Chapter 284: Martial Ways

"Until we meet again," said Li Pin lightly.

He gathered a selection of spoils and turned to head toward the cliff.

He seemed ready to leap off the cliff and ride the waves into the distance, just as he had done when he arrived.

This left the people of Tianyuan momentarily stunned.

Bai Liying had already joined the group of Martial Saints now. He couldn't help but call out, "Martial God Li, you... aren't you coming back with us?"

Li Pin turned his head slightly, a smile on his mouth. "I came riding the waves, and I'll leave with the wind; you needn't worry about me."

"Wait a moment," Ye Chengyuan hurriedly interjected. "Martial God Li, we've received word that the great Supreme Expert Lord Fu Qingtian and over a dozen Master Astral Cultivators have boarded a warship heading for Crimson Flame Island. They're coming to personally escort us back to Tianyuan, so we can return in triumph...."

"This honor is yours. As for me, I have my own path."

Li Pin looked at the hundreds of Martial Saints behind him. "Becoming a Martial God is not the end of martial arts. I revealed the Martial God path to encourage you to pursue and achieve it as quickly as possible so we can explore the path beyond it together. This endeavor is not a solitary pursuit; it represents the most correct goal for our human evolution!"

Li Pin lifted his gaze to the sky, as if staring at the blazing sun that illuminated the world.

Yet it also felt as if he were peering across the cosmos, witnessing a grand figure, existing in higher dimensions, casting its light across the galaxy.

"Though we humans are born small, we never lacked the resolve to fight against the heavens and the earth. We have journeyed from primitive beginnings to this moment, evolving toward the forefront, surpassing all races of Gaia, and becoming the rulers of this world. This is because we've held fast to one belief: humanity can triumph over nature."

Li Pin's voice was calm. "I believe that even without relying on external forces, without needing to assimilate ourselves or limiting our thoughts for the sake of purity in our will, we can still carve out our own path of evolution.

"We can leverage the Lifeform Force Field to manipulate the Celestial Magnetic Field, break through the sky with our swords, subdue the mountains and rivers with our fists, and one day... step out of Gaia to proclaim our humanity's voice across the vast cosmos."[1]

He seemed to be painting a beautiful future. Yet, at the same time, it felt like he was narrating a certain inevitability.

These words, broadcast live from the King of the Century Competition, resonated throughout the land, stirring something indescribable in countless hearts. That was especially the case among those Martial Saints who had cultivated their Martial Will.

None of them had ever imagined that someone like Li Pin, who had not even reached the level of an Astral Cultivator, could harbor such great ambitions.

Break through the sky with swords!? Subdue the mountains and rivers with fists!?

He even declared humanity's intent to leave Gaia and make its voice heard across the boundless cosmos.

This imagery... this vision... just the thought of it ignited their blood with passion.

This sentiment was especially profound among many martial artists who lacked the talent to become Astral Cultivators and had no choice but to pursue the martial path.

Before becoming Martial Saints, martial artists couldn't compare to Astral Cultivators in the slightest.

Even grandmasters, upon achieving the title, would go to great lengths to curry favor with Astral Cultivator apprentices, offering to teach them how to manifest their Force in hopes of establishing a beneficial connection.

Yet, once the apprentices became official Astral Cultivators, most of them would distance themselves from these mentors, much like a wealthy heir shunning their poor rural relatives.

Even on the battlefield, Core Formation masters and Aura Cultivation grandmasters had only one purpose: to pave the way for Astral Cultivators, scouting for ferocious beasts and demonic creatures to minimize losses when they attacked.

Were the lives of martial artists and grandmasters any less valuable than those of Astral Cultivators?

Upon becoming Martial Saints, martial artists needed to earn points for Essence-Gathering Pearls and other Heavenly Treasures. These treasures are integral to their advancement into Extreme Martial Saints, and the only way to obtain these points was to undertake dangerous missions.

Among every five Martial Saints, two would often die in the process and two would be forced to retire due to old age and return home to teach disciples, never to reach the Extreme stage.

The remaining one, after many trials, might finally become an Extreme Martial Saint, yet would still have to risk their life to attempt the transformation into an Astral Cultivator.

Evidently, the path a martial artist had to tread to become an Astral Cultivator was undeniably challenging.

Yet, here Li Pin was, telling them they could one day wield power comparable to that of Astral Cultivators. They didn't need to refine their qi into Spirit; they only needed to condense a Lifeform Force Field, comprehend the mysteries of the Celestial Force Field, and slowly evolve themselves to achieve the strength to break through the sky and stabilize the mountains and rivers.

An unprecedented desire sprouted within them like a seed taking root.

Almost simultaneously, all the Supreme Experts watching this unfold on the live broadcast furrowed their brows.

For some reason... they found these words unsettling.

However, after a brief moment of thought, they regained their composure, chalking Li Pin's bold words up to his arrogance.

A newly ascended Martial God boldly proclaimed his intent to step beyond Gaia and send forth his voice into the vast cosmos. These were words even the Supreme Experts dared not utter.

