Chapter 766: Attentive

Li Pin's eyes remained fixed on the supreme treasure, "Illusion Pagoda." It was everything he had hoped for, and it was worth every moment of the ten stellar years he had waited.

"Besides that, the resources granted exclusively to participants of the Ten Thousand Tribes Dominion War have also been approved," said Mo Xuan. "However, for now, you've only received the resources allocated for the Prodigy Competition. Converted into Creation Profound Crystals, it comes to six thousand pieces."

"Six thousand..."

Li Pin mentally compared it to the price of a Cosmic Radiance Divine Weapon.

On average, a standard Cosmic Radiance Divine Weapon cost around a hundred Creation Profound Crystals.

Depending on its grade, both the power and price would vary. Mid-Grade ones typically ranged from three to four hundred crystals, while High-Grade ones went for anywhere between one to two thousand.

Top-Tier Cosmic Radiance Divine Weapons surpassed ten thousand.

The price wasn't always a true reflection of their value. It mostly stemmed from rarity and market speculation.

There had even been cases where Human factions smuggled Creation Profound Crystals to foreign races, trading six to seven thousand crystals for a Top-Tier Cosmic Radiance Divine Weapon—profiting three to four thousand per deal.

But such trades were strictly forbidden.

Any group outside the six major factions caught dealing Creation Profound Crystals to foreign races would be severely punished.

And now... I've received six thousand Creation Profound Crystals just by signing up for the Prodigy Competition,

Li Pin thought.

Even by human market standards, that was nearly enough to buy a Top-Tier Cosmic Radiance Divine Weapon.

"Also, your application to access the Gate of Time and Space has been approved," Mo Xuan said. "But if you plan to study it, you'll need to submit a formal request a year in advance. Even though tournament participants like you get top priority, the relevant departments still need time to schedule it."

Li Pin nodded. "The Gate of Time and Space..."

This treasure could recreate the spacetime scene of when a cultivator broke through to the Supreme Realm.

It was said that one could attach themselves to that scene, almost like possessing the Supreme's body, and personally experience that moment of ascension. It offered a rare opportunity to witness cosmic evolution at the Supreme level.

For cultivators at the Tyrant Realm and above, the benefits were beyond measure.

"A year in advance, huh.... Then go ahead and apply for me," Li Pin said.

Mo Xuan nodded. "Alright."

"The Overlord Division of the Ten Thousand Tribes Dominion War should be under preparation, right? After all, there are only a few decades left. For a Heavenly Emperor, that's not much time," Li Pin remarked.

Mo Xuan froze for a moment. "You're seriously planning to compete in the Overlord Division?"

"Of course," Li Pin replied. "If I enter, I should be eligible for another round of resource subsidies. I'm not sure if it'll include a Pinnacle Cosmic Radiance Divine Weapon, but at the very least, I should get another six thousand Creation Profound Crystals. Those are essential for cultivating secret arts and refining combat techniques."

He was telling the truth.

Creation Profound Crystals functioned similarly to Creation Gold Coins. However, while the latter offered temporary boosts to one's talent, the former acted more like amplifiers for innate potential. The stronger the user, the more pronounced the effect.

For those with exceptional talent, Creation Profound Crystals could drastically improve training efficiency.

Li Pin wouldn't go so far as to call himself the most gifted of his generation, but with enough crystals, his cultivation of secret arts and techniques would advance at a much faster pace.

"If you insist..." Mo Xuan took a deep breath. "The Overlord candidates are already undergoing special training. There will be three qualifying rounds—held in one hundred, forty, and ten years—to decide who will ultimately enter the arena.

"Of course, counter-strategies will be drawn up based on the enemy's lineup. You've already missed the hundred-year mark, but you're still in time for the forty-year round, which is twenty-two years from now.

"If you're certain about joining the Overlord Competition, I'll bring you to the Divine Martial Palace of the Myriad Astral God Hall when the time comes."

Li Pin gave a slight nod.

The Myriad Astral God Hall served as the official power center of the Human race. Whether one came from the Sacred Flame Hall, the Omni-Merchant Guild, the Endless Divine Mountain, or the Heaven Ordainment Sect, they all had to assemble at the Myriad Astral God Hall before the tournament.

From there, they would be led by the Divine Martial Emperor—who oversaw warfare against foreign races—to the competition site.

Naturally, figures like White Emperor Ji Shun of the Sacred Flame Hall, Heavenly Emperor Tai Yi of the Omni-Merchant Guild, and Heavenly Emperor Wu Dang of the Heaven Ordainment Sect would accompany them, ensuring the safety of these seeded contestants.

"The Overlord Competition..."

Mo Xuan hesitated for a moment at the mention of such a high-level event. But seeing that Li Pin had already made up his mind, he said nothing more.

"Focus on your cultivation. If you need anything, just send me a message."

Li Pin gave a slight nod. "I will."

Soon after, Mo Xuan took his leave.

Once he was gone, Li Pin turned his attention back to the Illusion Pagoda and the Creation Profound Crystals.

Li Pin pondered.

In truth, compared to the Illusion Pagoda and Creation Profound Crystals, the one thing that helps me the most... is the Gate of Time and Space. My Phantom Space Technique has reached its second level.

