Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent-Chapter 425: Arrival

As Li Pin listened to Lin Baizhan, he vaguely understood the reason behind these changes. It was likely connected to the first, second, and third-phase theory the Divine Dragon Empire mentioned.

Ordinary civilizations, fumbling in the dark, could only grow and evolve instinctively under starlight's guidance. However, civilizations exposed to the Homo Sapien Alliance—or those aware of the three phases tied to the Astral God's fall—had long been preparing for these stages.

They focused on the crucial second phase and the decisive third phase.

With the Homo Sapien Alliance watching, these civilizations dared not venture into other worlds during the first phase, fearing the intervention of the Alliance due to the rules. However, once the first phase ended, various measures would follow quickly. This was because of a critical time gap.

After the first phase ended, and before the Homo Sapien Alliance could annex each world, any unclaimed civilization would naturally become part of another's influence—or an auxiliary force.

To conquer a civilization and eliminate a competitor, the two worlds needed to be connected. Thus, when the second phase began, it would mark the start of interaction and competition between all the civilizations in this galaxy.

"Even if the Holy Dragon Clan invades, they can only ensure their arrival in the alternate dimension. At this point, they manipulate and control beings who accidentally enter the dimension, using them to pave the way for the second phase. For them to truly descend into other civilizations, they must wait for the first phase to fully end."

Li Pin grasped the situation. Their window of opportunity is brief—maybe only six months, or even less—just before the Homo Sapien Alliance arrives.

Of course, this was under ideal conditions. If things took an unexpected turn, this alternate dimension could become a bridgehead for the Holy Dragon Clan's invasion of Gaia.

This required enhanced monitoring of the dimension.

Li Pin glanced at Lin Baizhan.

The Lin Clan had been stationed here for over sixty years; keeping them here any longer would be unreasonable. Moreover, the area was thick with dark magic, constantly surging. Assigning Astral Cultivators to this task was not ideal.

The only option was to call upon a Martial God.

As these thoughts crossed his mind, Li Pin retrieved his Heavenly Demon Divine Armor and said, "Regardless of whether it's a blessing or a curse, there's no escaping it."

The conflict between Gaians and other civilizations was inevitable. It was the price of joining the galactic family.

Li Pin would've lacked the confidence to take on such a battle before. However, now that he glimpsed the mysteries of inner spirit and established a foundation for a realm beyond the Martial God, all he needed was time.

As his spiritual strength grew deeper, and his inner power expanded, there would come a day when he could attune to the universe's energy. Using his Natal Planet as a foundation, he could resonate with the greater cosmos and unleash unimaginable power.

"Alright. I'll arrange for someone to oversee matters here. For now, prepare yourselves—we're leaving."

"Yes," Lin Baizhan replied, his excitement clear.

We could leave, at last!

Lin Baizhan couldn't wait to spread the good news.

In fact, he didn't need to. When Li Pin appeared in the Peach Blossom Secret Realm, many had already remembered his earlier promise and quickly started packing.

By the time Li Pin, led by Lin Baizhan, returned to the small village where he had once lived, hundreds of people had gathered there, with more arriving from other directions.

When Li Pin announced that the Supreme Ghoul outside the Peach Blossom Secret Domain had been eradicated and they could leave, everyone erupted in joy.

***

Three hours later, the first group from the Peach Blossom Secret Domain followed Li Pin to the exit. As they passed through, the once-bright environment dimmed.

Li Pin didn't hold back when he killed the Supreme Ghoul, King Liang. As a result, the unleashed force caused a massive collapse in the Great Moon Imperial Tomb. Only a small section remained accessible.

However, this posed no obstacle for Li Pin. Using the compression of his Celestial Magnetic Field, he gradually parted the collapsed layers of soil ahead, creating a sloping passage upward.

Lin Baizhan and the others quickly assisted. While many of them were Top-Tier Astral Cultivators, it didn't mean they could phase through the ground by using starlight form. Phasing via starlight wasn't true intangibility. Traversing the ground caused energy consumption to increase exponentially depending on the soil's composition.

Even basic soil would exhaust a Top-Tier Astral Cultivator after a few hundred meters in starlight form, causing them to revert to their physical form. Denser materials like rock or minerals amplified the consumption. This was why many Top-Tier Astral Cultivators met their end buried underground.

With Li Pin leading the way and the others assisting, a passage gradually took shape. After carving through over two thousand meters, the soil above suddenly cleared, and a warm beam of light poured in.

The moment they saw sunlight, Lin Baizhan and everyone from the Peach Blossom Secret Domain surged forward in excitement. Some even fell to their knees, overcome with joy.

"We're out! We're finally out!"

"This is... real sunlight! The radiance of a star!"

"Never did I imagine that one day I could set foot on our homeland alive... I thought I would grow old and die in the Peach Blossom Secret Realm!"

