Chapter 362: Intelligence

Li Pin's perception successfully penetrated the cellular structure, granting him deep insight into the nucleus and allowing him to directly touch the chromosomes.

He quietly observed his genetic structure, which seemed no different from anyone else's.

A mere mortal was only that—a mere mortal.

Even if he could reach the genetic level, he was still bound by the fact that he was a life form composed of carbon-based elements.

For instance, if he were to abandon the Celestial Magnetic Field and plunge into a furnace at thousands of degrees, he would still meet the fate of being reduced to ashes. The furnace wouldn't even need to reach thousands of degrees, even just a few hundred degrees were enough to reduce him to ash.

This fact remained unchanged regardless of whether he could access the genetic level. Unless he could advance further into the atomic domain governed by astral energy and reconstruct his atomic arrangement, he could not escape the weaknesses inherent in carbon-based life.

At best, he was merely the most powerful individual among carbon-based organisms.

"Speaking of genes..." muttered Li Pin.

Numerous related technologies flashed through his mind—immunity to all diseases, extended lifespan, enhanced physical abilities, and improved mental capacities. All these changes were possible at the genetic level.

By relying on the Foundation Building Chapter of the Innate Qi-Refining Technique, he had, to some extent, already achieved the goal of enhancing his physical abilities.

However, this had merely made him the strongest "human."

As he further explored the power of genes, his next goal was to evolve into the most powerful carbon-based organism.

Mammoths, saber-toothed tigers, tyrannosaurs, mosasaurs, blue whales... even mythological beings like the giant roc, true dragons, fire phoenixes, and golden crows. This is still merely within the category of simply "enhancing physical abilities."[1]

To Li Pin, strengthening the brain was equally crucial. The human body consisted of trillions of cells, and without sufficiently powerful mental faculties, managing their power would be impossible.

Just like the blood-red monster he had just slain; its low intelligence and lack of comprehensive tactics led to its demise, despite its greater strength.

If that monster had mastered Aura and Spirit Force and wielded legendary astral equipment while mastering swordsmanship and secret arts, paired with its 3000 points of qi and blood, even top-tier experts like Fu Qingtian and Zhao Kunwu would've fallen before it, much less Li Pin.

Thus, brainpower was of utmost importance.

Moreover, before the evolution brought about by the Celestial Martial God Manual was complete, enhancing mental capacity outweighed the importance of improving physical abilities.

"Now, the Purgatory Stone can come into play."

Li Pin took out a Purgatory Stone and put it in his palm. Just like before, its power began to seep into him.

This time, he did not resist; he confined the power to his arm, patiently monitoring the changes it would bring. After all, it was just an arm. If uncontrollable mutations occurred, he could sever it.

As the power invaded his arm, he employed his Clairvoyance to track the power's progression.

As he suspected, the force continued to penetrate at the cellular level, advancing into the nucleus and polluting the chromosomes, further affecting his genes.

As Li Pin observed this, he gradually realized that this gene had a significant effect on optimizing the body and enhancing physical abilities.

He had anticipated this outcome.

Every creature empowered by the Purgatory Stone exhibited abnormally high qi and blood.

Lin Xuanyao was merely a Master Astral Cultivator; theoretically, his qi and blood should not exceed seven hundred. However, under the influence of the Purgatory Stone, or rather the corruption of dark magic, he had mutated into a monster whose qi and blood reached an astonishing 3000 points. This served as the best proof.

As Li Pin continued sensing the power more closely, he discovered that it contained information. But unlike the information in astral energy, the information in dark magic influenced human genes, rewriting them and guiding their transformation into another species.

Li Pin pondered for a moment. If this transformation continued unchecked, he would probably grow to 3 or 4 meters tall. His bones would become incredibly sturdy, his muscles would brim with strength, and his meridians would gain resilience strong enough to withstand heavy firearms. If all went well, he would evolve into a creature as powerful as the Pale Boarman.

"Lin Baizhan mentioned that when they first discovered this alternate space, they encountered several large corpses..." Li Pin muttered.

He had seen the weapons left behind by those corpses for himself. They were each two meters long. For humanoid creatures three or four meters tall, such weapons would be perfect.

After observing for a while longer, Li PIn discovered something. In addition to developing a physique akin to a lord-level being, the genetic changes seemed to introduce another structure.

This is....

Li Pin quickly retrieved a crystal.

This was a dark magic crystal similar to the Purgatory Stone that Lin Baizhan had given him.

As he held it, his gradually mutating fingers began to absorb the dark magic.

Once the dark magic left the crystal, it started to devour the omnipresent astral energy in the air.

Unfortunately, compared to astral energy, dark magic was like a candle in the wind, extinguished in no time. It did little more than slightly accelerate the mutation of his fingers.

Yet, from these changes, Li Pin harbored a vague suspicion.

"The purpose of these monsters, or rather, the existence of dark magic, is to absorb astral energy?"

Their purpose wasn't to refine it, but rather absorb it as they fed on it! Even if such "food" was akin to poison to them, and even if a careless mistake from them was enough for the starlight to purify their dark magic. Still, these creatures willingly consumed it.

After a long while, Li Pin shook his head.

