The Stars Beyond

Chapter 155: All For Getting A Chance

Chapter 155: All For Getting A Chance

"Look there! The savage emerges again! Quite the sight, isn't he?" From a distant vantage point atop a mountain, a group of figures stared in disbelief at Wang Xuan.

Who was this man? He wore no clothing, save for a crudely fashioned shorts made from tree bark. Sprinting wildly across the land, he seemed more like a primitive wild man than a civilized being.

"Clearly an uncivilized native," one of the figures remarked with a mix of amusement and disdain. "He shamelessly roams around nearly naked!"

"Careful," another figure cautioned. "Despite his appearance, he's proven his tenacity and strength by surviving against all odds."

The group, stationed in the area, had two purposes: one, to kill Wang Xuan; and two, to continue their quest for precious herbs. "Remember how he daringly hid inside the belly of the silkworm snake? I suspect he might've hidden inside a giant fish in the nearby river to mask his scent and go undetected," one mused.

"Indeed," replied a man who had once narrowly escaped a threat by jumping into a river. "His technique, the 'Golden Body Art', would allow such a feat. Brilliant in its audacity."

Their eyes narrowed, imagining Wang Xuan's primitive tactics. "We must hunt him down this time. We cannot afford to let him slip away again," they resolved. The group, now reduced to five members, harbored deep resentment towards Wang Xuan, blaming him for their dwindling numbers.

"Our team is down to half. We stand no chance against other groups now," lamented one member. "Especially after I spotted the members of 'Feathered Star'. Their leader, a woman, showcased abilities bordering on the supernatural!"

Another member nodded in agreement, recalling his own hasty retreat after witnessing such a display of power. Encounters between different groups in the outer region of the secret land meant inevitable combat, with one side always facing certain doom. Feeling defeated and outnumbered, their only hope now was to remain hidden near the habitats of the supernatural creatures and survive.

"It's evident," another mused, "some individuals are holding back their breakthrough to ascendancy, aiming to dominate this outer region and reap the rumored benefits."

......

"Some teams have ambitions even greater than you can fathom," a man named Zhuo Yang interjected.

He believed that some were strategizing to secure the greatest treasures in the outer region before advancing to the transcendent realm. After that, they would venture deeper into the secret land, where they would engage in the battles of the transcendent to seize the legendary fortune.

In the realm of the transcendent, everything was considered legendary, hinting at rare and priceless treasures. They had the potential to alter a cultivator's fate. Otherwise, why would all these practitioners risk everything for a mere competition in this hidden land?

...

Seizing his opportunity, Wang Xuan charged towards the lair of the Silver Bear. He could already smell the enticing aroma of the cluster of silver-white herbs. Intermingled with the herbal scent was a tantalizing fragrance, not unlike that of blood grapes, drawing him irresistibly closer.

In a moment of insight, Wang Xuan realized that being close to the Departed Lands and adjacent to the eight transcendent nests, it was probable that the ancestral beings here had followed the true physical path, undergoing a demonic transformation. Consequently, the herbs around their dwelling were likely demonic fruits.

Suddenly, a stone weighing several pounds fell from the sky, narrowly missing him. It created a large crater upon impact. More stones began to rain down, creating a huge commotion.

Swiftly turning around, Wang Xuan caught a glimpse of several figures on a distant peak. They vanished as quickly as they appeared.

They were attempting to use the bear to kill him.

Fury surged within Wang Xuan. Just when he was on the verge of success, these individuals had alarmed the forest, essentially alerting the Silver Bear to his presence. Though he was near the herbs, Wang Xuan decisively retreated, dashing towards the misty region.

To obstruct him from harvesting the herbs and advancing was akin to a deep-seated vendetta. His anger boiled over, wishing he could immediately chase and slaughter those responsible. He had clearly recognized them as the alien grandmasters.

They hadn’t left, and were obviously targeting him for elimination. Well, if that's the case, Wang Xuan thought, a retaliation is imminent.

Deep within the dense forest, an overwhelming surge of malevolent energy erupted, causing the massive trees to explode in every direction.

Surprisingly, the rotund Silver Bear shot up into the sky. As it fluttered, its once chubby form slimmed down. Hidden beneath its bulky frame, a pair of large, furry wings unfolded. They had been concealed, making the creature appear cumbersome on regular days.

