Chapter 168

Chapter 168: The Consumption Patterns of the River of Time

"Your talent for chaos in time and space essentially disrupts the order of Time and Space through financial sources."

"So normally, you should be able to travel to future sub-timelines to explore useful information."

"When I say traveling to future sub-timelines, I mean you going there in your true form, not just staying in the main Time and Space while using a… so-called fragment of your soul to experience everything in the future sub-timelines."

"Like your current situation, where you can’t witness things firsthand and can only gather the information you need through the narration of the future sub-timelines."

Yuanbao took a deep breath and spoke solemnly.

Su Wen’s gaze sharpened, and he asked, "Are you saying that I can actually go to future sub-timelines in my true form?"

"Yes, that’s correct."

"Then do I need to pay extra financial sources?"

"Of course."

Yuanbao nodded and explained, "Chaos in time and space is divided into four levels, and each level consumes different amounts of financial sources."

"First, there’s your current state, where you can only filter information through the narrator’s words."

"Second, there’s the method of Time and Space Projection, which projects the scenes you need to see from the future."

"Then, there’s the option of replacing… the fragment of your soul, allowing you to travel to the future and witness everything firsthand."

"The last method, which is the most expensive, lets your true form enter future sub-timelines. This method consumes a lot, but the rewards are incredible."

"For example, any income you earn from financial sources in future sub-timelines won’t be subject to high handling fees from the river of time."

"Also, before you choose to return, you won’t need to pay any financial sources for the items you carry."

"Of course, with these advantages come serious risks."

"You can only return by actively consuming an equivalent amount of financial sources. If your true self is killed by enemies while crossing into the future, you will face actual, permanent death."

Su Wen listened to Yuanbao’s words, frowning slightly.

So, it turns out there are four different ways to use chaos in time and space!

Each method comes with its own cost.

Hmm… the river of time really knows how to run a business!

Especially the last method—traveling in your true form, experiencing things firsthand, and not having to pay any handling fees in future sub-timelines.

This whole setup feels oddly familiar.

"These four different methods correspond to your different stages of growth, right?"

Su Wen looked at Yuanbao and asked.

"Yes."

Yuanbao replied, "Beginner-level Yuanbao can communicate simply with the river of time."

"Intermediate-level can use the river of time for Time and Space Projection."

"Advanced-level, God of Wealth, you can travel to future sub-timelines with your own consciousness and gather unprocessed, firsthand information through what you see and hear."

“At the top level, God of Wealth, you can journey to the future sub-timelines in your true self.”

Yuanbao paused, then added, “When I accumulate ten points of divine essence, the next transformation will trigger, elevating me to a higher level.”

“And with twenty points of divine essence, I will ascend to the top level.”

Su Wen glanced at Yuanbao and murmured, “So, you’re saying the river of time gauges my payment ability based on your level?”

The higher Yuanbao’s level, the more features the river of time unlocks.

Especially in the later stages, the financial demands grow heavier.

Thinking about it, isn’t the river of time essentially sizing up the God of Wealth’s wallet based on Yuanbao’s level?

If Yuanbao, one of the God of Wealth’s Divine Artifacts, has been nurtured to the top level, it clearly signals that the God of Wealth is rolling in wealth!

Thus, the final function should now be within reach.

Of course, there’s another angle—the last two methods of time travel might carry significant risks.

Experiencing the future firsthand, confronting its despair and the infinite possibilities of sub-timelines, requires immense mental fortitude. Without it, things could go south.

As for the final method of traveling in person, it’s self-explanatory—if something goes wrong, it’s game over.

From this perspective, it could be seen as the river of time’s way of… protecting its users?

But Su Wen suspected that even if the river of time had protective intentions, they were secondary to its profit-driven motives.

The river of time, ever the shrewd business entity, likely just wants to keep its celestial officer from slipping away.

“Master, you could interpret it that way,” Yuanbao chimed in. “However, I advise against traveling to the future in your true self until you’ve developed strong self-defense capabilities.”

Su Wen pondered for a moment. “What do you consider strong self-defense capabilities?”

“You should be able to withstand an attack from the strongest person in the world, even if only for a brief moment.”

“I’ll do my best.”

He caught Yuanbao’s drift—though not explicitly stated, it hinted at reaching the Emperor Level.

Relying on his own strength to fend off an attack from the world’s strongest?

The strongest person?

Fighting God?

Could his Emperor Level self endure an assault from the Fighting God?

Perhaps, with martial arts cultivation also at the Emperor Level, the dual Protective Boost of Emperor Levels might give him a slim chance!

“Sigh!”

Su Wen couldn’t help but sigh.

Initially, thanks to the God of Theater’s influence, he at least didn’t appear as destitute.

But now, it seemed he looked even poorer than before.

Why does the river of time keep coming up with new ways to drain his pockets?

Just when he thought the most expensive option had surfaced, another one emerges!

In the end, he realized that what he thought was the most costly method was just the tip of the iceberg.

Being the God of Wealth felt like he was endlessly harvesting chives—cut them down, and they just grow back stronger.

It’s a never-ending cycle!

The more you cut, the more they thrive!

And the more they thrive, the more you have to cut!

“Boom!”

Suddenly, a deafening explosion erupted from above.

Soon after, continuous tremors rolled in from the distance, like the aftershocks of a massive earthquake, seemingly endless.

“Whoosh!”

“Whoosh!”

“……”

Several piercing sounds cut through the air, and then the Star God, Shadow God, Wind God, and God of Freedom appeared simultaneously in the office area.

“What’s going on?”

Su Wen stepped out of the office, his tone grave.

“It must be the God of Theater; a battle has broken out!”

The Star God spoke, his body radiating with the power of stars.

At the same moment, the Starry Array above Huaxia drew upon the surrounding stars to form a solid barrier.

“Buzz, buzz, buzz……”

As the barrier of the Starry Array solidified, the relentless tremors gradually subsided.

“Dear Star, I’ve never seen anything this intense before.”

The God of Freedom looked at the Star God, her voice heavy. “It seems that even the weakened ripples from an Emperor Level conflict can cause catastrophic damage.”

The Star God nodded slightly. “Luckily, we acted fast, and the Starry Array has the ability to dampen impacts. Otherwise, things could’ve gone very wrong.”

As he spoke, a royal purple mirror materialized beside him.

“Battles at the Emperor Level are still highly informative for us.”

“I should be able to reach out to the God of Theater. With her help, creating a simple battlefield projection shouldn’t be a problem.”