Chapter 486: Pioneer

Li Pin thought carefully, noticing an unusual detail from earlier. "Just now, that was...?"

"Inner Spirit Mirage," Fang Chunyang patiently explained. "In the mirage, a cultivator's inner spirit becomes extremely active. At this time, you can more easily feel your truest self and, by delving into it, see the path you should take in the future."

He meaningfully added, "And the growth of the inner spirit path... has no end."

"Inner Spirit Mirage..." Li Pin muttered.

"If you're interested, once your Divine Treasury Points are credited, you can exchange them for a session in the Inner Spirit Mirage. Each session lasts for one stellar hour and costs 150 Divine Treasury Points."

As Fang Chunyang spoke, he worked on something. After a short while, he handed Li Pin a small chip. "This is your identification chip. Congratulations. You've received the highest potential rating of five.

"This standard of potential is a crucial measure of a peerless prodigy. Theoretically, provided you don't suffer an untimely demise, you have a considerable chance of reaching the pinnacle of the Astral Gods."

Astral Gods were the true rulers of the world. Across the vast cosmos, nearly all beings persisted in their pursuit of becoming Astral Gods, driven by the momentum of history.

Every Astral God was essentially immortal unless they met with an accident. Of course, with the Astral World now shattered, the chances of Astral Gods encountering mishaps had risen a bit. However... there were still those lucky enough to have survived from then until now.

"Unfortunately, the facilities here at the Mara Divine Treasury Hall are incomplete. The Inner Spirit Mirage can only simulate up to level five. Otherwise, I would've liked to see the true limits of your potential," Fang Chunyang commented.

He tapped his golden bracelet, and soon, a message appeared on Li Pin's newly installed chip.

Fang Chunyang added, "This is some basic information about the Mara Divine Treasure. It should be helpful once you enter the divine treasure world."

After a moment, Fang Chunyang seemed to recall something. He smiled and said, "Of course, you can also use Divine Treasury Points to purchase information from me. The Divine Treasury Hall conducts a projection of the divine treasure world once every stellar year.

"I've accumulated fourteen stellar years' worth of data on the Mara Divine Treasure World, so there's quite a bit of information available. In half a stellar month, this stellar year's projection will occur. Before then, if there's any information you wish to purchase, feel free to come to me. I can offer you a preferential price."

Li Pin asked, "How much initial funding will I receive?"

Fang Chunyang answered patiently. "Level Five potential comes with three thousand Divine Treasury Points as initial funds. This fund is nearly free, with no interest. As long as you don't leave the Divine Treasury Hall, you can repay it at any time.

"Additionally, you can take out a loan, the amount of which depends on when you enter the divine treasure world. If you enter within ten stellar years, you can borrow up to thirty thousand Divine Treasury Points."

Li Pin was a bit surprised. "Ten years at the shortest? No options for five, three, or one year?"

Fang Chunyang nodded. "The shortest is ten years, but you can extend it for twenty, fifty, or even one hundred stellar years. The Divine Treasury Hall doesn't want Pioneers entering the divine treasure world unprepared."

He added, "Before entering the divine treasure world, you must pass an assessment and master the basic information about the world. Otherwise, the Divine Treasury Hall will not permit your projection into it."

Li Pin nodded in understanding.

In the divine treasure world, information was king. This was the belief of every Pioneer who entered the world. Without sufficient information, entering was a waste of time. But useful information could turn the tables in a dire situation.

It was precisely this uncertainty that drew countless self-assured individuals to enter one after another, braving danger and exploring, seeking a meteoric rise.

"Go on," Fang Chunyang said with a smile. "I hope to hear good news about your rise to Astral God in several stellar years."

Li Pin nodded.

At that moment, a staff member approached enthusiastically. "Pioneer Li, congratulations. You may choose to remain in the waiting area or proceed directly to the Hall of Affairs and enter the living quarters designated for Provisional Pioneers.

"There, specialized departments will assist you with all subsequent arrangements, including daily accommodations, cultivation, and the disbursement of your initial funds."

"I'll head to the Provisional Pioneer Living Quarter," Li Pin replied, then turned and left.

***

As Li Pin left, the staff called out for the next Legendary candidate to be assessed.

Some Legends who had yet to leave after their assessment were momentarily stunned.

A few sharp-eyed ones quickly realized what was happening.

Leaving early... such treatment...

"Level Five!?"

"A genius with Level Five potential has appeared!?"

"While inner spirit potential doesn't encompass the entirety of one's cultivation potential, without exception, anyone who achieves a score of Level Five in the Divine Treasury Hall test possesses the potential to reach the Astral God level.

"Such individuals are incredibly rare, appearing only once every two or three cycles. I originally believed the Mara Divine Treasury Hall was too perilous to attract such prodigies, but... to think one has actually appeared!?"

A genius with the potential to become an Astral God had appeared!

Astral Gods weren't merely significant within a single star system; even within entire galaxy groups, they stood at the absolute pinnacle. Many star system rulers were merely those who had ascended to the Divine Realm or were backed by Astral Gods.

