Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent-Chapter 580: Sparring

Li Pin pressed forward.

With Zhao Tiangang, a pioneer who had experienced four reincarnation cycles, guiding the way, getting lost wasn't a concern.

Even if he did lose his bearings, he could simply ask around. Given Baili Qingfeng's reputation in Xiaya City, anyone would be able to point him in the right direction.

Not long after entering the city, he spotted several markings belonging to the Void Divine Treasury Hall.

Following them could lead to some basic information.

Li Pin observed them briefly, but instead of tracking the signs of the Void Divine Treasury Hall, he focused on searching for his team members.

Yet, there was no sign of them.

There was a possibility that Fang Chunyang, Xu Anping, and the others had been completely wiped out. However, that was an unlikely scenario given their status as Gold Pioneers. They surely had the necessary experience and knew how to take caution during these early phases.

Thus, there was only one other explanation. They were still in seclusion, cultivating, and hadn't arrived in Xiaya yet.

Our plan was to meet here after reaching tier nine. Not a single one of them has broken through yet?

This only reinforced how much of an advantage his Clairvoyance had given him.

Of course, another factor was that true prodigies wouldn't risk entering the divine treasure world, especially the forbidden ones. Once trapped inside, there was the risk of aging and dying, a risk too great for those destined to become Astral Gods.

Their absence meant fewer insights, or competition to accelerate cultivation, which likely contributed to the slower progress of those who did venture in.

***

Li Pin continued forward with Zhao Tiangang.

Along the way, he could clearly sense eyes on them. Among those watching were pioneers, intelligence agents from Xiya Nation, and covert operatives from various factions.

Li Pin ignored them. Unless they stepped in his way, he had no intention of wasting time on them. His goal had always been clear.

Before long, he arrived at Baili Qingfeng's residence, a farmhouse at the foot of Mountain Qingyuan.

By now, a sizable crowd had already gathered at the base of the unremarkable mountain.

Bai Xianglong and Dong Shengyang were among them, still too intimidated to act.

Besides them, several tier ten experts were present.

Many stood with a tense, wary air, as if facing an impending crisis.

Zhao Tiangang's gaze settled on a man dressed like a farmer. He transmitted a message to Li Pin, "That's Sword Saint Zhao Si, one of the three great experts who will rise to prominence later."

He paused before adding, "His strength is likely nearing the Legendary level." ƒree𝑤ebnσvel-com

"Oh?"

Li Pin's eyes landed on the man. His pant legs and sleeves were rolled up, and he wore a pair of slippers. Li Pin gave him a friendly nod.

The man returned a somewhat stiff smile.

Li Pin sent a telepathic message to Zhao Tiangang. "If I remember correctly, Baili Zhu should be living here with Baili Qingfeng by now?"

"Yeah," Zhao Tiangang nodded. "Your arrival likely made them feel threatened. That's why the women and children have probably been hidden."

"I'm not some monster. Am I really that terrifying?" Li Pin said, somewhat exasperated.

He then turned to the crowd and loudly asked, "Is Baili Qingfeng here?"

Aside from Sword Saint Zhao Si, he didn't sense any presence strong enough to pose a threat.

The crowd exchanged glances.

Finally, an elderly man with snow-white hair stepped forward. "Esteemed expert, may I ask what business you have with my grandson, Qingfeng?"

Li Pin glanced at him. "Baili Changkong?"

"That's me," Baili Changkong replied firmly.

His immortal-like demeanor might fool others into thinking he was a top-tier expert, but Li Pin already knew the truth from Zhao Tiangang.

Baili Changkong's role was to preserve Baili Qingfeng's humanity, to delay his premature ascension onto the Transcendent path and his transformation into the Void Emperor.

Though he ultimately failed, his efforts had postponed Baili Qingfeng's rise by several years.

"The Void Divine Treasury Hall values this forbidden world for one reason: they hope to find useful information within it. Information that could, in some way, awaken the Void Emperor, restore his humanity, and sever his connection to the Void Faction, allowing him to return to the world as a human. Perhaps... he might have a way?"

Since Baili Qingfeng wasn't here, Li Pin had nothing urgent to do. He asked directly, "How did you get Baili Qingfeng to trust you completely and follow your words without question?"

Li Pin paused, realizing his phrasing might have been inappropriate. Thus, he reworded his question, "Put another way, how did someone as weak as you prevent such a terrifying being from spiraling out of control?"

Baili Changkong's expression shifted. His face turned grim. "Who are you?"

Then, as if realizing something, his gaze sharpened. "Are you with the Divine Treasury Hall?"

Li Pin was slightly taken aback. "Has someone from the Divine Treasury Hall reached out to you?"

This took Li Pin somewhat by surprise, but after giving it a thought, he realized it wasn't all that weird. Many must have entertained the same idea. Some might have even approached Baili Changkong with complete honesty.

