The Stars Beyond

Chapter 173: The Last Practitioner

Chapter 173: The Last Practitioner

"Is this the pinnacle of the mortal realm?" Wang Xuan pondered, feeling the transformations within himself. Reaching this point, he could clearly foresee that one more step would usher him into the transcendent realm.

The Ferryman, with his indistinct face, regarded Wang Xuan with a complex expression. Was this still a mortal being before him?

"Your physical and spiritual realms have transcended the mortal bounds," the Ferryman confirmed. "Just a resonance between the two, and you'll undergo a transformation into the transcendent realm."

He was sure now; Wang Xuan was a force to be reckoned with, even among some in the transcendent realm. The mere switch to a different scripture had immensely boosted his strength. The inscriptions on the stone tablet were enigmatic, commanding the Ferryman's respect.

"Worthy indeed of a legacy that even the ancient immortals fought over!" The Ferryman reflected with emotion. Even among the most ancient immortals, two who had achieved enlightenment had fallen.

These two were among the best of the immortals, ranking in the top few.

Gratefully, Wang Xuan bowed deeply to the Ferryman, who had bestowed upon him the rain of light from the Ascension Divine Bamboo. This favor was immense.

He inquired if the Ferryman had any unfulfilled wishes or tasks that needed attention in the ancient lands.

"Previously, no. But now, indeed, there is something. That Old Zhong... did he really follow my path and dig up my final resting place?" The mention of this stirred a fiery anger in the Ferryman. Old Zhong dared to tamper with the ancient immortal's site, most likely unearthing his very foundations!

Wang Xuan nodded, already planning to visit Old Zhong. He was curious about what heaven-defying items Old Zhong had unearthed and whether any could be traded for.

"Where is your hermitage, elder? Old Zhong has dug up so many; without an address or name, he'll have to recall them one by one, which won't be easy."

Upon hearing this, the Ferryman felt a mix of awkwardness and irritation. Old Zhong had excavated more than one immortal relic, and even he, the victim, had lost count. Now, he had to declare his identity.

"I am from the Pre-Qin era, well-versed and skilled in the Taoist arts of the subsequent eras. During the Qin dynasty, I was known as Xu Fu," the Ferryman stated calmly.

Wang Xuan stood agape, his eyes shimmering with astonishment. Before him was a historical legend incarnate - the great practitioner Xu Fu, a name resonant with fame throughout the annals of history. Xu Fu, the last great practitioner of the Early Qin era, heralded the dawn of Taoism's golden age.

"You ventured out to sea for the First Emperor of Qin, in search of the elixir of immortality, and somehow ended up here in this azure sea, or rather, this lake?" Wang Xuan's eyes sparkled with curiosity, eager to unravel the mysteries of this ancient figure, a living embodiment of history, who mastered both the ancient practitioner's arts and Taoist secrets - a true treasure trove of wisdom.

The Ferryman, however, was not in the mood to indulge Wang Xuan's barrage of questions. His face clouded over as he spoke of his demands, "All I care about is whether Old Zhong unearthed my sanctuary. If he did, I only ask that he preserves a small fragment of my leg bone."

The prospect of returning the bone fragment to the Hidden Land seemed unlikely, as he foresaw the imminent relocation of this mystical realm, destined to drift to an unknown celestial body, perhaps even to the distant reaches of space. To him, this meant a potential farewell to Wang Xuan, with little chance of their paths crossing again.

"Does a bone struck by celestial thunder during ascension hold special significance for immortals?" Wang Xuan pondered aloud, eager to unlock the secrets behind such relics.

The Ferryman brushed off the question, redirecting the conversation, "I must also return the imprint to you." He cautioned Wang Xuan about the upcoming interdimensional expedition of the Hidden Land, emphasizing it as a grand opportunity not to be missed.

Wang Xuan feigned reluctance, "Then let this opportunity be my way of thanking you."

The Ferryman glared at him, attempting several times to transfer the imprint back to Wang Xuan. To his dismay, the imprint stubbornly refused to leave, binding him with an issue he couldn't immediately resolve.

Wang Xuan, barely concealing a smirk, eyed the golden fishhook on the bamboo boat, inquiring softly, "Elder, can this hook be straightened?"

