Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent-Chapter 476: Astral World

In the entire Dragon Swamp Nebula, three Tier One Legends were virtually equivalent to invincible-level combat power

Factions like the Celestial Dragonian and Burning Sun Nations undoubtedly possessed Tier One Legends. However, the defeat of Yan Zun, a peak Tier Two Legend, at Li Pin's hands instilled deep fear in them. Even the boldest among them dared not challenge the authority of Gaia civilization at this moment.

Under such circumstances, the takeover of other primary and resource planets proceeded smoothly despite Gaia's severe lack of Heavenly Realm practitioners.

Naturally, some benefits were inevitably siphoned away in secret. With manpower stretched thin, Yuan Zhenchuan and the others could do little more than document such cases and plan to settle accounts later.

***

A month later.

While Yuan Zhenchuan and the others remained occupied, Li Pin returned to Gaia, triumphant and laden with success.

***

Hualong Mountain.

Once an unremarkable range even during the Great Moon era, Hualong Mountain had become a sacred place for all martial artists.

Ever since the Celestial Martial God Hall held the first Skill Crystal Auction, vast investments had poured into Hualong Mountain and its surroundings. After years of development, the region's growth rivaled that of Taibai City.

With all buildings and facilities newly constructed, the area radiated a sense of prosperity and renewal. Even the flowers and plants on Hualong Mountain were meticulously maintained by professionals. Years of care had transformed the mountain into a place of extraordinary beauty.

At the garden atop the mountain, Xing Ying stood nearby, quietly serving tea and water.

Si Xing sat before Li Pin, sharing some general knowledge. "In the vast cosmos, the realms before the Astral God are called the Nine Tiers of Ascension. Some exclude the first three stages and simplify it to the Six Tiers of Ascension.

"If a Tier Three Legend fails to comprehend inner spirit for a long time, they must choose the path of Demigods. This leads to either the Ten or Seven Tiers of Ascension, what is known as the Sacred Road."

He spoke calmly. "The Nine Tiers of Ascension, along with Demigods advancing to the tenth tier, represent the generally accepted path to the Astral God. While some civilizations have different names for their cultivation systems, they all align with this framework of nine and ten Tiers."

"Divine..." Li Pin contemplated briefly. He then asked, "If Tier Three Legends can advance to Tier Four by comprehending inner spirit, what about Tier Five and Six? How do they differ? And what distinguishes the Divine from Legends?"

Si Xing explained, "The Heaven-Subjugating Technique mentions this, though it's incomplete. Compared to Tier Four, Tier Five Legends are defined by mastery of inner spirit.

"At this stage, they gain the qualification to refine Astral World Fragments and ascend to the Divine realm. However, unless forced by the threat of imminent death, most Legends will endure and advance to Tier Six."

"Why?" Li Pin looked surprised. "Achieving the Divine Realm can also lead to becoming an Astral God. Besides, the Divine's combat strength surpasses Tier Six Legends, doesn't it? Why would Tier Five Legends rather endure such torment at their current level instead of transitioning to the Divine path?"

He paused, as if realizing something. "Is it because Astral World Fragments are too valuable?"

"The value of Astral World Fragments is one reason, but the core issue lies in the difference between Legends and the Divine." Si Xing stopped briefly before explaining further. "More precisely, it's about their control over their own power."

Li Pin listened attentively as Si Xing continued without reservation.

"When it comes to power control, we must address a concept that no great figure can ignore—the Astral World."

Si Xing asked, "What do you think the Astral World is?"

"The Astral World?" Li Pin thought for a moment and shared his limited understanding. "It might be like the Celestial Core to a planet. It belongs to the universe's core, yet its influence radiates outward through force fields, allowing all beings to perceive its existence."

Si Xing replied, "Celestial Core and planets... Your analogy is somewhat close."

He paused briefly, then continued, "In ancient times, the Astral World had other names: the Phantom Realm, Void Realm, the Reversal Realm, the Eternal Realm.

"After countless years of research by the strongest beings, they gradually arrived at a conclusion—the Astral World might be the other side of the universe."

"The other side of the universe?"

"Exactly. Just as the Material World has concepts like matter and antimatter, or existence and void, the Astral World reveals features of the universe's opposite side to some extent.

"For example, when beings complete the Nine Tiers of Ascension and merge with the Astral World to become Astral Gods, their true bodies reside within the Astral World, while their will projects into the physical world.

"The forward and backward flow of time cancel each other out, resulting in a constant, eternal state."

Si Xing paused, then added, "In this way, Astral Gods... achieve immortality."

Li Pin's heart trembled. "Immortality?"

Not longevity, but true immortality?

Si Xing affirmed, "Yes, immortality. Astral Gods are virtually immune to death caused by the passage of time. Each Astral God is immortal.

"Since they have merged with the other side of the universe, even if their bodies in this world are destroyed, they can resurrect from the other side. To them, what is destroyed here in the Material World is merely a projection."

"Unless their original body in the Astral World is destroyed?" Li Pin asked solemnly.

