Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent-Chapter 621: Demonic Sword (2)

Buzz, buzz!

The moment Li Pin grasped the Cosmic Radiance Divine Weapon, now merged with the Ruoxi Sword, he clearly sensed its joy and exultation. It was the elation of finally returning to its master's hands after countless years. Every trace of joy felt sincere, devout, and tangible.

Vaguely, he could almost see it enduring billions of stellar years of torment for this moment. It had been passed from one wielder to another, tossed between countless owners. But to the sword, they were nothing more than sword slaves, mere puppets to refine its own strength. It was all for the sole purpose of returning to the only master it had ever recognized—Astral God Mara, Cang Ruoxi.

Day after day, year after year, it had grown from a weak Supreme Demonic Sword to a mighty Cosmic Radiance Divine Weapon.

Yet, even after reaching this level, it never wavered from its purpose, ceaselessly awaiting the day it could return to its master's side.

Dozens of stellar years ago, it had sensed Cang Ruoxi's power. Unable to contain its excitement, it guided its newly found sword slave, the Solar Flare Astral God Bi Luo, toward the Yuan Yang Star Domain.

That was what led to the earlier battle and Bi Luo's reckless ambush.

Since Cang Ruoxi had transferred the sword master's authority to Li Pin, the sword mistook Li Pin for Cang Ruoxi. As it returned to what it believed to be its rightful master, a flood of joy surged into Li Pin's mind and consciousness. It was eager to share its elation, as if urging him to celebrate this long-awaited reunion.

But Li Pin knew the truth. He wasn't Cang Ruoxi. Nor was he so arrogant as to think he was the kind of person who was universally adored. He believed that he had acted according to the rules, but most people who met him for the first time still saw him as arrogant and conceited.

Because of this, he didn't believe that his charisma alone was enough to make the Cosmic Radiance Divine Weapon willingly accept him as its master, let alone feel overjoyed just because Cang Ruoxi had transferred authority to him.

Li Pin kept his inner spirit clear, like a mirror reflecting all around him. "Joy...."

However, the Supreme Demonic Sword's joy disregarded that clarity, seeping directly into the depths of his soul.

It was like how even if a personu didn't feel like smiling at a particular moment, seeing someone else laugh wholeheartedly would naturally make them laugh as well.

And just like that, a smile couldn't help but form at the corner of Li Pin's lips.

Despite knowing that he wasn't Cang Ruoxi and that the joy of the Supreme Demonic Sword wasn't truly directed toward him, he still smiled.

Perhaps, he was simply smiling due to the joy of obtaining a Cosmic Radiance Divine Weapon—an unparalleled weapon that even an Eternal Solar Flare Astral God couldn't afford, even with all their wealth.

In fact, the Supreme Demonic Sword seemed even stronger than an ordinary Cosmic Radiance Divine Weapon. Its essence carried a higher level of power, one that could continue to evolve.

Perhaps, the Cosmic Radiance wouldn't be its limit. If it kept growing, it might one day transcend into a Supreme Divine Weapon.

In the future, it would accompany Li Pin, battling across the heavens with its unmatched power, spreading his name across the vast universe.

Li Pin ran his fingers along the blade and spoke with genuine admiration. "A truly remarkable sword."

The Supreme Demonic Sword quivered slightly, as if savoring the touch. At the same time, it projected visions of the future, where it would fight alongside Li Pin, never leaving his side.

They'd accompany one another for a million, ten million, a hundred million stellar years, forever and ever. One man and one sword would shine like an eternal sun, illuminating the universe. They would reach the pinnacle and traverse the cosmos, with all beings singing their praises.

Li Pin cut it off. "No need."

The Supreme Demonic Sword momentarily paused, its joy and visions of the future coming to a halt.

Li Pin stroked the Supreme Demonic Sword and said, "My Dao... is evolution. It is transcendence. How can the evolution of life, the path to transcendence, rely on external tools? External objects will always remain external. They can serve as aids, but nothing more. What skill is there in defeating an opponent with the power of a divine weapon?"

A sharp light flickered in his eyes. Deep within his inner spirit, his Dao shone like a flawless gem, radiating brilliance.

"Even if my name is to echo across the universe, it won't be because of a divine weapon. It will be because of me! I will surpass opponents deemed unbeatable, defeat enemies thought invincible, and step by step, truly stand at the peak of the universe. When that day comes, my name will naturally be remembered!"

Li Pin lowered his head and gazed at the Supreme Demonic Sword in his hand. "External tools may assist, but in cultivation, they only cloud my judgment on the evolution of life and self-transcendence. The power they grant can lead to self-deception, making one lose sight of their own path."

Buzz, buzz!

The Supreme Demonic Sword trembled again, still conveying the future where they would fight side by side.

