Chapter 135: Give In

Mental spirit belonged to an entirely new realm, one that only Martial Saints could truly assess. Li Pin deeply understood how difficult it was to grow and recover in this area.

He always believed that the rapid increase of his mental spirit to nineteen points was not solely due to the Chaos Meditation Art. The most crucial factor was his innate talent.

An increase in the mental spirit attribute inherently allowed for a more precise perception of his state and the flow of his qi and blood. However, his "Clairvoyance" gift maximized this ability, which signified something significant.

For other grandmasters, merely nurturing their mental spirit value to twenty points, the minimum standard for condensing Martial Will, would require a lifetime of effort and struggle. This demonstrated that the mental spirit attribute was more valuable than the qi and blood attribute.

Yet, this set of astral equipment he was wearing could enhance an individual's mental spirit value by eleven points, allowing an ordinary martial artist to experience the spiritual state of a Martial Saint in advance. The implications of such an effect were self-evident. It's no exaggeration to say that this essentially took the game from hard mode to easy mode.

Li Pin felt a surge of emotions deep down.

The Astral Cultivator System truly overwhelms the Martial Arts System.

Moreover, if top-tier astral equipment was already this powerful, how about the even stronger ones? And what of the legendary astral equipment rumored to be in the Dragon Gate Hall? If he could possess such an item, to what extent could it enhance his mental spirit attribute?

Li Pin exhaled deeply, realizing his time with the astral equipment was limited. He had to pull himself back from his thoughts. However, during his brief distraction, he noticed something. The amplification effect of the astral equipment seemed to vary depending on his personal state. The degree of enhancement was inconsistent.

Li Pin recalled what Elder Wei had told him before he entered the room; the same astral equipment could have different effects depending on the user.

He slightly withdrew his concentrated mental spirit. Immediately, the astral equipment's enhancing effect on his mental spirit weakened considerably. If he were in his "Clairvoyance" state, the enhancement to his mental spirit would reach ten or eleven points, while in a normal state, it fluctuated around six or seven points.

Just like the fluctuation of a great grandmaster's Spirit Force and human thought processes, it was elusive and unpredictable.

But if a great grandmaster wore such a set of astral equipment, the state of their Spirit Force would undoubtedly be much more stable. If they used medicines that can enhance the mental spirit even better than the Concentration Incense, achieving Spirit Force would be highly probable.

Li Pin thought about this and somewhat understood why many experts, having been promoted to Martial Saints found it hard to manifest Spirit Force afterward.

Most likely, during their assessment, they spent lots of money on renting astral equipment and using treasures superior to Concentration Incense to boost their Mental Spirit, thereby successfully achieving Spirit Force and reaching the Martial Saint level.

Li Pin pondered.

Furthermore, there seems to be a subtle difference between the spiritual enhancement this astral equipment provides and a martial artist's own Mental Spirit.

He focused his mind and gradually became aware of the differences.

A martial artist's own mental spirit attribute was honed through countless trials; it was solid, introverted, and stable like a stubborn rock, making it suitable for defense. In contrast, the mental spirit this astral equipment provided was less refined. It was like an unclaimed power with a higher activity that excelled in the "perception" attribute beyond what could be achieved through personal cultivation.

"The increased ‘perception’ brought by this activity allows me to more easily detect the opponent’s qi and blood flow and discern their weaknesses, thereby enhancing my strength in combat."

One aspect favored defense, while the other leaned toward offense. Neither was inherently superior.

Li Pin calmed his mind and took the opportunity to quietly contemplate the mysterious nature of the Spirit Force he had grasped the day before. Although the astral equipment enhanced external perception, the increased value still made his own perception more precise.

Within less than an hour, Li Pin gained a whole new understanding of Spirit Force. This saved him at least three to five days of pondering. If he had another eight to ten hours, he would've been able to manifest Spirit Force at will by tonight.

Unfortunately...

A bell rang, interrupting Li Pin's contemplation.

"Time's up," Elder Wei said as he pushed open the door. "Place the astral equipment into the stone wall."

Li Pin reluctantly complied. Soon, the stone wall was sealed, significantly diminishing the astral energy fluctuations emanating from the room.

Elder Wei explained, "Astral equipment is different from Astral Cultivators. The power that an Astral Cultivator emanates can be replenished by meditating on the Astral God or bathing beneath the starlight.

"However, when the energy in the primary material of an astral equipment, the Astral Crystal, is depleted, the Astral Crystal needs to be replaced to replenish it. This process inevitably damages the astral equipment, and after a few replacements, the astral equipment will usually be destroyed."

This explained why this top-tier astral equipment wasn't always available for use as a major benefit.

"Setting aside such top-tier astral equipment which could be considered strategic resources, how much does a high-grade astral equipment cost?" Li Pin asked.

"High-grade astral equipment can be traded but they are still quite expensive. To buy a set, you would need to prepare at least 800 million to one billion yuan," Elder Wei replied with a smile. "Moreover, the effectiveness of high-grade astral equipment pales in comparison to top-tier ones. Are you thinking of buying one?"

800 million to one billion in cash...

.

Li Pin thought of his assets and shook his head.

Elder Wei explained, "Some genuine astral equipment also have auxiliary effects for cultivation. Though they are not as effective as top-tier astral equipment, they can still inspire cultivators at times."

"Genuine astral equipment have this effect too?" Li Pin asked.

