Chapter 551: Era

In a specially designated cultivation area a thousand kilometers away from the Gaia Alliance headquarters.

Suspended in midair, Yuan Zhenchuan quietly sensed the absolute control he held over everything around him, down to the atoms themselves.

"So, this is the Domain."

Immersed in the experience, he found it hard to pull away.

In the distance, more than a dozen people watched, their eyes filled with envy.

Fan Xiu, Tu Tan, Xiao Donghai, Wan Guliu, and Qiao Baishi were all present.

"The Legendary Realm..."

"Cosmic life—its lifespan stretches to a thousand years. With body-nurturing techniques and Heavenly Treasures, it could extend to two, even three thousand years. If he goes further and comprehends inner spirit power, he could attain true longevity."

"Even without grasping inner spirit power, once he becomes a Tier Three Legend, he could merge with a planet, becoming a Demigod. His lifespan would then stretch to a hundred thousand years."

They had long understood the mysteries of Legends—what set them apart from ordinary life.

Only by stepping into the Legendary Realm could they break free from the limitations of their civilization and set foot in the vast universe. Without reaching that stage and cultivating a Domain, even the smallest danger in the cosmos could claim their lives in an instant.

"Soon, it will be your turn," Xiao Donghai glanced at Fan Xiu. "You've been simulating Legendary breakthroughs in the Moon Goddess Domain a lot lately. Every attempt was a success. You're about to take that step for real, aren't you?"

Fan Xiu smiled. "Likely within the next month or two. Right now, I'm fine-tuning my condition. Once I reach my peak, I'll make my move."

"

Haha

, with how well you've done in the simulations, breaking through is only a matter of time," said Xiao Donghai without a trace of envy. "That would make you the sixth Legend born on Gaia."

With the guidance of the Spirit Clan's mentors and the near-perfect simulations of the Moon Goddess Domain—where even matter, energy, and spiritual transformations were replicated—anyone with a bit of talent, given time, could achieve the Legendary Realm.

None of them had even reached the threshold of genius-level talent, yet thanks to the enhancements from Astral God Yin Luo, they were now among the best of the sub-genius class.

And for sub-geniuses, the fourth tier of the Legendary Realm was the true goal.

Geniuses had a slim chance of reaching the Astral God realm.

With their focus solely on breaking into the Legendary realm—and the support of a Solar Flare Divine Equipment—their progress was visibly rapid.

Tu Tan, who had been silent, suddenly asked, "Gaia has five Legends now?"

A hint of surprise crossed his face. "I've been in closed-door training for the past six months, so I had no idea. Aside from Solar Radiance, Ge Lin, Xiang Tianxing, and Yuan Zhenchuan, who's the fifth? Fu Qingtian? Didn't he choose the path of a Demigod? He doesn't count as a Legend, does he?"

Fan Xiu gave Tu Tan a glance. "Li Yunyao. Chairman Li's sister."

His tone carried respect as he mentioned Li Yunyao's name.

Tu Tan froze for a moment, disbelief flickering in his eyes. "Li Yunyao? Wasn't she...."

His voice trailed off as realization dawned.

Li Pin had to have played a crucial role in supporting Li Yunyao's rise to the Legendary Realm. With Li Pin's Divine-level strength backing her, it would be no surprise for Li Yunyao to reach the Legendary Realm within five years.

After all, she had been a Supreme Martial God before shifting to Astral Cultivation, with combat power comparable to the Heavenly Realm. With Li Pin's full support, transitioning from the Heavenly Realm to the Legendary Realm in five years seemed entirely normal.

"She has been a Legend for only two years, yet she's already on the verge of reaching Tier Two. She'll likely surpass all of us and be the first to reach Tier Three," Fan Xiu said with a smile. "Once that happens, Gaia will truly have a Tier Three Legend, making us truly worthy of our Nebula Overlord title."

The others nodded in agreement, their expressions free of envy.

To them, Li Pin investing the best resources in Li Yunyao was perfectly natural.

After all, their success—everything they had achieved, including the prospect of reaching the Legendary Realm within the next ten years—was all thanks to Li Pin's support. He had done everything he could for them and for Gaia, so they harbored no jealousy.

"Speaking of which, in the next decade, Gaia is expected to experience a surge in the number of Legends. We might even have twenty or more," said Xiao Donghai. His tone turned guilty as he continued, "However, as for Chairman Li's martial arts... we haven't been able to pass it down."

Fan Xiu, Tu Tan, Wan Guliu, Qiao Baishi, and the others thought of the recent attempts by the Celestial Martial God Hall to comprehend inner spirit power.

Shi Shihu, Lan Daoquan, Xing Hui, Ri Chi, and about ten other Supreme Martial Gods had all failed. None of them had been able to overcome their inner desires and grasp the power of the inner spirit.

"They were too impatient." Wan Guliu sighed. "Inner spirit cultivation is a difficult process. They've barely adjusted their states for a few years, yet they're already trying to comprehend it. It's clear they were too eager."

Fan Xiu shook his head. "It's not just impatience. Don't forget, the Celestial Martial God Hall's path itself isn't focused on longevity. Even with some genetic modifications to extend life, the most they can hope for is two to three hundred years.

"Besides, once they reach the Supreme Martial God Realm, they inevitably face the threat of the Celestial Breaker phase, unless they stop cultivating. Under those circumstances, they simply can't afford to wait."

