Chapter 644: Red Snake Star Lord and Meng Chuan

After submitting the message, Meng Chuan immediately checked the Eternal Tower's treasury to see what items were suitable for him.

Meng Chuan was slightly surprised. "The Eternal Tower responded so quickly?"

It had only been about ten breaths of time.

"Eastriver City Lord Meng Chuan, please proceed to a nearby Eternal Tower river-domain headquarters for transport to the Space-Time River Headquarters." The response was straightforward. As a Six-Tribulation Realm mighty figure, Meng Chuan was considered a pillar of strength within the entire Space-Time River and thus qualified to visit its headquarters.

"I've never been to the Eternal Tower's Space-Time River Headquarters before," Meng Chuan thought, feeling quite curious. Five-Tribulation Realm members were not qualified to visit. He had heard that Seven-Tribulation Realm mighty figures were permanently stationed there, and that the Eternal Tower's boundless treasures were also hidden within.

That very day, Meng Chuan's off-world true body traveled through the Space-Time River, heading for Red Serpent Star.

Red Serpent Star was the Eternal Tower's headquarters within the Goddess River-Domain.

The colossal Red Serpent Star was as bustling as ever, and also heavily layered with defensive formations. While ordinary cultivators could enter and exit without detection, Meng Chuan's arrival immediately triggered the formations' sensors.

An acquaintance immediately came forward to greet him.

"What a rarity, Brother Dongning has personally graced my Red Serpent Star," Chi Jiuxin said with a chuckle as he flew closer. It was indeed unusual, as transactions could typically be handled through the Eternal Tower branch in Eastriver City. Chi Jiuxin had expected it might be tens of millennia before he saw Meng Chuan again; he never imagined they would meet so soon.

"I had to make this trip because of some important matters," Meng Chuan replied with a slight smile.

"Important matters?" Chi Jiuxin queried. "Brother Dongning, please don't hesitate to ask if there's anything I can assist with."

"I need to use this Eternal Tower on Red Serpent Star to travel to the Eternal Tower's Space-Time River Headquarters," Meng Chuan stated directly, as such a request required the approval of the river-domain headquarters' controller.

"To the Space-Time River Headquarters?" Chi Jiuxin was slightly taken aback. "You... you..."

"Jiuxin, why are you spacing out?" A thin old man appeared. His body was gaunt, and his face was covered in wrinkles, making him appear ancient. His gaze was chilling, yet at this moment, he offered a rare hint of a smile as he looked at Meng Chuan.

"Old Ancestor," Chi Jiuxin immediately greeted him with a respectful bow.

This was the Red Serpent Star Lord, the sole Six-Tribulation Realm mighty figure of the Red Serpent clan in the entire Space-Time River.

The thin old man observed Meng Chuan with a grin. "No wonder Jiuxin didn't notice; Brother Dongning, have you become a Soul Six-Tribulation Realm expert?"

The Soul is hidden within the Sea of Consciousness, and as long as one conceals their aura, it is indeed difficult for others to perceive. For a Body Six-Tribulation Realm expert, their physical body is naturally exposed, and the difference in life essence is easily discernible.

"The Star Lord's insight is truly keen," Meng Chuan said with a slight smile.

"Including you, our Goddess River-Domain now boasts nine Six-Tribulation Realm mighty figures," the thin old man remarked with a grin. "Among them, three are Soul Six-Tribulation Realm, which accounts for a third of the total—a rather high proportion."

Meng Chuan understood his meaning. Across the entire Space-Time River, Soul Tribulation Realm experts constituted slightly over 20% of all Six-Tribulation Realm mighty figures, while Body Tribulation Realm experts made up nearly 80%.

"In one's home river-domain, the advancement of a new Soul Six-Tribulation Realm expert is always a joyous occasion. Come, come, let's sit and chat at my place first. I know you're headed to the Space-Time River Headquarters to verify your strength, and half a day won't make a difference," the Red Serpent Star Lord said with considerable warmth.

"I'll follow the Star Lord's lead in everything," Meng Chuan replied with a smile, completely at ease.

Chi Jiuxin followed alongside, still somewhat dazed. *Brother Dongning became a Six-Tribulation Realm expert? So quickly?* He had been completely unaware beforehand. While there were rumors of Meng Chuan's breakthrough circulating within the Azure Alliance Space, they hadn't been fully confirmed, and the Azure Alliance Space itself was a very small and private circle.

Delectable food and fine wine were laid out. Meng Chuan and the Red Serpent Star Lord sat cross-legged, drinking and feasting while chatting idly.

"Throughout a lifetime of cultivation, only eating and drinking should never be neglected," the Red Serpent Star Lord said, taking a delightful sip of the emerald-hued wine. "Savoring peerless delicacies and rare fine wines can bring us profound, heartfelt joy. As my life approaches its inevitable end, I feel an even greater urge to thoroughly enjoy such culinary pleasures before the great limit arrives."

Meng Chuan nodded in agreement, understanding his sentiments.

"After a lifetime of worrying for one's clan, as the hope of reaching the Seven-Tribulation Realm grows increasingly dim, one should be kinder to oneself," the Red Serpent Star Lord said, smiling at Meng Chuan. "It's rare to encounter a newly advanced Six-Tribulation Realm expert from our home river-domain. If you don't mind my unsolicited advice, I'd like to say a few words."

"Please speak, Star Lord," Meng Chuan said, pouring wine for him and refilling his own cup.

