The Stars Beyond

Chapter 383: 1922, The Arctic Ocean

Wang Xuan scrutinized the menu, its cryptic symbols strangely familiar yet ultimately indecipherable to him. Unruffled, he glanced at it and then, with profound gravity, requested, "A bottle of the 1982 Beibingyang."

He was certain no one knew what he had ordered. This place had no people from the old earth, and besides, that drink had been out of production for over a century on his home planet.

Adopting an air of mystery in the face of his ignorance seemed the best approach. He waited, curious to see how this unusual establishment would respond.

Indeed, his request left the beautiful elf waitress puzzled. Her pointed ears quivered slightly as she apologized, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment, "Sorry, sir, one moment, please, let me check."

The surrounding patrons cast curious glances, their expressions tinged with a newfound respect, especially after glimpsing Fang Yuzhu's inscrutable demeanor.

Wang Xuan found himself at a loss, realizing this locale indeed boasted rare beverages, indicating its distinctiveness and the stature of its clientele.

The elf returned, apologetic for not finding the requested drink, her luminous blue bangs shielding her eyes in embarrassment.

Wang Xuan, encountering an elf for the first time, wondered at the diversity of high beings this place gathered. He carried a Peng egg, hoping not to run into any Peng race individuals.

He casually suggested, "Just bring us two of your special drinks." The elf, keenly following his gaze, prepared to take the order.

Fang Yuzhu, with an ease that spoke of familiarity, gracefully took the menu and ordered, "Moonlight Serenity, two cups."

Wang Xuan was taken aback, impressed she could decipher the enigmatic script. He resolved to seek her guidance, as such writing appeared in both the silver beast skin book and the rejuvenation furnace. Her effortless ordering hinted at her acquaintance with the place.

Wang Xuan realized he knew far too little about Fang Yuzhu. He had always regarded her as a person from the pre-Qin era, unfamiliar with modern society. Yet, here she was, having once frequented a place as otherworldly as this space-time bar aboard a mother ship.

"Was there a problem with what I ordered?" he quietly inquired.

"The drink your gaze lingered on is made from the juice of a complete celestial herb, mixed with various high-grade oddities and brewed into a divine liquor," she explained.

Wang Xuan was taken aback. The establishment's audacity to use celestial herbs for brewing was astonishing. He grew cautious, sensing the patrons here might be formidable figures or kin to the supremely powerful, none to be trifled with lightly.

Fang Yuzhu commented, "Rarely does anyone order that divine liquor, unwilling to play the fool. The highest realms of the spirit world are arduous to ascend, and gathering even a single celestial herb can take years. This space-time bar, though extraordinary, wouldn't offer fair prices. Without marking up several times their cost, how could they justify it?"

Seizing the opportunity, Wang Xuan asked, "Is this place part of the Land of the Departed?"

"It's a fraction of it. Observe, but do not probe others. Every being here is formidable," she cautioned, her presence a guarantee against eavesdropping.

"What kind of people are these?" Wang Xuan, seizing the rare opportunity to speak with such a powerful figure in good spirits, pressed for answers. Where else would he turn for such knowledge, if not from her? Surely not discussing life with Zhang or ideals with Ming?

Fang Yuzhu earnestly informed him, "I've only stumbled upon this place twice myself. Everyone here is unique and secretive about their origins. Unquestionably, some are from the Land of the Departed, others might be specters. It's best not to inquire or reveal your own background."

Wang Xuan nodded, absorbing her advice. This 'space-time bar' indeed held profound significance, hosting even specters from tangled timelines, truly remarkable.

His attention then drifted to a few individuals in spacesuits, looking troubled. This wasn't his first encounter with such people, suggesting connections to the future or to histories sunken into oblivion, hinting at fleeting interactions with parallel universes.

With a sigh, one lamented being trapped for years, unable to return. "Such individuals are peculiar, seemingly not from our universe dimension. They're manifesting here?" Wang Xuan signaled to Fang Yuzhu.

In her serene aura, Fang Yuzhu softly confirmed, "Yes, they are strong. Among them, one possesses strength comparable to Zheng Yuantian."

Speechless, Wang Xuan thought, has Zheng Yuantian become a unit of measurement? He reminded himself to strive harder, wondering when he could reach such heights, overlooking the vast cosmos.

Fang Yuzhu added, "Unraveling their origins is difficult; they remain tight-lipped."

Wang Xuan puzzled, suggested, "We should approach them, even capture them. The Land of the Departed, the Great Curtain, forces in deep space must investigate such individuals, potentially linking to an entirely different universe, perhaps offering a lifeline to our mythology!"

Fang Yuzhu shook her head, "Force was tried, but they vanished like bubbles, dissolving directly."

At that moment, an announcement filled the bar, "Ladies and gentlemen, another exciting event begins. Those wishing to participate in the auction, prepare yourselves."

