Chapter 551: Heist Separation

After cultivating his physical body to the Original Monarch realm and refining about 1,500 Origin Stones, Meng Chuan's body had become incredibly resilient, almost like a magical artifact. However, his close-combat strength hadn't significantly surpassed that of his extraterrestrial true body.

Inside the Heaven and Earth Hall, he re-evaluated his power. His primordial spirit Tribulation Eon realm strength, combined with close combat, still placed him at the 'fourth-level Tribulation Eon realm.' Among the Tribulation Eon realms, the difference between the first and second levels was minor, but the third level marked a qualitative leap. The further one progressed, the greater the improvement with each level. It was clear that Meng Chuan wouldn't easily achieve 'fifth-level Tribulation Eon realm combat power.'

Jiangan City, despite being in autumn, remained incredibly hot.

At the Meng residence, Meng Chuan was spending time with Liu Yebai. Liu Yebai sat in a chair, his hair thinning, though his complexion was rosy. His face was marked with many age spots and deep wrinkles, like ravines. He was smiling warmly as he looked at his grandchildren.

"Ah, Meng Chuan," Liu Yebai chuckled, "I vividly remember when these two little ones were born. It was in Gushan Prefecture. After their birth, you and your wife were busy dealing with the demon race, and Dajiang had to manage the Meng family and supervise the earth net in Dongning Prefecture… It was I who looked after them, and they were very attached to me."

"You truly went through a lot back then, Father-in-law," Meng Chuan said with a smile, remembering those years when he hadn't yet become a Marquis Godfiend.

"Grandpa!" Meng An and Meng You were also with Liu Yebai.

"It feels like no time has passed at all; time truly flies," Liu Yebai shook his head. "In the blink of an eye, I'm old and nearing the end. People, at this age, always tend to reminisce about the past—their childhood, their youth."

Just then, two figures approached from a distance: an elderly man with white hair and a middle-aged woman.

"Dad, Mom," Meng Chuan immediately stood up, while Meng An and Meng You quickly rose to greet them first: "Grandpa, Grandma!"

The white-haired old man was extremely aged, showing every sign of old age. Yet, as a Great Sun Godfiend, his mind remained perfectly clear, and he didn't need assistance to walk. He still maintained his tall, slightly stout build, and his perpetual smile made him appear even more benevolent.

"It's rare to have my son, grandson, and granddaughter all here today," Meng Dajiang said with a laugh.

"You'er is getting more beautiful by the day," Bai Nianyun smiled, looking at her granddaughter. Several years prior, under Meng Chuan's devoted guidance, Meng You had finally become a King Godfiend. However, her cultivation progress was notably slower than Meng An's. Her achievement as a King Godfiend was primarily due to her father, who had elevated the 'Cloud Mist Dragon-Snake Movement Technique' to Monarch perfection, and whose full guidance had enabled Meng You to painstakingly achieve Kinghood.

"Oh, Dajiang, look at you, how old you've become," Liu Yebai laughed, noting that he himself was comparatively better off.

"At least I haven't lost any hair," Meng Dajiang said, sitting beside his old friend. "Look at you, with so little hair. If you ask me, you might as well shave it all off."

"Here, have some watermelon."

Meng Chuan waved his hand, and a large watermelon appeared on the table, quickly slicing itself into pieces. The flesh was bright red. Meng An and Meng You immediately picked up slices and offered them to their grandfather, grandmother, and maternal grandfather.

They ate the watermelon and chatted idly.

Meng Chuan smiled, watching the scene. His mother still had a considerable lifespan left, but his father only had a little over three years remaining, and his father-in-law, Liu Yebai, though better, only had eight years left. Each passing day meant one less day with them. When he was young, they had supported him; now, they were all growing frail.

After chatting for over half an hour, Meng Dajiang smiled, "Chuan'er, what's the occasion today, bringing the whole family together? Usually, you just visit us occasionally. Meng An and Meng You must be very busy, right?"

"Yes, Dad, is there something specific today?" Meng You also asked.

"Yes," Meng Chuan nodded slightly, looking at Meng An.

Meng An spoke, "It's about me. I'm going to leave the human world and journey to the outer realms."

"Journey to the outer realms?" Meng Dajiang, Bai Nianyun, and Liu Yebai exchanged glances and fell silent for a moment. Although their cultivation levels weren't high, they were Meng Chuan and Liu Qiyue's elders and had some basic knowledge of the outer realms.

