The Stars Beyond

Chapter 297: Into The Stars

At this stage, Wang Xuan felt a chill run down his spine, his body breaking out in goosebumps. He had always regarded his Inner Landscape as a private domain, a sanctuary of sorts. Yet now, in this very sanctuary, someone was weeping and burning joss paper. Flickering flames cast ghostly shadows, and papers swirled in the air. What kind of being was this, and from where had it come?

Wang Xuan peered through the rough stone wall with his spiritual third eye, observing intently. He was tempted to call out, to inquire about the identity of this mysterious presence. However, he restrained himself, wary of inviting an unimaginable entity into his realm. The tales and lore surrounding Inner Landscapes were varied; some enchanting, others utterly terrifying. He wasn't willing to take the risk.

This scene reminded him of his venture into a mysterious world, where lifeless yellow joss paper silently descended from a pitch-black sky. If there was indeed a connection between that world and what he witnessed now, the implications could be dire. He recalled the incident when "Old Zhang" reflected the yellowed joss paper in a bronze mirror at the bar, turning pale at the sight - a clear indication of a grave issue that was best left unprovoked.

Wang Xuan pondered over the recent departure of the Nourishing Furnace from his Inner Landscape. Could it be related to what he was witnessing? It seemed unlikely; the Nourishing Furnace was a treasure beyond compare, impervious to fear or threat. Perhaps the collapse of the mythological world had triggered a new series of events, influencing and stimulating it.

Staring into the depths with a profound gaze, he watched the scene unfold. The fire, though dim, illuminated the darkness with a faint light screen. He stood there for a long time, observing the dwindling flames that seemed destined to extinguish, surrounded by papers that fluttered and fell, unlit, into the abyss.

He silently retreated, not wanting to alarm the likes of Zhong Qing, Qin Cheng, and others.

Reflecting on the ancient paths of mysticism, Wang Xuan mused, "All these old ways, be it the Departed Lands or the Inner Landscape, are fraught with peril and opportunity, elusive and unpredictable." These places were considered the cradle of transcendence, which now appeared disturbing, suggesting inherent flaws at the very source.

"Transcendence is but an anomaly, a fleeting meteor, akin to a fire in the darkness, extinguishing as the curtains fall. When the Great Veil darkens, the realm of immortals descends into silence, celestial beings plummet, and the world of myths rots away, vanishing. The mundane world corrects itself, returning to its natural state."

As Wang Xuan whispered these words, a sudden shudder overtook him. He abruptly turned, his gaze piercing back through the coarse stone barrier, fixating on the dimming fire in the depths of his Inner Landscape.

Wang Xuan shuddered, the chill penetrating his bones. His analogy, grimly apt, could have petrified even the mightiest celestial beings. Stepping back, he settled into a meditative posture, attempting to calm his disturbed mind. The peculiar Inner Landscape, the unsettling wails, and the enigmatic fire - all these spurred a whirlwind of thoughts in his mind.

With an outstretched hand, he watched as "goose-feather-like snowflakes" cascaded around him. He scrutinized them closely, checking for any mixture of other substances, such as ash. These formless particles, visible only through his spiritual third eye, were indeed mysterious factors, particles of transcendent energy.

Silently contemplating, Wang Xuan's gaze shifted from his Inner Landscape to the vast universe beyond, yearning to peer into the depths of endless space. "Stone Tablet Scriptures, Golden Bamboo Slips, Five-Color Jade Book... their origins shrouded in mystery, their provenance untraceable. Could they be relics from an immeasurable past, remnants beneath the ashes of time?"

Wang Xuan speculated that these scriptures, seemingly at odds with one another and difficult to reconcile, might not belong to a single era. Each bore its own unique lineage and approach. Casting aside distracting thoughts, he resumed his study of the Golden Bamboo Slips from the Zhong family, comparing them with various techniques and divine powers for mutual verification.

By arranging the transcendent factors from their source, Wang Xuan began to grasp the origins of these mystical techniques, witnessing the most fundamental truths. "The unparalleled strongmen among the celestial beings, their discharge of lightning, Samadhi True Fire, and other divine powers, must represent the most potent combinations and constructions of particles. Their every move exemplifies a perfected and formidable transcendent formula, the result of years of cultivation, constant refinement, gradually becoming an innate instinct."

