The Stars Beyond

Chapter 306: The Great Change

"The Old World is in chaos, even more terrifying than here," Old Chen informed Wang Xuan. He understood Wang's desire to return home, but the Old World was not necessarily more peaceful.

"Are my parents really okay?" Wang Xuan was worried. Demons and ghosts were too ruthless with their machinations, and he feared for the Old World's safety.

"Now, they spend their days flipping through ancient texts and historical records, living quite a fulfilling life," Old Chen reassured him.

Previously, Wang Xuan's parents were taken to a safe place by Qing Mu, near a government department in the Old World, considered the safest place there. In that city, there was the largest museum with various powerful artifacts capable of annihilating spiritual entities and suppressing demons!

"Your parents are quite composed, even making Qing Mu feel inferior. They seem to enjoy reading various mythological tales and historical books every day," Old Chen added.

Wang Xuan felt helpless; his parents had always been carefree. They didn't worry much even when he left for New Star and were planning a trip when he departed.

"That 'Old Zhang' appeared in the Old World and was formally invited by the authorities. They have a good relationship, and he has a significant deterrent effect, preventing any misdeeds from evil spirits and demons."

"I'm starting to not want to go back," Wang Xuan confessed, doubting the identity of the person from Longhu Mountain. "He might have returned to the New Moon," Old Chen suggested, pointing to the moon above.

Lately, there was significant turmoil behind the veil, with major figures vying for treasures, leaving little room for distractions.

"Did you find out where the red-robed female demon and the female alchemist went?" Wang Xuan inquired.

Old Chen shook his head, "No trace of them yet."

They were preparing for their retreat, needing to find out who was targeting Wang Xuan's battleship. A hit right after takeoff could be disastrous. Chen's organization was also preparing to leave, with some members set to control the battleship.

Before their departure, they planned a final scavenging operation. Superweapons and scriptures left behind would only benefit the immortals and demons. So, that night, the two men were actively moving, scouring New Star.

They visited not only the wealthy families but also the top life research institutes, being unapologetically thorough. Anything not taken would inevitably fall into the hands of demons.

"It's surprising how many monsters are in these genetic research institutes!"

Wang Xuan and Old Chen were surprised to find various spiritual entities with genuine bones attempting to use technological means to accelerate the growth of flesh and reconstruct their physical forms.

Wang Xuan's eyes shone with an unusual light. "Many of them are demons. Let's remember these places but don't startle them yet. When we leave, we'll take care of them and take these demon bone cans with us!" Given the inevitable opposition, there was no room for mercy.

In a sense, these genuine bones were cultivation resources. With the scarcity of supermatter in the current world, Wang Xuan needed these bones containing decaying internal landscapes.

Old Chen agreed, "Use what we can. In less than a year, these decaying internal landscapes will collapse on their own." The overall trend was clear: traces of the supernatural were destined to disappear completely.

"We're cultivating in a hopeless era," Wang Xuan reflected with mixed emotions. In the current environment, even the most confident individuals and powerful immortals couldn't find a clear path forward. The future was murky for everyone.

In one night, they scoured various locations, reaping substantial rewards. However, New Star was vast with many large organizations. Immortals and demons were everywhere, so they had to be cautious.

"The Zhao family is in trouble," Wang Xuan suddenly said, his face changing. He had a connection with Zhao Zejun and knew they were planning to venture into deep space at noon that day.

He and Old Chen rushed to assist, intending to receive a batch of supernatural artifacts promised by the Zhao family and to ensure no demons had infiltrated their ranks.

Wang Xuan hadn't yet entered the Zhao residence. Using his spiritual projection and heavenly eyes from a distance, he detected demonic energy and even a blood shadow!

"We passed by the Zhao family yesterday, and there was no issue. The demons must have arrived today, even just recently," Old Chen's expression darkened as well.

The actions of the entities from behind the veil were becoming more aggressive and desperate, as if they were driven to madness.

At the moment, the demons were desperately trying to occupy territories and seize the wealth of financial conglomerates.

"This is indeed terrifying, they want a large number of warships," Wang Xuan's face was grim. If it were the ancient type of demons, they would be easier to deal with. But now, the demons had integrated into modern society and were keeping pace with the times, complicating matters.

The Zhao family was in chaos. They had discovered the demons themselves, with blood shadows crisscrossing and causing several senior members to faint. Worse, key figures were likely possessed, issuing orders to cancel their departure and stay put under the pretext of a sudden illness requiring urgent treatment.

"Seven demon immortals, wrapped in blood mist and carrying their genuine bones, are coming. They're suitable for possession and replacement!"

"Plus, six flesh-and-blood demons, disguised as humans, came as guests and were welcomed by the possessed members of the Zhao family!"

Wang Xuan stared ahead; all these events had unfolded in a short period of time. The demons had indeed arrived just before noon, intercepting the Zhao family to prevent their departure.

