Chapter 349: Invitation

As much as Xiao Qiushui had mentally prepared himself prior to meeting Li Pin, when he actually saw him, he didn't dare treat Li Pin as casually as he had previously planned. He knew Li Pin's current standing no longer qualified him to speak with him on equal terms.

If they wanted to truly establish any form of rapport, they'd need to show genuine sincerity by getting the secretary-general to make a visit in person.

In the end, they only confirmed Li Pin's membership in the Human Alliance without providing a concrete conclusion on his rank.

Currently, the most influential members of the Human Alliance were undoubtedly the six councils of the Six Extremities. Below them were representatives of powerful nations and factions that had Legends. These people were equivalent to Human Alliance council members.

Below that were those who had survived the turbulent era, maintained full political sovereignty, and had Master Astral Cultivators.

Before Xiao Qiushui had arrived at Great Moon, there was still much uncertainty regarding whether Li Pin should be granted member or council status. After all, Li Pin was only as powerful as a Master Astral Cultivator. Granting him council status didn't seem appropriate.

However, treating him as an ordinary Master Astral Cultivator was similarly inappropriate.

Now that the Dragonfist Sect Master had been revealed to be Li Pin, his council status was a done deal. He was only one person, but his influence in the martial arts world was vast and unparalleled.

Most importantly, his growth potential was astounding.

With how things are looking, the Human Alliance might even have to consider whether to grant him eligibility to run for chairman.

***

The ensuing period was undoubtedly a time of celebration for the entire Dragonfist Sect and all those who came to pay homage.

The Dragonfist Sect Master's influence—now revealed to be Li Pin, the pioneer of the Martial God path—was enough to draw Martial Saints from afar to pay respects and learn.

The Dragonfist Sect Master was already an incredible man to many, yet this new revelation had doubled the surprise! If his achievements had been previously astounding enough, when the two identities overlapped, the achievements became mind-boggling!

At this moment, in everyone's hearts, Li Pin was the true God and forefather of martial arts.

Moreover, to distinguish him from the Martial God, the title "Martial Forefather" was raised again and, alongside the news of Li Pin's "resurrection," quickly spread worldwide within days.

***

Dark Moon Island was originally infested with ferocious beasts and demonic creatures.

Over the years, the East Sea's Thirty-Six Countries had been fighting against the demonic creatures of Dark Moon Island, building strong fortresses and strongholds on the island. However, to this day, all fortifications had been broken, and it was only through the Special United Squad that they managed to launch an attack on the Dark Moon Island again.

They wiped out countless Skeleton Demons and Beastfolk, barely establishing a foothold in an abandoned fishing village.

At this time, the Legends and Master Astral Cultivators, who had just completed a sweep of the Burial Grounds and were resting, received the news.

Zhao Kunwu from Great Shang's team exhaled deeply as he looked at the intelligence report. "I knew it. Li Pin really survived...."

There were three Legendary Mages and a few Master Astral Cultivators from Great Shang sitting beside him. Looking at the report, the Legendary Mages all shared a look of disbelief.

"How did Li Pin... do this?"

"He already had the strength to kill a Legendary Mage a year ago? How is that possible!?"

"This is trouble. Not only is Li Pin not dead, but he has also taken a new step in the Martial God path... He could become Great Shang's arch-nemesis."

It was clear from the Legendary Mages' words that they were dissatisfied with Li Pin.

Their dissatisfaction was understandable. After all, their status had once outstripped that of Master Astral Cultivators, putting them on nearly equal grounds with Legends. However, due to Li Pin's influence, their standing had diminished.

Now, the Special United Squad members merely regarded them as Master Astral Cultivators who wielded powerful secret techniques. As a result, they could no longer interact with Legends as carefreely as before.

Among them, You Zhige, who was almost regarded by Zhao Kunwu as half a successor, said, "Master, one matter is separate from another. It cannot be denied that Li Pin's creation of the Martial God path is a great contribution to our people. But he is unbridled and arrogant, and if he truly reaches the pinnacle, it may not be a blessing for our people.

"Especially now, where he has killed three of Great Shang's Top-Tier Astral Cultivators, clearly trampling on Great Shang's honor. Shouldn't he give us an explanation for this?"

"Oh?" Zhao Kunwu glanced at You Zhige indifferently. "What kind of explanation do you think he should give?"

"Naturally, it should be—"

You Zhige wanted to say that a debt of blood must be paid with blood. However, he was quickly reminded of the Human Alliance's regulations, clearly stipulating that Master Astral Cultivators who have not committed anti-human crimes could only die on the battlefield.

Therefore, he had to change his words. "At the very least, he should compensate us."

"

Heh

, compensation." Zhao Kunwu sneered. "Putting aside that the deaths of Yunwu and the others are, strictly speaking, their fault... but if Li Pin doesn't plead guilty, how do you intend to deal with him!?"

You Zhige was stunned. "How to deal with him?"

He instinctively wanted to say they should send someone to arrest him, but he was quickly reminded of the situation.

Master Astral Cultivators were powerless against Li Pin! As for Legendary Mages, Li Pin had already killed one of those a year ago.

As for Legends... putting aside the fact that every Legend in Great Shang held a vital position, even if a Legend were to make a move, could they guarantee that they would be able to kill Li Pin?

A year ago, Li Pin was already capable of dragging down a Legendary Mage with him. Who knew if he had the means to take down a Legend with him?

