Planet Pulverizer: A Mortal's Ascent

Chapter 155: Rules

Li Pin studied the map.

The Shadow Forest was three times as large as the Taibai Kingdom in terms of size, covering nearly 19 million square kilometers.

Just imagining the number of animals living in such a dense jungle was enough to make one's scalp tingle.[1] Moreover, animals weren't the only living creatures evolving under the starlight, so were the plants.

Even with advanced technology and weaponry, flattening such a perilous region was little more than a fantasy.

Of course, ferocious beasts and demonic creatures occasionally fought and killed each other. It wasn't that humans were the nemesis of these creatures... For millions of years, humans had been the rulers of Gaia, facing opposition from all other species. Because of this, they faced the most severe challenges.

If the human race were willing to contract their territory and abandon more than half their land, they could ensure complete safety. However, with the arrival of the Astral God accelerating the evolution of both humans and other species on Gaia, retreating now would mean missing a prime opportunity

If humans slowed their evolution for the sake of comfort, while demonic creatures advanced through intense evolution, they would inevitably lose their dominance over Gaia. At that point, humans would be like lions—once kings of the beasts but now nearly extinct and confined to zoos, unable to reclaim their former glory

Su Mai said, "In recent years, we have entered the Shadow Forest countless times in multiple attempts to reclaim this plot of land, but... the Shadow Forest is too vast, and we have too few forces at our disposal.

"The only thing we can do is draw a red line for those ferocious beasts and demonic creatures that are gradually gaining intelligence. They need to know that anyone daring to cross this line will face a thunderous and inevitable death."

Tuo Bahai and Zhao Xingge stared at the map, their expressions growing more heavy.

"This area is your competition zone. We call it Snake Valley."

Su Mai circled a land area of about one hundred thousand square kilometers.

"This region has been cleared several times by the Tianyuan Federation over the past year, and there are almost no powerful ferocious beasts or demonic creatures present. Additionally, they have established a town here to serve as a foothold for the gradual encroachment into the Shadow Forest. In certain situations, this area is considered safe."

"So, there could be unforeseen situations?" Li Pin asked.

Su Mai nodded. "Of course, hunting ferocious beasts and demonic creatures is no game. Danger lurks everywhere and can strike at any time. You must adapt to this and be prepared for any unexpected encounters.

"The area around this town has been thoroughly inspected multiple times to minimize accidents. If you still fall due to unforeseen circumstances despite these precautions, you can only blame it on your own bad luck."

Su Mai glanced at Su Feiyu as he spoke. "In the face of danger, everyone is equal."

Li Pin listened without asking any more questions.

Meanwhile, Tuo Bahai and Zhao Xingge both felt immense pressure. According to Su Mai, if even the Sixth Princess could face danger and possibly die, their own fates seemed even more precarious.

"The rules of the competition... are almost non-existent," Su Mai explained. "You will receive a device. The preliminary round's time limit is half a month. Within these two weeks, you can choose to withdraw from the round whenever you feel like it—whether that is because you feel you have accumulated enough points or you feel endangered.

"During those two weeks, you will need to hunt ferocious beasts and demonic creatures constantly. Each beast or demonic creature has a different point value. The ten individuals with the highest scores will secure a spot in the top ten of the World's Top Martial Competition!"

"Are there rules to hunting?" Tuo Bahai was taken aback. "What if two people team up?"

"Not allowed," Su Mai replied. "There are only two rules. First, astral equipment that's high-grade or above cannot be used. Second, participants must face the ferocious beasts and demonic creatures alone to complete the objectives. Nothing else."

"Given that this area's ferocious beasts and demonic creatures have been cleared several times. Is it fair to assume that their numbers are now low?" Li Pin asked.

"Rest assured, the monitoring department estimates that there are still several thousand to ten thousand beasts remaining, enough for over a hundred of you to hunt," Su Mai reassured them.

Li Pin looked at him. "No, what I mean is, since there are only two rules, if I'm unlucky and don't encounter any ferocious beasts or demonic creatures for several hours, or even a day or two, can I leave the competition area and search for ferocious beasts and demonic creatures elsewhere?"

Su Mai was momentarily taken aback, but then responded with certainty. "Yes!"

He smiled and elaborated, "However, once you leave this area that has been cleared multiple times, your chances of encountering powerful ferocious beasts and demonic creatures will significantly increase. If you need to signal for help and abandon the competition, it will take the rescue team longer to reach you. So, it will come down to whether you dare to be subject to those circumstances."

Li Pin's question caught the attention of everyone present, even the Sixth Princess, prompting her to glance at him.

Obviously, she had learned all the competition's rules in advance, but this question Li Pin presented... it had never crossed her mind.

"I can tell you that the ferocious beasts in the Shadow Forest are mainly Demonic Cats, Yetis, Giant Spiders, Man-Eating Flowers, Scarlet Blood Snakes, and Tiger-Striped Pythons," Su Mai listed.

"Based on the qi and blood values we are most familiar with, the qi and blood of these beasts, roughly, is as follows: thirty for Demonic Cats, thirty-five for Yetis, forty for Giant Spiders, fifty for Scarlet Blood Snakes, and fifty-five for Tiger-Striped Pythons, and so on."

