Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent
Chapter 532: The Passage of Time

Chapter 532: The Passage of Time

Various thoughts simultaneously arose in the minds of the clan masters behind Lan Chi.

That counselor looks a little unfamiliar? I know all the Yin Luo Council's counselors, but I don't recall ever seeing this one before?

The one beside him... that's Mr. Zhiyun, the Deputy Secretary-General of the Yin Luo Council's Secretariats. With him accompanying him, this counselor's identity is beyond doubt. Could he be a newly appointed member?

That must be it. He must have newly joined the Yin Luo Council. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for us not to have received any prior news.

Their thoughts were flaring, but their steps did not falter. They respectfully moved forward to greet him.

"Li Pin!?" Lan Chi muttered in shock. "How is this possible?"

The head of Jin Clan quickly noticed Lan Chi's unusual reaction. He promptly asked, "Master Lan, judging by your expression... I am assuming you know this counselor?"

"I do ..." replied Lan Chi, but he quickly shook his head. "But t-that's impossible...."

He couldn't believe it. It had to be only a resemblance. This person's deposition was similar to that of Li Pin!

Li Pin was merely a Legendary Celestial Martial Artist! Even if he was exceptionally talented, it would take him at least a hundred stellar years to grow. No, if he could actually join the Yin Luo Council within only a hundred stellar years, he would be an extraordinary talent.

But how long had it been since he left the White Dove Federation? Only four stellar years!

It had taken him only four stellar years to grow strong enough to get invited into the Yin Luo Council? Only Tier Six Legends and Divine Beings could be invited! Li Pin was only a Legendary Celestial Martial Artist four stellar years ago!

How was that even possible? Not even a movie would have such a ridiculous plot!

Seeing these Legends step forward to greet him, Zhi Yun, as the Deputy Secretary-General, naturally would not let them disturb Li Pin. He asked directly, "Don't delay Counselor Li's schedule. Has the Astral Gate activation sequence started?"

But at that moment, Li Pin waved his hand.

Zhi Yun quickly stepped back.

Li Pin's gaze fell on Lan Chi. He smiled and said, "Master Lan, it's been a long time."

It was an exceedingly simple greeting, yet upon hearing his voice, Lan Chi's eyes widened in shock. His shock and disbelief were so palpable that even those without inner spirit perception could clearly feel it.

Lan Chi's voice trembled. "Li...Li..."

Even with his cultivated inner spirit power, he momentarily couldn't rein in his emotions, and they almost spilled for everyone to see.

Fortunately, as a Legend who had cultivated inner spirit power, he recovered from his lapse immediately and quickly called out, "Counselor Li."

Under the calming influence of his inner spirit power, he regained composure at an extreme speed. "Counselor Li, it is truly the greatest honor for the Lan Clan that you can still remember me."

Li Pin replied, "I thank you for the hospitality you showed me the last time I passed through the White Dove Federation."

Li Pin did not intend to stay in the White Dove Federation for long. After the brief greeting, he said, "I shall make a move first. You are welcome to visit the Gaian civilization."

"I will definitely visit someday," replied Lan Chi, bowing in respect.

He quickly stepped forward and guided the group onto the prepared spacecraft.

The spacecraft flew quickly to the Astral Gate, leading directly to the Alliance Star.

After Li Pin and his entourage entered the Astral Gate, the clan masters of the Jin, Chi, Qing, and Hui families finally dared to approach.

"What's going on!? Master Lan, since when did you know such an esteemed figure?"

"Gaian civilization? Counselor Li is from the Gaian civilization? But isn't that a rather backward civilization?"

"I vaguely remember that civilization. Though it's the overlord of the Dragon Swamp Nebula, its strength and status are clearly mismatched. If not for a talented Legendary Celestial Martial Artist venturing out... Wait!? A talented Legendary Celestial Martial Artist!?"

At this moment, the clan masters finally realized.

Talented? Legendary Celestial Martial Artist!? Venturing out!?

The next step after a Legendary Celestial Martial Artist was a Demigod, followed by a Divine Being! And this Counselor Li was clearly at the Divine Being level.

Could it be...?

In an instant, all the clan masters, who were at least Tier Three Legends, widened their eyes and stared intently at Lan Chi.

"Although I find it just as hard to believe as you do..." Lan Chi smiled bitterly and nodded. "But... it's likely true. Lord Li Pin must have encountered a monumental opportunity during his travels, allowing him to ascend directly from a Legendary Celestial Martial Artist to a Divine Being, skipping the Demigod phase. Only then could he have been invited to join the Yin Luo Council as a figure capable of influencing the future dynamics of the Yin Luo Galaxy."

This revelation stunned the key figures of the White Dove Federation.

Demigods were not divided into Tier Four, Tier Five, and Tier Six like Legends. They were generally categorized as basic, advanced, or peak depending on their mastery over the fused primary planet.

However, a Legendary Celestial Martial Artist could only influence planets spanning thousands of kilometers. For them to fuse with a planet spanning tens of thousands of kilometers and become a Demigod often required at least a thousand stellar years of adaptation.

Further refining control over the primary planet's power to reach advanced or peak Demigod stages would take tens of thousands of years.

After all, those who took the path of Demigods were typically cultivators of mediocre talent who failed to grasp inner spirit power at the Tier Three Legend stage and faced imminent life limits.

Having taken the wrong path or having failed to reach Tier Four Legend, they extended their lifespans and continued their cultivation by fusing with a primary star.

It was entirely normal for them to stagnate in the Demigod phase for thousands or even tens of thousands of stellar years.

