Chapter 538: One Year

"Additionally, I disagree with your claim of no enmity," Li Pin said calmly. "Punishing without teaching first is an act of tyranny, Patriarch Lan."[1]

At that moment, Lan Chi stepped forward, presenting a document. "Councilor Li's actions are justified and well-documented here. Everything is clearly stated and convincing. Even if the Homo Sapien Alliance sends investigators, they won't find a single flaw."

"Impossible!" Ao Qingcang exclaimed, his voice filled with disbelief.

He couldn't accept it. When the Gaia Civilization had taken over the Divine Dragon Empire's territory and replaced them as the Dragon Swamp Nebula's overlord, the Ashen Council had refrained from taking advantage of the situation.

In recent years, they had acted with restraint to maintain their image and draw the Candle Light Alliance closer to the Immortal Wood Empire and the White Dove Federation. How could such a catastrophic disaster now befall them?

Ao Qingcang snatched the document Lan Chi presented and quickly scanned its contents.

Ao Yunxiao wore a bitter expression. He could somewhat guess the cause.

"It's meaningless now. Those in power will always find a reason to act against us," Ao Yunxiao transmitted telepathically. "I initially thought the White Dove Federation was stirring trouble behind the scenes. But now, it seems some of Hong Feng's actions are the real cause."

Ao Qingcang's pupils dilated. "Hong Feng? How is he involved?"

"Hong Feng has been using his status as a prodigy to manipulate the influence of the Ashen Council, targeting and suppressing the Gaian Civilization behind Li Pin. His aim was to force them to hand over precious treasures like the Primordial Spirit Essence."

Ao Yunxiao paused, regrets flooding him for his inaction at the time. "Li Pin likely acted against the Ashen Council because of this."

Ao Qingcang's eyes widened in shock. "What!?"

Hong Feng!? That prodigy we've been nurturing using every resource we have at our disposal?! That guy is the source of our crisis?!

They had been nurturing Hong Feng to ensure the continuity of the Ashen Council's legacy after the Astral God Yin Luo's successor was chosen. Yet, before that successor had even been chosen, Hong Feng had already brought ruin upon the entire council!

Ao Qingcang swayed, trembling as if struggling to remain upright.

Lan Chi declared sharply, "Stop acting like the victim. I don't believe for a second that, as the chairman of the Ashen Council, you were unaware of what was happening.

"At most, you deemed it inconsequential and allowed it to continue unchecked. But such neglect and indifference could lead a civilization to gradual decline and eventual destruction."

Li Pin lacked full knowledge of the Candle Light Star Ring's incidents. When it came to delivering a severe lesson and warning to the Ashen Council, the White Dove Federation, long at odds with them, was undoubtedly the most qualified to weigh in.

As soon as Lan Chi finished speaking, he transmitted a telepathic message to Li Pin. "Councilor Li, I've already drafted two contingency plans. What do you think...?"

Li Pin replied, "If you're willing to take the lead, I trust you'll give me a satisfactory outcome. My demand is simple: the Ashen Council must compensate for the harm it has inflicted on the Gaia Alliance over the years."

"There's no need for me to review the plans." Li Pin's gaze shifted to Ao Qingcang. "Does the Ashen Council have any other peak Demigods?"

Before Ao Qingcang could respond, Lan Chi promptly reported the intelligence. "The Ashen Council has eight Demigods, but the other seven haven't yet reached the peak in power utilization."

"Very well," Li Pin replied calmly. "Don't say I'm not giving the Ashen Council a chance. I'll give you one year to gather the seven Demigods for a battle against me. If they can satisfy me, I will let the matter with Hong Feng pass."

"One year?"

How could seven Demigods possibly be assembled in one year? Even ten stellar years wouldn't suffice! Moving a single Demigod often took hundreds of stellar years.

Even if they somehow managed to gather them all within a year, what difference would it make? Against Li Pin's Divine-level strength, the outcome would still be annihilation.

Ao Qingcang hurriedly spoke up. "Councilor Li, the Ashen Council is willing to compensate for Gaia's losses over the years—"

"Remember, you have one year," Li Pin cut him off without leaving room for argument. He then turned to Si Xing. "Let's go. Take me back on your ship."

Si Xing froze for a moment before nodding hastily. "Alright! Right away!"

Once Si Xing agreed, Li Pin turned back to Lan Chi. "I'll leave it to you to monitor the Ashen Council. Make sure no one escapes during this year."

He added, "Anyone who flees—their faction will be yours to handle."

"Rest assured, Councilor Li. The White Dove Federation will not disappoint you," Lan Chi assured confidently.

With that, Li Pin and Si Xing left the chaotic asteroid belt.

After leaving the area, Si Xing retrieved a spacecraft from his storage.

The sleek, silver-white ship, equipped by his clan, boasted incredible speed.

While not as convenient as an Astral Gate, it excelled in short-distance travel. Astral Gates often required construction and activation time, whereas the ship could depart immediately without delay.

***

After Li Pin and Si Xing left, Ao Qingcang stood in the asteroid belt formed by the shattered planet, his expression increasingly bitter.

He seemed visibly aged as he turned to Lan Chi. "We've fought for so many years, but... does it really have to end with one side completely wiped out? Patriarch Lan, the Ashen Council admits defeat. Can't you give us a way out?"

"Wiped out?" Lan Chi let out a cold snort. "If Councilor Li truly wanted to eliminate the entire upper echelon of the Ashen Council, do you think you'd still be alive to speak with me here?"

Ao Qingcang froze. "You mean..."

Lan Chi's tone was indifferent. "Councilor Li has already shown you the path to survival.