The more open-hearted Supreme Experts laughed and scolded him for his youthful arrogance, while the narrow-minded scoffed coldly, calling him ignorant.

However, aside from a few snorts and reprimands under their breaths, they wouldn't do anything else. After all, Li Pin was the man of the moment, and his influence even eclipsed that of the Legends.

Xi Mi couldn't hold back her excitement any longer. She stepped forward and asked, "Martial God Li... can the path of a martial artist truly reach such heights in the future!?"

"It can," Li Pin answered calmly. "Once Martial Saints break through to the Martial God realm, they will harness the Celestial Force. When fully unleashed, this power surpasses the combined force of all nuclear weapons in the world... to say it has no limits wouldn't be an exaggeration!"

He paused briefly before adding, "That is... if you can handle it!"

"

Hiss!

"

As soon as these words were spoken, the Martial Saints widened their eyes in shock.

Some couldn't help but draw in a sharp breath.

A full-scale eruption surpassing the combined force of all nuclear weapons in the world? Such power... it went beyond even Legends!

"The road ahead lies beneath our feet. Don't lose your way; don't be afraid. We should be filled with confidence and look forward to tomorrow. Both humanity and us martial artists will have a bright future..." Li Pin smiled slightly. "With unity and unwavering determination, we can continue to walk and pass on the martial path that belongs to humanity."

With that, he waved his hand. "I will be waiting for you at the forefront of martial arts, waiting for you to grow stronger."

***

The King of the Century Competition was broadcast worldwide.

Moreover, this battle also concerned the position of supreme commander of the Special United Squad, attracting attention from many Astral Cultivators and related personnel who turned into the live stream.

Though they hadn't yet grasped what had happened—how the battle seemed to have ended in just half an hour—they remained captivated.

The sights of hundreds of Martial Saints surrounding Li Pin, seeking guidance on the Martial God path, were already awe-inspiring. Now, Li Pin made a stirring proclamation that would ignite the blood and hope of any martial artist present, invigorating everyone as they involuntarily began to ask questions.

"What exactly happened? By the looks of it, did Li Pin... win the King of the Century title? Where's the commentary? Why hasn't anyone explained what went down in that half-hour?"

"Why would the commentators know more than us? This is live. It's not like they have first-hand information. Even if they did, they might not be allowed to speak and would have to play dumb. But judging by the looks of things... Li Pin might have really won! Did he manage to subdue everyone in such a short time? Is that why these Martial Saints are showing him such respect?"

"The earlier footage was too distant. I couldn't catch anything they were saying. But now... it looks like Li Pin might have stepped onto a path beyond the Martial Saints! This path, known as the Martial God, can break through the sky with swords and subdue mountains and rivers with fists. It's on par with the Astral Cultivators' path—perhaps even more powerful?"

"Are you kidding? I can believe Li Pin has pioneered the Martial God path, but for him to say it's even stronger than the Astral Cultivators' path? Does he think our Legendary figures are just for show? Someone needs to wake him up!"

All sorts of debates erupted among ordinary people, martial artists, and Astral Cultivators gathered around their TVs.

Since the prominent figures of the Six Extremities had just received the news and were more focused on finalizing the supreme commander position, no official orders had been issued yet. This left the media too cautious to make any bold statements.

Without authoritative explanations, major forums, websites, and social platforms buzzed with heated discussions.

In contrast to the rampant speculations, those who knew Li Pin were filled with disbelief.

Li Yunyao, Lin Xiaolu, along with the others in their group looked on with starry eyes. "Is this really my brother!? He looks... so amazing!"

Fang Yubai, with his arm around his wife, pointed at the screen and shouted, "That's my brother! Did you see that? This is my brother! A Martial God!? Li Pin is simply incredible!

Hahaha

!"

Meanwhile, Fang Lingjue, who had watched Li Pin grow, was deeply shaken. "Li Pin... he actually..."

He carved a path beyond the Martial Saints! He has achieved what countless Martial Saints had spent decades trying to find yet failed.

But... Li Pin had gone from a nobody to the undisputed King of the Century in two mere years. Considering his talent... if he couldn't pave the way above Martial Saint... who could?

Remembering Li Pin's description of the Martial God realm, an unprecedented desire ignited within Fang Lingjue, whose fighting spirit still burned strong. His blood surged again. "Martial God! Martial God!"

***

In the Guardian Hall, Xiang Tianxing sat with his thoughts tumbling. He muttered, "Celestial Force!? The essence of this realm draws from an entire celestial body.

"If the power of this realm could be fully developed... it would be the force of an entire celestial body crashing down. Who could withstand it!? Not even Masters nor Legends would stand a chance!"

At this moment, the whole world was watching! Li Pin had truly captured the world's attention!

Through this live broadcast, people came to learn about the title of the realm above Martial Saint for the first time!

Martial God!

1. A Chinese expression often used to describe immense power to overcome any obstacle. ☜