Chapter 344
Chapter 344: Nian Wei
The man listened calmly, unsurprised: “The First Blade of OutTwo Chan is indeed strong, but mastering it is exceedingly difficult.”
Wang Jie’s eyes filled with longing as he spoke: “I’ve heard that those who master this blade art become unbeatable.”
The man gave a disdainful smile: “If it were truly unbeatable, it wouldn’t be placed in OutTwo Chan. The Hundred Million Instant Slash is indeed powerful, but training it demands relentless daily practice. Once you begin, there’s no time left for other cultivation methods. Our Three Chan Heaven values enlightenment above all. Originally, this technique was stored here, but it ended up in OutTwo Chan as a token of inspiration for those disciples.”
“That’s a pity,” Wang Jie murmured softly.
The man said nothing further.
“Senior, this junior has decided to cultivate the Five Wounds of Heavenly Punishment.”
“A wise choice. Go complete your mission,” the man replied simply.
“What mission?” Wang Jie asked, puzzled.
The man looked at Wang Jie, amused: “Naturally, if you wish to obtain battle skills, you must first contribute. Did you believe sect techniques were free for the taking?”
Wang Jie responded, “I’m a disciple of Bearing Chan.”
“I know,” the man retorted. “But have you ever heard of any core disciple from a sect being permitted to learn all methods and battle techniques without contributing? You may cultivate only one technique freely, without condition.”
Wang Jie paused, startled. The man was right—even though his Chan token granted him a Bearing Chan disciple’s status, that didn’t mean he could gain resources from Three Chan Heaven without effort. Before arriving, he had been told he could access all resources within Three Chan Heaven, but that was merely qualification—not entitlement.
Just as an inner sect disciple could complete missions to obtain basic techniques, yet wasn’t qualified to practice the Five Wounds of Heavenly Punishment, so Wang Jie had eligibility for all methods but must still exchange contributions.
This was true across all great sects.
Even the Six Dao Wanderer from Black White Heaven was no exception, otherwise there would be no need for anyone to step onto the battlefield.
The man spoke slowly: “Bearing Chan disciples may directly cultivate the Celestial Body Refining Chart—this is a privilege. But all other techniques require contributions. Otherwise…” he looked at Wang Jie oddly, “you seemed very interested in the Hundred Million Instant Slash earlier.”
Wang Jie nodded quietly.
The man smiled: “Bearing Chan disciples can freely cultivate any technique from OutTwo Chan. If you don’t wish to make contributions, you could indeed try training in the Hundred Million Instant Slash.”
Wang Jie’s eyes brightened as he bowed respectfully: “Thank you for the reminder, senior.”
The man watched Wang Jie leave, shaking his head slightly: “It is far too challenging to master that Hundred Million Instant Slash. Even disciples with remarkable talent would need at least half a year to execute the very first slash. Without ten years of uninterrupted practice, wielding it fluidly is nearly impossible.”
[Well, good luck enduring that,] he mused quietly.
Leaving the Scripture Pavilion, Wang Jie gazed thoughtfully toward the distance. From Chan Mountain to OutTwo Chan lay Chan Lake, spanning a great expanse. He could not cross the cosmic void unaided and needed a vessel. The Void Skate could not be used here, as it would reveal his true identity.
Thankfully, the sect had arranged routes.
Those who had yet to reach the Wandering Star Realm could travel certain paths using sect spacecraft to reach the Sect Encircling Corridor.
After journeying swiftly across Chan Mountain for half a day, Wang Jie arrived at a docked spacecraft and boarded quickly. Soon, the ship soared toward the Sect Encircling Corridor.
Compared to Black White Heaven, this Three Chan Heaven was much more comfortable.
In Black White Heaven, disciples had to spend their own money on spaceships, but Three Chan Heaven generously provided communal vessels.
Looking down from the high sky, Wang Jie saw numerous ships shuttling back and forth, with some Three Chan Heaven disciples among them.
Far below, Chan Lake came into view.
The so-called Chan Lake was not entirely composed of water. Rather, it was an area without turbulence, filled with unique floating substances, making it appear like a lake surface. Of course, there truly was a large area filled with actual water.
He was alone on this ship.
