Chapter 311: Indulgence

Meng Chuan observed from the side, thinking, "This must be the cultivation speed of truly exceptional talents. Junior Brother Yan is five years younger than me, yet he reached the 'Dao Realm Peak' before I did. Junior Brother Xue Feng, who is five years my senior, has already reached the 'Dharma Domain Realm.' And I am still stuck at the 'Dao Realm Great Perfection.'"

Acknowledging the disparity, Meng Chuan did not belittle himself.

Among billions of people in the world, there are always those with outstanding talent in every generation; no one can surpass everyone in every aspect. It was enough to recognize his own strengths and weaknesses. His strength lay in his proficiency in the primordial spirit aspect, while his weakness was a relatively slower improvement in skill realm. This slowness was only apparent when compared to figures like Xue Feng and Yan Chitong.

"It doesn't matter if my skill realm progresses slowly," Meng Chuan thought to himself. "As long as I cultivate diligently, once I reach the fifth layer of the primordial spirit and the Dharma Domain Realm, I will be able to cultivate to the 'Blood Droplet Realm.' In the Blood Droplet Realm, my efficiency in hunting demon kings underground will be more than ten times what it is now. I alone will surpass the efficiency of all other Godfiends in the world. That's when I can make my greatest contribution!"

The Blood Droplet Realm would be his most brilliant moment.

As for wanting to be even more brilliant?

Reaching the seventh layer of the primordial spirit would only offer auxiliary help to humanity, unless he achieved the eighth layer, which could potentially end the war. However, while he had some confidence in reaching the seventh layer with his talent, the eighth layer? That hope was very slim. Even if he did achieve it, it would likely be hundreds or even thousands of years from now. Would the demon race give humanity that much time?

"If I reach the Blood Droplet Realm and hunt down enough demon kings across the land, it will be enough to influence the war, and perhaps we can win."

"If we win... then the world will be at peace."

"That would be wonderful."

"Then I can spend some truly carefree days with Qiyue." Meng Chuan smiled faintly; those would be the most pleasant days.

Although he had sworn since childhood to eradicate all demons in the world and was willing to stake his life, what he truly yearned for most was peace throughout the land.

"Time to continue cultivating." Meng Chuan turned his gaze to the dazzling purple lightning tearing through the darkness and swung his demon-slaying saber.

From a distance, True Martial King glanced at Meng Chuan, who had resumed his cultivation, and secretly nodded. "He isn't swayed by external factors and cultivates diligently. No wonder he possesses the strength of a top-tier King Godfiend at such a young age."

True Martial King knew very well how crucial one's state of mind was.

Some people had high talent, but they would be ecstatic in success and anxious when falling behind, constantly comparing themselves to their peers. While it was good to be competitive and strive for first place in youth, for a true peerless expert, such "competitive comparison" was not beneficial.

A truly "mountain-like stable mind" was more conducive to cultivation. With such a mind, one could steadily advance at the fastest pace, transcending yesterday's self repeatedly, regardless of favorable or adverse circumstances.

"Among the three youngsters, Meng Chuan's talent is the worst," An Hai King remarked after a glance, then paid him no further attention.

He had even dismissed his own son, Xue Feng, from his mind, so naturally, he wouldn't care about Meng Chuan.

In his heart, there was only cultivation.

Having cultivated for many years, he believed in only one principle: relying on mountains makes them crumble, and relying on others is worse than relying on oneself.

He discarded everything that could affect him, dedicating all his thoughts to cultivation. Reaching the 'Grotto-Heaven Realm' within a century was also related to his resolute mindset; True Martial King had not been as advanced as An Hai King at that age.

It was the ninth month since their arrival in the World Gap, and Meng Chuan continued to diligently practice his saber arts.

In the distance, the scene of purple lightning resembling a colossal tree, with countless electric serpents tearing through the darkness, was truly stunning and beautiful. Even after seeing it repeatedly, Meng Chuan was still captivated by its splendor.

He immersed himself in that beauty, continuously practicing his saber.

"Whoosh."

With a single saber strike, ripples in the void parted to both sides, transforming into a dazzling bolt of lightning.

"Hmm?" This strike caught the attention of Yan Chitong, Xue Feng, True Martial King, and An Hai King. At their cultivation levels, they were highly sensitive to their surroundings. Since Meng Chuan had been practicing his saber arts for a long time, any transformation in his technique naturally wouldn't escape their notice.

"Congratulations, Senior Brother Meng," Yan Chitong said with a smile as he walked over, followed by Xue Feng.

Besides cultivating, they also frequently sparred.

The result of these spars... was Meng Chuan dominating them!

His saber technique was too fast, too fierce! Even without using primordial spirit mystic arts, divine abilities, or a malevolent aura domain, purely relying on the brute strength of his 'Immortal Realm' body and his unparalleled speed, he left Yan Chitong and Xue Feng utterly helpless. Each time, Meng Chuan's saber easily rested against their necks.

