Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent
Chapter 539: Welcome

Chapter 539: Welcome

At the Gaian Civilization.

At present, the delegation, led by the Legend Solar Radiance Sovereign and the two Heavenly Realm experts—Yuan Zhenchuan and Xiang Tianxing—had just arrived at Alliance Star.

Despite being the overlord of the Dragon Swamp Nebula, the Gaian Civilization had barely managed to maintain control over the region in recent years, and its hold was weaker than that of the former Divine Dragon Empire.

The Homo Sapien Alliance placed restrictions, preventing nations from engaging in conflicts. Additionally, Gaia itself lacked the audacity to act boldly.

Although Yu Shengjin had broken through to the second tier of the Legendary Realm and acted as a figure of deterrence, Gaia itself had few notable experts.

Mid- and high-level Heavenly Realm practitioners were scarce, and many resource planets were beyond effective control.

Unlike Li Pin, who wielded immense power and suppressed dissent with overwhelming force, Gaia lacked the confidence to act as boldly.

Yuan Zhenchuan and his team were already exceptional for being able to stabilize the Dragon Swamp Nebula within just a few stellar years and largely absorb the gains from the Divine Dragon Empire.

Upon arriving at Alliance Star, they awaited the activation of the Astral Gate.

The Astral Gate at Alliance Star was of relatively low grade, with a long activation cycle and limited priority for connections to major star systems.

While traveling within the Nebula was manageable, journeys outside often took ten days to half a month, assuming no delays at the other end. Waiting for a year or more was not unheard of.

While they waited patiently, Yuan Zhenchuan received a message. He quickly activated his communication bracelet, and a projection of Li Pin appeared.

—The Ashen Council matter is temporarily on hold. Return to Gaia and gather everyone for a discussion.

Though Yuan Zhenchuan was unsure of the details, he executed the order without hesitation.

"We'll return immediately," he replied.

After ending the call, a series of communications began flooding in.

—Secretary-General Yuan, I heard Gaia's large-scale city defense barrier project is open for bids? We, the Celestial Dragonian, would like to assist with construction. For a Level Four standard, a barrier for a city of ten million would cost three billion. What do you think?

Yuan Zhenchuan found it hard to believe. "Th-Three billion?!"

A Level Four standard meant a defense system that even a Legendary expert would find difficult to breach quickly. Such a city typically required hundreds of billions in Secondary Cosmic Currency.

The Celestial Dragonian was offering to do it for a mere three billion? That was almost a freebie!

"Councilor Jin, are you serious?" Yuan Zhenchuan asked, disbelief evident in his voice.

The Celestial Dragonian representative had an earnest expression.

—Of course. We're very sincere.

Before Yuan Zhenchuan could respond, another communication came in. This one was from the Mist Sea Empire. Like Gaia, this was a civilization that ruled over a nebula.

"I'll consider it and get back to you soon," Yuan Zhenchuan responded quickly.

The Celestial Dragonian representative smiled warmly and said.

— No rush. We're very flexible. If the price seems high, we can negotiate.

After hanging up, Yuan Zhenchuan promptly connected to the Mist Sea envoy's communication request.

To his surprise, the projected figure wasn't the Minister of Foreign Affairs but Qiu Li himself, the ruler of the Mist Sea Empire and a Tier Three Legendary expert.

Yuan Zhenchuan quickly greeted, "Your Majesty Qiu Li."

Qiu Li, showing no airs despite his Tier Three Legendary status, smiled warmly.

—I've just reviewed Gaia's Astral Gate priority application. The Mist Sea Empire is very interested in deepening relations with Gaia and forming a strong alliance. I've personally approved upgrading Gaia's Astral Gate priority to Level Seven.

—Additionally, I've always been fascinated by Gaia's history of development and would like to visit your civilization personally.

Yuan Zhenchuan, flustered but humbled, replied, "Your Majesty, your visit would be an immense honor for Gaia. We wholeheartedly welcome you."

Qiu Li was very polite.

—Secretary-General Yuan, you're too kind. Receiving an invitation from the Gaia Civilization is an honor for the Mist Sea Empire.

After their cordial exchange concluded, another communication request came through. This time, it was from the Kazan Civilization, a nebula-dominating power like the Mist Sea Empire.

Yuan Zhenchuan felt a headache coming on but reluctantly accepted, knowing the strength of the Kazan Civilization couldn't be ignored.

The projected figure materialized into none other than the True God Kazan. He wasn’t an Astral God or a Demigod, but with Tier Three Legendary strength, he was no different from a true deity in the conservative, tradition-bound Kazan civilization.

True God Kazan's face was full of smiles.

—Secretary-General Yuan, this is all a misunderstanding. We've completed an investigation and discovered that Zhuo Ri's construction project for Gaia involved subpar materials and corrupt practices.

—Upon learning this, I personally ordered the confiscation of Zhuo Ri's family assets and the severe punishment of everyone involved. Furthermore, to compensate Gaia for the losses, the Kazan Civilization is willing to pay tenfold—no, a hundredfold reparations.

