Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent-Chapter 480: Mara

Fu Qingtian looked puzzled, listening to Yuan Zhenchuan's explanation. "Celestial... Celestial Martial Artist?"

Yuan Zhenchuan didn't say anything and handed him a manual containing the Heaven-Subjugating Technique.

As the second phase gradually unfolded, previously hidden information began to surface. With Si Xing's approval, the Heaven-Subjugating Technique started circulating within the Celestial Martial God Hall.

As top leaders of the Gaia Alliance, Yuan Zhenchuan and the others naturally obtained a copy.

Fu Qingtian read through the Heaven-Subjugating Technique. Soon, he started swaying unsteadily, almost unable to stand. He had already been unsettled by the rapid changes in the outside world, but the Heaven-Subjugating Technique had really dealt him a blow.

Yuan Zhenchuan quickly tried to console him. "There's nothing wrong with being a Celestial Martial Artist. It's still a mainstream path. If you switch now, you might avoid becoming a tool for other Astral Cultivators in the third phase. At the very least, this would leave a fire burning for Gaia."

"But..." Fu Qingtian took a deep breath. "The new path I'm transitioning to does align with the Celestial Martial Artist route, but at its core... the energy I use to strengthen my body isn't beast blood or Celestial Force Fields. It's astral energy. In other words, the primary source sustaining me still comes from the Astral God, Yin Luo."

Yuan Zhenchuan immediately understood what Fu Qingtian meant. He opened his mouth as if to say something but, in the end... not a single word came out.

***

At the Celestial Martial God Hall.

Half a month earlier, Li Pin had returned from Planet Taibai.

According to Si Xing, with the second phase underway, the first batch of Homo Sapien Alliance aid would soon arrive. This aid consisted of two main parts.

First, the Net Entry equipment. A small signal station would be built directly on Gaia, finally putting an end to the era where their only viable connection was with the Dragon Swamp Nebula. With its power, Gaia would achieve seamless communication with the millions of civilizations across the Yin Luo Galaxy.

Second, an Astral Gate transport point. Once established, Gaia could purchase precious materials, and the Homo Sapien Alliance freight services would deliver them through this point.

As for the full-scale Astral Gate construction, it would take time.

Millions of civilizations across the alliance were in need of help. Without Si Xing’s assistance, and Gaia’s rise to power—replacing the Divine Dragon Empire as the new ruler of the Dragon Swamp Nebula—even getting a signal station approved would have taken a year or two. As for the Astral Gate transport point, a delay of three to five years wouldn’t have been unexpected.

Three to five years might not sound long, but every step mattered. Any precious time wasted would only push Gaia further from the Astral God's legacy.

***

At this moment, Si Xing was speaking with Li Pin.

"The Astral Gate transport point will become the busiest hub in Gaia for a long time, likely driving rapid economic growth in the surrounding regions. Decide on its location carefully. Once you have a plan, coordinate with the Homo Sapien Alliance construction team."

Li Pin nodded.

Si Xing continued, "As for the signal station, it will come with a thousand communication devices provided by the Homo Sapien Alliance. Of course, you can purchase more, but I wouldn't recommend that until the Astral Gate transport point is complete."

He explained some basic knowledge. "Thanks to the residual power of Astral God Yin Luo, your planet has accumulated significant resources over the ten stellar years.

"Every planet holds treasures worth trillions—it's just a matter of discovery. Many Homo Sapien Alliance members will take advantage of the situation, offering flashy but useless devices in exchange. Ignore them."

Si Xing smiled. "Once the signal station is operational, Gaia will officially join the Homo Sapien Alliance. If any Alliance staff members attempt to deceive you, file a complaint. The consequences will be severe."

Li Pin was a bit surprised. "Does the Homo Sapien Alliance work that efficiently?"

"Of course not," Si Xing replied with a hint of sarcasm. "Complaints are just a placebo for low-level cosmic civilizations. It's perfectly normal for those in power to ignore them for dozens of stellar years."

He continued, "But you're different. Until the Astral God's inheritance ends, your civilization is under special attention. At least while the situation remains uncertain, those in charge won't dare slack off—because if the Astral God's successor turns out to be from your civilization, there’ll be consequences later.

Li Pin nodded, unfazed.

Despite the universe’s advanced technology—capable of handling countless trivial tasks—humans still refuse to fully relinquish power. True fairness would only expose the flaws in their rule, shaking the very foundation it stands on.

Si Xing said, "By the way, I've looked into the Divine Treasury Hall's examination system. In three stellar months, it will be time for the once-every-three-stellar-years assessment. If you're set on this path, you'll need to prepare to leave."

Li Pin nodded thoughtfully. "Three stellar months...."

A stellar month was a unique unit of time, only a few days longer than a Gaian year.

