The Stars Beyond

Chapter 180: Chaos Of Demons

Chapter 180: Chaos Of Demons

This region was strewn with debris, sparse in vegetation, ever since the demise of the Transcendent spider. It had since become devoid of monstrous inhabitants.

The black and white pedestal remained as it was, the sole gateway to the Inner Landscape treasure. The little black fox, having fulfilled its duty, had scampered away midway, clearly holding a grudge against Wang Xuan for having once bound it.

Wang Xuan circled the nearby woods, cautious of any superhuman entities lurking in ambush. He was wary of "hunters" who might seize the opportunity to strike when his spirit left his body.

The woods were silent and deserted, with no sign of powerful creatures or human presence. Wang Xuan surmised that the group of young people from the outer region of the Hidden Land would not venture here again, as several of the metallic tags necessary for entry remained in his possession.

Approaching the black and white pedestal, he began to mobilize the mysterious particles within his body, channeling them into the "keyhole." Instantly, the area transformed, with black and white energies swirling and eventually forming a passageway.

Wang Xuan's spirit detached from his physical form and rushed into the misty corridor. He was not overly concerned; being within the Inner Landscape granted him a sense of connection to the outside world. Should any unforeseen event occur, he was ready to return to his body at a moment's notice.

Familiar scenes unfolded around him as he traversed the passageway: earth immortals exploding, ascendants disintegrating, the thousand-handed deity vanishing, and the golden-winged roc perishing...

Without hesitation, Wang Xuan darted through the passageway and entered the Inner Landscape treasure. In an instant, the mysterious substance surged around him, swiftly replenishing what he required.

The mystical particles permeated his spiritual form, then cascaded over his physical body outside in the Inner Landscape.

In a fleeting moment, the mysterious substance revitalized Wang Xuan's flesh and blood, which had been on the brink of depletion, causing a surge of vitality and jubilation within.

Wang Xuan made his way to the depths of the Inner Landscape treasure, approaching the pool that once harbored the enigmatic mist. Now, with the treasure gone, only a dense, lake-like concentration of mystical particles remained.

He ingested these particles in great gulps, his spirit swiftly invigorated. Concurrently, his physical body, outside in the realm, absorbed the rich substance through every pore.

Aware this was likely his final visit, Wang Xuan resolved to absorb as much of the substance as possible. Ultimately, he immersed himself in the pool, baptizing his spiritual form in the mystical essence.

In the outside world, his physical body was engulfed in a downpour of mystical particles, akin to being buried in a blanket of goose feathers. The particles infiltrated his body from all directions, infusing his internal organs with their essence, akin to a celestial fog cleansing his entire being.

His flesh, organs, and bones resonated in unison, enriched with vibrant, active substances. Not only did he recover what he had lost, but he also absorbed more than before, thanks to the advancement in his abilities since his last visit.

Finally reaching a saturation point, Wang Xuan felt his physical and spiritual states at an unprecedented peak, his body thoroughly nourished by the mystical particles.

This process was akin to a sacred baptism. His internal organs glowed, resonating in harmony; his bones shone with a crystalline luster, and his blood became even more vibrant and luminous.

Rising from the pool, Wang Xuan surveyed the Inner Landscape treasure one final time, confirming the absence of any other treasures. His spirit returned to his body, and he stood, contemplating the black and white pedestal. It had indeed been a place of great fortune.

After a moment's thought, he placed the metallic tags he carried onto the pedestal, infusing them with some mystical particles. Should the young ones from Eura, Ascension, or Heluo stars find this place, he decided to leave it as a legacy for those destined to discover it. Wang Xuan's absorption of the mystical substance had been smooth and undisturbed.

Wang Xuan, having agreed to rendezvous with Old Chen for their journey into the Land of the Departed, found himself waiting at the agreed location. However, Old Chen had to stealthily make his way out, avoiding the watchful eyes of the extraordinary beasts and abiding by the unspoken rules of their world.

