The Stars Beyond

Chapter 240: A Weakness? No Problem

Chapter 240: A Weakness? No Problem

Wang Xuan issued several invitations, planning a longevity banquet to provide dietary supplementation for the elders, thereby quickly addressing some issues and crucially, arming himself faster. He felt an intense sense of crisis, sensing the immortals from beyond the veil drawing ever closer, their vague and terrifying figures almost visible to him. These true immortals were not divine in his eyes but rather a source of dread, posing a lethal threat.

Concerns about the mysterious bird allegedly from Kuman Star lingered, warranting caution. The constant threat from the super conglomerates also loomed.

Wang Xuan wondered when he would attain the realm of a terrestrial immortal. Reaching that level might allow him a greater degree of calm and confidence. Perhaps then he could start hunting those true immortals who had just embarked on their return journey and fallen from their original realms.

Considering sharing the burden, he decided not to exclude the Sun family, offering them a chance for rapprochement. He sent them an invitation for the longevity feast, explicitly stating the need for scriptures and relics in return.

Before the banquet, Wang Xuan carefully selected the essence of the transcendent bird's flesh for his acquaintances, cautioning them to quietly supplement themselves without attracting attention, as it carried significant consequences. This list naturally included Professor Lin, Qin Cheng, Zhou Yun, Zhong Qing, Zhong Cheng, and others.

To his surprise, the invited elders were not enthusiastic, presenting various reasons and excuses, with few confirming their attendance. Perplexed, Wang Xuan couldn't understand their lack of interest in extending their lives.

Zhong Qing explained that rarity breeds value; the elders felt that such widespread 'casting of spells' would likely be crude. These were people who lived exquisitely and sought perfection in all things. Especially upon learning that the Sun family also received an invitation, they doubted the quality of the life extension on offer.

Lost in thought, Wang Xuan sighed, realizing the truth in the old saying, "What is hard to get always stirs desire, and what is readily available is often undervalued." A lesson in the value of scarcity and the effectiveness of creating demand.

Ultimately, only five people confirmed their attendance for the banquet. Song Yun was the most eager, assuring his presence. Qin Hongyuan, experiencing continual enhancements in physical function, was also keen to strengthen his experience. Qian An, a regular customer who had also provided advertising support and lent Wang Xuan a house, felt it inappropriate to ask for more.

Then there was Zhong Qing's great uncle, who knew the inside story and was reassured knowing his grandchildren had already enjoyed the gourmet dietary supplement.

Lastly, the Sun family accepted the invitation, with Sun Rongsheng himself deciding to attend personally.

As for the other elders... they all found excuses to stand Wang Xuan up!

At the longevity hall, a group of young men and women arrived, insisting on becoming disciples and learning sword control techniques from Wang Xuan, this time bringing gifts for their master.

Wang Xuan didn't refuse. He informed them that he would introduce a renowned teacher to them. He had learned the ancient techniques from this very person, which had led him to his current path.

Professor Lin was invited to teach them. Now fully recovered from his old injuries, his strength was not only restored but rapidly increasing.

Wang Xuan took a hands-off approach and left. As he did, the electrifying beauty, Zhong Qing's close friend, quickly blocked his path, her eyes crackling with energy.

Wang Xuan almost unsheathed his flying sword, measuring the distance between them with his short sword. Recently, he treated anyone who approached him abruptly as potentially possessed by a demonic immortal, maintaining strict vigilance.

Fortunately, Zhong Qing arrived and pulled her friend away.

Wang Xuan told the group, who had performed the disciple ceremony, to return home. He and Professor Lin would teach online and address all their questions.

“Master Sword Immortal is so aloof... He hardly interacts with us,” someone complained.

“Probably he's under pressure, pondering how to counter the Sun family. The clash between the transcendent and the warships is far from over. It's just the beginning!”

Wang Xuan did not neglect them. After reading many scriptures at Qian An's estate, coupled with most of the disciples' gifts being books, he meticulously selected and arranged a cultivation curriculum for them. Whether they could rise to prominence depended on their own efforts.

As for the stone tablet scriptures, the five golden pages, and the Sakyamuni scriptures, he regretfully decided these were certainly not meant for them.

......

Two days later, Qin Hongyuan, Qian An, Zhong Changming, Sun Rongsheng, and Song Yun arrived. Qin Hongyuan brought three pages of gold leaf paper, completing half of the Sakyamuni scriptures for Wang Xuan.

Qian An was told to bring nothing. Zhong Changming offered several scriptures, which Wang Xuan barely glanced at. Out of consideration for Zhong Cheng and Zhong Qing, he served Zhong Changming a plate of bird claws, indifferent to whether he could eat them or not. The scriptures from Zhong Changming were either already known to Wang Xuan or of low value.

Zhong Changming, feeling the dish was unpalatable and wondering about its ingredients, asked Wang Xuan how many years it could extend his life. "One month," Wang Xuan replied, adding that he could take the scriptures back as they were of no use to him.