"A true man should aim to explore the world," Meng Dajiang said with a chuckle. "Since you're going, then go. Back then, I also joined the army without hesitation, fighting the demon race at the city gates. Your father and mother, right after leaving Yuanchu Mountain, were constantly fighting demons. Even when they were expecting you two, they often fought outside and killed many demon kings."

"If you want to venture out, then do so, but be careful," Liu Yebai advised.

"Be cautious in all things," Bai Nianyun added. "Your father also spent time exploring the outer realms; consult him often."

Having witnessed much bloodshed and strife, all three of them accepted this news calmly.

Outside Jiangan City, under the night sky, Meng Chuan and his son, Meng An, walked side by side.

"Leaving tonight?" Meng Chuan asked.

"I've said goodbye to Grandpa and everyone; it's time to go," Meng An nodded.

Meng Chuan nodded, then with a flick of his hand, produced a golden and a purple talisman. "This is a Void Teleportation Talisman, and this is a Space-Time Transmission Talisman. Take them."

"A Void Teleportation Talisman?" Meng An looked at the two talismans before him, somewhat stunned. He had long known that Yuanchu Mountain seemingly had no Void Teleportation Talismans left, at least none discoverable in the treasure vaults accessible to Venerables. Such items were likely only hidden in higher-level caches, like the Cangyuan Ancestor's treasure.

"The Void Teleportation Talisman can be activated with a single thought, allowing you to instantly cross several river systems," Meng Chuan explained. "Under normal circumstances, it can save your life. The Space-Time Transmission Talisman is even more potent. No matter where you are, once activated, you can usually escape. Just follow the sensation and escape back to the Three Bays River System."

"Escape back home?" Meng An asked, incredulous. "From a distant river domain, back home?"

"You can return no matter how far," Meng Chuan said, then flipped his hand again, revealing two black talismans. "These two are Immortality Talismans. They typically grant an immortal body for one hour and activate automatically upon a fatal attack. Once activated, you can then use either the Void Teleportation Talisman or the Space-Time Transmission Talisman to escape."

Meng Chuan looked at his son. "One Void Teleportation Talisman and one Space-Time Transmission Talisman—these represent two chances to save your life."

"If you have to use them, it means you need to quickly return. For now, it won't be suitable for you to venture into the outer realms," Meng Chuan stated.

"Dad…" Meng An looked at his father. He knew the immense value of the Void Teleportation Talisman. Before heading to the outer realms, he had naturally reviewed many records and intelligence, and was also familiar with the Space-Time River Territory Map. However, he had never heard of a 'Space-Time Transmission Talisman,' and from its description, it was clearly far superior to the Void Teleportation Talisman.

"You only have two chances," Meng Chuan told his son.

"I take my leave, Father," Meng An said nothing more.

"Remember, this is your home," Meng Chuan said softly. "If you can return, come back often to see your family. Don't stay away for too long; if you do, you might not see many of them again."

"Understood," Meng An nodded heavily. He was reluctant to leave home, but he had to venture out to forge his own future.

With a tearing sound, the world barrier ripped open, and Meng An flew directly through the fissure towards the outer realms.

Meng Chuan watched silently. His son, still merely at the Venerable level, was heading to a distant secret realm in an outer river domain. Even if he were to become an Emperor and gain another true body, without the Space-Time Transmission Talisman, he would likely only be able to cross the river domains and return home after reaching the Tribulation Eon realm. How long would that take? Hundreds of years? A thousand years? Meng Chuan's heart was filled with complex emotions.

After emerging from the world barrier into the outer realms, Meng An was somewhat awestruck by the extraterrestrial void and the sight of the 'Sun Star' and 'Moon Star.' He turned back to look at his homeland, at his father, and nodded slightly.

Then, with a hum, a purple light enveloped Meng An, and he vanished in an instant.

Meng Chuan's karmic connection with his son was deep, and his bloodline perception was even clearer. He could instantly sense that his son had arrived in a very distant river domain, much, much further than the Wugu River Domain. A mysterious force was even blurring Meng Chuan's perception.

"Time to cultivate," Meng Chuan turned and left. He needed to prepare for his impending first Primordial Spirit Tribulation.