The Stars Beyond

Chapter 299: A Bloody Scene From The Past

Qian An had always been kind to Wang Xuan, a good-natured elderly man, but now he met a tragic fate in his own home. His spiritual essence was being devoured by a monstrous entity, a cruelty far surpassing physical violence.

"Are you trying to recreate the ancient era of bloodshed?!" Wang Xuan, provoked and infuriated, darted forward without a moment's delay. He had already seen enormous predatory birds on his way, unmistakably monstrous in nature. Now, such beings were daring to act so brazenly.

The once kind and well-respected Old Qian was now reduced to a shell of his former self, his spirit almost extinguished, on the verge of becoming a soulless husk. Wang Xuan's eyes reddened with fury, an intense killing intent emanating from him as he leaped forward, shattering the doors and windows to burst into the house.

"Brother Wang, what's..." Qian An's granddaughter, Qian Qian, was caught off guard, shocked by his abrupt and uncharacteristic intrusion into her grandfather's bedroom.

On the bed, Qian An abruptly sat up, his eyes flickering with a faint black light, revealing his surprise. "Wang Xuan, what's wrong?" he asked.

The commotion alarmed the Qian family, who hurried to the scene, bewildered by Wang Xuan's behavior. They knew of his close relationship with their patriarch, but this was completely unexpected.

Wang Xuan scrutinized the old man on the bed. Despite the commotion he caused, the creature inside Qian An remained composed, trying to deceive him. However, it dared not continue consuming Qian An's spirit, lying dormant within his flesh and warily observing Wang Xuan.

"Get out! In this era, as beings who have escaped the veil, instead of amicably integrating into human society, you dare to prey on ordinary people as your

sustenance, seeking death?!" Wang Xuan's voice thundered across the courtyard, overwhelming and intimidating the monstrous entity.

His proclamation also served to inform the Qian family, preventing confusion and chaos among them due to their lack of understanding of the situation.

The members of the Qian family stood aghast, a chill running down their spines as they grasped the horrific reality: a monster was residing in their home, preying on Qian An as its food source. It was an unthinkable scenario!

With the recent news of the Zhong family fleeing to the depths of space and the dire consequences of immortals and monsters crossing into the human realm, the Qian family was now experiencing these dreadful outcomes firsthand.

"Brother Wang, save my grandfather!" Qian Qian's face turned pale with terror at the unfolding nightmare.

"Brother Wang, what's going on? You must protect our family elder!" cried other members of the Qian family.

"Ridiculous!" Qian An spoke up, his eyes flickering with a dark sheen. He scanned the family, saying, "This man has his eyes on our family's assets."

He then chuckled, adding, "Wang Xuan, whatever your demands are, we can sit down and discuss them. Everything is negotiable. Please, don't harm my family."

Wang Xuan was tempted to strike him down with one sword blow. The monster inside the elder Qian was brazen and fearless, using what was left of Qian An's spirit as a hostage in a blatant threat.

Wang Xuan saw it clearly. The entity was a pitch-black beastly spirit, resembling a hyena-wolf with a single horn and three pairs of dark wings. Its spiritual form, much like its physical one, revealed it to be a demon!

At that moment, the beast, realizing that Wang Xuan could see its true form, licked its lips inside Qian An's body. Its smile was cold and malicious, pressing down a claw on the remaining fragment of Qian An's spirit, baring its teeth menacingly.

Chaos erupted among the Qians, leaving many unsure of whom to follow.

Wang Xuan, fixing his gaze ahead, said, "Come out now, reveal your origins, and you might meet a decent end. Otherwise, you'll regret it."

"Wang Xuan, there is still justice in this world. You can't abuse your extraordinary powers to do as you please. The immortals are crossing realms to intervene, and they won't allow someone like you to dominate society and act recklessly. Even if you covet our family's wealth and secrets, there are principles to abide by."

Within Qian An's body, the beastly spirit smirked coldly, brimming with malice. It had secretly sent a signal, awaiting reinforcements!

Wang Xuan, with his acute perception, sensed the special mental waves it was secretly emitting, calling its kind with demonic methods.

He calculated the situation, believing he could subdue the demon without harming Qian An's fragmented spirit, and prepared to act.

"You understand everything, know there's justice in the world, yet you still offend, twisting

truth and falsehood, projecting your own crimes onto others. Have you thought about the consequences?" said Wang Xuan.

Pfft...

In an instant, a chain-like object shot out, moving with incredible speed, like a celestial being soaring through the heavens, its silvery-white brilliance blinding. It plunged into Qian An's body before anyone could react.

