Chapter 578: Silent Cultivation

Meng Chuan, Chi Jiuxin, and Tagu sat chatting, and during their conversation, they finalized the application to establish an Eternal Tower branch in the Three Bay River System.

"This application is in order," Chi Jiuxin said, examining Meng Chuan's submission. He nodded slightly, then looked up in surprise. "Three Bay River System, Qianshan Star, Dongning City? Is Qianshan Star the historical one?"

"Yes," Meng Chuan confirmed with a nod.

"That was once the cultivation dwelling of a Six-Tribulation Realm mighty figure," Chi Jiuxin chuckled. "Truly impressive."

Noticing this, Tagu added, "A former cultivation dwelling of a Six-Tribulation Realm mighty figure? Then Qianshan Star is sufficiently secure and should attract many Tribulation Realm mighty figures to establish outposts there."

Both of them possessed extensive knowledge.

While it was considered good fortune for a Five-Tribulation Realm mighty figure to gain control of a cultivation outpost left behind by a Six-Tribulation Realm figure, such instances were not uncommon.

As for the even more powerful Six-Tribulation Realm mighty figures, they stood at the apex of the river domains, their renown echoing throughout the River of Spacetime. The cultivation sites they pursued were 'Secret Realms'.

Secret Realms, in particular, were created by Eight-Tribulation Realm mighty figures.

Compared to Secret Realms, Meng Chuan's 'Qianshan Star' was truly negligible.

"Once the application is submitted, the Eternal Tower will conduct an investigation of the Three Bay River System and provide you with a list," Chi Jiuxin explained. "Your task will be to eliminate the forces named on that list."

"How long do you estimate that will take?" Meng Chuan inquired.

"Roughly a year," Chi Jiuxin replied. "A river system is incredibly vast; even with a year of investigation, the Eternal Tower can only identify the more prominent bandit forces."

Meng Chuan nodded thoughtfully.

To traverse a single river system from one end to the other, even at the speed of light, would require tens of thousands of years or more.

The immensity of a river system means it contains innumerable stars. No one truly knows how many cultivators are hidden within.

If a bandit force operates with extreme caution and discretion — for example, only targeting 'Venerable-level' cultivators and leaving no survivors — it becomes exceedingly difficult to uncover them.

Even with the Eternal Tower's astonishing array of methods, they can only reliably detect the more renowned groups.

That same day, Meng Chuan and Tagu departed from Red Serpent Star, each setting off on their separate journeys.

Tagu set off for the Fuxiu River Domain, while Meng Chuan returned to his home system, the Three Bay River System.

*Whoosh.*

Meng Chuan's travel through the River of Spacetime was incredibly swift; he returned to Qianshan Star that very same day.

Clad in red, Zhao Hongxiu stood atop a mountain peak, drawing her bow with an arrow aimed at a distant point. After holding the pose for several breaths, she released the string. The arrow instantly traversed through the spatial void, striking its far-off target.

Suddenly, Meng Chuan, clad in white, appeared. With a gentle tap of his finger, an arrow materialized in the void, where it instantly froze.

"Master," Zhao Hongxiu said, immediately stepping forward and bowing respectfully upon seeing him.

"Hiding the arrow within the spatial void provides greater concealment," Meng Chuan said, looking at his disciple with a smile. "However, the spatial void is merely a minor, secluded branch of the entire space. The path of cultivation should, from the very beginning, be walked on the broadest avenue available."

Zhao Hongxiu's heart stirred, a realization dawning on her. She immediately bowed excitedly and pleaded, "Please, Master, guide me further."

"The void encompasses all things. Follow your true heart and choose the 'Grand Dao' that best suits you. What you choose is entirely up to you," Meng Chuan said with a slight smile, then took a step and vanished.

"Thank you, Master," Zhao Hongxiu bowed repeatedly, her mind buzzing with myriad new ideas.

Having cultivated for many years, she had been so deeply immersed that she hadn't realized her path had narrowed. As a former assassin, her archery had unconsciously evolved to focus solely on assassination.

The difficulty of progression naturally differs between a wide path and a narrow one.

Only someone with an exceptionally high cultivation in the Void lineage could immediately discern Zhao Hongxiu's issue.

This is precisely why many cultivators, including those at the Tribulation Realm, are willing to follow powerful individuals. A single insightful pointer from a strong figure can guide them out of a dead end, potentially altering their entire lives.

