The Stars Beyond

Chapter 190: Against A Members Top Cultivation Families

Chapter 190: Against A Members Top Cultivation Families

In the dense forest, Ou Yun, the tall dignified young man, initially wore a smile. However, his expression turned somber upon the Old Fox's questioning. "Five centuries ago, the last Transcendent expert of the Ou family passed away. Since then, no one of such a high caliber has emerged in our family," he revealed, a hint of sadness in his voice.

Wang Xuan observed with curiosity nearby, contemplating the Old Fox's true strength. Is the Old Fox comparing himself to these young talents? Can he possibly be considered an adventure into the cosmos?

Beside Ou Yun stood Ou Yuxuan, whose icy demeanor contrasted sharply with her stunning beauty. "Two hundred and seventy years ago, our last Earthly Immortal departed this world, leaving a void in Eura's line of powerful figures," she added, her voice echoing the weight of her family's lost glory.

Old Fox nodded thoughtfully. "It seems a significant era ended around that time," he remarked, his tone reflective.

Ou Yun's expression turned bitter as he continued, "Our family no longer holds the prestigious title of Eura's leading cultivation family. The fall of our last Earth Immortal, followed by the cataclysmic Heavenly War, severely weakened us. We're no longer among the top ten families."

Ou Yuxuan, humbly bowing, conveyed their aspiration: "We seek opportunities to revive our family's diminishing legacy and hope for your endorsement, elder."

They were well aware of the allure of the Immortal's Cave, with its legendary medicines and invaluable legacies.

A guardianship of the cave offered more than just allegiance; it was a mutually beneficial alliance, replete with considerable advantages. Additionally, guardians stood a high chance of forming Daoist unions with the Immortal's descendants, potentially gaining access to the cave's extensive resources.

A derisive laugh suddenly cut through the serene forest, heralding the arrival of another formidable figure. A young man, almost two meters tall, with arms that resembled coiled dragons, exuded an air of untamed power. His eyes, glowing with a dangerous green hue, underscored his formidable presence.

He was Yuan Kun from Heluo Star. His cold voice cut through the air as he challenged the claims of the Ou siblings.

“And why did the Ou family fade away? It’s because of its ambitions. The Earth Immortal of the Ou family attempted to destroy two other major families before his demise for the sake of your family. But it ended with catastrophic consequences for all three families. It’s entirely your own fault.”

The Ou siblings began to speak up, but the Old Fox interrupted their retort, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "Your reasons for seeking this role are noted, and we will consider them. The first test for becoming a guardian is to assess one's aptitude, potential, and strength, to see if you are truly capable of protecting the descendants of the Immortal."

Wang Xuan, unfazed by Yuan Kun's aggression, declared his agreement to join the Old Fox, with a condition. "I'll accept the role of guardian for the Immortal's lineage, but only after participating in the grand battle of Earth Immortal City and exploring the opportunities in the Hidden Land."

Yuan Kun's disdain for Wang Xuan was palpable. "An outsider like you doesn't deserve to be a guardian. I could crush you with ease!" His body, empowered by potent protective arts, glowed with a fierce light, crushing the nearby foliage under its intensity.

Wang Xuan, unmoved by the wild provocations, countered calmly. "The descendants of the Immortal, who share my origin, are not 'outsiders' like you claim. They possess the Immortal's blood, incomparable to anyone."

Jiang Xuan of Yuhua Star, his demeanor deceptively gentle, issued his own challenge. "I aim to become a guardian of the Immortal's lineage and challenge you, Wang Xuan. If you lack the courage to fight, you should return to your world and not set foot here again."

The Ou siblings, their eyes cold, silently regarded Wang Xuan as a target, their intention to eliminate him unmistakable.

Wang Xuan looked towards the Old Fox, awaiting its decision amidst the palpable tension.

"The role of a guardian requires the bravery to confront any danger without backing down," the Old Fox stated, setting the stage for what was to come.

Zhao Qinghan and Wu Yin, eager to intervene, were silenced by a wave of the Old Fox's hand. He interfered with the psychic transmissions from the Transcendents, rendering their communications unintelligible to the two women.

In the thick of this confrontation, Wang Xuan felt compelled to act, unwilling to let these challengers assume the role of guardians, which could jeopardize Zhao Qinghan and Wu Yin's safety.

He pointedly addressed Old Chen, "Take on that giant, Yuan Kun!" But the Old Fox interjected, "No, his age disqualifies him from this contest."

Frustrated but resigned, Old Chen gestured helplessly back at Wang Xuan, indicating his inability to participate.

Wang Xuan, seeking fairness, appealed to the Old Fox, "Elder, they are all advanced to the Radiant Lamp stage, beyond my own level. How can this be a fair contest?"

Ou Yun of Eura sneered, dismissing Wang Xuan's concern. "In a life-and-death battle, who cares about stages? If you feel inadequate, better to withdraw and train more."

Yuan Kun's towering figure loomed, his words laced with contempt, "Are you going to fight or not, outsider? If you're too scared, better to disappear back to your planet and never return to the Hidden Land."