Wang Xuan believed that these mighty beings must have honed their skills in actual combat, gradually forming their own unique models of techniques and divine patterns. "And here I am, striving to construct these formidable formulas from the beginning, optimizing them as much as possible. Such a model of technique is naturally terrifying."

In this realm, everyone seemed to be stealing time, allowing them to contemplate and practice at their leisure, validating their thoughts.

Over the next "decade or so," Wang Xuan ceaselessly combined mysterious factors, constructing various formulas, then refining and elevating them to an unblemished state. During this period, he occasionally returned to his physical body to experience the real world. He found that chanting mantras or forming hand seals could vibrate the mysterious factors, enhancing the technique model and correcting minor errors, arranging the transcendent factors more precisely.

"So that's how it is. The so-called incantations and hand gestures serve such an auxiliary role," Wang Xuan mused, deeply engaged in various experiments. He had constructed many transcendent formulas, comparing them with ancient texts. Satisfied with the results, he found his approach fundamentally different from others. While most relied on scripture for technique deployment, Wang Xuan triggered them from the source, building his own understanding before execution.

Old Zhong watched, utterly astounded. He couldn't believe it when he saw Wang Xuan seemingly conjure... Samadhi True Fire in the real world. But Wang Xuan shook his head, clarifying, "Not yet, there's still some way to go. Third-level formulas are quite challenging; more effort is needed."

Chen Yongjie was equally startled. Wang Xuan's feats surpassed just releasing divine fire; he was developing potent formulas. Nodding, Wang Xuan explained, "These symbols and patterns you see are transcendent factors aligning, a combination of energy particles significantly boosting their power."

He elucidated further, stating that while first-level real fire formulas weren't too complex, constructing a second-level model, arranging various energy particles, significantly increased the difficulty but also the power.

"So, a third-level real fire formula would be the Samadhi True Fire?" Old Zhong asked, visibly intrigued.

Wang Xuan confirmed. He was still experimenting, but the process was taxing and complex, theoretically beyond the capability of someone in the Harvesting Realm. However, with his spiritual third eye orchestrating energy particles, he saw a glimmer of hope in manifesting it.

Old Zhong, barely containing his amazement, asked, "According to your theory, do fourth-level formulas exist, or even ninth-level ones?"

"Theoretically, yes," Wang Xuan responded. "I believe anything above fifth or sixth level falls into the realm of Immortal Arts or Divine Incantations, and at ninth level, they likely approach the category of Laws."

Old Zhong was left speechless, realizing that divine powers and Laws might be based on arranging formidable formulas. Chen Yongjie, too, was stunned. He then pondered, "So, the forbidden spells in witchcraft and magic that can instantly destroy a city or incinerate it, would they also be around the fourth or fifth level?"

Wang Xuan paused, lost in thought.

Old Zhong spoke up, "It seems... somewhat close. All methods are interconnected." However, he noted that the various secret texts in his library, which recorded divine powers and techniques, didn't require incantations once mastered.

"In this unique era, it's probably impossible to construct the most powerful transcendent formulas," Wang Xuan remarked. Soon after, they all delved back into their arduous cultivation, exploring their own methods and paths.

Time seemed to accelerate in this space, giving the illusion of "over two more years" passing by. Suddenly, Wang Xuan looked up, sensing that time was running out and the Inner Landscape would soon close.

Chen Yongjie had achieved significant gains, with three vivid miraculous sceneries emerging. Moreover, his spiritual power surged, and his physical body underwent transformation. His practice of the Buddhist Golden Body reached a certain maturity, his figure enveloped in a rich Buddhist glow.

He was on the verge of a breakthrough, his internal secret power increasingly unstable, but he forcibly suppressed it using Buddhist secret methods. He was not content to plant the Heavenly Medicine seed in the Soil of Life without reaching the Harvesting Realm, aiming to rival the legendary figures of the past.

Old Zhong's golden cicada shell cracked open at the back, revealing a youthful figure with rosy lips and white teeth, looking no older than twenty. He had fully mastered this unique technique. Zhong Cheng was speechless, almost calling him 'big brother' again.

