Chapter 558: Gain

Amidst the gradually dissipating surge of energy, Li Pin still maintained his Stage Three Limit Break State.

The strain was immense. It destabilized his Natal Planet, and a deep fatigue settled into his inner spirit—a void left in the wake of burning battle fervor. He wanted to see nothing, hear nothing, think of nothing.

But he knew he couldn't allow himself to sink into that emptiness.

Limits? What were limits?

Limits marked the highest state one could currently reach. If he could reach it, then he could remain in it. And if he could remain in it, he could make it his norm.

Even now, with his thoughts emptied, he replayed his battle against White Mirror Astral God's avatar.

White Mirror was dead, the battle had ended, and by all logic, the Stage Three Limit Break State should have faded. Yet, with the amplification of the World Heart, he used his Clairvoyance to meticulously record every detail of his current state.

He wanted to turn a passive skill—one that only surfaced in rare bursts—into something he could control at will, then refine it step by step into a fundamental technique.

Of course, such a feat couldn't be accomplished overnight.

As the last traces of energy in the surroundings faded and no immediate threats remained, he could no longer maintain the state. His will remained strong, but his body could no longer keep up. His Natal Planet was on the verge of collapse.

The moment he withdrew from the Limit Break State, the crumbling Natal Planet stabilized at an astonishing speed, and his condition rapidly recovered.

"So this is the Perfect Realm that nearly all veteran Astral Gods must master."

Li Pin took in this sensation, comparing it with the records he had studied in the Divine Treasury Hall.

Absolute Control—this was the lifelong pursuit of every Legend, Demigod, and Divine Being. Once perfected, it became the gateway to ascension—a requirement for becoming an Astral God, known as the Perfect State.

Without reaching this level, attempting to ascend would be suicidal. Even within the Astral World, failing to control every fragment of one's energy would cause the power of Eternal Oblivion to surge uncontrollably, leading to destruction upon ascension.

Measured in percentage, the shift from merely increasing power quantity to refining precise control marked the beginning of absolute mastery. At this point, his progress was only at one percent. Reaching full mastery at one hundred percent would mean achieving the Perfect State.

The Perfect State was simply the absolute control over his own power, ensuring that, under normal circumstances, his energy would not affect the external environment.

Beyond that lay the Perfect Realm—where even in full-force combat, every ounce of power remained precisely controlled, harming nothing but the intended target.

These two stages defined an Astral God's lifelong path.

Strength was ever-changing. Without stagnation, every increase in power shattered previous mastery. Astral Gods had to constantly regain control over their evolving strength, refining it into perfection once more.

This slow, deliberate progression was why Astral Gods advanced cautiously.

Until they reached the Perfect Realm at their corresponding Power Level, they avoided reckless cultivation and unnecessary battles.

Even when forced into combat, they refused to use power they couldn't fully control.

Many Astral Gods possessed immense strength, but if they had only mastered a portion of it, they would limit themselves accordingly. Some held a Power Level of 1.5 million, yet could only wield 1 million with full precision.

Using their full strength might secure a swift victory, but the backlash would cause the burden of Eternal Oblivion to surge beyond control.

Against an opponent skilled in defense and attrition, going all-out could result in rapid exhaustion, eventually leading to being counterattacked and defeated.

My victory over White Mirror's combat-specialized avatar—even with his Divine Weapon—came from the Perfect Realm granted by the World Heart and my Clairvoyance talent,

Li Pin reflected.

Even if his Power Level was only 300,000 when he reached the Perfect Realm, it still qualified as the Perfect Realm.

In that moment, his control over power was no less than any true Astral God.

"What an exhilarating fight!" He stretched his body. "Satisfying!"

It had been far too long since he'd fought so freely.

The near-fatal strike from White Mirror, the clash of will and conviction—dancing on the razor's edge had never felt so exhilarating.

Li Pin was thoroughly satisfied. "That life-or-death pressure, combined with the sensory boost from the World Heart and my Clairvoyance analyzing two Astral Gods' energy flow, was what allowed me to grasp the Perfect Realm in one go."

The two Divine Weapons were a great reward, but even without them, mastering the Perfect Realm made the journey worthwhile.

"Still, there's nothing to be proud of."

The Perfect Realm was a skill mastered by every Astral God who had survived their early trials. Those who hadn't achieved it rarely ventured out, choosing seclusion or the protection of a powerful patron.

This meant that any Astral God encountered in the Material World likely had this level of mastery.

Li Pin reflected on the battle. "An Astral God's avatar isn't as powerful as a Divine Being. Their energy level only matches that of Divines through the use of Divine Weapons.

"Additionally, their battle techniques, secret arts, and combat experience —accumulated over hundreds of thousands or even millions of stellar years—far surpass any Divine Being. I bridged that gap with the Stage Three Limit Break State."

