Chapter 776: Fortune

Since he was still inside the Gate of Time and Space, Li Pin didn't let himself dwell on it for long. He quickly reined in his emotions.

Seeing this, a faint smile appeared on Mo Xuantian's face. "Looks like you've gained quite a bit from it?"

Li Pin nodded. "I have."

This time, he had taken the most crucial step in his cultivation journey, letting go of any hesitation. He no longer questioned whether his understanding of the Supreme and Highlord paths was right or wrong. He saw himself clearly now and trusted his own judgment.

As for the Transcendent path... whether it was right or wrong no longer mattered.

That path demanded the sacrifice of one's very existence at its core. Even if it was the correct path, it went against everything his own path stood for. So, even if it was right, he would never walk it.

Mo Xuantian looked at the self-assured Li Pin, now glowing with confidence.

After some thought, he said, "Li Pin, as a member of the Human Race, sacrificing your life for our people is always honorable. But... if you don't wish to take part in the Ten Thousand Tribes Dominion War, you don't have to go."

Li Pin looked at the Heavenly Emperor. "

Hm?

"

Why would he suddenly advise me against joining the competition?

"In the past, no matter how talented you were, I believed your path would end at becoming a Heavenly Emperor. The real trial, and the most difficult step, lies in enduring the backlash of the Astral World and breaking through it.

"That's the gap between a Heavenly Emperor and a Supreme. No one can say with absolute certainty they'll succeed. That's why, although our race has many Heavenly Emperors, Supremes have always been rare."

Mo Xuantian let out a sigh. "Among all living beings, only a Supreme qualifies to make a move in the grand game of an era."

He glanced at Li Pin. "But now... in you, I see a faint possibility of reaching that realm."

"Supreme?" Li Pin shook his head. "That path may never be mine."

How desperate must one be to chase a road they know is wrong?

If that day ever came... I'd rather die on the path I believe in than walk one I don't—even if it leads to Supreme.

"It's just a slim possibility," Mo Xuantian said, "but even that earns you certain privileges among the Human Race. One of them is the right to refuse forced conscription."

Li Pin shook his head. "That won't be necessary."

Mo Xuantian understood that Li Pin likely intended to enter the competition of his own accord, and trying to persuade him would be pointless.

He'd only offered the reminder out of duty and because he valued Li Pin as a potential Supreme seed.

Besides, Li Pin's participation in the Ten Thousand Tribes Dominion War didn't necessarily mean he would lose.

Mo Xuantian warned him seriously, "If you're set on going, go. But at least, stay away from the Overlord Competition."

Li Pin looked at him but didn't respond directly. Instead, he asked thoughtfully, "To become a Supreme... is fortune also an essential factor?"

Mo Xuantian was momentarily caught off guard, but something quickly came to mind. He replied, "Ah, that's right. You've mastered the Endless Reincarnation Secret Art. And you attended Supreme Dao Origin's lecture at Dragon Origin Dojo not long ago."

He nodded. "Yes, good fortune plays a significant role in reaching Supreme."

"But fortune isn't everything. In the end, a cultivator has to rely on themselves. Fortune is just the cherry on top. Looking back over the years, the only one who relied solely on fortune to reach Supreme... was Supreme Dao Origin."

"A cherry on top?" Li Pin asked. "But at the critical moment of breaking through to Supreme, even a cherry on top might be that final push needed to succeed, right?"

Mo Xuantian replied, "Exactly. That's how many people see it. And that... is also why the human race has always fought other races for territory.

"There are many ways to obtain fortune, but the most direct and effective method is to seize vast lands and extend one's power and influence across the boundless universe. The stronger the power, the greater the influence—and the greater the fortune it draws. That fortune then flows back to the race, making it even stronger in return..."

Li Pin wasn't surprised to hear this. When fortune was on your side, the world seemed to move with you. Everything came easier—cultivation, breakthroughs, everything.

Supreme Dao Origin had once said that with enough fortune, one could even awaken a mysterious power known as a Destiny Mark. Among them, the strongest was the mark of the Universe's Child.

A person blessed with it wouldn't just have a chance at becoming a Sacred Monarch or a Heavenly Emperor; even reaching the Supreme Realm would be well within their grasp.

If the vast universe had no Nine Sovereign Races or other powerful factions, but instead a single unified force that gathered all fortune into one person, that person could reach the Supreme Realm simply by living, eating, and drinking. It would only be a matter of time.

Mo Xuantian continued, "In truth, the reason human territory is divided among the five great powers, and why the Myriad Astral God Hall was established, lies in the management and distribution of fortune. Among them, the Myriad Astral God Hall was designated by the Supreme Council as the legitimate authority, tasked with concentrating humanity's collective fortune onto its ruler—the Central Sovereign Heavenly Emperor, Jin'que.

For nearly a thousand eras, he has stood as humanity's most exceptional prodigy. The goal is to help him take that crucial step toward the Supreme Realm."

