Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent
Chapter 544: Rich and Poor

Chapter 544: Rich and Poor

Si Ling smiled faintly. "It's the Ascension Platform."

This rare treasure was something she had stumbled upon during her adventures years ago.

Though it appeared a bit old, the value of an Ascension Platform couldn't be measured in monetary terms. If forced to sell it, its price would rival that of quasi-divine equipment, netting tens of thousands of Divine Treasury Points.

Li Pin sighed softly. "An Ascension Platform, huh..."

An Ascension Platform was also known as a Guiding Platform.

It possessed the power to transform entire races or even reshape entire worlds. It allowed the living beings of those worlds to meet the basic requirements for surviving in the Astral World. Once they cultivated inner spirit power, they could ascend into it.

However, this process differed from the ascension of Tier Six Legends or Divine Beings into the Astral World.

For Tier Four Legends who had just cultivated inner spirit power, the price was far steeper. They had to abandon their physical forms, and the journey was irreversible. Once they entered the Astral World, there was no return to the Material World.

Unlike Astral Gods, they couldn't achieve immortality. At best, their lifespans could be extended to rival that of Demigods.

Despite so, many lifeforms chose to ascend into the Astral World after cultivating inner spirit power. This was because achieving godhood in the Astral World was far easier than in the outside world.

It was like building a spaceship in space rather than constructing it on the ground and launching it into orbit. It was an incomparable difference in energy consumption.

Si Ling spoke confidently. "Every Divine Being is at their weakest when they first carry their Astral World Fragment into the Astral World. During this time, if they can attract a large number of ascenders and harness their power to manage crises, their chances of survival increase significantly."

"Divine Li, I believe that one day, you will shatter the Astral World's gate, return to it, and ascend as an Astral God. To congratulate you in advance on a smooth path to godhood, I offer this to you."

"It's a good item, just a bit old," Li Pin remarked.

"As long as it works, isn't that all that matters?" Si Ling replied with a smile.

"That's true, but... I don't need it," Li Pin said. "Take it back. You can leave now."

Si Ling's expression froze momentarily.

An Ascension Platform. This was an Ascension Platform. Which Divine Being would ever refuse such a treasure? Without at least ten or more of these, how could they get through the early stages of merging into the Astral World?

After all, the risks involved in a Divine Being becoming an Astral God were vastly different from those of a Legend.

Divine Beings had to guide an Astral World Fragment back into the Astral World—a process akin to introducing a planet into a stable star system. Such a disruption would inevitably upset the gravitational balance, triggering countless dangers.

During this period, the newly ascended Astral God had to personally address these crises, which required immense power. A single misstep could result in the overwhelming accumulation of Eternal Oblivion Force.

Failing to resolve the crises would lead to the destruction of the Astral World Fragment in the collisions, along with the Astral God's Natal Planet.

It was no different from instant death. In such circumstances, having more Ascension Platforms and accumulating ascenders was naturally beneficial.

"Divine Li, I came with sincere intentions to invite you... Additionally, this Ascension Platform—"

Si Ling tried to continue, but Li Pin waved her off. "I said I don't need an Ascension Platform."

With a casual motion, he projected the images of over a dozen Ascension Platforms.

Seeing this, Si Ling's eyes widened in shock, her expression freezing.

Whoosh!

At that moment, a fiery streak, accompanied by a powerful tremor, descended like a meteor and landed in the area. It was none other than Si Xing, who had rushed over in a hurry.

"Li Pin," Si Xing called out urgently.

"You're here," Li Pin replied calmly.

With a touch of inner spirit power, he helped Si Xing regain his composure. Understanding the reason for Si Xing's haste, he added, "You're the only one from the Si Clan I recognize. Tell me the details."

"Alright," Si Xing steadied himself. "I'll explain everything now."

Li Pin nodded. "Alright."

"Divine Li—"

Si Ling, standing nearby, tried to speak again, but Li Pin cut her off directly. "Gaia is the political center of the Gaia Civilization, its capital. While the planetary defense system isn't complete, as visitors, you should at least notify and report your arrival out of courtesy. This time, I'll let it slide for Si Xing's sake.

"But next time... don't blame me for treating you as invaders and dealing with you accordingly."

This warning, laced with a subtle menace, left Si Ling frozen in fear. She stammered, "Divine Li... I... I deeply admire you—"

Li Pin interrupted her again, pointing to the warship docked in outer space. "You may leave now."

Si Ling replied hastily, "Yes, we'll leave immediately."

She then departed swiftly with her companions.

Faced with a being powerful enough to crush the Astral God's avatar, she had no courage to resist.

The three of them returned to the black warship in a disheveled state and quickly left the star domain.

After traveling a considerable distance, Si Ling couldn't suppress her frustration, even harboring malicious thoughts.

To evolve into an Astral God, each step is a daunting trial. Integrating into the Astral World is one challenge, and gaining a foothold there is another.

These trials are even more arduous than a Tier Three Legend comprehending inner spirit power. His reckless behavior, lacking discernment, will surely bring him suffering when he attempts to ascend to an Astral God in the future.

Of course, these thoughts remained confined to her mind. She had absolutely no courage to voice them.

