Chapter 714: Defect

"Captain, your ban has effectively prohibited anyone from entering Xiya Nation without permission. Because of this, Huang Ze, Xuan Zhi, and Wu Tian could only send messages through intermediaries to apologize for offending you in the previous cycle. They also expressed their stance, pledging to follow your command without question."

"Mu Yunsheng also sent a message through an intermediary. He deeply apologizes as well and stated that if you have any requests in the Void Divine Treasure World, you need only give the order, and he will do his utmost to fulfill it."

"Captain, another group of Gold Pioneers has pledged allegiance. They claim that as long as you permit it, they can take control of Stag Nation within three months and ensure its absolute submission to your command."

The messages arrived one after another in front of Li Pin.

Some conveyed the allegiance of pioneers, bringing entire national regimes under his banner. Some came from those who had offended him in the previous cycle, offering apologies. Even more were from admirers eager to serve under him, hoping to align themselves early with a future Cosmic Tyrant.

In the hierarchy of the divine treasure world, even a future Astral God could effortlessly assemble an elite force, let alone a future Cosmic Tyrant. In fact, figures like Fang Chunyang, Xu Anping, Huang Ze, and Mu Yunsheng all had potential to attain the Starshine Astral God level.

However, it remained questionable whether they would achieve Eternal Solar Flare.

Under such circumstances, a Cosmic Tyrant powerful enough to dominate even the Cosmic Radiance was nothing short of an overwhelming force.

For Silver Pioneers, this might be the closest they would ever come to such a monumental figure in their entire lifetime.

"Mu Yunsheng?"

𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Li Pin vaguely recalled the name as he listened to Fang Chunyang's report. In the previous cycle, Mu Yunsheng's Astral Formations had been impressive. If Li Pin hadn't experienced his own enlightenment, the talented Astral Formation Master might have still piqued his interest in this cycle.

But now... while they spent nearly a hundred stellar years completing another Void Divine Treasure World's cycle, Li Pin had grown far beyond their reach. To the point where, from his current perspective, Mu Yunsheng could no longer even inspire the urge to make a move.

"Consolidate them," Li Pin instructed. "Absorb whatever forces that can be integrated as soon as possible. It may take a few months, maybe half a year, but by the time we hold the first World's Top Martial Competition, we will at least be in a better position to unify the world smoothly."

He paused briefly before adding, "Be careful when sorting them out. Don't let anyone with ulterior motives sneak in."

"Rest assured, Captain. I will screen them rigorously. Anyone harboring ill intentions won't even require your intervention—we will take care of them ourselves," Fang Chunyang responded solemnly.

Li Pin nodded.

While the native inhabitants of the Celestial Barren Domain were still oblivious, the pioneers who had survived this cycle fully understood the weight of the title "Future Cosmic Tyrant."

At this moment, every single pioneer around him, without exception, was displaying goodwill and friendliness. Even the few proud and unruly ones who insisted on going their own way would quickly be taught the meaning of cooperation by their fellow pioneers.

For those who refused to learn, they were simply sent back into the cycle, removed from sight and mind.

Because of this, the concern that Xu Anping, Fang Chunyang, and Lie Qingqing once had—that forbidding entry into Xiya and preventing interference in the main storyline might provoke resistance—never came to pass.

Everyone submitted willingly, offering whatever little they could contribute to Li Pin's grand plan. Even when he had no need for their help, they still spared no effort just to have their names cross his path.

If there was ever a true display of unity, this was it.

Li Pin inquired, "Has news of the first World's Top Martial Competition spread across the world?"

"The news has reached every corner of the world," Fang Chunyang reported. "Thanks to Shou Zhen's repeated public declarations and your emergence as a mysterious Supreme Expert, many top experts have taken notice.

"It's not easy attracting every Supreme Expert, but major powers will likely send at least one or two representatives. The number of Supreme Experts attending should be around twenty to thirty."

Li Pin pondered.

Twenty to thirty? That's too few.

He knew this was due to his insufficient renown. Coupled with the tight schedule of only one month, the spread of information was limited. Drawing all Supreme Experts into the competition in such a short period was no easy feat.

After a moment, something came to mind.

"I never intended for this tournament to be a fair competition for the title of World Champion. My true goal... is to subdue every Supreme Expert and claim that title in name and in truth.

"It doesn't matter whether it's a proper one-on-one duel or an all-out brawl."

In fact... if they all rushed at him at once, the effect might be even better.

A faint smile formed on Li Pin's lips as he gave his next order.

"Baili Qingfeng's laboratory has completed nuclear weapon production. Publicly detonate one and ensure widespread media coverage."

"Captain, do you intend to use the Deterrence Agreement to pressure those Supreme Experts? If so, their purpose in coming won't be to participate in the competition anymore..."

Fang Chunyang hesitated. "Should we postpone the plan for six months? By then, we would have achieved Supreme Expert-level combat strength. That would ensure absolute success."

"No." Li Pin shook his head. "We must end this era of chaos and restore peace as soon as possible."

He paused briefly before concluding, "As for the local Supreme Experts... they are of no concern."

Seeing this, Fang Chunyang said no more. If Li Pin dismissed those local Supreme Experts as insignificant, then they were insignificant.

Fang Chunyang agreed without hesitation. "I'll go right away."

"Wait, how's the situation on Lie Qingqing's side?" Li Pin asked.

"She has already gained indirect control over the Gu Family," answered Fang Chunyang. She then quickly added, "Their faction consists of only Tier Seven and Eight Martial Artists at best. Qingqing could take them down effortlessly."