Choosing a serene spot amidst a lush green forest, with a gurgling stream and a picturesque landscape, Wang Xuan delved into the study of several texts. From the "Sixteen-Foot Golden Body" to the "Nine Calamities Mysterious Body", and then to the "Purple Mansion Nurturing Spirit Technique" and the "Five-Colored Golden Elixir Spirit Technique", each of these methods, revered in ancient myths, were invaluable texts capable of fetching astronomical prices in the outside world.

For a day and a night, Wang Xuan immersed himself in these texts, sparing only a few moments for sustenance. As dawn broke, he opened his eyes, now fully comprehending the profound teachings they held.

Following their plan, he headed towards the eight great supernatural dens, ready to embark on a venture that would see the mighty Silver Bear trimmed down in size and pushed to exercise beyond its comfort zone.

However, Old Chen was nowhere to be seen. Concern creased Wang Xuan's brow. Could something have gone wrong?

It wasn't until midday that rustling from a nearby forest heralded Old Chen's arrival. He appeared haggard and bloodied, as if freshly escaped from a chase. Remarkably though, Old Chen seemed to have shed years off his appearance, now looking a mere thirty-something – a testament to the astounding effects of the Earth Immortal Spring.

"If this continues, he may even regain more of his youth," Wang Xuan thought.

Greeting Old Chen, Wang Xuan couldn't help but comment, "Why is it that every time I see you in this hidden land, you're either bleeding or being hunted?"

Though Old Chen bore signs of a recent skirmish, his injuries were superficial, most of the blood staining him belonging to his adversaries.

"Cursed Yuhuaians," Old Chen grumbled. "They've allied with the creatures of this land. There's an enforcer siding with them, offering them all sorts of aid, and eventually even joining in their pursuit to hunt me down!"

The revelation painted a grim picture of the challenges they faced, yet Wang Xuan remained undeterred, ready to confront whatever perils lay ahead in their quest into the depths of the hidden land.

Old Chen wiped the bloodstains, his face filled with resentment. He had unexpectedly discovered that some of the Enforcers in the Hidden Land were in cahoots with the people from the Ascended Star, plotting to kill him. If it weren't for his quick reflexes and expertise in escape, he would have died at their hands.

Wang Xuan immediately became very serious and said, "I also encountered this situation last time, where I was blocked by a Black Horn Beast. It seems some of the monster Enforcers in the Hidden Land can't be trusted!"

He then asked how strong that creature was and whether they should just kill it off.

"It's a kind of earth dog, which I suspect has been deliberately raised in the Hidden Land by people from the Ascended Star many years ago," Old Chen replied.

"Never mind, when we come back from the Departed Lands, we'll have dog meat!"

"There's trouble; they're coming after us!" Old Chen's expression changed. These people were no ordinary foes, especially that earth dog, which was incredibly formidable. If it weren't for Old Chen managing to injure one of the dog's paws with his tactics, he definitely wouldn't have been able to outrun it.

Soon, Wang Xuan saw the so-called earth dog. Damn it, was this really an earth dog? It was larger than an elephant, covered in dense golden fur, with dazzling golden light flowing all over it, and its eyes as large as washbasins emitted a fierce glow.

It emerged from the shrubbery, immense and intimidating, more terrifying and fierce than any supersized saber-toothed tiger. With a roar, it shattered the trees, sending leaves flying everywhere.

Moreover, there were four people following it, all in pursuit of Old Chen.

This was indeed a significant effort aimed solely at taking down Old Chen Yongjie.

Even Wang Xuan felt indignant. As Enforcers, they were breaking the rules first by aiding the people from the Ascended Star in hunting down their targets, more despicable than executioners.

"Let's go, let's pick the demonic fruits!"

"Let them share the damage!"

Wang Xuan and Old Chen said simultaneously, thinking alike. They turned and ran, heading towards the eight major Transcendent lairs.