The others nodded in agreement. With their current understanding of various cultivation systems across the universe, they saw the many flaws in the Celestial Martial God path that Li Pin had developed. It was rough and filled with issues.

Unless a practitioner had talent like Li Pin's, they'd likely be stuck at the Celestial Breaker phase—this was the fate of most practitioners of the Celestial Martial God Hall.

Xiao Donghai said, "Recently, fewer people seem to be joining the Celestial Martial God Hall... Even with our efforts to promote Chairman Li's achievements, we can't attract many, especially since... Chairman Li doesn't want us to announce anything."

He paused for a moment before adding, "I suspect Chairman Li has already given up on the Celestial Martial God Hall."

The others nodded in agreement.

The Celestial Martial God Hall and the Celestial Martial God Manual could only be described as relics of the past. At this rate, they might soon vanish entirely from Gaia civilization.

"How many Supreme Martial Gods are still waiting to comprehend inner spirit power in the Celestial Martial God Hall?" Wan Guliu asked.

Fan Xiu replied, "Chairman Li has already instructed those Supreme Martial Gods to switch to the Astral Cultivation system. Over the past few years, the number of Supreme Martial Gods has visibly decreased...

"There are fewer than a hundred left. Of those, only Xing Ying, Yue Ying, Xie Longcheng, Wang Liancheng, Ye Chengyuan, Zhao Yushi, and Song Wuya still have any real hope of comprehending inner spirit power."

Those present were familiar with the names of Xing Ying, Yue Ying, and Xie Longcheng, but they found the rest unfamiliar.

"Are they the young martial artists from Chairman Li's generation?" Wan Guliu asked, somewhat surprised.

"Younger martial artists?" Fan Xiu glanced at him. "They may be from the same era as Chairman Li, but... they're no longer young."

Wan Guliu was momentarily dazed.

No longer young.

Only then, as if awakening from a dream, did he recall that the Tianyuan-hosted World's Top Martial Competition, and the final King of the Century Battle, had happened more than fifty years ago.

In other words, those from the same era as Li Pin—Wang Liancheng, Ye Chengyuan, Zhao Yushi, and Song Wuya—were now in their eighties.

"Has it really been this long?" Wan Guliu muttered.

Xiao Donghai, with a hint of self-mockery, spoke from the side. "Recently, so many significant events have occurred in Gaia. We've been overwhelmed, dedicating all our time and energy to them.

"As a result, our sense of time has slowed down. We no longer have the luxury of leisurely battling demonic creatures or wasting time on idle thoughts and schemes like we used to."

Wan Guliu nodded silently.

So much had happened in these past decades. When people become busy, time passes quickly. It's like when someone focuses completely on a task and loses track of time.

Reflecting on Gaia's current state, the changes from those years were beyond significant.

If someone who had been in seclusion for sixty years were to emerge now and observe Gaia, they would likely struggle to adjust to the shift in environment.

And all of this... had begun with Li Pin stepping onto the global stage.

He was the one who changed Gaia.

"The tide of the times," Wan Guliu sighed, feeling a surge of emotion.

Xiao Donghai also sighed. "Looking back, when the old and new forces were in transition, we had all sorts of conflicts with Chairman Li... Luckily, he weathered it all.

"Otherwise, I can't imagine what would have become of Gaia if we had recklessly entered such a harsh cosmic environment. Perhaps a thousand years from now, Gaia civilization wouldn't even exist."

The others nodded in agreement. They all shared the same sentiment.

They were deeply grateful—grateful that Gaia had produced Li Pin.

"The past is the past," Qiao Baishi said with a light smile. "As Chairman Li always says... time will prove everything."

***

Meanwhile, Li Pin was rushing toward Lunarfang Planet in the Yin Luo Galaxy.

"Three stellar months... I finally made it. I've been in the middle of a breakthrough in my cultivation and lost track of time..."

He glanced at the Astral Gate.

Not concerned about the nagging Xia Yan would give him for secretly leaving the Yin Luo Galaxy, he quickly located the person in charge of Lunarfang Planet.

Using his privileges as a member of the Yin Luo Council, he had the Astral Gate activated ahead of schedule.

Crossing this gate meant leaving the Yin Luo Galaxy. After passing through a transit station and traveling a bit further, he would reach the Dust Sea Asteroid Belt.

***

Less than a day after Li Pin used his council member privileges to activate the Astral Gate and leave, a figure opened his eyes aboard a warship drifting just outside the Yin Luo Galaxy.

Although his appearance and energy fluctuations had changed, Li Pin would still recognize him through his true form in the Astral World.

This figure was none other than White Mirror, the one hunted by the Divine Treasury Hall. To be precise, this was one of his avatars.

White Mirror glanced in surprise in a certain direction. "He left the Yin Luo Galaxy this early!? I thought I'd have to wait until the Void Divine Treasure World was about to open, with the Divine Treasury Hall escorting him then."

He thought for a moment.

Could this be a scheme?

After a brief pause, he laughed and waved the slender combat blade in his hand. "In the face of absolute strength, all schemes are futile."

Without further delay, he activated the warship and initiated a spatial jump.

As massive energy waves were released, space began to distort, and in the next instant, the warship broke the speed of light, heading straight for the target he had sensed.