"Exactly." Si Xing nodded. "But the Astral World is profound and unfathomable. Before its collapse, no one could kill an Astral God within the Astral World once they had merged with it."

Li Pin's heart tightened. It was now clear to him why the Astral God system was the most formidable: immortality and invincibility rendered it unparalleled.

"However, things have changed. The Astral World has shattered." Si Xing sighed. "I don't know why it broke, but it did scatter into countless fragments. Due to its nature, it absorbs all available power to repair itself. We call this power the Eternal Oblivion."

He pondered for a moment, seemingly deciding how to phrase his thoughts, before speaking up. "Once you release a Heavenly Realm Astral Technique after merging with the Astral World, it will be sensed by the omnipresent Eternal Oblivion Force.

"From that point on, if you wish to remain active in the Astral World, you'll have to constantly maintain that level of energy expenditure. Otherwise, your true self, having merged into the Astral World, will be gradually consumed until it ceases to exist."

Li Pin was shocked. "Releasing a single Heavenly Realm Astral Technique means you must constantly sustain Heavenly Realm-level energy consumption just to exist in the Astral World!?"

Li Pin quickly pieced it together. "What about a Legendary Astral Technique?"

"It would naturally require Legendary-level energy consumption. If an Astral God goes all out, it escalates to Astral God-level."

Si Xing continued, "Sometimes, you might notice many Astral Gods in the Astral World releasing energy fluctuations so powerful they seem capable of destroying entire star systems.

"But the burden they bear is immense, on the verge of breaking them. To put it simply, if their Power Level is 1 million, but they previously released an attack worth 990 thousand, they are burdened by 990 thousand units of Eternal Oblivion Force.

"What they can use next is just 10 thousand. If they exceed that limit, the only outcome which awaits them will be being consumed by Eternal Oblivion."

Li Pin was blown away. "I see..."

"Now that you understand the Astral World's nature, let's talk about stability," Si Xing said. "I mentioned earlier that if the Eternal Oblivion force senses a Heavenly Realm Astral Technique, it becomes crucial.

"For a power to burden an Astral God, the Eternal Oblivion must sense it. However, if the attacking Astral God can ensure that the energy they release is fully absorbed by the opponent—killing them without any energy leakage—then the Eternal Oblivion won't notice. In that case, there's no need to worry about the burden."

"You mean if the attack is fully absorbed by the other Astral God, it won't increase the burden brought about by the Eternal Oblivion? What if the opponent intentionally tricks you into using a powerful attack?"

Si Xing smiled. "Good question. That's the key point. In the Astral World, where everyone must be cautious to avoid having their power sensed by Eternal Oblivion, no one can fully gauge another's strength.

"You might misjudge an opponent with only 100 thousand Power Level and accidentally unleash an attack worth a million. Even if you kill them, you'll still bear the burden of 900 thousand Eternal Oblivion Force."

Li Pin's expression grew odd. "So, in the Astral World, when two individuals fight to the death, both pay a price, regardless of who wins."

Si Xing nodded. "That's why Astral Gods rarely engage in combat within the Astral World unless there's a significant reward. If they must fight, they do so in the Material World, or send their subordinates to battle. With some luck, a few weak subordinates might even drag a powerful Astral God to mutual destruction."

He paused. "Of course, that's the ideal scenario. But in reality, after countless years, every Astral God has become incredibly cautious.

"Their perception and control over their power are unmatched. If they can't find someone's identity in the Astral World, they'll investigate in the real world. Once they locate the target, testing with avatars is often enough to confirm their suspicions."

"But that approach costs too much time and human resources," Li Pin responded.

Si Xing continued, "Exactly. That's why you'll see a newly ascended Astral God chatting amicably with the oldest ones.

"You’ll also see the most powerful figures in the Astral World treating newcomers with care. Regardless of whether they are newly ascended or ancient and mighty, as long as there’s no absolute conflict of interest, everyone seems to coexist harmoniously."

"The world of Astral Gods..." murmured Li Pin.

He wasn't sure how to respond.

Si Xing asked, "Does it sound strange? But think about it. All Astral Gods, regardless of their rank, live in peace and share eternal life. Isn't that far better than before the Astral World was fractured?

"Even newly ascended ones don't have to worry about being oppressed by the ancient ones. It's almost true equality—a perfect harmony."

"Is that even possible?" Li Pin frowned. "Would beings who stop at nothing to ascend to Astral Godhood really settle for the status quo?"

Si Xing grew silent. After a long pause, he spoke. "You're right. It's impossible. Many Astral Gods hope their descendants or successors will ascend and enjoy eternal life.

"Some even harbor ambitions of refining all Astral World Fragments after its destruction, hoping to control the entire Astral World.... They won't let such harmony last forever."

A realization flashed through Li Pin's mind. "Tier Six Legendaries!?"

"Exactly, Tier Six Legendaries." Si Xing nodded gravely. "These unique beings can sense and enter the Astral World. But since they haven't merged with it, they're not affected by the Eternal Oblivion Force."