The Stars Beyond

Chapter 396: The Poisonous Mushroom Soup Of Wang Xuan’s Mom

"Stop, you don't understand anything. You're not clear about what's going on here, so please don't get involved. Okay, I'm hanging up," Wang Xuan didn't want to continue the conversation.

After all, Fang Yuzhu was one of the top figures among immortals. Even though she was very magnanimous, it was just too romantic to hear others mention her marriage prospects. So, Wang Xuan felt a bit guilty and stopped his parents from saying more.

"If you dare to hang up, we'll come over right away!" On the other end, Wang Xuan's mother was dissatisfied with his perfunctory response. She felt that he wasn't proactive enough.

"You don't understand, being a transcendent is complicated. Mom, Dad, please don't say anything more. I'll explain everything to you later on."

"How can you say we don't understand anything? Recently, we've been well-informed about all sorts of secrets about myths in Ping City. We know much more than you."

Wang Xuan didn't want them to be so concerned. The two of them simply didn't understand the various mindsets of immortals in the mortal world. Not everyone chooses to return to the mundane world.

Wang's mom said, "Why pursue immortality and seek eternal life in this day and age? Cherishing the present is what truly matters. When the prosperity fades, the path of immortality declines, returning to simplicity and mundanity is the essence. When the person that searched hundreds of times for eternal life looks back, he will suddenly find out that the light he was searching for was dimming."

Wang Xuan stared blankly as his mom was lecturing him again.

"Let me tell you, in this day and age, pursuing transcendence isn't wrong, but don't get carried away," Wang's mom warned.

"I understand!" replied Wang Xuan.

"What do you understand? Those who crave for it, are willing to give everything and are eagerly seeking for it. They are mostly chasing after illusions, something that’s forever out of their reach. The more you desire, the more unattainable it becomes. Otherwise, you're just like a moth that yearns for light but gets burned by fire, consuming yourself in the end. What it wants is your life," she concluded.

Wang Xuan was stunned by his own mother's lecture that was like a bowl of toxic chicken soup. He felt somewhat dazed. Inadvertently, it had touched upon some of his inner journeys.

The Immortal Flower of eternal life blurred the line between illusion and reality.

In the void, what lay beyond the meteorite path? Was it truth or falsehood? Was there a real place?

These desires drove him to sacrifice himself. It made him willing to endure the burning of red substances.

He desired to transcend death, and had been risking his life to pass through it. He was willing to pay any price to get closer to the source. He was willing to give everything. Yet, was all his effort like a moth flying into flame? He sought truth, but the other side sought his life. At this moment, Wang Xuan felt paralyzed. He was unexpectedly moved in his heart, followed by a sense of horror. He had never considered whether the true source held deadly danger. He had always imagined it as something beautiful, believing that success there would mean having everything.

Meanwhile, Fang Yuzhu reclined on the bed and was reading peacefully and relaxed. She was occasionally listening to the conversation between the mother and son. She found the dialogue somewhat intriguing, reflective of the times, and couldn't help but smile. However, as Wang's mother served up her toxic chicken soup, Fang Yuzhu's smile faded. She folded in her long, snowy legs, and sat cross-legged on the bed as she felt poisoned as well!

She was a peerless maiden that had killed demon emperors, destroyed demon lords, ended all ancient relics, and ushered in the glory of the medieval era. She possessed unparalleled strength. She had a strong belief that myths would extinguish. She was willing to burn her true self to break through the clouds, and renew the world of the transcendent. She refused to bow down or give up. But now, those words had an impact on her.

Was the end of the transcendent sea I was about to leap into not necessarily true?

She possessed the universe with an unimaginable breadth of mind. Was the step she was about to take wrong? Like a moth to a flame, had she been lured by the brilliance of that transcendent sea?

"Mom, another bowl of poisonous mushroom soup, please!" After snapping out of his reverie, Wang Xuan called for another bowl from his mother.

"That's the essence of life, the light of the soul. Don't speak nonsense and degrade it. It's one thing to keep yourself fit, but don't go too far. Everything needs moderation. Too much of anything is bad!"

That night, Wang Xuan drank many bowls of toxic chicken soup and poisonous mushroom soup. He truly felt poisoned by it. At last, under his mother's criticism, he nodded and agreed to start making efforts for the sake of marriage. After hanging up the phone, he reflected. He felt coerced and annoyed, so did he just reluctantly agree verbally to avoid drinking the soup?

