The Stars Beyond

Chapter 258: Breakthrough Of Transcendents

Chapter 258: Breakthrough Of Transcendents

Bathed in the soft glow of the moonlight, with a misty haze rising from the ground, Wang Xuan strolled contemplatively. He gazed at the profound night sky, pondering whether the world behind the curtain belonged to a parallel universe or was it merely a mythological world temporarily constructed from transcendent material energy, clinging to the current world?

As the transcendent materials dissipated, unable to sustain the myth any longer, he questioned if it was more than just that. Perhaps the laws of the transcendent were also gradually losing their effect, akin to the physical laws of the real world losing their meaning one day.

"Why have the Immortals returned in such a weakened state?" he wondered. "Is mythology just an accident?"

The current correction of the real world seemed an irrefutable higher law, destined to revert all transcendent phenomena back to their original state. What then was the basis for the accidental creation of such a beautiful mythological mirage?

Standing alone under the night sky, Wang Xuan pondered for a long time. Was there a real soil for mythology to exist beyond this vast universe? To understand this accident, he needed to explore its source and discover its essence.

In the higher spiritual realms, intertwined with mysterious and colorful lights, would these realms still exist once the transcendent falls silent forever? And what lies beyond the highest of these spiritual worlds?

Wang Xuan didn't leave the city. His spacecraft and the golden gourd, major consumers of transcendent materials, needed replenishing. "It's time to exchange for some rare items," he thought, realizing that opportunities were dwindling. As the ancient temples and sanctuaries began to revive, their secret repositories were becoming targets of interest.

The return of the Immortals, transcendent beings, spacecraft, mechanical beings, and mythological creatures signaled an end to this period of calm. Contrary to Wang Xuan's expectations, the next day brought very few who sought his services for prolonging life. Their enthusiasm seemed dampened, as if everyone was waiting and watching for something.

Wang Xuan was surprised by the composure of these elders. He received several unexpected calls and messages, with offers to exchange old-world techniques. Wang Xuan brushed these off without commitment. Invitations from the Huang and Yun families, of which he was unaware, puzzled him. Where had these families sprung from?

Soon, Professor Lin informed him that these were families steeped in the ancient arts. Wang Xuan also learned that among those contacting him were transcendent beings.

"The land of blessing has been unsealed, and many have returned from deep space," he was told.

Both Chen Yongjie and Zhou Yun, among others, were well-informed and advised Wang Xuan to be cautious. New transcendent beings, brought back by various organizations, were lurking on New Star.

Realization dawned on Wang Xuan – were these his business competitors? These organizations had brought back transcendent beings; perhaps their higher-ups believed these new beings could extend their lives, reducing the need for equal exchange with him.

"No wonder these old men, who usually cling so dearly to life, have grown less proactive," Wang Xuan mused.

Not all transcendent beings could extend life unless they possessed methods from the realm of the new arts, capable of consuming others' lives.

Indeed, some within the wealthy families had enlisted new transcendent beings to prolong their lives, treating them like honored guests. These returned beings from the land of blessing, having demonstrated their powerful abilities, were mistakenly believed by some elders to be capable of life extension.

As a result, many had become more relaxed. Some even regretted their previous transactions with Wang Xuan. For example, Song Yun lamented giving him the dark gold vessel, now deeming it an overpayment since the returnees from the land of blessing could also extend life.

Qin Hongyuan, who had given Wang Xuan pages of the Shakyamuni True Scripture, was now in a dilemma. Should he continue his arrangement?

While Song Yun ultimately decided to stick with Wang Xuan, having already paid the price with the vessel, Qin Hongyuan chose to stop further losses, holding back the remaining pages of the scripture.

Thus, when Wang Xuan proactively reached out to him, Old Qin politely declined, claiming he was heading to the moon for recuperation and would discuss the matter upon his return.

Wang Xuan, without a word, recognized that aggressively pursuing business was not his style. He had approached his old clients with the intention of a good beginning and a good ending, but Old Qin didn't seem to appreciate it.

Traveling eastward from Suzhou, located in the central region of Zhongzhou, Wang Xuan headed towards the Song family's residence in Dijing Yue City, located 800 miles away, to pay a personal visit.

Old Song's face twitched with discomfort, feeling like he had been taken advantage of, especially with Wang Xuan's proactive approach. Was this a sign of bad business recently?

Wang Xuan just smiled and reassured him that his decision was rational and wise. Soon, others would be the ones in a hurry. "I'll be quite busy later on, and I might not have the time."

What could Song Yun say? Having lived so long, he managed to keep his composure, despite his discomfort. He couldn't afford to burn bridges with Wang Xuan.

Among those accompanying Song Yun was his son, Song Wentao, and a pale young man who kept sizing up Wang Xuan. Soon, Wang Xuan caught some of the young man's thoughts – he was inwardly cursing Wang Xuan, bewildered at how such a person could become transcendent.

Surprised, Wang Xuan glanced at him, recognizing him as the infamous 'Perverse Little Song' – Song Qian, known for his multiple murder-for-hire schemes against Wang Xuan, especially involving the Ashen Blood organization in the Old World.

