Chapter 574: The End of the Old Era, You Need a Perfect Third Transcendence

In the Core Area of the Shenlong Empire, when the legendary soul‑fusion array was activated, the entire firmament trembled.

This act not only led the world's strongmen to speculate about what the Shenlong Empire was plotting, but also filled their hearts with astonishment and unease.

Yet at that time the borders of the Shenlong Empire had already been sealed, and any force that wished to investigate could not easily enter.

Even those who boast themselves as Divine-level Strongmen dared not lightly offend the authority of the Shenlong Empire, nor risk expulsion by forcing their way in.

Outside the Shenlong Empire, the leaders of various forces were hastily discussing countermeasures.

They tried through various channels to probe the Shenlong Empire's true intentions and planned their next actions.

Regarding these disturbances and schemes, Jiang Chen did not pay much attention.

He knows that in this strength‑valued world, any plan without powerful strength as backing becomes meaningless.

He recalled the battles he had endured, those thrilling moments that further convinced him of the importance of strength.

He understands that whether it is the Demon Emperor's arrival or the Beast King's threat, strong power is needed to meet them.

Thus, Jiang Chen decided to continue deep cultivation to raise his strength.

He arrived at the most mysterious Core Area of the Shenlong Empire—Ancient Battlefield.

On this ancient and mysterious battlefield, Jiang Chen felt unprecedented pressure.

But he did not retreat; instead his resolve hardened.

He sliced through the sky, flying toward the place where the legendary strongman—Antares—resided.

Antares is one of the most powerful beings on this battlefield, possessing awe‑inspiring strength and mysterious abilities.

Jiang Chen knows that to raise his strength, he must obtain Antares's guidance.

Soon, Jiang Chen arrived at Antares's location.

He saw a gigantic creature lying calmly there, like a towering mountain.

The creature emitted dense Energy Fluctuation, giving a strong sense of oppression.

Jiang Chen did not hesitate, stepped forward, and expressed his purpose and resolve to Antares, hoping for its guidance and aid.

Antares lifted its head, looking at Jiang Chen with its deep eyes.

"Antares, I have arrived," Jiang Chen called softly while standing before the massive creature.

Seeing Antares not respond immediately, Jiang Chen raised his voice a bit and repeated it. Only after his third call did Antares slowly open its eyes, which shone with a light that seemed able to devour all.

Jiang Chen smiled inwardly, knowing Antares had already heard his call but liked to adopt a lofty demeanor, making him call a few more times.

But Jiang Chen did not mind; since you want me to call a few more times, he will, cooperating with your "tsundere" attitude.

Antares's gaze swept lightly over Jiang Chen, seeming to perceive everything, "Level 69 now, looks like you gained many benefits from the soul‑fusion array."

Jiang Chen nodded. He could have smoothly advanced to Level 70 and performed the Third Job Transfer, but heeding Antares's advice, he stopped at Level 69 and came here first to seek Antares.

Ao Hongchen, Li Xueru and Hong Jishi all prepared various materials for his Third Transcendence, but Jiang Chen still declined their kindness.

Because he knows Antares surely has something more important to tell him.

"Do you know? I have many questions for you now," Jiang Chen directly expressed his confusion.

Antares squinted, seemingly unsurprised by Jiang Chen's question, "What else do you want to ask? Was the last time not enough?"

Jiang Chen shook his head, "I find that as my level rises, my understanding of this world actually diminishes."

"Recently, I entered a mysterious Divine Stone Instance and learned things outsiders don't know. Yet because of that, my perception of this world has become even more vague," he said.

Antares laughed heartily, his voice full of world‑worn wisdom, "That's because you haven't reached sufficient height. When you truly stand atop the world's peak, you will discover…"

At this point Antares suddenly stopped, as if pondering something.

Jiang Chen, seeing this, cooperated and asked, "What did you discover?"

Antares laughed again, "Above the peak, there are naturally higher mountains; beyond that, there is endless universe and stars."

Jiang Chen also laughed, "Are you trying to say, there are mountains beyond mountains, people beyond people, heavens beyond heavens?"

Antares paused, then nodded thoughtfully, "That phrase… sounds familiar. I think I've heard it somewhere before."

Jiang Chen knows some questions Antares will not answer directly. Yet he believes that through dialogue with Antares, he will gradually unveil the world's mysteries.

Jiang Chen inhaled deeply and said slowly, "I delved into the Divine Stone Instance, met a Stone Spirit that claimed to be the instance's guardian. There I obtained some precious items."

Under Antares's deep gaze, Jiang Chen pulls a Skill Divine Stone from his Spatial Ring.

Antares's eyes instantly sharpen; he slightly moves and says, "Skill Divine Stone, that is something only from the previous era."

Jiang Chen feels a stir; it seems Antares indeed knows about the previous era.

He nods and continues, "The Stone Spirit told me the previous era did not collapse due to its own faults; the Divine Stone Instance persisted because of certain special reasons."

Antares snorts coldly, with a hint of contempt, "Those guys always shift responsibility onto others; clearly it's mismanagement, yet they keep making excuses."

"However, saying the previous era was destroyed isn't entirely accurate," Antares adds, "The Divine Stone Instance was actually a massive factory of the previous era, producing various wondrous items. I suspect it contains many Talent Divine Stones."

Jiang Chen is shocked; Antares's knowledge far exceeds his imagination.

He presses, "In the Divine Stone Instance I saw a strange plant called the Enchanting Blue Flower, and my Domain Godstone also absorbed some Enchanting Blue Flame."

A flash of light passes through Antares's eyes; after studying Jiang Chen for several seconds, he slowly says, "Your soul indeed carries the scent of Enchanting Blue Flame. However, this flame does little to raise the soul's cap; in their era such things were not rare."

Jiang Chen asks curiously, "I can feel that era's power, far beyond ours. Why is that?"

Antares sighs lightly, shakes his head, "That era's strength was only superficial; they never truly grasped the essence of power. A hopeful era ultimately fell into ruin."

"I have tried many times to advise them, to no avail," Antares's voice is full of regret and anger, "If one day I meet those guys, I will give them a harsh lesson."

Jiang Chen senses the resentment in Antares's words, guessing Antares shares a deep connection with certain individuals of that era.

Moreover, those who can survive an entire era must be extraordinarily powerful super‑gods.

He cannot help but worry; if such a mighty era fell, what will become of his own era?

Antares seems to see Jiang Chen's worry and comforts, "You need not worry too much; each era has its uniqueness. Your era may not be inferior to theirs."

"About the specific reasons, when you reach the corresponding realm, the True Self will explain in detail. Even now if I told you, you might not grasp the deeper meaning."

"For example, you keep probing for Fan Yan's whereabouts and actions; even if I tell you, how could it change the current situation?"

Jiang Chen understood and nodded, knowing that Antares's willingness to have such a conversation with him was already a rare blessing. Perhaps in Antares's heart, he truly already regards himself as a friend worth conversing with.

Jiang Chen then asked, "I understand. Then tell me, why can't I directly ascend to Level 70 and undergo the Third Transcendence?"

Antares replied slowly, "Because such a Third Transcendence would not be enough to make you perfect."

"You yearn to become the most powerful supreme deity, to lay a cornerstone for the road ahead. Therefore, you need a flawless Third Transcendence to lay a solid foundation for your path of growth."