The Stars Beyond

Chapter 343: Determination Through Hardship

Gu Mingxi approached with a grace that seemed to transcend the mundane world, her attire a classic vision of celestial elegance. Dressed in a moon-white gown that spoke of the ethereal realms, with matching white footwear, she exuded an unparalleled purity and otherworldliness.

In the mundane world, a woman of such ethereal beauty would turn every head on the street, her clear gaze and exceptional looks full of an immortal's charm.

Yet, to Wang Xuan, she was merely another challenger. Despite her undeniable beauty and the aura of a celestial being, what did it matter? She was just an opponent to him.

His main concern was gauging the true strength of this destined adversary and pondering whether she could be defeated. The beings sent from beyond the veil at this stage were all of notable origin, breaking through the very fabric of ordinary existence, making them formidable opponents that Wang Xuan found quite challenging to face.

"Allow me the honor," Gu Mingxi said as she approached, her purity making her seem as if she was untouched by the dust of the world. A gentle smile lit up her features, stunningly beautiful, surrounded by a hazy aura that only accentuated her exceptional demeanor. Revealing her true strength, the air around her simmered with a supermaterial fog, swirling in a dance of power. Indeed, she was a cultivator from the realm of carefree wandering, her prowess undeniable.

Clang!

Wang Xuan's armor vibrated with a metallic resonance, its icy sheen flowing as he raised his black longsword high, a wave of murderous intent surging forth.

Boom!

At that moment, a scorching, blinding beam of light shot forth, narrowly missing Gu Mingxi and obliterating a small hill in the distance. Wang Xuan, startled, quickly turned to see another figure appearing. This woman, dressed in modern attire with a crisp white blouse and a pair of rimless silver glasses perched on her prominent nose, was strikingly beautiful and serene, radiating an intellectual charm.

She moved with the grace of a classical beauty, her modern attire lending her an unconventional edge. However, the energy cannon slung over her shoulder somewhat marred her scholarly elegance. Firing the cannon at Gu Mingxi, Zhou Qinghuang demonstrated her reflexes by dodging just in time, the beam grazing past her.

"I'm Zhou Qinghuang, and I'm willing to stand by your side, to collaborate with you," said the spectacled, refined woman with a smile. Wang Xuan turned to her, noting her striking appearance and forthright manner. It was rare for someone to openly align with him without coveting his divine weapon, offering partnership instead. Regardless of her motives, he responded with goodwill.

"Miss Zhou is both wise and stunning, exuding a scholarly aura. Clearly, a person of good repute and well-versed in literature," Wang Xuan replied with a smile. Zhou Qinghuang smiled gently, indeed amiable, and then fired her cannon again with a loud "thud," launching another dazzling beam at Gu Mingxi. Gu Mingxi, predicting the move, swiftly evaded like a celestial fairy crossing the void, avoiding the attack once more. She couldn't help but wonder, where was the literary grace in firing cannons so aggressively?

"Let me handle her; you stay on your guard," Zhou Qinghuang said softly to Wang Xuan, her serene smile belying the aggression of her actions. With cyan light wings unfurling behind her, casting a splendid fairy light, she floated in the air, pursuing Gu Mingxi with her cannon ready to strike again.

Wang Xuan watched in astonishment as the beautiful woman genuinely began to take action, assisting him against a formidable opponent of the carefree wandering realm. Regardless of her intentions, she was aiding him, and for the moment, she was considered an ally.

Observers from the dense forest and mountain tops watched in amazement as three powerful figures emerged, only to be intercepted. Many were puzzled by the unfolding events, but some sighed in admiration. This young man from the mundane world, who had his name inscribed on the golden scroll and played a part in drafting the new covenant, indeed possessed extraordinary qualities.

She appeared like a classical beauty from ancient scripts, gracefully making her way through the modern world in attire that seemed slightly out of place yet enchantingly so. However, the energy cannon mounted on her shoulder somewhat disrupted her serene demeanor.

