Chapter 181: The Road Ahead

"The Essence-Gathering Pearl."

Li Pin had heard of this treasure before. It was one of the most renowned treasures capable of enhancing physical strength.

Astral Cultivators, High-Class Astral Cultivators, and Top-Tier Astral Cultivators could only handle a limited amount of astral energy to strengthen themselves. When the enhancement from bathing beneath the starlight exceeded their control, they would have to stop meditating on the Astral God and cease absorbing starlight. Continuing would lead to a loss of control over their power.

It was similar to how an ordinary person miscalculated their strength and threw a punch with too much force. They might end up straining their muscles or, in severe cases, dislocating a joint. Losing control of the power from starlight was far more dangerous, as it could potentially lead to instant death. To avoid that, Astral Cultivators had to cease their training.

However, Master Astral Cultivators, having touched upon the spiritual realm, were different. Even if they could no longer enhance themselves with starlight, they could still manipulate the starlight with their powerful mental spirit and condense it into a treasure that could temper their physical body. That was the Essence-Gathering Pearl.

Moreover, the Essence-Gathering Pearl wasn’t just useful to martial artists, it was even more so for Astral Cultivators. However, most Astral Cultivators needed time to hone their strength to avoid being overwhelmed by the sudden surge in power. As a result, they rarely utilize it. The only exception to this were those who transitioned from Extreme Martial Saints.

But the number of Extreme Martial Saints who become Astral Cultivators.... With the billions of people in the Tianyuan Federation, how many succeed in taking that step each year? It was way too little.

Because of this, a small number of Essence-Gathering Pearls were seized and spread to the outside world, becoming highly sought-after treasures for many striving to reach the Extreme Martial Saint realm.

Meanwhile, the masters in the Tianyuan Federation deliberately refined some Essence-Gathering Pearls during their free time and placed them in the Tianyuan Treasure Vault. The Martial Saints could exchange them for points, providing a channel to reach the Extreme Martial Saint level.

The existence of Essence-Gathering Pearls in the Tianyuan Treasure Vault was precisely why Martial Saints were willing to accept tasks the Federation assigned. They ventured into perilous regions to scout the movements of ferocious beasts and demonic creatures.

They’d relay back intel regarding beasts on the cusp of becoming a threat, thereby preventing the formation of new perilous regions or preventing the situation within existing perilous regions from severing.

"I remember one Essence-Gathering Pearl requires 2.5 million points, right?" Li Pin asked, holding the azure-blue pearl that emitted starlight.

As his fingers made contact with the Essence-Gathering Pearl, they were bathed in a radiant blue hue, turning crystal-clear. A stream of azure light seeped through his fingers and into his body.

"Yes, 2.5 million points are required to exchange for one Essence-Gathering Pearl," Su Mai confirmed with a smile.

Li Pin had spent half a month in the relatively safe competition area and earned fewer than three thousand points. Even at a rate of three thousand points per month, it would still take him over a decade to accumulate 2.5 million points.

Of course, his points were earned by hunting low-tier ferocious beasts and demonic creatures, a method typically chosen by Ordinary and High-Class Astral Cultivators.

Martial Saints mainly earned points by undertaking dangerous reconnaissance missions. Each mission could typically yield 30 thousand to 50 thousand points, so even with just one mission per month, a Martial Saint could accumulate enough points for an Essence-Gathering Pearl within a few years.

However, not every Martial Saint could enhance their qi and blood to the extreme with just one Essence-Gathering Pearl. The number required varied depending on factors such as the practitioner's refining efficiency, starlight affinity, and individual limits. Some might need three to six pearls to reach a qi and blood value of forty-six to forty-nine.

"Strictly speaking, this Essence-Gathering Pearl is compensation from the organizing committee," Su Mai said. "Committee member Phantom, while investigating whether you earned first honestly through your own strength, caused a misunderstanding. He forced you to unleash several attacks of Spirit Force during the confrontation, which drained much of your spiritual energy.

"His actions have compromised the fairness of the World's Top Martial Competition, at least to some extent. So I demanded the committee to provide an Essence-Gathering Pearl as compensation."

Li Pin could easily guess that it had to have been hard to pry an Essence-Gathering Pearl from the hands of the committee. Su Mai had to have strongly advocated for it.

"Thank you, Prince Su Mai."

Su Mai quickly understood that Li Pin had accepted his favor. He couldn't help but smile. "At the root of it all, it's because you performed exceptionally well during the preliminary rounds. Even Mr. Wan was moved by your talent. Otherwise, I might not have been able to obtain this Essence-Gathering Pearl."

"Regardless, I'm still grateful for your help in applying for it," Li Pin said.

While the two exchanged pleasantries, Tuo Bafeng scrutinized Li Pin for a while before finally finding an opportunity to speak. "Have you really become a Martial Saint?"

"At least the Sixth Princess believes I have reached that level," Li Pin replied.

Su Feiyu quickly nodded. "I've fought alongside Li Pin. He can unleash Spirit Force at will. If he isn’t a Martial Saint, then I don't know what it means to be one."

"I'm not doubting him. It's just unbelievable," Tuo Bafeng said, looking at Li Pin with genuine admiration. "The young is truly impressive."

