Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent-Chapter 618: Sword Owner

Li Pin froze for a moment. "The Supreme Demonic Sword?"

The Ruoxi Sword was the predecessor of the Supreme Demonic Sword.

Back then, Astral God Mara had failed to defeat it and ultimately cast it into a black hole, hoping to erase it with the black hole's power. Yet, judging from the contingency she left behind, the sword had clearly not been destroyed.

One thing that's for certain was she had retained her authority as its master.

When Li Pin broke open the Mara World, she had transferred that authority, along with her perception of the sword, to the Ruoxi Sword, and in turn, to him.

In a way, he had replaced Astral God Mara as the Supreme Demonic Sword's new master.

The difference was that the true Supreme Demonic Sword was no longer in his hands. The Ruoxi Sword he held was merely a replica.

"Astral God Mara was a Cosmic Radiance, yet in the end, she still didn't retrieve, subdue, or destroy the Supreme Demonic Sword. Maybe she ran out of time. Maybe she refused to face the sword that had ruined her life and simply let it drift across the stars. Or maybe... she wasn't certain she could subdue it, even as a Cosmic Radiance."

The first two possibilities were understandable, but the third would be surprising. After all, that would mean that the Supreme Demonic Sword had grown into a Cosmic Radiance Divine Weapon. It wouldn't be an ordinary one either, but a top-tier one.

A Divine Weapon of this level would most definitely be wielded by a Cosmic Radiance level expert.

Li Pin thought, A Cosmic Radiance's avatar...

In terms of energy intensity, all Astral God's avatars are on the same level, hovering around 50,000. With Divine Weapons, they can boost it to 100,000, 150,000, or even higher.

But... the Power Level they exhibited at the same energy level varies drastically. For instance, Yu Jianglong, Dazzling Starshine, and Eternal Solar Flare all possess different levels of Power Level. Cosmic Radiances are on an entirely different tier!

Right now, Li Pin's Power Level was already strong enough to rival an Eternal Solar Flare's combat-specialized avatar wielding Solar Flare Divine Weapon.

Even if they were to use a complete set of Divine Weapons, the only thing that would change would be how fast he took them down.

But Cosmic Radiance was different. They were beings who had condensed their True Spirit. The outside world didn't even rank their avatars in the Power Level Rating System.

Just like how planetary cultivators—Ordinary, Master, or Heavenly Realm—weren't part of the mainstream universal system. How could planetary lifeforms compare to cosmic beings?

A Cosmic Radiance was the ultimate lifeform, a step beyond cosmic beings. Even if they had recently just stepped into this realm, they could no longer be compared to the likes of cosmic lifeforms.

It was similar to a Quasi-Legendary. Despite the word "Quasi" in their name, their very life structure had already surpassed everything below the Legendary level.

Li Pin's eyes lit up. With the profundity of True Spirit, the Power Level of a Cosmic Radiance's combat-specialized avatar would definitely exceed the ninth tier. The Power Level of their avatars... could very well exceed 500,000.

500,000 in Power Level!

While that was ten percent above his own, it wasn't enough to put him at an overwhelming disadvantage.

An opponent like this... was one he could observe up close. He could use the opportunity to understand how they utilized their True Spirit.

If I follow the direction the Ruoxi Sword is leading me, there is a high chance I could encounter a Cosmic Radiance avatar. I'd be doing myself a disservice letting such a chance slip by!

With that in mind, Li Pin quickly said, "Let's change course."

Xuan Jian was startled, then quickly objected, "No! This is the safest route. If we take another path... I may not be able to ensure your safety."

Li Pin found it odd. "Aren't you responsible for opening the Astral Gates?"

Xuan Jian spoke with a heavy tone. "Pioneer Li, you are incredibly important right now, not just to the Void Divine Treasury Hall, but also to all the other halls throughout the universe. The Hall Master sees in you the hope of breaking the Void World. At a time like this, we can't afford to take any risks."

Seeing this, Xuan Jian had no choice but to report the situation while staying on high alert.

Meanwhile, Li Pin activated the Astral Gate, shifting directions based on his senses as he traversed through space.

And as he moved, he sensed something.

The Supreme Demonic Sword... It is also heading toward me. And... It's getting closer and closer...

A light chuckle escaped Li Pin's lips. "Looks like we are on the same channel."

He looked at Xuan Jian and said, "We'll wait there."