The Red Serpent Star Lord held his wine cup, looking at Meng Chuan. "After becoming a Six-Tribulation Realm expert, the first crucial step is to join a major power."

Meng Chuan nodded slightly. He wasn't yet very familiar with the top-tier powers of the Space-Time River.

"Any Seven-Tribulation Realm mighty figure can establish their own independent power," the Red Serpent Star Lord explained. "They don't need to bow to other powerful individuals. However, there are distinctions even among Seven-Tribulation Realm experts. For instance, in this era, the two most dazzling figures in the entire Space-Time River stand side by side, recognized as the most formidable and remarkable."

"Which two?" Meng Chuan inquired. Although he had gathered information on Seven-Tribulation Realm figures before, his previous Five-Tribulation Realm status meant that the intelligence he could acquire was quite rudimentary.

The Red Serpent Star Lord paused, then smiled. "Indeed, you've just broken through, so you wouldn't be fully aware. The most prominent figures of this era are naturally the 'Myriad Star Emperor' and the 'White Bird Pavilion Master'. Both of them command the rules of time and space, essentially having one foot already in the Eight-Tribulation Realm."

Meng Chuan understood. Half-step Eight-Tribulation Realm experts! They had attained mastery of the rules, but their physical bodies and souls had not yet broken through to the Eight-Tribulation Realm level.

"Those two are the most remarkable, and their respective centers form the two most powerful forces of this era," the Red Serpent Star Lord chuckled. "I'm not telling you this to advise you to join either of these forces. They are teeming with experts, including several Seven-Tribulation Realm mighty figures and numerous half-step Seven-Tribulation Realm experts. As an ordinary Soul Six-Tribulation Realm expert, even if you were to join, you would be quite inconspicuous."

Meng Chuan nodded. While Six-Tribulation Realm mighty figures weren't exceedingly numerous in the Space-Time River, it was understood that their ranks likely numbered in the tens of thousands. He was just one of them, and a newly advanced one at that. Although Soul Six-Tribulation Realm experts were rarer, there were probably close to ten thousand of them.

"In either of those two major forces, you would be overlooked," the Red Serpent Star Lord continued. "However, other Seven-Tribulation Realm mighty figures are different. Their powerful subordinates are fewer, so if you join them, you'll be more valued and receive greater benefits. We share an affinity, and I wouldn't mislead you. The force I recommend you join is the Hundred Flowers Manor."

"The Hundred Flowers Manor Lord?" Meng Chuan knew this individual was also a Seven-Tribulation Realm expert, but he knew little else about him.

"I myself follow the Hundred Flowers Manor Lord; he treats his subordinates very generously. I began following him when I was still in the Five-Tribulation Realm, and he was in the Six-Tribulation Realm at the time," the Red Serpent Star Lord reminisced. "The Hundred Flowers Manor Lord possesses extraordinary talent and is truly remarkable. Now a Seven-Tribulation Realm mighty figure, he enjoys forging connections far and wide. When the 'Myriad Star Emperor' and the 'White Bird Pavilion Master' were still insignificant, the Hundred Flowers Manor Lord helped them both, and they owe him great favors. It's not just them; nearly ten of the current Seven-Tribulation Realm mighty figures received his benevolence during their obscure beginnings."

Meng Chuan was secretly astonished. *Great favors?* Such a claim, without basis, could not be made lightly, especially since it involved the two most powerful beings of the current era. A great favor creates a karmic link, meaning those two individuals would have to show respect to the Hundred Flowers Manor Lord. If one failed to repay a favor and even acted maliciously, that would incur significant negative karma. For two beings aspiring to the Eight-Tribulation Realm, such actions would be utterly unthinkable. Thus, the Hundred Flowers Manor was indeed a very stable and reliable power.

"The Manor Lord is truly remarkable," the Red Serpent Star Lord stated. "Pledging allegiance to his side will ensure a very smooth path for your future. If you were to join other forces, you might find yourself entangled with numerous hostile entities and compelled into a great deal of trouble."

"Understood," Meng Chuan said, nodding with a smile. "Thank you, Star Lord, for your guidance. I will carefully review this information later before making my decision."

Joining a major power has far-reaching implications, making careful consideration imperative.

"You should indeed ponder it carefully," the Red Serpent Star Lord said solemnly. "However, let me add a few more words: do not join the Myriad Star Emperor's faction."

"Why?" Meng Chuan asked, looking at him.

"I cannot say, I cannot say. You will come to understand it gradually," the Red Serpent Star Lord said, shaking his head slightly, not daring to elaborate further.

He and Meng Chuan chatted idly for half a day.

Half a day later, at the ninth floor of the Eternal Tower on Red Serpent Star.

"Star Lord, I shall take my leave now," Meng Chuan said, standing on the teleportation array platform.

"The Space-Time River Headquarters is quite interesting; you might consider staying there for a few more days," the Red Serpent Star Lord said with a smile.

Meng Chuan nodded. Enveloped by spatial-temporal fluctuations, he felt time and space rapidly shift around him.

Once everything stabilized, Meng Chuan found himself standing in a starry expanse, with countless stars before him. Tens of thousands of colossal stars all revolved around the majestic nine-story Eternal Tower at the center. The tower radiated a vibrant, colorful brilliance that illuminated all directions.

"I've arrived," Meng Chuan murmured. He could feel formidable auras emanating from various points ahead, each causing his heart to pound with a mix of awe and trepidation.