This was Zheng Wu's spiritual chain, a top-tier secret treasure. It had been broken by an ancient covenant but was repaired by Wang Xuan using the "living gold" from the old Zhong family's secret vault.

Everyone gasped in astonishment. What was that object that had entered Qian An's body?

With a swift motion, Wang Xuan yanked the spiritual chain, dragging the monstrous creature out and securing it completely. The beast, resembling a hyena-wolf with a single horn, struggled violently, its howls fierce, and its visage terrifying.

Wang Xuan exhaled deeply. Although it was his first time using this extraordinary treasure, he had managed to capture the creature without error.

However, his gaze upon Qian An was tinged with sorrow. The elder Qian wouldn't survive long; with only a third to a quarter of his spirit remaining, the damage was too severe.

"Wang Xuan!" the creature roared and writhed in fury.

Initially, as a spiritual entity, ordinary people couldn't see it. Existing in a realm beyond the ordinary, its actions were imperceptible to the common folk.

But now, bound by the renowned spiritual chain, the creature was forced into a visible, beastly form, revealing its hideous nature.

"A monster!"

"It was lurking inside my grandfather's body. Oh heavens, what has it done?"

As a core member of the Qian family, Qian An's plight quickly prompted calls for help to the family's headquarters, informing them of the situation.

Wang Xuan, eyes fixed on the creature bound by the spiritual chain, said, "Will you speak of your own accord, or shall I force you?"

With a crackling sound, the chain emitted a beam of light, shaving off a part of the fierce beast's spirit, turning it into a shower of light that dissipated into the air, eliciting a piercing scream from the creature.

"In ancient times, when demons roamed freely, they slaughtered cities, feasted on the living, leaving lands barren for miles. Do you really wish to see such a bloody scene return to this world?!" Wang Xuan demanded.

The demon continued to scream in agony. Each time the chain tightened, more of its spiritual essence dispersed in showers of light, its spirit being torn apart piece by piece.

"Speak, or not?!" Wang Xuan demanded coldly, his anger palpable. Even if he killed this demon, it wouldn't save Qian An's life.

He sent forth a beam of light, imbued with a dense mystical essence, into Qian An's body, reviving him.

"Who would have thought I'd encounter a demon at this stage of my life, with such a tragic end," sighed Qian An, regaining consciousness. "Thankfully, Wang Xuan, you arrived in time. At least I didn't die silently, my body taken over by this monster, turned into a living corpse."

Qian An understood his condition well. The demon inside him had devoured his spirit, stealing his life essence and memories, intending to replace him. He knew his end was near, with only a remnant of his soul left, flickering like a candle in the wind.

"Grandfather..." Qian Qian and Qian Rui burst into tears, rushing to Qian An's bedside.

Wang Xuan stood silent. Elder Qian was just an ordinary man, not a transcendent being. His spirit was fragile, and there were no effective means to save him.

"Ah, let me go, I'll talk!" the demon wailed. Every tightening of the spiritual chain disintegrated a part of it, torturing it unbearably.

Soon, Wang Xuan learned that it belonged to an extremely powerful demon faction, backed by an unparalleled demon - Qi Yi. A terrifying demon who dared to vie for the precious treasure - the Xiaoyao Boat, and had slain a supreme warrior.

"How many accomplices do you have, and where are they?" Wang Xuan pressed.

"There's a group outside Sicheng, in the Hanwu Mountains. They could arrive at any moment!" The demon couldn't bear the hellish torment, its spirit essence continuously being sliced away, screaming in agony.

With a forceful shake, Wang Xuan's silver chain shattered the demon into pieces. In its final wail, it disintegrated, its spirit burned to ashes by the silver light.

"Old Qian, I've avenged you!" declared Wang Xuan.

Qian An nodded, managing a weary smile. His spirit was drained, his gaze dim. "I should have been as decisive as Old Zhong, I should have left earlier," he sighed.

The higher-ups of the Qian family arrived, speaking softly with Qian An, discussing many things.

"Hmm?!" Suddenly, Wang Xuan fixed his gaze on one of the high-ranking family members. The spiritual chain flew out swiftly, and with a slicing sound, it locked onto a creature within him, revealing another demonic spirit form.

With a deafening roar, the beast's cry resonated, vibrating the very air around them. Yet, Wang Xuan swiftly and decisively ended its life, ensuring it could do no harm.

"How reckless," Wang Xuan said icily. "You return to this world only to seek bloodshed. Demons like you belong in the past and should be extinguished. Did you think we still live in ancient times?"

The senior members of the Qian family turned pale, their decision swift and resolute. "We must leave immediately, journey deep into space, and initiate the Primordial Plan!" Fear was evident in their voices.

