Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent

Chapter 110: Win-Win

"Who else!"

Under the effect of the Blood-Seething Secret Art, Li Pin seemed to be consumed by a burning, blood flame as he stood on the stage. His Vitality, Qi, and Spirit had surged to their peak, enveloping him in an overwhelming and menacing terrifying aura. To the Astral Cultivators, he appeared like an ancient demon god, exuding an immense and fearsome presence.

As Li Pin's gaze swept across them, the dozen or so Astral Cultivators who had been ready to charge forward immediately retreated and did not even dare to meet his eyes.

Afraid that Li Pin might misunderstand their intentions, the Astral Cultivators who had been there from the beginning lowered their heads. They didn't want to get dragged onto the stage and take a beating.

"In this vast Astral Hall that has hundreds of Astral Cultivator students, not a single one of you dares to stand up and fight me! A mere twenty-two-year-old martial artist not much older than you!"

Li Pin fixed his gaze on those who had charged forward the fastest. "Is this what the future pillars of humanity look like? Is this still the Astral Hall, where elites gather?!"

Hearing Li Pin's words, a few of them glanced toward Xue Baiyi and Chi Shuang out of the corner of their eyes.

However, those two, fully aware of Li Pin's strength, remained motionless on the ground.

A moment ago, they had repeatedly scolded Li Pin for his arrogance, vowing to teach him a lesson he would never forget....

How laughable. A lesson for life? Well, this time, it seemed they were the ones who learned a harsh, unforgettable lesson.

Dignified Astral Cultivators, taken down in an instant by a mere martial artist! Their opponent's sheer power left them no choice but to admit they had no chance of defeating him.

How could they ever show their faces in the Astral Hall again?

The embarrassment was so overwhelming that if there had been a hole in the ground, they would have jumped in without hesitation.

Unfortunately...

There was none!

Hearing Li Pin's arrogant shouting, the two exchanged looks and, without hesitation, pretended to faint. They figured that, for now, losing consciousness was better than facing Li Pin's scolding and humiliation in front of everyone.

Finally, an Astral Cultivator couldn't hold it any longer. Face reddening with anger, he clenched his fists and lashed out, "Li Pin, don't be so arrogant! You're just a martial artist the Astral Hall hired to teach us how to manifest our Force!"

Li Pin turned his attention toward the speaker. "Arrogant? The ones being arrogant have always been you! You know that the Astral Hall hired me to teach you how to manifest your Force, yet even now, none of you has called me 'Instructor'!"

"Times change! Don't underestimate the young and poor!" said another Astral Cultivator, stepping forward to challenge Li Pin's harsh methods. "Give me three years! In three years, I'll become an official Astral Cultivator! By then, even if you've reached the Aura Cultivation realm or condensed your Martial Will, I'll still show you the true power of an Astral Cultivator!"

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"Just three years? I wouldn't be surprised if those three years turn into six years!" mocked Li Pin.

He looked down on the crowd with a superior attitude and continued, "And even if you're progressing, how do you know that I won't improve as well?

"Perhaps in three years, not only will I have cultivated the Martial Will, but I might also achieve spiritual ascension, forcibly meditate on the Astral God, and step into the realm of Astral Cultivators. By then, how will you compare with me? How will you compete with me?"

His words made many Astral Cultivators sneer inwardly.

Spiritual ascension?

Was spiritual ascension so easy to achieve?

In the past decade, the Taibai Kingdom had produced dozens, if not hundreds, of Martial Saints. How many of them had actually taken that final step, completed their spiritual evolution—achieving extreme transcendence—and meditated on the Astral God?

The answer was zero! Not a single one!

Yet Li Pin thought he could be the one to do it? Boasting like that was nothing short of reckless!

"It doesn't matter whether you believe it or not. What's important is that you don't even have the guts to challenge me right now," Li Pin said in a deep voice.

His words made the Astral Cultivators' faces flush even redder.

Among the Astral Cultivators present, the oldest was only twenty-three or twenty-four, with more than half still under twenty. They were all at that stage where they saw themselves as the center of the universe with boundless ambition.

That was especially the case as ever since they succeeded with their meditation on the Astral God and their entry into the realm of Astral Cultivators, they received attention and flattery from past coaches and mentors alike. This only reinforced their belief that they were the future, the true rulers of the world.

This was why they looked down on martial artists, much like how goddesses would never respect their admirers.[1]

Now, having been chastised and humiliated by Li Pin, they found themselves unable to refute him. For a moment, everyone's chest heaved with suppressed anger and frustration.

"Looks like you've all gone quiet. What, angry? But... you don't even have the courage to act on that anger!" Li Pin suddenly stepped forward, his overwhelming presence pressing down with an almost palpable force. He let out a sharp shout, "Look me in the eye!"

Rumble!

His roar was a penetrating thunder, seemingly carrying an invisible force that could strike fear into the heart and vanquish evil.

For a moment, the Astral Cultivators involuntarily lifted their heads.

