The Stars Beyond

Chapter 302: A Lost Age

Various detectors followed from a distance, broadcasting the battle's progress in real-time. Unfortunately, since most of the demons were in spiritual form, the public could only infer the victory from the explosions on the hillsides and the one-sided nature of the pursuit.

Creatures of ancient legend, once preying on humans for sustenance and staining the earth red in certain eras, were now being purged. This stirred fear in modern people but also a sense of strangeness.

"The Sword Immortal has arrived, still as splendid as ever. Even with the appearance of the immortals' descendants, he stands shoulder to shoulder with them in slaying demons!"

Soon, people spotted Wang Xuan. They watched in awe as he flicked his fingers, sending out bursts of fire and lightning, scorching the landscape, sparking intense discussions.

At the Sun family, brows furrowed as they watched the frontline footage. They had not anticipated Wang Xuan growing stronger.

All parties were watching, deeply moved. During the period when beings from the transcendent realms returned, Wang Xuan had not fallen behind.

With a swift motion, Wang Xuan bound a silver lion with his spiritual chain. The lion's spirit, revealed under the power of the transcendent artifact, glowed with a fierce silver-white brilliance.

Even through the screen, viewers could feel its ferocity. As it struggled, it cracked the mountains beneath its feet, causing massive rockslides.

"So that's a demon? I actually saw it. These beings inhabit human bodies, feeding on their essence. They truly resemble various ferocious animals and birds. Terrifying!"

After slaying another powerful demon immortal, Wang Xuan withdrew from the battlefield.

He had killed enough. The demon faction's higher-ups had fled in five directions, and he had eradicated one group and now another.

Today, he had effectively hindered the demons from infiltrating human society on a large scale. He felt no remorse.

He had also avenged Qian An.

"By involving Wang Hai, Cao Qingyu, Zhou Shiqi, and others, who are backed by powerful Taoist lineages, the situation has now become chaotic," Wang Xuan reflected as he left.

If Qi Yi, the supreme demon from beyond the veil, sought retribution, he couldn't avoid these factions that were already his adversaries.

......

"Master, we've found Zhou Chong. His own strength isn't remarkable, but he has the Soul Locking Bell, and we can't stop him. Two more of our people are dead," reported the celestial being from the Zheng family, his voice tinged with frustration. Their losses had been heavy, with a total of eight experts fallen by now.

Zhou Chong wasn't in Sicheng but had been hiding in Mucheng, hundreds of miles away, where he was now discovered.

Upon receiving this news, Wang Xuan immediately set off in pursuit, determined not to let Zhou Chong escape.

On the way, he consoled the celestial being from the Zheng family, "It's a regrettable tragedy that so many of our elders have fallen. I vow to slay Zhou Chong and avenge them."

He swore to seize the ancient, top-tier artifact – the Soul Locking Bell – to compensate for the losses of this mission.

"They died for our cause; I cannot let their sacrifice be in vain. In this waning era of the transcendent, I will do everything in my power to carve a path of survival for our kind."

He spoke earnestly, urging the quick delivery of the Immortal Elixir and the Five-Colored Soil, as changes were happening rapidly, and the decline of the transcendent era was accelerating.

"In these extraordinary times, if there's even a sliver of hope, I want to seize it with certainty."

The celestial being from the Zheng family, moved by Wang Xuan's resolve, responded excitedly, "You have great vision, Master. The resources should arrive from beyond the veil tonight."

Wang Xuan felt a pang of guilt, but recalling how the faction at Jinding Mountain had used Huang Kun to bait him, viewing him as a mere stepping stone, extinguished any sympathy he might have harbored. Had it not been for the wooden figurine that had taken his place, his fate would have been grim.

Guided by the directions, Wang Xuan pursued Zhou Chong. The remaining Zheng family members, fearful of the Soul Locking Bell, dared not follow.

"Wait for me at a distance. I have the top-tier transcendent artifact, the spiritual chain, and other divine items. Together, they can counter him," Wang Xuan assured them as he ventured into a rugged mountain range. Soon after, he located Zhou Chong.

Zhou Chong, now radiating stronger vitality, had been working tirelessly to rebuild his foundation and true body. However, he had not yet reached his desired level, especially since his celestial bones had once been broken.

The mountains were steep, the ancient woods dense, and the wildlife, sensing danger, had fled, leaving the area eerily quiet.

"The Godslayer Banner is in your hands, isn't it?" Zhou Chong asked grimly, looking worn out from his escape and no longer attempting to flee.

The last time Zhou Chong had clashed fiercely with the fifth mechanical being, the most powerful transcendent artifact from the Sun family's secret vault had mysteriously disappeared. Now, he held a silver bell, the infamous ancient transcendent artifact – the Soul Locking Bell – fully refined, and the mysterious Mr. Ghost had fled.

Wang Xuan didn't speak, just kept his gaze fixed on Zhou Chong.

Days before, in the outskirts of Kun City, someone had set up an altar intending to kill him, under Zhou Chong's instigation. This time, as the demons invaded the financial powerhouses, Zhou Chong had also played a part in the scheme to kill him, proving to be a persistently dangerous adversary.

"Clang!"

In an instant, Zhou Chong struck the bell, sending out rapidly spreading silver waves, rippling like a beautiful yet gentle expansion, but extremely perilous.

So far, this transcendent artifact had never failed against the transcendent beings of the modern world. Neither celestial beings torn asunder during their crossing nor powerful demons could withstand it.

In a flash, golden patterns interwove in front of Wang Xuan, like a celestial net or flowing light, unfurling in an instant to block the silver bell waves.

Boom!

The collision in the void unleashed a blinding light, stunning nearby birds and beasts. Their souls were shaken from their bodies and then shredded to pieces.

