The Stars Beyond

Chapter 284: Solid Preparations

Chi Meng scrutinized Wang Xuan, astonished that a young man would dare show such intense hostility towards him. After all, the Hades Blood Sect was one of the strongest factions in the world beyond the veil.

The founder of the sect, Hades Blood, was a supreme figure in that realm, a true overlord. His disciples, all at the level of true immortals, were not to be trifled with lightly by many.

The top-notch experts among the immortals were among the few who wielded significant power in their respective realms.

The Hades Blood Sect's realm was not directly connected to the New World, but secret pathways linked different realms, and they were preparing to descend on this unique life-bearing planet.

"It's you!" Chi Meng realized. Someone had impersonated him days ago, acting arrogantly and plotting against Wang Xuan, leaving Chi Meng to bear the brunt of the blame.

Wang Xuan eyed him skeptically. Was this really the same person? It didn't seem so.

"Young friend Wang, I've been looking for you. I was framed, and we're natural allies in this situation. We should join forces to find and deal with our common enemy," Chi Meng hurriedly explained, laying out various suspicions and insisting he was not involved in the incident.

His emotional agitation was evident, the true bones wrapped in his blood-red figure trembling with rage as he vehemently denied any involvement.

"Did he also cross the veil to come here?" Wang Xuan asked.

"Yes!" Chi Meng nodded, eager to collaborate with Wang Xuan to hunt down the perpetrator.

Wang Xuan remained silent, unsure if Chi Meng was being framed or if there was a third party stirring trouble.

Chi Meng, on his part, probably hoped to use Wang Xuan's artifacts to eliminate his adversary. If they targeted the wrong person, they would simply continue the search, with Chi Meng planning to ally with Wang Xuan for the hunt.

"Let's join forces," Chi Meng suggested.

Wang Xuan looked at him calmly, replying, "We'll wait for the truth."

Chi Meng was at a loss for words. He had thought Wang Xuan, brimming with resentment, would eagerly join the hunt for the culprit. Instead, all he got was a non-committal response.

Chi Meng had hoped to use Wang Xuan as a tool to eliminate a formidable enemy first.

Wang Xuan said nothing more. He definitely wouldn't get involved, knowing that the real culprit was somewhere beyond the veil, although their name and faction remained unknown to him.

Both Wang Xuan and Chi Meng nodded in agreement, deciding to set aside their differences for the moment.

The conch horn sounded, echoing across the night sky, its Buddha light engulfing the Qin residence. Many heard the grand Buddhist chant, resonating with a profound spiritual force.

Nearby, Chen Yongjie, draped in a monk's robe and holding the conch, resembled an enlightened monk. Golden scriptures swirled around him, the symbols spreading across the void.

Chi Meng's eyes flickered with blood-red light, several times tempted to seize the Buddhist treasure. But ultimately, he restrained himself, recognizing that the conch was already partially refined.

"To think that someone in this era can still grasp the true essence of Buddhism," he shook his head in wonder.

The descendants of the immortals and the demon race looked on enviously but helplessly. The conch was perfectly in sync with Chen Yongjie, their golden symbols resonating in unison, deterring anyone from forcefully seizing it.

Chen Yongjie approached with the formidable weapon, exerting a significant deterrent effect on some.

"I can't suppress my advancement much longer; I'm about to ascend to the next level," he communicated telepathically to Wang Xuan. After absorbing the medicinal soil, his cultivation had been steadily increasing.

However, he viewed this rapid growth with apprehension. His time in the medicinal realm was too short, and he was uncertain about his future path. Ancient methods had their flaws, and he had yet to find a mature and powerful path to immortality.

"Find the seeds of the Nine Tribulations Lotus quickly and plant them in your spiritual land," Wang Xuan advised. "Absorbing the essence of the medicinal soil will help you, but it's also building up for a stronger breakthrough. Once the seeds sprout, you'll have to decide on your path and break through."

Wang Xuan pulled him aside to discuss the altar in the realm beyond the veil, preparing for an imminent battle.

"That's excessively malicious, using your flesh and blood for growth and stripping away all your achievements," Chen Yongjie commented gravely.

After a private discussion, Chen Yongjie dimmed his Buddha light and discreetly left to make his preparations.

In the Qin family courtyard, the descendants of the immortals watched regretfully as Chen Yongjie and the conch disappeared. The treasure was indeed precious, attracting many contenders.

"Brother Wang, would you like to join us?" Kong Yun invited. The descendants of the immortals planned to tour the new moon aboard a spaceship, curious about all the novel aspects of the New World.

Inwardly, Wang Xuan was keen to interact with them. Surprisingly harmless and different from what he had anticipated, he hoped to learn more about this group.

But Wang Xuan really didn't have time right now; he had to deal with the life-threatening issue of the celestial fetus.

Otherwise, he assured them, he would have joined them on the ship to see if anyone dared to bombard the group along with him.

That night, Wang Xuan left and went straight to the Song family to meet Song Yun. He secretly traded some Earth Immortal Spring with old Song, who was almost stupefied by shock.

After drinking a portion of the Earth Immortal Spring, Song Yun's hair roots darkened, and the wrinkles on his face rapidly diminished, showing a far stronger effect than Wang Xuan's previous life-prolonging efforts.

After the pleasant visit, Wang Xuan took the Golden Tree, leaving behind some "immortal liquid" for Song Yun. Without the Divine Slaying Banner, Wang Xuan wouldn't have even dared to approach the tree, as the golden birds on it could kill a person's soul!

