Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent-Chapter 438: Visit

Ji Xuanyuan urgently reported, "Latest intel: Li Pin didn't kill Long Xiang but captured him alive. It seems he has hidden motives for doing so."

Zhao Kunwu was taken aback. "He didn't kill him?"

Zhu Zhao, Ying Huo, and Jin Taibai all showed hints of astonishment.

Jin Taibai remarked, "Has Li Pin really changed? A year ago, he couldn't determine a victor in his clash with the Solar Radiance Sovereign.

"Now, despite having the power to crush Long Xiang and with Long Xiang coming directly at him, he showed him mercy. What's going on? The once fearless man now holds a high position and has learned to prioritize the bigger picture?"

"He's just acting out of rationality," Zhao Kunwu replied. "Even so, I now see him in a new light."

Ji Xuanyuan nodded in agreement.

A reckless brute wasn't frightening. What was truly frightening was a brute capable of controlling his own emotions.

Zhao Kunwu ordered, "Next, instruct the Star Alliance's undercover agents to closely monitor Wu De's movements,"

***

An hour later.

Ji Xuanyuan exclaimed, "Weird! Li Pin has appeared outside the Royal Empire and is visiting Ge Lin."

Zhao Kunwu frowned in thought. Visiting Ge Lin? Why? Ge Lin wasn't involved in negotiating with Long Xiang, nor does he have any significant ties to the Royal Empire. Besides, I don't recall any connection between Li Pin and Ge Lin.

After a long moment of reflection without a clear answer, he waved his hand. "Keep investigating."

Another few hours passed.

Ji Xuanyuan relayed the latest intel to the group, "Li Pin is still in discussion with Ge Lin and hasn't left yet. Meanwhile, other nations have learned of Li Pin's battle with Long Xiang over Hualong Mountain and are contacting the Solar Radiance Sovereign."

Ying Huo shook his head. "This response is far too slow. I thought Li Pin would take direct action—either deal with Wu De or storm the Solar Radiance Gate to demand justice. But instead..."

Zhu Zhao mused, "The higher one's position, the more cautious they become. Li Pin is no exception. Lord Kunwu, your judgment of Li Pin's temperament seems off this time. He's still maintaining his composure. It's likely he'll settle the matter with the Solar Radiance Sovereign and suppress their feud once again."

Zhao Kunwu remained silent.

He understood Li Pin better than anyone in the room. No matter how much he studied Li Pin, he couldn’t find in him any semblance of a patient, flexible individual.

Yet, over the past year, Li Pin's actions had truly confused him. It almost seemed like he was allowing the Solar Radiance Sovereign and the rise of the Heavenly Realm to go unchecked.

But why?

Li Pin had been so close to becoming the Gaia Alliance's chairman. With a little more effort, he could dominate Gaia. Yet, he had abandoned that opportunity, letting the Astral Cultivators and Heavenly Realm regain power. The dominance he had built with unmatched strength had now evaporated.

Zhao Kunwu couldn't understand. Why had he done this? What was his purpose? Could it be that he wanted to let the Heavenly Realm Experts grow stronger just for the thrill of the battle?

After a long silence, Zhao Kunwu said, "Li Pin has left Ge Lin's estate. Next, he'll either head to Solar Radiance or the Star Alliance. For now, we—"

Buzz, buzz!

Before Zhao Kunwu could finish, an invisible pressure descended from the heavens, enveloping nearly the entire imperial capital.

The pressure wasn't particularly strong—barely affecting even ordinary people—but its sheer scope was overwhelming.

More importantly, the nature of this pressure... was all too familiar.

"The Celestial Force Field!?"

"A powerful Martial God!?"

"No... a Celestial Force Field of this scale could only belong to... Li Pin!?"

All the Heavenly Realm Experts present, Zhao Kunwu, Ji Xuanyuan, Zhu Zhao, Ying Huo, and Jin Taibai, showed expressions of shock. They quickly focused their mental spirit to locate the source of this force field, only to find Li Pin probing their presence in return.

Li Pin!? He hadn't gone to the Solar Radiance Gate or the ruins of the Tenfold Heavenly Domains?! Why is he here in our capital?

In the next moment, a terrifying binding force enveloped the palace they were in. Amid a series of tremors, the entire structure seemed to lift from the ground, as though it was being pulled into the sky.

Zhao Kunwu immediately understood that Li Pin was forcing them to reveal themselves.

Zhu Zhao and the others didn't waste time thinking. He and Jin Taibai shot into the air simultaneously, their voices booming toward the figure hovering in the sky.

Zhu Zhao roared, "Li Pin! What do you think you're doing? Do you think Great Shang is a place you can trample on as you please!?"

Li Pin glanced at the two, who had emerged from hiding, and didn't say a word.

Rumble, rumble!

In the next moment, a deafening thunderclap echoed as Li Pin streaked through the air like a lightning bolt, charging straight toward Zhu Zhao.

Seeing Li Pin attack without hesitation, Zhu Zhao and Jin Taibai—already on edge—reacted swiftly.