This time, both the Soul Locking Bell and the Godslayer Banner were not just passively exerting their power; they were being actively wielded after initial refinement, clashing fiercely for the first time.

Even with physical bodies and flesh to protect their spirits, nearby creatures were still annihilated in the clash of these two mighty artifacts.

Wang Xuan, holding a small golden flag, heard the thunderous sounds threatening to tear apart the spirit, like tsunamis and landslides. Was this the collision of the strongest transcendent artifacts?

In the mountain range, the clash between the Soul Locking Bell and the Godslayer Banner generated real spiritual thunderbolts that echoed in the realm of the mind. This was the aftermath of their monumental confrontation.

Outside the mountains, the few members of the Zheng family who had just arrived were instantly stricken with splitting headaches. Even at a distance, they felt the terror emanating from the clash. They naturally associated it with the bell waves from the Soul Locking Bell, the spiritual thunderbolts it unleashed. Who could withstand such power?

They quickly retreated, their hearts heavy with concern.

"The Soul Locking Bell truly lives up to its reputation as a famous ancient artifact. Few weapons can compare. I hope the Master is safe," they expressed their worry.

They speculated, "There’s golden light spreading in the mountains. The Master must have used the exceptional true blood gifted by the old master."

Deep within the mountains, Wang Xuan stood firm, holding a palm-sized golden flag. He had resisted the impact of the silver ripples, and golden patterns covered the area in front of him.

Zhou Chong, with a dim look in his eyes, sighed, "The Godslayer Banner is indeed formidable, possibly a relic of immense origin. But even it cannot fully stop the Soul Locking Bell."

The bell shrank to the size of a fist, and its ripples rapidly faded.

Zhou Chong, like a delicate porcelain shattered by a massive hammer, had his spirit completely fractured, overwhelmed by the golden patterns. In an instant, he was reduced to ash.

With a thud, the dim silver bell fell to the ground.

Zhou Chong's blood mist dispersed entirely, his true bones destroyed, and his inner landscape collapsed.

Wang Xuan approached and picked up the Soul Locking Bell. "You always sought my life, coming close to success. It was time to end your journey."

The bell was intact but devoid of supermatter, indicating a worsening transcendent environment.

"Master, are you alright?" The Zheng family members entered the mountain and saw Wang Xuan standing in the woods, showing signs of relief.

Wang Xuan replied, "I used the golden blood bestowed by my ancestor. Even so, the spiritual chain was destroyed, and I am injured, needing time to recover."

"Master, take good care of yourself. The resources will be delivered tonight," they said anxiously.

Wang Xuan nodded, "Alright, I understand. I am still Wang Xuan and must act in his guise. You don't always need to follow me."

As he left the mountain range alone, carrying the ancient transcendent artifact, the Soul Locking Bell, one of the top-ranked spiritual weapons, Wang Xuan felt less elation than expected. He already possessed the Godslayer Banner, but what weighed on his mind was the changing world where all transcendent artifacts were losing their power. The world of the transcendent was crumbling, and even the supreme beings were preparing for their return. Could he withstand this tide?

His path seemed dim, shrouded in uncertainty about the future of myths and legends. Despite his usual optimism and radiant confidence, the deteriorating environment of the modern world left him doubtful.

Even the supreme beings were contemplating their futures, urging their descendants to integrate into the real world, fearing the day they would become mere mortals with bleak endings.

Qi Yi, the supreme demon, his aggression towards the financial tycoons, and his attempts to replace them, reflected a fear of the future. He sought an advantage, a foothold in the real world, to ensure a less tragic fate when the era of myths ended.

"It seems that even supreme beings like Qi Teng, Zheng Yuantian, or Qi Yi are pessimistic and not optimistic about the future."

Even such powerful beings couldn't find a way forward. Could he, relying solely on belief, see hope?

Wang Xuan introspected. In this grand era, he felt like he was standing in a dense fog, unable to see the path ahead, somewhat lost.

His achievements, such as defeating demons and immortals, didn't seem significant. These weren't their complete forms, torn apart by the veil, no longer truly celestial. Even the descendants of the immortals who crossed over were broken and wounded. Defeating them wasn't a true measure of his strength.

In the afternoon, Chen Yongjie called him excitedly, "I've found a clue, located the place, and I can even smell the medicinal fragrance."

Wang Xuan snapped back to reality, "Where is it?"

Old Chen replied, "At your former father-in-law's place. Hurry! There's a surge of Buddha's light creating a sacred realm, engulfing the entire estate. I feel something big is about to happen. We need your support immediately!"

......

In a unique transcendent realm known as the Pure Land of Bliss, there lies a magnificent Spirit Mountain, a sanctuary for immortals and Buddhas. Outside the grand halls, fragrant orchids flourish, celestial dragons roam, and the sounds of Buddhist chants and sutras resonate continuously.

In the main hall, in the absence of Sakyamuni Buddha, his chief disciple oversees the affairs of Spirit Mountain. Opening his eyes, he speaks, "When the World-Honored One ascended to the highest spiritual realms, he obtained the Nine Calamities Heavenly Lotus. However, it was obstructed by a supreme malevolent being, resulting in lotus seeds falling to the mortal realm. Now, someone has triggered the Buddha's prohibition, and the lotus pod is about to emerge. This is an immense opportunity. Can any of our Buddha's disciples, heavenly maidens, or the members of the eight divisions of protectors descend to the mortal world?"

In another transcendent realm, within the towering mountains and vast ranges, the supreme demon Qi Yi lurks in the deepest part of the mountains. As he breathes in and out, thunderous winds roar, and his blood essence forms thick clouds that envelop the skies.

"Fetch the divine medicine that the monk lost years ago!" commands Qi Yi's second son. Seated outside the demon palace, the moment he opens his eyes, two terrifying beams of light tear through the heavens.