"Not all astral equipment are the same. Some can invigorate a martial artist's, or even an Astral Cultivator's, qi and blood and enhance their combat power. Other astral equipment are beneficial for bathing beneath the starlight, while some can even enhance neural responses, making the user more perceptive."

Elder Wei handed him a list. "These are the materials needed for genuine astral equipment that can enhance 'mental spirit' and aid in cultivation. If you have enough funds, you can purchase the materials and Astral Crystals to craft one. You could also opt to buy the finished product right away. This will greatly help you in forming your Martial Will in the future."

Li Pin took the list, which detailed various materials for astral equipment: Yellow Crystals, Crimson-Tooth Tiger Fangs, Phoenix Jewels, Century-Old Pearls, Blue Clear Vines, and more.

None of these materials were banned, but each one came at a high cost. If he wanted to obtain them, he would need to quickly liquidate the assets of the Solar Vermillion Sect and have the Five Elements Sect Sect and Lian Hongchen keep an eye out for him.

At this moment, Li Pin remembered that it was almost time for delivery for the astral equipment spirit weapon he had spent 100 million to create.

***

In the capital city.

By now, the capital city's intermediate category had finalized its top ten rankings.

Gu Haoran had secured a spot in the top ten with his strength at the Aura Cultivation Realm. However, the other nine contestants from Jiang Province faced complete defeat.

Despite this, having one person in the top ten meant Jiang Province didn't leave empty-handed. After all, many provinces didn't have a single contestant make it into the top ten.

***

"If I hadn't chosen to cooperate with the Gu family, but instead let Li Pin win the first place in Jiang Province, would things have ended differently?"

𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

This thought involuntarily flashed through Lin Yuzhi’s mind as he waited in a mansion in the capital city. However, this thought was ruthlessly quashed within moments it emerged. He had never been the type to hesitate and be indecisive. When Li Pin had trampled his goodwill into the dust, Lin Yuzhi knew that would be impossible for them to reconcile.

Thus, despite Li Pin’s exceptional talent, Lin Yuzhi did not hesitate to summon his two greatest trump cards, Dragon Elephant Chi Tiexin and Rising Sun Sword Qi Feng. He had ordered these two great grandmasters, possessing the strength of Martial Saints, to kill Li Pin.

To Lin Yuzhi, It didn't matter how gifted a martial artist was. As long as they were enemies, they deserved to die. Even if they could eventually refine qi into Spirit and become Astral Cultivators, or even become legendary Astral Cultivators safeguarding humanity like Sea-Stabilizing Pillars, it still made no difference to him.

With this in mind, he maintained his patience and refrained from contacting Chi Tiexin and Qi Feng, quietly waiting for news. However, as time passed, his heart grew heavier.

By dawn, he could no longer sit still and made a call.

"So, it can be confirmed that a fierce battle took place in Riverscape Marvel?"

—Yes.

"Understood."

Sitting in the cultivation room of his mansion, worth over a hundred million, Lin Yuzhi remained silent for a long time. "Li Pin..." he murmured.

After a while, he exhaled deeply. Since when had his path become so fraught with obstacles? Everything had been hindered ever since Li Pin appeared!

With things reaching this point, Lin Yuzhi sighed. "Enough, enough. If I can't provoke him, I can avoid him."

He then took out a well-prepared generous gift, meant as a backup plan, and headed to the residence of his major supporter, Deputy Chairman Lu Changkong. Given the situation, the only option left to prevent further deterioration was to transfer from Jiang Province to a position in the main association. Even a simple transfer was better than being outright removed.

***

In contrast to Lin Yuzhi, Lu Changkong had long resided in the martial association Headquarters. This place was adjacent to the Guardian Hall in the capital city, with a level of security comparable to the royal palace.

In the presence of Lu Changkong, his leader and benefactor, Lin Yuzhi did not dare to conceal anything. He recounted the events that had taken place in Jiang Province during this period in full detail.

After listening to Lin Yuzhi, Lu Changkong's expression showed little change. Instead, he said, "I have been waiting for you to report on the situation in Jiang Province since your arrival in the capital city."

"Jiang Province... I have disappointed you," Lin Yuzhi said, lowering his head.

"Li Pin... his future is limitless," said Chairman Lu Changkong.

He was clearly aware of Li Pin’s reputation. It appeared that many high-ranking officials had already taken notice of Li Pin, but their actions had been delayed by the national competition.

"What do you plan to do next?" Lu Changkong asked.

"Against Lian Hongchen, it’s nothing, but with Li Pin as his support, it's almost as if he has divine assistance. Rather than saying I no longer wish to fight Lian Hongchen, it’s more accurate to say I am not prepared to continue battling Li Pin. Therefore—"

"Don't exploit the young and poor, especially when dealing with a martial arts prodigy like Li Pin. It’s wise not to persist in fighting Li Pin. However, if you choose to back down, you must do so with the proper attitude," Lu Changkong said calmly. "Based on the results of the investigation into the Solar Vermillion Sect's targeting of Li Pin, Lin Yuzhi, you are undeniably at fault. I will order your immediate dismissal."

He paused for a moment before adding, "This decision serves as an explanation to both Lian Hongchen and Li Pin."

Lin Yuzhi had anticipated this outcome and had prepared himself for it, but a sense of desolation still lingered in his expression. This order marked the end of an era for him in the Jiang Province martial arts community.