Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent

Chapter 378: Announce

Li Pin swiftly returned to the Celestial Martial God Hall.

Upon hearing of his arrival, all senior members of the hall hurried over to greet him.

The memory of his audacious feat had turned him into a beacon for martial artists worldwide, a pillar of strength guiding their path forward. From this day on, no one would dare underestimate the Martial God system. It now stood equal to the Beast Taming, Astral Palace, and Astral Equipment Systems, establishing itself alongside the Astral Cultivators.

Furthermore, discussions abounded about the need for a new designation to reflect the Martial God lineage's unrivaled power, as the term "martial artist" no longer seemed adequate.

The leading suggestion was to call those practicing the Martial God path Celestial Martial Artists, or Celestial Warriors for short.

***

Shortly after Li Pin's arrival at the hall, Secretary-General An Na and his delegation from the Human Alliance finally arrived.

In front of numerous media cameras, Li Pin shook hands with An Na and his team, engaging in a cordial exchange. An Na offered warm congratulations on his legendary achievement and gave a congratulatory speech. In turn, Li Pin acknowledged his efforts as Secretary-General and expressed interest in joining the Human Alliance.

The meeting left both sides, and the public, delighted. This official interaction marked Li Pin's entry into the public eye on a new scale.

His deeds and legendary feats would now transcend the upper echelons of Astral Cultivators and martial artists, reaching the wider public and becoming known to everyone.

After the meeting concluded and the media dispersed, Secretary-General An Na spoke earnestly, "During my journey here, representatives from various countries convened an emergency meeting. It was decided that, in one month, an expanded internal meeting of the Human Alliance will be held. Hall Master Li, you are formally invited to join as a member."

Li Pin nodded, not declining the offer. Joining the Human Alliance would grant him access to critical intelligence.

"Secretary-General An Na, you must know about the Purgatory Stone?" Li Pin inquired.

"Certainly," An Na nodded promptly. "It's a rare gemstone imbued with evil power. Its energy is beyond human tolerance—those who try to harness it will mutate into monstrous beings, neither human nor beast. However, some ferocious beasts and demonic creatures can endure its power, thereby growing stronger. They often advance by an entire tier after consuming it."

Li Pin frowned. "Is that all?"

An Na was a little surprised at Li Pin's reaction and paused, unsure of what he meant.

"I need all available information on the Purgatory Stone," Li Pin requested. "I've also heard that many demonic creatures possess intelligence. I want records on all intelligent demonic creatures. I want any data on 'ruins' and 'civilizations,' as well."

An Na's pupils dilated slightly as he caught on. "Hall Master Li... have you uncovered something?"

Li Pin fixed his gaze on An Na. "You mean..."

An Na gave a bitter smile. "Hall Master Li, you should be able to see that, though humanity's situation is dangerous, holding onto our current territories shouldn't be an issue..."

He paused, a slight awkward chuckle escaping him as he thought of the yet-to-be-liberated Nanli Country within Tianyuan. "Occasionally, we lose some territory and reclaim others. For example, Dark Moon Island now only has the final Ox Demon Temple standing. Overall, human lands are still balanced."

"In that case, why would the Six Extremities suddenly form a Special United Squad and plan to restructure the Human Alliance?" Li Pin picked up on his words. "So, these nations have noticed something unusual?"

"Yes," An Na nodded cautiously. "Their understanding of the Purgatory Stone and other ferocious beasts and demonic creatures is far more profound than mine, even as Secretary-General."

He smiled lightly. "After all, my role, along with the secretariat, is to serve the various nations of the Human Alliance, nothing more."

"What did their research reveal?" Li Pin asked.

An Na answered in a hushed voice, "Well... it turns out... ferocious beasts and demonic creatures have indeed developed their own civilizations. They're acquiring knowledge from starlight, rapidly evolving into unique organizations that worship the Astral Gods as their highest deities—resembling religious institutions, like churches.

"For instance, the infamous Fallen Bishop and Blood Demon Bishop both claim to serve the Astral Gods as their followers."

"Is that all?" Li Pin asked, somewhat surprised. "Ferocious beasts and demonic creatures developing civilizations—is that really the extent of their findings? Nothing else?"

An Na looked confused. What more is Hall Master Li looking for?

He responded, "Perhaps other countries have more detailed findings, but I'm not aware of them. You might get further insight by speaking directly with the other nations of the Six Extremities."

Li Pin glanced at An Na.

