The Stars Beyond

Chapter 237: A Complicated Situation

Chapter 237: A Complicated Situation

Wang Xuan's experiences in the lands of the departed, where he had encountered fearsome spirits with glowing red eyes - some as small as lanterns, others as large as mountains - had deeply unnerved even the ferryman Xu Fu. Now, to his bafflement, similar inscrutable creatures lurked within the bustling metropolises of the New World.

Different from the spirits in form, these beings shared one common characteristic: they were visible only to those with the spiritual third eye. Even a transcendent like Old Chen was oblivious to their presence.

As Wang Xuan's spirit roamed the city, he observed carefully while cautiously avoiding these entities. The night skyline was dominated by towering skyscrapers wrapped in three-dimensional light projections. Hovercars wove through the city's low altitudes, while small spacecrafts streaked across the night sky. Amidst the flashing neon of this modern, populous city, Wang Xuan repeatedly spotted monstrous, menacing creatures on the streets.

A colossal serpent with nine heads, as thick as a bathtub and covered in green scales, slithered through a congested road. Eight of its heads were pierced by thick arrows, oozing blood. A disheveled figure, enveloped in a black cloak, with rotting, pus-oozing limbs, rode atop the serpent. As Wang Xuan departed, the rider on the serpent seemed to sense something, turning abruptly, but seeing nothing. One of his eye sockets bled profusely, a dark void, while the other, pale and pupil-less, was marred by numerous dense wounds.

During his nocturnal exploration, Wang Xuan avoided these monsters with precision, pondering their origins. Were these the terrifying creatures mentioned in the miscellaneous texts left by Chen Tuan, which spoke of transcendent geniuses whose spiritual forms were devoured at night, resulting in a new, mysterious entity inhabiting their bodies and eventually achieving ascension?

Soon, on a spacious pedestrian street, Wang Xuan encountered a blood-red bird, each eye socket housing two eyeballs, its body covered in blood as if it had just battled. It strolled elegantly down the street.

Wang Xuan felt a shiver run down his spine. Could this be the mythical Chongming Bird, a creature of legend?

However, Wang Xuan noticed something odd about the Chongming Bird: a rope was tied around its neck. He cautiously avoided it and moved away from the area.

Later, he encountered another creature with the face of a woman, but only one eye, the ears of an ox, and the spotted body of a leopard. It emitted deafening roars that, strangely, went unheard by the pedestrians. Wang Xuan was taken aback; this was Zhujian, a creature of legend! Around its neck was an iron collar, suggesting it had once been domesticated.

In the latter half of the night, Wang Xuan observed several individuals dressed in spacesuits, similar yet more archaic than those worn on the New World. They led away the Zhujian and Chongming Bird, and others rode upon the back of Qiongqi. The nine-headed serpent, with the cloaked, rotting figure atop it, was also part of the procession. The cloaked figure was dressed in tattered spacesuit remains.

This startling sight left Wang Xuan perplexed. A group of people from a bygone era, donning technology of their time, leading mythical creatures through a modern city - it was an extraordinary scene.

From his vantage point in the city, Wang Xuan watched as they vanished into the mountains at the horizon and descended into the earth's depths. "They don't seem like modern humans but rather ancient ones, possessing technology and having tamed mythical beings," Wang Xuan muttered, lost in thought.

The next day, Qin Hongyuan again proposed building a health sanctuary for Wang Xuan, which he politely declined. During their casual conversation, Wang Xuan inquired about the mountains outside the city, and from the Qin family's reactions, he deduced that it was their most critical base.

Hidden deep within the base was a mothership excavated from the moon, the source of many of the Qin family's advanced technologies. Wang Xuan was inwardly startled by this revelation.

There had always been rumors that, following a great conflict on Old Earth, some had fled to the moon, discovered various spacecraft, and subsequently migrated to the New World, leading to a technological revolution. It appeared these tales were true.

Wang Xuan's mind reeled at the implications. The ancient astronauts he had seen the previous night, visible only with his spiritual eye and leading mythical creatures, were they returning to this mothership?

Evidently, they were no longer living beings, having transformed into entities resembling spirits. This revelation added a layer of terror to the already complex situation on the New World. Wang Xuan's expression grew solemn, realizing the urgency to grow stronger amidst these unfolding mysteries.