He studied it all night. It would take time to refine, and he needed to protect himself first before activating it. This object, once handled by the strongest sorcerers of ancient times, was no less powerful than the Soul Locking Bell.

The next morning, Wang Xuan went to the Zhong family to borrow the ash-covered pool, which seemed to be the Pool of Reincarnation. Trading for this item would be difficult, as old Zhong was also a transcendent being and unlikely to agree.

The Zhong family had many visitors, mainly because of their rich collection of ancient artifacts that attracted beings from beyond the veil.

Recently, the relics in the Zhong family's secret repository, including the sarira and the incorruptible corpses, had disturbed their peace.

"I never thought our family's repository could be so lively. One night, I passed by and saw bones colliding, sarira hitting bells, and a creature with silver fur sticking a hand out of a coffin..." Zhong Cheng lamented to Wang Xuan upon seeing him. Their repository had "come to life," bustling with activity every night.

Now, with a group of flesh-and-blood young people outside, all with transcendent powers and persuasive words, it was overwhelming.

"Old Wang, let me tell you, we're leaving. We're implementing the Tai Chu Plan. We have a premonition that something big is going to happen on Xing Xing!" Zhong Cheng revealed their secret.

"Leaving so decisively, so soon?" Wang Xuan was taken aback. "I wanted to help you build foundations. If I survive, there will be results in a few days."

Zhong Cheng was astonished. "Really? Actually, we also need a few days to wrap things up. Before leaving, I'll also give you a big gift!"

He added that it would be great if Wang Xuan could leave with them.

"I'm here to borrow the Pool of Reincarnation!" Wang Xuan stated his purpose and soon met Zhong Changming. After a brief private talk and some negotiations, Zhong Lao Er's bald head began sprouting fine black hair roots, and the deal was struck.

Wang Xuan also privately gave Zhong Cheng two jars of Earth Immortal Spring for him and his sister to share.

Having confirmed that Earth Immortal Spring couldn't help transcendent beings survive the mythological decline, Wang Xuan planned to give away most of it soon, sharing with acquaintances.

Wang Xuan's visit to the Zhong family's secret repository was indeed astonishing. The array of ancient artifacts was staggering, with piles of artifacts from pre-Qin sorcerers, sacred items from Taoist ancestral temples, important Buddhist instruments, and various unknown ancient objects, including unique collections like coffins and well-preserved bodily remains of Bodhisattvas.

Upon entering, Wang Xuan maintained his focus, ignoring the strange artifacts and directly moving a dusty, grey pool.

The repository stirred with activity, but no one dared to extend their spiritual bodies, fearing their souls might be captured.

"Even with a physical body, facing this pool for too long is dangerous. They say it can send people to rebirth, but who knows where the souls it devours end up?"

Whispers echoed in the repository. Despite their envy, none interfered.

They knew the ashen pool was too perilous, not something ordinary individuals could handle. It was a divine item intended for supremely powerful beings.

"It's said that whoever takes the Pool of Reincarnation from the human world will meet an early demise."

......

Wang Xuan now faced a major faction backed by an unparalleled powerhouse. He believed the more dangerous an item, the more reliable it could be in a crisis.

As Zhong Cheng accompanied Wang Xuan out of the secret repository area, they saw several young men and women in the distance. Among them, a particularly distinguished man exuded an air of immortal grace, engaging in lively conversation with Zhong Qing.

"That man is Cao Qingyu. He seems gentle and distinguished, but there's something off about his gaze. He appeared only yesterday and is here again today, always approaching my sister. Others seem to fear him, and he holds significant sway among the descendants of the immortals," Zhong Cheng shared.

"He does seem off. His spiritual energy is continuously expanding, subtly influencing how others perceive him," Wang Xuan noted.

Zhong Cheng grew concerned. "No wonder I feel he's agreeable up close but find his gaze invasive and alluring from a distance."

From afar, Wang Xuan flicked his finger, unleashing a burst of terrifying golden flames. A thunderous sound caught the attention of the superhuman beings, though ordinary people remained unaffected. The abrupt action drew Cao Qingyu's attention.

"Little Qing, is that your friend?" Cao Qingyu asked.

"Over here, Wang Xuan," Zhong Qing called out, waving him over.

"Don't use your spiritual realm to manipulate mortals, influencing their perceptions," Wang Xuan said calmly.

"So it's you. Interesting," Cao Qingyu nodded. His robust vitality and the faint aura of rosy clouds radiating from him exerted immense pressure on other superhuman beings.

This indicated that he was likely close to the transcendent Xiaoyao realm. Wang Xuan furrowed his brows, sensing that Cao Qingyu might be even stronger than Kong Yun.

Ordinary people were unable to see their energetic states and remained unaffected.

Kong Yun's single fingertip strike could send Huang Ming flying six or seven meters away. Currently, even without utilizing mystical treasures, no superhuman on earth could match this level of physical prowess.

"Let's meet again next time. I have some matters to attend to today," Cao Qingyu said with a smile, nodding at them before taking his leave.

Wang Xuan watched his departing figure, aware of Cao Qingyu's formidable strength. In a world where mystical treasures were destined to dim, individuals like him would become exceedingly dangerous.

"I'll come back in a few days," Wang Xuan also excused himself. With various issues emerging on New Star, and the intentions of those returning from behind the veil unclear, he had to prioritize surviving his immediate peril.

Subsequently, Wang Xuan discreetly visited several families, conducting a few transactions. He felt he was adequately prepared for whatever was to come, ready to see who would outmaneuver whom in this deadly game.