Chapter 477: Faction

At this moment, Li Pin finally understood the significance of a Tier Six Legend. "They could enter the Astral World without worrying about bearing the burden of the Eternal Oblivion's power...."

"Every Astral God places immense value on Tier Six Legends. These Legends represent the most crucial force under an Astral God's command. Although Divine combat power may exceed that of a Tier Six Legend, the weight or significance of a Tier Six Legend remains unmatched."

𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

Si Xing looked at Li Pin with a complex expression. "To put it bluntly, achieving Tier Six essentially grants you the authority to act on behalf of an Astral God."

He paused for a moment. "In Starwheel Sea, those whose combat strength rivals peerless Legends or even Divine Beings may gain the title of Councilor early on. These individuals stand beside the Astral Gods, participating in matters concerning the future of Starwheel Sea."

"Supreme Legends? The unmatched prodigies of Tier Six who can fight beyond their tier?" Li Pin asked.

Si Xing nodded. "When it comes to combat power, all beings in the universe are classified into nine tiers. Those below the universe level are unranked.

"The fourth tier, known as Planet Pulverizing level, has a combat power of around 10 thousand. Each subsequent tier doubles in combat strength. Divine Beings, peerless Legends, and Astral God Avatars are all in the seventh tier, with combat power reaching 100 thousand."

He paused. "The eighth and ninth tiers rely on external tools, wielding powerful Divine Equipment. Divine Beings, peerless Legends, and Astral God Avatars at these levels no longer rely solely on their own strength."

Li Pin was a little surprised. "Only nine tiers?"

Divine Beings, Supreme Legends, and Astral God Avatars cap out at 100 thousand Power Level. The Power Level of the ninth tier would max out at around 400 to 500 thousand.

Such power....

marveled Li Pin.

Si Xing said, "It doesn't hold much meaning beyond that. That power belongs to the true forms of Astral Gods in the Astral World.

"Within the Astral God hierarchy—Starshine, Solar Flare, and Cosmic Radiance—their Power Level reaches 1 million, 10 million, and 100 million respectively. As for how the 100 million Power Level manifests..."

He looked up briefly. "Cosmic Radiance Yin Luo's final moments are the best example. Due to the burden of the Eternal Oblivion Force, he separated from the Astral World and fell into the Material World. The starlight he emitted illuminated the entire galaxy."

"100 million..." muttered Li Pin.

For the first time, Li Pin realized the vast gap between himself and the great Light of the Ark—Cosmic Radiance Yin Luo.

At his current state, he still couldn't destroy a planet. In other words, his Power Level had yet to reach the 10,000-point mark.

According to Si Xing's tier-based doubling system, his Power Level should be slightly over 4000.

In this world, combat power was more nuanced than a simple numerical comparison. A fighter with a Power Level of 4,000 could often handle more than two opponents with a Power Level of 2,000.

Once the power gap exceeded one tier, numbers became meaningless unless the weaker side was trapped in a desperate situation or forced into a fight to the death.

Take Li Pin as an example. As a Tier Three Legend with a Power Level of 4,000, he could easily take on ten Tier Two Legends with 2,000 Power Level.

If he fought while retreating strategically, it would only be a matter of time before he destroyed a civilization with hundreds of Tier Two Legends.

If the 4,000 Power Level was already this strong, it could be imagined how inconceivable 100 million was.

"Cosmic Radiance Yin Luo's decision to place the Eternal Oblivion here is both your fortune and your misfortune," Si Xing said somberly. "Since you understand the difference between Cosmic Radiance and Legends, you should also realize the vast disparity among Astral Gods."

He continued, "The Eternal Oblivion is currently in its first phase. The Homo Sapien Alliance suppresses it to give native civilizations the room to grow, allowing them to qualify for the competition.

"But in the second phase, the Alliance's Guides will descend. They will direct the progress of native civilizations, supervise them, and prevent interference from foreign factions.

"However... as long as humans are involved, there will always be flaws. Corruption is inevitable."

Li Pin quickly caught on. "You mean...."

"Why do you think Yin Luo's power, which should radiate for twenty stellar years, is limited to just ten in the first phase? It's a compromise."

Si Xing's tone carried a hint of mockery. "The major factions send their descendants to this star system, allowing them to establish offspring here.

"While their talents can't compare to the first natives favored by astral energy, with the major factions' hidden support, do you really think the gap will remain wide?

"Even if all their actions must be kept in the shadows, it's not difficult for a major faction to evade detection from civilizations whose strongest members are only Tier Three, Tier Two, or even Tier One Legends."

"Even Gaia's Astral Cultivators are doomed to be cannon fodder?" Li Pin asked.

"Unless a major faction happens to set their plans on Gaia, or unless Gaia produces an unparalleled genius, Gaia... cannot win."

Si Xing glanced at Li Pin. "You're not an Astral Cultivator. As for Gaia's Astral Cultivators... if any of them were truly talented, even without a clear path, they should've reached Legend within ten stellar years, guided by the astral energy's embedded information."

