Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent

Chapter 323: Trial

While staying at the Dragonfist Sect, Li Pin found some rare free time for training.

During this period, he sent Shi Shihu and Xing Hui to Great Shang. They spent over half a month there selling dozens of High-Grade Astral Crystals and exchanging them for hundreds of Primordial Electric Crystals.

With sufficient Primordial Electric Crystals, his magnetic field enhancement became much more efficient, and his qi and blood grew rapidly.

In addition to his training, Li Pin took time to guide Xing Ying, Xing Hui, Yue Ying, Yue Ya, Ri Chi, and Liu Shaolong.

As the Dragonfist Sect's prodigy with a unique constitution, Liu Shaolong clearly worshiped the strong. Ever since witnessing Li Pin's overwhelming victory over Shi Shihu, he had been eager to become his disciple.

However, Li Pin was reluctant to teach him. On one hand, he had no interest in doing so. On the other, he felt that with Liu Shaolong's obsession with power, he would likely choose the path of an Astral Cultivator once he formed his Lifeform Force Field.

Though Li Pin included him in his teachings, he wouldn't grant him a Skill Crystal to become a true Martial God without passing his test.

On this day, after finishing one round of clearing the Black Gold Mine's perimeter, Li Pin stepped out and noticed Wen Xingchen and Xu Bao hurriedly arriving in a car.

"Master, something has happened. We received word that the actual ruler of the Black Gold Plains, Grand Lord Zhang Tian'nan, is leading an army toward the Xiangye Territory. He claims that we've violated the interests of Xiangshi, Fenglin, and Hanmu Territories and refuses to stand down," Wen Xingchen said quickly.

"Oh."

In reality, Zhang Tian'nan had already issued an ultimatum half a month ago, ordering Xiangye Territory to withdraw its troops from Fenglin and Hanmu Territories, claiming that their deployment to assist in guarding the Black Gold Mine violated regulations.

However, Xiangye Territory misinterpreted the warning, thinking Grand Lord Zhang Tian'nan was merely seeking a bribe. To address it, Wen Yusheng sent Qiao Wen with a million in funds to Black Gold City.

To their surprise, Zhang Tian'nan accepted the money but still launched his troops without hesitation.

"It seems the Grand Lord is determined to deal with Xiangye Territory," Li Pin remarked.

Zhang Tian'nan was one of the twelve Grand Lords under Wu Muxuan. He was a High-Class Astral Cultivator.

"This time, Zhang Tian'nan is personally leading the army," Wen Xingchen said seriously. "Logically speaking, Xiangye Territory isn't a powerful region. Even if Zhang Tian'nan wanted to punish us, there's no need for him to do it himself.

"He has three Astral Cultivators under him, and sending any one of them with elite troops would be enough to conquer Xiangye. But for some reason, he's coming in person. I fear that the Molong Royal Family may have a hand in this."

"It looks like the real test has arrived," Li Pin said.

Both Wen Xingchen and Xu Bao appeared uneasy.

Li Pin turned to Wen Xingchen. "Half a month ago, you sensed the Celestial Force Field, didn't you?"

"Yes," Wen Xingchen nodded solemnly. "Thanks to your direct guidance, I am now able to harness the Celestial Force Field."

"Then why fear Zhang Tian'nan?" Li Pin asked.

Wen Xingchen was taken aback. "Zhang Tian'nan is a High-Class Astral Cultivator... I may be able to manipulate the Celestial Force Field and have technically become a Martial God, but it's only been half a month since I reached that stage.

"From what I've heard, a Martial God's strength lies somewhere between an Ordinary and a High-Class Astral Cultivator. Or perhaps they're about as strong as a slightly more powerful official Astral Cultivator. But Zhang Tian'nan has been a High-Class Astral Cultivator for over a decade. Facing such a powerful opponent, I fear...."

Li Pin watched him quietly, offering no response.

Wen Xingchen's understanding of the Celestial Force Field had come directly from Li Pin. Though he lacked the "Clairvoyance" talent to use the Celestial Force Field to bring down a Legend with him—as Li Pin had once done—his grasp of the force field far surpassed that of ordinary Martial Gods.

In fact, his comprehension was enough to support his cultivation to the point where he could externally manifest the field's power at the level of a Top-Tier Martial God.

If it weren't for his weak foundation and Li Pin's limited supply of Primordial Electric Crystals for his own cultivation, Wen Xingchen could have reached the High-Class Martial God stage in just six months and Top-Tier in a year or two.

Unfortunately, the Black Gold Mine's resources were still untapped. Li Pin barely had enough for his own cultivation and couldn't afford to direct more resources to Wen Xingchen.

Even so, Wen Xingchen's current strength was more than enough to deal with a High-Class Astral Cultivator. What he really needed to overcome was the centuries-old fear ordinary people held toward Astral Cultivators.

Under Li Pin's gaze, Wen Xingchen's worry gradually faded. He took a deep breath and calmed down quickly. "I understand now."

He quietly attuned himself to the connection between his body and the Celestial Force Field, sensing the celestial movements—a vast, indescribable power.

If I could draw even a fraction of it... would I not be able to defeat a High-Class Astral Cultivator?

"A disciple must shoulder their master's burdens. You've granted me the power to fight a High-Class Astral Cultivator, and that's already a tremendous gift. How could I bother you with such a small matter?" Wen Xingchen's gaze sharpened. He declared firmly, "Master, I will defend the Black Gold Mine. This is your territory. No one can take it, unless they step over our dead bodies."

"Zhang Tian'nan doesn't have that ability," Li Pin said.

Back when Li Pin had first grasped the Celestial Force Field, he could already effortlessly crush Gao Feng, a High-Class Astral Cultivator from the Divine Adoration Sect.