Even Wang Xuan, now emboldened by his enhanced prowess, dared to penetrate the lair, albeit with the understanding that some of the Transcendent beasts there were still beyond his capability to provoke.

The formidable Transcendent Mastiff, instead of emitting a canine bark, let out a thunderous roar reminiscent of distant, rumbling thunder.Wang Xuan, in a low voice, voiced a concern: "What if this terrestrial hound is familiar with the creatures in this vicinity?"

Old Chen, unflustered, replied, "That seems unlikely. This canine dwells deep within the Hidden Land, not in these parts."

After a moment's contemplation, Wang Xuan cast aside his reservations. They were set on forcefully harvesting the mystical herbs, and should the situation turn dire, they were prepared to retreat into the nearby Departed Lands. Would their pursuers dare follow into such perilous territory?

Addressing the beast ahead, Wang Xuan called out, "Chubby, I have brought a dog to visit you! Better step aside, or it shall be unleashed upon you!"

Gazing into the distance, he observed the Silver Bear, roused from its slumber, fixating its intense gaze upon them from the entrance of its Transcendent den. The bear recognized the intruder. Although Wang Xuan had not previously succeeded in his endeavor, he had managed to infuriate the bear on his last attempt. Now, with an imposing roar, it sprang forth, intent on assault.

Old Chen, without a moment's hesitation, dashed forth, intent on confronting the rotund bear head-on.

He was swiftly repulsed by a forceful swat from the bear, causing him to stagger and nearly be propelled through the air.

"This is unexpected; the bear is more formidable than anticipated!" Old Chen exclaimed, realizing he had nearly suffered a severe setback from the onset.

With urgency, he shouted behind him, "Earth dog, hasten to your master's aid!"

The golden Mastiff responded from the rear with a fierce howl, sending vibrations through the trembling mountain. It charged with the ferocity of a primeval predator descending from the heavens.

The silver bear, once again, swatted a massive paw in their direction. Old Chen, in a display of exaggerated cooperation, launched himself backward with a theatrical wail. Wang Xuan, seizing the moment, allowed himself to be swept backward as well.

In the ensuing chaos, the bear, its fur bristling like silvered spikes, emitted an electrifying roar. From its maw burst forth a torrent of silver lightning, striking the mastiff with such ferocity that it trembled violently amidst a cascade of electric sparks, letting out a pitiful yelp.

However, the mastiff remained steadfast, attempting to communicate with the silver bear through a mental connection. Unperturbed, the bear unleashed another salvo of lightning, advancing with a ferocious intent to engage in close combat.

"Come on, you cur! Protect your master!" bellowed Old Chen in desperation.

Seizing the moment of distraction as the bear engaged with the mastiff, Wang Xuan and Old Chen dashed towards the cave, swiftly harvesting the cluster of pristine white herbs before making their escape.

The area erupted into tumultuous chaos, with bestial roars resounding through the sky, stones tumbling down the mountainside, and lightning violently crisscrossing the air.

Wang Xuan and Old Chen, without a backward glance, fled the scene at breakneck speed. Despite their initial skirmish with the mastiff, they knew well that the silver bear's wrath would soon be directed at them.

Their audacity knew no bounds. Without venturing into the realm of Death's Pass, they set their sights on the next lair, convinced that a single type of demonic fruit was insufficient for their needs.

At the second lair, they encountered a copper-hued pangolin, formidable yet no match for the duo's relentless tenacity. In an outrageous display of brute force, they managed to seize the creature by its tail and fling it out of its own den.

The pangolin, enraged and bewildered, had never before encountered such ruthless and unscrupulous adversaries.

Harvesting six half-green, half-purple fruits from the lair, the pair made their escape. These fruits, while potent, were not fully ripe - had they been, the lair's inhabitant would have surely consumed them. Their retreat was swift, but not swift enough to escape the silver bear's lightning-fast pursuit.

