Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent-Chapter 589: Small Fry

Fang Zhiqian recognized the two people walking beside Wu Tian immediately. "That's Huang Ze and Xuan Zhi!"

Over the past period, the pioneers had gathered nearly all the information about each other.

Before Li Pin, Mu Yunsheng, and Yan Ling'er's teams arrived, the most prominent figures among the pioneers were Huang Ze and Xuan Zhi.

Xuan Zhi, in particular, had made a name for himself. Several cycles ago, he had organized large groups multiple times to hunt down Baili Qingfeng.

The most notable was the Battle of Ten Thousand Gods, where thousands, nearly ten thousand, True God level pioneers attempted to surround and kill Baili Qingfeng before he reached the Ancient God level.

Their goal was to avenge Baili Zhu, the imprisoned owner of the Divine Treasure World, and break the Void Divine Treasure World.

However, every attempt failed.

Whether it was thousands of True Gods hunting Baili Qingfeng during his God Monarch phase or thousands of tier seven martial artists targeting him at tier ten, the results were the same.

Baili Qingfeng outmaneuvered them all. He used various methods, such as guerrilla tactics, war of attrition, manipulating others, and even triggering beast tides to wipe out his pursuers.

The closest they came to success was when Baili Qingfeng was at tier ten. He then broke through twice in quick succession, jumping directly from tier ten to eleven, and then from eleven to twelve.

A tier-twelve Legendary martial artist with a domain was unstoppable against a group of tier seven and eight pioneers. It was like cutting through grass.

As for Baili Qingfeng's breakthrough to the Ancient God level? That was almost routine.

In the last two cycles, Xuan Zhi had been quieter, seemingly focused on researching how to use True God Essence to strike at Baili Qingfeng before he matured. But nothing significant had come of it yet.

Still, no pioneer dared to underestimate Xuan Zhi, his team, or the factions behind him. The same went for Huang Ze, who had always been a figure of high expectations, and Wu Tian, the newcomer with a legendary reputation.

"They don't seem friendly," Fang Chunyang murmured.

Xu Anping and the others nodded grimly.

The group entered the courtyard. Huang Ze stepped forward with a smile and clasped his hands. "Captain Li, I've long admired your reputation."

"Is there something you need?" Li Pin asked directly.

"Captain Li, we've heard of your achievements. Entering the Divine Treasury Hall for the first time and breaking through the world during the second stage of the plot, all in less than three stellar months, is impressive. We—"

"Get to the point," Li Pin interrupted.

He looked at Huang Ze, calmly assessing his cultivation level. Tier eleven? Not bad.

At a time when Gold Pioneers were only at tier nine and Silver Pioneers were still stuck around tier seven or eight, reaching tier eleven, half a step into the Legendary Realm, was a feat that truly lived up to his reputation.

"Hahaha, Captain Li, straight to the point as always!" Huang Ze laughed heartily, showing no sign of irritation at being cut off. His tone remained cheerful as he continued, "Since you're so direct, we'll get right to it. We'd like to propose a partnership with you, Captain Li, to work together and break open this divine treasure world."

Xuan Zhi chimed in, "The Void World's reincarnation cycle is far longer than other divine treasure worlds. Each cycle lasts 111 stellar years. For us Divine Beings, it's manageable. Our lifespans are long, so we can afford to wait.

"But for many Legends... their lifespans don't even reach a thousand stellar years. How many cycles can they realistically endure?"

His tone grew somber. "Over the years, we've lost thousands of pioneers. At this point, many pioneers at the Legendary realm aren't focused on what they can gain from the Void World anymore. Their priority is finding a way out.

"Only then can they hope to advance toward the Astral God Realm, or, at the very least, acquire or settle on a suitable planet to rebuild their cultivation as Demigods and extend their lifespans.

"That's why we've joined forces with several other teams who share the same goal. We sincerely hope to collaborate with you, Captain Li, to work together and break the Void Divine Treasure World."

Li Pin observed the two of them, quickly figuring out their intentions through their coordinated act. But he had no interest in indulging them. "Well, good luck to you. I hope you succeed."

With that, he gestured toward the door. "Please, go ahead."

Huang Ze and Xuan Zhi exchanged a glance, visibly taken aback by Li Pin's blunt response.

Wu Tian, however, smiled and interjected, "Gentlemen, Captain Li is no ordinary figure. He's a true prodigy. In just three stellar months, he not only unlocked a divine treasure world but also secured nearly all of its resources.

"Beyond that, he made use of the environment within that divine treasure world to cultivate extraordinary combat power. From the intelligence I've gathered, he's even defeated Astral God avatars. Rumor has it that with the power of the Solar Flare Divine Weapon, he once crushed an Astral God's combat-specialized avatar."