Despite recognizing their blatant provocation, Wang Xuan bristled at the disrespect. "Old Chen, since you can't engage, how about some verbal backup?"

Receiving no support from Old Chen, Wang Xuan turned his attention back to Jiang Xuan, who was calmly inquiring about his readiness to fight.

Mu Xue, in her immaculate white attire, also joined the taunting. "If you're too afraid, you might as well go home."

Wang Xuan, now provoked into laughter, retorted to Mu Xue, "For someone as pure and ethereal as you, joining in this mockery is unexpected. I assure you, you'll regret it soon."

Mu Xue's disdainful scoff indicated her skepticism of Wang Xuan's threat.

Ou Yuxuan, with her demeanor as cold as ice, issued a stark ultimatum, "Either step forward as prey to be hunted, or scurry back to your planet in disgrace."

Wang Xuan, with a derisive snort, retorted, "Fine, I'll indulge this challenge. Despite your ethereal and frosty airs, you all seem keen to target me. So, let's clash, but be warned – I'll have you all crying and bleeding soon enough."

The Old Fox intervened, laying down a critical rule, "Let me be clear – no fatalities are allowed. Should you bear any grudges, you may resolve them once I depart."

Addressing the towering Yuan Kun, Wang Xuan declared coolly, "You're first, big gorilla!" Despite the disparity in their realms, he was ready for the confrontation.

Yuan Kun's expression turned frosty as he vanished, only to reappear instantaneously before Wang Xuan, his body gleaming with a blinding silver light. Forsaking his earlier boast of needing only one hand, he launched a full-blown assault with both his luminous hands and feet.

Unflinching, Wang Xuan met the attack head-on. After mastering the most potent scriptures, he was eager for a true test of his physical prowess, something the earlier quick skirmishes with Transcendents hadn't satisfied.

Their collision thundered through the air, an ear-splitting, blinding clash of brute force. The two engaged in a fierce melee, each blow carrying the weight and ferocity of their full strength.

The two-meter-tall Yuan Kun was in disbelief. Despite his superior cultivation and the first level of the Indestructible Body technique that enshrouded him in a protective silver glow and turned his flesh harder than refined metal, he was bleeding. The notion that his hands, trained in a rare, powerful technique from a grand sect, could be injured was inconceivable.

"Your brutish bluster betrays a fragile core, it seems! Come on, let's see what else you've got!" Wang Xuan taunted, mocking Yuan Kun's apparent weakness.

With a resonant hum, Yuan Kun, standing over two meters tall, retreated a few steps. His aura intensified, generating a second and then a third layer of silvery radiance around him. Leaving a blurred afterimage in his wake, he surged forward again, his speed breaking the sound barrier, causing the vegetation around him to explode into smithereens.

Wrapped in a whirlwind of white energy, the ground beneath him shattered under his immense strength. Resembling a mythical silver ape, his fists bombarded the air, each punch releasing a terrifying force.

Wang Xuan stood his ground, his palms shimmering like blades, cutting through the air to meet the oncoming fists. Their clash was more intense than before, with Yuan Kun's silver aura boiling furiously, assaulting Wang Xuan relentlessly, rousing his blood to a boiling frenzy.

Yet, Yuan Kun, despite his higher realm, couldn't suppress Wang Xuan, who was now visibly irked. "Fighting toe-to-toe with me, Wang Xuan, for so many moves - you'll boast of this for a lifetime back on Heluo Star," Wang Xuan declared, taunting him further.

Enraged, Yuan Kun saw this as a blatant insult, a mockery of his earlier bravado. In response, he invoked a forbidden technique, forcibly expanding a fourth layer of his silvery aura. Determined to not be haunted by this duel, he was willing to pay the physical toll, confident in his ability to recover with potent medicines.

However, he underestimated the strain of the forbidden technique. As the fourth layer of light enveloped him, his body began to show fine cracks, signaling the onset of his physical limits.

Wang Xuan, with his secret energy swirling around him, unleashed a flurry of palm strikes, each blow resonating with explosive force. The surrounding trees burst apart, the air around them crackling with raw power, the scene enveloped in a blinding white light.

With a muffled sound, Yuan Kun was overwhelmed, letting out a furious roar as his chest caved in under Wang Xuan's powerful strike. Bones shattered, blood spurted from his mouth and nose, and he was sent flying over twenty meters, crashing through six or seven large trees before collapsing to the ground.

"Is that all?" Wang Xuan glanced dismissively at the fallen Yuan Kun, whose raging glare intensified as he coughed up three more mouthfuls of blood. If it weren't for the Old Fox's stern warning against causing fatalities, Wang Xuan would have delivered another punishing blow.

"Who's next?" he asked, turning to the others.

Mu Xue stepped forward, her presence serene and ethereal, her clothing and footwear immaculately clean, exuding an air of transcendence.

"You, with such a delicate demeanor, will end up wailing and weeping, a bloody mess on the ground. Better start crying and admit defeat now!" Wang Xuan remarked with a glance at her, his tone both confident and provoking.