With its wings fully extended, the bear radiated a blinding silver light. It streaked across the forest canopy like a luminous bolt of lightning, overseeing its den from above.

Wang Xuan's heart raced in fear. The once slow-moving beast was now as fast as lightning, even swifter than the golden exotic bird. Who could withstand its speed?

Thankfully, Wang Xuan had made a quick decision earlier. When his path was blocked and disrupted, he had immediately fled instead of stubbornly trying to harvest the herbs. Otherwise, he would've undoubtedly become a meal for the Silver Bear by now.

Following the deep footprints Wang Xuan left behind, the Silver Bear pursued relentlessly, its senses extraordinarily sharp. It was a close call. Just as Wang Xuan vanished into the mist, the bear caught only a fleeting glimpse of his retreating figure.

With a thunderous roar, the Silver Bear unleashed a bolt of lightning. The ground erupted, forming a vast pit so deep that even a few giant creatures couldn't fill it. The edges of the crater were charred black.

Wang Xuan was profoundly shaken. It seemed that those who kept a low profile were often the most formidable. He had underestimated the Silver Bear's terrifying abilities. In his estimation, even two silk snakes combined couldn't rival this lightning-spewing bear.

Still, he felt that had it not been for those individuals' interference, he would've harvested the miraculous herbs and managed to escape the Silver Bear's pursuit, making it safely here.

"Those who stand in my way should be fed to the bear!" Wang Xuan fumed, regretting the missed golden opportunity.

After waiting cautiously at the edge of the mist for some time, he employed his potent spiritual senses to scan the surroundings. Confirming no dangers, he finally ventured deeper into the woods.

Attempting to tackle the flying Silver Bear, capable of summoning thunder, was too perilous. He had to find another transcendent nest.

"I bear no grudge against the Silver Bear, so I'll leave its extraordinary herbs alone. Revenge has a rightful target. I'll seek vengeance on the mountain tortoise instead!" Wang Xuan consoled himself.

Before venturing further, Wang Xuan wanted to deal with the extraterrestrial interlopers first. Their potential ambush during his journey could pose a grave threat.

Seated deep within the woods, he pondered. Where did these aliens come from? Where was their spaceship? And were there more of them?

"Are they here just to harvest the demonic fruits?" Wang Xuan doubted it.

Their youth and their status as grandmasters suggested that their home planet was profoundly advanced, likely rivaling this secret land. With a mature extraterrestrial civilization, they wouldn't be here solely for herbs.

"What could they possibly be after? Something must have driven them to traverse the vast expanse of space," he thought, a smirk forming, "Whatever it is, I'll claim it for myself first!"

However, before Wang Xuan could act on his thoughts, the aliens revealed themselves, venturing deep into the heart of the forest.

"We've found him!" The five of them quietly encircled him, determined to eliminate the earthling they had targeted.

Thanks to his heightened spiritual realm, Wang Xuan's senses were razor-sharp. Spotting them, a chill overtook him. Before he could settle scores, they had preemptively sought him out.

Standing up calmly, Wang Xuan looked at the approaching group with composed ease. "Well, this saves me the trouble of hunting them down," he thought.

"Perhaps this earthling's ancestors were of our Oulan lineage, who chose to remain on this planet," one of the aliens remarked.

"Dressed in nothing, truly reverting to a primitive state," another added with a sneer.

Their animosity towards Wang Xuan was palpable, especially since he had killed one of their comrades before.

"Where do you come from?" Wang Xuan inquired. However, even though they had potent spiritual energy, they didn't possess a defined realm, making communication challenging.

Resignedly, Wang Xuan pointed at them and, using their language, addressed them one by one: "Primitive!"

Relying on his spiritual realm to capture thoughts, he could only match a few terms with their language.

Infuriated by being referred to as 'primitive', especially by someone they considered an uncivilized native, tensions quickly escalated.

In a flash, the battle began!

Wang Xuan, being at the intermediate phase of a grandmaster, was undeterred by his opponents, some of whom were at advanced stages. Having previously defeated one of their kind, he had little to fear post-evolution.

Eager to test the resilience of his golden body technique, he charged fearlessly, especially targeting one opponent. Like a fired cannonball, he used his entire body to launch a ferocious assault.

The targeted alien retreated rapidly, opening his mouth to spew a beam of light. However, Wang Xuan remained undeterred. A jolt shot through his chest, manifesting into a burst of lightning that not only dispelled the fiery beam but also struck the alien, causing half of his body to go numb.

