Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent

Chapter 377: Cheers

"Whoever gets Li Pin controls the world!"

These words seemed to carry the weight of a thousand pounds.

The Master Astral Cultivators had been worried that inviting Li Pin back might upset Fu Qingtian. But when they heard this, a new train of thought quickly overtook their minds.

Although Fu Qingtian and Li Pin were at odds, they had never fully fallen out. Moreover, Li Pin was now critical to Tianyuan's future strategic plans. His return could be the key to whether Tianyuan could use the reform of the Human Alliance to become the world's sole superpower—perhaps even unify the human race.

It seemed unlikely that Fu Qingtian would be petty enough to oppose this. Perhaps, he might feel miffed about it, but the greater good had to take priority.

At worst, they could persuade him later on. For the sake of humanity's unity, they would ask Fu Qingtian to show the magnanimity expected of a senior and a Supreme Expert.

With this in mind, the Master Astral Cultivators all agreed.

"What Master Lu Jianchuan, Master Yun Long, and Master Xuan Yang have said makes sense. It is imperative that we welcome Martial God Li back."

"Martial God Li is already one of us. He just left for Great Moon to train. Now that he has made progress, he should return to Tianyuan."

"As for the incident on Crimson Flame Island, Tianyuan didn't handle it well. We must offer proper compensation. Otherwise, if Great Shang recruits Martial God Li, the global balance will shift in their favor."

"Yes! Once this news spreads, Great Shang, the East Sea's Thirty-Six Countries, Solar Radiance, and the Star Alliance will surely act. We must show our sincerity before they do."

Soon, nearly all the Master Astral Cultivators had voiced their opinions, leaving only a few silent figures, like Fu Xueyi and Mo Wangqing, to watch what could only be described as a majority vote.

Seeing this, Wan Renshan nodded, unbothered by the two quiet Master Astral Cultivator juniors.

He directly announced, "Very well. Since everyone agrees to bring Martial God Li back, let's move on to the second part of the meeting: who will be responsible for bringing him back, and what sincerity should we show to win him over?"

Wan Renshan shifted his gaze to Su Dongfeng.

Normally calm and composed, Su Dongfeng understood the gravity of dealing with a Legendary figure, especially one as powerful as Wan Guliu. He couldn't sit idly by and quickly stood up, saying, "To bring Martial God Li back, the key is to make him feel that staying in Tianyuan will be more comfortable than at the Celestial Martial God Hall.

"Fortunately, we will soon have an opportunity. Martial God Li will return to Tianyuan. Whether we can convince him to stay depends on how well we all collaborate."

"Martial God Li is coming back to Tianyuan soon?"

"Wonderful! Haha, Master Su, you've done us all a great service!"

"It will be much easier now that Martial God Li is coming to Tianyuan!"

Many Master Astral Cultivators beamed with smiles and readily agreed. Some even approached Su Dongfeng, expressing their goodwill and closeness.

The Taibai economy had always been highly developed, with a population of 300 million. However, due to its relatively weak strength, it held little influence within Tianyuan. However, Su Dongfeng's success in bringing back Li Pin could change everything.

Since Li Pin was a nobleman from Taibai, his standing reflected back on Taibai. Taibai's influence could leapfrog past the Central Dynasty, Blackbird Kingdom, and the Xiya Republic, becoming the second most powerful faction in the Tianyuan Federation, right after the Tianyuan Dynasty.

Moreover, if Li Pin continued growing at this pace, it was not impossible for the Tianyuan Federation to eventually become the Taibai Federation.

***

While the high-ranking officials of the Tianyuan Federation were engaged in heated discussions, Xiang Tianxing was in an exceptionally good mood in Taibai. He had been invited to the meeting but hadn't bothered attending.

He took out some fine wine he had kept for years and raised a toast in the direction of Great Moon.

"Life should be enjoyed to the fullest; never let the golden cup face the moon in vain... Haha!"[1]

***

Meanwhile, An Na, the secretary-general of the Human Alliance, was rushing to the Celestial Martial God Hall when he received the news. He was stunned for a moment and took a while to regain his composure.

"A Supreme Expert!" he muttered. "The human race has gained another Supreme Expert! This calls for celebration, a grand one!"

Beside him, Xiao Qiushui looked incredulous. "Has he really become a Supreme Expert already? That was fast."

He knew Li Pin's potential was limitless, but he hadn't expected the day to come so quickly.

"Don't view those rare geniuses who only appear once every hundred or even a thousand years through our narrow lens," An Na said thoughtfully. "The invitation agreement we made earlier is probably void now. This time, inviting Martial God Li to join the Human Alliance will require the Six Extremities to convene and discuss together."

"So, should we still go?" asked Xiao Qiushui.

"Of course! Why wouldn't we go?" An Na beamed. "This is a Supreme Expert! We must personally visit and congratulate Martial God Li, celebrating the birth of the twenty-second Legend. Or strictly speaking, the thirteenth Supreme Expert of the human race!"

***

In contrast to the reactions of these major factions, the Celestial Martial God Hall was completely taken aback when they received the news. This was because Li Pin had never mentioned his plans to attack the imperial capital.

