Chapter 338: Visit

Li Pin looked down at the gem in his hand. "A Golden Gemstone?"

How is it golden? It's clearly bronze or blood-red?

Xing Hui quickly explained, "This gem is called the Golden Gemstone not because it looks like gold, but because its value rivals gold. No! It's actually countless times more precious than gold!"

"What does it do?"

"It breaks through limits!" answered Xing Hui swiftly. "Its main function is to help people break through their limits and achieve further evolution."

"Break limits?" Li Pin looked at Xing Hui in surprise. "You mean it helps someone break through their realm?"

"Not their realm, but their life's limits," said Xing Hui, pausing. "Sect Master, you know that most Martial Saints have a qi and blood limit of 45. Even the exceptionally gifted don't exceed 50. This is the limit of human life. But this Golden Gemstone can help break that limit."

Xing Hui's expression turned complicated. "However, it comes with a price.... It causes the user to mutate."

"They mutate? Like, turn into a monster?"

"Yes." Xing Hui nodded, eyeing the Golden Gem in Li Pin's hand. "And... the mutation is uncontrollable."

Li Pin could feel the unique enhancement brought about by this gem. The power was indeed overwhelming and instantaneous.

Just holding it already caused such a reaction. If someone were to actively use it, the speed of enhancement and evolution would spiral out of control. He could imagine someone turning into a monster using this.

"Sect Master, you must be familiar with the King of the Century battle on Crimson Flame Island, where Li Pin, the founder of the Martial God Path, fought?" probed Xing Hui, recalling the suspected connection between Li Pin and the sect master. "It's said that the Great Shang prodigy, Cang Shengjie, took a special drug during that battle, transforming into a monster and unleashing terrifying power.

He explained, "That drug was developed by researchers studying the Golden Gemstone. It ensures that users evolve into something much stronger."

His gaze returned to the gem in Li Pin's hand. "Since everyone who mutates no longer looks human, resembling creatures from the depths of hell, the Golden Gemstone has another name: the Purgatory Stone."

"Purgatory Stone,

huh.

"

Hearing the name, Li Pin could already imagine what people thought about this power.

His eyes lingered on the gem for a moment before saying, "This Purgatory Stone doesn't seem naturally formed, especially with these markings. Are you... suggesting someone is conducting biochemical experiments?"

Xing Hui shook his head. "That was what everyone initially suspected. It even alarmed Legendary figures, one of whom personally investigated. But in the end, they discovered that this... is truly naturally formed."

Li Pin glanced at the markings again. "This is naturally formed?"

This? Naturally formed?

"It may be hard to believe, but that's what they concluded," affirmed Xing Hui. He paused for a moment. "Perhaps... it's related to the information within the rumored Atomic Will? Ever since the Astral God descended a hundred years ago, much of our world has changed."

Li Pin, seeing no more answers to be had, stopped asking further.

As Xing Hui said, ever since the Astral God arrived, the world had indeed changed drastically.

If people like Astral Cultivators could exist, then the appearance of a gem that could help humans break their limits was no longer surprising.

"This gem has only been discovered in the past decade. Many view it as a catalyst for human evolution and are dedicating all of their efforts to researching it. Currently, all of the Six Extremities have institutions studying the Purgatory Stone. If we can resolve the mutation issue it presents, humanity will undergo a wave of evolution.

"At that point, the limits of human potential will no longer be confined to qi and blood values of 40 or 45. Even ordinary people could reach a level similar to the Astral Cultivators. Levels like 100 or 150," Xing Hui explained.

Li Pin nodded, stowing the gem away.

He could certainly feel the benefits this gem could bring to him, but as for its full potential, that would take time to research.

***

After defeating the mutated Blood Skeleton, Li Pin returned to the Dragonfist Sect.

He rested for half a day before Shi Shihu arrived with a group from the Heavenly Martial Alliance. The number of Quasi-Martial Gods that accompanied him had more than doubled. There weren't 6, but 13 of them.

Seeing the 13 Quasi-Martial Gods gazing at him with fervent eyes, Li Pin was a bit surprised. "This many?"

"Sect Master, Chi Sha, Zhen Huang, and the others had already planned to visit. When they heard from me that you were willing to accept them, they rushed over without hesitation, eager to serve you," Shi Shihu explained.

As soon as he finished speaking, the thirteen Quasi-Martial Gods bowed in unison. "Sect Master, we humbly request you to take us in."

"You must understand the current situation of the Dragonfist Sect. If the Great Shang army presses forward, I can't guarantee your safety," Li Pin said.

"We would have no regrets hearing the Dao, even if it meant dying that same night."[ref] expresses a profound yearning for knowledge and truth; implies life would be complete upon learning about the ultimate truth of the universe, even if it means death followed immediately.[ref]

The man called Zhen Huang smiled slightly. "Death means nothing when compared to witnessing the Celestial Martial God Manual and glimpsing the complete legacy of the Martial God Path."

