The Stars Beyond

Chapter 254: A Mysterious World

In the pitch-black night sky, withered yellow papers silently drifted down, seemingly bringing danger and unease. Wang Xuan caught them in his hand, only to find they were joss papers, burnt for the dead. He frowned, examining them repeatedly.

The joss papers, some half-burnt, others intact, and aged, fell from the starless and moonless sky. Wang Xuan looked up at the sky, then towards the village ahead. The sudden appearance of these papers seemed odd, making him furrow his brow.

The village was eerily silent, completely dark, with not a single light on in any house. Wang Xuan hesitated for a moment before continuing towards the village. He saw signs of age and desolation – a place seemingly void of life for many years. The buildings were dilapidated, some collapsed, reminiscent of an ancient era.

The streets were deserted, once bustling but now just marked by worn cobblestones. Wang Xuan walked down the main street, glanced at the dark alleys, and used his spiritual vision to scrutinize them closely. He couldn't resist entering a courtyard with a rotten gate and a collapsed door.

Inside the house, he quickly retreated upon finding several bodies. They were desiccated, existing for at least a few hundred years. When his spiritual essence, containing super-material, touched the corpses, they disintegrated instantly like dust.

Wang Xuan was puzzled. The bodies seemed to be remnants of spiritual entities, not actual ancient remains. He explored many houses in the village, finding most empty. Occasionally, desiccated bodies would disintegrate upon his touch.

"This dead and silent world... It's been devoid of life for centuries. Where exactly have I come to?" Wang Xuan pondered. He aimed to pass through the dark village and reach the illuminated area at the end of the earth, curious about what lay there.

Suddenly, he felt a chill and swiftly turned around. At the street corner, a humanoid creature with erect black fur and a pale, bloodstained face was pouncing towards him. Its cat-like body moved rapidly towards Wang Xuan.

Wang Xuan struck out with a kick, his foot emitting thunderous light that illuminated the dark night. The once silent village echoed with a ghastly scream.

The black-furred humanoid cat, with its half-charred human face, retreated rapidly. As an extraordinary creature, it seemed to exist between a spiritual and physical state, leaving Wang Xuan puzzled. He wondered if this world was purely a spiritual domain or a tangible reality.

Wang Xuan levitated and quickly formed hand seals, utilizing a secret method from the Shakyamuni's true scriptures. Instantly, the area was bathed in sacred golden light. The black-furred creature wailed like a tormented ghost, resisting the light. Eventually, it exploded into blood and black mist, dissipating completely.

The entire street fell silent. Sensing the absence of any life in the village, Wang Xuan proceeded forward, leaving the desolate town behind. He observed more withered yellow papers falling from the dark sky, steeped in historical significance.

Questioning who burnt these papers and if they fell from the heavens, Wang Xuan, in his spiritual form, soared into the night sky. Despite his rapid ascent, the chilling cold of deep space seemed endless, and the papers continued to fall intermittently.

Feeling uneasy, Wang Xuan halted and decisively returned to the ground. At the horizon, he glimpsed a vast city enveloped in a hazy glow. "An ancient-style metropolis?" he wondered, relying on his spiritual eye to discern the vague landscape.

Resuming his journey, Wang Xuan sped across the desolate land, flying close to the ground. The world seemed lifeless, with barren fields and hollow villages he passed. He even saw numerous abandoned graves.

Approaching the illuminated area, he saw a majestic, sprawling city. Soldiers in ancient armor were faintly visible on the city walls, a sight both grand and surreal.

Suddenly, Wang Xuan tensed up as he saw several shadows emerging from a desolate graveyard. The figures, startled, also noticed him. "Who's there?!" a middle-aged man in spiritual form shouted.

Wang Xuan, understanding and able to converse, calmly replied, "Someone like you." The group exchanged glances; some wore heavy armor, others black and gold battle garments, all designed to protect their spiritual forms.

In comparison, Wang Xuan's attire was modest, with only a few pieces of dark red metal armor protecting his vital areas, salvaged from the remnants of Yuan Hong's soul armor.

"Understand the rules? Regardless of origin, don't ask too much, trade, and go our separate ways," someone advised.