Cheers erupted, overwhelming everyone, including Lin Baizhan.

During this time, some demonic creatures appeared, but they were weak. Before they could approach, Li Pin, Lin Baizhan, and others swiftly dealt with them.

Li Pin said, "Let's go. I will take you to the nearest town to settle down. What you choose to do next is up to you."

"Thank you, Martial God Li," Lin Baizhan responded promptly. He then added, "We wish to meet the head of the Lin Clan in the outside world. May we...?"

"You will meet them," Li Pin replied.

Under his guidance, the group from the Peach Blossom Secret Domain soon reached a town several hundred miles away, where they were temporarily accommodated.

Lin Baizhan and a few Top-Tier Astral Cultivators accompanied Li Pin back to the Celestial Martial God Hall. There, they were introduced to Lin Langya and Lin Baichi.

Li Pin showed little interest in their discussions.

However, that evening, Lin Langya, Lin Baichi, Lin Baizhan, Lin Xingchen, and others visited his courtyard.

Lin Baizhan said respectfully, "The Peach Blossom lineage of the Lin clan wishes to pledge the entire clan to the Celestial Martial God Hall. Hall Master Li, we humbly request you to accept us."

Li Pin replied, "The Celestial Martial God Hall welcomes all like-minded individuals. However, for joining the hall, you may discuss the matter with the Vice Hall Masters."

His words made it clear that by leading Lin Baizhan and the others out of the Great Moon Imperial Tomb, any debts between them had been settled.

Lin Baizhan, Lin Langya, and the others clearly understood what he meant. After a brief moment of hesitation, Lin Baizhan decisively said, "Hall Master, I volunteer to guard the Peach Blossom alternate dimension and report any developments there."

It was evident that they had already discussed this beforehand.

Lin Xingchen also stepped forward, his tone resolute. "I too volunteer to monitor the movements of the Holy Dragon civilization on the other side of the alternate dimension."

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Li Pin glanced at them, taking into consideration the strength of the Holy Dragon Clan.

The current intrusions involved second realm demonic creatures—whose combat prowess rivaled that of Legends—sending Lin Baizhan and Lin Xingchen would have little effect. Only a Legendary expert could guarantee absolute security.

However, assigning such a figure would require the cooperation of the Human Alliance. If those dispatched fell to the Holy Dragon Clan's persuasion and switched sides, the consequences would be catastrophic.

A balanced, multi-party approach to avoid lapses in judgment seemed to be the best course of action.

Li Pin nodded. "Very well."

"Thank you, Hall Master Li," Lin Baizhan responded sincerely.

During his time reconnecting with Lin Langya, Lin Baichi, and the others, Lin Baizhan had come to understand Li Pin and the Celestial Martial God Hall in greater detail.

Li Pin seemed destined to become Gaians' foremost figure. If nothing unexpected happened, Li Pin would likely become the first chairman of the restructured Human Alliance—essentially the leader of all Gaians.

The Lin Clan had already declined, abandoned by the times. This was an opportunity they could not afford to miss.

After some discussion, Li Pin dismissed Lin Baizhan and the others.

Once they had left, Xing Ying arrived to update him on Yuan Zhenchuan's progress in advancing the reformation of the Human Alliance.

Notably, even the Solar Radiance Empire had strongly supported the initiative.

Meanwhile, the Royal Empire, under Xiao Donghai, had refrained from opposing it. They were still grateful for Li Pin's life-saving intervention at the Ox Demon Temple. This left Great Shang as the holdout. Even if they harbored other thoughts, they were unable to act, as they were now isolated.

Given their recent mistakes in the Forbidden Land, Great Shang dared not oppose the initiative. While they had not caused devastation like the Star Alliance, the Human Alliance could still find fault if they chose to, hence Great Shang made the wise choice of not trying to stand out.

At this rate, the Human Alliance Expansion Conference to finalize the reformation was fast approaching.

Li Pin, however, paid little attention to these developments. He firmly believed that as long as he was strong enough, nothing that was meant for him would be out of reach—as long as he desired it.

Thus, while the world was abuzz with the restructuring of the Human Alliance, it had no impact on his cultivation.

With the help of resources like the Spirit-Essence Orb, Bodhi Seed, and Celestial Fruit, Li Pin advanced his training relentlessly. Using his Clairvoyance gift and the Frost Ring, he continually refined the Sitting in Oblivion Scripture, strengthening his inner spirit and enriching himself.

In such conditions, three months passed in the blink of an eye.

***

On this day, Li Pin finished his training. After tidying himself up to present a composed and mature image, he left his small courtyard.

Meanwhile, several days earlier, nearly every nation had sent one or two representatives, heading straight for Great Shang, or more precisely, to the Human Alliance located there.

That was because this day marked the beginning of the new Human Alliance Expansion Conference, a critical session that would determine whether Gaia's human race could truly unite to face the crisis.