Chapter 722: Black Jade Star

"Are the requirements for Mind Will truly that high?" Meng Chuan was somewhat shaken after reviewing the information about Mind Will.

Ancestor Jie calmly stated, "Historically, the 'Master of Mingzhang Realm' was a Half-step Eighth Tribulation Realm expert from the Yuan Shen lineage. After comprehending the rules of time and space, he refined his Yuan Shen techniques based on these spatiotemporal rules. His Mind Will reached such a terrifying degree that without employing any secret arts, a mere glance from him, imbued with his will, could blur the consciousness of any Seventh Tribulation Realm expert of that era, leaving them utterly defenseless."

"In that era, the Master of Mingzhang Realm was the sole Half-step Eighth Tribulation Realm expert. Yet, there were still several top-tier Seventh Tribulation Realm experts, including some from the Yuan Shen lineage. Without exception, a single look from the Master of Mingzhang Realm would render them completely incapable of unleashing any power."

Ancestor Jie lamented, "When facing the White Bird Pavilion Master or Emperor Wanxing, top-tier Seventh Tribulation Realm experts could still put up a fight. But during the Master of Mingzhang Realm's era, no one could even make a move in his presence."

"Yet, his 'Yuan Shen World' still couldn't bear the full evolution of time and space, leaving him confined to the Half-step Eighth Tribulation Realm for his entire life."

"This demonstrates the immense burden on the Yuan Shen World when attempting to accommodate the full evolution of both time and space rules," Ancestor Jie explained. "It also shows just how incredibly high the requirements for Mind Will become. For instance, I've long been able to reach the summit of Demon Mountain, but even when I employ Yuan Shen secret arts, I can only render ordinary Seventh Tribulation Realm experts powerless. Their effect on top-tier Seventh Tribulation Realm experts is much weaker."

Ancestor Jie sighed, "The outside world believes that ordinary Seventh Tribulation Realm experts are utterly defenseless against me, and that I must be very close to the Eighth Tribulation Realm. But only I truly understand how far I still have to go. Even if I were to break through the bottleneck in the rules of time now, my Mind Will would still be far from sufficient."

"Ancestor Jie, if you were to master the rules of time and then perfect your Yuan Shen techniques using both time and space as foundations, I imagine your Mind Will could transform to reach the threshold required for the Yuan Shen Eighth Tribulation Realm," Meng Chuan suggested.

"Perfecting Yuan Shen techniques?"

Ancestor Jie's eyes held a hint of longing. "Perhaps, but even if I were to master the rules of time now, the remaining lifespan I have wouldn't be enough to fully perfect my Yuan Shen techniques."

"You've reviewed the historical data I've compiled on Yuan Shen Seventh Tribulation Realm experts; you should know that my cultivation speed is, at best, considered upper-middle throughout history." Ancestor Jie gently shook his head. "Among countless Yuan Shen Seventh Tribulation Realm experts, I'm not even among the very top. How could I possibly hope to reach the Eighth Tribulation Realm?"

Meng Chuan remained silent.

The information Ancestor Jie provided was the result of many years of diligent collection.

The data included generations of Yuan Shen Seventh Tribulation Realm experts throughout history, and even details on five Half-step Eighth Tribulation Realm experts from the Yuan Shen lineage. By cross-referencing this extensive information with one's own progress, one could discern their current standing compared to past masters.

"You are different."

Ancestor Jie looked at Meng Chuan, his eyes gleaming. "You are far stronger than I am. In this life, you have the potential to reach the level of the 'Master of Mingzhang Realm,' and even to strive for the true Yuan Shen Eighth Tribulation Realm."

"I will, of course, do my utmost," Meng Chuan replied, sensing the immense difficulty of this path.

"Follow me."

Ancestor Jie suddenly manifested a Yuan Shen avatar and began to lead the way. Meng Chuan had already anticipated this, as the White Bird Pavilion Master had mentioned that Ancestor Jie intended to bestow a treasure land upon him. Meng Chuan promptly followed.

They appeared in a dim, empty void.

A ripple spread across the void.

A massive black star emerged from the rippling void. On its surface, faint structures resembling cave dwellings were visible, along with protective arrays covering every area.

"The Black Jade Star." Ancestor Jie gazed at the star with a smile. "This is the most crucial treasure land I've ever conquered in my travels. Its value far exceeds that of all my other treasure lands combined."

