Chapter 374: Quake

The legendary battle didn't just draw the attention of the Royal Empire; it captivated the entire world.

When Li Pin first stormed the Royal Empire's capital, he effortlessly crushed Zhuo Jianyu and Feng Yan, two Master Astral Cultivators. He then went on to destroy the mighty Supreme Holy Sanctuary, all before the world even had a chance to react.

By the time the twenty-three Master Astral Cultivators and one Legend ascended into the sky, even the slowest spies from other nations could tell that something monumental was unfolding.

In an instant, countless reports erupted from the capital, spreading to every corner and reaching neighboring countries.

Legendary battles like this were extremely rare—especially with Li Pin, the recently famed trailblazer of the Martial God Path. This revelation sparked global shock.

***

In the Taibai Kingdom.

Su Mai promptly burst into the palace of Su Dongfeng, the nation's Master Astral Cultivator.

Su Mai urgently reported, "Something huge has happened! Our envoy in the Royal Empire just sent word! Li Pin has single-handedly stormed the imperial capital! He leveled the Supreme Holy Sanctuary and is now engaged in a fierce battle with Xiao Qianyuan and several of the empire's high-ranking and powerful Master Astral Cultivators. There is a legendary battle unfolding above the capital as we speak!"

Su Dongfeng almost couldn't believe his ears. "What did you just say?! Li Pin invaded the Royal Empire's capital alone and is now locked in a battle with Xiao Qianyuan?"

"It's absolutely true! Millions of people in the capital are witnessing it firsthand, and many media outlets are reporting on it. There's no way it's fake! Though they can't capture a battle of this magnitude clearly, the aftershocks alone have nearly torn a hole in the heavens. There's no mistaking it!"

Su Mai quickly operated his wrist device, projecting live footage from one of the channels.

The image was blurry, and the fact that the battle was taking the palace thousands of meters in the sky didn't help the quality. Nevertheless, Su Dongfeng could clearly see the wild gales and thunderous booms reverberating through the sky.

"How is this possible?" Su Dongfeng's eyes filled with disbelief. "Li Pin... how could he be this powerful? He was only on par with Ying Zhao and Hong Zhenshan not too long ago.... According to them, they retreated because they sensed the presence of another Master Astral Cultivator nearby and feared a possible ambush.

Su Dongfeng's brows creased. "They claimed that in a life-or-death struggle, they'd be evenly matched with Li Pin. This... this is what 'evenly matched' looks like?"

"There are two possibilities," Su Mai said after a pause. "First, Ying Zhao and Hong Zhenshan exaggerated to save face, claiming to be as powerful as Li Pin."

He took a deep breath, a hint of disbelief flashing in his eyes. "The second possibility is that Li Pin's strength has taken another step forward in such a short time.... entering a whole new realm! He's reached a level now that can rival the Legends!"

"How could he have grown so much? He went from rivaling Master Astral Cultivators to rivaling Legends in such a short time?" Su Dongfeng shook his head without hesitation. "That's impossible."

𝙛𝓻𝒆𝓮𝒘𝙚𝙗𝒏𝙤𝙫𝓮𝒍.𝓬𝒐𝙢

"Then it must be the first possibility," Su Mai replied. "Ying Zhao and Hong Zhenshan lied to preserve their pride."

Su Dongfeng fell silent and glanced at the video feed. The video only played for a short time before it blurred due to the worsening signal.

After a long exhale, he murmured, "Regardless of the reason, the fact remains—Li Pin is contending against a Legend. Soon, Tianyuan higher-ups will surely hold an emergency meeting to address this."

***

Meanwhile, in Great Shang, the nominal head of the Martial God Hall, Zhu Zhao, a Legendary expert stationed in the capital, was questioning Hong Zhenshan and Ying Zhao.

Zhu Zhao's expression was stern. "Be honest with me. Can you truly go toe-to-toe with Li Pin?"

Hong Zhenshan and Ying Zhao exchanged glances, smiling wryly.

"We've been nothing but honest," answered Ying Zhao.

Zhu Zhao pointed at the large screen on the wall. "Then explain this situation."

Both men, looking at the screen showing the two figures battling high in the sky with their combat stretching across tens of thousands of meters, were left speechless.

How could they explain this? They had no answers themselves.

The two men stole another glance at the screen.

Now that they had witnessed Li Pin fighting a Legend like Xiao Qianyuan, they knew it would be unlikely for anyone to bunch him up with them anymore. There would be no more comparisons like, "He's on the level of Master Astral Cultivators like Ying Zhao and Hong Zhenshan."

However, while that spared them from being used as a benchmark, it offered them no comfort. In fact, it only served to remind them that they weren't even worthy of such comparisons with Li Pin anymore.

***

As the news spread, countless influential figures set aside their tasks and fixed their attention on the legendary battlefield in the Royal Empire's capital.

Similarly, countless high-ranking officials hurriedly convened domestic meetings to discuss the potential ramifications of this battle.

