial God path a month ago, declaring that the path could essentially end once the Lifeform Force Field was condensed.

In this process, those who sensed the Astral God should transition to Astral Cultivation and those who didn't could continue trying to sense them.

As for further comprehending the Celestial Force Field, they asserted that if the practitioner wasn't an extraordinary genius blessed with determination and prepared to dedicate immense effort to this path, then it was better to abandon it entirely.

Shi Shihu was one of those Martial Saints who failed to sense the planet during the Lifeform Force Field condensation process. He had also tried to sense the Celestial Force Field recently but found no way to start.

To Shi Shihu, it seemed as though the founder of the Marital God path had basically told them that 1+1 equals 2 and then asked them to solve trigonometric functions. That was what it felt like to try and apply the Martial God's instructions to control the Celestial Force Field.

He had thought it was impossible for anyone to achieve it. However... it seemed that someone actually did succeed?

Could the gap between people really be this vast?

"Are there any other Martial Gods on this land?" Li Pin asked.

It took Shi Shihu a while to come back to his senses. Facing Li Pin's question, he quickly replied, "As far as I know, no."

Li Pin shook his head. "So there aren't any."

He had expected this. It had been too short a time since he announced the Martial God path to the world. Moreover, back then, his optimization of the Martial God had been far from enough.

For others to succeed, it would take at least eight to ten years of effort.

"So, what comes next is..." Li Pin turned his gaze back to Shi Shihu, "the Dragonfist Sect's choice."

Shi Shihu was stunned. "Our choice?"

Soon, Shi Shihu realized Li Pin's meaning, and his pupils dilated. "Martial God Li... I wonder, what choice do you plan to let us make...?"

"The Dragonfist Sect's martial art is lacking, but the location is good. I'll take it," said Li Pin.

These straightforward words shocked Shi Shihu very much.

Even the Martial Saints and disciples broke into a commotion. @@novelbin@@

However, as Li Pin's gaze swept across the elders and disciples, the commotion quickly subsided.

Wherever his gaze fell, whether they were Core Formation martial artists, Aura Cultivation Grandmaster, or even Martial Saints, not a single person dared to meet his eyes directly.

Shi Shihu saw this scene and couldn't help but feel a bit desolate.

The Dragonfist Sect, with its century-old foundation passed down since the Great Moon era, was unexpectedly lost under his leadership today.

Shi Shihu knew that as long as they were alive, the Dragonfist Sect would continue. However, with the true Martial God power of Li Pin before him, if Li Pin intended to establish himself in the Molong Country, there would be no place for them in the martial world.

By then, they would either have to leave the Molong Country, abandon the land the Dragonfist Sect relied on for survival, or... disband and join other major factions. They'd no longer be known as the Dragonfist Sect.

Thinking of these outcomes, Shi Shihu's Vitality, Qi, and Spirit faded significantly.

Li Pin was a little surprised. "Oh, judging by your expressions, none of you plan to resist?"

"I know... I probably didn't even push you to exert your full strength just now... The gap is just too huge," Shi Shihu said bitterly. "The Martial God Li from back then... Martial God Li Pin, suppressed hundreds of Martial Saints by himself on Crimson Flame Island... Later, he even used supreme power to bring a Legendary Astral Cultivator to mutual destruction!

"A Legendary Astral Cultivator... That's an existence beyond my imagination. But suppressing hundreds of Martial Saints alone... After seeing you, I understand now that this wasn't an exaggeration."

Those who understood the times were wise. Bowing before an opponent you couldn't defeat was sometimes inevitable.

Just like how they submitted to the Molong Royal Family, even sending their sect's most precious manual to them and having disciples serve the royal family.

"You're wise to understand what's good for you," Li Pin praised. "If you still wish to stay here and maintain the Dragonfist Sect's name, that's not impossible."

Upon hearing this, Shi Shihu immediately looked up.

He knew this was likely the choice Martial God Li was referring to.

"The Dragonfist Sect may be unremarkable, but with over thirty Martial Saints, it's decent enough. I happen to need people to serve by my side, so you can either leave, or stay here and follow my commands."

Had Shi Shihu heard these words prior to knowing that Li Pin had ascended to a Martial God, he would most likely have chosen to leave in despair.

After all, as the Dragonfist Sect's sect master, he was considered a well-known figure in the martial world. The thought of becoming someone else's subordinate would have been too humiliating. However, it was a different matter altogether now that he had learned that Li Pin was a Martial God who comprehended the Astral Force Field.

What did that signify? It signified that Martial God Li's talent and genius far surpassed his own by an immeasurable degree.

In the future, Martial God Li could very well grow to rival the founder of the Martial God Path, Li Pin, and wield the power to challenge Legendary Astral Cultivators!

For such a power figure to select the little Dragonfist Sect, comprised of a bunch of Martial Saints and a Quasi-Martial God was an incredible opportunity. Even though this mighty individual had yet to reach his peak, it still promised an unfathomable future.

Moreover, if this person were to truly reach his full potential, what would the Dragonfist Sect even matter?

In this land, known as the land of ten-thousand saints, there was no shortage of top notch martial influences that would be flocking over to offer their service!

Shi Shihu quickly made his decision. "In martial cultivation, there is no first or last in learning. Whoever excels is the master!"

With a solemn expression, he cupped his hands in respect. "Although the Dragonfist Sect has been passed down for a century on this land, it has always been mediocre. I, Shi Shihu, may have taken on the heavy responsibility of leading the sect, but my abilities are limited, and I've been barely able to sustain its reputation.

"After wandering half my life, I've finally met a worthy leader. If you're willing to accept me, I will acknowledge you as my Master. From now on, I will go through fire and water without hesitation, aiding you in your grand endeavor!"

Li Pin looked at Shi Shihu, and he could sense the sincerity in his words.

Of course, at this point, he wouldn't truly trust the Dragonfist Sect. As he mentioned before, he simply needed people to be at his disposal.

It was to the extent that he even needed some people to serve Wen Yusheng, helping him quickly take control of the Black Gold Mine area.

"I don't have the habit of taking in disciples," Li Pin said calmly, "However, as long as it doesn't interfere with my cultivation, I won't be stingy in sharing insights or giving guidance on martial arts."

He glanced at Shi Shihu, who not long ago had proclaimed to be a Martial God. "Though the Martial God realm has been discovered, there is still a long road ahead. I hope that years from now, I won't be walking this path alone."

"Martial God Li, your willingness to guide us in martial cultivation is the greatest kindness you could bestow upon us!" Shi Shihu said with utmost respect. "From this day forth, all members of the Dragonfist Sect will regard you as our supreme leader. We will serve you, Martial God Li, as our new sect master."