Launching an energy blast towards Gu Mingxi, Zhou Qinghuang acted with decisive aggression. Gu Mingxi, sensing the imminent danger, dodged just in time, letting the beam graze past her.

"I am Zhou Qinghuang, and I wish to align with you, to collaborate," introduced the elegant lady behind the glasses, smiling.

Wang Xuan turned his attention to her. The woman's appearance and temperament were strikingly exceptional, and she was refreshingly straightforward, expressing a desire to side with him rather than covet his divine weapon. Rarely did someone openly declare their allegiance to him, and regardless of her underlying motives, he responded with goodwill.

"Miss Zhou is both wise and dazzling, exuding an aura of scholarly elegance. Clearly, a person of good nature and well-read," Wang Xuan complimented in return.

Zhou Qinghuang smiled gently, embodying both tenderness and approachability, then fired her cannon again with a "boom," sending another blinding beam zipping past Gu Mingxi.

Gu Mingxi, having anticipated the attack, dodged swiftly like a celestial nymph crossing through the void, avoiding the strike once more. She couldn't help but question, where did this woman learn her manners? So much for being gentle and literate, she thought, witnessing the violent use of the cannon.

"Allow me to assess her. Stay on guard," Zhou Qinghuang said softly to Wang Xuan, her back sprouting azure wings that scattered divine, sparkling light as she floated, continuing her assault on Gu Mingxi with the energy cannon.

Wang Xuan was momentarily dazed by the sight. This beautiful woman was seriously engaging in battle to assist him against a formidable opponent of the free-roaming realm.

His stance remained unchanged; whoever was aiding him at the moment was considered an ally.

In the dense forest and atop the hills, numerous experts were spectating, all showing signs of astonishment as three formidable figures emerged to block their way.

Many were baffled, unable to comprehend the unfolding events.

Yet, some sighed, acknowledging the young man's exceptional stature in the mundane world, worthy of his signature on the golden scroll and involvement in the drafting of the new covenant. Without lifting a finger, he had influential figures like Mo Si, Zhou Qinghuang, and Bai Yuxian intercept formidable foes on his behalf.

"Could he be the illegitimate child of some supreme entity?" someone muttered, not so much in speculation but more as a disparaging remark on his ambiguous origins.

"Your entire family are the illegitimate ones," Wang Xuan retorted sharply.

He then focused on the various battlegrounds, ready to lend support at a moment's notice.

He sensed something stirring.

The battle between Mo Si and Qi Lian Dao was the most intense, tearing through the landscape like two fierce dragons clashing. They shattered mountains and plunged deep into the wilderness, with trees falling and boulders flying in all directions under their might.

Despite Mo Si's youthful appearance, his actions were ferocious and robust. His slender frame seemed to contain boundless demonic power, managing to stand toe-to-toe with the descendant of the demon ancestor, even gaining a slight upper hand at times.

As the battle reached its climax, Mo Si countered Qi Lian Dao's punch with his palm. Their spiritual domains clashed, materializing into visible realms that collided, sending shockwaves through the surroundings.

Mo Si's domain shimmered in silver, wrapped in divine light, creating an ethereal sanctuary around him.

Qi Lian Dao's domain blazed in golden brilliance, a wild inferno that engulfed him, reflecting his untamed spirit.

Their confrontation, silver versus gold, was like two celestial lands at war, shredding the physical world around them.

Trees exploded, rocks turned to dust, and everything from thorny vegetation to massive boulders was caught in their struggle, swirling in the air before disintegrating.

The deadlock persisted as both fighters exerted their full strength.

Wang Xuan approached leisurely, his armor cold and his black longsword emitting a chilling aura. Observing the intense showdown, he took in the scene with keen interest.

Without uttering a word, Wang Xuan launched a deadly assault on Qi Lian Dao. There was no talk of a fair fight or a duel. These were experts of the free-roaming realm, hunting him down, thus forfeiting any right to speak of fairness.

With a swift motion, he used the God-Slaying Banner to carve a path through Qi Lian Dao's golden spiritual domain, causing him as much pain as a venomous snake's bite. The domain instantly suffered a breach.

