Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent-Chapter 434: The Test

At the Celestial Martial God Hall's main hall.

Long Xiang had been emotionless, responding absentmindedly to Xie Longcheng, Yue Ying, and the others. But when this devout follower of the Solar Radiance Sovereign heard Li Pin's words, he finally revealed a faint smile.

He glanced at Xie Longcheng and Yue Ying. "Alright, I'll go directly to Hall Master Li. This is not something you can decide."

Xie Longcheng quickly retorted, "Wait, Lord Long Xiang, I believe we have already made our stance clear. We will not increase the sale of Skill Crystals. Additionally, we do not accept your new offer either. If you are unwilling to stick to the original price, then this deal is off."

Long Xiang argued, "Skill Crystals are crucial to whether humanity can rise rapidly. Over the years, the chairman and other board members have tolerated you profiting greatly from them because they believed the Celestial Martial God Hall needed sufficient material support.

"But now, everyone can meditate on the Astral God and become Astral Cultivators, so why waste precious resources on the Martial God path?"

He stepped out of the hall. "Let me discuss this in detail with Hall Master Li. I believe once he understands the importance of the initial phase of the second stage and the role Skill Crystals play in it, he will prioritize the bigger picture."

With that, Long Xiang soared into the air and headed straight for the peak of Hualong Mountain.

Xie Longcheng, Yue Ying, and the others quickly followed.

They saw Li Pin calmly floating in the fierce winds above Hualong Mountain, watching as they arrived one after another.

Xie Longcheng and the others greeted Li Pin apologetically. "Hall Master."

They felt they had failed to handle the trivial matter of the Celestial Martial God Hall, causing Long Xiang to disturb Li Pin.

However, that wasn't a concern of Li Pin. He instead thought back to the international rumors that had surfaced a few months ago.

He said, "It seems you've been eyeing the Skill Crystals for some time. If I'm not mistaken, you've been planning and building momentum months ago?"

Long Xiang explained, "Hall Master Li, you're exaggerating. While we do hope to obtain more Skill Crystals, everything we do is for Gaia's development."

Li Pin was a Martial God who had fought the Solar Radiance Sovereign to a draw a year ago. Long Xiang was wary to show him enough respect.

He believed that after a year of cultivating the Cosmic True Dragon Secret Art and mastering several powerful Astral Techniques, he might now be slightly stronger than the Sovereign of a year ago. However, Li Pin's growth was legendary. Facing such a figure, extreme caution was warranted.

"Although I haven't interacted much with the Solar Radiance Sovereign, I don't believe he ordered you to test me," said Li Pin. He mused, "Were you influenced by someone else? Who is it? Zhao Kunwu? Ji Xuanyuan? Or was it Dao Ming?"

Seemingly thinking of something, Li Pin continued, "No, a Heavenly Realm practitioner's will isn't so easily swayed by others.... Unless, you yourself had similar thoughts and went along with it...."

He looked at Long Xiang calmly. "You've even made the worst-case preparations? Is it because you believe I am the greatest threat to the Solar Radiance Sovereign that you wager your life to eliminate me?"

Long Xiang looked at Li Pin and simply said, "I don't know what you're talking about, Hall Master Li. I'm only here to discuss the matter of the Skill Crystals...."

Li Pin answered, "Xie Longcheng has already addressed the matter regarding the Skill Crystals. What he says represents my stance. Didn't you hear him?"

Long Xiang tried to reason with Li Pin, sincerely saying, "Hall Master Li, the mysteries of Skill Crystals have been fully proven over the years. Whether Gaians can secure enough influence in the upcoming second phase and the Divine Dragon Empire-led Grand Alliance depends on how many experts and Heavenly Realm figures there are amongst the Gaians.

"The number of Skill Crystals released recently is less than a third of what the Celestial Martial God Hall uses, yet they have produced six Heavenly realms.... This was achieved in just over a year. If the Celestial Martial God Hall is willing to release all its Skill Crystals, in three years, when the second phase begins, the number of Heavenly Realms inGaia will surely exceed a hundred."

He spoke resolutely, "Hall Master Li, over a hundred Heavenly Realm figures would undoubtedly make us a significant force in the Divine Dragon Empire-led Grand Alliance."

"So, you're suggesting I contribute the Skill Crystals for free?" Li Pin asked.

"Of course it won't be for free. We are willing to provide compensation."

Li Pin calmly said, "Sure. If you can give me the Solar Radiance Sovereign's Rebirth Ring, I'll provide the Skill Crystals for the next year free of charge. If you also bring me the Great Shang's Mental Spirit Ring, you can help yourself to all the Skill Crystals for the next two years.

The 𝘮ost uptodat𝑒 novels are pub𝙡ished on freeweɓnovēl.coɱ.

"If you acquire the Royal Empire's Destruction Ring, for three years, you can take every Skill Crystal without question. How about that?"

Long Xiang was stunned. "You want the Rebirth Ring, the Mental Spirit Ring, and the Destruction Ring?"

