Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent

Chapter 243: See Me

In the training room, Li Pin once again came to terms with the reality of this world. "This is a world where Astral Cultivators dominate."

It seemed that, at one point during his martial arts path, he had strayed away from the bigger picture, losing himself in the glory of martial arts.

From the very first encounter he had with martial arts on Gaia, he had convinced himself that this was an era of flourishing martial arts.

Despite the many hints he had encountered during his time in this world, despite being repeatedly told that martial arts was merely a supplement to Astral Cultivators.

Even Martial Saints, the people who stood at the very pinnacle of martial arts, could only serve as an aid to Astral Cultivators. It had been established repeatedly that the two were worlds apart in terms of status.

Martial Saints, like Astral Cultivators, contributed to protecting humanity from ferocious beasts and demonic creatures. Nevertheless, their role had always been limited to reconnaissance. They were never involved in the battlefield, standing in the face of these threats.

As for the ultimate goal of reconnaissance... it was to reduce the casualties among Astral Cultivators.

The death toll among Core Formation, Aura Cultivation, and Martial Saint experts could be ten times that of Astral Cultivators, yet the task of reconnaissance still fell to martial artists. Astral Cultivators could not afford to die, so the less valuable martial artists were sent to their deaths.

This had always been the harsh truth of the world. It was just that Li Pin had simply never fully understood or acknowledged it.

This wasn't so different from how celebrities and artists back on Blue Planet could earn well into the billions annually and command grandeur.

Wherever they went, shops and malls would be blocked off, making even officers and professors take a backseat. Yet, in the face of global warfare, that status they were so proud of didn't amount to anything.

Martial artists might appear to have a slightly better standing than celebrities, but in the eyes of Astral Cultivators, both were no different when standing before true authority.

Legends, Master, Top-tier, High-Class, and ordinary Astral Cultivators; if these five levels were viewed as tiers of authority, ordinary Astral Cultivators would naturally view Martial Saints with curiosity and admiration. At the High-Class Astral Cultivators stage, the interactions leveled out, leaning toward that of equals. There might even be the slightest hint of superiority.

However, by the time they reached the Top-tier stage, the views would take a drastic turn. Astral Cultivators would view Martial Saints with an eye of superiority and contempt.

As for Master Astral Cultivators... even showing a small degree of acknowledgment toward a Martial Saint would be a great honor.

If a Master Astral Cultivator wished to impose their will, no Martial Saint would have the power to resist.

Furthermore, the decision to use the King of the Century Competition as the deciding factor regarding which nation would hold the leadership during the purge of perilous regions was made by all the Legends. Once this decision was issued, no force other than another Legend could oppose it.

The greater good always came first! And the Legends embodied the greater good!

***

"Ran Dongsheng was right; strength is the foundation of everything," Li Pin murmured.

He had understood this principle long ago. He had even used these very words to console Fang Lingjue once before.

"So... what am I hesitating about?"

After a long time, he reached the answer to that question.

"What I hesitate about and what I am reluctant to accept is simply that my lifelong pursuit, the martial arts that I have dedicated over a decade of effort to achieve, is seen by others as merely a tool or plaything, discarded as if it were worthless."

Li Pin looked up at the bare, white ceiling of the training room. It was like a gem for which everyone fought with their lives. For this gem, he had sacrificed his parents, his family, and even destroyed his own nation. Yet, to others, this gem was just one of many piled up in a drawer.

It was a realization that brought about a complete collapse of one's belief.

"But compared to Astral Cultivators, martial artists are indeed weaker."

Weakness led to being beaten. Falling behind meant being eliminated. This was a fundamental truth of the world, unchangeable by anyone's will.

Guarding the backward and outdated with sincere belief served no real purpose beyond self-comfort and self-hindrance. It might even be seen as an obstacle to the progress of civilization, leading to disdain and contempt.

***

Li Pin lowered his head, drawing his gaze away from the empty ceiling. "I anticipated this path would be difficult, but I didn't expect it to be this hard."

He sat calmly... clearing his mind.

After a long while, a sudden realization struck him, "But... this is the path I chose! When I glimpsed the path of the Astral Cultivators using the legendary astral equipment and still chose martial arts, choosing to continue on, on my own path of evolution, I was already prepared for this, wasn't I?"

This path is hard!? Is it harder than on Blue Planet?

Li Pin's eyes gradually regained their sparkle. "The real hardship is having no path at all, but this path of mine... is right beneath my feet."

The supreme honor of martial arts, the battle of the King of the Century. So, what if it was used as a tool?

When has true glory ever been defined by a mere title? The supreme throne was never about any competition!

It has always been... about the person!

Li Pin broke out into a smile, his eyes blazing with passionate and sincere belief. "When I stand at the pinnacle of the world, all the glory and might of the world will belong to me!

