Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent-Chapter 459: Unite

Yuan Zhenchuan explained, "That's because... the Flaming Dragon Empire is being completely suppressed. Their communications, economy, trade, and transportation were completely blocked by the Divine Dragon Empire.

"The reason they haven't been wiped out is because their survival requirements are extremely low.

"In other words, their environment is so harsh that conquering their home planet has little strategic value for the Divine Dragon Empire. And of course, they can't annihilate them entirely out of consideration for the Homo Sapien Alliance."

The group quickly understood the situation.

Xie Longcheng's expression was grim. He asked, "So, the Divine Dragon Empire is truly an unshakable overlord in the Dragon Swamp Nebula?"

"Yes," answered Yuan Zhenchuan, sighing. "From the information we've gathered, the six Legendary figures in the Divine Dragon Empire include Yan Zhong, Yan Huang, Mo Chuan, and Emperor Yan Hui, all of whom are Early-Stage Legends."

He paused. "In the vast universe, seventy to eighty percent are Early-Stage Legends. In the Divine Dragon Empire, the only Tier Two Legends are Yu Shengjin and... the Supreme Emperor Yan Zun, who is said to have many connections in the Yin Luo Council."

The others' expressions turned serious.

"Yan Zun...."

This intelligence was considered one of the most sensational reports in the Dragon Swamp Nebula over the past ten stellar years.

Three stellar years ago, a Legend from the Flaming Dragon Empire relied on Astral God Yin Luo's power to break through to Tier Two. With this power, they could shake the orbit of a celestial body two thousand kilometers in diameter.

At the time, the Flaming Dragon Empire, in alliance with the Golden Glory Federation and the Demonic Dragon Clan—which had already been invaded by the Divine Dragon Empire—tried to challenge the Divine Dragon Empire's dominance.

The Flaming Dragon Empire made rapid progress at first, but once Yan Zun arrived, he crushed their main forces in just forty-two days and returned with the head of the Tier Two Legendary Expert.

Then they moved on, continuing their destruction of other nations. The Demonic Dragon Clan was annihilated, and their planet became the fourth primary planet of the Divine Dragon Empire—Demonic Dragon Star.

The Golden Glory Federation collapsed into a three-stellar-year-long civil war.

To this day, the once powerful Golden Glory Federation has been utterly crippled, reduced to ruins. Even its local Legends dared not return, hiding in other star regions, barely surviving.

The Flaming Dragon Empire, which had provoked the Divine Dragon Empire, was now fully sealed off.

Had they not spent vast sums to purchase a Stellar-Class Star Destroyer from certain "arms dealers" who didn't want the Dragon Swamp Nebula unified, the Flaming Dragon Empire would have been obliterated by now. After all, the Divine Dragon Empire didn't dare risk the loss of a primary planet to test whether the destroyer's main cannon could fire properly.

Even so, with the Divine Dragon Empire's blockade, the Flaming Dragon Empire was rapidly deteriorating.

Maintaining the Stellar-Class Star Destroyer cost the Flaming Dragon Empire astronomical sums each year. To avoid detection by the Divine Dragon Empire, the destroyer must stay operational and in stealth mode, draining the empire's finances.

If not for the presence of another Legend in the Flaming Dragon Empire, who had used overwhelming force to suppress the ongoing rebellions, the entire regime would have already been replaced by one secretly supported by the Divine Dragon Empire.

Fan Xiu said, "I heard from someone in the Black Dragon Clan... that the one in question has reached Tier Three Legend?"

"The Black Dragon Clan has been scared out of their wits. A Tier Three Legend?" Wan Guliu said indifferently. "Why not say they've reached Planet Pulverizer level?

This term was introduced after Gaia's contact with cosmic civilizations.

A Power Level of 10,000—the ability to destroy a planet with a single strike. Such beings were considered powerful across the universe. They were as powerful as a Demigod at maximum burst power.

However, compared to the slow-moving Demigods, the deterrence of a Tier Three Legend at the Planet Pulverizer level was far greater.

Here, the term "Planet Pulverizer" didn't just refer to destroying a planet's civilization. It referred to the complete changing in the planet's internal structure to cause its collapse, or changing its orbit to send it crashing into a star.

It was essentially using one's own power to shatter a planet and reduce it to rubble, sending the debris out of the star system.

The energy released in such an explosion was equivalent to the total energy a standard star emits in one day. It's comparable to the combined energy a planet gathered from a star's rays over ten million years.

While destroying a planet like Gaia might be difficult, one punch could easily sink Gaia's continental plates and annihilate all life.

When the enemy possessed such power, any form of resistance became meaningless.

Except for high-level cosmic civilizations, no newly emerged cosmic civilization would dare challenge such terrifying life forms.

Yuan Zhenchuan explained, "Believing it's a Tier Three Legend is self-deception, but a Tier Two Legend is certain.

"Even within different tiers, there are marked differences in strength. The strongest Tier Two Legend could easily defeat three or four of the weakest Legends in the same tier.

"If it's a Tier Two Legend... then we..." said Wu De, glancing upward towards the direction of Planet Taibai.