The outside world was changing at a dizzying pace. However, that mattered little to the two elite experts duking it out high above the capital.

Every time Li Pin's Celestial Assassination Technique and Cosmic River Sword Attack tore through Xiao Qianyuan, the latter was forced to reform with starlight. The wounds were not fatal, but each forced transformation felt like a humiliation, a slap to his pride.

Fueled by this growing anger, Xiao Qianyuan unleashed the full might of his Rage Halberd. Each strike was as powerful as a full barrage of heavy artillery.

"Li Pin!" he roared.

Xiao Qianyuan used his starlight form to create distance between them. He then pointed his halberd in his right hand at Li Pin, while a fierce flame rapidly surged from his left palm.

Under the influence of Atomic Will, the atomic nuclei violently shook, splitting into smaller atoms. Neutrons collided within the atoms, releasing a destructive energy that formed in his palm.

Unfortunately for Xiao Qinayuan, whenever this energy was about to take shape and be unleashed, Li Pin would immediately summon Gaia's Celestial Force Field to crush it without hesitation. He might even follow up with the Celestial Assassination Technique or Cosmic River Sword Attack.

Whenever this happened, Xiao Qianyuan would be forced to take on his starlight form to evade the attack; otherwise, he would be obliterated on the spot.

He couldn't maintain the energy released from atomic fission while entering his starlight form, causing the powerful attack to collapse halfway.

This resulted in a deadlock; both sides were locked in a fight in which no one could overpower the other.

However, Xiao Qianyuan knew that while a Legendary Astral Cultivator could wield Atomic Will with greater destructive power than a Master Astral Cultivator, achieving this feat drained far more mental spirit and astral energy.

In some ways, a Master Astral Cultivator, merging with Atomic Will and becoming one with it, represented the most perfected form. While Legends could unleash attacks that far outstripped the might of Master Astral Cultivators, they paid the price of exhausting their mental spirit and astral energy faster.

This was why Master Astral Cultivators were seen as the true elites across nations, even globally. It also explained why, despite their lower rank, Master Astral Cultivators could often interact with Legends as equals.

Xiao Qianyuan had died and reformed dozens of times already. This had immensely drained his astral energy and mental spirit, leaving him exhausted. Although he didn't show any signs of weakness, he knew he'd have to fall back if he couldn't break the stalemate soon.

Xiao Qianyuan knew that if he was forced into retreat, he would have essentially become Li Pin's stepping stone for his rise to the world's peak. He would become a disgrace among Legends.

Li Pin paused and ceased his attack. "It seems this is the full extent of your strength."

He looked at Xiao Qianyuan. "Your strengths are apparent, but your weaknesses... Perhaps it's not a weakness; this cultivation system of yours is very complete."

Xiao Qianyuan, puzzled by Li Pin's sudden pause, remained silent, his face clouded with dissatisfaction.

Li Pin's tone was firm. "The Royal Empire owes me an explanation for Zhang Dongwang and Lin Xingchen's matter!"

Xiao Qianyuan sneered. "Who do you think you are?"

"Who am I?" Li Pin replied calmly. "I am Li Pin!"

He looked at Xiao Qianyuan. "The same Li Pin who achieved Martial Saint and created the Martial God path in less than a year."

"The Li Pin who, after pioneering the Martial God path, ascended to become a High-Class Martial God in under a year before going on to battle two Master Astral Cultivators."

"The Li Pin who, having reached the Top-Tier Martial God realm, can now stand toe-to-toe with you—a Royal Empire Legendary!"

He asked indifferently, "Is that answer sufficient?"

The arrogance in Li Pin's voice made Xiao Qianyuan's expression darken. "You..."

As irritated as he was, he couldn't bring himself to call Li Pin arrogant. Every word Li Pin had spoken was irrefutable truth. In less than three years, Li Pin had risen from a martial artist of modest fame to a force capable of rivaling Legends, standing atop the world as an unparalleled expert.

"Those who should apologize, better apologize. Those who should make amends, better start making amends. If your empire fails to show me sincerity..."

Li Pin paused. "Right now, I may not have the strength to subdue the entire empire or eliminate all your Legends. But I can disappear, just as I did after the battle on Crimson Flame Island! If one year isn't enough, then I'll vanish for two! If two aren't enough, then three! By the time I return as an absolute Supreme Expert, I'll have reached a level far beyond any of you!"

His gaze locked onto Xiao Qianyuan, his words unyielding. "Time is on my side!"

A chill swept through Xiao Qianyuan's heart.

Time...

Given Li Pin's extraordinary potential, if he truly had another two or three years... who knew how powerful he would become.

"Everyone must bear the consequences of their choices," Li Pin said calmly. "Consider this a fair warning!"

With that, he took a step forward and merged into Gaia's Celestial Force Field, disappearing toward the outskirts of the capital.

After storing his two legendary astral equipment, not a single Master or Legendary Astral Cultivator present could sense even a trace of his presence.