"If possible, I'd also like to study the Oblivion Ring too," Li Pin added.

"These Divine Rings are possessions of the Supreme Experts from various countries. We—"

Li Pin interrupted Long Xiang. "You want Skill Crystals and I've laid out the conditions. Whether you can meet them is your problem."

Long Xiang became anxious upon hearing this. He quickly said, "Hall Master Li, one cannot be so selfish or focus solely on immediate benefits...."

Li Pin ignored the argument entirely. "Have you mastered Astral Techniques like the Divine Radiance Beam, Atomic Force Field, Great Sun Furnace, and Dragon Flame Blade?"

Long Xiang froze for a moment. He then realized something and calmed down, saying, "Thanks to my master's guidance, I've achieved some mastery for them."

"Then, let me see what level of Astral Techniques gave you the courage to act as a pawn to test me."

With that, Li Pin soared into the sky.

Hearing this, Long Xiang offered no further explanation and followed suit.

Xing Ying, Xie Longcheng, and Yue Ying exchanged glances but kept pace swiftly.

Xie Longcheng sighed. "Hall Master didn't want people to sink into a power struggle before the demonic creatures got completely wiped out. That's why he rarely appears internationally....

"Internal strife is human nature. Over the past year, most perilous regions have been cleared out, leaving only Bloodmoon Gorge. With victory seemingly near, some previously suppressed ambitions have naturally resurfaced."

Yue Ying shook her head and said, "Don't forget, the reason the interim chairman role remains with the Solar Radiance Sovereign is partly because the Divine Dragon Empire's Grand Alliance is not fully established and also because... Hall Master is still here."

"But others feel that the Hall Master is an irksome presence," Xing Ying remarked softly.

Yue Ying added, "At the very least, they aim to first weaken the Celestial Martial God Hall. Raising the price of the Primordial Electric Crystals and imposing trade embargoes are for the same reason. They fear we might grow too strong and cause chaos, but they don't realize the Hall Master is the last person who wants a civil war amongst Gaians."

Xie Longcheng said, "They don't think that way. In their minds, even if they're wrong, as long as they have the power to overturn the situation, they'll never admit it. To them, being wrong is still right. And so, they assume the Hall Master is the same kind of person."

The three wore solemn expressions as they quickly followed the two into the sky at tens of thousands of meters.

At such an altitude, Li Pin's expression remained calm.

Looking at the Legend before him, who dared face him within just a year, his eyes held no fear, nor even anger. Instead, it was filled with anticipation.

He knew human nature all too well, that's why he foresaw this day ever since the Solar Radiance Sovereign spread the Cosmic True Dragon Secret Art across Gaia.

Hence, anticipation and joy were how he truly felt.

Li Pin's voice echoed through the void. "A year ago, when the Solar Radiance Sovereign and I fought, one of us was the stabilizing force of the Solar Radiance and the guardian of Bloodmoon Gorge, the former strongest in the world. The other was a strong contender to become the Gaia Alliance's chairperson, a pioneer of the Martial God Path, and the new world's strongest person.

"If we had gone all out in battle, it would have been tantamount to a civil war among humanity. Any loss on either side would have been a huge blow to Gaians. So back then, we both held back significantly. I didn't even dare to give my all."

Long Xiang chuckled softly. "Heh."

He didn't give it his all? Really now? What, did he fear he would accidentally kill master? Masters wields the Rebirth Ring....

However, Long Xiang chose not to voice these thoughts.

"Now, seeing each of the Legends transform into new Heavenly Realm beings... I don't know if the Divine Dragon Empire had ulterior motives when they shared the Cosmic True Dragon Secret Art with us, but... setting all these aside, and experiencing the power of a Heavenly Realm figure ahead of time will fulfill my expectations from back then."

The power of the Celestial Magnetic Field within Li Pin began to circulate. "Now, unleash all your Astral Techniques, and let me feel what true Heavenly realm power is."

Only this way would he be mentally prepared to face the Divine Dragon Empire's Heavenly Realm beings or even Legends in the future.

"As you wish," said Long Xiang.

He waved his hand lightly, and a visible ripple formed in front of him, enveloping him.

This was the Atomic Force Field.

The next moment, the solar furnace within him began to condense and shine.

As the solar stabilized, terrifying flames mixed with extreme heat were released from his hand, condensing into a highly pure, several-meter-long war blade.

This was another technique—the Dragon Flame Blade.

Back then, after witnessing the Divine Radiance Beam fail to affect Li Pin, nearly everyone who regarded him as a potential opponent chose to further train in this astral technique.

"Are you ready?" Li Pin asked.

What arrogance, thought Long Xiang, chuckling inwardly.

Li Pin had actually allowed him to prepare his astral techniques.

It was precisely because of this arrogance that they would never allow Li Pin to ally with the Divine Dragon Empire under any circumstance. Otherwise, he could very well lead Gaians into an inescapable abyss.

With this thought, Long Xiang heightened his focus on tactics to the fullest and boomed, "Please give me your guidance!"