Chapter 684: Time-Space Order

"A treasure?" Meng Chuan carefully observed the token's illusory image. It resembled amber, with a radiant glow within.

"When Ancestor Dragon left our universe and drifted through the outside world, he encountered countless opportunities and once discovered a 'mini-universe' roughly the size of a galaxy," the old man with the turtle shell chuckled. "Within this mini-universe, a miniature space-time long river had already condensed. However, because it was so small, its rules were incomplete, and it had not nurtured any life. Ancestor Dragon refined this mini-universe into this 'Space-Time Token.' Ancestor Dragon's refining method was incredibly profound; merely activating the mini-universe's power required mastery of space rules."

Meng Chuan's heart stirred.

A mini-universe? Ancestor Cang Yuan's hidden treasures also included a 'mini-universe' exotic item. However, that was a pure mini-universe, only suitable for storage and cultivation. It was also much smaller than Ancestor Dragon's, priced at 500,000 units in the home universe's treasury. Ancestor Dragon's, however, was refined into the Space-Time Token, acquiring some special uses.

"With the Space-Time Token, you can unleash a space-time domain using the power of the mini-universe," the old man with the turtle shell explained. "This space-time domain is much stronger than your Absolute Space. It's also its only offensive ability."

"Its other use is to travel through space and time. With a single step, you can reach any point in the Space-Time Long River. In terms of escape, it surpasses most Eighth Tribulation realm secret treasures," the old man with the turtle shell continued. "To prevent the Space-Time Token's travel, one must either master the rules of time and space or possess an Eternal secret treasure."

Meng Chuan understood.

Among the current Seventh Tribulation realm experts, only the White Bird Pavilion Master and the Myriad Star Heavenly Emperor had mastered the rules of time and space. These two held extremely revered positions and would not easily intervene. As for Eternal secret treasures? Seventh Tribulation realm mighty figures were too busy hiding them; who would dare openly display one?

"It's indeed superior to many Eighth Tribulation realm secret treasures for escape," Meng Chuan praised inwardly.

For instance, a 'Space-Time Teleportation Talisman' cost 3,000 units. There were also Eighth Tribulation realm secret treasures specifically for 'space-time teleportation,' allowing repeated jumps. However, space-time teleportation still required a very short duration, which for a Seventh Tribulation realm mighty figure, was enough time to attack multiple times. The 'Space-Time Token,' on the other hand, used the mini-universe's power to travel through space and time, reaching any point in the Space-Time Long River in a single step. This was much more potent, making its value far greater than Eighth Tribulation realm secret treasures for 'space-time teleportation.'

"Choose any one of the three treasures," the old man with the turtle shell said, smiling at Meng Chuan.

Meng Chuan hesitated.

It was too difficult. Each item was highly appealing, but Meng Chuan also understood that only someone like Ancestor Dragon would casually bestow such treasures.

"Senior Bei, could you offer some guidance on which item is most suitable for me?" Although Meng Chuan had a faint inclination, he still asked, as his knowledge likely couldn't compare to that of the ancient formation spirit.

The old man with the turtle shell pondered for a moment, then said: "The first item, the fragment of an Eighth Tribulation realm Primeval Spirit, cannot directly enhance your strength, but you can meticulously observe and comprehend it. While it might not yield significant immediate gains, it could potentially aid your progression to the Eighth Tribulation realm Primeval Spirit. The second item is the most practical. Once you become a Seventh Tribulation realm expert, this will be your most suitable weapon for direct combat, providing immense power. Furthermore, for integrating the Blackhole rules with other fundamental rules, the 'Three-Ring Blackhole Array' offers the clearest guidance. The third item offers the greatest power boost while you are still at the Sixth Tribulation realm, as it immediately grants you a 'space-time domain,' significantly increasing your strength. However, once you reach the Seventh Tribulation realm, the 'space-time domain' will be less impactful. Nevertheless, the 'Space-Time Token's' escape ability is incredibly valuable, enough to make Seventh Tribulation realm experts envious," the old man explained. "It also benefits cultivation, as you can meticulously comprehend the profound mysteries of time and space integration from it. The profound mysteries of time and space comparable to what this Space-Time Token offers are very rare," the old man continued. "Ancestor Dragon himself succeeded in refining it using a miniature Space-Time Long River as its source. Comprehending it will be beneficial for you to eventually grasp the rules of time. I've told you everything I can. The decision is yours."

Meng Chuan looked at one of the illusory images, pointing at it: "This is the one."

"The Space-Time Token," the old man with the turtle shell nodded. "Please wait a moment while I retrieve it."

Meng Chuan had also given it careful consideration.

The Three-Ring Blackhole Array? It was a combat secret treasure, not as crucial for cultivation. He could easily choose a weaker Eighth Tribulation realm secret treasure. Moreover, with numerous Primeval Spirit avatars, there was no need to fight head-on. Even if a Primeval Spirit avatar was shattered, it could be restored with a single thought. 'Infinite combat' was the greatest deterrent for a Primeval Spirit Seventh Tribulation realm expert; the leader of the Primeval World relied on this to repeatedly contend with the Six-Direction Heavens and the White Bird Pavilion.

