Chapter 545: Pledge Allegiance

On the most commercially prosperous diplomatic planet of the Burning Sun Nation, a tall woman with silver-white hair and an exceptional presence was sitting indifferently before a large screen.

The screen displayed footage of Gaia establishing diplomatic ties with various civilizations and securing large-scale commercial agreements.

Naturally, most of these deals began with significant concessions from other civilizations, only to end with Gaia reaping substantial profits.

Though these earnings were mere trifles to her, she couldn't help but sneer. "Arrogant fools—such backward civilizations, like frogs at the bottom of a well."

The woman beside her appeared to be in her early thirties with an air of noble elegance. She smiled and remarked, "To the Yu Clan, this is just a small place. Even the entire Yin Luo Galaxy is insignificant.

"If not for the great Light of the Ark, we wouldn't have bothered coming here in our lifetime. Watching these petty power struggles is amusing, but entirely predictable."

In the entire Yuan Yang Star Domain, only the Yu Clan, based in the Ten Luminous Star Cluster, had the qualifications to dismiss an entire galaxy.

The Ten Luminous Star Cluster was the second-most prosperous star cluster in the Yuan Yang Star Domain, second only to the central Yuan Yang Radiance. It also served as the domain's primary gateway to the outside universe.

If Yuan Yang Radiance was the political center, the Ten Luminous Star Cluster was the economic hub.

As one of the leading clans in this economic center, the Yu Clan not only had Astral Gods in their ranks but had also amassed immense influence in the Astral World.

They had built cities, established fiefs, and attracted numerous Tier Six Legends as loyal followers. For such a clan, it was natural for them to feel disdain for disputes between two star-ring-level factions.

Especially for someone like Yu Hanyan. Though she had only been born a few stellar years ago, she reached the second tier of the Legendary Realm in just three years of cultivation.

This was despite her focus on comprehending inner spirit power, which had delayed her training.

Her talent rivaled even Hong Feng's. She was a priority for cultivation within the Yu Clan.

Moreover, her birth in the Yin Luo Galaxy had granted her immense opportunities from the start. With her identity and innate gifts, it was perfectly normal for her to regard all the civilizations of the Yin Luo Galaxy as shortsighted.

At that moment, the elegant woman beside her received a message. She smiled and said, "Miss, Ao Qingcang has come to visit."

"Not surprising," Yu Hanyan replied calmly. "To the Ashen Council, a Divine Realm Councilor is like the sky itself. When the sky falls, they have no choice but to submit—unless they find an even broader sky."

She smiled faintly. "And clearly, that would be us."

"So, Miss, do you wish to see him?"

"If I want to emerge as the ultimate victor, I need substantial support from the clan. But with the Homo Sapien Alliance pressuring us from above, we must maintain appearances.

"Using local forces to mask our movements is essential. The Ashen Council, as the veteran overlord of the Candle Light Star Ring, is an excellent choice for such a cover."

Yu Hanyan instructed, "Let him in."

The woman hesitated. "But this might offend Li Pin..."

Yu Hanyan's eyes held a hint of depth. "Aunt Yu, what do you think Li Pin's purpose was in returning to Gaia with such fanfare and joining forces with White Dove to pressure the Ashen Council? Clearly, it's to vie for the position of Astral God Yin Luo's successor."

"Recently, I've had people send messages to the Gaia Council, discreetly revealing my identity and intentions, inviting Li Pin to visit and discuss Gaia's support for my bid as Astral God Yin Luo's successor. But they... ignored it."

The woman addressed as Aunt Yu pondered for a moment before speaking. "Perhaps they don't understand the weight of the Yu Clan, Miss. Let me visit Gaia personally. After all, a native Divine Realm Councilor is a valuable ally. The more friends, the better."

Though Yu Hanyan was displeased with Gaia's disregard of her invitation, she remained rational. After hearing Aunt Yu's suggestion, she suppressed her irritation and nodded. "Fine. Let's give them another chance.

"Invite Li Pin over to negotiate with Ao Qingcang. It's only right for those within the same star ring to unite and support me in facing the other contenders."

"Miss, your benevolence is admirable," Aunt Yu praised sincerely.

Shortly after, the Tier Four Legend, Ao Qingcang, arrived at Yu Hanyan's residence. Upon seeing her, he quickly bowed with respect. "Greetings, Miss Hanyan."

Unwilling to waste time with small factions, she stated bluntly, "I already know your purpose for coming. I can mediate and help the Ashen Council resolve its crisis. However, from now on, the Ashen Council must pledge its loyalty to me and follow my orders without question."

Ao Qingcang responded, "Thank you, Miss Hanyan."

He had anticipated this condition on his way here. For the Ashen Council to preserve its legacy, submission was the only path forward. But if they were to yield, it had to be to a powerful and promising faction.

Choosing other Divine Realm Councilors wasn't an option. The Divine Beings wouldn't risk offending Li Pin for the Ashen Council.