"Remember me! Transform your unwillingness, your anger, and this weakness and humiliation you're feeling into the driving force to move forward! Utilize your unique advantages as Astral Cultivators to rapidly strengthen yourselves, manifest Force, and become official Astral Cultivators. Then... come and defeat me!"

Li Pin stood before them, his aura making him appear as an insurmountable mountain. A towering mountain, endlessly high, forever unreachable and unconquerable!

The shadow this towering mountain cast loomed over the dozens of Astral Cultivators, heavy and oppressive. It left their chests heavy and their breaths stifled.

However!

They were Astral Cultivators! The pride of the world! The children of the stars! The future of humanity!

Li Pin might have thoroughly beaten them down, but he couldn't entirely shatter their pride as Astral Cultivators! Instead, as Li Pin had said, they would channel all their unwillingness, anger, weakness, and humiliation into motivation to move forward!

One day, the entire Jiang Province would call their names! They would make Li Pin understand who the true rulers of this world were! Who the true kings of this world were! But for now... this lesson had at least taught them one thing.

Before they ascended to their rightful thrones, even as Astral Cultivators, they should learn to respect the mighty.

"Mr. Li, I know you are trying to provoke us to make us practice even harder, but... I won't thank you!"

Yan Ying wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and said coldly, "Because... I don't like your methods."

With that, he turned and walked away. He had decided to train harder.

"I will do as you wish and defeat you! Cherish the precious time you still have to flaunt your strength in front of us."

"Right now, you are like a mountain, but one day, I will conquer you and trample the heavens and earth beneath my feet!"

"Should I ever soar to lofty heights, I'll boldly scoff at the man called Li Pin for lacking manly courage."[2]

Other Astral Cultivators also spoke up, some with open-mindedness, some with composure, and some with a touch of malice.

Different people with different personalities... all vividly displayed at this moment.

"Act fast, I'll only be teaching here for a month," Li Pin said, raising a finger. "You only have one month to defeat me openly and reclaim your honor."

He waved his hand. "Class dismissed!"

His words made the students who had been eager to leave quickly depart. Some Astral Cultivators who had initially admired Li Pin hesitated for a moment but also turned and left. Even Xue Baiyi and Chi Shuang, who had originally "fainted," quietly got up and vanished with the crowd.

Having suffered such a great humiliation today, the two were seething with anger and resolved to train even harder. They vowed to practice relentlessly, pushing themselves to their limits. As long as they were still alive, they would train as if their lives depended on it!

Soon, the teaching hall was left completely empty.

Once all the students had left, Zhou Xiuyuan approached and sincerely remarked, "Grandmaster Li, many have considered your teaching method, but either they lack the ability to implement it or, among those who do, they are unwilling to do so."

Li Pin knew what Zhou Xiuyuan meant when he mentioned "unwilling to do so."

It was because they were afraid of offending the Astral Cultivators.

Although these Astral Cultivators understood that this was his teaching method, it could still lead to resentment.

The more open-minded students might quickly move past it and even be grateful for it, causing their respect for Li Pin to grow. However, those vindictive might hold onto their anger. The students might not seek outright revenge. Nevertheless, once they achieved success, they would often try to sabotage their instructors at critical junctures

"I'm aware of that," Li Pin replied.

"Hahaha, as long as you are aware of it, that's good. Perhaps, these students, driven by their desire to defeat you, might not want you to leave the Astral Hall before they've succeeded. In that case, you might end up teaching here longer," Zhou Xiuyuan said with a smile.

Li Pin smiled in return.

Teaching at the Astral Hall would indeed be a good thing for him. These Astral Cultivator students were truly impressive. Their remarkable physiques granted them superior defensive and recovery abilities, making them much tougher than ordinary martial artists.

"Grandmaster Li, your display of skills is truly eye-opening. It's no wonder even Qiu Chufeng fell to your blows. If I'm not mistaken... you've mastered a rather formidable secret art, haven't you?"

Li Pin nodded. "That's right."

As he fought more frequently, it became difficult for him to conceal the Blood-Seething Secret Art. The top-tier martial arts factions or true Martial Saint legacies often possessed such secret arts. It all boiled down to the power they bestowed on the user and the potential risks involved.

"A secret art with such might... Qiu Chufeng didn't die in vain," Zhou Xiuyuan said with a smile. "However, the technique places a significant burden on the user. Grandmaster Li, you should recover as soon as possible. I expect that once news of what happened today spreads out, many confident students will soon come to challenge you."

"I look forward to it," Li Pin replied sincerely.

He meant it wholeheartedly. After all, he originally thought it would take him over half a month to master the Aura Cultivation realm, but after a few high-intensity battles, he had achieved it already.

As the saying goes, "practical experience is the best teacher!"

The more energetic the students who came to challenge him were, the better. He came to the Astral Hall for this very reason!

1. implies that celebrities don't tend to hold their admirers in high regard. ☜

2. a phrase to express confidence in achieving great things. ☜