Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent

Chapter 318: Exterminate

At Xiangye Territory.

Wen Ruxiu, Qiao Yuanshan, and others were reporting the recent developments to Wen Yusheng.

"The Black Gold Plain is the largest plain in Molong Country, with over five million people, accounting for one-fifth of the total population. It's divided into twenty-six territories, with the most powerful being the Southern Lake Territory.

"It has a population of more than 600 thousand and is guarded by the Grand Lord, Zhang Tian'nan. Currently, we've secretly taken control of three territories to the south and are infiltrating four more. But no matter how cautious we are, movements this large won't escape Zhang Tian'nan's notice for long."

Wen Ruxiu's tone grew solemn. "To ensure our safety, we need more men and more experts."

He turned to Wen Yusheng. "We can't afford to give up such a favorable situation. It's time to seek help from the main family."

"The main family?" Wen Yusheng shook his head. "There's no main family left, just a few clinging to survival. After our last failure, we can't risk any more losses."

"Losses?" Wen Ruxiu said. "Martial God Li has the strength of a Top-Tier Astral Cultivator, which is the strongest force in Great Moon."

"That's still not enough. Only countries with Master Astral Cultivators gain international recognition, join the Human Alliance, and enjoy the rights of a primary nation. A Top-Tier Astral Cultivator isn't sufficient." Wen Yusheng waved his hand. "We'll wait."

Wen Ruxiu paused. "Wait... wait... If we keep waiting, people will forget that our real surname isn't Wen, but Lin."

Lin—the royal family of Great Moon.

"Even so, we must tread carefully," Wen Yusheng stressed, his voice lowering. "We also need to figure out how to persuade Martial God Li to join our side."

***

In Zone B2 of the Black Gold Mine, a bright flash of electric spark lit up the dark tunnel.

The lightning came from a Majin, but just as it was about to strike its target—Li Pin—an invisible force seemed to pull it off course. The bolt veered aside, crashing into the ground and sending up a shower of sparks.

"The Majin doesn't pose much of a threat anymore," Li Pin remarked, disappointed.

"Roar!"

Having missed its mark, the Majin charged closer, aiming to unleash an electric strike at close range.

However, before it managed to draw near, Li Pin accelerated, electricity swirling about him.

Under the amplification of this electric power, he threw a punch from a distance. With his fist still a meter away, a violent force erupted from it, shattering the air and striking the Majin's head.

As the Majin's skull shattered, the remaining force swept forward, whipping up a powerful whirlwind in the tunnel.

For dozens of meters in front of Li Pin, the mine was a cloud of flying debris. Even a Copper Ore weighing dozens of pounds was lifted into the air, slamming heavily into the wall with a thunderous crash.

Despite having seen this before, Xing Hui and Ri Chi still couldn't help but widen their eyes as they followed behind Li Pin.

"Martial God Li... he has grown even stronger!"

"No... this is his true strength!"

The most notable difference was that earlier, Li Pin had been able to control his attacks, avoiding any collateral damage. But with this punch, he tapped into the Celestial Force Field, unleashing a level of destruction only a true Martial God could command... and it was clearly visible to the naked eye.

Li Pin pondered, After refining the Lifeform Force Field into the Celestial Magnetic Field, the body tempering effect has significantly improved. I can still maintain control when holding back, but when fully unleashed... the control does indeed diminish.

While the previous Lifeform Force Field was equally important, it leaned more toward the ethereal aspect of Vitality, Qi, and Spirit. In contrast, the Celestial Magnetic Field represented solid magnetic power.

The effects on tempering and explosive force would naturally be worlds apart.

Based on my earlier estimates, when the magnetic field strength reaches ten, it would take two or three years to elevate my qi and blood to the threshold of a Top-Tier Astral Cultivator, which is three hundred. It seems that the actual efficiency is even better than I anticipated.

Li Pin focused inward to analyze his own attributes.

[Qi and Blood: 141.74], [Mental Spirit: 70.16], [Magnetic Field: 14.25]

Three months ago, Li Pin had developed the Celestial Martial God Manual to enhance the magnetic field, practiced the Heavenly Scripture of Primal Chaos to cultivate his mental spirit, and trained his physique with the Celestial Body-Tempering Fist. Just as predicted, his strength experienced an explosive surge.

What used to be a mere four-point increase in qi and blood each month had shot up to ten points. Even his magnetic field strength and mental spirit, which had previously been growing slowly, had advanced at a remarkable pace.

The unexpected growth rate primarily resulted from the synergy among the three techniques.

Li Pin's unexpectedly rapid growth rate was mainly attributed to the synergy between these three techniques. A stronger magnetic field enhanced his body tempering, which in turn boosted his qi and blood, nurturing his mental spirit. As his mental spirit grew, it fed back into the training of the Celestial Martial God Manual.

In just three months, his strength had risen to a whole new level. And it hadn't even peaked yet.