"The power-optimizing genes in the Purgatory Stone have some reference value, but that's all there is to it."

He calculated briefly; if he evolved based on the genetic information in the Purgatory Stone, his qi and blood could exceed a thousand points in no time. Just like a lord-level life form!

However, that would come at a great cost. He would mutate and grow to 3 or 4 meters tall, and he'd hardly resemble a human. Even he himself couldn't guarantee what he would look like.

He concluded, "I'll choose what's good and avoid what's bad. The fundamental bottom line is to ensure that as I rapidly strengthen myself, I don't transform into some abomination."[2]

Turning into some lord-level being with over a thousand points of qi and blood wasn't alluring enough for him to throw caution to the wind and abandon his human form. After all, he could enhance himself gradually with the Celestial Body-Tempering Fist and reach that level himself. It simply required more time.

Speaking of which, Master Astral Cultivators often derive various demonic forms several meters tall through continuous research on astral techniques and starlight power. Perhaps I could explore this? To maintain both a normal form and a combat form that could surge to three or four meters?

Li Pin mused.

He continued to think,

In the martial arts world, many techniques cause the body to expand, making muscles bulge. The increase is usually around 10 to 20%, with some reaching 30%.

But a 20–30% increase... it’s not like I’m turning into some ten-meter-tall monster with blue skin and sharp fangs.

So maybe I can loosen the rigid standard of maintaining a strictly "human" form a little.

***

Two days later, an excited Lin Baizhan and his companions stood outside Li Pin's farm.

They had received news that Li Pin would lead them to confront King Liang today, aiming to break free from the Peach Blossom Secret Domain that had trapped them for 66 years.

For safety reasons, only Lin Baizhan, a Master Astral Cultivator, and four Top-Tier Astral Cultivators would accompany Li Pin.

The Great Moon Imperial Tomb was still home to many powerful beings, including top-tier and lord-level demonic creatures.

It would be foolish to think they could safely return to the surface with a group of over a thousand, many of whom were ordinary people, without first eliminating those threats.

"Are you ready?" Li Pin asked, surveying the eager crowd at the farm gate. "I must warn you that the Legendary Ghoul outside is stronger than the monster Lin Xuanya mutated into. I can't guarantee your safety when facing that creature."

"We understand," Lin Baizhan replied seriously. "Among us, the weakest is still a Top-Tier Astral Cultivator. We should be able to protect ourselves to some extent."

Li Pin cautioned, "Only use starlight transformation if absolutely necessary; the tomb is overrun with demonic creatures."

Lin Baizhan and the others nodded in agreement, their expressions grave.

They then approached the exit of the Peach Blossom Secret Domain, a mirror-like surface that seemed to flow like water, embedded in the air.

Many people were already waiting there.

Every gaze was filled with anticipation and longing. The younger ones were better off; most of the older Astral Cultivators had been trapped here for 66 years! That was almost a lifetime for ordinary people.

"Let's go," Li Pin said, looking at the flowing mirror.

Lin Baizhan nodded, his expression serious.

Li Pin stepped forward and entered the mirror.

As he did, the surrounding environment abruptly darkened; the whole process took less than a second.

Li Pin quickly surveyed his surroundings, recognizing the imperial tomb's subterranean environment and sensing Gaia's Celestial Force Field.

He also sensed a sudden surge of energy and multiple auras approaching the level of lord-level demonic creatures.

Thanks to the light from the Everbright Stone, he realized that he was no longer facing just a single Legendary Ghoul; there were over a dozen Pale Boarmen and many top-tier demonic creatures surrounding him.

In the distance, the Legendary Ghoul was driving even more powerful creatures toward them.

These creatures, seemingly intimidated by the Legendary Ghoul's terrifying presence, stayed put until Li Pin revealed himself. Then, they reacted, roared, and charged at him.

Though these creatures weren't particularly strong, their sheer numbers nearly filled the tomb.

The density of monsters meant that Li Pin's advantage in movement would be nullified. It felt as if the Legendary Ghoul had intentionally summoned these top-tier creatures to block his escape, restricting his speed.

In other words, this Legendary Ghoul possessed intelligence!

Buzz, buzz!

As Li Pin took in his surroundings, Lin Baizhan and the other Top-Tier Astral Cultivators emerged behind him.

However, upon seeing the dense throng of demonic creatures, their faces paled, and their scalps tingled.

"How could there be so many demonic creatures guarding outside?" one exclaimed.

"Retreat!" Lin Baizhan urged urgently.

Li Pin declared without hesitation, "We can't retreat! This Legendary Ghoul is intelligent and has deliberately summoned the creatures to block our exit. If we turn back, we'll face the Legendary Ghoul's attacks again and risk being trapped forever!

"I'll break through! It may take at least six months, or at most a year to clear the imperial tomb, but I will help you escape!"

With that, he leaped into the air, charging toward the Legendary Ghoul, which had sensed their presence and was rushing at them like a falling star.

1. These creatures are all creatures in Chinese mythology. ☜

2. Li Pin is emphasizing the importance of balanced growth and development, he wants to be stronger, but he wants to stay true to his bottom line and maintain his humanity. ☜