Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent-Chapter 449: Convert

Solar Radiance Sovereign, Fan Xiu, Xiao Donghai, and the others were all taken aback. "Nine divine equipment forged from divine relics!?"

Ordinary legendary astral equipment might enhance a Heavenly Realm Expert's combat power, but the boost remained insignificant. On the other hand, divine equipment forged from divine relics was another story. A Heavenly Realm Expert who could overcome the interference between astral equipment and wear all six Divine Rings would wield unimaginable power.

Fan Xiu remarked, "Currently, we possess the Void Ring, Rebirth Ring, Destruction Ring, and Oblivion Ring. But in terms of combat enhancement, these rings likely fall short compared to the Frost Ring and the Mental Spirit Ring."

The Solar Radiance Sovereign spoke calmly, "Our goal has never been to oppose Hall Master Li. While some of his actions may have gone too far, he doesn't have bad intentions—everything he does is for us Gaians.

"We are searching for powerful methods not to challenge him, but to maintain a balance and prevent him from losing control and acting without restraint in the future.

"Therefore, I propose gathering the nine strongest divine relics and astral equipment onto one individual. This would cultivate a powerhouse capable of standing shoulder-to-shoulder with Hall Master Li, establishing a balance. At the same time, we will have created a powerful force, strong enough to deter Legendary figures from alien civilizations."

Silence fell over the room.

Xiao Donghai, wielder of the Destruction Ring; Fan Xiu of the East Sea's Thirty-Six Countries, who held the Oblivion Ring; and Yuan Zhenchuan, bearer of the Void Ring—they all remained quiet.

The atmosphere grew awkward.

The Solar Radiance Sovereign swept his gaze over the group, disappointment evident on his face. "So, are you all content to let someone rise above the rules unchecked?"

"One person like Hall Master Li is already enough. We simply don't want to see a second individual who can circumvent the rules rise," Yuan Zhenchuan said. "At least Hall Master Li is trustworthy."

The Solar Radiance Sovereign paused. "I have never questioned Hall Master Li's character. What worries me is his unpredictable way of acting. You never know, he might just suddenly emerge when everything is going well and cause a massive upheaval with his unexpected actions."

"Hasn't he only stepped in when someone is deserving of punishment?" Yuan Zhenchuan replied. "So far, everything he's done has been justified."

Fan Xiu nodded. "Everyone, remember, we still need time to reopen the Astral Palace. What if Hall Master Li breaks through again by the time we manage to forge these relics into natal astral equipment?"

At this, Bai Ying and Xiao Donghai calmed down. The two quickly spoke.

"Don't overthink it. Having a top-tier powerhouse stabilizing the situation at Gaia like an anchor isn't a bad thing."

"Exactly. Hall Master Li stands with us. He wants the best for Gaia and its prosperity. As long as we act carefully and avoid provoking his hostility, that will never change."

The Solar Radiance Sovereign looked at five of the Six Extremities.

Four nations had already expressed their willingness to accept Li Pin's supremacy, leading him to fall silent. What else was there to discuss?

If this continued, would the position of acting chairman of the Gaia Alliance slip through his fingers? Or perhaps... with the support of four of the Six Extremities, if Li Pin desired it, he would have no choice but to step down and relinquish the title.

The Solar Radiance Sovereign sighed inwardly. Forget it. Let it be.

At that moment, Yuan Zhenchuan's expression shifted suddenly, as if he had received some urgent news. His sharp gaze snapped to the Solar Radiance Sovereign.

The Solar Radiance Sovereign's heart tightened. "What happened?"

"It's a message from Ling Qingfeng! It's about the Divine Dragon Empire! Their intentions were anything but good when they passed the Cosmic True Dragon Secret Art to us," Yuan Zhenchuan said grimly. "We need to go to the Peach Blossom Secret Domain."

***

Meanwhile, Li Pin, who was using the Mental Spirit Ring to refine his mental spirit, opened his eyes.

Outside the training room, soft music drifted through the air. Though gentle, any sound during a critical moment in cultivation could lead to disastrous consequences. In theory, he should never be disturbed. Yet, this time, he had been.

There could only be one explanation—something that could influence Gaia's future had happened.

Li Pin steadied his mind, ended his cultivation, and stepped out of the room.

Xing Ying and Xie Longcheng were already waiting outside.

"Apologies for interrupting your cultivation, my lord," Xie Longcheng quickly said. "Something has happened in the Peach Blossom Secret Domain."

"What's the situation? Did the Holy Dragon Clan launch a full-scale attack? They still haven't fully adapted to the alternate dimension's environment. With Long Xiang blocking them, they shouldn't be able to descend in large numbers."

Xing Ying revealed, "Only one person came, but he brought some terrible news..."

***

Half an hour later, Li Pin returned to the familiar mountain range within the Peach Blossom Secret Domain.

This time, in addition to the original guards—Ling Qingfeng, Long Xiang, Lin Xingchen, and Lin Baizhan—representatives from the other five major nations of the Six Extremities had also gathered: the Solar Radiance Sovereign, Yuan Zhenchuan, Fan Xiu, Xiao Donghai, and Bai Ying.