Old Song immediately scolded him, "Why are you here? Go back. You're too weak; don't wander around and take care of your health."

Song Qian silently stood up and left.

Wang Xuan, out of respect for Old Song, refrained from acting against the perverse Song Qian, recalling his own words about letting the young make their mistakes.

The atmosphere turned pleasant and harmonious. Old Song genuinely felt rejuvenated, his vitality flourishing as if he was turning back the years.

Wang Xuan was also satisfied. He meditated in the Song family's Taoist temple, absorbing mystical substances to replenish his vessel and the golden gourd.

The next day, after another treatment session for Old Song, which even smoothed out some of his wrinkles, Wang Xuan observed the half-buried copper wall in the temple's deity statue. The charred bone inside was exuding robust life force, with blood intertwining and reconstructing itself.

Feeling it was enough, Wang Xuan decided to end his 'wool shearing' there, not wanting to accidentally awaken the being within the bone.

Qin Cheng called him, "Wang Xuan, Professor Lin and I have been invited to a traditional arts exchange meeting at Yuntai University's Institute of Human Potential. The organizers also want to invite you."

Wang Xuan declined; he was already on his way, appreciating the Song family's restraint and lack of troublemaking. He visited places like Wangyue Cliff and Yaoshen Ridge but found nothing of interest.

Finally, Wang Xuan returned to the vicinity of Suzhou. Instead of entering the city, he observed the distant Hanwu Mountain. This place left a deep impression on him; one night, while his spirit wandered outside his body, he had glimpsed mysterious creatures near the mountain range at the edge of Suzhou's skyline.

He had always wanted to explore Hanwu Mountain but had previously deemed it too dangerous. Now, armed with the God-Slaying Banner, his capability to deal with spiritual beings was significantly enhanced.

In an environment where transcendence was fading, he was curious about the fate of these creatures only visible through the spirit eye. Would they too be affected by the correction of the present world, where myths were becoming mere shadows?

Wang Xuan felt the pressure of this reality and sought new paths from various angles. "Am I being too reckless?" he wondered aloud. Yet, with the protection of the God-Slaying Banner, he believed that simply observing from outside Suzhou posed minimal risk.

If he discovered secrets, he might find a new path in an era where myths were dying. This inspiration came from the Departed Lands, a place of transcendental radiation and considered one of the birthplaces of transcendent beings, filled with haunting spirits.

The creatures of Hanwu Mountain differed from these spirits but bore some resemblance. "What exactly are you, and what secrets do you hold?" he mused.

Under the scorching sun, the mountain ranges far from Suzhou appeared magnificent. Hanwu Mountain, with its higher altitude, was shrouded in fog year-round.

Wang Xuan had partially refined the God-Slaying Banner. Although much work remained, it could already distinguish friend from foe and would not harm him.

As his spirit left his body, clad in spiritual armor and holding the small golden flag, he gazed into the distance. The mountaintop, usually cold with some areas covered in snow, showed no signs of life.

His spiritual perception, now far surpassing what it once was, allowed him to see clearer images than what his spirit eye could previously capture. He noted evidence of habitation, such as shelters, but no creatures were in sight.

"Was it because it was night last time?" he wondered, puzzled. Wang Xuan waited until evening, but the result was the same. Where were those creatures? The remnants of their dwellings suggested their past presence.

After resting in Suzhou for a night, Wang Xuan ventured into the forest and approached Hanwu Mountain. Within twenty miles, his spirit left his body again, but just like the day before, it was eerily quiet.

Continuing his journey, ten miles, then three miles away, everything seemed normal. Even at the foot of the mountain, nothing unusual happened.

Wang Xuan began his ascent, his spirit no longer detached and the God-Slaying Banner in hand. He climbed the several thousand meters up Hanwu Mountain with a grave expression.

The journey up the mountain was vibrant with lush greenery and wildlife. However, upon reaching the summit, all was silent, enshrouded in dense fog, barren of vegetation, as if it connected to the heavens.

Even for a transcendent being, nothing unusual would be evident at this location, let alone to ordinary people. However, since stepping into the domain of Mingtu, Wang Xuan had begun to possess an initial ability akin to the spiritual eye, enabling him to see some unique scenes without detaching his spirit.

Vaguely, he spotted a settlement and colossal feathers, some measuring tens of meters in length, each radiating a trace of transcendent power. To uncover deeper secrets, he knew he would have to truly let his spirit wander.

Wang Xuan refrained from acting recklessly. He carefully observed his surroundings until he reached the end of the blurred settlement and looked beyond the mountain cliff. There, an even more vast and astonishing sight awaited him, leaving him in awe and disbelief.

"The myths are fading, and transcendence is becoming silent," Wang Xuan reflected. "I'm not content to let it end like this, which is why I've come here, seeking a path for the future. But I don't want to be just another casualty, a mere bone on this journey, sacrificing myself in the process."

He hesitated, debating whether to venture further into this enigmatic and potentially perilous landscape.