Another Quasi-Martial God laughed. "If we feared death, we wouldn't have come this far!"

"On Crimson Flame Island, the Six Extremities feared the rise of the Martial God Path and stood by as its founder fell to Cang Shengdao. As unwilling as we may be, we weren't there to help. We could only helplessly accept what has come to be. Now, they want to use the Martial God Hall to destroy our path once again...."

Chi Sha clenched his fist tightly. "Compared to the mighty Astral Cultivators, we may seem insignificant. But at this moment, we cannot retreat. Otherwise, the Martial God Path will never rise again, and we martial artists will forever remain mere supplements to the Astral Cultivators."

Li Pin nodded slightly, not saying much.

"I can pass on the Celestial Martial God Manual

to you, but if you want my memory inheritance, you must serve me for ten years. The choice is yours. However, if you accept the inheritance and I discover any disobedience, I will show no mercy," dictated Li Pin calmly. "When that time comes, don't blame me for imposing punishment without warnings."

"What's ten years if it means we could gain your inheritance? Even twenty or thirty years would be worth it," Zhen Huang exulted, laughing heartily. He knelt before Li Pin. "Sect Master, please grant us your teachings."

The other twelve Quasi-Martial God candidates also bowed in unison. "Please grant us your teachings."

Li Pin didn't give any additional instructions. He calmly took out several Skill Crystals he had prepared and bestowed them one by one.

Each time a candidate received a crystal, they would perform the disciple's rites with utmost respect.

Despite Li Pin not having officially accepted them as disciples, they had already engraved in their hearts the gratitude of having received such a profound inheritance.

After distributing the Skill Crystals, Li Pin waved his hand. "Go now. I hope you will soon comprehend the Celestial Force Field and truly step into the Martial God realm."

"Thank you, Sect Master."

The thirteen candidates bowed once more and then withdrew.

After they left, Li Pin asked, "You have the coordinates of the Thunder Stone Mine, correct? Go there yourself, and take Yue Ya and Ri Chi with you. Bring back the thousand or so Thunder Stones accumulated there."

He paused briefly. "After that, those Thunder Stones will be yours for cultivation."

Shi Shihu was slightly taken aback.

Li Pin had never hidden the existence of the Thunder Stones from them, so they knew just how crucial this resource was for their cultivation.

Even with the inheritance, it would take at least six months to surpass their current level of strength and advance to High-Class Martial Gods without sufficient Thunder Stones. However, with enough Thunder Stones, they could shorten that period to three to five months.

"Sect Master, these resources should all be reserved for your use...."

"I still have plenty of Primordial Electric Crystals for now. These resources will last me four or five months."

Li Pin chuckled lightly. "If all goes well, in four or five months, we won't be lacking in cultivation resources anymore."

At the very least... there would be enough to support the full-speed cultivation of thirty-one people.

"Go," Li Pin urged. "The sooner you grow, the less I'll have to worry about."

***

While Li Pin was arranging matters for the Dragonfist Sect, a luxury SUV arrived at the palace of the Molong Country.

The second prince, Wu Yuanfeng, who oversaw the kingdom, was already waiting at the gate alongside several high-ranking officials.

As the vehicle came to a stop, Wu Yuanfeng quickly stepped forward and bowed respectfully. "Hall Master Ying Zhao, Master Hong Zhenshan, we welcome you to Molong Kingdom for your inspection."

A voice called from within the car. "Let's go inside first."

The occupants showed no intention of stopping the car and getting out.

Yet, Wu Yuanfeng dared not show the slightest disrespect on his face. Instead, he responded respectfully, "Yes."

He soon followed them into a royal vehicle and proceeded toward the main hall, which had been elaborately decorated, exuding a festive atmosphere.

However, when a middle-aged man stepped out of the car and surveyed the scene, his expression turned icy. "What's with the celebration? The Martial God Hall just lost a minister and two senior officials. Is that something to celebrate?"

Cold sweat broke out on Wu Yuanfeng's brow. "I... I'll have it taken down immediately..."

Another man exited the vehicle and spoke calmly. "Ying Zhao, I know you're upset, but there's no need to take it out on a small fry."

"The ones who died weren't from the Shang Martial Academy. It's easy for you to talk," Ying Zhao, the vice hall master of the Martial God Hall, retorted coldly.

"And what do you plan to do about it? Your hall master has made it clear that even if he is a rogue cultivator, he is still a Martial God."

"I want nothing more than to storm the Dragonfist Sect right now. But since I'm feeling generous, I will give him one chance."

Ying Zhao turned to Wu Yuanfeng. "Send someone to the Dragonfist Sect. Tell that sect master, Li whatever-his-name-is, to come and kowtow in apology. If he does, I'll allow him the opportunity to live and join Great Shang, to serve its cause!"

He sneered. "Tell him to cherish this one and only chance! Otherwise, when I arrive at the Dragonfist Sect myself, not a single soul will remain, not even the chickens and dogs!"