The Stars Beyond

Chapter 295: Nourishing Life Soil With Precious Treasure

"Are you finally planning to emerge from my Inner Landscape that you've occupied?" Wang Xuan focused intently, sensing the condition inside. The fluctuations seemed highly unstable, with cracks in the Inner Landscape opening and closing as if something external was stimulating it.

Meanwhile, behind a particular celestial curtain, various masters battled fiercely. Sword lights piercing the heavens broke through the curtain, creating a scene of sheer terror. Those daring to vie for the Mortal Realm Sword were undoubtedly epoch-defining experts, revered masters of their time, risking instant death should they falter.

Their sword and fist lights could crack the celestial curtain and even influence the mortal world, but they dared not cross over; the force of the ancient pact still lingered. Crossing at this time would mean the diminishment of their own spiritual paths.

A meter-long silver sword streaked across the void, draped in cosmic runes and resplendent in its brilliance. Many sighed in disappointment, having witnessed its momentary cleaving of the curtain but were too distant to seize the opportunity.

The Mortal Realm Sword, capable of slicing through all creation and even severing the great Dao itself, was an unmatched treasure. In the hands of an unparalleled master, it almost guaranteed invincibility under the heavens.

Already among the strongest in their respective realms, possessing the Mortal Realm Sword would threaten the lives of all other supreme beings. To counter it, other mythical treasures like the Wandering Vessel, Elixir of Life Furnace, and Ascension Banner, if wielded by equally formidable beings, could match its power.

The emergence of the Mortal Realm Sword had sent ripples across the celestial realms, with every being attentively watching. The news spread, and despite many paths between the curtains being extinguished, some were attempting to traverse forcefully, determined to compete for it.

In this tumultuous time, the primary form of a red-robed female demon immortal made her move, initially planning a more cautious approach to crossing realms. She traversed the celestial curtains, heading toward a distant realm in the celestial world.

On her journey, she shattered a top-tier celestial beast that ambushed her with her pristine fists. The colossal celestial corpse, spanning tens of thousands of meters, disintegrated, staining the ground red as she continued her formidable journey.

......

The main form of the female Daoist practitioner also set out on her journey, accompanied by a shower of light, piercing through the dark regions and forging a dazzling path from one celestial curtain to another. Her journey was marked by sheer dominance, with terrifying eyes opening in the darkness only to disintegrate under the brilliance of her light rain and her display of unparalleled secret techniques. Accompanied by howls, she soared through the air, leaving a trail of blood and bones exploding in the darkness.

In another celestial realm, "Old Zhang" made his appearance, distinct from his persona in the bar, now appearing somewhat indifferent. With a simple gesture, he evaporated entire seas in his quest for the Mortal Realm Sword.

Evidently, with their primary forms contending for the ultimate treasures, these beings would not be seeking Wang Xuan for guidance in the near future.

...

Wang Xuan waited momentarily; the Elixir of Life Furnace within him was restless but ultimately remained inside. Puzzled, he suspected the artifact sensed something. The Immortal Bone vibrated, and a decaying Inner Landscape opened, filled with cracks, foreshadowing imminent collapse.

Old Chen sighed, "This state of the Inner Landscape mirrors the mythical world – on the brink of destruction, soon to cease existing."

Gu Lin, ever at his side, joined him in the Inner Landscape, choosing a spot to meditate together. Their bond remained strong.

"This is the Inner Landscape? My soul is here, but I can feel my body outside," Qin Cheng exclaimed, thrilled by the sensation.

Professor Lin advised, "This is a miraculous place in the path of cultivation, a cradle of transcendence. Don't waste this opportunity; strive for mastery, or even grand mastery!"

Upon seeing Old Clock, Zhong Cheng was astounded, "Who is this young man?" only to receive a couple of slaps from Old Clock.

Old Clock's spiritual form had also been guided into the Inner Landscape, his youthful appearance matching his physical body.

Everyone was speechless at Old Clock's seemingly endless vitality.

"I must suppress my cultivation level. I can't plant the Immortal Herb seeds or leave the Herb Gathering realm!" Chen Yongjie reminded himself. He was on the verge of breakthrough, a fact that would surely provoke a united assault from the worried transcendents outside. In a world where myths wither and transcendence fades, why hold back?

Zhong Qing, gracefully moving through the serene landscape, marveled at its strangeness and couldn't help but wonder, "Could the celestial world behind the celestial curtains have once been the Inner Landscape of a supremely powerful being?"

Professor Lin shook his head, "It's an interesting thought, but not realistic. There are multiple celestial curtains, and it's implausible that all these supreme beings are dying, causing their curtains to extinguish. Even in death, there would be struggle, not this silent fading away."

Old Chen added, "The world behind the celestial curtains seems to be intertwined with the spiritual realm, as if a fusion of the material and spiritual worlds that has materialized. But now, it's heading towards destruction."

