Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent

Chapter 229: Challenge

Sizzle!

Li Pin quietly sensed the process of refining the Primordial Electric Crystal.

The electric currents surged wildly inside him, even disrupting the normal flow of his body's own currents, leaving him with a profound sense of weakness unlike anything he'd ever experienced.

He hadn't practiced the Thunder Meditation Art, since even the Thunderbolt Extreme Brilliance Technique could only provide vague guidance through meditation to digest the crystal's power.

Yet for him, as the Primordial Electric Crystal was refined, every thread of electric current unfolded with stunning clarity before him, every dissipation and absorption. Compared to the blurry guidance of meditation, this level of precision was incomparable.

It took several hours for the energy of the Primordial Electric Crystal to be fully refined.

Li Pin could feel a slight increase in the electromagnetic nature within his body. Though the change was minuscule, once activated, his entire being would enter a special state, similar to a stress response. His neural reactions and qi and blood circulation would be greatly amplified.

It was somewhat similar to the Zhulong of Time, but while one focused on a spiritual state, the other emphasized the physical.

"In theory, it's possible to use the power of electric currents to temper and refine the body at the cellular level. The Thunderbolt Extreme Brilliance Technique even mentions this concept. However, entering a 'stress response' state is already the limit of the meditation technique. To further manipulate the currents to enhance the body at a microscopic level... it's too difficult for martial artists."

Even Master Astral Cultivator, as strong as they were, couldn't detect changes on a cellular level. But he could...

It's worth a try. Li Pin pondered.

Without hesitation, he circulated the Aura Force within his body. Under the guidance of his immense mental spirit and perception, the friction between his cells grew more intense.

Electricity dissipated between his cells, tempering and refining his body from its core.

However, this state lasted only for a moment before Li Pin was overwhelmed by deep exhaustion.

Minutes later, his face turned pale, and a thin line of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.

"My talent lets me sense changes on a cellular level, but trying to control them... is too mentally taxing. Even with top-tier astral equipment for support, it's still impossible."

Trembling, Li Pin lit a Spirit-Restoring Incense, closed his eyes, and began to recover his mental spirit.

A Mental Spirit of 30.98 was still too weak. He couldn't even sustain a complete round of cellular enhancement. Failing to complete a full round was like starting to build a road but stopping halfway. Not only did it fail to improve the road, but it also made the existing road even harder to travel.

"Recently, as my mental spirit steadily increased, my ability to harness my talent also improved. But to achieve precise cellular-level manipulation, even a mental spirit of thirty-five might not be enough."

Unless....

Li Pin opened his eyes. "The legendary astral equipment."

Mastering the Lifeform Force Field would require him to use the legendary astral equipment. Furthermore, if he wanted to accelerate the process of enhancing his physique with electric currents, he would also need to use it. But its use came at the steep price of three hundred thousand. That was no small amount.

Many Martial Saints risked their lives carrying out reconnaissance missions in perilous regions, but even they might not accumulate three-hundred thousand points in a year.

"I have only three days left before my newcomer protection period ends," Li Pin murmured to himself. "The members of the Dragon Gate Hall sure stick to the rules. They said a month, and they really won't challenge me until the full month is up? Don't they realize that the 'month' is just an unspoken rule, not a strict mandate?"

He rested for several more hours, and once he had mostly recovered, he stepped out of the training room.

The room's excellent soundproofing had kept him from hearing any noise outside. But as soon as he walked out, he quickly sensed the presence of a dozen or so people surrounding the mansion.

Zhang Yuesheng was already speaking with them.

As Li Pin made his way into the courtyard, he heard Zhang Yuesheng's voice, "Please leave immediately... Can you bear the consequences of disturbing a Dragon Prince during cultivation? Don't make me report this to the Dragon Gate Hall's Law Enforcement Department."

"Heh, trying to scare us? We're just waiting outside, not even stepping into the mansion. How is that disturbing a Dragon Prince's cultivation?"

"Li Pin! Stop hiding in there. I know you're home. If you have the nerve to be second on the Hidden Dragon List, then come out and prove it!"

"Hah! What a joke. The one who ranks second on the Hidden Dragon List doesn't even dare to accept a challenge? How does someone like that have the audacity to remain second on the list? It's a disgrace to the Dragon Gate Hall!"

Various voices kept coming from outside.

Though the insults were direct, the sarcastic undertones in his words were equally cutting. Nôv(el)B\\jnn

But... that wasn't the point. The real point was...

Li Pin was momentarily stunned. "Did someone challenge me?"

He quickly strode toward the courtyard gate, his voice echoing before he arrived. "Mr. Zhang? What's happening? Did someone challenge me!?"

"Dragon Prince Li." Zhang Yuesheng quickly bowed and greeted him. "I apologize for the disturbance to your cultivation. Rest assured, I will contact the Enforcement Division to ensure they do not linger outside your courtyard any longer—"

"Wait, that's not the point," Li Pin interrupted, extending his hand. "Has someone challenged me recently?"