"He gave you a year. Do you really think he's giving you that much time to gather seven Demigods for a mutual destruction battle against him? He's waiting to see how the Ashen Council performs during this year."

Ao Qingcang quickly understood.

Lan Chi continued, "If the Ashen Council shows enough resolve and sincerity—punishing those like Hong Feng and compensating for the wrongs committed—then there's still room for negotiation."

His gaze turned icy. "But if you fail to give Councilor Li a satisfactory answer within this year, the Ashen Council will have no reason to exist."

"I understand," Ao Qingcang replied with a bleak tone.

Lan Chi's voice carried a subtle warning. "We have no intention of wiping out the Ashen Council entirely. Chairman Ao, don't push us into a difficult position. As long as the green hills remain, there's no fear of running out of firewood."[2]

Ao Qingcang clasped his hands bitterly. " Patriarch Lan, the Ashen Council will not trouble you or the White Dove Federation."

"Good," Lan Chi replied. "Our people will take control of the primary planets under the Ashen Council and oversee the Astral Formations on each. Chairman Ao, I assume you have no objections?"

Taking over the Astral Formations...

thought Ao Qingcang.

The Astral Formations were the backbone of each primary planet. On any of the Ashen Council's planets, these formations could allow a Tier Three Legendary to hold off a Tier Four Legendary for nearly half a stellar year.

The core planets, in particular, could withstand even Tier Five or Six Legendaries for a period.

However, against a Divine Being, such defenses were meaningless. They would crumble as easily as dry twigs.

If Ao Qingcang wanted to preserve even a year of breathing room, he had no choice but to comply.

"I understand. I'll arrange for our people to cooperate," Ao Qingcang said desolately.

He then turned and walked toward his fellow council members.

The other members, along with the chairmen, looked as if they were awaiting a grim judgment, their dejection palpable.

As the Ashen Council's members left, Lan Chi quickly sent out instructions.

At that moment, the Jin Clan patriarch approached him.

"The Ashen Council is finished," he remarked, a mix of awe and resignation in his tone. "Councilor Li's methods are truly remarkable. He subdued the Ashen Council without shedding a single drop of blood."

Lan Chi showed no surprise. "You figured it out?"

"I did." The Jin Clan patriarch nodded. "Councilor Li's true purpose in granting the Ashen Council a year is to subdue them without a fight. The moment he stepped onto Frost Dragon Planet, he displayed overwhelming power, crushing their strongest, the Frost Dragon Demigod. That display shattered the will of the Ashen Council to resist."

He glanced at the dejected figures of the council members. "Whether Demigod or Legendary, their spirits were utterly broken by the power displayed when he pulverized the Frost Dragon Planet.

"Over time, this fear will only grow deeper, eventually turning into an unwavering reverence for strength. The Ashen Council will become Councilor Li's most loyal—no, his sharpest blade."

Lan Chi responded, "Ao Qingcang likely understands this too. But against a Divine realm councilor, he has no room for resistance."

The Jin Clan patriarch's expression turned peculiar. "Resistance? Why resist? Without the Frost Dragon Demigod, the Ashen Council is already at a disadvantage against the White Dove Federation and the Immortal Wood Empire.

"Losing seven more Demigods would strip them of any competitive edge. In this situation, they need a new patron."

He glanced in the direction where Li Pin had vanished. "In the Yin Luo Galaxy, what patron could compare to a Divine Realm councilor? If Ao Qingcang can swallow his pride and handle this matter well, they might even gain some unexpected benefits by helping Councilor Li and Gaia settle this issue."

"A councilor with limitless potential, one who might even ascend to become an Astral God," Lan Chi said.

"An Astral God..." muttered the Jin Clan Patriarch, his heart skipping a beat.

He fell silent.

***

Meanwhile, aboard Si Xing's private spaceship, Si Xing chose his words carefully. "Li Pin... Councilor Li, when you destroyed Frost Dragon Planet earlier, you should have taken the opportunity to eliminate the upper echelon of the Ashen Council stationed there.

"Without them, the Ashen Council would naturally disband. Now, giving them a year—"

Li Pin interrupted with a chuckle. "Letting the tiger return to the mountain, leaving endless troubles?"

Si Xing nodded.

Li Pin replied. "I understand. But Gaia is not like the Si Clan. Gaia's foundation is too shallow.

"I could eliminate the Ashen Council's leadership, but they likely have talents scattered across the universe, cultivating under different factions. If they harbor ill intentions and retaliate, I won't be affected, but Gaia wouldn't survive."

He glanced at Si Xing. "That's why I gave them a year, to force them to reveal all their hidden cards during this time."

Si Xing froze. Li Pin's consideration in granting the Ashen Council a year was unexpectedly far-reaching.

"So that's the reason?" he murmured, a hint of realization dawning.

Li Pin shrugged. "What else did you think?"

He had never underestimate an ancient power like the Ashen Council, entrenched in the Candle Light Star Ring for tens of thousands of stellar years. Deep reserves, countless treasures, and vast networks were their basic attributes.

Li Pin only hoped that the Ashen Council's foundation was deep enough to spend considerable wealth and summon a Divine Being to fight back. If they could summon an Astral God's avatar, that would be even better.

As he pondered, a trace of anticipation flickered in his eyes, looking forward to the Ashen Council's response in a year's time.

1. It implies that true fairness involves first providing guidance, instruction, or rules before holding someone accountable for their actions. ☜

2. It emphasizes the importance of preserving oneself or the essential resources to fight another day, rather than risking everything in a futile struggle. ☜