They truly would stop at nothing to break open this world, even casting aside long-held, unspoken rules.

"So, it's true," Baili Changkong said. "Our Thunder Sect recruited over a hundred talented disciples recently. I thought it was fate bringing prosperity to our sect. But it turns out, every single one of them had ulterior motives."

He looked at Li Pin and asked solemnly, "And you? What's your purpose?"

Hearing this, Li Pin realized that he wasn't the only one. Others had also sought Baili Changkong, searching for the key to bringing the Void Emperor back to the Existence faction.

With their experience from over a dozen cycles of reincarnation, someone must have already succeeded.

If that was the case, there was no need for him to ask further.

With that, Li Pin stated his purpose bluntly. "I came for Baili Qingfeng. I understand his potential well, so I want to fight him...."

He paused before continuing, "One match won't be enough. I want to spar with him, test our martial arts, push each other forward, and grow stronger, until we glimpse the true peak of martial arts and claim ultimate supremacy."

Baili Changkong watched Li Pin, clearly unconvinced.

Seeing this, Li Pin couldn't be bothered to explain. "If Baili Qingfeng isn't here, then let Sword Saint Zhao step in."

His gaze shifted to Zhao Si, who had been standing off to the side like an idle spectator. "Let me see how strong the so-called Son of Celestial Barren is now."

Zhao Si looked stunned. He hadn't expected to be dragged into it.

He waved his hands hurriedly. "No, no, I don't like fighting. If you insist, I'll just surrender."

"Surrender before the fight even starts?" Li Pin looked at him. "You're the strongest expert in the Eastern God Continent, a man known as the Sword Saint. At least show some dignity befitting that title."

Zhao Si responded quickly, "I'm just a farmer. What dignity do I need? If you want a fight, I surrender. You win."

Li Pin glanced at Zhao Tiangang.

"..."

After a moment's thought, Zhao Tiangang said, "Sword Saint Zhao has always been rather low-key... Of course, it's also possible that he senses the gap between you two and simply decided to concede."

Li Pin could sense a faint pressure from Zhao Si. However, there was no fighting intent.

Without the will to fight, how could he bring out his full strength? How could he push himself to the limit?

"Then I'll wait for Baili Qingfeng," said Li Pin.

With that, he headed straight toward the courtyard ahead.

Baili Changkong, Bai Xianglong, Chi Hun, and the others hesitated, unsure whether to stop him. At that moment, Li Pin suddenly halted.

Zhao Tiangang seemed to sense something as well. A flicker of hesitation and struggle flashed in his eyes. For a brief moment, he even had the urge to turn and flee. But in the end, he still stopped.

Not long after, a powerful aura surged toward them at high speed. Sensing this presence, the group ahead erupted in cheers.

"It's Qingfeng!"

"My grandson is here!"

"He arrived so quickly!? This is great!"

The last voice came from another tier ten powerhouse, Chi Hun. As he spoke, he furtively glanced at Li Pin, his gaze sharp, seemingly assessing the gap between their strengths.

By now, they had determined one thing. Li Pin had not reached the Legendary Realm.

Without that level of strength, their combined forces, including Sword Saint Zhao and Baili Qingfeng, would have no trouble subduing him.

As the immense aura closed in, a figure riding a fearsome beast came into view.

Bai Xianglong, Chi Hun, and the others spoke one after another.

"Sect Master Baili!"

"Good! This is excellent! After conquering Mirror Mountain and subduing the legendary beast Kirin Monarch, Sect Master Baili Qingfeng now holds power equivalent to an entire sect and even a nation. With him here, Xiya and all of the Eastern God Continent will finally know true peace!"

"Indeed! With such a feat, who would still dare stir trouble in Xiya?"

Li Pin simply watched the approaching figure, whose face still carried a trace of youthful immaturity.

He was the same young man Li Pin had encountered when he first arrived in the Void World.

It was hard to imagine that this man would one day become one of the greatest figures in the Void faction.

"Xiya and Eastern God Continent... will finally know peace?" Baili Qingfeng, still astride the beast, seemed momentarily dazed by their words. "So... I've already achieved peace in the Eastern God Continent?"

"Of course, Sect Master," Chi Hun said with a smile. "As long as you desire it, no one in the Eastern God Continent would dare defy your authority."

Baili Qingfeng remained in a daze.

After a long moment, he let out a slow breath. "So now... people can finally walk the streets without fearing for their lives."

"Of course—"

Bai Xianglong was about to speak when Li Pin interrupted. "Baili Qingfeng."

Baili Qingfeng turned to him, looking slightly puzzled. But he soon realized something and asked, "Oh, it's you, senior. Have you finished your training?"

Li Pin was mildly surprised. How did he know about my seclusion in the Twin Moon Domain? But that wasn't the point.

"I have," Li Pin replied, his eyes gleaming with determination. "That's why I came looking for you. Let's fight."

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