"The Black Jade Star?" Meng Chuan had certainly heard of it.

The Black Jade Star was undoubtedly among the top five most contested treasure lands among Seventh Tribulation Realm experts. The Blood Phoenix Palace Master's Outer Realm Primordial Crystal Star held the top position.

"As you know, the core of the Black Jade Star produces 'Black Jade Crystal Sand.' Only about ten to a dozen grains are formed each year, yet each grain is worth nearly an Origin Stone, translating to anywhere from several hundred to over a thousand units annually," Ancestor Jie chuckled. "Simply guarding this place and collecting the Black Jade Crystal Sand every few years would, over a hundred thousand years, yield 'one hundred million units of Outer Realm Primordial Crystals.' Since we Yuan Shen Tribulation Realm experts possess numerous avatars, you only need to assign one Yuan Shen avatar to guard it."

Meng Chuan was astonished.

Ancestor Cang Yuan's lifetime accumulation of wealth, excluding his Eternal Secret Treasures, amounted to less than one hundred million units! This clearly illustrates the immense value of the Black Jade Star.

The White Bird Pavilion Master and Emperor Wanxing, both Half-step Eighth Tribulation Realm experts, would never assign their sole outer realm true body to guard this location long-term. Their sights were set on far greater things.

Historically, the Black Jade Star was predominantly occupied by Yuan Shen Seventh Tribulation Realm experts.

While top-tier Seventh Tribulation Realm experts possessed the strength to guard it, their primary focus was cultivation. They needed to travel far and wide, seeking out various places of opportunity. If their only outer realm true body were permanently confined to the Black Jade Star, hindering their cultivation, even accumulating one hundred million units of Outer Realm Primordial Crystals before death would be a poor trade. After all, top-tier Seventh Tribulation Realm experts could still amass considerable wealth over long periods even while traveling.

However, if the asset were an 'Outer Realm Primordial Crystal Star,' which was several times more valuable, top-tier Seventh Tribulation Realm experts would indeed be willing to stay. For instance, the Blood Phoenix Palace Master invested heavily in establishing numerous Eighth Tribulation Realm arrays, allowing her to withstand even a strong assault from a Half-step Eighth Tribulation Realm expert. With such protection, her true body from her home world could then travel externally with greater frequency.

"In the entire River of Spacetime, few are truly qualified to hold this place," Ancestor Jie chuckled. "You are a Yuan Shen Seventh Tribulation Realm expert, and your cultivation journey has only spanned seven thousand years. If you claim this spot, no one would dare challenge you for it."

"This is far too valuable," Meng Chuan murmured, feeling the immense worth of the gift.

While guarding such a treasure land is challenging, wresting control of it is equally difficult.

If the Origin World Leader or the Nightmare Palace Master had seized it first and fortified it with arrays, Meng Chuan would have been completely unable to breach their defenses.

Ancestor Jie had made it easy for Meng Chuan to take possession, requiring only that he defend it.

"Once I pass away, it would have to be relinquished anyway," Ancestor Jie chuckled. "I've been contemplating who to hand it over to. However, several of my top-tier Seventh Tribulation Realm friends possess only a single outer realm true body, and they can't remain here indefinitely; they too need to explore and cultivate. The Nightmare Palace Master certainly desired it, but there was no way I would give it to him. I had initially planned to wait, perhaps making a decision in the final year or two before my death. But now that you've made this breakthrough, you are the ideal choice."

"Ancestor Jie, I will remember this kindness, and I accept the Black Jade Star," Meng Chuan said without further hesitation.

"Once I'm gone, this place will inevitably become a battleground for various factions, so it's hardly a true act of kindness," Ancestor Jie said with a smile. "The 'Black Jade Crystal Sand' from the Black Jade Star also accumulates over a long period, and you'll need to assign a Yuan Shen avatar to reside here permanently."

"Ancestor Jie, is there anything you might need me to do in the future?" Meng Chuan inquired.

"As I told you, just help my two juniors and my home world if the opportunity arises," Ancestor Jie sighed. "As for me, I won't live to see the day you truly stand at the pinnacle of the River of Spacetime."

The Yuan Shen Eighth Tribulation Realm was still incredibly distant, but he believed Meng Chuan could reach the Half-step Eighth Tribulation Realm, positioning him at the absolute zenith of this segment of the River of Spacetime.