Everyone soon settled into meditation, seizing this precious opportunity for cultivation. Zhong Qing, Gu Lin, Qin Cheng, and others initially struggled to adjust to the relentless pace of their thoughts and the sense of time passing like months, yet far from ending.

Wang Xuan replenished the mystical substances in various treasures and then focused on comprehending deeper truths. "According to ancient texts, the Life Soil and Inner Landscape are somewhat interconnected."

He was on the verge of a breakthrough but was deliberately suppressing himself to gain a thorough understanding of the Life Soil before advancing.

In a state of deep contemplation, Wang Xuan was silent, communicating and resonating with his physical body in the outer world. His spiritual cognition accelerated manifold, observing the changes in his physical body and Life Soil.

"All beginnings of laws, the ground of life nourishing, the root of spiritual grounding, transcendence expands from here – the Life Soil is the cradle of myths!"

During this period, Wang Xuan repeatedly returned to his physical body.

"Have I become a master?" It felt like half a year had passed for Qin Cheng. He stretched out his hands, feeling his spirit refined and his physical body transformed and elevated in the outer world.

Having consumed spiritual medicines and drunk from the Earth Immortal Spring, this level of cultivation was expected. In Old Zhang's words, his aptitude was somewhat lacking.

"It's indeed a miraculous place, one of the sources of transcendence. The realm of the grandmaster is just a step away," Professor Lin mused, amazed at his progress amidst the rapid deterioration of the world's spiritual environment. A chronic cough and a chest wound had once rendered him incapable of cultivation.

"My physical body outside is glowing; it seems like it's breaking through!" Zhong Cheng exclaimed joyfully.

Zhong Qing calmly informed him that her body had already glowed twice, indicating her own advancements.

Wang Xuan's spirit manifested various marvelous visions, transforming them into a five-colored celestial garment to protect his soul. Not far away, Zhong Yong watched in amazement. This young man had tapped into something fundamental, akin yet distinct from Chen Tuan's Five-Colored Golden Elixir Canon.

Zhong Yong, inspired, had been cultivating the Five-Colored Golden Elixir Qi, but Wang Xuan had deciphered something even more elemental. Wang Xuan's aura, radiant in five colors, indicated his soul's integration into these hues, turning into formidable offensive forms – thunderous, a five-colored seal, and even a vast expanse of sword energy.

"Five-Colored Primordial Soul Attack Technique?" Zhong Yong was astounded.

Chen Yongjie, awoken by this revelation, nodded in agreement. His approach to suppress his cultivation level now seemed correct. He explored his own unique visions, which had once been vague but were becoming increasingly clear and imminent.

In the Inner Landscape, time flowed differently, granting them what seemed like years to explore and cultivate.

Every participant gained tremendously. Professor Lin attained the status of a grandmaster, Chen Yongjie's visions became vivid, and Zhong Yong radiated golden light.

Wang Xuan, resonating with his physical body, found himself at a special juncture. Returning to his body, his essence, energy, and spirit merged. Having accumulated sufficient understanding in the Life Soil realm, he felt ready to break through.

As his spirit shone brilliantly, he attempted to connect with his Inner Landscape, embarking on a new journey of transcendence. "Rooting the spirit in Life Soil, expanding transcendence, crafting myths."

Suddenly, he glimpsed his Inner Landscape, vibrant with the energy of mystical substances, unlike others' decaying realms. His Inner Landscape was teeming with life and showed no signs of exhaustion. The Nourishing Furnace lay quiet, engulfed by the mystical "snow."

"I can step into the Gathering Herbs realm now!" Without hesitation, Wang Xuan released his self-imposed restraints and broke through to the new realm.

In another Inner Landscape, the decay accelerated, cracks multiplied, and the realm began to crumble, jolting Zhong Qing, Professor Lin, and others awake. Wang Xuan, having broken through, felt a significant enhancement in strength, a state he had never experienced before.

Meanwhile, in the outside world, beings from beyond the veil, having consumed secret medicines in hopes of breaking through the sixth realm's barrier into the seventh, were hit by another wave of transcendence collapse. Instead of advancing, they coughed blood, falling from the peak of the sixth realm to its mid-stages.

"Another tremor?!" They were shocked and enraged, struggling to believe the rapid decay.

Beyond the veil, "Old Zhang" struck a powerful blow, annihilating a red-haired elder. The ethereal People's Sword, pursued by many, shot towards the horizon.

The Red Garbed Demoness faced obstruction in her chase, clashing fiercely with a supreme being. Her umbrella expanded rapidly, engulfing a man standing in a golden sun, extinguishing it. Her white fist tore through the sky, puncturing a formidable adversary's chest.

The Female Alchemist battled rivals, reaching for the elusive People's Sword. However, several supreme beings attacked her, engulfing the area in celestial light.

The People's Sword, once more, fled into the distance, slicing through another veil.

Simultaneously, Wang Xuan's Inner Landscape shook. The Nourishing Furnace, as if stimulated, roared and shone faintly before disappearing from his Inner Landscape and materializing in his Life Soil realm!