The Stars Beyond

Chapter 325: Weathering A Tribulation

"Seeking benevolence, they found benevolence; seeking a hammer, they received a hammer," Chen Yongjie said, discarding the severed heads. These two had crossed his bottom line, targeting Guan Lin and Wang Xuan's parents. The only solution to such deep-seated worries was elimination.

Qingmu quickly cleaned up the battlefield, feeling a sense of satisfaction. Previously, the two victims had been incredibly arrogant, ignoring his attempts to communicate. Their dismissive attitudes towards him, viewing him as lesser, had fueled his anger.

"Master is formidable!" Qingmu exclaimed before asking in a low voice if the troubles caused by transcendent beings in the Old World would now cease to be a problem.

Chen Yongjie shook his head, "I relied on top-tier artifacts. To suppress beings of that caliber on my own, I'm still not quite there." He needed another level of advancement to confidently handle such beings. He scoffed, "Their mentality hasn't changed; they've fallen from the Exalted Realm and still look down on us. In the end, they underestimate the mortal world."

Guan Lin approached, relieved. The pressure of two mighty beings joining forces against Chen Yongjie had made her fear for his safety. "We still need to be cautious; there are quite a few transcendent beings from the Old World."

Chen Yongjie nodded, finding some comfort in knowing that there were few legendary artifacts like the ones he possessed, and Hengjun hadn't bestowed any supreme bloodlines that could counter the Lock Soul Bell and the conch. However, the situation remained delicate; the Old World housed many beings from the Great Curtain, not all hostile, but complex enough to potentially cause chaos.

"I hope time passes quickly. The burdens we bear might lighten as time goes on." Chen Yongjie suspected that the frequent and intense tremors in the decaying mythological system, hastening its demise, might be related to Wang Xuan's search for a new path.

Qingmu asked if they should inform Wang Xuan about the recent developments, especially since the attackers were after him and the mythical artifact he possessed, the Decapitating God Flag.

"Let's not distract him for now. We'll discuss it when he returns," Chen Yongjie suggested. He hoped that Wang Xuan could indeed forge a mature path to suppress the decayed immortals. For now, staying hidden and low-profile was the best course of action.

At this stage, since Chen Yongjie had already taken action, it was best for him to bear the burden for the time being, drawing the attention of the transcendent beings and focusing their scrutiny on himself. Possessing the Lock Soul Bell, he was undoubtedly an object of desire for those beings. The persistent attention from the now-deceased duo indicated they had long been eyeing such powerful artifacts in his possession.

Chen Yongjie felt the pressure intensifying. After helping Qingmu clean up the scene, he sat in his study, deep in thought, recognizing the need to become stronger.

Guan Lin's expression was tinged with worry, understanding fully the gravity of Chen Yongjie's situation. By taking on this role, he was buying time for Wang Xuan and acting as a shield. If the likes of great demons and exalted immortals were to focus on him, the danger would be immense.

She took proactive measures, contacting people in Pingcheng to ensure their defenses were up. All detection systems were activated, and super-heated weapons were readied for immediate use. The stakes were high, and they couldn't afford to be caught off guard.

......

In the desolate mountain range, buried beneath the soil, Wang Xuan had prepared himself for a possible onslaught of sword light from the miniaturized Sword Immortal. However, to his surprise, she abruptly fled through an underground tunnel, vanishing in an instant. Before she left, Wang Xuan was still pinching her chubby cheeks, releasing only after inadvertently stretching them slightly.

Wang Xuan was puzzled by her hasty retreat but was relieved not to be on the receiving end of a fierce attack, given her reputation as a top-tier sword immortal who dared to challenge even the most formidable beings.

He then focused on introspection, consolidating his cultivation and observing various elements like Life Soil, Celestial Medicine, and the silver substance. It dawned on him that the Sword Immortal's quick escape was probably due to his possession of the Spiritual Heavenly Eye. She might have fled to avoid his prying gaze.

Wang Xuan's recent breakthrough was profound. He had leaped from the late stages of the fifth segment directly to the latter stages of the sixth segment, marking an intense and significant advancement. He carefully reflected on this process and validated his cultivation practices. After a thorough analysis and reinterpretation of the old and new paths based on the notes and experiences from Zheng Wu, he gained a deeper understanding.

Reflecting on his risky and extreme methods, akin to walking a tightrope at the entrance to hell, he acknowledged the close calls with the destructive red mists. Yet, the rewards were substantial: a breakthrough in his realm and a significant enhancement in both his spiritual and physical strength.

During his profound introspection, Wang Xuan gained a deeper understanding of the realm of human existence, gradually viewing this grand domain from a higher perspective.