"Go now, and don't think of returning soon," Qian An advised them.

He weakly nodded at Wang Xuan, and soon after, his eyes closed gently for the last time.

"Rest in peace, Old Qian," Wang Xuan whispered, turning away. The loss of an acquaintance fueled his resolve for vengeance. These unruly demons, daring to prey on humans in this era, were a threat he couldn't ignore. Now, with a large number of these creatures returning, the potential for loss of life was immense.

Wang Xuan reached out to a true immortal from the Zheng family, needing insights into the current crisis. As Zheng Wu, he had resources and connections that were invaluable.

Since their last encounter, the three true immortals had only contacted him once. They had exchanged phone numbers, promising to assist him in his quest for the Five-Colored Soil and the Immortal Elixir.

The Zheng family's immortals, however, were starting to harbor doubts, particularly after Wang Xuan had dispatched the Zhong family's fleet.

"I have what we need," Wang Xuan said in a calm, measured tone, sending over a slightly blurred photo of a golden bamboo slip. His message implied that true success didn't always require violence; sometimes subtlety and finesse were more effective.

"I'll be there as soon as I can, young master!" came the immediate, excited reply from the other end.

"Three days ago, while I was with the Zhong family, someone tried to trap me in a ritual hunt. Have you found out who was responsible?" Wang Xuan inquired, his voice composed but carrying an undercurrent of seriousness, as he remembered the harrowing experience with the dark chains and the threatening blood-red swords.

"Zhou Chong, he's the one orchestrating attacks against you. Behind him stands a supreme being, revered as the ancestor of celestial immortals before his ascension in this modern age — Qi Teng!" The immortal from the Zheng family spoke gravely, cautioning Wang Xuan to be extremely vigilant. Not only was the mastermind behind this faction fearsome, but Zhou Chong himself was formidable, suspected of possessing an ancient divine artifact — the Soul Locking Bell.

"Zhou Chong has been closely collaborating with the demon clans recently, constantly scheming. We suspect that key figures from both camps, the celestial ancestor Qi Teng and the legendary demon Qi Yi, might have joined forces!"

"I'm outside Sicheng. Is Zhou Chong inciting these demons here?" Wang Xuan asked, his voice laced with frost.

"I'll investigate."

Wang Xuan put away his phone, his eyes deep and thoughtful. Zhou Chong had acquired the Soul Locking Bell at the Sun family, while he had silently taken the Godslayer Banner.

Previously, Zhou Chong had made an appearance at Yuanqu Mountain, even summoning Wang Xuan there, intending to brand him and make him a pawn.

Wang Xuan had not attended, and that day, Yuanqu Mountain was obliterated by the Sun family's warships!

"He probably suspects that I have the Godslayer Banner," Wang Xuan thought, his aura bristling with killing intent. After all, it was them who had provoked him first, repeatedly targeting him.

Whoosh!

In the distance, the sound of the wind rustled as a massive bird of prey soared past. Its body, nearly ten meters long and entirely black, carried a dense black demonic mist, spreading its wings and flying off.

"Demon beasts are even more despicable!"

Wang Xuan looked up, sensing a faint hostility. In this era, did these demons truly wish to revive the old horrors of city slaughters? How audacious they were!

Their audacity knew no bounds. After causing the death of Qian An and losing two of their own to Wang Xuan's hands, they still dared to send a demon beast to spy and gather information.

Wang Xuan, commandeering his flying vessel, shot into the sky. With a single sword thrust, cold light illuminated the heavens, his energy surging fiercely.

His flying sword swept across the sky like a cascading galaxy, decapitating the powerful demon beast. Blood spattered, and the enormous head plummeted from the high altitude.

A roar of fury ensued as the bird's spirit attempted to rise, glaring venomously at Wang Xuan, desperate to escape.

With a swift motion, the spiritual chain flew out, instantly ensnaring the spirit. Wang Xuan, his expression cold and detached, pulled it back and with a slight shake, obliterated it.

His strength had significantly increased after advancing to the Herb Gathering realm, while the others were again affected by the aftershocks of the transcendent's power, weakening them further. It was a case of one rising as the other fell.

With Qian An's death, Wang Xuan was prepared to exact his vengeance on the demons.

"You allied with Zhou Chong's faction, originally targeting me, and now you've killed Old Qian. Dreaming of demons ruling the earth in this era? It's time to wake you up!"

Wang Xuan hovered in the air, looking towards the distant mountains, ready to unleash his wrath.

"In ancient times, during the era of powerful demons, the lands were desolate and bloodstained. Today, I will settle old scores with you. Some of you are likely survivors from that bygone era!"