The Ferryman, his expression fluctuating, was deep in thought about the imprint dilemma. After a moment, he suggested, "You should leave. Try to return soon, and I'll forge a divine spear for you."

"Or perhaps I could take it with me," Wang Xuan proposed. "Modern metallurgical techniques are highly advanced. I'll find someone to refine it, so you needn't trouble yourself."

Sensing the Ferryman's brewing storm, Wang Xuan thought it wise to part ways, at least for the near future.

The Ferryman cast a sidelong glance at Wang Xuan and remarked, "I was actually considering guiding you on how to practice the mystical scripture inscribed on the stone tablet..."

"Please enlighten me, Elder," Wang Xuan responded eagerly, cutting off the Ferryman before he could finish. He committed to returning to the Hidden Land to break through his limits after gathering demonic fruits. Truthfully, Wang Xuan wished to venture into the deeper realms of the Hidden Land only after transcending into the supernatural domain. While he was not intimidated by some transcendent beings, the deeper realms undoubtedly harbored entities of formidable power, and he had no desire to be outmatched.

Upon their next meeting, he mused, it would surely astonish Old Chen.

"Do you feel your transition to this new scripture was smooth?" inquired the Ferryman.

"It was perilous, and I owe much to your assistance," Wang Xuan replied, seizing the opportunity to express his gratitude again.

"In truth, you fared quite well. Do you know how many have sought to practice this scripture but failed? They often end up with damaged organs or shattered psyches," the Ferryman observed, his gaze on Wang Xuan laden with a mix of admiration and contemplation.

"The reason for your success," he continued, "is your formation of a spiritual domain at the mortal stage and your acute awareness and control over your body. Crucially, you laid a solid foundation by mastering both the Golden Body Technique and the ancient practitioner’s Root Method to an advanced level, almost reaching the limits achievable by mortals."

Wang Xuan nodded in agreement. "This further illustrates the scripture's formidable nature. Even at the pinnacle of the mortal domain, it has elevated my strength substantially, pushing the boundaries of human potential."

"That's not my point," the Ferryman interjected. "I want to discuss a viable approach to practicing this mysterious scripture."

Wang Xuan listened intently, his demeanor serious.

"The Golden Body Technique underpinned your physical form, and Zhang Daoling's physical techniques honed your internal organs. These were crucial to your survival and success. Imagine, had you not practiced these two arts, would you have successfully transitioned to this new scripture?"

Wang Xuan acknowledged the validity of his statement.

"As you step into the transcendent realm, you can apply a similar method to practice the second True Form Figure," the Ferryman suggested. "I surmise that besides the physical body, the second scripture might involve the psyche, given the significant role of mental elevation in the transcendent domain."

He advised Wang Xuan to start practicing mental scriptures in advance and to develop his physical form to its utmost limit. This approach, he posited, would ease the practice of the second True Form Figure.

Wang Xuan pondered, “I thought having this scripture would negate the need for others, but it seems that various texts are still necessary to supplement my practice.” His thoughts drifted to Old Chen's library.

“How does the golden bamboo slip from the Early Qin period compare to the scripture on the stone tablet?” Wang Xuan inquired.

“I personally believe it's not inferior to the scripture inscribed on the stone tablet,” the Ferryman surprisingly asserted.

Wang Xuan was utterly astounded, not expecting such an evaluation.

“Among the top practitioners of the ancient immortals, two practiced the scriptures from the golden bamboo slips. They both had the opportunity to pursue the stone tablet scripture but chose not to engage in the strife for it,” the Ferryman revealed.

“There are four parts to the golden bamboo slips. Possessing one could grant access to the pinnacle domain of the ancient immortals. Legend has it that when combined, these four parts form a complete scripture, reputed as the greatest Early Qin mystic tome and the most powerful cultivation manual. Unfortunately, no one has ever succeeded in gathering all four.”

Hearing this, Wang Xuan felt overwhelmed by the information.

The Ferryman glanced at him and advised, “I must caution you not to place undue faith in a single scripture. Times are evolving, and even the most potent scriptures may have their limitations and flaws. It’s important to learn from various sources.”

“You’re absolutely right,” Wang Xuan agreed earnestly.

