Chapter 326: Clear Statement

"Master..." called Wen Xingchen frantically, "this was my fault. Please, Master, give me another chance—"

Li Pin waved dismissively. "Go."

Lin Langya suppressed his humiliation and forced a bitter smile. "Martial God Li, does it have to end like this? If we can't work together, we could at least still be friends...."

"No," Li Pin shut him down. "The way you handle things doesn't sit well with me. Being friends would only invite trouble."

"It seems, Martial God Li, that you have no interest in relationships, only in business," Lin Fuxing said sternly. "Since you don't care about personal ties and only want to discuss a deal, isn't exchanging one Skill Crystal for a set of rare astral equipment too much? It should be at least ten crystals."

"I said one for one, and that's final," declared Li Pin, glancing up at them calmly. "Any objections?"

Lin Fuxing's face darkened. "The Lin Clan may have declined, but we've cultivated for decades. We might not have produced a Master Astral Cultivator, but we do have a few Top-Tier Astral Cultivator. Martial God Li, you're being a bit too overbearing—"

Before he could finish, Lin Langya cut in, "Martial God Li, please excuse Fuxing's words. This rare astral equipment is a gift for you; it is no transaction. Additionally, we will offer another gift to thank you for teaching Xingchen. We still hope there's a chance to cooperate in the future."

Li Pin remained silent, his expression indifferent.

Wen Xingchen, standing on the side, seemed lost, unsure of how things had escalated so quickly.

Wen Yusheng's expression was complicated as well. He glanced at Lin Fuxing with a mix of frustration and helplessness. Despite his reluctance to see things go this far, given their branch's limited influence within the Lin Clan, there was little he could do.

While Lin Fuxing and Lin Langya were part of a side branch, Wen Xingchen's lineage was even more distantly related, a mere offshoot with little say in matters.

Wen Xingchen's defeat of Zhang Tian'nan had caused such a stir that it forced Lin Fuxing and Lin Langya, now considered the main branch, to get involved. What happened next was beyond Wen Xingchen's control.

"Martial God Li, I apologize for this unexpected visit. We hope there will still be opportunities to collaborate in the future. We will take our leave."

Lin Langya spoke politely, leading Lin Fuxing, Wen Xingchen, Wen Yusheng, and the others away.

Though his words were respectful, his heart was filled with a deep sense of sorrow.

𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

The Great Moon, how glorious it once was in its prime! Even the emperors of the Great Shang and the Royal Empire would have had to request an audience with the Great Moon Emperor, and he'd only meet them if he were in the mood to do so!

How far they had fallen. The head of the Lin Clan and the future emperor of the to-be-resorted Great Moon had lowered himself to meet up with Li Pin, a Martial God, and offered him a set of rare astral equipment as a greeting gift.

He had shown the utmost sincerity.

After all, such a gesture would have been enough to win over even a Master Astral Cultivator. However, every Master Astral Cultivator would inevitably be entangled with various other factions—unlike Li Pin, who had a clean background.

Recruiting a Master Astral Cultivator could easily backfire. This was why they placed their hopes on Li Pin.

Who could've expected that Li Pin would turn out to be even more arrogant than those Master Astral Cultivators?

Wen Yusheng spoke in a cautious tone. "Clan Master, our recent actions in Black Gold City have been so high-profile that they're bound to attract attention. Relying solely on Xingchen will be difficult to sustain, and even if we try to keep things hidden, there's still a risk of exposure. Shouldn't we seize this chance..."

Lin Langya fell silent, deep in thought.

The Lin Clan had indeed dwindled to a few minor branches and faced multiple near-annihilation episodes due to exposure. Nevertheless, as Lin Fuxing had noted earlier, they had managed to cultivate several Top-Tier Astral Cultivators over the decades despite the setbacks. This was enough to assert control over Molong Country.

However, even if they had Astral Cultivators, without a Master Astral Cultivator, they couldn't join the Human Alliance. The Royal Empire and Great Shang weren't willing to see a resurgence of Great Moon. They would likely crush them with overwhelming force.

Despite that... Lin Langya came to a decision.

"There won't be a better chance than this," said Lin Langya gravely. "Right now, the Six Extremities have deployed almost all their Master Astral Cultivators and higher forces to the Special United Squads.

"They won't have much power left to deal with whatever happens here. Moreover, the Six Extremities are preparing for global integration and a united human community, which makes large-scale, national wars unlikely."

"So, Clan Master, are you saying..." Wen Yusheng probed.

Lin Langya made his decision. "Yes, act now. We'll gather our elites from all regions and take down Molong Country as quickly as possible!"

He added with a stern expression, "The Human Alliance will undergo restructuring in two to three years, or four to five at most. If we fail to join before the restructuring, even if we successfully restore our nation, it'll be impossible to secure the Lin Clan's rights."

Lin Fuxing nodded in agreement.

He glanced at Li Pin's courtyard. "The Lin Royal Family has been dormant for far too long. So long, in fact, that no one takes us seriously anymore. If we don't act soon, even if we restore the empire's glory, governing the country peacefully like before won't be possible."

He sneered. "It's time the world remembered the dignity of the Great Moon Royal Family and let the name of Great Moon echo throughout the world once more."

"My master is an ascetic, entirely focused on cultivation, with no desire to be distracted by worldly affairs," Wen Xingchen said solemnly. "You don't understand his greatness."

