Chapter 678: Lose Control

The Galactic Starburst was Wang Fuyun's signature technique.

Wang Fuyun was slightly weaker than King Tianyu and Shen Duxiu in terms of strength. However, this was only because some of the innate talents the non-human races possessed were absurdly powerful. Humans, on the other hand, were barred from relying on their greatest advantage, the Divine Weapons.

Yet even without external aids or weapons, Wang Fuyun's strength still ranked among the top ten not just in the Golden Lands, but across the entire Heavenly Prison World. And what secured his place in the top ten beyond his vast combat experience, refined battle techniques, and profound Solar Flare foundation was the Supreme Secret Art he had mastered—Galactic Starburst.

And now, Li Pin, who theoretically had no chance to cultivate secret arts after spending only ten years reaching the third level of the Supreme Technique, had just unleashed Wang Fuyun's Galactic Starburst.

With its immense power, Li Pin's strength surpassed that of most cultivators. This made him one of the strongest among his peers at the same cultivation stage, despite his relatively recent breakthrough.

The crowd erupted in shock, unable to contain their astonishment.

"How is this possible!?"

"He... mastered it so quickly!?"

"Didn't Li Pin spend the past ten years cultivating the Primordial Supreme Technique to the third level? How did he even have time to cultivate Wang Fuyun's Galactic Starburst!? Unless... he shares the same lineage as Wang Fuyun!?"

Even top inheritors of the Heavenly Prison World, like King Tianyu, Shen Duxiu, Wang Fuyun, and Liu Suxin, momentarily lost their composure. Their expressions were filled with disbelief.

It was like watching a younger high school student skip grades, ace the entrance exam to the nation's top university, and casually make billions on the side.

Among the members of Dragon Abyss Tower, Yun Lai, Gao Shengyan, Yu Xuexian, and Yu Li murmured in disbelief.

"Is there truly such a genius in this world...?"

"We're all prodigies here.... How can the gap be this vast...?"

"So this is the true talent of Hall Master Li... of Li the Prodigy!?"

Astral Gods and Divine Beings alike, who had always basked in glory as peerless talents, felt an unexpected sense of loss. However, that feeling only lasted for a brief moment before it was quickly replaced by an overwhelming surge of hope.

This phenomenon involved a simple principle that many understood.

When the gap between two people was small, the weaker one would strive to catch up. But when the gap became so vast that it defied comprehension, the will to compete would shatter, leaving only awe and reverence.

As they watched Li Pin unleash Galactic Starburst, they were witnessing this truth firsthand.

***

"Damn it!"

As the power of Galactic Starburst erupted, Jin Ling's storm-like sword wings were instantly rendered useless. Countless metallic feathers shattered, scattering in all directions.

He tried to retreat with all his might, but as a Supreme Secret Art, Galactic Starburst's impact wasn't limited to just physical and energy-based assaults. It also struck the mental and inner spirit.

Under the relentless barrage of force, Jin Ling could feel his mental spirit crumbling. His fighting will rapidly disintegrated, and an overwhelming urge to flee rose uncontrollably within him.

It was like a mortal facing a galactic explosion, a force so vast and overwhelming that it shattered every last shred of ambition.

Jin Ling sensed something wrong with his mindset, but just as he barely managed to break free from the overwhelming "destruction" before him, it was already too late.

"Wha—"

With a brilliant burst of starry radiance, Jin Ling's wings were torn apart inch by inch. The raging energy engulfed him, sending him hurtling through the air, plummeting straight toward Sky Martial Peak.

Li Pin was taken aback by what happened. He quickly restrained some of the Galactic Starburst's power.

He had yet to witness Jin Ling's inner spirit secret art, the Endless Hell of Slaughter, so he couldn't let him die just yet.

However, Galactic Starburst was, by nature, a technique focused on all-out explosive power. Once unleashed, it was impossible to fully control.

Jin Ling, now sent flying, had most of his wings torn apart. His injuries were severe, leaving him in no condition to continue fighting.

Had Li Pin not briefly held back at the last second, he might have lost his life.

As Jin Ling plummeted toward the mountain, a Prodigy Hall member rushed forward and caught him.

Li Pin watched, feeling a tinge of regret and a trace of disappointment. He shook his head, unsatisfied. "So, was it that Galactic Starburst, which I mastered in just over a stellar month, is simply too powerful... or was Jin Ling just too weak?"

𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Fortunately, he still had a second opponent.

With that, Li Pin turned his gaze toward Chi Mang of the Clearheart Society. "Let's continue."

A unique lifeform... this one shouldn't disappoint.

***

"He won!? He actually won!? In just ten stellar years, he mastered the third level of the Supreme Technique... and still had the energy to grasp a Supreme Secret Art? Such speed... such talent! Even the most supreme prodigies pale in comparison!"