Clearly, he was considering whether Gaia's only "Legendary" combat force could stand against Yan Zun's power.

The Solar Radiance Sovereign responded, "Not necessarily. To the Divine Dragon Empire, Yan Zun is a stabilizing force, a true pillar of the nation.

"A powerhouse capable of holding the fate of an entire empire would never act recklessly. If he did, even the slightest loss would invite a feeding frenzy, and the entire empire would collapse."

He continued quickly, "From the intelligence I've gathered recently, the Divine Dragon Empire's attack on us stems from their belief that we are weak and unworthy of their attention. As long as we show enough strength, they will respect us."

Yuan Zhenchuan nodded. "With the second phase approaching and the Homo Sapien Alliance envoys soon arriving, the Divine Dragon Empire would prefer to avoid complications. So, fending off this wave of attack is crucial."

"Yes," another added, "Repelling this assault will prove we belong among the cosmic civilizations. If we don't engage and show our strength, other civilizations will just ignore us."

Someone suggested, "Let's discuss how to handle the battle then."

The group, now somewhat reassured, began analyzing the potential forces the Divine Dragon Empire might send and how to respond.

"According to the intelligence gathered from various sources, the Divine Dragon Empire typically sends one or two legions, consisting of ten to twenty thousand soldiers, to deal with planets like ours.

"Each legion will have hundreds of Heavenly Realm Experts. The Top-Tier experts usually serve as the legion commander, accompanied by eight to ten standard Heavenly Realm practitioners. If two legions are sent—"

"Alright, let's base our defense on two legions."

"The number of Heavenly Realm cultivators isn't too concerning. What worries me is the possibility of them deploying Legends—"

Someone interjected, "No need to worry! The Divine Dragon Empire has begun treating Yu Shengjin cautiously ever since he became a Tier One Legend.

"They won't deploy a Tier One Legend unless it's an all-out war. As for the other four Legends... Yan Hui, as the emperor, would never lead the charge. The other three are stationed on the three primary planets, so it's unlikely they'll intervene directly."

"If no Legends are involved directly, we should be fine. Let's decide how to fight. But we should avoid causing too many casualties to prevent making lifelong enemies."

"Exactly," another agreed. "Hall Master Li still needs time to grow, so we shouldn't attract Yan Zun's attention too early. My suggestion is to show enough strength to make them back off."

The group debated the best approach.

Gradually, the discussion shifted from how to win the war to how to minimize casualties.

Finally, Xie Longcheng couldn't hold back. "Everyone, you're clearly forgetting that the Divine Dragon Empire is much stronger than we are. How can we not go all out in this war but instead hold back? What kind of attitude is that?"

The room fell silent.

After a long pause, Fan Xiu spoke. "We're trying to protect Hall Master Li. The tree that stands out in the forest is always the first to be struck by the wind, and the Flaming Dragon Empire is the best example.

"Once the Divine Dragon Empire realizes Hall Master Li's incredible talent, they will stop at nothing to suppress him. By then—"

"Is the Hall Master someone who fears suppression?" Xing Ying said calmly. "Those that fail to break him will only make him stronger."

Her gaze swept over the room. "Or are you worried you won't be able to hold out?"

The room went quiet.

After a moment, Yuan Zhenchuan said, "We really don't have many choices. Don't forget, Gaia has already been fully integrated into the Divine Dragon Empire. Even with the second phase starting, we won't have access to the Homo Sapien Alliance's support. We can only rely on ourselves."

He swept his gaze across the room. "At this point, only one of our civilizations can survive. I know many of you are thinking that we should fight a war to prove our strength to the Divine Dragon Empire and then accept their submission. But I believe Hall Master Li will never accept such an outcome."

Yuan Zhenchuan stood up, decisively swinging his hand. "The only thing we can do now is win, no matter the cost!"

Several Heavenly Realm Experts' expressions subtly changed.

"I have a proposition," Yuan Zhenchuan said. "Civilizational legacy is the foundation of all that Gaia stands for. Anyone advocating surrender should be executed!"

Xie Longcheng was the first to speak. "Agreed!"

"I agree!" Solar Radiance Sovereign added, his voice grave. "Disrupting our forces' morale must not be allowed. This is the correct course."

After their statements, the room fell silent as the Heavenly Realm Experts exchanged glances, but no one else spoke.

At that moment, Ge Lin slowly stood up. "If Martial God Li cannot do it, I will! Anyone who sows discord will be treated as a traitor to Gaia. I have raised this sword for fifteen years. Slaying Heavenly Realm Experts may be hard, but killing the first traitor is no challenge."

Seeing the former Supreme Expert speak, many in the room visibly shifted.

Wu De spoke up immediately, "The Star Alliance agrees."

Xiao Donghai, also from the Royal Empire, followed. "Agreed."

Other Heavenly Realm Experts nodded in agreement.

"We stand with Lord Yuan Zhenchuan's decision."

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"Agreed."

***

Thus, Gaia unified under a single resolve, prepared to face the first wave of attack from the Divine Dragon Empire.