Naturally, the growth rate would slow as the numbers increased. However, in a year and a half, or at most two years, his qi and blood would surely reach the threshold of a Top-Tier Astral Cultivator! Similarly, the magnetic field strength could exceed thirty. His mental spirit would without a doubt increase as well.

This is still without any cultivation resources, Li Pin thought.

Thinking of resources, his mood soured. He turned his gaze toward Xing Hui and Ri Chi, who were about to search for spoils. "Did you find any resources containing electromagnetic power?"

Xing Hui and Ri Chi exchanged glances and shook their heads.

"For the past half month, I've ventured deep into the Black Gold Mine three times. Each time, I've taken down dozens of Majin, totaling over a hundred... But aside from two High-Grade Astral Crystals and some astral equipment materials, not a single item related to electromagnetic power has dropped. It seems Majin really doesn't carry anything like Primordial Electric Crystals."

Li Pin sighed. "Tell me, if they don't have this kind of energy in their bodies, how do they unleash lightning attacks?"

Ri Chi smiled bitterly. "We brought back a few Majin corpses for research. The researchers say it's due to a yin-attribute—or Death Aura—within them. This Death Aura combines with a special element found in the mine, creating effects similar to electron collisions, which result in the discharges."

He quickly added, "Of course, it's also possible that those researchers just aren't skilled enough to uncover the true secret of the Majin's ability to discharge."

Li Pin knew he was asking for too much.

As of now, only Great Shang produced Primordial Electric Crystals. Other countries had to import them from there.

"Well, that's that," Li Pin said. "I've cleared out most of the Ghouls in Zone B1. Even if some slipped through, there's only a handful left.

"I want you to form a hunting team under Yue Ying's lead to take care of the surviving Ghouls or any that wander in from other areas. Make sure Zone B1 is secured. After that, arrange for a search of the area to see if there are any mineral veins left to exploit."

Ri Chi nodded solemnly. "Understood."

Li Pin focused his efforts on the Black Gold Mine. His clearing out of thousands of Ghouls in just three trips over half a month showed his determination to restart the mine.

If they could indeed revive it, even if it's just the barren outskirts, they'd have a variety of minerals flowing in in abundance. This would allow the Dragonfist Sect—or rather the Xiangye Territory—along with the unnamed forces gathering around him, to grow rapidly.

"Additionally, gather information on the suspected locations of the Ghoul Kings as soon as possible. In the coming period, I will focus my search on these areas."

Li Pin stretched his body, lamenting, "Ordinary Ghouls and Majin don't even qualify to be my warm-up anymore."

Xing Hui and Ri Chi exchanged glances, seeing envy and admiration in each other's eyes.

To regard high-tier demonic creatures as insignificant! What kind of splendor is that!?

Having witnessed Li Pin's formidable strength, his incredible recovery, and the combat power which had allowed the founder of the Martial God path to perish with a Legendary Mage, an idea began to sprout in their minds.

What if one day they could gather a Lifeform Force Field?

Perhaps the Martial God path wasn't a bad choice. After all, the upper limits of the Martial God path could also lead to slaying Legends.

The founder, Li Pin, brought down a Legendary being to perish alongside him, but how long had it been since his breakthrough? He certainly hadn't reached perfection yet.

If he could achieve such a feat before reaching perfection, it wouldn't be unreasonable to think he could match them after he did.

Furthermore, even if Martial God Li had become a Martial God right after the founder announced the path, that would only still be less than a year ago. For him to have become so powerful so as to kill thousands of Ghouls comparable to high-tier demonic creatures within just a month.... What kind of power was that? What endurance!

Even Top-Tier Astral Cultivators might find themselves at a disadvantage. After all, their most potent burst of power came from activating their Starlight Body, a state that was hard to maintain.

Moreover, rumors already circulated that those who meditated on the Astral God through a Lifeform Force Field without completing the ultimate transcendence as Martial Saints found the path of Astral Cultivation more difficult.

While they could eventually achieve the level of Top-Tier Astral Cultivators, the time span was clearly longer than that of Martial Saints who completed ultimate transcendence. Their chances of becoming a Master Astral Cultivator were also relatively lower.

At the root of it all, they lacked the life-and-death trials necessary.

If their upper limit could only reach that of a Top-Tier Astral Cultivators ... why not give the Martial God path a try?

***

After once again clearing Zone B1 and B2 of the mine, Li Pin returned to the Dragonfist Sect.

As soon as he arrived, Shi Shihu couldn't wait to deliver good news.

"Six days ago, Wen Xingchen, who cultivated his Innate Embryonic Breath Technique and went to Great Shang to rent astral equipment, sent word that he has condensed his Lifeform Force Field! Once he stabilizes his realm, he'll return to thank you, Sect Master!" @@novelbin@@

Shi Shihu was full of excitement. "Now, our Dragonfist Sect has one Martial God and two Quasi-Martial Gods to defend us."