Even if a Legend could kill Li Pin, would the Legends from the Six Extremities stand by and watch as he dies?

Many Legends and Supremes were even eager to see Li Pin forced into a corner so that they could jump in at the first opportunity to lend a helping hand and pull him into their faction.

Having him join them would be equivalent to acquiring the banner of the martial world, the spiritual pillar of all martial artists. It'd be akin to a surge in national fortune.

Even if they managed to kill Li Pin, what happens next?

All it would bring Great Shang was endless trouble. They would become a target of collective hostility for all martial artists.

Every martial artist out there would avoid Great Shang. After all, they would have killed the Martial Ancestor. Which martial artist would still dare to enter Great Shang?

In the end, without the fresh influx of martial arts, it would only be a matter of time before Great Shang fell into decline, abandoned by the times.

Just like the Great Moon back in the day.

They missed out on the Astral Cultivators, became targets of all Astral Cultivators, and ultimately met their demise.

Who could guarantee that the Martial God system wouldn't one day grow powerful enough to rival the Astral Cultivator system?

Thinking of this, You Zhige's face turned pale.

"You fool!" Zhao Kunwu snorted heavily. "Do you still think that Li Pin is that puny Martial Saint at the King of the Century battle a year ago?"

You Zhige trembled under the reprimand. For the first time, a look of shock appeared in his eyes.

Unknowingly, Li Pin, who once displayed his skills on Crimson Flame Island, had already grown to such a level.

Zhao Kunwu said nothing further. He was also filled with shock.

Fortunately, over the past year, he had done everything possible to compensate Li Pin's family. Moreover, he had also dealt with everyone related to Cang Shengdao under the pretext that they defied orders and killed the Martial God path's founder. He left no loopholes on the surface.

As for how Fu Qingtian had stood by and watched as Li Pin was supposedly killed, it was actually Zhao Kunwu who had been fueling and instigating events behind the scenes. However, this was a secret known only to the two of them.

Fu Qingtian, having been outmaneuvered by Zhao Kunwu, had fallen into this scheme. Given his personality, he would guard this secret even more closely, never admitting to such a miscalculation.

With this in mind, Zhao Kunwu couldn't help but laugh. "I wonder what Fu Qingtian's reaction will be when he learns of this news?"

After targeting Li Pin, Fu Qingtian had not only lost the position of the Special United Squad's Supreme Commander, but his reputation within Tianyuan, including Tianyuan's international influence, had also taken a nosedive.

Now that the Martial God path had been proven to have the potential to match at least Master Astral Cultivators, Fu Qingtian's loss would be much more significant.

"Putting aside future possibilities, as of now, Li Pin's standing rivals that of a Legend. In the battle between humanity and ferocious beasts, his role could even be on par with that of the Supremes."

***

While Zhao Kunwu was speculating about Fu Qingtian's thoughts at this moment, Tianyuan's leaders had already convened.

At this moment, an information screen was displaying one news report after another.

"The supreme protector of the Solar Radiance United Empire—Solar Radiance Sovereign—publicly announced that Martial God Li is unharmed. This is a blessing not only for the martial arts world but for all of humanity. The Solar Radiance United Empire warmly welcomes Martial God Li to visit."

"The Fifth King of the Century, King Loulan of the East Sea's Thirty-Six Countries, the Legendary Astral Cultivator Xu Tianlin, declared that the Martial God path has greatly benefited the East Sea's Thirty-Six Countries, including himself. He sincerely hopes that Martial God Li would visit Loulan Country to exchange philosophies."

"The President of the Star Alliance has decided to grant accomplished martial artists tax exemptions, just like Astral Cultivators."

These news stories were quickly refreshing on the large screen.

Nearly every one of them pointed out that Dragonfist Sect's Sect Master Li was confirmed to be the same as the creator of the Martial God path.

One after another, top nations expressed goodwill; Legends extended personal invitations, and some influential figures even revised national policies to attract the rising attention of martial artists destined to ascend quickly.

As they watched the news, the gazes of many Master Astral Cultivators in the room fell on the Special United Squad's Supreme Commander, who was also a Legendary figure in Tianyuan, Yuan Zhenchuan.

In Tianyuan, few dared to make decisions disregarding Fu Qingtian's stance. Yuan Zhenchuan was one of them.

"Why are you looking at me?" Yuan Zhenchuan glanced over each of these Master Astral Cultivators. "If you have something to say, just say it."

"What's your opinion on the matter regarding Martial God Li?" Su Dongfeng from the Taibai Kingdom asked directly.

With Su Dongfeng having kickstarted the questioning, Yunlong, Lu Jianchuan, and Chong Guang all focused intently on Yuan Zhenchuan, awaiting a response.

Yuan Zhenchuan knew his next words would likely go against some of that supreme figure's actions, yet he had to state his stance to mitigate losses.

"My opinion? I believe this is good news! Tianyuan's King of the Century of Tianyuan, the creator of the Martial God path, is alive. This is monumental news. Immediately issue a congratulatory message on behalf of Tianyuan."

Yuan Zhenchuan turned to Su Dongfeng. "I'll have to trouble you to lead a team to send an invitation to Martial God Li, Master Su. The Divine Martial Sect lacks a sect master, and no one would be more fitting for this role than Martial God Li. All of Tianyuan eagerly awaits Martial God Li's return home."