Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent

Chapter 341: Engage

Xiang Tianxing took a step forward and said, "I'll go with you."

Li Pin glanced at him. Initially, he hadn't planned on involving Xiang Tianxing in this matter, but considering Xiang's headstrong nature, Li Pin nodded. "Fine, just don't jump in too easily."

"Don't jump in too easily?" Xiang Tianxing felt a bit speechless. "You've been waiting for this day for a long time, haven't you?"

"I have not! Don't talk nonsense!" Li Pin quickly retorted.

I have been quietly training here at the Dragonfist Sect, bothering no one. Now that the enemy has shown up at my doorstep, is it so wrong to fight back? Of course not.

Xiang Tianxing nodded in understanding. "I get it. Sparring can't compare to real life-and-death combat."

Be it Astral Cultivators or Martial Saints, the higher the level, the more pure their mind and spirit had to be.

This purity had its advantages—they became firm in their decisions and were not easily swayed by others. However, it also had its downsides, making them prone to overthinking, stubbornness, acting impulsively, and behaving recklessly.

At times, they would still charge ahead despite knowing something was wrong.

It wasn't that they didn't know how to adapt; it was just that after devoting their entire lives to cultivating astral energy, their mental capacity for other thoughts naturally became limited.

It was like how a top scientist was rarely very social. The stronger an Astral Cultivator, the more obvious this trait became.

"No, you don't understand." Li Pin waved his hand. "I've never been someone who craves fighting or killing."

What Li Pin truly enjoyed were life-and-death battles with opponents of similar strength, preferably stronger. The thrill of being on the edge pushed his body to its limits, driving his continuous evolution.

He wasn't the type to seek out fights for no reason—that wasn't the life he desired.

"The situation won't wait. We should leave now," Li Pin urged. He pointed out, "Any delay could bring changes."

Xiang Tianxing didn't argue further and nodded.

While the envoy was still waiting for Li Pin's audience, the two of them set out at full speed, heading straight for the Molong Country's capital.

The Molong Country spanned over a million square kilometers. Since the Dragonfist Sect sat on the border between the Molong and Kanyun Countries, the distance to the capital was over a thousand miles.

However, Li Pin was no longer who he used to be. Now, by merging with the Celestial Force Field, he could fly effortlessly—even faster than Xiang Tianxing.

Seeing this, Xiang Tianxing felt a surge of competitiveness.

With their earlier duel interrupted by the Martial God Hall's envoy, their journey now became an unspoken contest.

Li Pin's speed was impressive, but Xiang Tianxing wasn't far behind, keeping pace.

The two shot forward like lightning, covering nearly a thousand miles in no time.

As the capital came into view, Xiang Tianxing finally spoke up, "Wait! After running a thousand miles at this speed, there's no way you haven't used up some stamina. We're about to face a major battle against Master Astral Cultivators. Let's rest before we continue."

Li Pin chuckled and slowed his pace. "Giving up already?"

Xiang Tianxing sneered. "It's taken a toll on you, hasn't it? I've studied the Celestial Force Field in depth. Even a Top-Tier Astral Cultivator with qi and blood of four or five hundred would struggle to stay integrated for long. Don't end up carrying internal injuries into a fight with two Master Astral Cultivators."

Li Pin smiled. "Sorry, but you're three versions behind.

"When I gained new insights into the Celestial Force Field, I focused on reducing the load. I've since fully integrated with it, and my understanding has deepened.

"Not long ago, I even condensed my own magnetic field. By using my magnetic field to counter Gaia's Celestial Force Field, the load is reduced a fair deal. The Stars Overlord Secret Art's records can't compare to my current level of mastery."

Xiang Tianxing was taken aback. Looking at the calm and unburdened Li Pin, he finally realized that the man before him was no longer the inexperienced youth of the past.

Though he looked quite different from how Xiang Tianxing remembered him—having aged ten years—what surprised Xiang Tianxing was Li Pin's growth speed. It had only taken him a year to grow from a Martial Saint to a level even a Master Astral Cultivator like Xiang Tianxing couldn't match in certain aspects.

What an astonishing speed....

Could a martial artist who had transitioned into an Astral Cultivator achieve that kind of speed? Clearly not!

Even someone as powerful as Fu Qingtian couldn't grow to this level within a year of switching to Astral Cultivation.

Li Pin had left Tianyuan without saying much, but through his actions and growth, he had silently proved those who doubted him wrong.

One day, he would step onto the world stage and declare to everyone, with his accomplishments, that the Martial God path wasn't merely full of potential anymore. He had taken that potential and turned it into true, formidable power.

A thought flashed through Xiang Tianxing's mind. When that day comes... will Lord Fu Qingtian admit his mistake?

Xiang Tianxing glanced at Li Pin, this pioneer of the Martial God path who still carried his unique, defiant spirit. If Li Pin continued to grow at this rate, that day would come soon...

"I'll be waiting," Xiang Tianxing muttered softly.