The Yu Clan, from an outer star domain, was undoubtedly the best choice. Their aim to compete for Astral God Yin Luo's succession might come with significant risks, but if Yu Hanyan ultimately emerged victorious, the Ashen Council would reap immense rewards as her key supporters.

By now, the Ashen Council had become nothing more than a pawn, forced to choose the lesser evil.

"Wait here for a while. Aunt Yu will represent the Yu Clan to visit Li Pin. Once Li Pin arrives, you can discuss matters with him," After a moment of thought, Yu Hanyan added. "Li Pin is still a Divine Realm Councilor, and we must respect that. As such, let Hong Feng be handed over to Li Pin. Do you have any objections?"

"None at all," Ao Qingcang replied quickly.

The Ashen Council blamed its current plight entirely on Hong Feng, and they loathed him to the core.

Now that they had decided to align with the Yu Clan and withdraw from the Astral God Yin Luo's succession struggle, Hong Feng lost all his value. His fate was no longer their concern.

As for their complicity in Hong Feng's suppression of Gaia, they conveniently overlooked that responsibility.

***

At Divine Martial Sect on Gaia.

Looking at Si Xing laughing maniacally in the training room, Li Pin shook his head with a trace of helplessness.

At this moment, Si Xing seemed to have envisioned himself as the Cosmic Radiance, stepping on those who had once humiliated him. Lost in this illusion, he struggled to pull himself out.

"He failed."

Li Pin had thought that with Si Xing's long time at the peak of the Tier Three Legendary Realm, his aristocratic lineage, and his newly ignited determination fueled by Si Ling, success would be certain on the first try. Yet, unexpectedly, failure came instead.

"Is cultivating inner spirit really this difficult? It felt rather simple to me," Li Pin murmured, puzzled.

He recalled a well-known rumor:

The simpler and purer one's life experiences, the easier it is to grasp inner spirit.

Perhaps his own swift mastery was related to this notion. Yet, thinking back, his life experiences were hardly simple.

Shaking off these thoughts, Li Pin brought out the Immortal Staff and cast an inner spirit resistance spell toward Si Xing.

Under the Divine Weapon's power, Si Xing, who had been on the brink of being fully consumed by his desires, gradually regained some clarity.

He quickly realized what he had been doing—and what he had done. His face turned ashen.

"I... I..." he stammered, pain flashing in his eyes.

Li Pin's voice echoed in Si Xing's mind, "Sense the desires within you. Don't suppress them. Confront them, overcome them, surpass them. Only by doing so can you face your true self and manifest your authentic essence.

"

Si Xing took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.

Confronting desires, overcoming them, and surpassing them to forge his true self.

This was easier said than done.

However, Si Xing knew he couldn't afford to fail, not after Li Pin guided him this far. He couldn't let Li Pin down, nor anyone else—especially himself.

With this resolve, he quickly immersed himself in readjusting his own state.

Seeing this, Li Pin activated the Astral Formation in the training room and refrained from disturbing Si Xing further.

His gaze shifted to Li Yunyao, who was also watching silently, her brows furrowed.

Li Pin explained, "Practicing inner spirit is deeply personal. The more you understand, the more interference you impose on yourself.

"It's like trying to read 'The Vast Horizon is My Love' with a straight face—it's almost impossible due to mental interference. Inner spirit power interference is far greater."

Li Yunyao's eyes widened. "Then why did you let me observe Si Xing trying to grasp inner spirit?"

"Obviously, I never expected you to comprehend it in one go. That's why I've planned for you to use a different approach," Li Pin replied calmly.

"A different approach?" Li Yunyao asked.

Li Pin looked at her. "The Omniscience and Omnipotence Strategy."

"Omniscience and Omnipotence?"

The term left her puzzled, though it sounded impressive.

"Alright, let's head to the Celestial Martial God Hall. Some have already resolved to face their inner desires in pursuit of inner spirit cultivation. You should observe them as well," Li Pin instructed.

Li Yunyao nodded solemnly. "Understood."

The Omniscience and Omnipotence Strategy might sound unconventional, almost like a joke. Yet, it was undeniably effective.

At its core, this approach resembled a familiar concept—the question-drilling method.

𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Li Pin intended to expose her to countless inner spirit cultivation scenarios, systematically summarizing potential challenges.

Once enough knowledge had been consolidated, she would attempt it herself. If one attempt failed, there would be another, then another—ten or more if needed—until she succeeded.

With a top-tier Solar Flare and High-Grade Divine Weapon at her disposal, the level of support she received rivaled intervention from the Solar Flare Astral God himself.

***

While Li Pin leisurely lingered on Gaia, far away in the Astral World beyond the Material World, six Astral Gods from the Divine Treasury Hall led numerous Legends. Together, they blocked the path of another Astral God.

This Astral God's aura was identical to the one Li Pin referred to as White Mirror.