Atomic Force Fields materialized before them as Zhu Zhao conjured Divine Radiance Beam, while Jin Taibai summoned the Dragon Flame Blade. The two Astral Techniques quickly took form.

But it was useless. The Atomic Force Field no longer held its previous resilience against Li Pin's Atomic Disintegration Technique.

With a powerful strike, the field shattered like fragile bulletproof glass. Cracks raced across its surface, and in an instant, the entire structure collapsed, disintegrating as though it were made of glass.

Zhu Zhao reacted swiftly and fired the Divine Radiance Beam. However, as soon as it hit Li Pin, it veered off course, striking Jin Taibai instead.

Fortunately, Jin Taibai's own Atomic Force Field protected him from being instantly killed by the beam.

However, with Zhu Zhao's defense shattered and his attack ineffective, he could only watch helplessly as Li Pin advanced.

Li Pin raised his right hand and threw a punch.

As the fist force struck, the Atomic Disintegration Technique was released up close.

Zhu Zhao's body collapsed without a chance to resist, disintegrating into countless fragments of starlight that scattered across the sky.

Despite the swirling starlight, Li Pin didn't pause. He didn't even use his Celestial Magnetic Field to restrain it. Instead, he continued his relentless barrage of punches, each punch striking the air with incredible speed.

With every punch, visible ripples spread out, causing the scattered starlight to dim slightly. Even as Zhu Zhao tried to regenerate his physical form, the speed at which he could do so slowed down.

Jin Taibai watched this unfold. Though unsure of Li Pin's exact method, he recognized it wasn't in vain.

With the starlight propelling him forward, he surged toward Li Pin. His Dragon Flame Blade roared to life, transforming into a massive flaming dragon over a hundred meters long. It descended directly toward Li Pin.

Buzz, buzz!

Just as the Dragon Flame Blade was about to pierce through Li Pin, Li Pin’s left hand shot out, grabbing it mid-air. A frenzied vibration spread from his palm.

Invisible ripples swept across the blade, causing it to disintegrate from the point of contact.

Like a burning fuse, the destruction rapidly spread through the entire blade. In an instant, the powerful astral technique lost control, fracturing and exploding into terrifying heat and flames.

"Not good!" yelped Jin Taibai.

He had no time for Zhu Zhao. He pulled back, retreating as fast as he could.

As Li Pin refocused on dealing with Zhu Zhao, Zhao Kunwu, Ying Huo, and Ji Xuanyuan could no longer remain still.

"Stop!"

With a roar, the three Heavenly Realm Experts leaped into the air at the same time.

Two Divine Radiance Beams and a word-shaped construct made from astral energy shot from their hands, rushing toward Li Pin.

Sizzle, sizzle!

The magnetic field spun!

The Divine Radiance Beams were deflected and reversed.

One beam even arced across the sky above the Great Shang's royal capital, striking a mountain over a hundred miles away. The mountain, weighing tens of millions of tons, instantly melted, with a roaring inferno engulfing its peak.

As for the word-shaped construct, Li Pin sensed its essence the moment it touched him—inner spirit.

The construct contained inner spirit.

However, compared to his current strength, the attack was far too weak. It barely stirred his mind, let alone caused any real disruption.

Li Pin glanced briefly at Zhao Kunwu, who had just unleashed an attack with his inner spirit. "Sacred Word Technique."

So this was the infamous Sacred Word Technique, known for its so-called "instant kill" effect. It could kill by targeting the mind. Against creatures with fragile minds, this technique could indeed do that.

As Zhao Kunwu, Ji Xuanyuan, and the others launched their attacks, Zhu Zhao finally managed to reform his body.

When Zhu Zhao reappeared, his eyes were filled with terror. "He's trying to kill me! Just now... he used an unknown method to sever our connection with Atomic Will, disintegrating it. That's a method capable of killing us directly! He's going to kill us!"

Zhao Kunwu and Ji Xuanyuan's expressions turned grave.

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"Sever our connection with Atomic Will!?"

"Li Pin, what are you trying to do!?" Ji Xuanyuan's voice turned sharp. "Do you really think that just because you're called the world's number one in the new era, you're invincible? That you can look down on everyone? Don't forget, Solar Radiance Sovereign is still around! Gaia won't tolerate your reckless actions!"

Li Pin responded calmly, "You still bring up Solar Radiance Sovereign at a time like this. Who do you think you’re fooling?

"As for Long Xiang, you may have used others as intermediaries, but if I were to fight Solar Radiance Sovereign, the biggest beneficiary would be Great Shang. Given that, it's not hard to figure out the answer, deduce the process, and uncover the evidence."

Ji Xuanyuan's expression changed. "You're slandering me! This is a baseless accusation!"

Li Pin replied indifferently, "It's not important. Your ambitions never rest. Besides, you clearly have your reasons for confidence.

"So, I'll give you this chance. Use whatever methods you have. If you win, you'll survive, and no one will stop you from doing whatever you want. But if you lose..."

He floated in mid-air, spreading his arms wide.

Rumble, rumble!

Endless lightning surged around him, surrounding him with a divine aura. "Then all of you will die."