But how long had it been since Li Pin was a Celestial Martial Artist? Not even ten stellar years!

In less than ten stellar years, he had achieved what other Demigods required thousands or tens of thousands of years to accomplish! He had even obtained an Astral World Fragment to become a Divine Being!

How could the gap between people be this vast?!

Lan Chi conceded, "Li Pin is different from us. He's a true genius, an unparalleled genius! If the information I have is correct, he was already a genius who comprehended inner spirit power at the Legendary Celestial Martial Artist stage. He only stuck to the Celestial Martial path because he took the wrong route."

He sighed with emotion. "With his talent and a true opportunity, he could easily reach great heights. That's why I deliberately formed connections with him when he passed by the White Dove Federation back then. I even had Lan Yan send occasional greetings afterward. I thought this day would take decades or even hundreds of stellar years, but it came so much faster than expected."

"An unparalleled genius...."

The clan masters fell silent.

They knew the gap between ordinary people and unparalleled geniuses, or even geniuses, was immense, but they never imagined it could be this vast.

It was almost like the difference between humans and dogs.

"Do not compare yourself with those geniuses. Such comparisons will only make one lose their focus," The Chi Clan's clan patriarch said, bitterly smiling. "Some people spend millions of Cosmic Currency on a meal, while others only spend a few dozen. It's the same. That's a ten-thousand-fold gap... Would thinking about it this way make you feel any better?"

Did that make them feel any better? Not at all. On the contrary, it made them even worse.

After a while, everyone looked at Lan Chi with some envy.

Lan Chi had already left a good impression on Counselor Li. If he could seize the opportunity and nurture this relationship, the Lan Clan would truly cement its position in the White Dove Federation. The entire White Dove Federation might even benefit from him and take another step forward.

At this moment, the Jin Clan's clan patriarch seemed to have thought of something and suddenly said, "The Gaian civilization!? I remember... recently, our top genius from the Candle Light Alliance, Hong Feng, has been targeting the Gaian civilization quite frequently? After advancing to Tier Two Legend, he even sparred with the remaining forces of the Gaian civilization multiple times?"

Hearing these words, everyone immediately recalled these events as well.

"If we handle this matter well, not just Hong Feng, but even the Ashen Council behind him—"

"It's better not to," interrupted Lan Chi with a serious expression, understanding the intentions of the clan patriarchs. "I will inform Counselor Li about this matter, but I will convey it truthfully, acting as Counselor Li's intelligence agency without injecting any personal bias. As for how to handle it, it will be entirely up to Counselor Li!"

Yes, an intelligence agency. This was the White Dove Federation's specialty. And this was what the Gaian civilization, including Li Pin, lacked the most.

If they could handle this matter well, surpassing the Ashen Council and the Immortal Wood Empire would not just be empty talk for the White Dove Federation.

As he pondered, he swept his gaze over the crowd with a serious expression and said, "Never let your petty schemes target such significant figures. Their abilities far exceed your imagination. Mishandling it will only ruin a good hand and may even bring catastrophe upon yourselves."

Hearing Lan Chi's words, the other factions were alarmed.

"Understood."

"Knowing one's limits is essential. Back then, we ended up in this situation because we failed to see the bigger picture."

***

At the Star Alliance.

Li Pin led Zhi Yun and his group out of the Astral Gate.

Compared to the well-informed White Dove Federation, no one on Star Alliance had received any information.

Furthermore, Star Alliance was Li Pin's territory and essentially his last stop before returning to the Gaian civilization. Whether or not to open the Astral Gate in advance was entirely his decision, and he had not instructed Zhi Yun to notify anyone ahead of time.

As he stepped out of the Astral Gate, Li Pin immediately sensed something unusual.

It was desolate. Compared to a few stellar years ago, the Star Alliance had clearly become much quieter.

Originally, Star Alliance was the trade and convergence center for over a dozen civilizations in the Dragon Swamp Nebula, with countless merchants, business groups, and delegations coming and going, contributing substantial tax revenue to the Divine Dragon Empire.

However, ever since Star Alliance fell into the hands of the Gaians, its development had stagnated. With the emergence of the Candle Light Alliance, these civilizations found better import channels, causing Star Alliance to become increasingly desolate.

It was akin to those towns that once flourished due to mineral deposits but declined after the resources were exhausted.

Currently, the revenue of Star Alliance could only sustain the basic operations of its various departments.

Li Pin sighed with emotion. "Time sure flies."

He had been away from Star Alliance for four stellar years, including the time spent traveling. But when converted to Gaian civilization's time, this was forty or so years. This was enough time for a young child to grow up, have children of their own, and become the pillar of their family.

The decline of the Star Alliance over forty years was not surprising.

As he pondered, he released his perception, and his mental spirit power, amplified by the magnetic force, instantly enveloped the entirety of Star Alliance.

Naturally, he also sensed Qi Yan, the Tier One Legend stationed on Star Alliance.

However, when he sensed Qi Yan, he discovered that Qi Yan was not in the palace but at the reception center, where he was responsible for attracting investments. There, several Legends and hundreds of Heavenly Realm cultivators were feasting and repeatedly urging the hosts to bring out high-grade treasures.

Although Qi Yan's expression was bitter, he had no choice but to entertain these distinguished guests according to their specifications.

At that moment, Li Pin's communication bracelet vibrated slightly.

He received a file sent by Lan Chi.

The document contained detailed information about the Gaian civilization during this period in the Candle Light Star Ring.