"I don't need any King of the Century Competition to prove it!

"Because, at that time, I, Li Pin, will be the King of the Century!"

***

By the time Li Pin emerged from the training room, it was already the next morning.

Zhang Yuesheng was waiting outside, looking concerned.

He had noticed something off about Li Pin's mood when the latter returned from his meeting with Hall Master Ran the previous day.

Ye Chengyuan had already accepted Li Pin's challenge. Li Pin's poor mental state might lead him to lose this battle....

While losing to someone like Ye Chengyuan wasn't anything to be ashamed of, Zhang Yuesheng worried it might affect Li Pin's spiritual state and Martial Will.

"It's fine, I'm okay," Li Pin reassured him.

"Of course, Dragon Prince. I am confident you will adjust your state accordingly," Zhang Yuesheng said. "The approval for the permission to use the legendary Astral Equipment just came through yesterday afternoon. Can we head over now?"

"Prepare breakfast," Li Pin instructed. "After that, drive me there."

"Yes, sir."

Shortly after, a variety of nourishing breakfasts were brought in.

Li Pin freshened up slightly before eating.

After having his fill, Zhang Yue drove Li Pin to the palace where the legendary astral equipment was housed.

Whether it was the joint crusade against the ferocious beasts or the final battle to determine the King of the Century, neither mattered to him. He did not need to be concerned about external factors. The only thing he needed to do was to follow his plan, grow step by step, and surpass himself.

Ultimately, a person was only responsible for themselves. Life was a journey of self-discovery.

Having reached this understanding, Li Pin's mind became clear, and his spirit, more pure.

Just then, the first rays of dawn broke through. The red sun rose in the east, casting its brilliant light.[ref]implies clarity, that things have become clear to Li Pin.[ref/]

***

News of Li Pin's departure to the palace for training with the legendary astral equipment quickly reached Ran Dongsheng.

The hall master of the Dragon Gate Hall shook his head. "Youth comes with its own brand of arrogance."

This was both Li Pin's strength and his weakness. n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

His strength came from his boundless potential, and his young age that allowed him more time to build a broader future.

His weakness... lay in his arrogance. He was too arrogant.

But then again... if Ran Dongsheng had claimed first place at the World's Top Martial Competition and won the title of "World Champion" at twenty-three, he probably wouldn't have been much different.

"Li Pin... his strength has grown, but his mind still needs to mature," Ran Dongsheng muttered softly.

Still, this wasn't a bad thing. This iteration of the King of the Century Competition was bound to be the most brutal since the first one. Every contender would fight desperately for the throne, making it more ruthless than ever.

It might even surpass the first, which had a death toll of nearly ninety percent!

Additionally, since Tianyuan would select a few Supreme Martial Saints and provide them with special training and treasures considered precious even among Legends, the contenders for this year's King of the Century would undoubtedly be more formidable than ever.

Li Pin was talented, but he was still young. There was no need for him to compete with those Extreme Martial Saints in this season's competition.

"Songbai," Ran Dongsheng called out.

Once Zhang Songbai entered the study, Ran Dongsheng handed him a booklet containing detailed information about three individuals. "This is the list. Pass it to Mo Wangqing. He is in charge of overseeing this matter."

Zhang Songbai glanced at the names on the booklet and was slightly taken aback.

Ye Chengyuan and Cang Yunxiao were fine.

But the third name... Zhang Xujin?

"Not Li Pin?" Zhang Songbai couldn't help but ask.

He quickly added, "Hall Master, I'm not questioning your decision. You must have reviewed Li Pin's information. Though he has been training for seven years, his true rise happened in less than two years. In that time, he advanced from a Core Formation practitioner to a Martial Saint, nearly reaching the fifth stage—the level of a Supreme Martial Saint

"His talent is unprecedented. Even Ye Chengyuan, whom we've meticulously trained, might not compare. If we send him for special training, his strength will definitely skyrocket in six months—"

"All trainees must participate in the King of the Century Competition, and this time... ten may enter, but few will return," Ran Dongsheng replied. "He's still young.... Besides, it's his own decision."

Zhang Songbai felt a little regretful hearing that. However, since it was Li Pin's choice, he understood they couldn't force him. "I see."

Feeling a mix of emotions, he said, "Just yesterday, Li Pin issued a challenge to Ye Chengyuan. From what I know of him, he's not one to seek attention. Since he challenged Ye Chengyuan, it means he's confident.

"To think that... such a peerless genius will be missing out on this special training that's certain to be backed by top-tier resources from the prominent figures...."

Ran Dongsheng frowned. "He's challenging Ye Chengyuan...?"

After a moment of thought, he shook his head. "Let it be. Li Pin chose his path. Whatever consequences or missed opportunities he faces; he'll have to bear them himself."

He waved his hand. "Send it off."