With an explosive sound, Wang Xuan's momentum remained unstoppable. Utilizing his entire body as a weapon, he crashed into the paralyzed opponent. The collision felt to the man as if he had been hit by a rampaging beast; the pain was excruciating. The impact fractured several of his bones and sent him hurtling away.

Wang Xuan, with his astonishing speed, quickly closed in, preparing to deliver a fatal slap. But remembering his lack of attire, he hesitated, not wishing to stain himself with blood. Instead, he grabbed the alien, and with a swift, crisp sound, snapped his neck, neutralizing one of the threats.

He was quite pleased with his combat prowess.

The remaining four, however, were horrified. They had barely engaged, and one of their Grandmasters was already down?

"Attack!" They shouted in unison.

Knowing fully well the extent of Wang Xuan's golden body technique, they dared not confront him head-on. Instead, they unleashed Grandmaster-level powers, deploying beams of light and bolts of lightning.

Yet they soon realized their efforts were in vain. Even when bolts of lightning made Wang Xuan stagger, they couldn't kill him. His body radiated with a golden aura, resiliently fending off their attacks. Not only were they adept in these secret techniques, but Wang Xuan was equally proficient. Whether it was lightning or beams of light, he could summon them at will.

Normally, within the realm of a Grandmaster, one would master only a singular special ability.

Boom!

Wang Xuan's internal organs glowed, and he launched a lightning bolt that sent another opponent flying, his chest charred and his body convulsing, rendering him on the verge of incapacitation.

Rushing forward, Wang Xuan aimed to deliver a final blow. However, the sole female among the aliens screamed, unleashing a psychic assault on Wang Xuan, in an attempt to halt his murderous advance. Her spiritual energy was formidable.

But it was of no consequence to Wang Xuan. He remained undeterred.

As the female alien unleashed lightning bolts from her chest, Wang Xuan smirked. Radiating a golden aura from head to toe, he charged towards her with unyielding determination.

The woman intensified her barrage of lightning while sending forth a flurry of hand strikes. However, up close and personal, how could she match the might of someone who had mastered the golden body technique?

Aware of her perilous situation, she gritted her teeth, opting for a last-ditch effort. Drawing close to Wang Xuan, she sought to self-detonate, aiming to unleash a powerful bolt of lightning to obliterate her opponent.

Her plan went awry. The very moment she got close, Wang Xuan's arms wrapped around her, squeezing with such might that the sound of her bones cracking echoed in the air. In this state, her organs were nearly crushed, making it impossible for her to channel the energy required for the lightning attack.

With a swift move, Wang Xuan snapped her neck and cast her aside.

Suddenly, the air seemed to split, and a chilling gleam raced towards Wang Xuan. Despite his heightened reflexes and robust physique, he couldn't dodge it. Blood gushed from his shoulder, revealing a deep, ghastly wound. To his astonishment, even his golden body technique had failed to repel this icy slash.

From the shadows, a man named Zhuo Yang, holding a gleaming dagger, watched closely. He had expected his lethal strike to finish off Wang Xuan, and its failure sent shivers down his spine, hinting at impending doom. The cold gleam emanated from this very blade.

He tried once more, urging the dagger to reveal its mysterious patterns, launching another slashing beam at Wang Xuan. This time, prepared, Wang Xuan evaded the attack. The radiant slash continued on its path, cutting down numerous ancient trees, showcasing its terrifying power.

Zhuo Yang's face paled, a sense of impending doom settling in. His dagger, crafted and engraved with unique runes by his elders, was a treasure nearing transcendence. Bringing such a weapon into this hidden realm was risky; its discovery would surely spark controversy. After all, external areas were reserved for those below the transcendent tier. Although his blade tiptoed along the boundary, one could argue it wasn't truly transcendent.

After releasing a third chilling beam from the dagger, Zhuo Yang knew its limit had been reached. With only three transcendent-like slashes at its disposal, he discarded the blade and turned to flee.

Wang Xuan was even more prepared this time. As his organs resonated, he summoned a massive bolt of lightning which collided with the advancing blade's beam. Surprisingly, the formidable energy of the blade didn't dissipate completely but continued its trajectory. Leveraging a secret technique passed down from Zhang Daoling, Wang Xuan's palm radiated with a mysterious energy, and with a mighty strike, he neutralized the dimming blade beam. His intention was clear – he wanted to measure the ultimate strength of this energy, ensuring he was always a step ahead.

