Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent-Chapter 518: Change

Li Pin returned to the mountain peak where he resided. Earlier, he had been occupied studying the properties of several Divine Weapons.

Following that, Astral God Mi Meng summoned him, leaving him no time to handle the trivial matters that arose after entering the divine treasure world.

When he turned on his communicator, numerous messages appeared. Some were from Si Xing, while others came from Yuan Zhenchuan.

Si Xing's messages started with casual chatter, seemingly establishing good rapport. He asked about Li Pin's time in the Divine Treasury Hall, his conversation with Xi Lin, and occasionally suggested visiting the Starwheel Sea together. Amid this idle talk, two messages stood out.

The first was about Fu Qingtian. Since Gaia's primary planet had a mere diameter of 30,000 kilometers—which was significantly smaller than the over 100,000-kilometer planets the Demigods would choose—Fu Qingtian had already begun attempting integration with it.

If successful, his strength might leap to Tier Two Legend, even approaching Tier Three. However, the price was steep. His future path as a Demigod would become incredibly arduous. A primary planet of 30,000 kilometers would inevitably lead to congenital deficiencies.

The second message involved Gaia's beneficiary, Hong Feng. While his talent, willpower, and discipline were remarkable, his ruthless and unscrupulous nature was evident. He would stop at nothing to achieve his goals and showed no mercy to himself, even less to others. He seemed far from benevolent.

The suggestion was clear—Gaia should replace him.

Yuan Zhenchuan's messages followed a similar pattern. He first reported Gaia's current state, noting that the Solar Radiance Sovereign and Ge Lin had reached the brink of the Legendary Realm. Once they broke through their bottlenecks, they could become Tier One Legends, giving Gaia genuine Legends.

Additionally, he mentioned that Yu Shengjin had already ascended to Tier Two Legend. Despite this, with Si Xing present and Li Pin's prior strength equivalent to Tier Three Legend, Yu Shengjin continued to act cautiously.

Finally, Yuan Zhenchuan subtly conveyed Hong Feng's demands, though his tone betrayed his inner torment.

"Two portions of Primordial Spirit Essence..."

Li Pin recognized the resource. The reason his mental spirit rivaled Tier Four Legend was his refinement of dozens of such essences.

With his current wealth, he could exchange for two hundred portions, let alone two.

However... that didn't mean he should.

Li Pin thought to himself, Raising an ingrate has happened throughout history. Si Xing's cultivation might be mediocre, but his prestigious background sharpens his judgment. If he says Hong Feng isn't suitable, then he likely isn't.

For a moment, Li Pin considered selecting someone within Gaia to train, especially with the second phase of the Astral God Yin Luo's heir competition underway. Yet, he quickly dismissed the idea.

The second phase had already drawn in major clans. Some even bribed the Homo Sapien Alliance's Yin Luo Galaxy Office to settle their descendants there, ensuring superior offspring.

Given their already exceptional talent, coupled with the modification from Astral God Yin Luo's power, they would easily shine.

The modification effects had flagged over the past decade, and they were now far weaker than they used to be. Despite that, this combination of talent and modifications still had a chance of producing genius-level offspring.

With major clans producing geniuses and nurturing them with relentless dedication, the real competition among prodigies in the Astral God Yin Luo's contest would unfold in the next decade.

Unless Li Pin spared no effort and invested millions of Divine Treasury Points in resources, it would be nearly impossible for Gaia's people, given their current talent, to claim ultimate victory.

Li Pin reflected, Astral God Yin Luo, hailed as the great Light of the Ark. Its successor will grow rapidly, reaching the levels of Starshine or even Solar Flare Astral God. In the future, they may truly have a chance to illuminate the entire universe.

His mention of illuminating the universe was not a metaphor but a literal reference to becoming renowned across the cosmos.

Such individuals could ascend over seventy steps on the Supreme Ladder, each becoming a race-level strategic asset.

Apart from the small, isolated clans, every major clan would keep a close eye on the movements of these beings. Their information and names would be known throughout every major clan.

Consequently, it wasn't just the ordinary factions that pursued the legacy of Astral God Yin Luo. Even Astral God Major Clans and Solar Flare Aristocratic Clans were the same.

Li Pin mused, "The Homo Sapien Alliance enforces oversight, but the real challenge is that once the heir sequence is announced, lower-ranked major clans won't quietly accept defeat. Assassinations and accidents will be unavoidable..."

As the saying goes, "The tallest tree faces the strongest winds."

In past Astral God's Eternal Oblivion, the eventual heir was rarely someone ranked high on the initial heir sequence. During intense competition, the sequence would often see multiple overhauls before a true victor emerged.

Unless he chose to remain as Gaia's protector, Gaia, which lacked even a single Demigod, was far from ready to truly compete at this level.

Li Pin made his decision.

"So be it. Let Gaia find a new supporter," he murmured as he sent the message.

Shortly after, Yuan Zhenchuan responded.

He seemed unaware of Li Pin's entry into the Mara Divine Treasure World and made no mention of it, instead sending over relevant information.

"The next candidate after Hong Feng is Ling Yi of the Immortal Wood Empire..."

Li Pin skimmed the report and noted that, as a top-tier genius, Hong Feng was indeed stronger than Ling Yi, Luo Si, and Lan Yan.

With little difference among the others, his attention turned to Lan Yan, someone with whom he had brief contact and a favorable impression.

Li Pin decided.

Li Pin: Her.