Mo Xuantian sighed. However, part of the reason for maintaining the division into five factions is to prevent the ruler of the Myriad Astral God Hall from becoming complacent, thinking that destiny favors him. At the same time, the other factions are unwilling to see someone outside their own ranks ascend to Supreme, so they deliberately stir the waters and siphon off some of that fortune."

𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

A wry smile tugged at his lips. "I almost forgot. Our Sacred Flame Hall is no different. We rely on our control of education and inheritance to claim part of humanity's fortune.

"The Omni-Merchant Guild does the same through wealth and resources. The Heaven Ordainment Sect, the Astral World Research Institute, and the Endless Divine Mountain follow similar paths. Even I, as a Heavenly Emperor, only hold this Vice Hall Master's seat to draw more fortune and edge closer to the mysteries of the Supreme Realm."

"Fortune, huh..."

Li Pin finally understood why so many Heavenly Emperors still chose to hold positions in key factions.

Otherwise, wouldn't it have been more carefree and fulfilling to shape an entire continent on your own?

"This time, the Overlord Competition will include the proposal of the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations. If it's executed well, it could drastically reduce the number of immortals, which would be a significant achievement for both the Astral World and the broader universe.

"With such merit and fortune, someone will undoubtedly break through the barriers and ascend to the Supreme Realm... But if it's mishandled, it could severely disrupt the current balance of the Existence faction."

Mo Xuantian sighed. "We're in a time of great upheaval. Our Human Race hasn't yet approved the proposal, because what we need most right now is time.

"If we can maintain steady growth, our population will be large enough that more Tyrants, Sacred Monarchs, and Heavenly Emperors will undoubtedly emerge in the future.

"And the more we have, the greater the chances of someone reaching the Supreme Realm... The future belongs to our people."

At this point, he shook his head. "Unfortunately, the broader trend cannot be resisted. Forget about other races standing by and watching it happen. According to Supreme Primordial's observation of fortune, the very nature of our race's destiny seems to be shifting because we've been delaying the implementation of the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations.

"Given these circumstances, we have no choice but to push forward with the proposal."

A gleam appeared in Li Pin's eyes. "So... does that mean this session's Ten Thousand Tribes Dominion War will be even more spectacular than before?"

"Likely only second to events like the Path of Transcendence, the Supreme Ladder, and the Domain-Defining War," Mo Xuantian replied. "In the grand sweep of history, it'll probably rank among the top hundred."

After speaking, he glanced at Li Pin. "Your victory in the Prodigy Competition was already a great contribution. As for the Overlord Competition... there's really no need to take any more risks. The timing isn't right."

"No, the timing is perfect," Li Pin said with a faint smile. "This is exactly when I should step in."

Mo Xuantian was at a loss for words. "You..."

In the end, he chose not to press further. They would see after Li Pin faced off against the likes of Luo Wuji and Zi Zaitian. If he could defeat them, it would prove he truly had what it took to participate in the Overlord Competition.

Since the Prodigy Competition preceded the Overlord Competition, a victory there could not only boost his fortune but also raise his cultivation level, giving him an even greater advantage when the time came. However, if he couldn't even surpass Zi Zaitian and Luo Wuji, then there would be no further discussion.

"You've been studying the Gate of Time and Space, so I imagine you've gained quite a bit already. Go and rest for a while, and digest what you've learned. In half a year, I'll personally take you to the Myriad Astral God Hall. That'll save you a lot of travel time," Mo Xuantian said.

Li Pin gave a slight nod. "Thank you."

Mo Xuantian Emperor smiled.

At that moment, his gaze toward Li Pin had already shifted. He no longer saw him as a junior, but as a peer, a fellow Heavenly Emperor. It wasn't just because Li Pin would represent humanity in the Ten Thousand Tribes Dominion War, fighting for their honor. It was also because... he held that single sliver of possibility.

Even if that possibility didn't exist, the fact that he came from the Sacred Flame Hall was reason enough to treat him with kindness. One day, that kindness might be returned in a way beyond expectations.

And this was precisely the original intent behind the Sacred Flame Hall's decision to selflessly establish the Humanity Sanctum and promote the Eternal Ascent of Humanity Initiative.

***

Half a year may have seemed like a short time, but that didn't mean nothing could be achieved.

Back at his residence, the first thing Li Pin did was enter the Illusion Pagoda to cultivate. However, this time, he wasn't practicing the Grand Oblivion Art or the Infinite Star Abyss Body. Instead, he focused on the Quantum Sword Intent.

The Quantum Sword Intent was closely linked to the Phantom Space Technique. It had even begun to evolve into a core divine ability of the technique itself.

While the third level of the Phantom Space Technique was still undeveloped, Li Pin's understanding of it was already clear. The only remaining requirement was mastery of the "space" law.

There were many ways to achieve that mastery, and one spatial supreme treasure would be enough.

The Ruoxi Sword, though slightly lower in tier compared to his current level, still carried the power of space. More than just space, the essence of this divine sword had reached the level of a Sovereign Divine Weapon, containing the power of both time and space.

Using it to make a breakthrough in the Quantum Sword Intent was well within reach.