A genius with the potential to become an Astral God...

Several people quickly left the scene.

Even Mia, who had been the center of attention earlier, paused for a moment before quickly following a few other Legends who had already made their stance clear.

***

Despite the "Provisional" in Provisional Pioneer, those who grasped the power of the inner spirit were treated exceptionally well, even within the Divine Treasury Hall.

For instance, their residential areas covered over ten million square kilometers, offering a free choice among various landscapes like mountains, wildernesses, and islands.

Li Pin chose a mountain that stretched over a hundred square kilometers.

The area already had buildings and a maintenance team, allowing him to move in right away.

It was also conveniently located, with the information search area and intermediate cultivation area just under a thousand kilometers away. Each mountain peak had flying devices that ensured travel to any area within ten minutes.

After applying for his residence, Li Pin quickly filed for the highest loan amount—thirty thousand Divine Treasury Points.

Since everything was within the acceptable range, the loan was approved almost instantly. His wristband displayed a sharp increase in Divine Treasury Points, now totaling 33 thousand.

With the points in hand, Li Pin didn't bother familiarizing himself with his new home. He boarded the flying vehicle for free and swiftly headed to the Hall of Wonders. However, as he touched down in the plaza, a flying vehicle came speeding after him.

Right after, a man of gentle demeanor and scholarly appearance stepped out. "Pioneer Li, please wait."

Li Pin glanced at him.

His name was Fei Bo, from the Xian Yun Star System. He had Level Three potential. He was known for his social skills among this group.

Fei Bo said, "Pioneer Li, are you looking to exchange Divine Treasury Points for cultivation resources? Divine Treasury Points are extremely precious. Exchanging them for ordinary resources is often a poor trade.

"I've come from another Divine Treasury Hall. My brother has been here for a long time and has several trade channels. If you don't mind, would you like to have a chat? Perhaps I can help you acquire cultivation resources at a lower price."

Li Pin thought for a moment and accepted the offer.

Soon, the two arrived at a small garden outside the Hall of Wonders, a place for resting and leisure.

"Pioneer Li, please take a look. This is a list of items I've compiled that will greatly benefit the cultivation of Celestial Martial Artists. Are there any items listed here that coincide with your exchange needs?"

Fei Bo quickly shared a document.

Li Pin opened and reviewed it. He quickly found the Astral Beast Blood Crystals and Primordial Spirit Essence.

The Divine Treasury Hall priced these items at 200 and 300 Divine Treasury Points, respectively. Here, they only cost 190 and 295.

With a transaction volume of 500, Li Pin could save 15 Divine Treasury Points. If the volume reached 5,000, the savings would be 150 points.

Given that the initial funds for Level One Potential Pioneers were only 100 Divine Treasury Points, this was a significant saving.

"Not bad," Li Pin remarked. "Also, I need a cultivation technique for Celestial Martial Artists to reach the Astral God Realm, and a technique for those at the Legendary level to achieve the same."

"Techniques..." Fei Bo's expression shifted slightly. "I suggest you exchange for them directly at the Divine Treasury Hall. This issue could easily lead to unnecessary disputes."

He quickly added, "However, I can obtain some notes or journals related to Astral Gods, which are not expensive and can help you understand the Astral God Realm better."

Li Pin nodded. "That works."

He then glanced over the list. After a moment of thought, he sent messages to Fang Chunyang and Xi Lin.

Xi Lin replied quickly.

Xi Lin:

???

Li Pin stared at the three question marks, perplexed.

Just as he was about to respond, Xi Lin deleted the question marks and answered.

Xi Lin: The prices seem reasonable.

Just then, Fang Chunyang's reply came in as well.

Fang Chunyang: The prices are normal, but these exchange agents often have internal channels. If you can join them, you might receive even better discounts.

Seeing this, Li Pin turned to Fei Bo. "For the Astral Beast Blood Crystals and Primordial Spirit Essence, let's go with ten of each."

Fei Bo was overjoyed. "Pioneer Li, thank you for your trust! I assure you, our prices are absolutely the most reasonable you'll find anywhere in the exchange market. Moreover, our selection is among the most comprehensive available—it can withstand any scrutiny!"

Li Pin nodded, agreeing on a time for the transaction before turning to enter the Hall of Wonders.

After exchanging a batch of cultivation resources, he briefly scanned the other available items.

Confirming that the Astral Beast Blood Crystals and Primordial Spirit Essence were the most suitable resources for his cultivation, he shifted his focus to the cultivation techniques for reaching the Astral Gods.

The Cosmic True Dragon Secret Art, once completed with the Divine Dragon Empire's techniques, could help one directly advance to the fifth tier of the Legendary stage.

Yet, in the Legendary system, the sixth tier was the true turning point. Wielding the authority of an Astral God was no empty claim.

He was curious about his current state, whether it was Divine, or perhaps... a dual cultivation of Legendary and Divine.