Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent-Chapter 391: Meeting

The Human Alliance Expansion Conference.

Many Master Astral Cultivators and Legendary figures, who typically held high ranks and couldn't attend in person, had joined through a virtual space set up with specialized equipment. This allowed the meeting to proceed remotely.

The meeting had only just started, yet many attendees had already arrived. Small groups of Master Astral Cultivators gathered together, discussing animatedly.

"Li Pin has truly cemented himself as a god in the martial world after this battle. The title of Martial God is well-deserved," one Master Astral Cultivator remarked.

"People outside are even calling him by his old nickname from his Martial Saint days—Invincible Li! It's such a domineering title, but when you consider his achievement in sweeping through Death Valley, slaying over 20 million high-tier demonic creatures, it's hard to argue against it. It's truly unbelievable!"

"If the reports released by Taibai are true, then this Martial God Li could take on ten times as many demonic creatures as the average Legend. That's a blessing for our people."

In the virtual conference room, many Master Astral Cultivators expressed their awe. However, a few remained skeptical.

"The credibility of Taibai's information can't compare to Tianyuan's. Don't forget, Taibai has done all sorts of things to improve its image over the years. They claim he killed more than 20 million demonic creatures, but who's to say they didn't just edit clips from the same battlefield to create the illusion of a higher number?"

Others quickly jumped to refute the skeptical Master Astral Cultivator.

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"Hah! Is it really so hard to admit someone else's excellence?"

"Sure, Taibai's reputation has taken a hit recently, but no one can deny Hall Master Li's strength. Even the mighty Ge Lin acknowledged him as one of the strongest in the world! Besides, we are all familiar with the Martial God path. As long as someone has mastered Gaia's Celestial Force Field, achieving such feats isn't impossible."

"I've studied it deeply, but harnessing the Gaia Celestial Force Field is like using a lever—bringing the force field down places immense strain on the user. Martial God Li would probably find it manageable to do it ten times... but hundreds of times? That's where I believe Taibai is inflating his achievements to create hype."

"What reason would Taibai have to fabricate these figures?"

"What reason? There could be plenty. The Alliance's restructuring is imminent, and no one knows who will become the first chairman. The top contenders right now are the Solar Radiance Sovereign, Yuan Zhenchuan, and Zhao Kunwu, right?

"Li Pin's influence is growing. Since he's from the Tianyuan Federation, if he strongly supports Yuan Zhenchuan, many smaller nations, with the intention of inviting him to clear perilous regions, would consider giving him face."

The Master Astral Cultivator's rebuttal sparked more debate.

In the direction of Great Shang, Legendary Mage You Zhige glanced toward one particular debater—Master Astral Cultivator Zhu Yan from the Red Dawn Dynasty.

This small nation was supported by just four Master Astral Cultivators, and it owed its sovereignty much to Solar Radiance's backing. This line of argument likely carried Solar Radiance's influence.

However, You Zhige had no intention of defending Li Pin. As a Legendary Mage, he had faced mounting challenges in recent years due to Li Pin's rise as the Martial God. The status of mages had steadily declined ever since Cang Shengdao's death.

Many were now suggesting that they be stripped of their Legendary status, believing they no longer deserved the title. The days when they stood on equal footing with the Legends were long gone.

If it weren't for Great Shang's Supreme Expert, Zhao Kunwu, suppressing such notions, You Zhige might have joined Zhu Yan in using Taibai's propaganda to build momentum, let alone speak in Li Pin's defense.

A Master Astral Cultivator leaned toward You Zhige and asked, "Senior Brother, do you think the footage from Taibai is real? Could it be true that Li Pin single-handedly cleared the Death Valley and exterminated over 20 million demonic creatures?"

You Zhige glanced at him. He knew very well that Taibai wouldn't fabricate evidence when it came to this.

"The clearing of the Death Valley is likely true, but the claim of killing over 20 million demonic creatures might be an exaggeration. But that's not the main point. The main point is that Martial God Li has truly taken on the responsibility of eliminating these creatures, adding a powerful new force to our ranks. This is a good thing."

You Zhige wore a smile. "With Martial God Li joining, the Special United Squad's efficiency in clearing out these creatures will surely see a significant boost."

The Master Astral Cultivator looked surprised. "The Special United Squad?"

The Master Astral Cultivator then smiled and nodded. "Right, a powerhouse like Martial God Li should definitely be part of the Special United Squad. Otherwise, it would be a waste of his abilities. If people found out we weren't utilizing someone of this caliber, they'd think the squad is failing in its mission and struggling to clear out the beasts and demons."

You Zhige nodded with a subtle smile.

This was a typical approach of the Great Shang Dynasty's upper echelons— bringing the people, or rather, the forces beyond their control, into their own ranks. If they wanted to hunt demonic creatures, let them. If they wanted to clear perilous regions, let them. But the credit? That was for everyone to share.

Otherwise, if they let someone go out alone, clearing area after area with remarkable results, wouldn't it make the Great Shang upper echelons look incompetent?

This strategy also applied to the Special United Squad and Li Pin.

The two exchanged words with their own ulterior motives. Nevertheless, there were still plenty who admired Li Pin's actions. Among them were not only members of Tianyuan but also factions from the Star Alliance and the East Sea's Thirty-Six Countries.