An Na, as the secretary-general and a Master Astral Cultivator himself, would be considered a high-ranking individual in any country, yet even he didn't seem to know much.

However, Li Pin didn't find it too bizarre. If his suspicions about the Purgatory Stone were accurate, it made sense that a Master Astral Cultivator wouldn't have access to such confidential information. Only by connecting with the Legends of the Six Extremities might he uncover the full truth.

Li Pin decided not to press further. "Very well. Please, Secretary-General An Na, gather any relevant materials and send them to me as soon as possible."

"It is my honor to serve you, Hall Master Li," An Na replied with a smile.

"There's one more thing I hope you'll share with the other nations." Li Pin smiled. "Everyone must be curious about the truth behind my conflict with the Royal Empire. Why, even after I've revealed my identity, does the empire still risk a complete break with the martial arts world to confront me?"

His words sparked An Na's interest.

The other Six Extremities nations might have some inside knowledge, but he had none.

"I would like to hear more."

"It's because of the Skill Crystals," Li Pin explained. "A rare treasure capable of directly recording and storing a cultivator's insights, enabling others to absorb and comprehend them."

An Na froze, quickly realizing the immense value of such a treasure. His pupils dilated.

"Hall Master Li..." his voice trembled slightly, "the insights you're talking about... are they what I am thinking of?"

Li Pin nodded affirmatively. "Yes. It is because of these crystals that the Celestial Martial God has been able to produce one Martial God after the other. By infusing my own insights into these crystals, I allow others to absorb and digest these insights.

"These insights can include not only the complete understanding of a Martial God but also legendary techniques or the lifetime cultivation experiences of a Legendary Astral Cultivator."

"Hiss!"

At these words, even someone as internationally involved as An Na, who had witnessed countless global upheavals, couldn't help but draw a sharp breath. "This... does such a thing truly exist?"

Li Pin affirmed, "Of course. Each Skill Crystal has a limited capacity. Whether it's experience or insights, the more concise and refined, the better. If a Legend wants to record the insights they've accumulated over decades to reach their peak, they would need dozens of Skill Crystals, at the very least.

"These Skill Crystals come from special mutated Ghouls. The Black Gold Mine area has been purged many times. We'd be lucky if even a dozen of the Ghouls remain."

"Are you saying that a Skill Crystal can only record one or two years of insights?" An Na asked.

Li Pin responded, "Though it's related to time, it also depends on the description and understanding of the insights by the one doing the recording.

"You should already be aware of the value of this treasure, Secretary-General An Na. When Zhang Dongwang from the Royal Empire first came to the Celestial Martial God Hall, he tried to pressure us into cooperating. But... as you saw, I went to the Royal Empire's capital to quell their greed."

An Na's expression cleared. "I see..."

These Skill Crystals held immense value. No wonder the Royal Empire took such a risk, confronting the Li Pin, a figure highly respected by all martial artists.

"However," Li Pin went on, "to fully realize the potential of this treasure, it needs to be used collectively. Some Legends may even make better use of it than I can. So, for the sake of humanity, I plan to auction off ten of the Skill Crystals we have in limited supply in ten days.

"Just like how Great Shang openly auctions rare and even legendary astral equipment, these ten Skill Crystals will start at a base price of five hundred billion Tianyuan currency, and the highest bidder will win."

"Five hundred billion!?"

The figure left An Na shaken.

More than ninety percent of the countries in the world didn't even reach five hundred billion in annual revenue.

However, considering the value of such a treasure... this price wasn't unjustified. A treasure that could potentially create a Legendary powerhouse was invaluable! Even if it couldn't guarantee a Legend, it could at the very least nurture a Master Astral Cultivator!

These five hundred billion are absolutely worth it!

An Na responded solemnly, "Please rest assured, Hall Master Li. I will notify all the nations immediately."

"Thank you," Li Pin nodded. "When the time comes, someone will provide you with detailed information on the Skill Crystals. Additionally, there is still a lot of work to be done in the Celestial Martial God Hall, and we have many materials in short supply. We'll provide a list of these materials, and during the auction, the bidding will be based on the items listed."

An Na had no objections to this. "Understood."

After their exchange, Secretary-General An Na and his team left.

Li Pin then went to collect some Primordial Electric Crystal Essence for cultivation.

It was only the following day, after An Na's team had left, that the Royal Empire's envoy arrived in a hurry.

Leading the group was Zhuo Jianyu from the Supreme Holy Sanctuary, accompanied by several Master Astral Cultivators. They brought several carts of valuable materials as an apology.