The Stars Beyond

Chapter 179: Top Tier Technique

Chapter 179: Top Tier Technique

Old Chen, a seasoned fisherman, was undoubtedly daring and adventurous. This trait was evident in the grand battle at the Pamir Plateau and his subsequent venture into the Inner Landscape, led by Wang Xuan.

Given his bold nature, Old Chen would undoubtedly be willing to venture into the Departed Lands and traverse its secretive path. However, should any misfortune befall him, Wang Xuan knew he would be powerless to intervene. A mishap could mean an irrevocable loss, far graver than any staged demise or the incidents involving his withdrawal from the affluent circles of Ancheng.

"Old Chen, I'm torn. By withholding this information, I fear you might miss a great opportunity. But by revealing it, I risk leading you to your doom. What should I do?" Wang Xuan spoke in a hushed tone, pulling Old Chen aside to a secluded spot.

In the Earth Immortal City, amidst the crumbling structures and the remnants of a bygone era, they conversed under the fading glow of the evening sky.

"Tell me first, and I'll make my decision afterward," Old Chen responded.

"I've discovered a secret path..." Wang Xuan began, explaining the nuances of the Departed Lands with a solemn expression.

Predictably, Old Chen's eyes lit up with excitement upon hearing this, his spirit invigorated at the prospect of exploring uncharted territory. His entire life's ambition had been to uncover the hidden paths of the ancient ways, and this revelation was too enticing to ignore.

"Calm down. Let me remind you, for centuries no one has dared to traverse that secret path. Recently, I was the only one to succeed," Wang Xuan cautioned him, pouring cold water on his enthusiasm, emphasizing the perilous nature of the journey.

Old Chen nodded solemnly, his demeanor becoming contemplative. "If I shy away from this opportunity, then in the future, even if I encounter the Departed Lands again, I would definitely not dare to venture in," he stated.

Wang Xuan understood Old Chen's bravery and his willingness to take risks. However, this decision could potentially lead him down a path of no return, a concern that weighed heavily on Wang Xuan.

Old Chen analyzed his situation calmly. "You needn't worry about me. I, Chen Yongjie, am no ordinary person. I've triggered super-sensory perception multiple times and formed a spiritual domain even as a mortal. In the annals of history, such feats are extremely rare."

Indeed, Old Chen's accomplishments were noteworthy. In ancient times, his capabilities would have been enough to establish him as the leader of a sect, and breaking through to the Earth Immortal level wouldn't have been unusual.

"The Old World has regressed, no longer a transcendent planet, but I have still risen to prominence. I have confidence in myself!" Old Chen declared, his posture radiating a formidable aura of determination and fierceness.

He added, "Regardless, I am considered the foremost individual of a planet teeming with billions of lives. Can't I traverse the secret path of the Seishi region?"

"You're about to become the second," Wang Xuan reminded him, seeking to temper his overconfidence.

Reflecting further, Wang Xuan acknowledged the exceptional nature of both Old Chen and Old Zhong. Their rise to prominence during a phase of waning transcendent energy was indeed no small feat. Considering Old Zhong as the foremost figure of the New World was unquestionably fitting – his depth and cunning were profound.

However, Wang Xuan had his reservations, especially regarding Old Zhong. While in the Earth Immortal City, Old Zhong's influence was limited. But once back in the New World, the situation could drastically change.

As the helmsman of a super conglomerate, Old Zhong's ruthlessness was well-known. If he learned some of Wang Xuan's secrets, there was a real possibility that he might turn hostile, capturing Wang Xuan for dissective study and exploitation.

"Come, let Old Chen receive your blessing, Wang Patriarch!" Wang Xuan gestured for Old Chen to draw near, explaining that only when one's body is suffused with dense mystical substances can one hope to unravel the mysteries of the Departed Lands.

Old Chen, whose body already contained some of these mystical substances, was vastly inferior compared to Wang Xuan. At this moment, he felt truly awestruck. The mystical substances cascaded towards him like a heavy snowfall, converging and enveloping him in a boundless expanse.

In this instant, Old Chen was willing to address Wang Xuan as the 'Patriarch', a title befitting his role as a guardian. The process lasted for a full half-hour, a testament to the sheer abundance of mystical substances within Wang Xuan, permeating every inch of his flesh and blood.

He did not dare to transfer all of it to Old Chen, reserving a portion to activate the Inner Landscape's unique treasures. "Patriarch, should you require anything, please feel free to command me!" Old Chen's eyes sparkled with vitality, his entire being revitalized, pulsating with top-tier energy and significantly enhanced vitality.

Wang Xuan pondered for a moment. Indeed, he had a request. Engrossed in the strongest scriptures, he needed the assistance of other secret techniques, especially as he was on the brink of venturing into the Departed Lands to practice the second true form image.

"I require top-tier physical techniques and also secrets to train the spirit," he stated straightforwardly to Old Chen.

Without hesitation, Old Chen nodded, "I do possess a supreme physical technique, one revered even in mythological lore."