According to the Primordial Supreme Technique, the third level involved forming a cosmic singularity. If I could observe and experience a Supreme breakthrough firsthand, it would be extremely beneficial.

But for now, he began adapting himself to the Illusion Pagoda—the Divine Weapon designed to aid in cultivation.

Just then, Hou Yun approached him again.

"My Lord," he said with a respectful bow, "the Taiyuan Radiance, Blue Ocean Radiance, and Starjade Radiance have come to visit. And... they've brought a group of people with them. It seems they're leaving them to your discretion."

Li Pin looked puzzled. "A group of people? For me to handle?"

I don't have many enemies. Why would they hand over a group of people to me?

Though confused, he still instructed Hou Yun to guide them to the guest area.

When Li Pin arrived and saw the group of Astral Gods the three Cosmic Radiances had brought, everything immediately became clear.

Some of them... were familiar faces.

Among them were the Solar Radiance Astral Gods—Yuan Xiangguang, Shang Jinzhao, Ji Fenglei, and Zi Zhongtian.

Alongside them were numerous Astral Gods from the Yuan, Shang, Ji, and Zi Clans.

In total, there were over a hundred people.

Just from this alone, it was clear how rich in talent these four aristocratic clans were. No wonder they had held sway over the Yuan Yang Star Domain for so long.

As Li Pin approached, the three Cosmic Radiances rose to their feet with smiles and greeted him.

"Your Majesty, Light of Origin."

"Light of Origin, you've arrived."

"Haha, what an honor to meet you in person today, Your Majesty Light of Origin."

Though they all held the title of Cosmic Radiance, anyone with a discerning eye could see that Li Pin stood on an entirely different level.

For them, the Cosmic Radiance Realm was already the peak of what they could achieve in their lifetime.

But for Li Pin... this was likely just the beginning.

He gave the trio a slight nod. "Taiyuan Radiance, Blue Ocean Radiance, Starjade Radiance."

Then, he turned toward Zi Zhongtian and the others. "I recall they were assigned to the Abyssal Rift Outpost. Why were they brought out?"

"I felt sentencing them to the outpost was too lenient," Taiyuan Radiance replied with a smile. "Their clans have been causing trouble behind your back for years.

"So I reached out to the comrades handling the matter. Once they learned it involved you, they immediately agreed to pull them out and hand them over for you to deal with personally."

Li Pin looked at Zi Zhongtian, Yuan Xiangguang, Shang Jinzhao, and Ji Fenglei.

They stared back at him, eyes filled with shock, regret, and silent pleas.

Ever since Li Pin had emerged from the Heavenly Prison World, they had realized his potential was boundless. But none of them had expected this day to come so quickly, and so forcefully.

To the extent that even those who had already been sentenced and sent to the frontlines were now being pulled back, all for the sake of letting Li Pin vent a bit of anger.

"I remember saying back then that once I entered the Astral World, I'd visit each of their clans in person..." Li Pin sighed. "Who would've thought that by the time I finally had the chance to deal with those matters, those clans would no longer exist?"

After a brief pause, he continued, "In fact, they were already gone before I even entered the Astral World."

"Their clans may be gone," Blue Ocean said with a smile, "but the people are still here. Now, what happens to them is entirely up to you, Your Majesty."

Li Pin didn't dwell on them for long. His real intent in making that declaration was to gauge the true power of the Eternal Solar Flare. But now... these aristocratic clans no longer even merited his attention, let alone his action.

"Just handle them the same way as before. Send them back to the Abyssal Rift to serve," Li Pin said plainly.

The moment he spoke, Yuan Xiangguang, Shang Jinzhao, Ji Fenglei, and Zi Zhongtian all let out a sigh of relief.

The Abyssal Rift Outpost was dangerous, yes, but at least there was still a glimmer of hope. It was far better than being killed on the spot.

"As you wish," Taiyuan Radiance replied with a smile.

He then commanded, "Assign them to patrol Star Abyss No.8."

The Astral Gods from the four clans showed little reaction, but Zi Zhongtian and the others instantly turned pale, their eyes filled with barely concealed fear.

Guarding an outpost was one thing, but patrolling the Star Abyss was something else entirely.

The two weren't even on the same level of danger.

The fear and pleading in their eyes were useless. Since those clans had once oppressed others so arrogantly, they should've been prepared for the day someone stronger would return the favor.

"The aristocratic clans of the Yuan Yang Star Domain have all been cleared out. To prevent the situation from spiraling into chaos like a scattered game board, someone reputable and capable needs to step up and maintain order.

"I've got connections within the Human Alliance. Your Majesty, if you have any need, I can make arrangements."

"I appreciate the offer," Li Pin replied, "but that won't be necessary."

The three Cosmic Radiances knew exactly when to stop.

Though delivering the remnants of those clans wasn't enough to make Li Pin owe them a favor, securing a face-to-face meeting with him was already a huge gain.

In the future, once Li Pin ascended to the Sacred Monarch, or even the Heavenly Emperor Realm, just that bit of familiarity with him might be enough to make other Cosmic Radiances, or even Tyrants, think twice before crossing them.