Li Pin slowed down and glanced at him. "What?"

"Nothing," Xiang Tianxing snapped out of his thoughts. "Go ahead. I look forward to seeing you fight Ying Zhao and Hong Zhenshan, and you showing the world the true strength of the Martial God's path."

He looked in another direction. "I can sense them. They're six kilometers away, just ahead."

"In that case, rest here. I'll go on ahead."

In the next moment, Li Pin bent slightly, and lightning erupted!

The ground beneath his feet crackled as if struck by thunder, leaving charred marks across the area spanning over dozens of meters.

With an electromagnetic leap, Li Pin shot into the sky, soaring over a hundred meters. Wrapped in an invisible force, he broke the sound barrier, sending shockwaves rippling through the air, followed by a deafening roar as he sped toward the Molong Country's palace.

What astonishing speed!

Xiang Tianxing froze in shock, startled. It wasn't long before he broke out into laughter. "I thought that if I went all out, I could still barely keep up. It's just that I'd have to expend more stamina than you. I never expected..."

Li Pin was using his mortal body to fly at supersonic speeds! This was his true speed! This was his true strength!

He had reached this level after only one year of becoming a Martial God! What would happen after one more year? Two years? Or even three?

What realm would he reach then? Legendary?

Or perhaps... a realm beyond Legendary?

"Li Pin, I look forward to seeing you stand at the pinnacle of the world!"

***

At Molong Palace.

Ying Zhao and Hong Zhenshan had arrived but didn't bother occupying King Wu Muxuan's residence. It wasn't out of respect; they simply found it beneath them.

What was so special about the palace of a mere warlord in Great Moon? To two Astral Cultivators from Great Shang, it wasn't even worth their attention.

However, neither was concerned about their accommodations anymore. They had just been handling their affairs when they suddenly stopped their calls and exchanged glances.

"A Master Astral Cultivator?"

"There shouldn't be a Master Astral Cultivator on this land!"

Both quickly stepped outside. The moment they did, they noticed something and abruptly looked up toward the distant horizon.

Thunder rumbled in that direction, as if a storm was approaching.

However, two seasoned Master Astral Cultivators instantly recognized that this was no ordinary thunderstorm. Rather, it was someone approaching at incredible speed!

Even as the figure rapidly closed in, they still couldn't sense that unique astral energy resonance that belonged to an Astral Cultivator about him.

"Who is it!?"

"Someone who didn't trigger our astral energy resonance yet can fly at supersonic speed...."

At that moment, the same name flashed through their minds.

Just as they vaguely guessed the person's identity, a deafening roar approached accompanied by flashes of lightning. A figure, like a meteor streaking through the sky, arrived steadily with an awe-inspiring presence on the square before their palace.

As he landed, the two of them seemed to catch a glimpse of the silhouette of a celestial body surging forth.

Even though it was just a shadow, its vastness, magnificence, and grandeur made even Ying Zhao, who had mentored more than one Martial God, tense up.

When it came to mastering the Celestial Force Field, a Martial God who had relied on themselves to comprehend it far outstripped another who had used Astral Techniques to do so. The difference between the two was immense.

The fact that this person dared to approach them so blatantly spoke volumes of his self-confidence.

Amidst the swirling dust and crackling lightning, Li Pin straightened his back. "At last, they've smartened up and sent two Masters instead of Top-Tier ones."

Ying Zhao stepped forward, his tone grave. "Are you the Dragonfist Sect Sect Master?"

"That's me," Li Pin replied calmly.

This time, Ying Zhao didn't need Hong Zhenshan's prompting; he took the initiative to hint at recruitment.

"You killed one of the Martial God Hall's ministers and two senior officers. I should execute you on the spot, but considering your status as a Martial God—"

"No need," Li Pin cut to the chase.

His expression remained composed as he gazed at Ying Zhao and Hong Zhenshan. "Any further talk is just a waste of breath. I'm staying with the Dragonfist Sect. I won't be joining the Martial God Hall. That leaves only one reason for you both to be here."

Hearing that, the silent Hong Zhenshan finally spoke up. "Dragonfist Sect Sect Master, do you realize what you've done? You've killed a minister and two senior officers of the Martial God Hall. Joining us is your only way out; otherwise, you'll be making enemies of the Martial God Hall and the entire Great Shang!"

Li Pin fixed his gaze on the two Master Astral Cultivators. "And then?"

"How arrogant..." Hong Zhenshan slowly advanced, standing beside Ying Zhao. "You're—"

"I am digging my own grave. Yeah, yeah." Li Pin finished the sentence for Hong Zhenshan. Then, as if recalling something amusing, he chuckled. "It's been a while since I've fought. I'm still getting used to it. If anything I say next makes you a bit uncomfortable, I apologize in advance."

He raised his right hand in a gesture toward them. "Now, you two mighty Master Astral Cultivators, come. Attack me with your full strength. Kill me if you can."