Soon afterward, the vessel landed at a bustling port in the Sect Encircling Corridor. As Wang Jie stepped out, lively scenes unfolded before him—he had arrived directly at a market square.
Crowds moved busily about, mostly OutTwo Chan disciples.
With clear purpose, Wang Jie moved swiftly in a certain direction. Before long, a familiar structure appeared ahead. The Star Dome Visage buildings always had a distinct style.
From behind, a group of disciples excitedly passed by, their chatter lively: “Now that we have money, I’m definitely getting all ten-seal materials!”
“Be careful. Save some funds for pills; restoration pills aren’t cheap.”
“No need, using pills for healing is too extravagant. I’ll manage the injuries myself…”
Watching these disciples rush into the building, Wang Jie remembered his own past. He had behaved the same way when first arriving at the Silver Radiance Empire, eagerly searching for cataclysm materials. Back then, medicinal pills truly were an extravagance for him.
This was the Star Dome Visage Material Trading Center.
Yet his goal wasn’t here, but rather the nearby Star Fusion Center.
Sitting in the Star Fusion Center’s guest room, Wang Jie quietly sipped tea, deep in thought. Before long, a woman entered and gracefully took a seat across from him: “I am Nian Wei, director of the Three Chan Heaven Star Fusion Center, and also in charge of Star Dome Visage intelligence. How may I assist you?”
Wang Jie studied the woman carefully.
It seemed that all intelligence leaders stationed outside by Star Dome Visage were female.
Yet this woman differed from others he’d met before—her entire presence radiated competence, and her expressionless face made him wonder briefly if he had found the wrong person.
He revealed his identity as an analyst, intending to quickly leverage Star Dome Visage’s influence within Three Chan Heaven to settle himself firmly. Nian Wei’s identity had already been disclosed to him by Si Yao. As an analyst, he was entitled to know the identities of local contacts who could cooperate with him.
“I wish to know certain things.”
“Please ask,” Nian Wei responded simply, showing no interest in Wang Jie’s identity.
Wang Jie began directly: “What’s the quickest method within Three Chan Heaven for replenishing lock force?”
Nian Wei answered without hesitation: “The most common method is through lock force materials or Slaughter Stones. Since you ask in this manner, you likely find their efficiency unsatisfactory. The best alternative would then be a Devour Star. It is the most convenient method and contains immense lock force. There are such stars within Three Chan Heaven—more than one, in fact.”
Wang Jie’s eyes sparkled brightly: “Where can I find them? How can I obtain one?”
“The Lock Force Devour Star is not something easily acquired,” Nian Wei explained, her voice calm yet firm. “Three Chan Heaven intends to use it to break through the limitations placed upon Lock Force cultivators. Without such a breakthrough, those cultivators have no future. By harnessing the Devour Star, they could overturn the cosmic balance—after all, Lock Force cultivators form the vast majority in this universe. And it’s not just Three Chan Heaven; any faction capable of cultivating a Lock Force Devour Star would guard it closely. Only in dire circumstances would they consider opening it to outsiders.”
“Is there truly no chance at all?” Wang Jie asked.
“None,” came her reply.
Wang Jie frowned deeply: “Even Star Dome Visage can’t help me?”
Nian Wei gazed at him intently, her voice gentle yet firm: “This is Three Chan Heaven.”
Disappointment washed over Wang Jie. Without the Lock Force Devour Star’s assistance, rapidly absorbing Lock Force would be nearly impossible, significantly delaying his breakthrough into Wandering Star Realm. This was the greatest drawback since leaving Black White Heaven.
“Within Three Chan Heaven, it’s impossible,” Nian Wei suddenly added. “But outside Three Chan Heaven, there is a way.”
Confusion flickered in Wang Jie’s eyes: “What do you mean?”
“As I said,” Nian Wei continued patiently, “any faction capable of cultivating a Lock Force Devour Star will do so if conditions allow. Near Three Chan Heaven lies a family known as the Sea Cliff Miao Clan. They possess a Lock Force Devour Star. Although it hasn’t been cultivated for very long, it should suffice for your needs.”
Wang Jie’s eyes lit up immediately: “Can I obtain it?”
She nodded: “It’s possible.”
“How do I get it?”
Nian Wei remained silent, calmly watching Wang Jie.