"It's a bit strange. Why is she so insistent? Although she used to urge me, it wasn't this forceful," Wang Xuan shook his head and did not dwell on it anymore.

His parents informed him that they would come over in a while!

......

......

After entering a state of meditation, Fang Yuzhu quietly pondered and carefully sensed the world around her. While she was moved, she also had some other thoughts. She contemplated, images of figures flashed in her mind. They were all myths and people that had disappeared. Some had no connection with her. They were once mighty, but they were long gone like the mist. And some had crossed paths with her, even some whom she had dealt with harshly!

......

......

Several days later, Huang Ming and Kong Yun's Immortal Tea House opened, and they were inviting acquaintances to attend. Wang Xuan initially didn't want to go, but he couldn't reject Huang's enthusiastic invitation, especially when he subtly mentioned that Old Zhang and Hades Blood had a stake in it. He was quite surprised and found it intriguing. The two patriarchs that descended into the mortal world acted as patrons. He decided to go and see what was going on. When Zhang Daoling and Hades Blood received the call, they almost went there straightaway to eliminate that demon. They warned Huang Ming not to use their names to promote the store. However, they had no choice but to go. As they feared that Huang and the others might cause trouble.

The Immortal Tea House had a very celestial name and was located in a bustling area of ??An City. The interior decoration was also quite impressive with the influx of money from the investor behind Huang Ming and Kong Yun. The key point is that Huang Ming and Kong Yun personally participated in planting flowers, grass, and vines. Some of which were species taken from the great veil. The place was embellished with strange stones and spiritual objects. This sizable tea house that was designed by them resembled a small celestial cave with ethereal mist rising from below. It was truly captivating.

Nowadays, the tea business isn't easy. However, under the management of Huang Ming and Kong Yun, this three-story tea house exploded with business. They specialized in immortal drinks, with keywords being, immortal health, longevity, and life extension. As people entered, all they saw were exotic flowers, vines, and strange trees. They felt relaxed after taking a sip of the spiritual aura that was in the tea house. It was impossible not to attract attention and become popular.

"Everyone, don't worry, you can order online and have it delivered to your home. We guarantee that it's pure tea from ancient tea trees cultivated in celestial caves. The leaves are picked when they are the freshest and most tender. Each can of tea can be traced back to its exact source, and every leaf is picked by a real celestial maiden."

At the entrance of the tea house, Huang Ming was promoting and doing live broadcasts because of the long queue outside that stretched endlessly. Of course, he felt that the selling point wasn't enough, so he used his connections to invite the two maidens, Zhou Shiqian and Chen Yan to help in promotion. The former debuted as a transcendent singer and was well-known for coming from within the great veil.

"Everyone, please download the app of our Immortal Tea House, the only place where genuine immortal tea is sold. With just a light touch, delivery will be made to your doorstep. We ensure quality and quantity. It's very convenient."

Upstairs, Zhang Daoling glanced down and felt a pang of discomfort. This cunning fox was really showing off, using all sorts of tricks, hoping not to deceive people.

"Are you serious? Are the tea trees really cultivated in the immortal realm and picked by real celestial maidens?" someone asked loudly.

"Of course, after you order, you can scan the anti-counterfeiting celestial code on the tea can for verification. You can watch the picking process, where each tea leaf passes through the hands of a celestial maiden......"

"Every morning, when the first ray of sunlight shines on the dew, those purest fairies in the great veil will only pick for fifteen minutes. They won't continue for a second longer, nor will they collect an extra leaf because during this time, all life is at its most vigorous."

"Therefore, this kind of tea from the celestion cave is extremely limited in quantity. We have restrictions on purchases, and each person can buy a small can at most within half a month."

......

......

"It's interesting. Let's not forget, this cunning fox is quite adept at seizing opportunities. We might consider buying his shop," someone said lightly.

Without a doubt, transcendents that came from the great veil had arrived, and they had great backgrounds .

"Isn't this inappropriate? As fellow exiles that came to the mortal realm from the immortal realm, taking away their business doesn't look good," someone objected.

"It's just a normal capital operation. We won't forcefully take over. When they understand our strength, Huang Ming will be willing to cooperate. Behind us, we have Master Zheng’s exceptional disciples. Besides, we were originally planning to do similar business. We're opening an Angel Coffee Shop here in the near future."

"Wait, who's on the third floor?"