After collaborating with certain departments in the Old World, Old Chen had gained access to part of their secret archives. Recently, he had been practicing the Bodhisattva Fist of the Ghost Monk and had taken an interest in a Buddhist protective secret technique — the Sixteen-Foot Golden Body.

Wang Xuan was genuinely surprised. It was this very technique that the Moon's fisherman had once used as bait. At the time, Wang Xuan was extremely tempted but ultimately resisted.

No wonder the Ferryman had lamented that with the ebb of transcendent energies, all laws had decayed, and treasures and scriptures from the Celestial Immortal's abode had fallen to the mortal realm, littering the Earth. Missing this opportunity would be a disservice to living in such an era.

"This technique surpasses your Golden Body Art," Old Chen explained. "The Sixteen-Foot Golden Body not only tempers the physical body but also refines the spirit, a transcendent secret text."

In comparison, the Golden Body Art was still a mortal technique, becoming less cost-effective as one progressed further in cultivation.

Intrigued, Wang Xuan responded, "Old Chen, when you return to the Old World, search the department's treasury again. There might be even more powerful techniques."

After all, living in such an era, one should strive to practice the very best of techniques!

"You think it's my family's treasury? Even cooperative relationships have their limits unless I perform some great service for them," Old Chen sighed.

Wang Xuan asked him to take out his water bag and then filled it with Earth Immortal Spring water. He was genuinely worried about Old Chen's safety in the Departed Lands, preparing all kinds of life-saving items for him.

"Earth Immortal Spring?!" Old Chen was shocked, casting an odd look at Wang Xuan, as if to ask, 'Who's the real transcendent expert between us?' He had not managed to gather any Earth Immortal Spring water himself, yet here was Wang Xuan, a mortal from the mortal realm, filling his water bag with it.

He knew well that even Old Zhong, after much toil, had managed to drink only a little over two kilograms of Earth Immortal Spring water, which was less than what was now in his bag.

"Is there more? If you have more, I could trade it with Old Zhong. He complained that the amount he drank was too little to rejuvenate him by a few years," Old Chen suggested.

"That old man is no easy opponent!" Wang Xuan warned him.

"Yes, he's quite terrifying and difficult to deal with. There was a time when I contemplated whether to find an opportunity in the Departed Lands to eliminate him, fearing his schemes once we return to the New World," Old Chen mused.

He later thought that Old Zhong probably wouldn't go to such extremes, especially considering the department behind him; Old Zhong likely wouldn't tear their facade of cooperation.

Wang Xuan was speechless, realizing that he and Old Chen were thinking along the same lines. Regardless, being cautious about Old Zhong was undoubtedly prudent.

"Drink up first, and once you've had your fill, I'll transfer more to you. As for dealing with Old Zhong, you can decide. But when revealing the origin of the Earth Immortal Spring, just say it was given by the Black Fox Clan's little fox..."

The two engaged in a hushed conversation.

"Old Zhong might have come into contact with mystical substances, too. Once when he was healing, I sensed something similar emanating from him," Old Chen revealed.

Wang Xuan was surprised. If Old Zhong possessed mystical substances, could it be because he had accessed Inner Landscape treasures? What exactly had the financial conglomerates unearthed?

He felt more and more that for some, this might indeed be the best of times.

......

Not long after, Wang Xuan met Zhong Cheng and decided to try a piece of the dried rat meat he had, finding the flavor... tolerable. Zhong Cheng felt like crying, especially after seeing Zhao Qinghan offer him and his sister a drink of Earth Immortal Spring water and some Black Horn Beast meat, making his own situation seem all the more pitiful.

“Women love beauty, and I feel that my sister can't resist Qinghan's temptation. For an extra fifty years of youth and beauty, she'll definitely act irrationally and raid Old Zhong's study!” Zhong Cheng sighed, surprisingly referring to his great-grandfather simply as Old Zhong in private.

Wang Xuan said, “Isn't having an extra fifty years of youth a good thing? You too could live an extra lifetime. Why should only your sister get to drink from the Earth Immortal Spring?”

“You make a good point, Wang. Little Zhong is destined to squander family resources. I should go ask her for my share!” Zhong Cheng turned and ran off.

......

Wang Xuan knew that no matter how much Little Zhong loved beauty, she would never truly ravage Old Zhong's study. At most, she might obtain a few top-tier scriptures to study. In the end, it would likely be a fair exchange. Given Old Zhong's shrewdness, his beloved granddaughter Zhong Qing would certainly not be a naive simpleton. At the very least, Wu Yin often found herself at a disadvantage in their encounters.

Soon after, Zhao Qinghan arrived, having already received a "deposit" from Zhong Qing in the form of a part of the "Five-Colored Golden Elixir Primordial Spirit Technique," a powerful mental cultivation method. She recited it for Wang Xuan to memorize, though it was only a few hundred words.

Then, Zhao Qinghan shared with him her own mental cultivation method, the "Purple Mansion Nourishing Spirit Technique," which was incredibly profound!