Sun Rongsheng brought a Tai Chi manual, a simplified version practiced by elderly men in parks, which was of no value. Wang Xuan served him a piece of “good meat,” which Sun Rongsheng found resembled a chicken's rear and repulsive. He silently observed Wang Xuan, contemplating the day when those who disappeared years ago would return and settle scores with Wang Xuan. He wore a jade amulet to protect his thoughts from being invaded.

Wang Xuan noticed the amulet on Sun Rongsheng but did not bother with him, planning to rob him when sending him off.

The Song family brought various old items, including the previously mentioned dark golden boat and the jade seal, no longer claimed as the family heirloom.

Recognizing that no treasure was worth more than his life, Song Yun had professionals sort through the items, including the special golden tree with the golden birds, which he couldn’t bring.

Wang Xuan took Song Yun to the tea room to avoid letting the Sun family see, offering him tea while examining the ancient artifacts. Among the artifacts, two were extraordinary treasures, with the palm-sized boat undoubtedly a rare divine object.

Upon close inspection, Wang Xuan found peculiar indents on the boat – sword-shaped, spear-shaped, and shield-shaped. Realizing the boat's remarkable capabilities, he informed Song Yun of his interest, noting its incomplete state with missing components.

Song Yun, discerning Wang Xuan's intent, inquired about extending his life by ten years. Wang Xuan agreed, valuing the boat more than anything else at this stage.

Song Yun urgently contacted his family to locate the three missing components, which turned out to be fashioned into pendants and bracelets by his great-granddaughter, fortunately unharmed and intact.

Once the complete dark golden boat was in Wang Xuan's possession, he hosted a longevity banquet for Song Yun, Qian An, and Qin Hongyuan. Observing that even the extraordinary blood meat could only extend their lives by a few months at most, Wang Xuan privately promised to visit them soon to solidify and enhance their life spans.

Before leaving, Wang Xuan discreetly used his psychokinetic abilities to pilfer Sun Rongsheng's jade amulet.

Over the next three days, Wang Xuan kept his promise. With the flying boat in his possession, he felt more confident and did not mind traveling around.

Of course, Wang Xuan's proactive approach was also motivated by his desire to fully empower the dark golden boat. Relying solely on his infusion of mystical factors was insufficient; the boat seemed like an endless abyss.

After three consecutive days, the boat's revival became increasingly evident, and it was eventually fully energized. The similarly colored small sword, spear, and shield resonated with it, and mysterious patterns intertwined across the boat's surface, ultimately resonating with divine bird and mythical beast imagery.

Wang Xuan was moved by the boat's extraordinary nature and couldn't wait to pilot it. He tested it on the Su River and was exceptionally satisfied, acknowledging that it filled a significant gap in his arsenal.

Reminding himself to remain discreet about this trump card, especially during this tumultuous period teeming with various entities, Wang Xuan prepared for imminent chaos.

Song Yun and Qin Hongyuan, both nonagenarians, seemed rejuvenated after the longevity banquet and subsequent consolidation. Other elders, regretting their initial reluctance, expressed interest in visiting the Wellness Hall.

However, Wang Xuan declined these requests, as he had to prepare for the upcoming Zhilan Law Meeting at Yuanchi Mountain in five days, regardless of his attendance.

Zhong Cheng contacted Wang Xuan, awkwardly informing him of Zhong Changming's dissatisfaction with the previous life extension and requested another session. Wang Xuan maintained his principle of equivalent exchange and mentioned his impending journey, unsure of his return.

Zhong Cheng panicked, mistaking Wang Xuan's words for a suicidal confrontation with the Sun family. Learning of this, Zhong Changming urgently requested Wang Xuan to visit Kun City before his departure, promising satisfaction.

Wang Xuan agreed to visit Kun City but inquired if Zhong Changming could allow him to view the Pre-Qin golden bamboo slips.

Zhong Cheng shouted, "You're really something, Old Wang! My sister was right about you aiming for our family's supreme scriptures. Are you also coveting our five-colored jade book?"

Wang Xuan replied, "Now you're being unfair. You still owe me half a scripture and your sister's half-finished photo collection!"

Zhong Cheng's face almost turned green, especially since his sister was eavesdropping nearby.

Zhong Qing's sharp scream came through the phone, clearly infuriated, followed by Zhong Cheng's wails of misery.

Wang Xuan moved the phone away due to the noise and spoke once it quieted down: "It's an equivalent exchange. The Pre-Qin golden bamboo slips can extend your grandfather's life by fifteen years, make you transcend to the supernatural within three years, and also transform your sister into a supreme beauty within the same period."

Zhong Cheng was stunned, asking if it was possible for him to become a transcendent being within three years.

Wang Xuan truly desired the Pre-Qin golden bamboo slips and was willing to exchange them for significant benefits for the Zhong family.

"Think it over and let me know," Wang Xuan said before hanging up.

Zhong Cheng, with a gleam in his eye, suggested to his sister that they take advantage of their great-grandfather's slumber to access his study. He added, "Old Wang is actually a great guy with immense potential. And you, sister, aren't getting any younger... Ouch!"