Then, Wang Xuan raised his sword for a strike. He wielded the God-Slaying Banner merely to clear the way and defend himself. With a flash, his sword's bright light illuminated the entire forest.

"You!" Qi Lian Dao was both shocked and furious. He was locked in a critical confrontation with Mo Si, their spiritual domains entwined, continuously clashing in a tumultuous roar, leaving no room for retreat or disengagement.

Withdrawing might give Mo Si the chance to invade his inner consciousness, potentially turning him into a puppet of the demonic path or even refining him into a soul casket—a terrifying prospect. Some formidable figures in the demonic path possessed soul caskets even more powerful than themselves, acquired through unexpected invasions.

Qi Lian Dao roared, unleashing a top-tier demonic spell, his spirit and body vibrating in unison, causing dazzling ripples in an attempt to blow Wang Xuan away and inflict severe damage.

However, most of his power was tied up by Mo Si.

Moreover, Wang Xuan was far stronger than Qi Lian Dao had anticipated. He was not merely a few realms weaker and could not be looked down upon. Standing with the banner, Wang Xuan remained unshaken.

The sword descended, and with a splatter, the radiant strike cut through Qi Lian Dao's flesh, cultivated from the blood of various celestial demons, causing blood to spurt out.

Then, without uttering a word, he launched a lethal attack on Qi Lian Dao. Ideas of a fair fight or a duel vanished in this context. These were high-level experts from the free-roaming realm, hunting him down, leaving no room for discussions of fairness.

With a swift motion, he paved his way with the Slash God Banner, tearing through Qi Lian Dao's golden spiritual domain. The attack was like a serpent's venomous kiss, causing intense spiritual agony for Qi Lian Dao as a chunk of his domain was obliterated.

Wang Xuan then raised his sword for a strike. The Slash God Banner served merely as a path opener and a shield. With a flash of the blade, the entire forest was illuminated.

Qi Lian Dao, caught off guard and furious, was locked in a crucial confrontation with Mo Si. Their spiritual domains were entangled, their golden and silver spaces clashing and booming, leaving no opportunity for retreat without risking spiritual invasion by Mo Si, potentially turning him into a puppet of the demonic path or even a soul casket, a fate far too dreadful to contemplate.

Roaring, Qi Lian Dao unleashed a supreme demonic technique, resonating spiritually and physically, causing terrifying ripples and bright flashes, attempting to repel Wang Xuan and inflict severe damage. However, most of his power was tied up by Mo Si.

Moreover, Wang Xuan proved much stronger than Qi Lian Dao anticipated, not easily shaken despite the difference in their realms. The descending blade struck, splashing blood, even though Qi Lian Dao's body, cultivated from the blood of various demonic beasts, was supposed to be invulnerable.

Now, Qi Lian Dao dared not retreat. Engaged fully with Mo Si, he found himself overwhelmed, sustaining a deep, bone-exposing wound on his shoulder from Wang Xuan's blade, which was initially aimed at decapitating him but had its trajectory altered by Qi Lian Dao's desperate magic.

He roared in rage, his body emanating supreme blood to cleanse his flesh and counter Mo Si's spiritual invasion, striving to prevent the blade from cleaving him in two. Yet, Wang Xuan felt no remorse, continuously striking, with blood spraying from Qi Lian Dao's wounds.

Qi Lian Dao endured the onslaught, surprisingly resilient. Grounded firmly, he managed to create multiple afterimages through slight vibrations of his body, surviving multiple head strikes without being bisected – a miracle in itself.

However, Wang Xuan was unfazed by Qi Lian Dao's resilience, noticing something within him producing cryptic runes to preserve his flesh. Even when Qi Lian Dao's neck was nearly severed, it rapidly healed.

The onlookers were stunned, then speechless, witnessing the descendant of the demon ancestor being chopped like firewood.

Qi Lian Dao's furious roar marked his escape from Mo Si's spiritual assault. Attempting to rush at Wang Xuan, he felt intense spiritual pain as the Slash God Banner aimed once more at his spiritual domain.

