The Stars Beyond

Chapter 334: Alone Against The World

The signing of the new covenant on a golden scroll manifested in various places, with the force of rules expanding, all beings who crossed worlds paid great attention to it.

"Less slaughter, more peace, it's not bad. The prosperity of the human world indeed should not be destroyed, it's worth cherishing." A delicate-looking youth spoke as he walked through a bustling metropolis. His eyes were clear, and his body appeared somewhat frail, even weak.

However, if his identity were known, many would be shocked; he is considered a core figure of the fourth generation of demonic cultivators in the immortal realms, self-named Demon Four. Unlike many demonic cultivators, he and his lineage do not acknowledge the Demonic Ancestor as their origin, considering their line the true orthodoxy, not derived from that of the Demonic Ancestor.

The term "fourth generation" isn't based on age, as he is not old, but rather, demonic cultivators from recent times up to the present are classified as the fourth generation.

Demon Four, though appearing youthful and holding the highest scriptures of demonic cultivation, is regarded as the most promising figure in the demonic path from the other side of the veil in recent history.

Despite his youthful and pure appearance, his methods of killing are terrifying. With the loosening of the old covenant, under circumstances that wouldn't harm his Dao foundation but only his cultivation progress, this highly regarded core figure of the fourth generation was secretly sent here.

"I vaguely sense that our lineage has predecessors who have left their essence in the human world, sleeping deep within the consciousness of ordinary people with naturally strong spiritual power, a remarkable spiritual sarcophagus technique, the core of our highest scriptures."

He whispered, walking with nimble steps through the bustling commercial streets, visiting several large shopping centers, showing interest in everything.

"Recently, Wang Xuan has been living in An City!" Someone came over and reported to him in a low voice.

The graceful youth, Demon Four, calmly said, "Do not violate the new covenant; we cannot initiate conflicts in areas where ordinary people reside. Once places like the Practitioner's Pure Land, Immortal Gardens, Demonic Lands, etc., are opened and connected, I will find him there."

"There are others who have set their sights on him," the informant said solemnly and earnestly.

"It's not surprising. Leaving a name on the new covenant, it's impossible not to attract attention. Some want to test his mettle, some want to temper him, and others want to block his path. The competition from all sides is very fair. No matter who it is, if they block my way, killing them is the only option!"

"A certain faction has sent a message wanting to collaborate. Before entering the external domain's bizarre space, they aim to hunt Wang Xuan, demanding only his physical body, while the God-Slaying Banner can be left to us."

The youth's expression remained composed as he gazed upon the bustling world, saying, "What a joke. Do I, Demon Four, need to cooperate with others? No matter who they are—some minor demonic saint, some illegitimate child of a celestial, some ancestral successor, or Wang Xuan—I'll sweep through them all by myself, slaying them single-handedly!"

"Demon Four, you're quite arrogant," a woman approached him from behind as he walked through the commercial street. She was tall, wearing shorts and a blouse paired with high heels, and her delicate face was framed by glasses. While she exuded a scholarly aura, her laughter revealed a wild charm when she removed her glasses.

Glancing back at her, Demon Four said, "I wondered who it was. Zhou Qinghuang, you want to cooperate with me? Fine, serve as my maid for a year. I'll only take the God-Slaying Banner, and all other scriptures and treasures will be yours."

"Demon Four, your pride will be your downfall. Be careful, or you might be the first to be slain!" Zhou Qinghuang's smile turned cold as she put her glasses back on and walked away.

"Won't you reconsider? This is the first time I've offered to cooperate with someone," Demon Four pressed, though he bore the appearance of a refined youth, his demeanor now was somewhat aggressive.

At his core, he was cold and determined, his clear eyes and fragile appearance merely a facade, for he was a demonic cultivator!

"Then I might as well directly seek the principal himself, to gain both the flag and the person. You... go back and drink breast milk for a couple more years, little demon!"

"Zhou Qinghuang, don't let me catch you in the external space domain, heh!" Demon Four warned coldly.

......

In the bustling city of Ancheng, within a secluded estate owned by the Secret Path Organization where Qingmu had long made his home, Wang Xuan recounted his harrowing adventures in the Daxing'an Mountains to Chen Yongjie and his disciple, urging them to brace for what lies ahead.

The night deepened, the sky once speckled with stars soon overshadowed by a drifting expanse of dark clouds that veiled the moon's serene glow.

"This is auspicious," Qingmu remarked with a hint of joy. "Henceforth, the beings from the realms beyond dare not inflict harm upon the mortals. Should they transgress, the sword of justice shall descend upon them." The thought of a world plunged into chaos, overrun by demons causing untold suffering to the innocent, was unbearable.

"Yet, the divide remains—transcendents and mortals must heed caution. Master, you and Wang Xuan are not exempt from the dangers ahead," Qingmu cautioned, furrowing his brow in concern.

Chen Yongjie nodded in agreement, his curiosity piqued by the enigmatic realm beyond. He was intent on delving into its mysteries, despite the evident dangers Wang Xuan had detailed.

"The gateway opens in two days, fraught with peril. Spirits that chill the bone, inexplicable flames, and creatures driven to madness..." Wang Xuan laid bare the risks involved.

He advised Qingmu against venturing into such peril, warning of the high stakes. Even Old Zhang, he suggested, could find himself in peril should he venture there after his realm had diminished.

To Chen Yongjie, Wang Xuan offered no such caution, knowing well his mentor's disposition would compel him to explore regardless.

"Should you decide to proceed, prepare meticulously. We ought to operate independently. I sense a target on my back, likely to become the focal point of numerous adversaries," Wang Xuan expressed, unwilling to drag them into potential conflicts.

As they delved deeper into their conversation, Wang Xuan's attention was abruptly drawn to the window. There, beneath the obscured moonlight, a celestial figure hovered in the distance, her gaze fixed towards them.

