While speeding through the Astral World, Li Pin remarked sincerely, "If not for the pursuit of immortality, few would want to enter the Astral World." He had been travelling for over two years now. During this time, he had come to deeply understand how difficult life was for Astral Gods in the Astral World. Sasha responded with a smile, "That's not entirely true. Aside from immortality, the Astral World's unique environment provides immense benefits for cultivation. Your Highness, isn't that the very reason you chose to enter? "Besides... it's only difficult for the Divine Beings. For Legends, things are much simpler. Before becoming Astral Gods, most pledge allegiance to a Solar Flare. The moment they ascend, they receive the Solar Flare's protection, shielding them through their early struggles. "Once they solidify their energy form, they can even reside within the territories shaped by their patron Solar Flare. While they occasionally need to contribute to maintaining the territory's stability, at least they don't have to wander the Astral World, constantly facing danger like Divine Beings. "I finally understand why so many refuse to pursue Astral Godhood as Divine Beings, even though they're stronger than Tier Six Legends in the Material World," Li Pin remarked. "Some even see it as a dead end." Sasha replied, "That belief comes from generations of hard-earned experience. The success rate for Divine Beings is far lower than for those who serve a Solar Flare. "However, the Divine Beings aren't completely without options. They can form loose alliances by merging dozens of floating islands together for mutual support. Whether they can truly stand united in times of crisis, though... well, that depends on the individuals involved." As Li Pin listened to Sasha's words, he felt a mix of emotions. "Starshine... Solar Flare..." In the Material World, Starshine Astral Gods were revered as myths and legends. In the Astral World, however, they were only average. Only by becoming a Solar Flare could one build cities, establish nations, and claim territory. And even then, to truly found a kingdom, a Cosmic Radiance was often necessary. Sasha suggested, "Your Highness, if you are finding it difficult, why not consider joining a faction? Forget second-tier empires or dynasties. Even among the six major powers, any of them would gladly welcome you with open arms." "The six major powers?" "Yes. The Myriad Astral God Hall, the Endless Divine Mountain, the Astral World Research Institute, the Omni-Merchant Guild, the Sacred Flame Hall, and the Heaven Ordainment Sect." Sasha explained, "Among them, the Astral World Research Institute operates directly under Supreme Regalheaven and remains detached from worldly affairs. "The others, however, control various territories—Endless Divine Mountain rules the Western Spirit Continent, the Omni-Merchant Guild is based in the Eastern Hua Continent, and Heaven Ordainment Sect has dominion over the Northern Xuan Continent. "The Sacred Flame Hall is a special case. It remains neutral and focuses on martial arts inheritance and research, maintaining branches across all continents, including the chaotic and lawless Southern Li Continent." She added, "Each of these continents stretches for tens of millions of miles, offering safety far beyond what the outer regions can provide. As long as one can gain a foothold there, Astral World Disasters are rarely a threat." "Securing a foothold... not so easy, is it?" Li Pin asked. Sasha replied, "Conflict was rampant across these continents in the past. But ever since the Supreme Council established the Myriad Astral God Hall to govern the major territories and restore order, large-scale warfare has diminished. Of course, with the hall's presence, there are now far more regulations to follow—it's a trade-off." Li Pin pondered for a moment before speaking. "So these continents serve as humanity's stronghold, gathering the race's greatest strengths?" "That's a fitting way to put it," replied Sasha. With a wave of her hand, Sasha conjured an image before them. "These four continents anchor the four cardinal directions, spanning the outer, inner, and core layers of the Astral World. "Above them, the Myriad Astral God Hall looms in the heavens. Below them lies a shadowed domain, an unspoken secret among the major factions—what people call the Shadow Region." She revealed a grand image of the Astral World. "These six territories form the heart of humanity here. Beyond them, islands, mountain ranges, and additional landmasses exist, but they face greater risks, either from natural disasters to foreign invasions. They can no longer be considered truly safe." "So these islands and mountain ranges serve as the first line of defense for the continents?" "They form the outer perimeter of humanity's domain. But the true border... lies in the battlefields against foreign races." Sasha waved her hand again, shrinking the image of the continents and revealing tens of thousands of crimson markers scattered across the map. "Humanity's domain in the Astral World is vast, yet the territories of foreign races extend just as far. Over three thousand species exist here. While some choose to serve humanity, many remain adversaries, making constant vigilance necessary. And as for hostile factions... well, you can imagine." "The battlefields against foreign races..." Li Pin gazed at the projection. It was the inevitable destination of nearly every Cosmic Radiance. Once cultivators achieved the Cosmic Radiance Realm, they'd have to rely on themselves to progress further. This applied to almost all human factions, including the Sacred Flame Hall. Most who sought further advancement would eventually set foot onto those battlefields, expanding humanity's territory. Figures like Yin Luo and Mu Hai had done the same. After spending years, perhaps even