Chapter 512: Waiting for the Array Repairs

Meanwhile, on Sky Harmony Immortal Star, major changes were taking place within the same small city after Qin Ran killed Gong Xiuqi, the patriarch of the Gong Clan.

Qin Ran himself didn’t care much about what happened afterward. He returned straight to his residence and continued guiding Pan Li in cultivation. Still, Gong Xiuqi’s death was a huge event, as it completely changed the balance of power in the city.

To put it simply, the Gong Clan surrendered completely.

After all, who wouldn’t fear someone who could kill an Inquiring Journey realm expert with a single slap? That kind of strength was far beyond anything the Gong Clan could resist.

As a result, the Pan Clan quickly rose to become the dominant force in the entire city.

Many members of the Gong Clan personally came to apologize, bringing large amounts of cultivation resources as compensation.

The sudden shift happened so fast that the entire city was left shocked and unable to believe it.

Inside the Pan Clan mansion, Pan Zhen brought most of the resources sent by the Gong Clan to the courtyard where Qin Ran was staying, holding nothing back at all.

Qin Ran casually looked through the items and only picked a few things, showing little interest in the rest.

Even then, the things he selected were meant for Pan Li’s cultivation.

As for Qin Ran himself, these cultivation resources were hardly worth mentioning.

After Pan Zhen left, Qin Ran looked toward Pan Li, who was fully focused on cultivating, and said, "Pan Li, we’ll prepare to leave this place tomorrow. The cultivation environment here is too poor. At best, it’s only suitable for reaching the Dao Palace realm."

Now that the Pan Clan’s crisis had been resolved and they had become the strongest force in the city, Qin Ran had no interest in staying in such a small place any longer.

Taking Pan Li away wasn’t just for the sake of improving her cultivation. He also wanted her to see more of the world and gain more life experience.

More importantly, Qin Ran wanted to reunite with the eighteen disciples he had taken in before his so-called fall. Finding even one of them would greatly increase his cultivation much faster than starting from scratch and raising Pan Li alone.

"Okay! I’ll listen to Master!" Pan Li nodded seriously. She understood very well that Qin Ran was not only her savior, but also the foundation of the Pan Clan’s current safety and prosperity. Naturally, she knew how important it was to follow his guidance.

"Good. Keep cultivating. All the pills you’ll need are here. If you run into any problems, tell me right away." Qin Ran smiled reassuringly before sitting down in a chair, looking ready to relax.

"Master, don’t you need to cultivate?" Pan Li suddenly asked, unable to hide her curiosity.

Qin Ran paused for a moment before smiling again. "Of course I do. My cultivation method is a bit special. It might look like I’m relaxing, but I’m actually working very hard behind the scenes."

"I see." Pan Li looked at him with admiration. "Even though you’re already this powerful, you still cultivate so diligently. Master really is a role model for disciples."

"Hahaha, just focus on your own cultivation." Qin Ran laughed as he leaned back in the chair and gently rocked back and forth.

He was already used to this question. Almost every new disciple he accepted would eventually ask the same thing.

Back then, his cultivation method required much more effort and was mainly focused on strengthening his physical body.

But now, Qin Ran could simply sit there and still benefit from Pan Li’s cultivation indirectly.

It was truly the definition of gaining rewards without doing the work himself.

...

Elsewhere, Jiang Chen ran into an unexpected delay on one of the planets along the way.

The interstellar teleportation array had suddenly malfunctioned.

The formation masters were already working desperately to repair it, but from the looks of it, the teleportation formation wouldn’t be fixed for at least another full day.

Standing inside the Interstellar Teleportation Hall, Jiang Chen frowned as he watched the sweaty formation masters rushing around the array.

Damn it, this has to be Heavenly Fate interfering again, he thought inwardly.

There was no way the teleportation array breaking down at a moment like this was just a coincidence.

Why else would it fail right now of all times?

In the end, Jiang Chen could only stay and wait for the repairs to finish.

Since he had nothing better to do, he spread out his divine sense and activated the Villain Eye to inspect the life-bearing planet known as Ice Deer Immortal Star.

At first, he wasn’t expecting much.

But soon, a hint of surprise flashed through his eyes when he discovered a supporting character.

[Name: Zhao Ruoyan

Status: Supporting Character

Fate Value: 69,258

Aptitude: Perfect Grade

Innate Talent: Pristine Heaven Divine Body

Realm: Early-stage Nirvana Cleansing

Cultivation Methods: Divine Wind Clear Void Scripture (Void Tribulation, Core Technique), Bright Heart True Emptiness Chart, Spirit Opening Unadorned Record, Heavenly Pearl Immortal Cicada Scroll (Nirvana Cleansing, Minor Accomplishment)...

Main Equipment: Crimson Star Heavenly Sea Mirror (Nirvana Cleansing, Lower-Grade)...

True Combat Power: Middle-stage Nirvana Cleansing

Trust Level: 0]

Another supporting character? And her core cultivation method is the Divine Wind Clear Void Scripture? Jiang Chen’s interest immediately grew.