Her sensitivity to his observation was immediate; she ceased her concealment, ascending with poise into the sky, bathed in a golden radiance that mirrored a divine moon casting its light across the void, her beauty spellbinding.

Upon closer inspection, golden wings unfurled behind her, shedding divine droplets, her locks shimmering gold, her origins a mystery. She offered Wang Xuan a gentle smile and a casual wave before dissolving into a luminous streak and vanishing into the night.

Chen Yongjie's expression grew stern. "In this era of transformation, where entities flaunt their power, who might she be? My instincts scream caution, doubting our ability to subdue such a force."

Wang Xuan mirrored his seriousness, "She represents a new emergence, possibly endowed with the essence of a supreme entity or wielding an artifact of untold power, resilient against the oppressive forces of our world."

Even he had to admit, this enigmatic woman presented an extraordinary challenge, surpassing the prowess of the nine-stage masters he had previously defeated.

Chen Yongjie inquired, "Though the Old Covenant has loosened, sending out such a powerful transcendent being would cost something significant. What exactly is in that strange space?"

"There are many treasures. Have you heard of the Pre-Qin golden bamboo slips? It's said that one of them was dug out from a huge, slowly extinguishing fire pit within that space," Wang Xuan shared.

He was genuinely astonished when discussing this peculiar space with the titans at the Da Xing An Ling. That area is imbued with the force of reality, mysterious energies, and various fortunes related to the origins of myths.

"Are there any divine herbs?"

"Yes. It's said that the region is vast, nearing the realms intertwined with the spiritual world, potentially harboring unharvested divine herbs!" Wang Xuan confirmed.

Just these details alone underscore the peril of the area; some fortunes not even fully harvested by the immortals of yore, signaling a beacon of caution.

"Due to its extreme danger, it will only be open for three days to first observe the situation. If everyone... perishes, or if over ninety percent are annihilated, when it will open again is uncertain."

Qingmu was dumbfounded, wondering how this cursed place, where even ascended immortals returning with torn spiritual souls could meet their demise, could be considered a land of fortune.

Suddenly, Wang Xuan's spiritual eye wove a special beam of light, spotting movement within the dark clouds. Someone had just entered.

"What a restless night." Ever since he signed the new covenant, people have been lurking nearby, keeping an eye on him.

But as Old Zhang hinted, having his name on the golden scroll would greatly benefit him in the future, though it certainly feels like a trap at the moment.

In the dark clouds, realizing he was spotted, a man on a dark wooden boat descended silently, watching Wang Xuan from a distance. He held a young woman tenderly, gently patting her back, yet his mouth was stained with blood.

"He's eating a person? That’s a violation of the new covenant!" Qingmu exclaimed.

"No, he’s drinking blood!" Chen Yongjie added gravely. The woman was already dead, a transcendent, not of this world.

Still, Wang Xuan found it repulsive. The man, indulging in blood before him and spying, was clearly no good. With a pale face, he tenderly patted the woman's back, finishing the last drop of blood from her neck before smiling at Wang Xuan and miming a throat-slitting gesture.

"Blatantly staring you down, he's definitely here to make a move on you. Shall we pursue and eliminate him?" Chen Yongjie inquired.

"No rush. This individual is immensely powerful, likely directed by some influential figure to target me," Wang Xuan speculated, suspecting Hades Blood Sect's patriarch might be behind this, unwilling to let the threat from the Female Practitioner slide.

"With such formidable beings aiming for you, combat seems futile, even with transcendent relics at hand," Qingmu voiced his concern.

"Why not continue seeking new paths and further your cultivation to surpass them?" Chen Yongjie half-joked.

Wang Xuan, dismissing the idea as coincidence, stressed the need to explore the outer space for new powers without hastily advancing his cultivation level, risking his foundational stability. He advised Chen Yongjie to seize the opportunity in that strange space while cautioning against revealing their association to avoid drawing worldwide hostility.

Despite the lurking presence of powerful beings, none confronted him directly, maintaining a cautious distance.

The next day, on a mountain peak, the exuberant shout of a round-faced young girl pierced the air as the dimming celestial rain of the grand curtain receded, revealing a red-clad female figure gradually fading into the distance.

The White Tiger Immortal experienced a significant boost in power as another fragment of her divine essence was restored, eagerly anticipating her newfound strength. Yet, the warning from the red-clad female demon reminded her that her capabilities were only sufficient for self-preservation for now.

Two days swiftly passed without notable incidents, aside from the arrival of some exceptionally powerful beings. The world seemed peaceful, with transcendent beings keeping a low profile, akin to the calm before a storm. Everyone was conserving their energy for the unknown challenges that lay ahead in the strange territory.

"The time has come, it's about to open!"

In outer space, the grand curtain revealed itself as the leaders of various factions chanted incantations to lift the ancient seals. Countless symbols were released, illuminating the void. The peculiar space was surprisingly close to the moon, corresponding to a void parallel to the real moon.

On this day, in outer space, nine luminous gateways flickered on, shining brilliantly. Immortal rain sprinkled down as sacred substances flowed, and the entrance to the exotic realm was unveiled.

There were nine gates in the void, each leading to realms like the Practitioners' Pureland, Demon Lands, and the Sacred Land of the Demons. Now, these places were interconnected, forming a single vast area accessible from any gate.

Wang Xuan arrived on a spaceship, leisurely and seemingly in no rush to enter. By the time he arrived, the space was crowded with numerous small spacecraft, and countless eyes turned toward him, as many were evidently waiting for him.

A large number of transcendent beings had already gathered, emitting dangerous auras, yet none had ventured in prematurely.

"Is this really going to be a showdown against the whole world?" Wang Xuan pondered as he looked ahead.