As rousing music played, resonating like countless flying swords, all attention was drawn to the stage. The vast space of the bar, within the mother ship, offered ample room for these formidable beings.

A huge cage was placed on the stage, containing a fierce creature with toad-like, bumpy, grey skin, and a visage as ferocious as an octopus, but with snake-headed tentacles at each limb's end. Towering like a flesh mountain, its many snake heads rose, coldly observing everyone.

"This, esteemed guests, is the Zhen Beast, discovered in the depths of space, matching the strength of ancient leviathans. Its body harbors a special core, rich in materials nearing reality!"

This announcement sparked widespread discussions, the space-time bar abuzz with noise.

"It's precious, the planet it was found on harbored no more than two hundred Zhen Beasts. Anyone interested in the auction? Properly cared for, it could continually produce cores nearing reality."

The room buzzed with whispers and unrest, indicating the significance of the beast and the interest in its rare cores.

Wang Xuan was moved; he had thought this bar was a place for relaxation, expecting performances of various talents by fairies and such. Instead, it showcased creatures like this.

A voice spoke up, "Though the Zhen Beast is precious, it's practically impossible to breed on a large scale. They're colossal monsters; imagine the manpower required to guard them. Moreover, with less than two hundred of them on their original planet, expanding their population seems unlikely."

The young man hosting the auction nodded, acknowledging the truth in the observer's words, "Indeed, we've been upfront about the situation, proving there's no deceit on our part. Those interested, please bid. After all, the core within it is genuine and, in an era of Transcendent exhaustion, can significantly benefit the strong."

"Above bidding for the Zhen Beast, I'm more curious about the planet it originates from. Why could such creatures condense cores nearly real in that environment?" A man clad in golden armor spoke with divine authority, clearly immensely powerful.

The auctioneer, appearing young yet with profound eyes revealing his true age, responded, "In our effort to extend the life of the Transcendent world, our principle is to share all information openly, without concealment. That planet once had a special meteorite fragment fall on it, giving rise to the Zhen Beasts."

Many shook their heads, while others sighed in disappointment, "It's a pity. Although cosmic debris from Transcendent falling stars has been observed across the universe, locating its source remains elusive."

Someone purchased the Zhen Beast, intending to study it closely.

"The next item will be interconnected. Ah, from a past mythical civilization, we have the remains of a supreme being. Though thoroughly deceased, studying his desiccated flesh and blood might inspire us. As mythology nears its end, any potentially beneficial discovery is invaluable and must not be overlooked."

Truly, this place had it all; exotic items brought by various individuals could be exchanged or auctioned.

"Next, we have a segment of a root unearthed from the ruins of the Moon Elf Dynasty in deep space, suspected to be the remains of a lunar medicinal herb. You should know, according to legends, the Moon Elves once cultivated herbs nearing the essence of true medicine!"

"I'll take it, willing to exchange it for a supreme scripture left by a vanished mythical civilization."

"I offer the Nine Phoenix Flying Immortal Furnace in exchange!"

"It's not worth it. In a year's time, the remnants of the Transcendent world will have completely collapsed. Even if it's the remains of a herb nearing true medicine, what use is it when there's no time for revival?"

......

Wang Xuan found himself lost in thought, marveling at the array of wonders before him, tempted to bid for a closer study. Yet, realizing the fierce competition from the numerous formidable beings present, he decided against it, choosing to observe from the sidelines.

Fang Yuzhu casually mentioned, "I didn't bring any peculiar items with me," indicating her lack of intent to participate.

Suddenly, a thunderous roar echoed, shaking the entire space-time bar, in fact, the massive mothership itself was trembling.

"The moment has arrived, everyone. It's passing by us, destined to journey far beyond. Luck will dictate our gains now. Should anyone secure a significant find, they might sustain their extraordinariness a bit longer, delaying the inevitable return to mundanity within a year," announced the youthful auctioneer, visibly excited. He then added, "The space-time bar offers a bonus - the highest earner will receive a flask of 'Celestial Inebriation,' a beverage whose worth rivals even that of the celestial wines, its effects and uniqueness are well known."

With that, he leaped down, joining the crowd rushing outside. Wang Xuan and Fang Yuzhu, curious about the unfolding event, followed suit.

Outside the mothership, beings of various races, now mostly in human form, ventured towards a mysterious mist. Beyond lay the vast cosmos, speckled with stars against the dark void.

Tremendous vibrations filled the air, the richness of extraordinary substances peaking, even the rules of mythology seemed momentarily whole again, no longer fragmented or mere echoes.

Something was approaching from the depths.

"The root of the extraordinary... yet, it's about to depart, vanish, signifying the decay of mythology to its twilight," a voice solemnly remarked.

Tears were seen on some faces, despite predictions of its passing, the helpless witnesses couldn't alter its course, its departure signifying the ultimate decline of an era.