The nine stages of the human world are fundamentally about transcending the self within the mortal realm, undergoing a series of transformations to reach beyond the ordinary. From the beginning, through the present, and into the later stages of the ninth segment, this journey is intrinsically tied to both spirit and body.

"In the world of mortals, stepping into the transcendent is just the beginning. The initial accumulation leads to a pinnacle from which a transformative leap is possible, eventually soaring to new heights." This is Wang Xuan's interpretation of the new path, differing from the old mythological system.

He has been experimenting with himself as a test subject, seeing the human world as a stage of early accumulation. The focus is on constantly seeking strength and enhancing oneself. The deeper the foundation, the more intense the eventual transformation.

Discovering the silver substance has been a significant boost for him. Moreover, his daring attempts to draw in the red mists and refine his spirit in hopes of ultimately harnessing this dangerous power reflect his pursuit of new sources of strength for rapid self-improvement.

"I need to find more and stronger powers in the human world," Wang Xuan believes. Despite the extreme danger of the red light, he is determined to harness it.

In his Life Soil, the silver mist pervades, and the Celestial Medicine exudes a more potent aura of vitality than ever, indicating a more robust and substantial Life Soil - a manifestation of his increased strength. After introspecting, Wang Xuan's spirit becomes externalized, allowing him to see the surface above and the burnt remnants of his skin and clothing.

Wang Xuan inhaled sharply, realizing for the first time the extent of the suffering his physical body had endured. The burnt scars were evidence of the grave trials he had faced. This observation led him to a profound insight: there exists a mysterious and transcendent connection between the spirit and the body, one that defies conventional understanding.

In Wang Xuan's body, the silver substance had replaced most of the super-material, now permeating his flesh and imbuing it with enhanced transcendent properties. This synergy between his spirit and body, where the silver substance flowed instantly from the former to the latter, had achieved the effect he had envisioned.

Upon his return, he felt no weakness, a testament to the efficacy of this new transcendent material he had brought back in abundance.

Wang Xuan spent two full days and nights in contemplation, comparing his experiences with the existing mythological paths and reaping significant insights. It was only after this period of reflection that he stood up, crushed the burnt remnants of his skin into dust, and disposed of them, leaving no trace of his ordeal.

He had narrowly escaped death, but in that brush with mortality, he had found opportunity. Transplanting the Celestial Medicine and bathing in the red mists was akin to undergoing a tribulation.

Contemplating a name for this sixth stage of the human world, he realized that it was more about transforming tribulation into gain, discovering new transcendent powers, rather than just enduring hardship. Thus, he decided to call this realm Transformative Tribulation.

Emerging from underground, his clothes burned away, Wang Xuan leaped into a nearby pool beneath a waterfall, cleansing himself. The splashing water and swirling silver mist highlighted his strong, well-built body, which shimmered under the sunlight. After dressing, he concluded this period of cultivation.

His understanding of this stage in the human world was clear: it wasn't just about arduous cultivation secluded from the world but also about comprehending the realities of the mortal realm.

Having pushed both his spirit and body to their limits, Wang Xuan recognized the need for balance. Continuously forcing the extraction of potential might not bode well for future growth. This experience underlined the importance of harmony between exertion and rest, between the spiritual and the physical, in the journey of cultivation.

In fact, Wang Xuan wanted to observe and wait a bit longer, to see if the Celestial Medicine he had planted would be stolen by anyone. "If no one enters that desolate and silent land, then I can continue to explore and transplant Celestial Medicine in other safe sections," he speculated. He surmised that where his footsteps reached, where the Celestial Medicine thrived, the ethereal land gradually gained vitality, and perhaps, he might even be able to instantly return to his own Life Soil in a thought.

Maybe, the process of exploring and seeking new paths was actually the expansion of his Life Soil, growing larger, and approaching the realm of reality. What would happen when the illusory and the real converged? "As the gradually decaying mythological system comes to an end, do I still have time?" Wang Xuan mused, his heart feeling slightly heavy as he left the place.

However, he also harbored a sense of anticipation, having found the beginning of a new path. He decided not to disturb the sword fairy, letting the little one continue to slumber, to grow quickly so that he could bring her back from behind the great curtain when the time was right.

"I wonder what I will encounter crossing the deadly barrier – the meteorite crater. It would be great to find more Celestial Medicine. Planting it along the way seems to have no small benefits." On his way back, he thought about his cultivation. The Celestial Medicine was mysterious, disappearing from his body and planted in the ethereal land; indeed, one could never have too much of such medicine.

Wang Xuan walked at a leisurely pace, paying attention to the conditions of each place. In a mountain range about five hundred miles away, he saw an old man clearing the land and sowing medicinal herbs.

This being was a Transcendent of the seventh level, evidently one who had returned from beyond the great curtain. When Wang Xuan approached to greet him, the figure was amiable and recognized Wang Xuan as a fellow transcendent, engaging in a calm conversation with him.