The key to his victory over White Mirror's combat avatar was the Ruoxi Sword.

Without the deterrent of the Sword Intent carried by this Solar Flare Divine Weapon, White Mirror's avatar could have fought him for twenty, thirty, fifty, or even a hundred exchanges.

But could his body, pushed to the Stage Three Limit Break State, endure such prolonged combat?

The answer was a resounding no! At most, thirty exchanges, and his Natal Planet would completely collapse.

Li Pin acknowledged his shortcomings. "The reason I could reach the Perfect Realm is the World Heart. In other words, I've already used a Solar Flare Divine Weapon!"

"Even with that, and despite entering the Stage Three Limit Break state, I could only fight an Astral God's combat-specialized avatar to a standstill for a short period. If I didn't wield the Ruoxi Sword, or if my opponent had a Divine Item capable of resisting Sword Intent, the outcome would've been very different."

Now that he recognized the gap, he could focus on targeted improvements, starting with combat experience.

Li Pin pondered.

Next time I face an Astral God's avatar, I should restrain my use of the Limit Break state and Divine Weapon. I need to focus on refining my techniques. While perfecting Thunder God, Fleeting Gleam, and Absolute Darkness, I should also work on increasing my proficiency.

Once my combat experience, techniques, and secret arts improve, I can rely on my Divine energy advantage to directly confront a combat-specialized avatar wielding a Solar Flare Divine Weapon.

A combat avatar wielding a Solar Flare Divine Weapon, with two or three lesser Divine Items to cover weaknesses, would be roughly equivalent to the ninth step of the Supreme Ladder—the peak of material power. But limits are meant to be broken. What if an Astral God's avatar comes after me with a Cosmic Radiance Divine Weapon?

The value of a Cosmic Radiance Divine Weapon was such that even a Solar Flare Astral God would risk everything to acquire it. No one would easily entrust such a treasure to an avatar.

But... who knows if it would happen?

"The universe is vast, filled with countless geniuses and great clans. My path is still long."

After updating his attributes to reflect the Third-Stage Limit Break State and Perfect Realm, he steadied his mind.

With a single step, he traversed space and arrived at a battlefield strewn with wreckage. As he gathered the scattered starlight, it quickly condensed into a war blade—the Reaper Blade.

Legendary Astral Equipment still required materials, but from the Quasi-Divine level onward, their composition mainly consisted of the Astral World's unique energies and substances. Once their owner perished, these items would gradually dissipate and return to the Astral World and revert to their original form.

They had to be reclaimed quickly.

Before long, another Divine Item, the Singularity Pearl, along with three Quasi-Divine Items from Yu Zhenxuan, were recovered.

Quasi-Divine Items were worth less than one percent of true Divine Item. However, their value still amounted to tens of thousands of Divine Treasury Points.

Converted into resources for Gaia, they could nurture lesser talents—those who didn't even qualify as quasi-geniuses. Over a dozen stellar years, these resources could produce ten or more Tier Three Legends.

After collecting the spoils, he made his way to the spot where White Mirror's avatar had first clashed with the two Yu Clan Astral Gods, hoping to see if there was anything worth discovering.

Unfortunately, aside from the Heavenly Ensnarement Formation, no treasures were buried here.

With some regret, Li Pin turned his attention to a nearby asteroid.

On the asteroid, Yu Hanyan, Yu Yu, Ao Qingcang, and Ao Suanzi were present.

Just a simple glance from him made Yu Hanyan and Yu Yu hold their breath. Ao Qingcang and Ao Suanzi, both leaders of a powerful faction within the Candle Light Star Ring, men who had seen countless dangers, found themselves frozen as well.

It was as if they were facing the most terrifying demon god.

The man before them had just destroyed two Astral God avatars—one of which specialized in combat. His true power level was undoubtedly above 300,000.

Such strength was unmatched, not only within the Candle Light Star Ring but across the entire Yin Luo Galaxy.

Even if the entire Yin Luo Council were to mobilize against him, he would easily wipe them out.

And now... they had to face this monster who could slaughter the entire Yin Luo Galaxy?

"Li... Li..."

Yu Yu opened her mouth, but no words came out.

When Yu Jianglong had given her orders, she had already prepared a thousand arguments in her mind. But now, as Li Pin's gaze fell upon her, memories of her actions from a few stellar months ago flooded her thoughts. Every word she had planned was swallowed by terror.

She couldn't say a thing.

As she braced for the unknown fate ahead, Li Pin suddenly smiled. He nodded at her—and at Yu Hanyan beside her.

Yu Yu was puzzled.

He looks... pleased?

In the next moment, the unparalleled Divine Being, who had just crushed the avatars of two Astral Gods with overwhelming might, turned and left. He vanished into the asteroid belt, disappearing from sight.