He thought back to Lan Chi's character.

Li Pin: Choosing Lan Yan seems safe. She's unlikely to turn ungrateful."

Yuan Zhenchuan respectfully replied.

Yuan Zhenchuan: Understood.

Yuan Zhenchuan: Due to my incomplete information, I provided incorrect intel, leading to a poor decision that caused Gaia significant losses in cultivation resources. I can no longer fulfill my duties as acting chairman of the Gaia Alliance. Please allow me to resign.

Li Pin thought for a moment and understood Yuan Zhenchuan's intent. As the saying goes, "Without rules, order cannot exist."

Li Pin: If this is the Gaia Alliance's internal decision, I accept your resignation. Do you have a replacement in mind?"

Yuan Zhenchuan: Yes, Xiang Tianxing from the secretariat has performed exceptionally well. Not only has he reached the Heavenly Realm, but he has also achieved Top-Tier status within it. His strength and qualifications make him a suitable successor.

Li Pin was somewhat surprised.

Li Pin: Xiang Tianxing?"

Then, he recalled something. Xiang Tianxing had extraordinary talent and was once regarded as the second Fu Qingtian. However, he had spent a long time struggling with the Stars Overlord Secret Art and had been stuck at the Top-Tier Astral Cultivator realm, making little progress. This was why his reputation had remained low.

Now that he had returned to the Astral Cultivation path, he had broken through to become a Master Astral Cultivator in no time.

It had almost been two decades since Li Pin left Gaia. It wasn't surprising that Xiang Tianxing had reached the Heavenly Realm and become a Top-Tier expert.

Li Pin: Let him try. Also, you will serve as the secretary general and assist him with various matters.

Yuan Zhenchuan: Yes.

After ending the communication, Li Pin contacted Si Xing again.

When the communication was established, Si Xing's figure appeared, looking surprised.

—You... I heard from Xi Lin that you were heading into the Mara World. How did you...

He soon figured something out.

—The Mara World was actually breached?

After the shock, his expression shifted to one of realization.

—Of course, it makes sense. Over six hundred stellar years have passed. A few years ago, the Mara Divine Treasury Hall invited many renowned Gold Pioneers.

—I heard more than a dozen entered, absorbing the experience accumulated by others over hundreds of years. After digesting that, they managed to breach the Mara World. It's perfectly reasonable.

Li Pin smiled but didn't explain further.

When anyone or any team breached a divine treasure world, they usually kept a low profile. The Mara Divine Treasury Hall itself wouldn't spread such information around. The gains from these divine treasure worlds were often immense, and countless people would envy them. If it became widely known, it would only bring trouble to those who had breached the world.

Exposing it would reduce the number of pioneers, greatly affecting the efficiency of uncovering the secrets of the Divine Treasures and ancient shattered Astral World.

Of course, since many already knew, these secrets would gradually become public over time.

By then, the Pioneers who broke open the Divine Treasure World would have mostly absorbed the resources they obtained and gained a certain degree of self-preservation capability.

Si Xing spoke in a comforting tone.

—The divine treasure world is like this. Most people are just along for the ride, and only a few actually benefit from it.

—Many Pioneers enter the Divine Treasure World to learn and gather information. Those who can leave with divine treasures are mostly the Cosmic Radiance Astral Gods.

—They belong to a large circle, and there must be connections among them. If they're lucky, some pieces of information can be the key to opening another divine treasure world, and such information can fetch a price comparable to that of a Divine Weapon.

"I understand," Li Pin said with a smile. "I messaged you to inform you that I've returned from the divine treasure world. At the same time, I want you to assess Xiang Tianxing and see if he has potential worth nurturing."

Si Xing responded.

—Xiang Tianxing? I've actually been observing him recently. He's the most talented person in your circle back at Gaia. Solar Radiance Sovereign, Ge Lin, and Fu Qingtian are all inferior to him. If they barely qualify as semi-geniuses, then he's a genuine semi-genius, just one step shy of being a true genius.

Li Pin nodded. "A semi-genius."

Xiang Tianxing might not be a true genius, but in civilizations spanning entire star rings, semi-geniuses were still epoch-defining individuals. A galaxy might only produce one or two such talents in an era.

The Yin Luo Galaxy's abundance of talent was entirely due to the Astral God Yin Luo's legacy.

"I'll leave him in your care," Li Pin said.

—Ha, I'll take good care of him.

With that out of the way, Si Xing seemed to recall something else.

—By the way, your sister... aren't you going to do anything about her?

"Her? Is there a problem?" Li Pin responded.

—She's following your path, and she's about to face the Celestial Breaker dilemma.

Li Pin was slightly surprised. "Hmm?"

But then, he recalled something. It had been over a decade. With the Skill Crystals he left behind and Gaia's unrelenting support for her cultivation, it wasn't surprising she had reached the peak of the Supreme Martial God Realm.

—Since you left without a word, she's been determined to surpass you. She's been training relentlessly all these years.

Hearing that, Li Pin couldn't help but smile. "At least she's showing promise."

Finally, he added, "Once I finish up things here, I'll make time to return."

Si Xing nodded.

—Alright. I'll keep an eye on Gaia, so don't worry.

Li Pin responded, "Mm."

He then ended the call and stepped outside his residence. There, the steward was respectfully greeting Fang Chunyang.

When Fang Chunyang saw Li Pin, he smiled. "The lord asked me to deliver this gift to you. It should aid your upcoming cultivation."