"Wu Yin hasn’t reached the stage of cultivating her spirit, and Little Zhong was only recently taught by Old Zhong in the Hidden Land," Zhao Qinghan explained.

"I won't say thanks," Wang Xuan replied. Expressing gratitude seemed too formal. He memorized both mental cultivation methods, which would greatly aid him on his next journey through the secret path of the Hidden Land.

Seeing Zhao Qinghan’s usually cool and distant demeanor, Wang Xuan couldn’t help but recall her wildly dancing, playfully strutting, and proclaiming herself a fox spirit. The contrast between her rebellious allure then and her composure now was striking.

"What are you thinking about?" Zhao Qinghan quickly sensed his thoughts, guessing what might be on his mind.

"I'm regretting not having a phone or camera. Those unforgettable, beautiful moments could have been recorded," Wang Xuan lamented.

Zhao Qinghan shot him a glare and quickly left, clearly reminded of those scenes herself.

Old Chen had indeed made a deal with Old Zhong, bringing back half of the "Nine Calamities Mysterious Body" scripture.

"Old Zhong said it's only half of it. He hasn’t practiced or read the other half, but he can provide it when we return to the New World. It's indeed a transcendent method from the myths, very powerful," Old Chen commented.

"Old Zhong's collection must be extensive. We must explore his library and read all his golden scriptures and jade scrolls when we have the chance. Otherwise, we’d be doing a disservice to this era!" Wang Xuan exclaimed.

Old Chen replied, "..."

"Unless you marry Zhong Qing, there's no hope," Chen Yongjie remarked, feeling that with Old Zhong's character, he would never invite someone to his study. In his lifetime, he never suffered a loss.

Wang Xuan and Old Chen agreed on a time to venture together into the Hidden Land. The next day, as Wang Xuan prepared to set off, the black little fox accompanied him, serving to deceive onlookers and avoid drawing too much attention to his presence as a mortal in this area.

“Take care of yourself, Little Wang!” Wu Yin bid him farewell with a sense of concern in her voice.

Zhao Qinghan waved her hand in parting, then comforted the nearby Grandmaster Ma, assuring the creature there was no need for worry. Nevertheless, the horse couldn't help but rush over to Wang Xuan, nodding at him before turning to the little fox and wagging its tail several times.

Wang Xuan unceremoniously thumped it back, irked by the horse's apparent betrayal.

“I think I look quite similar to Little Zhong. We both have slender, attractive figures,” the black fox proudly proclaimed as it walked upright.

Zhong Qing immediately bristled at the comparison, retorting with a hint of irritation, “Just go already!”

No sooner had Wang Xuan and the black fox left the ruins of the Earth Immortal City than someone atop the crumbling city walls readied a bow, aiming to shoot them down.

“Yu Shan, you dare attack mortals?!” Old Chen, angered by the audacity, quickly intervened to prevent the assault.

“Heh, once they leave the Earth Immortal City, they are no longer under its protection. Shooting them doesn't break any rules,” the archer retorted, though his shot was disrupted by Old Chen and missed its mark.

......

Indeed, Old Chen wasn't overly worried; he was aware of Wang Xuan's impressive combat achievements and knew that the fox was a creature of extraordinary power. His intervention was more about preventing Wang Xuan from having to reveal his true strength.

"You two, go after them and eliminate both the man and the fox!" Clearly, Yu Shan and his cohorts, who bore animosity toward Old Chen, intended to kill Wang Xuan right under his nose.

Wang Xuan and the little fox quickly disappeared into the forest, swiftly distancing themselves from the city.

"I can't run at my full speed right now, or my feet will shatter the ground and reveal my true power. You'll need to fly us out of here," Wang Xuan said, grabbing hold of the little fox's hind legs.

"Damn it, you annoying man!" Despite its grumbling, the little fox reluctantly took to the air, carrying Wang Xuan with it.

Two superhumans swiftly followed in pursuit.

"Let's reduce some pressure for Old Chen and Old Zhong before we leave!" Wang Xuan suggested. He knew the two elders, despite having eliminated some foes, were in dire straits, forced to ally themselves with a group from Heluo Star, barely scraping by while often being targeted by pursuers from Yuhua Star.

"How about we each take down one of these superhumans?" Wang Xuan proposed to the little fox.

"Hmph!" Although the fox snorted in disdain, it eventually agreed to attack.

The two pursuers, totally unprepared for such resistance, had not expected to encounter a formidable spirit beast and a young powerhouse. Under normal circumstances, they might have held their ground in a fight, but caught off guard, they were swiftly and fatally ambushed, dying with disbelief in their eyes.

"Why haven't they returned after chasing two mere mortals for so long? What are they doing?" Yu Shan grew impatient and discontented.

...

Racing through the landscape, Wang Xuan eventually arrived at the outskirts of the Hidden Land, at the site of the Inner Landscape treasure.

"Superhumanity starts from here," he muttered to himself, understanding the necessity of breaking through this barrier. In the Hidden Land, one's strength was the key to their fate.