Su Mai paused. "Of course, just as ordinary people with no martial arts training have qi and blood ranging from ten to twenty, these beasts also vary in strength. These values I just mentioned were only the most basic level of strength, equivalent to a human with a qi and blood level of ten.

"In reality, ferocious beasts are always stronger than their baseline value. So, if you think that encountering a Demonic Cat warrants you rushing in with reckless confidence, you'll end up dead, with nothing left but bones."

Tuo Banhai asked, "Can the devices we are given differentiate between the strengths of the monsters and assign different points accordingly?"

"Unfortunately, no. A Demonic Cat, regardless of whether its qi and blood value was thirty or sixty, would earn you the same—seventeen points. For martial artists, judging the strength of ferocious beasts is as important as having a grasp over their own strength."

Before martial artists stepped onto the path of Astral Cultivator, their main role was to scout for ferocious beasts and demonic creatures. Hence observation skills were crucial.

"Before the top ten are vetted out, your main opponents are not the other participants but the ferocious beasts and demonic creatures. That's why I suggested you avoid people to prevent any potential conflicts. Even if you win a fight, you will inevitably be injured, which would put you at a disadvantage when hunting ferocious beasts and demonic creatures."

As Su Mai was explaining, he focused intently on Li Pin. "I know you seem to enjoy fighting strong opponents. If your score ranks you in the top ten, the other nine will give you plenty of tough battles. However, if you can't even make it to the top ten, you'll miss the chance to compete for the title of the world's top martial artist. That would be a regret in life."

Li Pin nodded. "I understand."

He had grown a bit tired of fighting martial artists. Battling ferocious beasts would be a refreshing change, allowing him to feel the difference between fighting beasts and martial artists.

"Li Pin, I actually have more confidence in you than in Feiyu. Even though both of you are Quasi-Martial Saints at the Spirit Force level, she has experienced far too few life-and-death battles.

"We may have trained her by having her fight death row inmates, and she's killed more than one powerful opponent, but fighting under supervision is completely different from experiencing an authentic life-or-death battle.

"You, however, have truly fought your way up. You have relied on your strength to climb up, bit by bit. So, if you manage to break into the top ten, I can make you a promise."

Su Mai smiled. "I assume you have already experienced the three top-tier astral equipment at the Jiang Province Astral Hall by now?"

Li Pin's eyes lit up immediately. "Prince Su... you mean... if I make it into the top ten, you will give me a set of top-tier astral equipment?"

Su Mai's expression froze. "Uh..."

A set of top-tier astral equipment!?

Top-tier astral equipment was different from high-grade astral equipment. It was a strategic asset of a nation and extremely precious.

He quickly clarified, "Not as a gift, but for you to use! If you can make it into the top ten of the World's Top Martial Competition, I will personally ensure you receive a set of the same top-tier astral equipment for three years!"

"Three years... What if I place in the top three?" Li Pin asked.

"Top three?" Su Mai smiled. "Given your age, if you truly make it into the top three, the Dragon Gate Hall will undoubtedly award you the title 'Dragon Prince.' At that time, you'll have access to all the top-tier astral equipment you could possibly need."

Li Pin continued to look at Prince Su Mai, waiting for him to elaborate.

Seeing that casual remarks wouldn't suffice and considering the benefits if Li Pin could indeed reach the top three in the intermediate category of the World's Top Martial Competition at just twenty-three...

"If you can enter the top three, you can just have that set of astral equipment directly!" the prince said generously.

Li Pin gave a faint smile. "Thank you."

Su Feiyu looked at Li Pin and said, "You're quite confident. The top three spots will definitely be decided among Cheng Yufeng, the Great Sun Chosen One, Zhao Yushi, Song Wuya, and Duan Yidao. To secure a top-three finish, you'll have to defeat at least three of these five contestants."

"That is exactly my goal in participating in the World's Top Martial Competition," Li Pin said with a smile. "If possible, I hope to not just defeat three of them, but..."

Li Pin glanced over the materials before him. "Defeat all of them."

Tuo Bahai couldn't help but chuckle at Li Pin's words. "Heh."

Both Li Pin and Su Feiyu turned their gazes toward him right away, prompting him to quickly regain his composure.

"Do you find that amusing?" Su Feiyu asked coldly.

"No... no," Tuo Bahai hurriedly responded.

Martial Saint Tuo Bafeng snorted in dissatisfaction. "Hmph."

Tuo Bahai was his nephew and a junior he had high hopes for, but his behavior just now was truly disappointing.

Tu Bahai and Zhao Xingge were just here for the ride, so Su Mai ignored them and continued to brief Li Pin on the important details of the upcoming World's Top Martial Competition.

It wasn't until the train was about to arrive at the station that Li Pin, Tuo Bahai, and Zhao Xingge were allowed to go back, gather their belongings, and prepare to disembark.

After they had left, Su Mai turned his attention to Su Feiyu and asked with a smile, "How do you feel about him?"

Su Feiyu understood that her uncle was referring to Li Pin. She didn't shy away and replied openly, "Youthful ambition, with a heart as high as the sky. Not bad."

She paused. "However, whether his life is as fragile as paper... we'll have to wait until the end of the World's Top Martial Competition to find out."

"Alright, there's still time. Just let me know your decision before the competition ends."

1. suggest unease, fear, nervousness, causing a physical sensation, like a tingling sensation on the scalp. ☜