Wang Jie hesitantly probed: “Surely, you don’t mean to…steal it?”
Nian Wei seriously nodded once more: “Yes, take it by force.”
Speechless, Wang Jie sighed: “We’re talking about an entire clan capable of cultivating a Devour Star. How am I supposed to steal it? The Miao Clan must have at least a Hundred Star Realm cultivator.”
“They have two Hundred Star Realm cultivators and fifteen Wandering Star Realm cultivators. They aren’t particularly strong, just a typical family surviving in a quiet corner of the universe,” Nian Wei explained softly. “The Sea Cliff Miao Clan owes its survival to an ancestral bond with the Heavenly Insect People, relying on their name alone to maintain their standing.”
“I can’t take it,” Wang Jie said firmly, “I can’t beat a Hundred Star Realm cultivator.”
“You can hire experts,” Nian Wei suggested calmly, “as long as you have money. Or you can even hire assassins…”
Listening to Nian Wei analyze the situation so seriously, Wang Jie began to wonder if she had a grudge against the Miao Clan.
But she denied having any such grievance.
“You want answers from me, and I’m simply advising you,” Nian Wei continued. “The Miao Clan is close to Three Chan Heaven but has no actual ties here, making them a perfect target. If you dislike targeting the Miao Clan, you can seek other factions, though they’ll be farther away.”
“Even if the Miao Clan falls, that Devour Star wouldn’t belong to me alone,” Wang Jie pointed out. “Anyone could snatch it then.”
“You’re an analyst for my Star Dome Visage,” Nian Wei replied smoothly. “If you hand over the Devour Star to Star Dome Visage immediately after the Miao Clan’s collapse—before any other faction intervenes—you’ll gain exclusive usage rights. Additionally, you’ll earn merit within Star Dome Visage.” She paused before adding, “But this must happen strictly after the Miao Clan is destroyed. Star Dome Visage won’t directly attack factions, especially at this delicate moment.”
Wang Jie decided he would consider the matter further.
Changing topics, he asked, “Where’s the nearest Thunder Well?”
“The closest one lies beneath Armor One Sect’s Star Wall. The next nearest is within the Second Star Cloud.”
“Star Wall?” Wang Jie questioned curiously.
“It’s a massive barrier formed from countless stars, separating the Bridge Pillars from other regions to block enemy invasions…” Nian Wei patiently explained, her expression unchanging despite Wang Jie’s endless questions.
He also asked about Hundred Million Instant Slash. Nian Wei explained its details carefully, emphasizing its flaws. This made Wang Jie even more eager, as he favored flawed techniques he could cultivate himself, calling them ‘Lost Martial Arts.’
When he inquired about the Observers of Three Chan Heaven, Nian Wei remained silent. Such identities could only be disclosed from above.
Finally, Nian Wei gave him a suggestion for cultivation within Three Chan Heaven: to control an entire mountain range.
A mountain range naturally meant territory within Chan Mountain itself.
Chan Mountain was vast, stretching across a region of starry skies, with countless stars hidden between its peaks. Controlling a mountain range meant he could fully dominate all stars within, forbidding outsiders from intruding freely.
This advice left Wang Jie wondering if she knew he’d cultivated the Immortal Physique.
He indeed needed a secluded place to forcibly suppress stars, uninterrupted by outsiders.
“Controlling a mountain range ensures peaceful cultivation without disturbances. However, I don’t suggest you cultivate Hundred Million Instant Slash. It consumes too much time. To succeed in the Wandering Star Martial Meet, your priority must be breaking through into Wandering Star Realm. That’s why obtaining the Lock Force Devour Star is critical.”
Nian Wei’s advice was perfectly reasonable for ordinary cultivators—but Wang Jie was not ordinary.
Thus, upon leaving the Star Fusion Center, he immediately headed toward OutTwo Chan Mountain, searching for Hundred Million Instant Slash.
He couldn’t forget the stunning moment when Luan Dao defeated Han Ling with just one slash.
Compared to Chan Mountain’s Scripture Pavilion, the OutTwo Chan Scripture Pavilion was crowded, with queues forming just to enter. Techniques here required fewer contributions, attracting countless cultivators temporarily transferred by various factions.
Almost everyone here had powerful backing behind them.