From then on, Old Zhong's physical constitution and talents were no longer an issue. He was completely transformed, far removed from his old and frail self. Most crucially, the transformation brought by the Golden Cicada Technique greatly enhanced his cultivation and strength.

Wang Xuan and Chen Yongjie were envious and decided to study the Golden Cicada Technique, especially valuable in this era of depletion. They all reaped tremendous benefits, even the "Cheng brothers," who were now veteran Grandmasters.

Qin Cheng had previously consumed spiritual herbs and Earth Immortal Spring water. Zhong Cheng, having visited the Hidden Land and eaten spiritual herbs and even transcendent rat meat with his sister, had a dark and unforgettable experience but reaped considerable benefits.

Wang Xuan led everyone out of the Inner Landscape back to their physical bodies. He then gazed once more into the deepest part of the serene land. The rough stone wall, the dimly lit fire, and the eerie crying continued, never ceasing.

He turned and left, the Inner Landscape slowly closing behind him. The darkness, fire, and falling 'goose-feather snow' all vanished. Back in the real world, everyone opened their eyes. Guan Lin appeared even younger, and Zhong Qing, apart from her increased strength, had her body glow multiple times, suggesting some transformation.

"Hmm, Zhong Qing, are you experiencing a second growth spurt?" Wang Xuan, being quite straightforward, just returned from his cultivation world, his mind still focused on transcendent formulas. He commented directly upon noticing her changes.

Zhong Qing, stunned, looked down at herself. Shocked yet pleased, she soon blushed, retorting, "Drop dead!" She then ran off, primarily due to the strong scent on her, which was intolerable for a girl, and she quickly made her escape.

"Wait for me," Guan Lin hurried after her, also eager to freshen up.

Professor Lin naturally became a veteran Grandmaster. With a few more such experiences, he might step into the transcendent realm.

"Old Wang, your face is peeling!" Qin Cheng pointed out.

Feeling a long-forgotten sensation, Wang Xuan touched his face. As he practiced various scriptures and transformed, his body shed an old layer of skin, revealing new flesh that bore no scars from past battles, vibrant and potent with life!

Unwittingly, he had already entered the Harvesting Realm. At this rate, with the Heavenly Medicine planted in his Life Soil, he would soon break through to the next realm.

In this next stage, he must choose his path, carving out his unique way.

That day, the Zhong family relocated, moving into the deep cosmos, venturing into the vast universe without looking back.

Old Zhong decisively chose to leave the land of conflict temporarily, not wanting to get mired in future quagmires.

Wang Xuan personally escorted them, accompanying them on the warship into outer space.

The Zhong family, aware of his extraordinary perception, requested him to check if any transcendent beings, particularly the spirits of the Immortals, had followed them.

The Zhong family's departing warships were numerous, but in outer space, amidst the steel jungle, even more ships awaited densely, having been there for quite some time.

Wang Xuan, using his spiritual heavenly eye, took a considerable amount of time to scrutinize each warship, ensuring there were no anomalies and no spiritual entities had followed.

As they parted ways, the Zhong siblings felt a tinge of sorrow, uncertain if they would ever return. The future was unpredictable.

Would the New World briefly enter an era similar to that of the Immortals? And the depths of the universe were not necessarily more promising, shrouded in the unknown.

Zhong Qing and Zhong Cheng shared hugs with Wang Xuan, bidding their final farewells.

"Take care," Wang Xuan whispered softly.

Lastly, Zhong Cheng gifted him a scripture, richly illustrated and precisely what he had been seeking.

Wang Xuan accepted it silently.

Zhong Qing, tugging at Zhong Cheng's ear, led him away.

The massive fleet of warships embarked, vanishing into the depths of the dark cosmos.

Old Zhong generously gifted Wang Xuan a large warship. After activating its defense systems, Wang Xuan commanded the ship to return to the New World.

He planned to leave the New World himself once he found the lotus pod left by Buddha Sakyamuni.

"Hmm?" Back in his Life Soil, the Nurturing Furnace trembled slightly, showing signs of restlessness. Wang Xuan's expression turned serious. Something in the real world was indeed affecting this treasure, and he was yet to understand what it was.