He glanced at the group. "A genius like him is bound to be self-assured, convinced he can shatter the Void Divine Treasure World single-handedly. An alliance like ours? He won't even consider it."

"Crushing an Astral God's combat-specialized avatar with the power of the Solar Flare Divine Weapon!"

These words sparked a fiery glint in everyone's eyes, especially at the mention of the Solar Flare Divine Weapon.

However, a thought crossed their minds. The Void Divine Treasure World had its own rules. Even if Li Pin had brought the Divine Weapon, it might not function here.

Wu Tian's words made the two realize that trying to impress Li Pin with empty tactics wouldn't work.

With that, Huang Ze spoke again. "Captain Li, we came specifically to seek you out for an exchange. We're willing to trade the secret information we hold for the secret art you use to evade Baili Qingfeng's inner spirit perception."

"Secret art?" Li Pin looked at him. " There's no secret art. If you know how sharp Baili Qingfeng's perception is, just suppress your malice. Or better yet, don't carry any malice at all."

"Captain Li, you're joking. Baili Qingfeng is key to us breaking the Void Divine Treasure World. We can't help but have ulterior motives. How can we avoid malice entirely?" Huang Ze retorted.

He chuckled. "You must have your own plans for him too. Yet, you've managed to act without triggering his senses. That suggests you either have a refined secret art or possess unique information."

Thinking of the Void Divine Treasure's significance and the attention it had garnered from the Cosmic Radiance Astral Gods, Huang Ze's smile gradually faded. "Captain Li, do you know how many pioneers will meet their end if we fail to break open this divine treasure world in this cycle?"

Without waiting for a reply, he added, "3422. That's how many will perish if we don't succeed."

"Everyone must take responsibility for their choices. They chose to enter the Void Divine Treasure World. They knew the risks," countered Li Pin.

His words stirred a wave of unease among the dozens of pioneers behind Huang Ze.

One of the pioneers stepped forward and said, "The Void Divine Treasure is different from the others. It holds the secret to bringing the Void Emperor back to our Existence faction.

"This isn't just about the human race—it concerns the entirety of the Existence Faction. We entered this world all those years ago because we knew this. We risked everything for this goal, shedding blood and sacrificing for hundreds of stellar years.

"And now, Captain Li, you dismiss it all with a casual 'everyone must bear the consequences of their choices.' I cannot accept that."

"Whether you agree or not means nothing to me," Li Pin said, his gaze cool as it swept over Huang Ze, Xuan Zhi, and the others. "I've already explained the secret of getting close to Baili Qingfeng. Believe it or not, that's your choice. But now, I no longer wish to see you here. Leave."

At these words, the pioneers behind Huang Ze, Xuan Zhi, and Wu Tian, some of whom were quite elderly, could no longer stay quiet. Dozens of voices rose, their faces filled with agitation.

"Captain Li, this approach of yours is far too heartless."

"That's right, Captain Li. If we united, not only could we break open this divine treasure world, but we could also uncover the clues to bring the Void Emperor back to our Existence faction. Why can't we work together for mutual benefit?"

"Over three thousand lives are at stake. You have the power to help, Captain Li. How can you turn a blind eye?"

From the air of impending death around them, it was clear that most of them wouldn't survive this cycle.

"What are you trying to do? Morally blackmailing Captain Li?" Fang Chunyang stepped forward, his voice sharp. "Using such despicable tactics as Legends? It's disgusting—"

Before he could finish, Li Pin raised a hand, signaling him to stop.

Li Pin looked at Huang Ze, Xuan Zhi, and Wu Tian, who showed no intention of stopping the others, and sighed. "I knew from the moment you arrived that you had ill intentions. But do you know why I've wasted so much time talking to you instead of just attacking?"

Wu Tian smiled. "Captain Li, you've misunderstood us. We came here with a genuine desire to cooperate."

"No. If you wanted to cooperate, you wouldn't need all this. Just defeat me. It's simple."

Li Pin's gaze swept over the hundred or so people in the room. Three were tier eleven martial artists. The rest were mostly tier nine and ten. It was a formidable group.

However...

"The reason I've been patient, despite knowing your intentions, is that killing all of you and sending you back into the cycle would take time. But now, I've changed my mind."

Li Pin slowly removed his coat and tossed it aside. "I've been here long enough. Warming up with some small fry might add a little fun to my life."

"Small fry?" The smiles on Huang Ze, Wu Tian, and Xuan Zhi's faces stiffened. "Us?"

"Come." Li Pin gestured to the three legendary figures and the hundred pioneers behind them. "All of you, at once. Defeat me, and you'll get everything you want."

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