centuries, fighting on those frontlines, they might return and use their accumulated merits to claim a piece of land as their ancestral domain, establishing a legacy of their own. Or, they might choose to enter the Myriad Astral God Hall or other great factions and take on official positions. Some individuals, absolutely confident in their own strength, chose to live within the territories they had carved out for themselves. Though the safety was lacking, they enjoyed complete freedom, unbound by anyone's control. "We are currently near the Northern Xuan Continent, far from the battlefield of the foreign races. There is also no Abyssal Rift nearby, making this area relatively safe. As long as we remain cautious of lurking foreign beings and hostile Astral Gods, security shouldn't be an issue." As Shasha spoke, she marked their location on the map. "I thought we would head straight into the Human Race's core territory," Li Pin commented. "You are now the Sacred Child of the Humanity Sanctum and will eventually lean toward the Sacred Flame Hall. While the Sacred Flame Hall has a presence across all four continents, none of them is entirely under its control. Moreover..." Sasha paused before continuing, "In the more secure continents, forget accommodating a ten-kilometer-wide island, even a small river, a lake, or a hill likely already has an owner." She chuckled. "You never know how many factions and beings are tied to even the most remote corners of those continents." Li Pin was a bit surprised. "Is it really that extreme?" Sasha responded, "There was once an Astral God who, backed by his ancestral ties, tried to establish himself on the Western Ling Continent. But after barely lasting ten stellar years, he couldn't take it anymore and left for the outskirts to explore. "Before leaving, he even wrote a poem: 'A small temple, yet the winds of trouble rage. A shallow pond, yet the turtles abound. Hyenas scurry everywhere, and big shots fill the land.'"[1] "This poem... really drags the dignity of an Astral God down to the mundane," Li Pin mused. "Those continents are free from natural disasters and human conflicts, offering a place for eternal life. What Astral God wouldn't want to settle there? "But immortality brings its own problem—more and more Astral Gods accumulate without decreasing. Over countless years, those continents have become home to an overwhelming number of them." There was an amused tone in Sasha's voice as she explained, "A Cosmic Radiance whose ancestors had fought on the foreign battlefield was granted the privilege to choose between a plot of land or a decent position. "But since Astral Gods are practically immortal; territories and positions remain unchanged. The first generation of Cosmic Radiances have long monopolized everything, and they continue embedding their own people into the system. "With limited land and an ever-growing number of newcomers, it's not unusual to find a tiny department run by dozens of administrators or a small plot of land occupied by dozens of Astral Gods." Listening to Shasha's description, Li Pin couldn't shake the feeling that it all sounded strangely familiar. Sasha continued, "In the end, the problem lies in Astral Gods being eternal and undying. While the borders of human territories face natural disasters, foreign conflicts, and constant movement, the situation is different on those continents. "Natural disasters are blocked, foreign threats are eradicated, and the Astral Gods living there face no danger at all. They can exist indefinitely, and if they desire entertainment, they can just send an avatar to the Material World to indulge. Why risk their true bodies?" She shared, "It's said that the Supreme Council noticed this issue long ago and even gathered data. Shockingly, nearly ninety percent of the Astral Gods on those continents haven't cultivated for over an era. After all... cultivation carries risks. In other words, they remain stagnant at their current level, simply enjoying their immortality." Li Pin questioned, "If ninety percent of Astral Gods no longer cultivate, can they even be considered elite of the Human Race?" "That's why, while those continents may be the foundation of the Human Race, calling them its elite is debatable." "The Supreme Council doesn't intervene?" "They proposed the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations plan. The plan is as follow: Astral Gods may be immortal, but they are required to face a calamity every ten thousand years and a major catastrophe every era, forcing them to break their cycle of eternal leisure and continue cultivating. But the plan faces immense resistance. To this day, it has yet to pass." Hearing that, Li Pin shook his head. Unlike Transcendent beings, every Supreme often has disciples and descendants. In fact, some have a considerable number of them If their disciples and heirs were truly made to endure the Three Calamities and Nine Tribulations, who knew how many would perish? Just then, Sasha's voice came through again. "Before we continue this discussion, there's a small heads-up. Would you like to hear it?" Li Pin immediately sensed something and turned his gaze into the distance. Ripples spread through the air as three streaks of light, nearly devoid of energy fluctuations, shot toward Li Pin at extreme speed. Alongside them came an excited voice that couldn't be suppressed. "Well, well, look what I found! A newly ascended Astral God! And one who broke through via the Divine path!" The next moment, the three streaks of light accelerated abruptly, forming an Astral Formation to seal off the area, instantly surrounding Li Pin. 1. A Chinese idiomatic expression that conveys chaotic, disordered situation where many insignificant people try to act important or dominant, similar to a small place being overrun by troublemakers or individuals with inflated egos. ☜