—Not only that, but we're also willing to assist Gaia in constructing advanced atmospheric and energy systems for its six primary planets, completely free of charge, including providing related patented technologies. We hope this resolves the misunderstanding and repairs the rift between our civilizations.

Hearing Kazan's words, Yuan Zhenchuan was utterly stunned.

The Celestial Dragonians offering massive discounts on defense systems was already incredible. The Mist Sea Empire upgrading Gaia's Astral Gate priority to near the highest level was another shock. But now, Kazan Civilization was pledging compensation in the trillions and proposing to fund massive planetary projects for free?

The Mist Sea Empire's annual fiscal revenue doesn't even reach a trillion Secondary Cosmic Currency!

Compensation of a hundred billion and free repairs for trillion-dollar-level projects? What was the Kazan Civilization doing? Are they not worried about economic collapse?

"Your Majesty Kazan, you—"

Yuan Zhenchuan was about to say something, but before he could continue, Xiang Tianxing, the acting chairman of the Gaia Alliance, transmitted a message telepathically. "Wait a moment."

After a pause, Xiang Tianxing said, "Use Chairman Li's name."

This reminder made Yuan Zhenchuan suddenly realize something.

Li Pin had returned.

Every time he reappeared after a period of absence, he brought astonishing surprises and created miracles beyond imagination.

Could it be...? Could such a miracle be replicated even on a universal scale?

Yuan Zhenchuan, though surprised, quickly responded, "I will report this to Chairman Li. The decision on how to handle it will be made after receiving his instructions."

— Of course, of course. If there's anything you need, please don't hesitate to ask, Secretary-General Yuan. The Kazan Civilization is genuinely committed to establishing eternal harmony with the Gaia Civilization.

Yuan Zhenchuan nodded slightly.

After ending the communication, his gaze shifted to Xiang Tianxing and the Solar Radiance Sovereign. Both returned his look, each detecting uncertainty in the other's eyes.

"It seems Chairman Li has truly accomplished something remarkable," Solar Radiance Sovereign remarked with a sigh.

"With so many already aware, it won't take long to find out," Xiang Tianxing said.

Yuan Zhenchuan nodded.

While Xiang Tianxing, as the acting chairman, managed internal affairs, Yuan Zhenchuan was more involved in external relations and thus had closer ties with emissaries from other civilizations.

As expected, news about Li Pin's recent actions spread rapidly.

Li Pin's destruction of the Frost Dragon Planet, the slaying of a peak Demigod, and the forceful collapse of the Ashen Council's cornerstone sent shockwaves throughout the entire Candle Light Star Ring.

Even if Yuan Zhenchuan and the others didn't actively investigate, it wouldn't take long for the details to reach them.

When the intelligence report and recorded footage were laid out before them, all three were visibly stunned. Even Yuan Zhenchuan, who had always had great confidence in Li Pin, felt as if the entire world had become unreal.

"A Demigod? A peak Demigod?"

"If I recall correctly, in their domain, a peak Demigod is invincible. Even a Tier Six Legend cannot defeat them!"

"To kill a peak Demigod in their domain, there are only two possible entities capable of such a feat: an Astral God or... a Divine Being."

Xiang Tianxing's gaze fell on a specific part of the report describing Li Pin's title. "Councilor Li of the Yin Luo Council."

The Yin Luo Council, the supreme governing body of the Yin Luo Galaxy. To join as a councilor, a person had to either be a highly revered Tier Six legend or... a Divine Being.

"A Divine Being! A Divine Being!" Yuan Zhenchuan murmured in disbelief. "Chairman Li... has become a Divine Being?"

The Solar Radiance Sovereign, once Gaia's strongest expert who had endured countless trials to reach Legendary status, nodded bitterly. He recalled how he had once aspired to compete with Li Pin for leadership of the Gaia Civilization.

In hindsight, such ambitions seemed laughable.

Ignorance truly is fearlessness, he thought.

Yuan Zhenchuan lowered his head. "A Divine Being..."

The last time he'd heard the term was when Li Pin had received the Yin Luo Galaxy's territorial map from Si Xing.

Back then, Divine Beings seemed like distant clouds or towering mountains—lofty and untouchable.

But now... how long had it been?

Four stellar years? And Li Pin has already become a Divine Being?

"I finally understand why Si Xing treated us and Chairman Li so differently," Xiang Tianxing remarked. "You can't compare ordinary people to absolute geniuses. The gap between them is as vast as that between different species."

Yuan Zhenchuan and the Solar Radiance Sovereign nodded in agreement.

Four stellar years, that's all it took.

Yuan Zhenchuan, who had reached the Heavenly Realm four stellar years ago, was still at the same rank. Even Gaia's former strongest, the Solar Radiance Sovereign, had only advanced from the Heavenly Realm to Legendary in that time.

But Li Pin... in just four stellar years, he had leaped from being a Celestial Martial Artist to a Divine Being.

Such growth defied all logic and exceeded their wildest imaginations. Yet, it had unfolded right before them.

"No wonder those civilizations have drastically changed their stance," Xiang Tianxing muttered, clarity dawning.

After a moment of silence, he finally said, "Return to Gaia as soon as possible. Make the preparations. Let us welcome Chairman Li back."