*Whoosh.*

Meng Chuan landed on the top floor of a pavilion and poured himself a cup of fruit wine.

Fruit wine could make the primordial spirit more agile and vibrant, thereby enhancing comprehension efficiency.

"Volume Three of the *Void Illustrated Record*," Meng Chuan murmured. He took a small sip of the wine and began to meticulously study every sentence and illustration within the *Void Illustrated Record*.

With no one to disturb him, he could dedicate himself entirely to its comprehension.

Even his study of *Endless Blade* and *Nirvana Blade* was temporarily set aside. At present, comprehending the Five-Tribulation Realm rules of the Void lineage was paramount. Such a fusion of three rules held the promise of forming a higher-level rule.

For a Tribulation Realm cultivator, the ultimate pursuit on the path of cultivation is 'spacetime rules'.

Spacetime is also the origin of all derived rules; various forces like wind, fire, and lightning, including phenomena such as chaotic holes and primal stars, are all derivations of spacetime.

"Marvelous, simply marvelous," Meng Chuan murmured.

As Meng Chuan delved into his comprehension, new insights continuously surfaced.

The sensation of constantly gaining new understanding made Meng Chuan utterly engrossed.

"I wonder if I, Meng Chuan, will ever be able to create such a profound art in my lifetime," Meng Chuan mused. Throughout his comprehension, he developed a profound admiration for the creator of this record.

It was truly remarkable.

The Primordial Spirit lineage inheritance he had received, *Primordial Spirit Stars*, was also an Eight-Tribulation Realm legacy, yet it hadn't granted him as many insights. However, during his comprehension of the *Void Illustrated Record*, Meng Chuan's understanding of lightning also deepened.

One path can give rise to ten thousand.

Meng Chuan vaguely sensed that the creator of the *Void Illustrated Record* must have thoroughly mastered other paths as well, enabling them to effortlessly distill the 'commonality' among various lineages.

It is important to note that the complete 'Dao of Space' is typically a Six-Tribulation Realm level Dao, though it is the strongest path at that level and can even enable one to barely contend with a Seven-Tribulation Realm figure. Under normal circumstances, Seven-Tribulation Realm mighty figures are the ones who master the complete Dao of Space.

Yet, a single Dao of Space, divided into three volumes, with just one volume alone... made Meng Chuan feel it was far more profound than the Eight-Tribulation Realm inheritance *Primordial Spirit Stars*. This highlighted the immense difference in the creators' abilities. It was thus understandable that many mighty figures suspected it was created by an Eternal Being.

Days passed by.

Meng Chuan remained immersed in comprehending and cultivating the *Void Illustrated Record*. Occasionally, he would dispatch a primordial spirit clone to a chaotic hole to practice techniques. The profound influence of chaotic holes on spacetime meant that practicing techniques there offered a completely different sensation compared to normal regions.

Since his wife, parents, and others would remain in slumber for at most a thousand years, Meng Chuan needed to make the most of his time. Cultivating within a chaotic hole was clearly an efficient way to do so.

He needed to reach the Six-Tribulation Realm before their thousand-year slumber concluded!

Achieving this would vastly increase his gains from Ancestor Cang Yuan's treasury, elevate his status within the River of Spacetime, and significantly enhance his ability to help his wife, parents, and other loved ones.

The Cang Alliance Space.

Only members of the Cang Alliance could manifest avatars here.

"Dongning, Dongning, over here!"

Meng Chuan spotted several figures seated in the distance. Among them, Old Demon Heifeng smiled and waved, prompting Meng Chuan to walk over.

"Is this Brother Dongning?" a short, stout man asked, standing up with a smile. He was as plump as a ball, with very fair skin. "I've long heard of your esteemed name, and today is our first meeting."

"Brother Fusui?" Meng Chuan replied with a slight smile. Though it was their first encounter, he recognized the man instantly, having access to basic information about all Cang Alliance members. He then glanced at the other three present: Old Demon Heifeng, Ziyao, and Bone Mountain Master, all of whom he already knew.

Within the Cang Alliance, there was a group of members who actively sought to make friends.

The more friends one had, the larger their network, and the easier it was to acquire certain opportunities.

Ziyao and Bone Mountain Master were among the older members who had cultivated extensive friendships. Old Demon Heifeng, though a recent addition, was equally enthusiastic about making new acquaintances. For half of every month, their avatars would descend here to meet various members of the Cang Alliance.

As a newcomer himself, Meng Chuan was also eager to forge new friendships.