Those speaking for Tianyuan included Xiang Tianxing, Lu Jianchuan, Chong Guang, Xuan Yang, Kai Ming, and Yun Long. Amid the discussion, they'd also glance toward the front of the conference room—or rather, at the seats behind it. Mo Wangqing, Fu Yixue, and others were seated there.

"Those Master Astral Cultivators have been unusually quiet lately," Yun Long remarked.

Lu Jianchuan added nonchalantly. "They have no choice but to keep quiet. Yuan Zhenchuan, Wan Guliu, and several other Legendary figures from various countries have had serious talks with Lord Fu.

"He realized his previous words and demands toward Li Pin were too extreme. Without his support, who would dare speak out in front of everyone?"

His words prompted a nod from the crowd.

Li Pin's status already far outstripped any Master Astral Cultivator. Any disrespect toward him would be an act of challenge against a Legend.

While conflicts between Master Astral Cultivators and Legends were indeed prohibited by the human leadership, any Master who dared provoke a Legendary figure couldn't complain if a Legend struck back to teach them a lesson.

In serious cases, they might even be sent straight to the front lines to face demonic creatures head-on.

Lu Jianchuan remarked, a mix of emotions evident in his tone, "Speaking of which, Martial God Li made a truly remarkable debut! Sweeping through all of Death Valley, he annihilated over twenty million high-tier and hundreds of lord-level demonic creatures. Just thinking about it makes my scalp tingle."

"I witnessed the birth of this miracle myself... I couldn't even find words to describe what I felt in that moment," Xiang Tianxing said calmly. "It was the first time in years that I'd felt hope... hope that humanity could exterminate the demonic creatures and reclaim Gaia as our own."

"Hope!"

Lu Jianchuan, Chong Guang, and the others fell silent, their expressions solemn. As Master Astral Cultivators, they understood the gravity of humanity's plight far better than the general public. It was no exaggeration to say they were lucky that demonic creatures were bound by their ignorance, having no concept of unity.

Based on the perilous regions nearby alone, there were already multiple areas where the creatures' combined strength nearly equaled that of humankind. If these creatures truly united and launched an all-out assault on humanity, humanity would've been wiped out several times over by now.

Yun Long couldn't hold back from asking, "So... is that number real?"

"That number should be even higher than that, not lower!" Xiang Tianxing affirmed. "Since many creatures had been obliterated into mists of blood and flesh, it was impossible to identify them. I wouldn't even be surprised if the real number was more than thirty million or even forty million."

The gathered Masters couldn't help but draw a sharp breath.

"Forty million!"

The virtual conference projection displayed every scene in vivid detail.

"Three days, thirty to forty million high-tier creatures. Hall Master Li's efficiency in clearing monsters... is it fair to call it invincible?" Xuan Yang murmured.

"You've studied the Stars Overlord Secret Art," Xiang Tianxing replied. "If you have someone who could continuously release the full form of Stars Overlord without any drain, wouldn't their efficiency at clearing demonic creatures indeed be worthy of the word, invincible?"

Xuan Yang, Kai Ming, and Chong Guang exchanged looks, the shock evident in each of their eyes. Lu Jianchuan and Yun Long felt the same. The entire room fell into a long, contemplative silence.

After a while, one of the Master Astral Cultivators suddenly asked, "Do you think His Excellency Fu Qingtian will attend this time?"

The group fell silent at the mention of Fu Qingtian, their expressions turning solemn.

Fu Qingtian—the Supreme Expert of Tianyuan! For years, he had held the pinnacle position in Tianyuan. Globally, only twelve others with the title of Supreme Expert could rival him. Moreover, in a head-to-head battle, Fu Qingtian's strength would certainly place him among the top ten.

If he didn't attend, it would be understandable. But what if he did? What would happen when he met Li Pin again? Would it lead to a clash, or would they find a path to reconciliation? The latter would be preferable. If it were the former... it would be a great loss for all of Tianyuan.

For a moment, a heavy silence settled over the room. Unnoticed by anyone, their regard for Li Pin had silently grown, placing him on an equal level with the formidable Fu Qingtian.

Buzz, buzz!

Just then, a beam of light cast down on the seats at the forefront.

The first to appear was Yuan Zhenchuan, the leading candidate for the role of inaugural Chairman of the Human Alliance.

Following his arrival, Legendary figures emerged one after the other: Xiao Qianyuan, Zhu Zhao, Ling Qingfeng, Wan Guliu, and Lin Ken.

Shortly after, more figures appeared in sequence: Xiao Donghai, Ji Xuanyuan, Tu Tan, Wu De, Fan Xiu, Zhao Kunwu, the Solar Radiance Sovereign, and finally... Fu Qingtian.

In this Human Alliance Expansion Conference, over ninety percent of humanity's Legends and Supreme Experts were in attendance, marking one of the highest turnouts of Legendary Experts in recent years.

With everyone assembled, Yuan Zhenchuan, presiding over the meeting, began without delay, "Let us first address the primary purpose of this meeting. First, let us welcome the Seventh King of the Century, founder of the Martial God path, Celestial Martial God Hall's Hall Master, Martial God, Legend, and Destroyer of the Death Valley—Li Pin! Martial God Li, please take your seat!"