The strength of a top-tier King Godfiend was far superior to that of Yan Chitong and Xue Feng. Even Xue Feng was currently only at the threshold of becoming a King Godfiend.

"Senior Brother Meng's saber is getting faster and harder to block," Xue Feng said, shaking his head.

"Perhaps when Senior Brother Xue steps into the King Godfiend realm, gains an Unbounded Domain, and his true essence transforms, you might be able to put up a fight," Yan Chitong teased.

Xue Feng merely smiled without saying much.

Marquis Ziyu, an elder Marquis Godfiend who had long comprehended the Dharma Domain Realm, possessed profound accumulation and strength comparable to an ordinary King Godfiend. Yet, he had died at the hands of a fifth-level demon king.

That same fifth-level demon king had then been killed by Meng Chuan.

Xue Feng understood the disparity.

"I was able to master the 'Fifteen Swords of Golden Wind' because of a fortunate encounter," Xue Feng thought, looking at Meng Chuan with curiosity. "But Meng Chuan, despite his skill realm not being high, possesses the strength of a top-tier King Godfiend. He must have had some special encounters as well."

He could only speculate, as he was unaware of the existence of Cangyuan Grotto-Heaven.

In the past eight hundred years, Yuanchu Mountain had only allowed five disciples to enter Cangyuan Grotto-Heaven: True Martial King, An Hai King, and Meng Chuan had all been among them.

True Martial King also approached. He was well aware that, for both the sect and humanity, Meng Chuan was the most important person there! Before their arrival, the three Venerables had secretly instructed True Martial King: "If any unexpected incidents occur within the World Gap, you must protect Meng Chuan at all costs."

"At all costs?" True Martial King had been surprised.

"We have bestowed life-preserving items upon Meng Chuan, but within the World Gap, such items are useless. Therefore, you must watch over him carefully. When he becomes a King Godfiend, hunting demon kings, he alone will surpass all other Godfiends in the world."

"Oh? Then I shall protect Junior Brother Meng's safety, even if it costs me my life," True Martial King had vowed at the time. Therefore, after entering the World Gap, True Martial King had always remained close to Meng Chuan when encountering demons.

True Martial King walked over to Meng Chuan, Yan Chitong, and Xue Feng, smiling. "Congratulations, Junior Brother Meng. Do you have any ideas about breaking through to the Dharma Domain Realm now?"

"It's difficult," Meng Chuan shook his head. "Watching the world's birth, I know the direction, but I'm increasingly confused about how to achieve it."

"Take your time; it's inherently difficult to go from the Dao Realm Peak to the Dharma Domain Realm," True Martial King reassured him. Then he looked at Yan Chitong and Xue Feng. "You two shouldn't slack off either. Xue Feng, your primordial spirit cultivation is too slow. As for Junior Brother Yan... you are most lacking in the Dharma Domain Realm and primordial spirit."

Yan Chitong humbly lowered his head. "Yes, Senior Brother is right."

As they chatted, An Hai King cast a glance their way before continuing his cultivation, paying them no mind.

Days passed.

It was already the tenth month in the World Gap, and Meng Chuan looked at the distant scene of the world's birth with some confusion.

"How do I break through to the Dharma Domain Realm? I can't figure it out at all."

"How do yin and yang combine?"

"Oh, well."

"Even with the fortuitous opportunity in the World Gap, it took me over a decade to cultivate my Saber Dao to its peak. Reaching the Dharma Domain Realm might genuinely take another thirty to fifty years." Meng Chuan made this rational deduction based on the cultivation times of other Godfiends in history.

"I've been cultivating for so long; I might as well indulge myself for the last two or three months." Meng Chuan's eyes lit up; he could no longer resist.

With a wave of his hand.

A large stone appeared beside him, directly retrieved from his Grotto-Heaven Dharma Pearl.

"Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh." His Darkstar Domain directly cut the large stone, shaping it into a drawing table and a stone stool.

Meng Chuan sat on the stone stool, looked at the smooth tabletop, and nodded with satisfaction. With another wave of his hand, a palette, paper, and brushes appeared on the table. Before coming to the World Gap, he had painted almost every day. Even during busy underground explorations, he would sacrifice some sleep to paint; it was the time he enjoyed most each day. He hadn't painted since arriving in the World Gap, and his hands had been itching to do so.

Most importantly...

"The scene of the world's birth is so beautiful. It would be a great pity not to paint it," Meng Chuan thought, taking a deep breath. He began mixing his paints, his eyes excitedly fixed on the evolving world.

"What is Senior Brother Meng doing?" Yan Chitong watched in a daze as Meng Chuan conjured a table and stool from thin air, then produced paper, brushes, and paints.

"What is he doing?"

True Martial King and Xue Feng also looked somewhat bewildered.

An Hai King glanced over, frowned, and also showed a hint of confusion.