Li Pin said, "The Divine Dragon Empire has a direct Astral Gate to the White Dove Federation. From there, I can travel straight to the primary planet where the Yin Luo Council is based.

The Homo Sapien Alliance office stationed there connects directly to the Xian Ying Star Cluster, where the Astral Gate to the Silver Light—Mara Divine Treasury Hall—is located."

He had already mapped out the route. "If all goes well, it'll take about one stellar month to arrive."

"You're heading to the Mara Divine Treasury Hall?" Si Xing sounded surprised. "I thought you'd choose the Heaven Pierce Divine Treasury Hall."

The Divine Treasury Hall, directly governed by the Supreme Council, had branch halls wherever there was a divine treasure.

When a divine treasure was fully excavated or given to a new owner, the Divine Treasury Hall would be closed. Therefore, the Divine Treasury Hall didn't refer to a specific place but rather an organization, a group.

"The Heaven Pierce Divine Treasury Hall is too far," Li Pin replied.

Si Xing responded, "The Astral God in the Mara Divine Treasury Hall is an ancient one, and there's little information available...

"Because of the lack of data, we don't know what kind of person he was, making it hard to excavate the divine treasure. If I'm not mistaken, this divine treasure has been discovered for about six hundred stellar years."

He spoke seriously, "After six hundred stellar years, many pioneers might be trapped inside."

Exploring a divine treasure was never easy. The Divine Treasury Hall didn't just project consciousness; it physically sent Pioneers inside.

Exploring a divine treasure was typically a task for the Legends who had mastered the power of the inner spirit.

Divine Beings and Astral Gods could also do so, but they're rare. ƒreewebɳovel.com

Due to the special rules of the divine treasure, even if an Astral God entered, they had to follow the "perception" and "worldview" of the divine treasure's owner.

In other words, if the owner of the divine treasure believed there were no cultivators in the world, everyone inside would be suppressed by this "perception" rule and unable to use any extraordinary powers.

Even Astral Gods weren't exempt from it.

At such times, supposedly powerful Astral Gods could be shot dead by a handgun wielded by insignificant NPCs, let alone facing other Legendary Pioneers, until the next cycle begins.

Repeated deaths blur the boundary between reality and the divine treasure world in their minds and inner spirit, causing them to gradually merge into it. Before long, they'd lose their sense of self, until they ultimately mistake the divine treasure world for reality and become a part of it.

Within many dangerous divine treasures the Divine Treasury Hall abandoned were numerous so-called "immortal" Astral Gods who were trapped, unknowingly repeating cycles of reincarnation day after day.

Under these conditions, Astral Gods wouldn't risk their lives for uncertain inheritances from a divine treasure.

"611 stellar years," Li Pin said.

"Once a Legend comprehends the power of the inner spirit, their state becomes stable, extending their lifespan... Theoretically, they can live up to a thousand stellar years, but that's just a theoretical value.

"Most Legends who've mastered the power of the inner spirit only live for six to seven hundred stellar years. Until the divine treasure is broken, passed on, or a major flaw appears, all pioneers inside will endlessly cycle through... life and death..."

Si Xing looked at Li Pin. "A divine treasure that has lasted for six hundred years... The first batch of pioneers who entered might have already died inside."

"That also means it has been thoroughly researched, and the danger has decreased significantly," countered Li Pin. He paused, his tone shifting. "Besides, compared to the Heaven Pierce Divine Treasury, the initial funding for the Mara Divine Treasury is much higher."

"Initial funding?" Si Xing was surprised and quickly checked the information. Soon, he found the answer. "The danger level of the Mara Divine Treasury has been adjusted to level two?"

Li Pin smiled faintly. "That will make it more challenging, won't it?"

Si Xing frowned. "You..."

After a long silence, he finally said, "Li Pin, I admit you're a genius, an unparalleled one at that. But do you think anyone who's not a genius could enter the Divine Treasury Hall?

"Do you think the Divine Treasury Hall would fund them, train them as pioneers? Perhaps those trapped within that divine treasure are also unparalleled geniuses—ones who, like you, grasped the power of the inner spirit in just one or two stellar years."

Recalling his research on Li Pin's background, Si Xing could only feel a sense of helplessness.

He murmured inwardly. This is exactly why I didn't recommend you to the Si Clan. Maybe the future returns would be immense, but the risk of failure is just as high. Better to settle for something with lower returns but far less risk.

After a long pause, he continued, "Once you're at the Divine Treasury Hall, perform well and secure as much startup funding as you can. Before entering the Mara Divine Treasury Hall, gather as much information as possible. Sometimes, the smallest detail can determine the final winner."

"I know," Li Pin replied. "Once the signal station is up, I'll head out. I'll leave Gaia's matters in your hands."

Si Xing waved his hand. "As Gaia's guide, I'll do what I can to help you go further in this competition."