***

In a scenic garden at the old site of the Divine Martial Sect, Si Xing spoke to Li Pin with a wry smile. "Apologies for earlier. Si Ling is the most valued junior of our branch's patriarch, and she—"

"This is a trivial matter," Li Pin interrupted calmly. "If you can comprehend the power of the inner spirit, you'll be able to handle it yourself."

Si Xing nodded in agreement. With Li Pin's current standing, he truly didn't need to concern himself with the petty conflicts of the Si Clan juniors.

With that, Si Xing began explaining. "Divine Beings are already the pinnacle of combat power in the Material World. Of course, Astral Gods are an exception. Even their avatars derive power from their true forms in the Astral World, inherently a higher tier that cannot be compared."

He sighed. "Compared to Tier Six Legends, the path of a Divine Being is at least ten times more challenging. Before attempting their ascension into Astral Gods, almost every Divine Being exhausts all their means in order to gather support from various factions.

"At the same time, many factions are willing to invest in them, hoping to back a future Astral God. The Si Clan is no exception. Over the past ten thousand stellar years, we've supported three Divine Beings."

Li Pin understood this well.

For aristocratic clans, investing in Divine Beings was standard practice. However, their first choice would always be Tier Six Legends, who had far greater options.

With their longer lifespans and higher cultivation freedom, Legends could even choose the Astral God they wished to follow. This made them less accessible for noble families looking to invest.

Si Xing said with a bitter smile, "Our main base is in the Starwheel Sea, divided into nine branches. Among them, three grand patriarchs haven't descended their avatars for a long time.

"From what we've learned through other Astral Gods, they've ventured deep into the Astral World in search of opportunities."

He didn't elaborate further, but Li Pin, who had studied extensively in the Mara World, understood the implications.

The Astral World consisted of the Outer Layer, Inner Layer, and Core Layer, each interdependent.

Most Astral Gods resided in the Outer Layer, but they would occasionally venture into the Inner or Core Layers. Crossing to a deeper layer increased energy levels by a factor of 1,024.

In simpler terms, cultivation within a deeper layer offered 1,024 times the progress from the previous, but the danger also multiplied by the same factor.

Solar Flare Astral Gods had a higher survival rate, but for Starshine Astral Gods who ventured into the deeper layer and remained unresponsive for an extended time, the outcome was often grim.

Li Pin thought, Venturing into higher-level areas for faster progress... sure, the rewards are greater, but the risks of losing everything are just as high.

"Though three grand patriarchs are unresponsive, six still safeguard the Si Clan, ensuring our influence in the Starwheel Sea remains strong. Our branch, the Flame Branch, is led by Radiant Flame Astral God. Among the nine, he is the oldest, and his ascension dates back to the Second All-Beings War era."

"The Second All-Beings War?" Li Pin's eyes widened in surprise. "Four hundred million stellar years ago?"

Si Xing nodded with pride. "Indeed."

The timeline of all races in the current world begins with the oldest era, when the Ancient Astral World still existed. This was followed by the Primordial Era, which emerged after its collapse.

Next came the First All-Beings War, marked by fierce competition among the powerful. This was succeeded by the Second All-Beings War, which established the current cosmic order, and finally, the Third All-Beings War, a battle for the Supreme Ladder of ascension.

These events are often chronicled as the Primordial Epoch, First Epoch, Second Epoch, and Third Epoch.

The current era was the Fourth Epoch.

"Truly an ancient existence," Li Pin remarked sincerely.

Si Xing explained, "The Si Clan has developed a comprehensive system for investing in Divine Beings. So far, we've supported 1,088 Divines, of which six successfully ascended to Astral God."

Li Pin sincerely remarked, "Impressive."

Before the Supreme Ladder emerged, the concept of Divine Beings hadn't existed. Even after its advent, the probability of a Divine ascending to Astral God was roughly one in a thousand.

Over countless years, optimization of the Divine Being cultivation system had increased the success rate to about one in three hundred. For the Si Clan to achieve six successes out of 1,088 attempts far exceeded the average.

"For millennia, the Si Clan has searched for races with innate talent in inner spirit, breaking reproductive barriers and promoting interbreeding to cultivate superior offspring. Currently, forty-four primary planets with unique characteristics ensure the birth of a Tier Four Legend every thousand stellar years."

Si Xing looked at Li Pin. "If you're willing to become a consecrator for the Si Clan, I estimate that 15 to 20 planets' worth of people would convert into ascenders and enter your Astral World Fragment.

"They would strengthen your Astral World nation and help you overcome the initial challenges."

Li Pin calculated inwardly. A thousand stellar years to produce one Tier Four Legend...

Over ten thousand stellar years and 20 planets, that would amount to 200 ascenders. For most Divine Beings, who could barely manage dozens or hundreds of ascenders, this was not a bad offer.

Li Pin thought, I finally understand the immense benefit a Divine Treasure World holds for a Divine Being.

If he chose to, with the Supreme Demonic Sword and the Immortal Staff, he could cultivate at least ten to twenty thousand Tier Four Legends over ten thousand stellar years.

Of course, the losses would be just as significant. But in the vast galaxy, Tier Three Legends were abundant. Many would risk everything for such an opportunity.

Clearly, joining the Si Clan simply to give Si Xing face required further thought.

They were... too poor.

"For now, let's focus on helping you comprehend inner spirit," Li Pin said.

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