Their brilliance would illuminate the universe. Their will would shatter the stars and galaxies. Wherever their blade pointed, all would bow in submission. They would become uncrowned kings, rulers of all beings, gods above gods, supreme and unparalleled.

Yet, that unwavering, gem-like radiance within Li Pin left these visions unable to sway him in the slightest. Instead, they only made that brilliance shine even brighter.

He let go of the Supreme Demonic Sword. "I am the foundation. I am everything. I am the limit and the transcendence. I am eternity and infinity."

No sword, not even a Cosmic Radiance one, could ever represent him.

Just like back then, when he could have joined the competition for the legacy of the Light of the Ark, Yin Luo, by transitioning into the Astral Cultivation System. Yet, he decisively chose his own path.

The former might be immensely powerful, with a bright future ahead, but its limits were clear. No matter how strong he became, he could never surpass the Light of the Ark.

The latter was fragile and weak. At that time, he could have been crushed effortlessly, but it represented infinite possibilities.

Buzz, buzz!

An unprecedented sorrow erupted from the Supreme Demonic Sword. It was the sorrow of waiting for billions of stellar years, only to be ruthlessly abandoned by its master.

The anguish, loss, disappointment, and even despair poured endlessly from the Supreme Demonic Sword, relentlessly striking at Li Pin's inner spirit.

His inner spirit mirror turned chaotic, and even the gem formed from his Dao seemed as though it was on the verge of being extinguished.

Though the impact was directed at Li Pin, even Xuan Jian, standing nearby, felt a deep sorrow from the lingering ripples.

He forgot the gap in status between them. He forgot the overwhelming strength Li Pin had just displayed in defeating Bi Luo. Unable to hold back, he spoke up, "Pioneer Li, this... this is a Cosmic Radiance Divine Weapon! A peerless treasure, something even Eternal Solar Flare might not be able to obtain with their entire fortune!

"If you wield such a divine weapon in the Astral World, survive the early phase, and establish yourself quickly, rising to the Solar Flare Realm wouldn't be just a dream..."

Li Pin remained silent, quietly gazing at the Supreme Demonic Sword as waves of loss and despair crashed against his inner spirit, or rather, against his Dao.

The sword's power had long surpassed the realm of the inner spirit. Even with his inner spirit as clear as a mirror, he couldn't stop its influence from seeping in.

It was like a billionaire who believed he had endured countless storms, yet if trillions of assets were suddenly placed before him, he would still waver.

But... my Dao...

At his core, his most primal conviction still burned, its brilliance unshaken despite the relentless assault.

Though it seemed as if this gem-like faith could be extinguished at any moment, it continued to shine unwaveringly, its brilliance resisting the erosion.

His Dao remained unbroken.

Sensing that sorrow, disappointment, and despair had failed to shake him, the Supreme Demonic Sword's aura shifted once more.

It raged at his betrayal.

It had waited for him for billions of stellar years, only to be met with this outcome.

A torrent of accusations and rebukes surged forth.

Xuan Jian's aura fluctuated uncontrollably. His gaze on Li Pin carried the weight of condemnation, as if looking at a grave sinner.

When accusations and reprimands proved futile, the sword seemed to descend into complete darkness. Murderous intent, hatred, and destruction surged like a tidal wave, relentlessly battering Li Pin's will, breaking down his inner spirit and conviction.

For a moment, his gem-like Dao flickered like a candle in the wind, swaying wildly. Yet, it remained steadfast, burning bright and unshaken.

In the end, the murderous intent and hatred faded, replaced by remorse and pleading. It shifted so suddenly, carrying an overwhelming sense of empathy that pierced straight into the inner spirit, like a lifelong love begging for forgiveness, willing to do anything.

Nevertheless, Li Pin remained unmoved.

"My goal in life is set. Everything else is just scenery along the way. I may pause for a moment, smile, and admire it, but... I will never truly stop moving forward."

With this unwavering belief, the radiance of his Dao shone even brighter.

The Supreme Demonic Sword's corrosion failed to shake him. Instead, his Dao grew even stronger.

At that moment, the sword realized that no matter how powerful its influence was, it could not shake Li Pin's heart.

The Supreme Demonic Sword didn't fail because of Li Pin's inner spirit, but because of the belief he held deep within his soul. It surpassed the inner spirit and might even transcend the True Spirit Realm. Even a piece of Cosmic Radiance Divine Weapon couldn't shake it.

Ultimately... the Supreme Demonic Sword understood, and its edge turned, about to fly toward Xuan Jian.

Just as it was about to leave, Li Pin made his move.

"Did I say you could go?"

Boom!

Li Pin caught the Supreme Demonic Sword firmly in his grasp.

His authority as its owner, combined with his Dao that rendered him immune to its influence, allowed him to hold it with ease.

"Cultivation, evolution, transcendence—I can achieve all of these on my own. But in tempering my path, you still have your use. Don't disappoint me."