"Good. Reshape the Gu Family gradually. As for those who refuse to conform... send them to the battlefield at Mount Tianque. Arrange another incident to ensure they disappear completely."

Li Pin explained calmly. "In a month, when the World's Top Martial Competition ends, the Mount Tianque incident will break out. The Aurora Empire will plunge into chaos, teetering on the brink of collapse. Sensing the crisis, the Gu Family will scatter and flee. Gu Lingying's branch will take refuge with Xia Ya's aunt and eventually settle down in Xiaya."

"I'll deliver your instructions right away," Fang Chunyang responded promptly.

Li Pin responded, "Alright."

Every Pioneer had lived for centuries. That's equivalent to thousands of years in the Celestial Barren Domain. They came from extraordinary backgrounds, either royalty or nobles of great clans. Naturally, they would all be well educated.

Their political acumen might not reach the level of specialists, but with their overwhelming strength, dismantling and dividing a mere Tier Seven or Eight martial family would still be a relatively easy task for them.

Because of that, Li Pin had no doubt that Lie Qingqing would handle the matter smoothly.

At that moment, he seemed to sense something and stepped outside.

He was still staying in a small courtyard not far from Baili Qingfeng's home.

He looked toward that courtyard and caught sight of Baili Qingfeng and Shi Yiyi... in a heated discussion.

Calling it an argument might be an exaggeration. It was more of a debate.

Through the distance, Li Pin could faintly hear Baili Qingfeng's helpless voice.

"It's not that I don't want to go to Mara Nation, but... the school won't approve my leave. My advisor said I've already taken too many absences. Now, with a new principal in charge, attendance rules are stricter than ever. If I go to Mara Nation and miss several more days, I might not even be able to graduate."

"Mara Nation is most likely planning to target the military forces of the Knight Alliance member states this time. If you don't go, how will Xiya compete against them? If things go south, they might even start meddling in Xiya's military affairs or plant their own people—"

"

Oh

, you don't need to worry about that. Elder Shou Zhen has gone there. With him around, nothing will go wrong."

Baili Qingfeng's voice carried a hint of excitement as he said, "Yiyi, you might not be aware of this yet. Elder Shou Zhen has already broken through to the Supreme Expert level! With him overseeing everything, there's nothing for me to worry about."

"But that's not an excuse for you to waste time at Shire University every day. What if an enemy appears that even Elder Shou Zhen can't handle?"

"There's still Big Brother Li. I can tell—he's stronger than Elder Shou Zhen. Big Brother Li can definitely handle the enemy that Elder Shou Zhen can't," Baili Qingfeng countered. "Besides, isn't it normal for a student like me to attend school regularly? Running around all the time is what's abnormal."

"But—"

Beep beep!

Before Shi Yiyi could argue further, a car horn interrupted them.

Moments later, Baili Changkong and Shi Tianya stepped out of the car and walked over.

Seeing Baili Changkong, Shi Yiyi let out a sigh of relief and hurried forward. "Grandfather, Grandpa Changkong, please talk some sense into Qingfeng—"

Before she could finish, Baili Changkong cut her off with a chuckle. He turned to Baili Qingfeng and said, "Grandson, why are you still here? Shouldn't you be heading to Shire by now?"

"I'm going, I'm going right now," Baili Qingfeng quickly responded.

"Wait." Baili Changkong took out a box and handed it over. "I've collected a few packages for you recently, but haven't had the time to give them to you. Here, take them back and check them yourself."

"Oh, alright."

Baili Qingfeng accepted the box.

"Also, Yiyi," Baili Changkong turned to Shi Yiyi. "Xiya's martial arts community is about to undergo a major reform. Our Thunder Sect is one of the driving forces behind it. But right now, we're lacking presentable Tier Four experts. Coincidentally, you fit the bill in every aspect—age, appearance, and qualifications. Would you like to give it a try?"

Shi Yiyi was taken aback. "Me?"

"Yes, you. If things go well, you might become the idol of all young martial artists in Xiya—or even the entire Eastern God Continent in the future," Baili Changkong said with a smile.

"I'm not really suited for that... Qingfeng would be a better choice—"

"Qingfeng already made an agreement with me. Once he trains a Tier Four Grandmaster for Thunder Sect, he'll retire from the sect and step away from the martial arts world. Now that he has trained you, and since he clearly has no intention of continuing down this path... I've agreed to let him go."

Baili Changkong continued, "From now on, if he insists on focusing on his studies, just let him be. You don't need to concern yourself with it anymore."

"You agreed...?" Shi Yiyi was stunned. "But, Grandpa Changkong, Qingfeng has so much potential—"

"We still have to respect his own choices," Baili Changkong said firmly.

Then, he looked at Shi Yiyi. "Besides, for someone like you, who achieved the Grandmaster level at such a young age, you shouldn't languish in Qingfeng's shadow. If you're willing to represent the Thunder Sect in the martial arts world, I'm certain you'll soon shine brilliantly and command the world's attention."

Shi Yiyi looked toward Baili Qingfeng, who had already left in a hurry.

Recalling his "downward spiral" over the past month and weighing it against Baili Changkong's grand vision, she hesitated for a long moment.

Eventually, she spoke in an uncertain tone, "Then... I'll give it a try?"

"

Haha

, good," Baili Changkong laughed. "Believe in yourself. You don't need to rely on anyone. You can carve out an extraordinary path on your own."