"Zhang Daoling, the Patriarch of the Hades Blood Sect, Maiden Fang, and Wang Xuan? Ah, forget it. Let's not bother them for now. This cunning fox actually managed to get them involved."

......

......

"Grown in an otherworldly cave and hand-picked by pure fairies. You ask how good such tea leaves are? Even the legendary Patriarch Zhang praised it after he tasted it!" said Huang Ming as brought out Old Zhang.

"You ask who Old Zhang is? He's Patriarch Zhang Daoling, ranked among the top in the immortal realm!" exclaimed Huang Ming. He got too excited. Not only did he stimulate ordinary people but also awed many extraordinary individuals.

On the third floor, Old Zhang's face was as dark as the bottom of a pot. This cunning fox was actually using his name to sell tea.

Did he want to be skinned alive? He didn't want his yellow skin anymore!

"Old Zhang praised it?" Wang Xuan chuckled.

Huang Ming and Kong Yun seemed to sense something and realized they had gone too far. They wiped their sweat and hurried to the third floor.

"Patriarch Zhang, Patriarch of the Hades Blood Sect, Maiden Fang, we have indeed prepared the best immortal tea from behind the great veil!" Huang Ming said, quickly unsealing the jade jar. A divine radiance surged from within, and the fragrance of tea immediately flowed out. It enveloped the entire three-story tea house like a celestial land.

Wang Xuan was moved.

Was there really such a fine immortal tea?

"This is the tea bestowed upon my ancestors by Elder Heng Jun many years ago. We've been reluctant to drink it. Today, I invite the Patriarchs to taste it." said Huang Ming while he wore an apologetic expression. It made it hard for Old Zhang to blame him.

Inside the jade jar were not tea leaves but tiny fruits that were translucent like jade stones. There were only a few grains that were the size of fingernails and each had a different color. When brewed, the jade pot seemed like a celestial land, with fantastical scenes emerging, and fragrances wafting up. It intensified the tea aroma that had emerged earlier. The light mist spread and presented various enchanting scenes. It covered the entire three-story building with tea fragrance and miraculous scenes that left everyone awestruck.

"Excellent tea!" Zhang Daoling took a sip and sincerely exclaimed.

"Patriarch Zhang praised it after tasting it!" Patriarch of the Hades Blood Sect laughed heartily.

Although Old Zhang looked unfriendly, he didn't get angry in the end. He glared at Huang Ming, and the matter was considered settled.

Naturally, Wang Xuan was qualified to taste this tea. After just one sip, light readiated all over his body. He felt as if he were about to ascend to heaven. He was startled.

Am I about to break through the tenth stage?

This surprised him so much he didn't dare to take a second sip. He needed to savor it slowly and contemplate it.

"Tramp, tramp, tramp......" Zhou Shiqi and Chen Yan also arrived. Despite the presence of the patriarchs, they couldn't resist coming over to have some tea.

Then, Zhou Qinghuang also appeared. As Zhou Shiqi and Fang Yuzhu's college roommate, she came to show her support and openly joined in to drink tea.

"You said this was bestowed upon your ancestors by Elder Heng Jun?" Wang Xuan asked.

Huang Ming nodded, saying, "Yes, that ancient tea tree that is outside of Elder Hengjun's cave was known to all. It is the number one tea in the immortal realm that is renowned far and wide." In order to get closer to Old Zhang and Fang Yuzhu, he spared no effort, bringing along the rare treasures passed down through his family.

Wang Xuan immediately became intrigued. Originally planning to enter the immortal realm to quietly kill Zheng Yuantian, now it seemed that a visit to the Heng Jun family was also worthwhile. He had been preparing for days. After making some final adjustments, it was almost time to take action. Wang Xuan could penetrate the mist emitted by the Life Soil to enter the great veil. It was a secret unknown to others. He was considering whether or not to lure certain individuals out this time. Thinking it over carefully, he believed it was better to remain low-key. In any case, he wanted to enter the immortal realm. After being in contact with the transcendent realm for so long and getting to know so many mythical figures, he hadn't truly experienced the wonders of the immortal realm. He wanted to appreciate the splendid scenery of the soon-to-be-extinguished mountains and rivers of the immortal realm.

"Should I go with Sister Fang, or should I go to find the main body of the Celestial Sword Maiden, or should I travel alone......” Wang Xuan pondered as he considered various possibilities.

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