At the center of the group stood a figure about 2.6 meters tall. Though his attire appeared ancient and primitive, his expression remained calm and composed. He was... humanoid.

He had deep green skin, with sharp and ferocious facial features, reminiscent of the terrifying dragons described in novels. At a glance, it was clear he was not a pure human like Gaians.

As Li Pin entered, those gathered around the "creature" greeted him.

"Hall Master Li."

"Hall Master Li, you're here."

"Greetings, Hall Master."

Li Pin nodded in acknowledgment, his gaze lingering briefly on the Solar Radiance Sovereign. The latter's expression was grim. His forehead was deeply wrinkled, seemingly in thought.

Li Pin soon approached the humanoid and said in a low voice, "You are Mai Jia from the Holy Dragon Clan?"

He spoke in the common language of the Homo Sapien Alliance.

This language, derived from scriptures obtained from the Divine Dragon Empire, was the most widely used within the Homo Sapien Alliance.

The Divine Dragon Empire had its own language, but apart from a few nobles and royals, the empire's people primarily used the common tongue.

This content is taken from fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm.

"Yes," the creature claiming to be from the Holy Dragon Clan stood and responded in the same language. "Greetings, honorable Lord of Gaia. I am Mai Jia, Captain of the Sixth Squad of the Holy Dragon Clan's Imperial Guard."

Li Pin's tone grew heavier. "I want to know—did the Divine Dragon Empire teach us the Cosmic True Dragon Secret Art to assimilate us into their empire? To conquer the Gaia civilization before the second phase begins? Is that true? Or is this so-called 'three phases' a lie?"

Mai Jia answered truthfully, "The theory of the three phases is true. It is a rule of the Homo Sapien Alliance. In this galaxy, every high-level civilization is obligated to inform lower civilizations of this process. As a cosmic-level civilization and a member of the Homo Sapien Alliance, the Divine Dragon Empire would not dare deceive you on this matter.

"But what they did not tell you is the Homo Sapien Alliance's standard for defining civilizations that lack Legendary capabilities."

He paused and said, "That is the unique characteristic that belongs solely to your civilization."

Mai Jia glanced at the Solar Radiance Sovereign, Yuan Zhenchuan, Fan Xiu, Xiao Donghai, and the other Heavenly Realm Experts.

He spoke with a deep and steady voice. "When you cultivate the Cosmic True Dragon Secret Art, a technique unique to the Divine Dragon Empire, the traits of your civilization are erased.

"Over time, when the strongest beings of your planet all follow this path, the Homo Sapien Alliance will silently regard you as part of the Divine Dragon Empire."

The Solar Radiance Sovereign couldn't hold back any longer and stepped forward, appalled. "A part of the Divine Dragon Empire?! What do you mean by that?"

"Exactly what it says," said Mai Jia, staring at him. "By then, even if the Divine Dragon Empire launches a massive invasion during the first phase, wiping out all resistance in Gaia, the Homo Sapien Alliance won't respond. Because that won't be considered an invasion—it will be pacification."

The Holy Dragon Clan member's face twisted in mockery. "Would the Homo Sapien Alliance bother to intervene in what's seen as internal conflict?"

Solar Radiance Sovereign's face turned deathly pale. "A civil war... pacification...."

Yuan Zhenchuan, Fan Xiu, and Xiao Donghai's expressions darkened as well.

"How is this possible?"

"How did we end up as part of the Divine Dragon Empire?"

"Why is this happening?!"

Ling Qingfeng, Long Xiang, and the other Heavenly Realm Experts struggled to accept this reality.

Mai Jia let out a bitter laugh. "Impossible? How do you think our civilization was destroyed?

"Back then, the Divine Dragon Empire used the exact same method to occupy our Holy Dragon Clan's lands. They transformed our Holy Dragon Realm into one of their main planets—renaming it Demonic Dragon Star."

Li Pin mused, "Demonic Dragon Star? The homeland you mentioned earlier?"

"Yes. The Divine Dragon Empire forced us to the brink of extinction, but because we embraced what you call dark magic, a portion of our brave clansmen still fight fiercely against their invasion. As for the rest of us... we wander in search of a way out..."

He took a deep breath, forcing down his emotions. "Because of our resistance, that planet remains a battlefield to this day. That's why they named it Demonic Dragon Star and insulted our Holy Dragon Clan by calling us the Demonic Dragon Clan."

Solar Radiance Sovereign's mind reeled, and he swayed slightly. "Demonic Dragon Star... Demonic Dragon Clan..."

They knew. Demonic Dragon Star was one of the four main planets of the Divine Dragon Empire.

"You're fortunate that, for now, Gaia still holds onto its defining characteristics, thanks to your Lord Li Pin. His immense influence keeps the Divine Dragon Empire uncertain about whether your planet has been 'transformed' or not. Otherwise..." Mai Jia sneered. "The Divine Dragon Empire's flag would already be planted in every corner of your world."