Currently, the biggest weakness of major organizations was their inability to prevent the invasion of spiritual entities. If they were all physical demons, even warships couldn't stop them.

Wang Xuan and Old Chen took advantage of the chaos in the Zhao family to sneak in, heading straight for the demons.

"Fortunately, we stopped them before they set off. Now we have a stronger foundation to face the changing situation," the demons discussed among themselves.

"Who would have thought the Feather Transformation Banner would appear and fall into the hands of a supreme powerhouse. The various factions behind the veil are restless. If that person fully refines it, many will be killed cleanly, even a coalition of unparalleled powerhouses won't be able to stop him!"

Wang Xuan and Old Chen exchanged glances, both feeling a chill in their hearts. Indeed, a significant event had occurred. Someone had obtained a supreme treasure, stirring the top figures into action and preparing to flee into the mortal world.

Behind the veil, rivers of blood were about to flow, and even supreme powerhouses might fall!

"Hmm?"

Wang Xuan spotted familiar demons – Blackmane, Silverbat, and Greenwolf – who had previously clashed with him at the Ling residence. These strong and arrogant demons, leading the flesh-and-blood demons, had now come to the Zhao family. However, their leader, Bloodpeng, was absent, likely still seeking the Heavenly Elixir seeds with more flesh-and-blood demons.

The next moment, Wang Xuan's pupils contracted sharply. He saw Zhao Zejun, pale-faced and gaunt, looking like he had suffered a major illness, drastically different from his usual appearance.

"Ultimately, he's just a mortal, his blood lacking in rich spirituality," Silverbat remarked, his white hair disheveled, a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth. Had he been feeding on Zhao Zejun's blood?

A surge of killing intent filled Wang Xuan. If anything happened to Zhao Zejun, it would be a great regret, especially since he was Zhao Qinghan's father.

"Be content. Times have changed; there will no longer be supernatural beings as food. Relatively speaking, human blood and spirit are much richer in essence than other species," Greenwolf spoke, revealing his true form, covered in green fur and emitting a fierce aura, his mouth bloody with sharp teeth.

"When should we finish him off?" Blackmane looked down at Zhao Zejun, ready to consume the spiritual energy from his flesh and blood.

Dressed in a tailcoat as if ready for a banquet, Silverbat wiped the residual blood from his lips with a white silk handkerchief. "Don't rush. Keep him to lure Wang Xuan. His daughter has a deep connection with Wang Xuan. It would be a waste not to use him effectively."

He had only drawn Zhao Zejun's blood, leaving his spirit, intending to continue setting a trap.

"He killed so many of us, we must capture him. Plus, he possesses a unique inner landscape. Not seizing this opportunity would be a folly," Blackmane agreed, his human-like body covered in black fur, his smile revealing sharp, white fangs.

Hidden in a distant building, Wang Xuan suppressed his boiling anger and murderous intent, searching for the right moment to act. Charging in now might not save Zhao Zejun.

In the tense and charged air, Chen silently polished his pristine conch shell, his grip tightening on the hilt of his dark sword, his expression filled with righteous anger towards the demons' audacity. Meanwhile, the Silver Bat, with an air of condescension, casually tossed a white silk handkerchief onto the face of Zhao Zejun, who lay still on the ground. "What a shame your daughter isn't here," he said with a sardonic smile.

Zhao Zejun, weakened and barely conscious, managed to turn his face away with great effort. The once robust and handsome man was now a shadow of his former self, his features drawn and haggard. The Silver Bat's laugh echoed through the room, "The times, they are a-changing, aren't they? Soon, you'll find yourself adapting to this new world order."

Black Mane squatted beside Zhao and gave his face a patronizing pat, "Consider yourself lucky that your daughter is not here. Otherwise, your end would be even more tragic." Green Wolf, lounging in his monstrous form on a sofa that groaned under his weight, grinned and warned Black Mane to be gentle, lest they damage their 'guest.'

Ignoring Green Wolf's caution, Black Mane patted Zhao's face again, his voice laced with feigned concern, "Keep cherishing life, dear human. The world is still splendid. Think of the joy if your daughter returns to a home filled with our kind. What a delightful surprise that would be, wouldn't it?"

Zhao mustered the last of his strength to retort with a feeble "Get lost!" which only amused Black Mane. He casually kicked Zhao, sending him sliding across the floor, and remarked coldly, "You still don't understand your place. This is the era of celestial and demon tycoons. You humans are relics of the past."

In the brief moment the demons were distracted, Wang Xuan seized the opportunity. He glided forward like a wisp of smoke, silently yet swiftly. He produced a glistening silk thread, a relic from the dead moon, and with a deft movement, it extended and coiled around Zhao. Pulling sharply, he lifted Zhao off the ground in a fluid motion.

"Well, well, you've actually shown up," the Silver Bat said, his tone dripping with disdain. He casually began to unbutton his white shirt beneath the formal tailcoat, his cold gaze fixed on Wang Xuan, unfazed by the sudden rescue.