Lin Fuxing snorted. "An ascetic? He still needs the right environment to cultivate. Without our help in secret, Zhang Tian'nan would've already destroyed the Dragonfist Sect!"

"And that's precisely what he taught me," Wen Xingchen countered.

"Lin Xingchen!" Lin Fuxing shot him a dissatisfied glance. "Taught you? Don't forget, if it weren't for the clan's legendary astral equipment, do you really think you could have condensed your Lifeform Force Field so smoothly?

"Without that, I doubt the Skill Crystal would have ended up in your hands. So don't overestimate your importance in Martial God Li's eyes. You might end up getting sold out, counting money for others."

His tone turned serious. "Remember, only those of the same clan will wholeheartedly support each other. We are a united front."

Wen Xingchen wanted to argue further, but Wen Yusheng quickly interjected, "That's enough. At least Martial God Li isn't an enemy. When necessary, we can view him as a potential ally, so there's no need to strain our relationship."

Lin Langya also nodded. "Yusheng is right. Though Martial God Li does carry a certain arrogance, a fallen tiger still has its pride. The predicament we're in is due to our own failures, not his. In the end, he's done us a great favor."[1]

He turned to Wen Yusheng. "Since he wants the Black Gold Mine, give it to him and guard it well."

Wen Yusheng nodded. "I understand."

He had no intention of severing this connection. Even if Lin Langya and Lin Fuxing disapproved, he would still quietly work behind the scenes to ease the tensions between both sides.

***

Li Pin's expression remained calm.

Everyone has their own opinions and stances. It's impossible to please everyone.

It could be argued that Wen Xingchen was innocent in this matter, but his position no longer allowed for absolute trust.

"Speaking of which, his background is quite significant...."

The royal family of Great Moon... But what does that have to do with me?

"Summon Shi Shihu to see me," Li Pin ordered.

"Yes," came Xing Ying's voice from outside.

In less than ten minutes, Shi Shihu, who had been managing various matters for Dragonfist Sect halfway up the mountain, hurried over.

"Sect Master, you called for me?" Shi Shihu asked respectfully.

"You witnessed the battle between Wen Xingchen and Zhang Tian'nan. What's your thought on it?" Li Pin asked.

Shi Shihu's heart trembled as he looked up with eager anticipation. "Today, I finally realized that as martial artists, we can be glorious and powerful. That kind of strength... once mastered, no High-Class Astral Cultivator could withstand it."

His eyes burned with passion. "Perhaps even Top-Tier Astral Cultivators can't—"

"Top-Tier Astral Cultivators can escape the constraints of Celestial Force through starlight transformation," Li Pin interjected.

Despite this, the fire in Shi Shihu's eyes remained undiminished.

Li Pin continued, "However, once you advance further from merely harnessing the Celestial Force Field to refining your Lifeform Force Field into your own Celestial Magnetic Field, you will be able to use the Celestial Magnetic Field to bind their Starlight Bodies.

"You could even... tear them apart! If you can shatter their body just once, even if they're in energy form, the power of the Celestial Magnetic Field will tear their fragmented body apart, preventing it from reassembling."

Li Pin took a sip of tea. "By then, their starlight transformation... will lead to an even quicker death."

He drew parallels between High-Class Martial Gods and Top-Tier Astral Cultivators with good reason.

Shi Shihu's eyes widened in shock. "The Celestial Magnetic Field can be that... powerful?!"

Many Martial Saints who transition to Astral Cultivators often only reach the Top-Tier level.

As for those Quasi-Martial Gods who condensed their Lifeform Force Field to meditate on the Astral God, they skipped the ultimate transcendence process, making their chances of becoming Top-Tier Astral Cultivators even lower and prolonging the journey significantly.

Yet now, to think that Martial Gods could engage in direct combat with Top-Tier Astral Cultivators without fear of their starlight transformation...

"Do you want to learn?" Li Pin asked with a smile.

Shi Shihu nodded vigorously and dropped to his knees. "Sect Master, please bestow upon me this method."

"I neglected to mention earlier, but this time, I must clarify in advance," Li Pin said, looking at Shi Shihu. "The reason I'm willing to help you master the Celestial Force Field is that I need sufficient manpower and strength to secure the profits from the Black Gold Mine. If you accept what I offer, you must work for me."

"Sect Master, serving you is the duty of every Dragonfist Sect member. I vow that from now on, whatever the command, I, Shi Shihu, will not hesitate to charge into fire and water," he pledged solemnly.

"No need. There's no requirement for lifelong service... Ten years will suffice. Work for me for ten years," Li Pin said.

He had always preferred to be clear and straightforward in his dealings. Even when dealing with life-and-death situations, he would caution his opponents. They often just labeled him as arrogant.

Shi Shihu began to protest excitedly, "Ten years is too short, Sect Master. I—"

Li Pin raised a hand to silence him.

"I'm merely stating the price for accepting what I offer. Serve me for ten years. In that time, if I discover that you disobey my orders or deceive me... I will personally end your life," Li Pin warned, his tone momentarily pausing before he added softly, "Don't say I didn't warn you."

1. implies despite losing their status, the Lin Clan still maintain their own dignity and self-respect, and they won't be defeated in spirit. ☜