Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent

Chapter 376: The World

Just as Su Dongfeng had anticipated, a high-level meeting was quickly convened to address the Royal Empire's legendary battle at Tianyuan.

The session was presided over by Wan Renshan, the Legendary expert based in Tianyuan. Through a specialized device resembling astral equipment, each Master Astral Cultivator appeared one after another in the virtual conference room.

Meanwhile, the two Master Astral Cultivators, Mo Wangqing and Fu Xueyi—tasked with handling affairs related to Fu Qingtian—hurried toward the room where the specialized devices were set up.

Their expressions grew tense as they walked in, having just received a staggering piece of news: Li Pin had single-handedly charged into the Royal Empire capital and engaged in a fierce confrontation with Xiao Qianyuan, the legendary expert stationed there.

This information was absurd beyond belief! Even after verifying it from multiple sources, disbelief still lingered on their faces.

As they walked in, Fu Xueyi asked, "Martial Brother Mo, you've had the most contact with Li Pin. Tell me... what could be the reason behind this?

"Not long ago, Ying Zhao and Hong Zhenshan publicly defended their retreat, claiming they sensed the presence of another Master Astral Cultivator and didn't want to fight to the bitter end against Li Pin.

"We later confirmed that Xiang Tianxing had been nearby at the time of the battle. Given his close relationship with Li Pin, he certainly wouldn't have stood by if Li Pin faced danger. Ying Zhao and Hong Zhenshan's judgment was valid."

She continued, "Then, he captured Zhang Dongwang from the Royal Empire after taking him by surprise. At most, this only showed that he had a slight edge over a Master Astral Cultivator, but that wasn't particularly meaningful. So why has... Li Pin suddenly attacked the imperial capital and challenged a Legend?"

Mo Wangqing glanced at Fu Xueyi. He felt bitter in his heart. He wanted to know the answer as much as she did.

After a pause, he said, "Whatever the case, this news can no longer be denied. Li Pin... might truly have gained the strength to rival a Legend!"

He took a deep breath. "A Legend signifies the pinnacle of strength in this world. There are only a handful of Legends in the world, and each one holds a position of decisive influence. Although Li Pin reached this level as a Martial God, from now on, his weight on the human stage will far surpass what it once was."

Fu Xueyi scoffed. "That's not necessarily true. Charging so arrogantly into the imperial capital and challenging the empire's authority—he might very well end up crushed by Xiao Qianyuan, the stationed Legend, losing any chance of ever stepping onto the human pinnacle."

Mo Wangqing had no energy to argue with her.

Li Pin's arrogance was undeniable, yet it often stemmed from his absolute confidence in his strength. A man like Li Pin, with such wisdom that he had even carved out the Martial God path, couldn't be a reckless fool, at least Mo Wangqing didn't believe so. He couldn't have attacked the empire's capital if he didn't have any assurance of success.

He knew better than to pin his hopes on Xiao Qianyuan killing Li Pin due to his arrogance. He would rather spend his energy hoping that Li Pin would one day assist humanity in purging all ferocious beasts and demonic creatures off the face of the planet, liberating humanity from these threats and setting the stage for internal competition over resources.

However, such thoughts would never be spoken aloud.

The two soon reached the room equipped with the virtual conference instruments.

As the Top-Tier Astral Cultivators in charge operated the device, the surrounding environment shifted instantly, and the pair found themselves in a vast conference room.

At the top were six seats arranged on an elevated platform, with three seats slightly above the others.

These were reserved for the three supreme experts of Tianyuan: Fu Qingtian, the King of the Century who transitioned into Astral Cultivation; Yuan Zhenchuan, the commander of the Special United Squad; and Wan Guliu, the founding emperor of Tianyuan and the Federation's first president.

However, Fu Qingtian and Yuan Zhenchuan were currently on Dark Moon Island, where the necessary equipment was unavailable, preventing them from attending the meeting.

Wan Guliu, a figure of unparalleled prestige in Tianyuan—far surpassing even Fu Qingtian—was located deep within the Demon-Sealing Fortress, where astral interference was so intense that no technological devices could function.

As a result, the meeting was presided over by another royal Legend, Wan Renshan.

In addition to Wan Renshan, legendary figures like Ying Guo from the Blackbird Kingdom and Qiao Baishi from the Xiya Republic had already arrived. Several Master Astral Cultivators were conversing with them.

These Master Astral Cultivators, totaling over a hundred, formed the backbone of this high-level meeting.

However, less than half were actually attending, making the hall seem somewhat empty. After all, many of these Master Astral Cultivators came from the same country, so only one or two representatives were needed.

A few minutes after Mo Wangqing and Fu Xueyi entered the hall, Wan Renshan's figure appeared in the main seat.

He spoke, "It seems everyone is here... I believe you all already know the purpose of this meeting. It concerns Li Pin, the one currently rising in prominence as the founder of the Martial God path and the head of the Celestial Martial God Hall. If this matter is handled properly, Tianyuan could very well gain another Supreme Expert!"