Having comprehended the field under Li Pin's tutelage and with half a month to hone his newfound power, Wen Xingchen would have had enough strength to kill Zhang Tian'nan if he could truly unleash his full strength.

Li Pin turned to Xu Bao and instructed, "You, Shi Shihu, Xing Ying, and the others, go and observe. This battle might help you all understand what true Martial God power should be."

Xu Bao and the others respectfully agreed.

"Understood."

Li Pin gave no further instructions as they left. Zhang Tian'nan would serve as their trial. If they survived, it would prove their worth and earn them his help.

He wasn't here to act as a caretaker for Xiangye Territory or the Dragonfist Sect. His focus was on cultivation, and he had no intention of personally handling every issue.

***

Li Pin returned to the courtyard and noticed a team of workers finishing the installation of equipment.

"Master," called out Shi Shihu, approaching with a smile. "The signal base station from Great Shang has been set up. From now on, the entire Dragonfist Sect can access the internet normally and connect with international information." @@novelbin@@

"So, we're finally online," Li Pin replied, feeling slightly nostalgic.

Years of war had left the infrastructure in the Great Moon region severely damaged. Moreover, Molong Country intentionally imposed a news blockade, preventing the public from learning about the outside world. Consequently, while the Dragonfist Sect used to have internet access, it was limited to making calls and sending messages.

However, things were different now.

With the impending exposure of their occupation of the Black Gold Mine, conflict was inevitable. Li Pin had been prepared for this. He had also grown indifferent to the regulations of Molong Country.

The request for the equipment was submitted half a month ago... As expected, with enough money, Great Shang's people delivered results efficiently.

Li Pin went home and turned on the computer he had bought long ago for tens of thousands of yuan.

In this world, the networks among the Six Extremities were not interconnected. Most people could only access news from their own country, with external information filtered through the ruling class, only showing the nations what they wanted them to see.

However, the Great Moon region had a unique advantage—it could access both the Royal Empire and Great Shang's network.

While Li Pin wasn't concerned about the money, he didn't know the Royal Empire's language, so he could only use Great Shang's network.

As he searched online for changes the Martial God system had brought to the world over the past year, one piece of news caught his attention.

"The second perilous region to be cleared by the Special United Squad is the Burial Grounds on Dark Moon Island!? Second!? What about the battle report for the first one?"

Li Pin quickly began gathering relevant information.

The first clearing operation took place three months ago, targeting the Degenerate Temple, which had nearly caused the fall of the entire Nanli Country to the Tianyuan Federation.

The results of the operation couldn't have been better.

Most media outlets described the battle against the Degenerate Temple as a major victory, claiming that the Degenerate Temple won't be able to expand for the next decade.

They sang of it being a powerful counterattack by humanity against the demonic creatures, marking a shift in the war dynamics between humans and the creatures.

Yet, there wasn't a single report confirming the complete eradication of the Degenerate Temple.

Li Pin was somewhat surprised. "So, they didn't succeed?"

The Special United Squad had over ten Legendary figures and more than a hundred Top-Tier Astral Cultivators. More than half of these Legends were equipped with full sets of legendary astral equipment.

The majority of Astral Cultivators wielded rare astral equipment like the Arbiter Spirit Weapon, Knight's Brace, and Power Rings.

With such a lineup, and more than a hundred people moving together, how could they have failed to clear the Degenerate Temple?

Li Pin continued his search and gradually unearthed various unofficial reports.

Given that the incident had occurred three months ago, some previously classified details had inevitably leaked.

"It's not that the Special United Squad was unable to defeat the creatures of the Degenerate Temple, but rather... they encountered something resembling a formation?"

Li Pin read through the description.

Just as all demonic creatures liked to venture deeper underground in hopes of being closer to the Celestial Core, the Degenerate Temple was no different. The Degenerate Statues underground had constructed an incredibly massive palace.

The squad found themselves amidst a vast architectural complex. Although each palace was small, they felt perpetually trapped as they navigated through one after another.

The palaces seemed alive, continuously shifting and changing. After half a month, the squad still hadn't discovered a real exit.

Meanwhile, the Degenerate Statues scattered throughout the palaces proved to be an incessant nuisance.

Naturally, using brute force to break through was out of the question; if the temple in the underground space collapsed, the resulting avalanche of earth and stone would likely lead to a catastrophic loss of life.

Eventually, even the Legendary figures grew tired from repeatedly killing the Degenerate Statues. They had no choice but to break through the ground and retreat.

With the formation surrounding the Degenerate Temple unsolved, their only option was to ensure the Degenerate Statues outside were eradicated. As for the creatures within the temple... that would have to wait.

"A bad start," Li Pin remarked.

He closed the page and resumed his search for information regarding Tianyuan.

Soon, a piece of news from three days ago popped up.

"Li Yunyao, the sole successor of the founder of the Martial God path, Li Pin, achieved the rank of Martial Saint three days ago and has been appointed Deputy Sect Master of the Divine Martial Sect."

This piece of news took Li Pin by surprise, and he paused for a moment to take it in. Yaoyao is already a Martial Saint?

However, as surprised as he was, he wasn't overly so. With the foundation he laid for Li Yunyao and Lin Xiaolu, as long as they had access to sufficient resources, their growth was bound to be rapid.

The miraculous resources Legends controlled mustn't be underestimated.

Li Pin chuckled at the news. "Without a backer, I guess they had to push themselves harder."

After browsing for a while to ensure he hadn't lost touch with the world, he left his room and headed to the training room.

There, he opened a box powered by Astral Crystals, revealing a pile of over three hundred Primordial Electric Crystals.

"The time to become a Top-Tier Martial God has just shortened."