Wang Xuan nodded silently. The night's events were too bizarre, and he chose to adapt without changing his essence.

He walked over and discovered that the desolate graveyard was bustling with dozens, maybe hundreds of people, all setting up stalls and selling various items.

"Buzhou Mountain's specialty, Huorong grass, can enhance the cultivation of the Fire Path!" someone shouted, leaning against a large tombstone. In front of him on a tattered animal skin, a fiery red, glowing herb was displayed, palm-length with bright red leaves, as if ablaze.

"Is it true? The path there has been cut off; has someone recently ascended Buzhou Mountain?!" The crowd gathered around in surprise.

Wang Xuan's expression twitched slightly. What kind of world had he come to that even Buzhou Mountain's produce was available? He watched quietly, blending in with the crowd.

"Nine-leaf Tiger Ganoderma, stained with White Tiger blood, and a Seven-leaf Golden Lotus, stained with Jiao blood. Consuming both simultaneously merges the dragon and tiger, enhancing one's cultivation by two or three minor realms," another vendor called out nearby, displaying two blood-stained herbs.

Wang Xuan was astonished; this place seemed to have everything, reminiscent of ancient markets from the Old Earth, opening only at midnight, like a ghost market.

"Shakya's relics from the foot of Mount Sumeru, though damaged, likely a treasure. Once repaired, its power will be immense, with Buddha's light shining brightly," another vendor announced. He sat in front of a tomb, with a mat spread out displaying a partially damaged brass vajra.

People crowded around, touching and weighing it, with most agreeing it likely originated from Mount Sumeru.

In the shadow of the desolate tombs, Wang Xuan strolled contemplatively, his face expressionless as he surveyed the bewildering array of items for sale in this enigmatic marketplace. Amidst the ancient graves, an elderly vendor called out, brandishing a weathered piece of animal skin. "Behold a fragment of a treasure map, possibly leading to the elusive Life Nurturing Furnace. A rare find for those daring enough to seek it!" he proclaimed. The map, tattered and incomplete, bore the marks of centuries, its cryptic lines weaving tales of forgotten times.

Curiosity rippled through the crowd, yet skepticism held them back. Murmurs echoed amongst the onlookers. "A map linked to a furnace fought over by the mightiest of Celestial Immortals? Can mere mortals dare to dream of possessing such a relic? Likely a fanciful fabrication," they speculated with a mix of disbelief and awe.

Wang Xuan, blending into the crowd, silently agreed. The lore of the Life Nurturing Furnace was steeped in legends too grand for the present reality. He moved on, his presence unnoticed, a specter among the living legends.

Another vendor's voice rose above the murmurs, promising the extraordinary. "Heavenly Thunder Fire, a remnant of celestial wrath, still ablaze with the fury that once struck down a great demon. A treasure for those who master the fire arts." The offer drew a throng of intrigued cultivators, their eyes alight with the possibility of harnessing such raw power. Yet, the steep price quelled their eagerness, leaving them to disperse in quiet resignation.

Wang Xuan, drawn by the allure of the fire, contemplated its potential to enhance his ancient lamp. Alas, without the means to trade, he remained a silent observer, his form but a wisp in the spiritual realm.

The night deepened, and with it came more curious offerings. "Dried peaches from the celestial Yaochi, a rarity not to be missed!" The proclamation stirred the crowd into a buzz of excitement, only to be met with a revelation that dampened their spirits. "Not the famed peach flesh, but mere bark, possibly a stray gift from the fabled Peach Garden," the vendor clarified. Disappointment hung in the air, a stark reminder of the chasm between myth and reality.

As the strange night wore on, a sudden surge of hostility shattered the eerie calm. From a cloaked flying boat, a squadron clad in gleaming silver armor descended upon the gathering. Their unexpected assault, swift and silent, spoke of intentions as mysterious as the world Wang Xuan found himself in.

"Stay where you are, don't move, or face death," the leader in silver armor ordered.

"Who snitched about this secret market? It's been a long time since we've had a graveyard black market. Is this really necessary?" someone complained angrily.

Many traders froze in place, their items being confiscated.

"Not so fast! This is robbery, and I won't stand for it!" Suddenly, a trader retaliated, brandishing a large seal that shattered the vessel and exploded several silver-armored soldiers.