Suddenly, bolts of lightning erupted from Wang Xuan, targeting two slower opponents. One, having been struck earlier, was paralyzed and crumpled to the ground. The other, after a powerful slap from Wang Xuan, spat blood and was thrown several meters away.

In the heat of the moment, Wang Xuan restrained himself, deciding to spare the two, foreseeing a future use for them.

Without hesitation, Wang Xuan pursued Zhuo Yang deep into the forest. After a fierce confrontation, this renowned figure from the Zhuo family met his end, obliterated amidst the trees by Wang Xuan's might.

Returning to the aftermath, Wang Xuan stripped both the living and the dead of their armor, selecting the cleanest set for himself. Various containers, weapons, and other valuable artifacts were seized and stored in his realm shard.

Among the possessions, a unique metallic badge covered in intricate patterns was found on Zhuo Yang's body.

Wang Xuan attempted to interrogate the two captives, one of whom was the man who had previously escaped by leaping into the river. The man's hands bore the unmistakable marks of twenty-two puncture wounds.

However, communication proved futile. While Wang Xuan could sense their thoughts, they lacked the spiritual understanding to grasp his intent. All he could gather was that they weren't the only party in this hidden realm, and that victors of this contest would obtain immense rewards.

Deeming communication too difficult, Wang Xuan grew frustrated. He couldn't truly probe their consciousness. In a spur of the moment, he gagged them and approached the lair of the transcendent creature.

From a distance, Wang Xuan observed the mountainous turtle. He patiently waited until it left its nest to feed. Turning to the captives, he said, "You've had enough rest. Soon, I'll give you a chance to escape."

Wang Xuan stripped them down to their undergarments, leaving their upper bodies exposed, and then bound them together. He took them to the outskirts of the turtle's nest, swiftly plucking four golden-hued fruits from a tree that gleamed like brass.

"To the turtle who wishes to feast on me," he addressed the creature's lair, "I bear no grudges. I only take a few of your fruits."

Noticing three empty stems on the tree, Wang Xuan deduced that the turtle had consumed three ripe fruits earlier.

"Time to part ways," Wang Xuan said to the captives as he released them. "We each fend for ourselves. Until fate brings us together again." Without another word, he sprinted away.

It wasn't that Wang Xuan was particularly fearful, but he believed in caution. If any mishap occurred, the captives would serve as a diversion.

He made a beeline for the misty region, running as fast as he could. To his dread, the turtle returned to its nest sooner than anticipated, emitting furious roars as it pursued them.

To complicate matters, a silver bear, roused by the commotion, soared into the sky. Spotting Wang Xuan and the two half-naked captives fleeing in different directions, the bear recalled an earlier intruder into its lair — a man without armor. It lunged at one of the captives.

Wang Xuan stole a glance behind and pondered. If it weren't for the captives drawing attention, the unexpected appearance of the silver bear might not have posed much threat. However, now, there was undeniable risk.

The mountainous turtle was long left behind in Wang Xuan's wake. As he entered the misty region, he didn't hesitate to bite into the demonic fruit. Its juicy flesh was a mix of sweet and sour, and the taste was exquisite, filling his mouth with a rich aroma.

As he continued to eat, Wang Xuan's body began to radiate a gentle warmth and glow. Especially when he stepped into the barren wasteland, where not even a blade of grass grew, he felt as if his body was tearing apart. The harrowing experiences he faced previously resurfaced, and this time they were even more intense.

Undeterred by the pain, Wang Xuan pressed on, making his way to the shimmering blue lake. Everything was unfolding just as he had experienced before; the raised platform materialized in front of him.

Then, at the end of the azure expanse, specks of gold began to appear, heralding the emergence of the bamboo boat from the mist. A smile crept onto Wang Xuan's face. Their reunion was imminent, and it signaled another significant boost in his power.

"How peculiar. Another has managed to breach this place," mused the Ferryman, who had just awakened from his slumber. "After centuries of silence on this life-bearing planet, it's remarkable to see multiple extraordinary beings stepping onto the path of the forsaken realm in succession."

He recalled the previous visitor who had dared to provoke the red-clothed enchantress, leaving an indelible impression on him. The Ferryman wondered if this new visitor would be just as audacious.