Looks like this Zhao Ruoyan is another disciple of the protagonist.

This protagonist really has gathered a lot of disciples with Perfect Grade aptitude. His heaven-defying trump card might truly be connected to his ability to attract people like them, Jiang Chen thought silently.

With that idea in mind, he continued observing her in secret.

However, Zhao Ruoyan didn’t do anything unusual. She simply sat cross-legged inside her cave dwelling and quietly cultivated the entire time.

She probably believes her master is already dead, Jiang Chen thought as he considered Zhao Ruoyan’s current state of mind.

And Shen Xin still hasn’t told her about what I said. He’s probably still doubtful himself, so he chose to keep quiet for now. Maybe he’ll mention it later.

At the same time, Jiang Chen quietly left a tracking imprint on Zhao Ruoyan so he could monitor her movements in the future.

With that taken care of, Jiang Chen shifted his attention back to the Immortal Martial Mustard Seed.

Thinking back to the day-long battle he had staged with Shen Xin, he remembered that his newly obtained Heaven-Defying Fate Changer, All Things Infinite Fusion, was finally ready to use again.

Time to fuse something else. My weapon is good enough for now, so I might as well try combining cultivation methods instead, Jiang Chen thought, anticipation flashing in his eyes.

He quickly focused on three cultivation methods he had already mastered.

They were all space-related Nirvana Cleansing-level techniques: the Glazed Passage Space Travel Art, the Deadly Void Prison Secret Art, and the Space Imperial Law Immortal Art.

Using these three together gave him a high chance of creating a Void Tribulation-level cultivation method, mainly because all three techniques were already extremely close to that level.

If he used ordinary Nirvana Cleansing-level methods instead, the result would most likely still remain within the Nirvana Cleansing realm.

After making his decision, Jiang Chen immediately selected the three cultivation methods and ordered the system to begin the fusion.

[Ding! Perfect fusion complete. You’ve obtained the Void Tribulation-level cultivation method, Space Law Lustrous Deadly Prison Secret Art!]

The moment the system notification appeared, countless new spatial techniques flooded into Jiang Chen’s mind.

Methods he had never seen before instantly engraved themselves into his soul, reaching the Perfect mastery level the moment he obtained them.

At the same time, Jiang Chen suddenly realized that the complete Space Dao was not the true limit of spatial laws.

Through the Space Law Lustrous Deadly Prison Secret Art, his understanding of space deepened even further, as though he had begun touching the very origin and essence of space itself.

How was space born? What created space? Jiang Chen wondered, deep thought filling his eyes.

Then, a sudden flash of insight appeared in his mind.

The realms of the Fourth Step of the Cultivation Path were Primal Chaos, Expanding Chaos, and Primordial Chaos.

Jiang Chen still couldn’t fully understand what the Expanding Chaos realm or the Primordial Chaos realm truly represented.

However, he could clearly sense that the Primal Chaos realm had countless connections to the laws of space.

Could it be that the main focus of the Fourth Step of the Cultivation Path is a deeper understanding of spatial laws? Jiang Chen wondered silently.

The endpoint of the Third Step, the Void Tribulation realm, is about starting to build your own system.

If that’s the case, then the Fourth Step should naturally be about developing that system even further.

Looking at it this way, the major realms of the Fourth Step are probably still closely tied to the power of space.

Seems like I’ll need to spend more time studying my main cultivation method, the True Eternity Heart Sutra, Jiang Chen thought inwardly.

He then glanced once more at the interstellar teleportation array that was still being repaired before quietly continuing to wait.

Time slowly passed.

Before he realized it, an entire day had gone by.

[Ding! The fusion count for your Heaven-Defying Fate Changer, All Things Infinite Fusion, has been refreshed!]

The system notification rang out right on time inside Jiang Chen’s Sea of Consciousness.

It refreshed already, yet this damn interstellar teleportation array still isn’t fixed? Jiang Chen frowned slightly.

Looking at the exhausted formation masters nearby, he suddenly felt the urge to study formation scriptures himself and repair the teleportation array personally.

As time passed, the expressions of the formation masters gradually eased, making it clear that the repairs were finally nearing completion.

Seeing this, Jiang Chen decided to continue waiting for the time being.

While waiting, he chose to fuse three more cultivation methods.

This time, he selected the Nine Heavens Mountains and Rivers Diagram, the Void Sea Emperor Mysterious Scripture, and the Light-Shadow Moon-Sun Axis Scripture.

Among them, the Nine Heavens Mountains and Rivers Diagram was already a Void Tribulation-level cultivation method, while the other two were Nirvana Cleansing-level techniques.

Combining these three would undoubtedly create an even stronger Void Tribulation-level cultivation method.

Although the Void Sea Emperor Mysterious Scripture was also a space-related cultivation method, Jiang Chen had no intention of strictly separating techniques based on categories anymore.

In his view, all cultivation methods would eventually lead to the same destination.

System! Use All Things Infinite Fusion on the three cultivation methods I selected!