"There's a major demon from the wanted list, capture him!" the leader of the silver-armored soldiers commanded, charging forward.

"Run!" The graveyard erupted into chaos as traders and creatures of varying strengths fled in all directions.

Wang Xuan joined the fleeing crowd, then veered off into the darkness when the pursuers were out of sight, determined to return to the real world.

"Why are you following me?" he soon realized that the old man selling the 'Pan Peach bark' was tailing him.

The old man chuckled, "A few of those soldiers are after me. Let's stick together."

Wang Xuan saw five silver-armored soldiers in hot pursuit, clearly intent on capturing the old man.

"You're carrying stolen goods. Drop them and surrender!" the soldiers shouted, focusing on anyone with valuable items.

Wang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief, realizing these soldiers were strong but not at the level of transcendental beings. Yet, when they closed in, the old man suddenly turned on Wang Xuan, using him as a shield.

Betrayed, Wang Xuan leaped up, breaking free with a burst of Buddha's light. The soldiers converged on him, with one striking a thunderous blow.

Wang Xuan countered, reeling from the impact. He used the momentum to escape again, understanding he was outmatched and couldn't afford to be cornered.

In the grand realm of the human world, which is divided into several smaller realms – Mist, Lamp Lighting, Life Soil, Herb Gathering – there are further minor realms that don't directly lead into the Transcendental phase. These first four realms are universal across different systems, as Old Chen had pointed out.

Wang Xuan knew that these pursuers were beyond the Herb Gathering realm, with the old man at the forefront being the strongest. Changing direction, he skimmed close to the ground, soaring away in flight once again.

To his annoyance, the old man followed, apparently intending to use Wang Xuan as a shield again. Wang Xuan's gaze turned icy. He employed a technique from the golden bamboo scrolls that showered him in a cascade of golden light, boosting his speed dramatically into a streak of light that shot away.

However, the old man had his own treasures that boosted his speed, staying on Wang Xuan's tail. The five soldiers, their armor glowing and wings of light unfurled, were not far behind. Although Wang Xuan was faster, he couldn't completely shake them off.

"You better not push your luck!" Wang Xuan glared back at the old man.

"Hey, young man, we should share our fortunes and misfortunes together. Let's escape together," the old man said with a shameless smile.

Disgusted, Wang Xuan knew the old man was just looking to use him as a scapegoat. He remained silent, determined to return to the real world. If these people followed him out, he would make sure to teach them a lesson in humanity.

"Hey, young man, you're running the wrong way! This is a dead end, leading to endless darkness. You'll get lost!" the old man shouted.

Wang Xuan ignored him, flying close to the ground along the way he had come.

The old man, determined, followed suit. The five soldiers in silver armor continued their pursuit, not halting for a moment.

Wang Xuan saw the station, the lanterns emitting a soft glow, guiding him home. The mist-constructed path was faintly visible in the distance.

"My goodness, I seem to have discovered something incredible! Has someone opened a path?" The old man was shocked, then excitedly exclaimed.

The five soldiers in silver armor, upon seeing the mist-formed path, were also stunned, then chased fervently, as if overwhelmed with excitement.

As Wang Xuan returned to reality, he felt he could disrupt the mist-formed road and did so decisively. But those men followed him through, burning their soul bodies in a near-mad rush for speed.

In the real world, as the misty path shattered, they fell in, all as spirit forms.

"Ha ha... I knew it would be like this!" The old man laughed wildly, trembling with excitement, almost frenzied.

The soldiers were shocked, then roared skyward, their emotions fluctuating intensely, their eyes burning with fervor!

They all turned their gaze towards Wang Xuan.

Wang Xuan's physical body had long since opened its eyes, coldly observing them. He gently waved a palm-sized golden flag, its interwoven patterns instantly engulfing the six men in light.

"No!" The old man, terrified, turned pale and screamed in fear.

The soldiers in silver armor were horrified, struggling in vain.

In an instant, all six exploded, slain by the intertwining golden patterns of the flag. How could such spirit forms survive in the presence of the divine flag?

On the ground, they left behind a few items, such as the black tree bark and the silver armor.

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