“In addition to the practitioners’ golden bamboo slips, several jade books of Taoism are also formidable, each holding their own against the mysteries inscribed on the stone tablet,” the Ferryman added.

Wang Xuan took a deep breath, etching these details into his memory.

He had sensed something during his recent transition to the new scripture. The stone tablet’s scripture encompassed the physical secrets unlocked by the Golden Body Technique and the Root Method, spanning a broader and more intricate area.

At that moment, he had wondered whether he could integrate insights from other top-tier scriptures to explore new potential areas and unearth more profound secrets.

Each part of the human body harbors distinct powers. Now, when Wang Xuan introspects, he sees a kaleidoscope of colors within, each part capable of unleashing formidable force when fully activated.

The Ferryman’s insights shattered Wang Xuan’s metaphorical window, illuminating his understanding. Now deeply immersed in a supreme scripture, Wang Xuan knew he must cherish any opportunity to delve into the golden books and jade scrolls, earnestly comparing and validating their teachings.

The Ferryman continued, “The spiritual exploration undertaken by Buddhism is not to be underestimated. They have forged the Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss, a realm of real existence within the spiritual dimension. Beyond this Pure Land lies deeper layers of spiritual domains. The vibrant powers of the spiritual world, buried within the subconscious, can significantly enhance one’s strength in specific areas.”

Wang Xuan was moved by this revelation. The concept of multiple layers within the spiritual realm, each harboring its unique spectrum of mystic forces, was a profound discovery.

“The practitioners and Taoists, too, have made astonishing strides in exploring the spiritual realm. The Inner Landscape is a product of such explorations. In its deepest reaches lie even more remarkable levels that even the process of ascension and immortality have drawn upon for reference...”

These words resonated like thunder in Wang Xuan’s ears, revealing aspects of ascension and immortality that were hitherto unknown to him. He yearned to ask more, but the Ferryman, engrossed in his monologue, paid him no heed.

“This era is truly one of boundless opportunities for mortals like you,” the Ferryman mused. “Scriptures once hidden at the edges of the void are now unearthed and placed on shelves by people like Old Chen. Such rare chances are everywhere; seizing them is honoring the privilege of living in this age.”

Wang Xuan nodded solemnly, fully grasping the essence of the Ferryman’s message.

As the conversation dwindled to silence, Wang Xuan reflected deeply. The myriad scriptures he could explore represented the quest to unearth the myriad mystic forces hidden within the physical body and the various planes of the spirit – a world vibrant and colorful in its complexity and potential.

......

Having glimpsed just a fraction of the obscured truths of the cultivation world, Wang Xuan found himself able to plan his future path from a higher perspective. The words of the Ferryman had left an indelible impact on him.

After a long pause, Wang Xuan inquired, "During my scripture transition, when new mystical forces emerged within me, I witnessed celestial mountains, gardens shrouded in immortality mist, and orchards of flat peaches in the Jade Pool. Are these manifestations of some layer within the spiritual realm?"

The Ferryman nodded affirmatively. "For you to perceive such visions in the mortal realm is indeed remarkable," he acknowledged. He advised Wang Xuan that upon their next encounter, he should not crush these visions deliberately, as they were reflections of spiritual power resonating with his physical form, signaling his impending transcendence.

Wang Xuan, lost in thought, mused aloud, "Could it be that some mythical tales actually transpired within these spiritual worlds? Like the banquet at the Jade Pool or the feast of flat peaches?"

The Ferryman remained silent, offering no response to his musings.

...

As Wang Xuan left the Land of Expiry, his mind was adrift, pondering various questions. His understanding of cultivation had profoundly changed compared to before.

Meanwhile, Xiong Kun and his two companions appeared once more in the outer area of the Land of Expiry. Unwilling to wait for further word from the Black Horn Beast and fearing they might miss the miraculous mist at the site of the extraordinary treasure in the Inner Landscape, they returned.

"I believe the twelve keys are nearly assembled. It’s time to lie in wait, to refine their blood essence for our use," they plotted, simultaneously speculating about the fate of the man and his steed. They surmised that the pair must have been annihilated by the Black Horn Beast, lamenting only the loss of that short sword.

"Nothing unexpected could have happened. A mere mortal could never contend with a transcendent," they confidently asserted, certain that the realm of mortals could never challenge the transcendent plane.