Wang Xuan, bewildered by his inability to finish Qi Lian Dao despite numerous strikes, refused to concede. "Let's change the spot, to commemorate your determination," he quipped, swinging his dark blade upwards between Qi Lian Dao's legs, and then... made another cut.

"I'm out!" Qi Lian Dao was utterly shocked, his body covered in goosebumps. He had never faced such a relentless foe and found himself wholly unprepared for such a brutal confrontation. With a furious roar, his blood energy burst forth in a radiant crimson rainbow as he suddenly exerted his power... and fled!

Mo Si pursued him, casting a deep glance at Wang Xuan on the way, growing more convinced of Wang's resemblance to that legendary figure from the demonic path, a character shrouded in myths and stories.

Wang Xuan also gave chase for a distance, intrigued by the mysterious artifact within Qi Lian Dao's body, which seemed beyond Qi Lian Dao's control, only passively defending him. Why else would he hide it, not utilizing it even in perilous situations?

With another strike, Wang Xuan's dark blade slashed across Qi Lian Dao's back, splattering blood.

Utilizing a demonic beast's blood escape technique, Qi Lian Dao turned into a mist of red smoke, blurring away, only to reappear at the far end of the earth.

Mo Si, decisive as ever, followed him into the distance, determined to catch him.

Wang Xuan, after a moment's consideration, chose not to continue the pursuit. Given his current level, facing Qi Lian Dao alone could be dangerous.

Everyone nearby found the situation astonishing, almost dreamlike. Here was a prince of the demonic clan, a true powerhouse, now being forced into a corner by a seemingly lesser young human due to the constraints of crossing realms. "I've really made a mortal enemy this time. I need to level up fast, or I might end up being hunted down in a frenzy by Qi Lian Dao," Wang Xuan concluded, aware that once Qi Lian Dao recovered, a fierce retaliation would be inevitable.

On his way back, he saw the ongoing battle between the round-faced girl and Qi Cheng Dao and felt compelled to join. He couldn't just stand by while his allies were in conflict.

"Ming Xi, let's go!" Qi Cheng Dao communicated, promptly steering a treasure boat away into the sky. He had witnessed Qi Lian Dao's dire state and did not wish to become the next target of Wang Xuan's "unorthodox" methods. Facing the challenge posed by a white tiger demon alone was overwhelming enough, and he felt immense pressure.

"Capture him!" Wang Xuan commanded, urging the round-faced girl to pursue Qi Chengdao aggressively. If possible, eliminating him would prevent future threats.

Meanwhile, on another battlefield, Zhou Qinghuang and Gu Mingxi clashed. Zhou Qinghuang, having exhausted her energy cannon, discarded it into the terrain, where it lay depleted and useless.

Gu Mingxi, upon receiving a signal, attempted to ascend, steering a supernatural lotus platform. Her attire fluttered elegantly, embodying the very essence of a celestial being descending upon the mortal realm—her beauty unparalleled.

"Stay," Zhou Qinghuang declared, her voice losing its gentle timbre, revealing a hint of wild allure as she removed her glasses. "You're the gift I've been planning to give."

With a command, "Phoenix Feather Locks the Void!" she unfurled her azure wings, casting countless luminescent feathers across the sky, ensnaring the heavens.

The air was filled with dancing energy feathers as Zhou Qinghuang moved gracefully like a divine phoenix, her form captivating and her dance enthralling. These feathers spanned the void, securing a small pocket of space and trapping Gu Mingxi within.

The crowd was astounded. At Zhou Qinghuang's level, to confine the void was exceedingly rare, showcasing her extraordinary talent. However, the effort visibly drained her; her cheeks flushed with exertion, resembling someone inebriated by wine, her complexion reddened.

Panting, she offered, "I present her to you as a gift. Accept her."

In this moment, the narrative of power and alliance unfolded intriguingly, as Zhou Qinghuang, amidst her struggle, gifted Wang Xuan a formidable opponent, marking an unusual turn in their confrontation.

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