Xuan Jian's expression darkened. "What exactly is happening?"

He could already sense something was off.

"You should stay near the Astral Gate," said Li Pin.

Xuan Jian took a deep breath, his voice laced with resignation. "Since I took on the responsibility to protect you, I'll see it through."

Li Pin didn't press further.

After all, Xuan Jian was only here with an avatar. For an Astral God, losing an avatar wasn't true death. At most, it meant losing whatever Divine Weapons the combat-specialized avatar carried.

Upon arriving, Li Pin quietly waited.

After a few days, a figure shot toward them like a meteor streaking across the sky.

Upon sensing the aura, Xuan Jian's expression changed. "Is this!?"

Li Pin frowned. "Not quite."

Before Xuan Jian could react, an invisible ripple spread from the light trail, expanding at the speed of light in all directions. In an instant, the area became an information vacuum. All communication methods were severed.

"Black Light Wave!? Eternal Solar Flare!" Xuan Jian's face grew solemn. "How could this be...?"

He turned to Li Pin. "You knew about this!? But why...?"

"It's just an Eternal Solar Flare." Li Pin sighed. "I thought it would be a Cosmic Radiance."

Xuan Jian's eyes widened with utter disbelief. A Cosmic Radiance!? Who would use such a formidable force to deal with you!? A mere Divine Being!? Even if you are qualified to apply for the Eternal Ascent of Humanity Initiative, you're, at the end of the day, still a Divine Being!

Whoosh!

During their brief exchange, the light trail had already arrived at the planet's atmosphere with incredible speed.

It was a man. He was two meters tall with a youthful appearance and long, flowing silver hair.

"Li Pin," called out the man.

"You've arrived?" Li Pin looked at him. "Aren't you being a bit overconfident?"

"Confident? That's what I'd say to you," The young man glanced at Xuan Jian beside Li Pin. "Is he the reason for it?"

Xuan Jian spoke solemnly, "I am Xuan Jian, the Judicial Astral God of the Divine Treasury Hall. Pioneer Li is a person of great concern to our Hall Masters, including Lord Mu Hai. You—"

The young man cut him off. "Since I've made my move, it's only natural I have understood everything about him and made full preparations."

He shifted his gaze back to Li Pin. "Hand it over. You know what I'm talking about."

"I thought it would be a Cosmic Radiance Astral God," Li Pin said as he drew the Ruoxi Sword. "But... the sword in your hand should be a Cosmic Radiance Divine Weapon. That will do."

As he spoke, Li Pin felt a strong tremor coming from the Ruoxi Sword. Similarly, there was also a strong tremor coming from the young man before him.

That feeling... it was as if the sword was calling out to the young man's Supreme Demonic Sword, wanting to merge with it.

Li Pin quickly realized something. "The Ruoxi Sword... or rather, the power tied to it, is the key to controlling that sword?

"So you rushed all the way to the Yuan Yang Star Domain, targeted me even at the risk of offending the Divine Treasury Hall, because all these years, you've been unable to fully control and refine that sword?"

The young man, however, paid no attention to Li Pin.

"Good! Good! Good! That's it, that's it! That's the one!"

The young man was filled with joy as he maintained his gaze on the Ruoxi Sword in Li Pin's hand. "Since obtaining this invincible Divine Weapon and learning that it had an owner, I've been cautious, walking on eggshells. I dared not use it or let anyone know, afraid its owner would come after me!

"Until several stellar years ago, when the Mara Divine Treasure World was broken, I got intel from Shana Divine Mountain and finally learnt that the owner of this sword had already died and abandoned it. Yet, it stubbornly refused to part with its owner! It's been waiting for forgiveness, waiting for the summons!"

A deep jealousy flashed in his eyes. "Such loyalty, such power, and yet the previous sword master didn't cherish it, instead passing it to a mere Divine Being! What a waste! Thankfully, heaven hasn't given up on me. I've finally cornered you! And you, not knowing any better, thought you could take it from me, bringing it straight to my doorstep!"

At this point, the Astral God, who by all accounts should have completed his inner spirit cycle and achieved an inner spirit as clear and still as a mirror, couldn't help but burst into uncontrollable laughter.

"Hahaha! Heaven is on my side! This is truly heaven's blessing! Hahaha!"

"If you're so happy, you'd better laugh while you can." Li Pin smiled as he watched him laugh, seemingly glad for him. "Because soon, you won't be laughing anymore."