"The great curtain is about to extinguish, and I harbor no grand ambitions. Although my realm has fallen, I am content to be back. In this life, I only wish to be an ordinary person," the being expressed. Tired of conflict and disinterested in scheming, he sought a piece of tranquility in the mortal world, where he could read scriptures, tend to flowers and plants, and peacefully live out his life.

Wang Xuan was initially surprised, but then he understood. What hadn't such a person experienced? He must be an ancient immortal who, after experiencing splendor, now only desired to experience the quiet beauty of the mortal world. Perhaps, this was the true essence of an immortal filled with celestial aura.

But who can truly define it? Some believe immortals should be ethereal and detached from worldly disputes. Yet, looking at the ancient texts, which of them truly lived like that? "The notion of a transcendent, self-forgetful immortal, detached from material things, is but a beautiful figment in the minds of mortals," Wang Xuan mused, shaking his head.

Even in the scriptures, immortals are ranked in hierarchies. Buddhism speaks of the equality of all beings, yet there are distinctions between Buddhas, Bodhisattvas, and Arhats, who receive offerings and worship.

Along his journey, Wang Xuan encountered more immortals and demons. Indeed, some chose to live in seclusion in the wilderness, seemingly having detached themselves from the worldly realm, at least for the moment.

However, some immortals and demons were active in cities, integrating themselves into this era and relishing the vibrant life amidst the bustling mortal world. For instance, some demon immortals had become celebrities, returning even before those from the New World, basking in widespread adoration and popularity, almost forgetting their true identities.

There were also gods who lived hidden among the masses, possessing immense strength but not causing trouble or displaying their transcendental powers, just quietly living their lives. What the future holds for them, no one knows.

Wang Xuan was aware that there had been another tremor a few days ago, causing the Transcendents of the breaking-threshold level to fall from the Exalted Wander realm, nearly descending to the eighth level. However, in some bustling cities, he saw beings at the pinnacle of the ninth level living ordinary lives, which surprised him greatly. He suspected these might be some ancient immortals with significant backgrounds.

"The world beyond the curtain is shrouded in mystery, always having ways and means to allow them to retain their strength to the greatest extent and embark on the journey back." The most likely situation, he thought, was that the old covenant was also gradually loosening.

Wang Xuan was vigilant, realizing that the truly formidable figures were only beginning to emerge. Ancient immortals, renowned in the old times, were undoubtedly extremely powerful.

Yet, the journey's observations made him breathe a sigh of relief. Overall, while not every corner of the Old World was populated by immortals and demons, a significant number were present, but most were low-profile. If all the immortals and demons were like this, the world would have far less chaos.

Of course, these beings might also be biding their time, not wanting to be the first to stick their necks out, quietly waiting for future opportunities and changes.

"In the present world, whether humans or immortals and demons, everyone is crossing their own paths. Ways of living differ, goals differ, and it's hard to say who is more detached."

As Wang Xuan approached Ancheng, he sensed the undercurrents beneath its calm surface. Not all the returned beings were content with the status quo; some immortals and demons had grand designs.

Wang Xuan returned to Qingmu's estate, a branch of the Secret Path organization. Upon his arrival, Qingmu immediately briefed him on recent events, leaving Wang Xuan astonished by the news of an ancient palace deep in the earth's core harboring Immortal Herbs and ancient powerhouses who had chosen not to ascend to immortality.

Wang Xuan's anger flared when he learned that agents sent by Hengjun had threatened his parents. "Good riddance," he remarked in approval of their demise, setting a necessary precedent. He inquired about Chen Yongjie's whereabouts and learned that his mentor had been in Pingcheng and was due to return soon.

That afternoon, Chen Yongjie arrived, bearing the grim news of having slain eight beings who had fallen from the breaking-threshold level. He relayed that immortals and demons across the Old World were increasingly blending into the modern era, either genuinely integrating or biding their time. However, Hengjun's faction remained arrogantly dominant, believing themselves invincible under the protection of a supreme being and the Ascendant Banner.

Chen Yongjie informed Wang Xuan of the threats in Pingcheng and the danger to his parents, which had prompted him to eliminate eight formidable opponents.

Wang Xuan was furious but quickly regained composure. He decided it was time to take a proactive stance, considering meeting with 'Old Zhang' and the female herbalist who had been awaiting his approach. He pondered the possibility of a significant move, even considering an alliance with certain forces from beyond the curtain to eradicate Hengjun's faction if necessary.

Acknowledging his enhanced strength, Wang Xuan felt it was time to visit the female herbalist in the Great Khingan Range area and invite 'Old Zhang' from the New Moon to discuss establishing rules for the human world.