......

As Wang Xuan concluded his visit to Pingyuan City, escorted away by Zhong Cheng and Zhou Yun, Qin Hong couldn't help but gaze coldly at the departing small spacecraft, thinking, "What a rare opportunity, a mid-sized warship would be sufficient to eliminate this future threat." His ruthlessness was evident in his consideration of using a super-energy beam to destroy the spacecraft.

Suddenly, he received a sharp slap from Qin Hongyuan, who had grown much stronger recently. "Your grandfather's life is on that ship too!" he scolded. Qin Hong, undeterred, muttered, "This swordsman could have extended your life by ten years at once. He's deliberately splitting it to protect himself. He should be eliminated!"

Qin Hongyuan glared at him, warning, "Put those thoughts away. The descendants of the Zhong and Zhou families are also on that ship. And for now, his actions are none of your business!"

Qin Hong shook his head, "I wouldn't act personally. I'm just speculating whether the Sun family has the audacity for such an action. One energy beam could resolve everything."

The Sun family, upon hearing the news, felt a mix of relief and icy resolve. Having a swordsman so close was unnerving, but their conflict with Wang Xuan was far from over. Both sides knew a showdown was inevitable.

Then, a massive explosion echoed in the skies. Flames pierced through clouds, creating a towering mushroom cloud. A small spacecraft had been destroyed, seemingly by the Sun family's doing.

"Sun family does have some guts, acting decisively regardless of who was on that ship," Qin Hong noted privately upon hearing the news.

The news of Wang Xuan's spacecraft's crash spread quickly, causing a stir. The man who had remained unscathed in a grand battle against the Sun family had perished in a crash? No one believed it was an accident. The high-energy weapon used to obliterate the spacecraft in mid-air was unimaginably powerful.

Besides Wang Xuan, the ship also reportedly carried descendants of the Zhong family and Zhou Yun, drawing significant attention. People admired the Sun family's audacity, yet public opinion was overwhelmingly negative. Platforms buzzed with discussions condemning the Sun family's ruthless tactics.

"Such treachery, attacking covertly after a ceasefire! A swordsman, perished just like that?" The sentiment was one of regret and frustration. People had just begun to witness the existence of transcendent beings, only for one to fall victim to a calculated assault by a financial conglomerate.

"Good riddance, haha..." Sun Yichen laughed heartily, feeling a sense of relief after days of feeling stifled. "It wasn't us!" the Sun family immediately denied any involvement in the incident, warning major platforms to retract related trending topics or face the consequences.

However, when the Grey Blood Organization claimed responsibility, it reignited the public debate. "It wasn't us!" the organization's leaders cursed, hastily denying any connection to the event.

The controversy and heated debates finally subsided two hours later when Wang Xuan made a low-key appearance in Su City. He was alive?

"It's definitely the Sun family's doing, those bastards, trying to kill me and Zhong Cheng together. Lawless and ruthless, extremely vicious!" Zhou Yun's face paled as he recounted his brush with death. This time, they had returned to Su City in a hovering car, having switched their mode of transportation at the last minute.

Wang Xuan had sensed that, although Zhou Yun and Zhong Cheng were from wealthy families, they weren't core members. If the Sun family had truly gone mad, they might have attempted to eliminate them all.

"I guess the Sun family won't leave any evidence. Just wait and see. I, Zhong Cheng, won't be bullied like this. They tried to kill me; sooner or later, I'll make them pay!" he declared.

Old Chen, Guan Lin, and Qin Cheng quickly met up with Wang Xuan upon his arrival in Su City.

Meanwhile, a group of elderly patriarchs sighed in relief, fearing the worst for Wang Xuan. They had been ready to confront the Sun family. Did the Sun family really want to cut off their lifelines?

Some in the Sun family secretly lamented their failed probe and the immense pressure they now faced. Many elders were protective of Wang Xuan, who had the power to extend life by ten years, an influence far greater and safer than any new technique.

Furthermore, Wang Xuan's life-extending ability didn't seem to have a limit, suggesting future potential for even greater longevity. This implication stirred restlessness among the powerful.