As for the 'Eighth Tribulation realm Primeval Spirit fragment,' it required meticulous comprehension, and who knew how much he would gain from it? In contrast, the 'Space-Time Token' exotic item offered direct assistance.

For a long time, cross-space-time travel had been one of his major weaknesses, as the 'Blackhole rules' were not proficient in this aspect. Even if he grasped a second fundamental rule in the future, it might not necessarily be suitable for such travel. Ancestor Cang Yuan, for example, wasn't skilled in it, as most fundamental rules were not adept at cross-space-time journeys. The Space-Time Token could compensate for this weakness and help him comprehend the rules of time. Once he reached the Seventh Tribulation realm, mastering the rules of time would be his primary goal.

*Boom* The void ahead distorted, and an item appeared out of thin air. It was the token, resembling amber throughout. Upon closer inspection, a vast starlit cosmos could be faintly seen within.

"Meng Chuan, keep it safe. Most Seventh Tribulation realm experts would be envious of this treasure," the old man with the turtle shell chuckled.

Meng Chuan reached out and took it. The moment he grasped it, his Primeval Spirit power permeated it. His consciousness entered a vast cosmos, with brilliant star rivers. It was slightly smaller than his home's 'Three-Bay Galaxy,' but still galaxy-sized, and already contained a miniature Space-Time Long River unique to this 'mini-universe.' Within this Space-Time Long River, countless chains permeated, each containing innumerable runes. A total of 9,999 chains completely controlled this miniature Space-Time Long River, allowing access to the entire mini-universe's power. When Meng Chuan activated it, he was essentially activating the runes on these chains.

"Ancestor Dragon's methods are indeed unfathomable, to be able to completely control a miniature Space-Time Long River," Meng Chuan murmured, attempting to activate it. The mini-universe's power manifested outward, the power of space and time. A Space-Time Domain! Being within the Nine Refinement Pagoda, Meng Chuan only tried to extend it about a hundred feet around him; the space-time domain was invisible to the naked eye.

"It's even more vast than Absolute Space," Meng Chuan murmured, momentarily immersed in the space-time domain, utterly awestruck. "When will I be able to manifest such a domain with my own power?" He knew that the two most brilliant figures of the current era could do so, and their domains were even vaster than the power of this mini-universe with its incomplete rules.

"How does it feel?" the old man with the turtle shell chuckled.

Meng Chuan put away the Space-Time Token and nodded, saying, "Thank you, Ancestor Dragon, for this gift. Meng Chuan will certainly remember this kindness."

"Ancestor Dragon bestows gifts without expecting anything in return," the old man with the turtle shell chuckled. "It's more about helping the younger generations of our home universe. If you can become an Eighth Tribulation realm expert in the future, perhaps you can then help Ancestor Dragon." He merely said this casually. After all, Ancestor Dragon had given away too many treasures over generations, but how many Eighth Tribulation realm experts had ever been born throughout the history of the Space-Time Long River? In the old man with the turtle shell's experience, among a hundred half-step Eighth Tribulation realm experts like the White Bird Pavilion Master and the Myriad Star Heavenly Emperor, perhaps only one could hope to reach the Eighth Tribulation realm. Half-step Eighth Tribulation realm and the Eighth Tribulation realm itself seemed like only a single step, but it was an incredibly difficult one to overcome.

"Oh, and by the way, there are eight exits from the Nine Refinement Pagoda, each located in one of eight river territories." The old man with the turtle shell waved his hand, displaying a map of the eight river territories. "Choose an exit, and I'll send you out."

Meng Chuan glanced at the map, then pointed to one location: "The East Tai River Territory."

Nine Refinement River Territory. On a desolate star, a figure in grey robes sat cross-legged atop a bare mountain peak. Yu Chang, a capable subordinate of the Dark Star Guild Master, specialized in the karmic lineage. He did not participate in combat or encirclement; his role was merely to help pinpoint karmic locations.

"Hmm?" Yu Chang's eyebrows twitched, and he looked up, gazing into the distance. He clearly sensed that the 'Dongning City Lord's avatar,' originally in the Nine Refinement River Territory, had suddenly vanished, and then another Dongning City Lord's avatar had appeared out of thin air in the East Tai River Territory. "The Dongning City Lord has left the Nine Refinement Pagoda and appeared at one of its eight exits, the 'East Tai River Territory' exit," Yu Chang immediately reported to the Dark Star Guild Master.

Yu Chang also sighed inwardly. A highly talented Sixth Tribulation realm mighty figure was about to be ambushed. With the Dark Star Guild Master's current setup, it was virtually impossible for a Sixth Tribulation realm expert to escape.