The words sparked astonishment among over half of the Master Astral Cultivators present.

"A Supreme Expert!?"

"How could he be a Supreme Expert? Li Pin... shouldn't he just be at the Legendary level?" asked Fu Xuey, astonished. "Moreover, he isn't even immortal, unlike Legends."

Wan Renshan glanced at Fu Xueyi. "This was personally confirmed by His Excellency Lord Ge Lin, the Royal Empire's Supreme Expert. There's no mistake about it."

The room erupted into a heated discussion.

"Lord Ge Lin confirmed it?!"

"He acknowledged Li Pin as a Supreme Expert? How could that be?!"

"Why bring up Lord Ge Lin again? Isn't he the terrifying figure who has nurtured his sword for ten years, allowing him to shatter Atomic Will with a single sword strike?"

The so-called immortality of Master and Legendary Astral Cultivators stemmed from recording their life imprint within the Atomic Will. That meant that if the Atomic Will was ever shattered, even only temporarily, a Master or Legend could potentially be killed.

Wan Renshan explained further, "What defines a Supreme Expert? It's someone who, while possessing Legendary power, is also unmatched in a specific domain!

"Li Pin, a Martial God as powerful as a Legend, has a unique advantage—he cannot be detected by any means since he doesn't possess any astral equipment, not even using certain extraordinary detection equipment. As long as he deliberately conceals himself, no one can find him. His absolute stealth makes him a true supreme expert in this field."

This ability surpassed even the Oblivion Ring. After all, a Legend wearing the ring could be detected by certain divine relics.

The Masters present quickly understood Wan Renshan's meaning.

Li Pin had combat strength equal to a Legend and unmatched stealth—if this didn't make him a Supreme Expert, then what would?

For a moment, many gazes turned to Su Dongfeng, the Taibai Master Astral Cultivator at the meeting. They knew that he had recently re-established contact with Li Pin.

"The focus of this meeting is to decide whether to bring Li Pin back to Tianyuan. And if so, what method to use. Please feel free to offer suggestions," Wan Renshan said, clearly expressing his stance.

He glanced at Fu Yixue. "If this becomes a collective decision, I'm sure even Fu Qingtian will support it when he learns of it."

Fu Yixue opened her mouth, wanting to speak, but what Wan Renshan had just said left no room for her to say anything

Li Pin wasn't just a Legend! He had now surpassed that, becoming a Supreme Expert.

Ge Lin, a powerhouse strong enough to stand toe-to-toe with her adoptive father, had acknowledged Li Pin's strength and called him a Supreme Expert.

Like the distinction between Martial Saints by title and true Martial Saints, the term Supreme Expert had different interpretations. However, regardless of the definition, no one could shake or question Ge Lin's status as a Supreme Expert. Even if... he didn't possess any divine rings.

If some authority were to create a global top ten list, both Ge Lin and Fu Qingtian would undoubtedly make the cut.

Now such a top-tier powerhouse had openly acknowledged Li Pin as one of the Supreme Experts.

Fu Yixue felt like her entire day had turned into a blur. "How is this possible...?"

It was shocking enough that Li Pin attacked the Royal Empire, as he had fought against Xiao Qianyuan. Now, Ge Lin had even recognized him as a Supreme Expert.

It all felt like a nightmare, nothing seemed real. However, she knew it was all too real. The Master Astral Cultivators, who were suggesting inviting Li Pin back to Tianyuan, assured her that it was all true.

For a moment, even a powerful Master Astral Cultivator like Fu Yixue couldn't help but find herself suffocated by the news and the decision made by these figures.

"I must state one point," interjected Lu Jianchuan, his voice echoing in the virtual meeting room. "Li Pin is not just a Supreme Expert, but also the founder of the Martial God path. To the international martial arts community, he is nothing short of a martial ancestor!

"If he returns to Tianyuan, his help to the Tianyuan Federation would be immeasurable. At that time, at least half of the world's Martial Saints will follow him into Tianyuan."

"That's right," Xuan Yang, the Master Astral Cultivator, agreed. "The number you mentioned is conservative... I wouldn't even be surprised if it eventually reached sixty or seventy percent."

"These Martial Saints, whether they choose the Martial God path or become Astral Cultivators, will, in the coming years, become an incredibly formidable force—one that will allow us to surpass the other five nations and become the world's top superpower! So, any cost to bring Li Pin back is worth it!"

Yun Long stood up. "I'd like to add something. Anyone can see the potential in Martial God Li and the Martial God path he created. Whoever can bring him in will secure nearly a third of humanity's future. With the upcoming reform of the Human Alliance, this power will directly influence the first presidential election."

He raised his hand with firm resolve. "It's no exaggeration to say that in today's world, among the Six Extremities—whoever gets Li Pin, controls the world!"