Tuo Bafeng paused. "The moment we become Martial Saints, it means we’ve reached a point in our martial path at which not even Astral Cultivators can underestimate us. A realm where taking one more step could mean leaping over the dragon gate!"[1]

Li Pin nodded in understanding.

The Martial Saint realm was indeed revolutionary for martial artists. A grandmaster, no matter how influential they were, no matter how many martial halls they opened, or how many billions they earned annually, still hadn’t joined the true upper echelons of society.

Take Lian Hongchen as an example. He was the one who brought Li Pin to the World's Top Martial Competition and provided him the chance to be the number one competitor in the preliminaries.

However, unless Lian Hongchen broke through to Martial Saint himself, he could at most only be promoted to the executive in the martial association. He’d still be far from the deputy chairman, who managed martial arts affairs across multiple provinces, let alone the core power as the chairman.

Similarly, grandmasters like Cao Tianyou went to great lengths to get close to Astral Cultivators, tutoring them on how to manifest their Force and form their Core. This was all in hopes that when these Astral Cultivators rose to prominence, they would remember the grandmaster's grace and offer some support in return.

However, while many Astral Cultivators would flock to accept the tutoring of a grandmaster, few would keep the relationship going once they rose in status. If the grandmaster overstepped and tried to act superior, Astral Cultivators could easily dismiss them with a wave.

With a mere word from an Astral Cultivator, many grandmasters would actively seek to align themselves with them.

From this perspective, grandmasters were treated no better than wealthy merchants in the eyes of high-ranking officials. A level-six official in a small county could easily crush a merchant with billions of assets. In fact, even level-seven or eight officials could bring such a wealthy merchant to complete ruin, destroying both their fortune and family.

At most, officials would be more cautious in their dealings with grandmasters. After all, a martial artist was more likely to throw caution to the wind and risk everything.

But a Martial Saint was different.

After becoming an Astral Cultivator, a Martial Saint had the potential to become one of the top talents in any country. Each nation updated its records yearly and sent special representatives to check on the Martial Saint's cultivation progress. They’d offer support whenever it was within their means, hoping to see them complete their transition.

Such individuals could even request direct audiences with the kings and receive a positive response.

On small matters, many Astral Cultivators would willingly lend a hand. Even level-three or four officials governing a city would not dare show any disrespect to a Martial Saint.

For instance, if Qiu Chufeng from the Solar Vermilion Sect had truly achieved the Martial Saint level, he would not have been so cautious in front of Lin Yuzhi. Instead, Lin Yuzhi, the chairman of the Jiang Province Martial Society, would have had to defer to him.

The investigation team, which had worn him down to the point where he had shown signs of aging, would turn a blind eye to these minor offenses. This stark difference illustrated the gap.

"In the Martial Saint stage, where no one can afford to slack off, we must recognize our true value. It's a trial every Martial Saint must face, burning themselves out, transcending, refining Qi into Spirit, and completing the transition into the realm of Astral Cultivators," Tuo Bafeng said solemnly. "Everything we do from now on must serve this goal. Anything else means nothing!"

The Martial Saint wore a stern expression. "Even if you are unbeatable in battle and the number one in the world, if you don't make that step, then it’s all for naught. If you become obsessed with fighting and vanity, in eight to ten years, your opponents may become Astral Cultivators, while you remain a Martial Saint.

"Even if you're at the pinnacle of Martial Saints, the Extreme Martial Saint, it won't matter. When they complete their transition and ascend to High-Class Astral Cultivator in a year or two, they could easily defeat you with a single strike even if you have hopes of contending for the King of the Century."

Li Pin quickly understood something.

This Martial Saint....

Perhaps, Su Mai and the others thought that by revealing his Martial Saint strength and putting pressure on the other participants, Li Pin was obsessed with combat or indulging in vanity?

"Everyone has their own cultivation methods. Martial Saint Tuo, your method may not be suitable for me," Li Pin disagreed.

"I understand. With your talent, I can't really teach you anything. I'm just offering a friendly reminder to help you understand what we should truly be doing and the path we should take."

Li Pin smiled slightly. "I'm quite clear with my path... for now."

Tuo Bafeng returned the smile. "That's for the best."

𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Su Mai and the others took their leave.

Once outside the courtyard, Su Mai looked at Tuo Bafeng, mildly surprised. "I brought you here hoping you would explain to Li Pin how to transition from a Martial Saint and what preparations are needed before becoming an Astral Cultivator. Why—"

"He knows and has already given his answer."

Su Mai sighed. "But his answer is clearly incorrect. It is a path for martial artists, not for Astral Cultivators."

"But it fits his character, doesn't it?" Tuo Bafeng smiled.

Su Mai, hearing this, had no further comments. "A young genius, brimming with brilliance, especially with the title of the World Champion within reach, how could he possibly listen to others?"

Tuo Bafeng nodded. This was also why he chose not to continue the discussion.

"Martial arts will soon reach its limit. Beyond that, there is no path ahead. So, we must wait. Once he reaches the end of that path, he will naturally become confused, anxious, and lost. At that time, I will help him find the answers," Tuo Bafeng said.

Su Mai agreed with his viewpoint.

Some walls could only be understood after hitting them. This would certainly waste some time, but considering Li Pin's age... he had the time to spare.

1. originates from a Chinese legend about a carp transforming into a dragon upon a successful leap over a dragon gate. It conveys the message of a dramatic change in status and power. ☜