"Yes...." Zhang Yuesheng nodded. "Eight people have issued challenge letters to you. However, during this crucial phase of your cultivation, you have been secluding yourself for intense training. To avoid distracting you with these minor matters, I—"

"Remember, from now on, unless I'm in the training room, whenever there's a challenge, you must bring the letter to me immediately," Li Pin instructed firmly.

"Understood."

Li Pin seemed to remember something and asked, "Has anyone issued a challenge using points?"

"Of course," Zhang Yuesheng replied. "Of the eight letters, the last five did."

Li Pin's eyes lit up. "How much?"

"Li Pin, it seems you are very confident in yourself." A middle-aged man from the group of onlookers at the gate stepped forward. "If you require points for a challenge, we will meet your demand! Zhou Tiandou challenged Song Wuya with a wager of one hundred thousand points, and our Coiled Dragon Association will match that with another one hundred thousand!"

"Hold on, there's no need to rush. We'll go in order, one at a time." Li Pin said, turning to Zhang Yuesheng. "Where are the challenge letters?"

"I'll go fetch them immediately," Zhang Yuesheng quickly explained. "Out of the five letters, three offered thirty-thousand, fifty-thousand, and sixty-thousand points, while the other two offered a hundred thousand each."

"Accept them all. Let's start with the ones who offered a hundred thousand," Li Pin said.

"Wait a minute! Li Pin, our Coiled Dragon Association's chairman, Zhao Yunlong, is willing to offer 150 thousand points to challenge you!" The middle-aged man shouted urgently from outside.

Li Pin's movement halted immediately. "150 thousand?"

Zhang Yuesheng quickly provided more information. "He was originally ranked tenth on the Hidden Dragon List. After Song Wuya's sudden rise, he dropped to eleventh, and now he's fallen to twelfth."

Li Pin was taken aback. He turned to the middle-aged man. "Are you representing Zhao Yunlong? Then you should know that in this year's World's Top Martial Competition, I was the champion, not Song Wuya."

"We're fully aware."

"Alright then. If your Coiled Dragon Association wants to be the first to challenge, you'll be the first. I accept," Li Pin accepted without hesitation.

As a member of the Dragon Gate Hall, he had no intention of pretending to be weaker than he was. He had already given them a fair warning, since they insisted on challenging him, he wouldn't refuse a paid sparring match.

They had only themselves to blame. Adults had to bear the consequences of their choices.

"Also, send word to everyone. If anyone wants to challenge me, I'll accept. The time will be set for three days from now."

Li Pin estimated he would fully recover within two days. Out of respect for his opponents, he chose to schedule the challenge for three days later, ensuring he would be in peak condition when facing the elites of the Dragon Gate Hall.

"All of them!?" Zhang Yuesheng was shocked. "Dragon Prince, if you proceed with this, your final challengers might number over a dozen. That means you'll face more than ten Martial Saints, each likely to be among the elite."

"I know." Li Pin nodded. "And to ensure fairness..."

He pondered for a moment.

Yes, adults had to bear the consequences of their own choices, but this battle was not just about confronting a powerful Martial Saint in an exhilarating clash. Winning meant earning tens of thousands of points, making it almost like a double victory.

The reward was so tempting that he couldn’t remain indifferent to it.

"In this kind of challenge, the challenger gains little beyond reputation but has to pay over a hundred thousand points. So... I promise that anyone who can defeat me in this battle will be allowed to challenge me in next year's Dragon Prince competitive challenge, with no restrictions on rules."

Zhang Yuesheng and the dozen or so people outside the mansion widened their eyes in surprise. "No restrictions on the rules!?"

What was the greatest safeguard of Li Pin's identity as a Dragon Prince? It's the fact that each Dragon Prince could set their own challenge rules during the competition, as long as they weren't overly harsh.

For example, some female Dragon Prince might restrict challengers to women only, while those skilled in swordsmanship might require challengers to wield a sword.

Li Pin could easily establish a rule that only those of the same age could challenge him.

This rule would be fair.

Even if Dragon Gate Hall felt this restriction would limit his challengers, at most, they could only adjust it to include only challengers of his age or younger.

Given the strength he displayed in the World's Top Martial Competition... who under twenty-four could possibly defeat him?

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that his Dragon Prince status was more secure than Zhao Yushi, Song Wuya, or the Great Sun Chosen One.

Yet now, he was willingly giving up this "rule restriction."

And the only price? Simply beating him in this challenge!?

What was this!? It was practically handing out a free Dragon Prince spot!

"Li Pin, are you serious!?" A middle-aged man exclaimed. "If you're telling the truth, then I want to challenge you too!"

"Dragon Prince Li, please reconsider!" Zhang Yuesheng quickly tried to dissuade him.

"Of course, it's true." Li Pin waved his hand, giving a firm response. "If you want to challenge me, send in your challenge letter. But let me warn you, I am very strong. To avoid wasting your points, you'd better think it through. That's all I have to say."