Li Pin found himself at a loss for words.

The quality of Gaia's Astral Cultivators... was indeed mediocre.

But mediocrity was the norm. Especially since Gaia's Astral Cultivators had once feared and rejected the information within the astral energy, which had only slowed their progress.

Otherwise... disregarding the emergence of Legends, doubling the number of Heavenly Realm practitioners wouldn't be an issue.

"If you're truly worried about Gaia and can't bear the thought of its civilization fading into nothing ninety stellar years later, I have three suggestions for you," Si Xing said, glancing at Li Pin.

Si Xing quite admired this quality of Li Pin.

"First, unite for mutual support. Form alliances with other civilizations, just like how the Divine Dragon Empire first reached out to you. This is a common strategy when local civilizations compete for the Astral Gods' Inheritance.

"Unfortunately, your luck ran out—or rather, you encountered the Divine Dragon Empire before entering the second phase."

Si Xing continued, "I predict that once the second phase begins, alliances large and small will inevitably emerge across the Yin Luo Galaxy. Competition among millions of civilizations will eventually consolidate into dozens or even hundreds of major alliances."

Li Pin nodded. When everyone was equally weak, uniting was the only choice against those powerful outsiders and competitors.

"Second, forge a new path. The Celestial Martial God Hall you have established is already a good start. Spread the Celestial Martial Arts system far and wide.

"This way, even if all Astral Cultivators perish ninety stellar years from now, as long as one or two Legendary Celestial Martial Artists emerge, your civilization's legacy will still carry on."

Si Xing's expression grew slightly complicated as he glanced at Li Pin. "Third, send your most exceptional talents to the major factions. If they achieve something significant there, even if the successors to the Astral Gods don't come from your civilization or alliance, those factions will still show leniency out of respect for those individuals."

"Three sound suggestions. Thank you," Li Pin said.

Then, with a smile, he looked at Si Xing. "After a month, you've probably gotten a clear understanding of my deeds, haven't you?"

Si Xing nodded. "I do."

After a brief hesitation, Si Xing asked, "I know this might seem presumptuous, but I'm curious—how did you manage to exhibit a trace of Divine qualities?"

Li Pin calmly took out a crystal he had prepared long ago. "You've helped me a great deal, so I have a little thank-you gift for you.

"This contains the Celestial Martial God Manual I cultivated—the Martial God Chapter, Vacuum Pulverizer Chapter, and even the Supreme Expert Chapter after the Celestial Breaker phase. It's all in here."

Si Xing's eyes lit up. He took the crystal and said solemnly, "Rest assured, I will do everything in my power to secure the best possible future for you."

Li Pin gave a slight nod.

Si Xing couldn't hold back his eagerness and immediately began to perceive the crystal's recorded information.

Half an hour later, Si Xing, the Legendary figure from Starwheel Sea, fell silent.

After finishing the crystal's contents and combining it with what he had learned about Li Pin over the past month, he finally... drew a sharp breath. "I thought I had discovered an ordinary genius on Gaia. I didn't expect..."

Envy flashed in Si Xing's gaze, but he quickly composed himself, shaking his head. His tone turned serious as he said, "Li Pin, I strongly recommend that you join a faction. Otherwise, your talent will only be buried."

"You know me well enough," said Li Pin. "Which faction do you think suits me best?"

"A genius like you should stand out," Si Xing answered without hesitation. "There are factions perfectly suited to someone with your highly competitive nature. I know of at least ten.

"They embrace individuality and only fear a lack of ability. I recommend four: the Heavenly Sword Combat Arena, the Slaughter Battlefield, the Astral World Explorer Association, and the Divine Treasury Hall."

He paused. "The Heavenly Sword Combat Arena, the Slaughter Battlefield, and the Astral World Explorer Association are major factions established by the Cosmic Radiance Astral Gods.

"The Divine Treasury Hall, however, is a top-tier faction overseen by the Homo Sapien Supreme Council—essentially an official institution."

Li Pin repeated the four names. "Heavenly Sword Combat Arena, Slaughter Battlefield, Astral World Explorer Association, Divine Treasury Hall...."

"I hadn't intended to recommend the Divine Treasury Hall initially. The requirements to become a pioneer there are extraordinarily high.

"But after seeing you carve out such a martial path in an environment like Gaia, I can say with confidence—the pioneer role in the Divine Treasury Hall belongs to you."

"Pioneer?"

Si Xing elaborated, "When the Astral World shattered, many powerful Astral Gods fell at that moment, their lifelong accumulations buried along with them in the fractured Astral World, which people now call the 'Divine Treasury.'"

His tone grew solemn. "In their final moments, these Astral Gods' desperate struggles tore away the Astral World Fragments fused with them.

"These fragments, infused with their thoughts and will, create broken cycles of reincarnation, replaying the most significant experiences of their lives.

"Only those who are the fastest to comprehend the Astral God's life, grow within their perceived world, and earn their recognition through those experiences, will obtain their inheritance and treasures."