Chapter 564: Passing Through

Li Pin had just returned to Gaia when the people from the Si Clan arrived.

As Li Pin was a Divine Being with great potential to become an Astral God in the future, the Si Clan spared no expense to maintain a good relationship with him.

They prepared everything—including races with the potential to cultivate inner spirit power, Ascension Platforms, and a Quasi-Divine Item production line.

Although those who had just cultivated inner spirit power and were taken into the Astral World by the ascension platform were mere cannon fodder to the lofty Astral Gods, almost all Astral Gods had a mentality of not wanting to dirty their shoes by stepping on too many insects.

Therefore, as long as there were many ascendants, at least ninety percent of the man-made disasters they would face upon entering the Astral World could be avoided.

***

"This gift is quite valuable, especially the Quasi-Divine Item production line. The Divine Treasury Hall's purchase price exceeds one hundred thousand Divine Treasury Points. The Si Clan is quite generous."

Li Pin put down the gift list and turned his gaze to Si Yue, who had brought the gift. "I understand your intentions. Additionally, because of Si Xing, I do have some goodwill toward the Si Clan. However, there is something you may not know—I have accepted the Divine Treasury Hall's summons and will soon enter the Void Divine Treasure World, for what is considered a forbidden divine treasure."

Hearing this for the first time, Si Xing's pupils dilated. "The Void Divine Treasure!?"

That was a forbidden divine treasure world.

Among the three great forbidden divine treasure worlds, the oldest and most powerful divine treasure world had existed for three hundred thousand stellar years and had yet to be unraveled.

Compared to it, the Void Divine Treasure World was much younger, having emerged only a little over a thousand stellar years ago.

There were lessons to be learned from the past. Three hundred thousand stellar years were enough for hundreds of generations of Legends to age and for four or five generations of Divine Beings to decay.

Li Pin is going to take the risk to enter a divine treasure world that dangerous?!

Li Pin said, "So, to avoid wasting your investment, let's discuss this matter after I return from the Void Divine Treasure world."

"We have faith in you, Sacred Li," responded Si Yue before Si Xing could even speak, making a firm promise.

"Even I don't have faith in myself, let alone you," Li Pin replied calmly. "The universe is vast, with stars more numerous than the sands of a great river. How many geniuses exist? Above geniuses are peerless geniuses, and above them are human prodigies and special individuals known as supreme prodigies."

His gaze turned toward the deep space of the universe. "The strongest divine treasure world has existed for hundreds of thousands of stellar years. Whether it has trapped a supreme prodigy, I dare not say. But as for supreme geniuses who thought highly of their talent, I know of at least three."

This matter caused a huge sensation a hundred thousand stellar years ago.

It was precisely because the Supreme Divine Treasure had trapped three peerless geniuses that the Cosmic Radiance personally attempted to break it open, only to discover that even they could not destroy it.

After all, if peerless geniuses had the potential to become Astral Gods, then for supreme prodigies... becoming Astral Gods was hardly an obstacle.

As long as they didn't meet an untimely end, most would eventually become Eternal Solar Flare. A few might even illuminate the human race, becoming Cosmic Radiances.

"Sacred Li...."

Si Yue wanted to say more, but Si Xing understood Li Pin's meaning.

At this moment, Li Pin did not wish to be too deeply involved with the Si Clan. Or perhaps, his identity, goals, and aspirations destined that he would never stay in any one faction for too long.

Si Xing understood that even the Gaians only received Li Pin's care occasionally because Gaia was his "hometown."

Si Xing suggested, "Let our Si Clan fund the construction of a defense system for the Gaians."

He gazed at Li Pin. "You have helped me a lot. I will handle this matter. I will have the Demigod Fu Qingtian cooperate and serve as the formation spirit. In the end, the defensive effect will be strong enough to block Tier Four, or even Tier Five Legend invasions without much difficulty."

Li Pin agreed. "Then I'll simply add more to it and enhance the defense system further. I saw a defense system in the Divine Treasury Hall called Epic Light. It requires one Demigod and three Tier Four or higher Legends to operate, and it can withstand several stellar month-long attacks from a Divine Being's assault. Let's go with that one."

Si Yue's lips twitched at the mention of that name. "Epic Light?"

The cost of this defense system was even higher than the Quasi-Divine Item production line they had offered, amounting to three to four hundred thousand Divine Treasury Points.

Although the Si Clan intended to invite Li Pin as an honorary elder, they were only willing to offer initial funding of around a hundred to two hundred thousand.

Li Pin had effectively doubled that amount.

However, even though Li Pin named such a high price, Si Yue knew she still couldn't refuse.

Just as she was about to agree unconditionally, Li Pin took out the Reaper Blade, a war trophy seized from the combat-specialized avatar of Astral God Cui Fan.

"This is the payment. As for the rest, observe if there are others on Gaia worth nurturing in the future. If you find someone worthy, invest more resources in them. If not, just keep it for now."

Si Xing gasped when he saw the treasure Li Pin had taken out. "A Divine Weapon!?"

Li Pin nodded. "Yes."

Why is he so worked up? It's just a piece of Divine Weapon.

Which Astral God didn't carry at least three to five of them? Some ancient Astral Gods could even bring out dozens, if not hundreds, of such weapons.

The crafting methods of Divine Weapons and Legendary Astral Equipment were completely different. With enough time, they could be created without any materials at all.

"That's all," said Li Pin, handing the Divine Weapon to Si Xing.

Si Yue widened her eyes with shock.

A Divine Weapon! An actual piece of Divine Weapon!

A treasure this valuable was enough to make even her, a Tier Six Legend, fight tooth and nail to obtain it. Yet Li Pin had given it to Si Xing just like that! He handed it over to a Tier Three Legend who hadn't even comprehended inner spirit power!