"The Astral World has bestowed upon us an unparalleled genius! He is our hope of escaping the Heavenly Prison World!"

"Incredible—truly incredible! There's hope! Someone has actually reached the third level of the Supreme Technique in ten stellar years and even mastered a Supreme Secret Art. With such astonishing talent... we finally have hope!"

"Li Pin! Li Pin! Li Pin!"

As Li Pin unleashed the Supreme Secret Art, Galactic Starburst, and decisively defeated Jin Ling, a tidal wave of cheers erupted from below Sky Martial Peak.

Countless gazes turned to him, filled with anticipation and longing. Some couldn't help but call out his name, as if doing so could awaken them from despair, rekindling the hope of escaping the Heavenly Prison World.

Just as Wang Fuyun and the others had predicted, with Li Pin proving that he had indeed reached the third level of the Supreme Technique in ten years, he would become the beacon of hope in everyone's hearts, gaining unparalleled influence across the Heavenly Prison World.

This was only the beginning. In time, all of the Heavenly Prison World would remember the name—Li Pin.

***

On the mountain where the Clearheart Society resided.

Shen Duxiu, the society's chairman, turned to King Tianyu, his gaze icy. "Didn't you say Li Pin's strength was negligible? Why is he so much stronger than expected?"

With the power Li Pin just displayed... even if Chi Mang could defeat him, killing him was a different matter.

Especially with so many watching. If they pushed too hard, Worldbreaker Peak and other human experts might step in.

King Tianyu took a deep breath under Shen Duxiu's gaze. "As expected, for Li Pin to dare accept the challenge, he must have been absolutely confident. To have mastered Galactic Starburst so quickly... it must be the work of Creation Gold Coins.

"And to reach the third level of the Supreme Technique in just ten stellar years... he must have at least a million Creation Gold Coins. With that many, cultivating a Supreme Secret Art to the entry level is nothing unusual."

After some thought, he responded through spiritual transmission, "It's too late to change course. We have to act fast. If Li Pin gains the full support of the Human Race and advances to the fourth level of the Primordial Supreme Technique, we'll all be at his mercy."

Shen Duxiu's expression tightened slightly at the implications.

Someone as supremely confident as him would never entrust his fate to another. But if they allowed this fight to continue, not only might Chi Mang fail to kill him, but they could also provoke the wrath of the Golden and Silver Lands—the countless desperate souls watching. One wrong move, and the entire Clearheart Society could be reduced to ashes.

King Tianyu's urgent voice rang in his ears once more. "Chairman Shen, what are you hesitating for? Attack!"

Meanwhile, on Sky Martial Peak, Li Pin's voice rang out. "Continue."

But Chi Man remained still, his gaze fixed on Shen Duxiu.

"How confident are you?" Shen Duxiu asked.

Chi Man stated bluntly, "You know my strength well, Chairman. Defeating him isn't hard, but killing him in front of everyone... that's a different matter entirely.

"If Li Pin is in danger, experts from Worldbreaker Peak, Stormwind Tower, and even those unaffiliated with any major faction will intervene. Against so many, I won't be able to hold them off."

Shen Duxiu exhaled in frustration. "Exactly... if we don't manage to kill him in an instant, the other human experts won't just stand by and watch..."

Since failure was inevitable, it was better to change course and establish goodwill before things escalated further.

Given that the Unique Lifeform Alliance didn't have an irreconcilable feud with the Human Race, if Li Pin truly became the Black Abyss Highlord's disciple, he might not go out of his way to wipe out the Clearheart Society.

With this in mind, the man known as the strongest in the Golden Lands and the number one expert in the Heavenly Prison World made his decision.

But before he could admit defeat, Li Pin had already looked over.

"Afraid?" taunted Li Pin, his tone calm. "Seems I overestimated you. In that case, let's put it another way... if one Chi Mang isn't enough, you, as the Chairman of the Clearheart Society, may join him."

After saying this, he shifted his gaze toward King Tianyu. "You too, if you'd like."

The air stiffened for a moment.

Shen Duxiu's expression darkened.

Chi Man, myself, and Tianyu King!? All three of us... against you!? This is pure...

King Tianyu put on an act of outrage, pretending to be provoked and humiliated. "Li Pin, you're too arrogant!"

Without giving anyone a chance to intervene, he leaped toward Sky Martial Peak. His face was twisted in anger, but his eyes gleamed with undisguised excitement.

One against three!? Isn't this just asking for death!? Quick! As fast as possible!

He had to strike before anyone else interfered and kill Li Pin openly with overwhelming force!

"Li Pin, since you're asking for humiliation, I'll oblige!"

Shen Duxiu and Chi Mang both understood the opportunity at hand. A cold killing intent surged within them as they, too, launched themselves toward Sky Martial Peak.

Three figures streaked through the void like swords tearing through the air, charging straight for Li Pin.