Old Chen and Wang Xuan, with every stride covering dozens of meters, remained tantalizingly out of the bear's reach. Despite their narrow escape, a lingering dissatisfaction drove them to risk further encounters with the bear, their desire for more fruit outweighing their caution.

In an unexpected turn, Old Chen revealed his own formidable power, spewing thunderous bolts in retaliation against the bear's assaults, turning their flight into a running battle. Fortune favored the brave, as they stumbled upon a bird's nest perched upon a cliff, within which lay a trove of golden herbs.

Their journey, fraught with peril and audacity, had led them to yet another remarkable discovery in this land shrouded in mystery and danger.

In the midst of their tumultuous adventure, Wang Xuan and Old Chen discovered themselves amidst the nest of a formidable avian creature. Fortunately for them, the beast was out hunting, leaving its lair momentarily unguarded.

"Let's harvest one final kind!" Old Chen exclaimed, his face contorted in a grimace as the relentless silver bear continued its assault, its power far exceeding their expectations.

Despite their best efforts to dodge the thickest arcs of electricity, they were still occasionally caught by the surrounding electrified net. The enforcer beast, the mastiff, was equally relentless in pursuit, its fur standing on end, some parts singed to a crisp, consumed by unbridled fury.

Thankfully, the dense forest provided Wang Xuan and Old Chen with the perfect cover. Diving into the thicket, they managed to momentarily elude their pursuers, even as the silver bear bombarded the forest from above, its vision hindered, relying solely on its keen spiritual sense for tracking.

Their persistence paid off when they successfully harvested a fragrant herb from the nest of a slumbering silver porcupine. However, this creature was not one to trifle with. Startled awake, it launched its quills like arrows, piercing through rock walls and snapping giant trees, pursuing them with a vengeance.

In a desperate bid for escape, Wang Xuan and Old Chen leaped off a cliff, evading the wrath of the fearsome porcupine and swearing off any further forays.

Behind them, the world erupted into chaos – lightning and thunder, arrows raining down like a monsoon, the howls of the mastiff and pangolin piercing the air, accompanied by the distant cries of the golden avian predator swiftly returning to its nest, signaling yet another imminent chase.

Wang Xuan and Old Chen's escape was nothing short of harrowing. They darted past the lair of a mountain turtle, leaped over cliffs and bounded across streams. The mountain turtle, practicing its mystical Turtle Step, glared red-eyed at Wang Xuan – the thief who dared to pilfer its fruits. Its days spent plotting revenge were in vain; Wang Xuan was not the same as before. With Old Chen's assistance, the turtle was sent flying, crashing against a mountain wall, its eyes wide in disbelief, questioning its very existence.

At the precipice of danger, Wang Xuan and Old Chen narrowly escaped into the mysterious expanse of Death's Pass, evading the lethal clutches of the monstrous creatures that pursued them. Once safely within, they wasted no time in consuming the four demonic fruits they had so perilously gathered.

The transformation was agonizing. Old Chen, enduring this excruciating process for the first time, felt his body seethe and rupture from within. Blood oozed from his pores as he grimaced and writhed in pain, his body on the brink of a violent metamorphosis. “Ughh! It hurts!”

Amidst his torment, Wang Xuan's heart skipped a beat as a dense fog enveloped them, severing the mere two-meter distance that separated them. "Old Chen!" he called out repeatedly, but to no avail. They were isolated, each set upon their own solitary path within the enigmatic realm of Death's Pass.

Wang Xuan's concern for Old Chen's well-being grew. He hoped fervently that his comrade would emerge unscathed from this treacherous land.

A sudden thought struck him, further unsettling his mind. If Old Chen were to converse with the ferryman, Xu Fu, and mention their shared battles alongside Old Chen... The consequences could be dire. Wang Xuan realized with dismay that he had neglected to warn Old Chen of the ferryman's deep-seated animosity towards Old Chen. The ferryman, harboring a vehement grudge for having his secrets plundered and his plans foiled, would undoubtedly extend his wrath to anyone associated with his nemesis.