After making up his mind, Jiang Chen immediately gave the command.

[Ding! Perfect fusion complete. You have obtained the Void Tribulation-level cultivation method, Void Sea Light River Twelve Pillars Diagram!]

In an instant, the profound knowledge contained within the cultivation method flooded into Jiang Chen’s soul and body.

Every cell in his body began rapidly evolving and transforming.

At the same time, Jiang Chen’s understanding of the various Great Dao laws deepened even further.

The connections between those laws inside his body also became more complex and stable.

One step closer to the initial stage of self-containment. Not bad at all, Jiang Chen thought, a satisfied smile appearing on his face.

Right after that, he gave another command.

System, show me my information panel.

[Host: Jiang Chen

Aptitude: Peerless Grade

Innate Talent: Eternal Boundless Body

Realm: Early-stage Void Tribulation

Great Dao Laws: Sword, Saber, Spear, Bow, Dagger, Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, Wind, Earth, Ice, Thunder, Light, Darkness, Rock, Yin, Yang, Illusion, Reality, Ignition, Coagulation, Poison, Radiation, Wave, Gravity, Soul... Space

True Combat Power: Middle-stage Void Tribulation (++)

Cultivation Methods: Supreme Pure Creation Heart Sutra (Primordial Chaos, Core Technique), Void Sea Light River Twelve Pillars Diagram, Space Law Lustrous Deadly Prison Secret Art (Void Tribulation, Perfection), Astral Pivot Heavenly Attraction Secret Canon (Nirvana Peering, Perfection)...

Main Equipment: Cosmic Mustard Seed (Primordial Chaos, Top-Grade), Nine Pointed Radiant Star Ring (Void Tribulation, Top-Grade), Death Moon Immortal Sword (Void Tribulation, Lower-Grade), Silver Immortal Sword (Nirvana Peering, Lower-Grade → Nirvana Cleansing, Upper-Grade)...

Villain Value: 5,510,000 points

Black Heavenly Fate Value: 229,164 points

Heaven-Defying Fate Changers: Villain Eye, Burning World Red Lotus, Eternal Vows Binding Ring, Wordless Heavenly Jade, Void Tribulation Soulring, All Things Infinite Fusion, Saint Demon Netherheart Dao Body

System Mall: Level 5]

Looks like my normal combat power is already getting close to the Late-stage Void Tribulation realm. If I go all out, reaching that level shouldn’t be a problem at all, Jiang Chen thought, clearly pleased with the result.

He then walked toward the interstellar teleportation array.

During the time he spent fusing cultivation methods, the formation masters had finally finished repairing it.

By now, a large crowd had already gathered nearby, all waiting for the interstellar teleportation array to reopen.

Jiang Chen, who was highly skilled at hiding his presence, quietly blended into the crowd. Soon, he was teleported once again, this time arriving at Auspicious Land Immortal Star.

The moment he stepped out of the teleportation array, he immediately activated the Villain Eye.

Almost instantly, he discovered another supporting character with a high Fate Value on the planet.

Another one of that protagonist’s disciples, Jiang Chen thought as his eyes narrowed slightly.

The person was a chubby young man named Li Baixiao. His cultivation was at the Early-stage Nirvana Cleansing realm, though he was somewhat weaker than Zhao Ruoyan and also had a lower Fate Value.

For now, Jiang Chen decided not to interfere with him.

Finding the protagonist comes first.

With a casual wave of his hand, Jiang Chen secretly left a tracking imprint on Li Baixiao before quickly heading toward another teleportation array.

His next destination was Sky Harmony Immortal Star.

A flash of teleportation light appeared, and Jiang Chen arrived inside the Interstellar Teleportation Hall of Sky Harmony Immortal Star.

The moment he arrived, he immediately spread his divine sense to its limit.

In an instant, his divine sense covered the entire planet, placing every cultivator under his observation.

Found you at last, Jiang Chen thought, a faint smile appearing on his face.

The seventh protagonist, Qin Ran.

Now let’s see what kind of heaven-defying trump card you possess.

As the thought crossed his mind, Jiang Chen carefully examined Qin Ran’s information panel.

[Name: Qin Ran

Status: Protagonist

Heavenly Fate: 289,688/289,688

Aptitude: None

Innate Talent: None

Heaven-Defying Trump Card: Disciple Recruitment Divine System

Realm: Early-stage Original Movement

True Combat Power: Early-stage Dao Comprehension

Cultivation Methods: Divine Wind Clear Void Scripture (Void Tribulation, Core Technique), Vast Moon Imperial Strength Art (Dao Palace, Perfection), Purple Pattern Green Bow Technique (Inquiring Journey, Perfection)... Heavenly Spider Divine Lightness Skill (Physical Body, Perfection)...

Main Equipment: Divine Crow Feather Rare Robe (Nirvana Cleansing, Top-Grade), Blue Flame Holy Gourd (Dao Palace, Top-Grade), Frost Mirror White Condensation Saber (Inquiring Journey, Top-Grade)...

Trust Level: 0]