In Su City, Wang Xuan announced he would only be available for consultations once a month, with appointments booked for the next two to three years. This caused a stir among the powerful, who couldn't believe the fierce competition for his services.

Some elderly figures couldn't afford to wait but were hesitant to pressure Wang Xuan. They planned to contact him privately, hoping to jump the queue.

"Grandfather, it's simple. I'm about to visit Su City to apprentice under Wang Xuan. You give me a so-called supreme scripture, and I'll negotiate on your behalf," proposed a young girl.

Not only the elders but also many from the middle-aged and younger generations were restless, eager to extend their lives by ten years. The urgency was palpable in the request of Song Yun, a key figure in the Song family, who called Chen Yongjie, imploring him to persuade Wang Xuan to assist him, promising significant rewards in return.

That evening, Qian An hosted a welcome dinner for Wang Xuan. In a separate conversation, Chen Yongjie, using his psychic domain, advised Wang Xuan to stay in different cities to avoid risks, suggesting Pingyuan City as a suitable alternative. Wang Xuan agreed, noting the prevalence of Buddhist scriptures in the Qin family's collection.

He informed Chen Yongjie about the Shakyamuni Sutra, proposing that Chen might collect the remaining scriptures. Chen, jokingly, worried about embarking on the path to enlightenment given his recent focus on Buddhist techniques like the "Sixteen-Foot Golden Body" and the "Bodhisattva Fist."

In Qian An's manor, Wang Xuan not only rejuvenated Old Qian but also empowered Chen's Five-Colored Feather Fan with mysterious factors, ensuring Chen's combat readiness. With Chen's enhanced capabilities, he could significantly trouble the Sun family, alleviating some of the pressure on Wang Xuan.

After returning the animal skin bag to Zhong Cheng and expressing his gratitude, Wang Xuan raised a toast to Chen and Guan Lin's union. "Congratulations to the lovers who have finally come together. Chen once mentioned in the secret land that upon regaining his youth, he would return to marry and start a family."

Guan Lin responded with grace and composure, smiling as she joined Chen in raising a glass. Surprisingly, it was Chen who blushed, slightly embarrassed by Wang Xuan's public comments.

Zhong Cheng, Zhou Yun, and Qin Cheng immediately congratulated the couple with enthusiastic toasts, while Qian An presented them with an ancient jade pair embedded with runes, likely a valuable artifact from the past.

Late into the night, after a thunderous downpour, Wang Xuan awoke from a nightmare, a rare occurrence that left him unsettled. In his dream, he saw celestial beings from beyond the veil engaged in fierce battles, vying for the last remnants of fortune in a dwindling realm of immortals, with some preparing for their return to the mortal world.

Reflecting on the night sky, the falling rain, and the lightning slicing through the darkness, Wang Xuan pondered the potential return of the Red-Clothed Demoness. "If she does return, how will I confront her? And if she's already here, how can I defeat her?" he thought, facing the complexities of an ever-changing world.

"Congratulations to Elder Chen and Sister Guan, wishing you a lifetime of happiness and a swift blessing of a child!" Zhong Cheng, Zhou Yun, and Qin Cheng were the first to joyfully congratulate the couple, standing up to offer a toast.

Qian An, seizing the moment, presented Chen and Guan Lin with a pair of ancient jade pieces, marked with runes, likely treasures from a bygone era.

That same night, Guan Lin and Chen Yongjie decisively left Su City. After all, even with their extraordinary capabilities, caution was still a necessity in these times.

In the latter part of the night, as lightning flashed and thunder rolled, accompanied by a torrential downpour, Wang Xuan was startled awake from a nightmare, sweating coldly — an occurrence that hadn't happened to him in a long time.

In his dream, he witnessed celestial beings beyond the veil engaged in fierce battles, struggling over the last vestiges of fortune in a dwindling realm of immortals, with some preparing to return to the mortal world.

Weighed down by his thoughts, Wang Xuan gazed at the night sky, where the heavy rain was falling and lightning was slicing through the darkness. It seemed almost as if some creature flashed briefly amidst the thunder.

"If there really is a return, the first to seek me out will likely be the Red-Clothed Demoness. When might she appear? Or has she already arrived in this world? How will I deal with her?" Wang Xuan pondered, facing the intricacies of an increasingly complex world.