Si Xing hastily spoke. "Li Pin, this treasure is too precious, I—"

"It's not for you, but for the Si Clan, to help Gaia construct the Epic Light defense system," Li Pin interrupted.

Si Xing would at most be acting as the fund supervisor.

However, as a member of the Si Clan, Si Xing could easily collude with them and embezzle the funds. But if that were to happen, Li Pin would simply reconcile with the fact that he had misjudged Si Xing's character and sever ties with him.

Besides, the Si Clan would have to provide compensation as well.

Si Yue was aware of this as well.

However, instead of being displeased, she was secretly delighted.

A collaboration between both parties meant the beginning of a friendship.

It wasn't a problem if Li Pin asked them for help. What they feared was that he wouldn't come to them at all.

The Si Clan had previously studied Li Pin's personality and didn't rule out this possibility.

Now that Li Pin was willing to entrust a project to the Si Clan, even if it was just a fair transaction, it was already a favorable outcome for them.

"Please rest assured, Sacred Li," Si Yue said solemnly. "The Si Clan's construction division will certainly not disappoint you."

Li Pin nodded and said to Si Xing, "If you think you are not worthy of Divine Weapons, then grow stronger as soon as possible. If you can reach my level, would you still find Divine Weapons overwhelming?"

Hearing Li Pin's words, Si Xing couldn't help but smile bitterly. "Your level...."

Achieving Divinity in less than ten stellar years, with combat strength so astonishing that even without Divine Weapons, he could rival the avatars of Astral Gods.... Such power was undoubtedly extraordinary across the vast cosmos.

If not for this being a world dominated by the Astral Cultivator system, where true geniuses would logically follow that path, Li Pin's achievements would have undoubtedly earned him the title of a prodigy of the human race.

No! As long as he could break through the Divine Realm and ascend to become an Astral God, overcoming the most difficult phase, he would be the new prodigy of the human race.

Compared to someone like this...

Si Xing smiled bitterly. "I should focus on comprehending inner spirit power first."

During this time, Si Yue had already learned that Li Pin intended to use the Solar Flare Divine Weapon to help Si Xing comprehend inner spirit power.

Even she felt envious of Si Xing for receiving such an opportunity despite already being a Tier Six Legend.

Moreover, Gaia had the mysterious existence of the Moon Goddess Domain.

Although the Moon Goddess Domain was currently limited to nurturing Tier Three Legends, once they reached that level, with Li Pin's assistance using the Solar Flare Divine Weapon, how far would they be from comprehending inner spirit power?

If he could bring these individuals into the Astral World when he integrated with it... that would be terrifying.

Not many were needed. Just a few hundred would form a solid foundation.

Si Yue sighed and said sincerely, "The Gaians are truly fortunate."

***

In the following time, Li Pin focused on comprehending the state of perfection, striving to achieve flawless control and release of his power without relying on the World Heart.

At the same time, he worked on stabilizing the Stage Three Limit Break State, reducing the threshold for entering it.

He would spend the rest of his time guiding Si Xing and Li Yunyao in their cultivation.

Si Xing had it easier. Half a stellar year later, when the Si Clan's engineering team arrived at Gaia, he finally comprehended inner spirit power.

But Li Yunyao took three full stellar years.

Using both the Ruoxi Sword and the Immortal staff, she underwent thirteen full attempts before barely comprehending inner spirit power, stepping into the Tier Four Legend Realm. It was a bit slower than he had expected.

The main reason for this delay was on him. He had underestimated the difficulty of comprehending inner spirit power.

Fortunately, though it took three stellar years, she ultimately succeeded.

Next, she had to refine her spiritual state and enter seclusion for further comprehension. A step that only she could take. At this point, Li Pin had no way to assist her.

At most, he could have Si Xing exchange for some resources to help her enter a state better suited for comprehending inner spirit power.

As Si Xing and Li Yunyao reached Tier Four Legend, waves of other Legends emerged across Gaia like mushrooms after rain.

Under the hands-on guidance of Moon Spirit and the spiritual creatures, those in the Heavenly Realm attained breakthroughs one after another.

Even though these people were not geniuses, they were still considered outstanding.

In just three stellar years, the number of Legends on Gaia had surpassed forty.

There would be someone attaining a breakthrough almost every year. Sometimes, even more than one person would do so.

The fastest progressors, such as Solar Radiance, Ge Lin, and Xiang Tianxing, had even reached Tier Three.

At this stage, the talent gap among Gaia's people began to show.

The most outstanding ones reached Tier Three Legend, while others like Fan Xiu, Wu De, and Xiao Donghai had reached Tier Two Legend. Among them, Yuan Zhenchuan, who also reached Tier Two Legend, and Li Yunyao, who had already reached Tier Four Legend, were exceptions.

The rest of the people remained at Tier One Legend.

Regardless of whether they were at Tier One, Two, Three, or Four Legend, Gaia's civilization had already become a true nebula overlord, even without factoring in Li Pin's strength.

Moreover, in these three stellar years, the Gaian Civilization had absorbed the Yu Clan's investment projects and the Ashen Council's territories, expanding its influence across the entire Candle Light Star Ring.

Regarding this, the White Dove Federation and the Immortal Wood Empire naturally had no objections.

Not long after everything settled into place, people from the Divine Treasury Hall began urging Li Pin.

After all, less than eight stellar years remained until the Void Divine Treasure World opened. For Li Pin, this was a long period, but for the Astral God Hall Masters of the Divine Treasury Hall, it was almost just around the corner.

With no other choice, he had to head to Galactic Core, where he set out once again for the Void Divine Treasury Hall under the escort of Astral God Xia Yan's combat-specialized avatar.