To Li Pin, the gap between them was too vast to be worth mentioning. Telling them would have been meaningless and might have even prompted them to advise him against it. It was better to prove it through action.

After a brief moment of shock, the high-ranking officials of the Celestial Martial God Hall were overwhelmed with excitement and joy. As the news spread, the entire hall erupted in cheers.

"A Supreme Expert! The Hall Master... is a Supreme Expert!"

"One man against one nation—who else can stand in his way?!"

"My brother is invincible!"

Shouts of joy echoed throughout the Celestial Martial God Hall.

Shi Shihu, Xing Ying, and Yue Ying, in particular, were overjoyed, their hearts brimming with happiness.

Each of them firmly believed that following Li Pin had been the best decision of their lives.

***

The major powers—Great Shang, the East Sea's Thirty-Six Countries, the Solar Radiance, and the Star Alliance—all held high-level meetings simultaneously to discuss how to handle Li Pin and the Celestial Martial God Hall.

As for the remaining countries and factions, there was no need to elaborate. At this moment, some rejoiced, while others worried.

However, none of this affected Li Pin, who had already left the Royal Empire's capital. He was suppressing his own strength, calming his qi and blood flow.

He couldn't help but praise, "Just as expected of Legends!"

It was no surprise that Astral Cultivators looked down on all other cultivation systems. They truly had the right to be proud.

Top-Tier Astral Cultivators had essentially eliminated all their vital weaknesses. Even if their hearts were crushed, they could recover.

A Master Astral Cultivator merged their will with the Atomic Will, inscribing the life imprint into it. This essentially granted them immortality, making it impossible for them to be killed.

Currently, if Li Pin or any other Master Astral Cultivator or Legend wanted to kill another Master Astral Cultivator or Legend, their only option was to outlast their opponent—draining their astral energy until they could no longer recover.

Legends used this method against Master Astral Cultivators, and so did the Supreme Experts. The difference lay in the ratio of consumption, which varied depending on skills and techniques.

For example, when a Supreme Expert fought a Legend, they might expend one portion of their own astral energy to drain two portions from their opponent.

As for landing a killing blow? The Royal Empire Supreme Expert Ge Lin's sword-nurturing technique could be considered half a killing method. But even that technique itself was rooted in exhaustion.

Li Pin remarked, "From what I know, the sword-nurturing technique works by shattering atoms. This makes it so that the Master Astral Cultivators and Legends, whose life imprints are carried by Atomic Will, can be killed with a single blow.

"His method of shattering atoms is essentially through his control over atoms. Through directly colliding them, the Atomic Will he controls and the opponent's Atomic Will cancel each other out. It doesn't mean he can physically shatter atoms."

In theory, it was a higher-level skill in harnessing Atomic Will.

Li Pin thought to himself. I haven't merged with Atomic Will. Even if I had the complete sword-nurturing technique, I couldn't practice it. If I want to fight against Master Astral Cultivators or Legends, I must continuously enhance my magnetic field strength and mental spirit.

Once my magnetic field and mental spirit are strong enough to bind the Legendary's Starlight Body, I will be able to annihilate Legends.

However, this method also revolved around consumption. Any attack that couldn't destroy a target in a short time was simply about consumption.

"Ge Lin's sword-nurturing technique has given me an idea. If my attack can shatter atoms... Master Astral Cultivators and Legends would no longer pose a threat."

Li Pin sensed the level he had just begun to touch with his Clairvoyance gift. He had barely entered the genetic level.

He was far from reaching the atomic level. If he wanted to touch the atomic level with the help of his gift, his mental spirit would need to reach at least 500 points or higher, perhaps even four-digit points.

"I once thought that Celestial Breaker was just a process, like the heavenly tribulation, not a realm. That, once I make it through this process, I would enter the cosmic domain. But now, it seems that's not quite the case..."

It seems there are still powers left to explore at my current level. Is shattering atoms... that power?

However, he found the phrase "shattering atoms" quite specific. Without atoms, matter would naturally dissolve into nothingness.

Perhaps it is more fitting to call it... shattering the void?

After a moment, Li Pin shook his head.

His future opponents wouldn't be Astral Cultivators anymore. They would be the legendary and even bishop-level ferocious beasts and demonic creatures. These creatures developed in different ways. They focused on strengthening their bodies. They didn't have the ability to be reborn time and time again like Master and Legendary Astral Cultivators.

Li Pin smiled and murmured, "In a way, Martial Gods are a fusion of demonic creatures and Astral Cultivators."

Even though Li Pin knew his primary targets were demonic creatures, he couldn't help but recall his discoveries in the Peach Blossom Secret Domain. The rise of dark magic made Li Pin realize that the arrival of the Astral God wouldn't just affect Gaia. What if other civilizations had chosen the path of Astral Cultivation, and walked further than Gaia had?

Preparing in advance isn't a bad idea.

1. Li Bai's famous poem. A reminder to live life to the fullest and not let opportunities for joy pass by. ☜