The Stars Beyond

Chapter 483: Short-Lived

Inside the Inner Landscape, accumulations of nearly tangible silver substance lay like a blanket of snow, with purple material also falling from the void, serene and mysterious. Wang Xuan, upon returning here and noticing the diminished intensity of the conflicts within the great barrier, immersed himself in his own world to study those unique scriptures.

At this moment, Chen Yongjie, Liu Huai'an, and Zhao Qinghan heard the sound of cicadas chirping, prompting surprised glances and curious looks back. Wang Xuan sat deep within the Inner Scenery, where the silhouette of a golden cicada emerged, symbolizing rebirth, its cries echoing like the sound of the Dao reverberating. On its golden back, a vague fissure appeared, dotted with chaotic ripples, as if a newborn cicada was gestating, ready to break free at any moment.

"The Cicada Technique... it's different from the effect Master Zhong achieved!" Chen Yongjie was immediately taken aback. In the depths of the earthly immortal city's secret ground, he had witnessed Master Zhong turning into a "big zongzi," with his body covered in various keratinous substances and some mucus.

Liu Huai'an, with a grave expression, said, "This does indeed differ from some ancient records of the Golden Cicada Technique, but there are also legends that at its highest level, the appearance of the golden cicada is expected, signifying a life reborn to accompany the Dao in its melody!"

Hearing this, everyone paused, turning their gaze towards Wang Xuan. Was this the pinnacle achievement of the Golden Cicada Technique?

"Is Wang Xuan about to master it?" Zhao Qinghan asked, her usually sharp demeanor softened by a smile, radiating beauty and sweetness.

Liu Huai'an, wise and worldly, responded, "He's reached the later stages. If it were a normal transformation, he would have succeeded by now. But he's cultivating the highest echelon of the Cicada Phenomenon, which likely requires further refinement. That someone so young could reach this pinnacle of a miraculous technique seems almost surreal to me."

Elder Liu was deeply moved. How had a young man in his twenties managed to achieve this step, something even the most glorious era of antiquity seldom witnessed? The cicadas chirped again, resonating like the sound of the Dao, with mysterious patterns expanding, affecting everyone present. Instantly, each person gained special insights.

"Truly, this renowned miraculous technique is extraordinary, different from any other. As he breaks through and evolves, he also blesses those around him. Everyone, pay attention and comprehend your own scriptures; you may find your efforts doubly rewarded."

Liu Huai'an, with his wealth of experience, knew well of such miraculous techniques, adding, "A cicada's life does not span more than a season; thus, it seeks another transformation, to break through the heavens. This is its harmony with the Dao, resonating together."

Moved by the moment, everyone sat down to meditate on their own techniques, finding their cultivation path smoother and more receptive. Thus, as the cicada called out thirteen times, its wings vibrating, the fissure on its golden back widened, and the ripples of the Dao undulated more intensely. Qing Mu felt the most profound impact, being at the lowest realm. His elevation back to the realm of a grandmaster was relatively swift, as if baptized by the cicada's and Dao's resonant sounds, cleansing his entire being. Wu Yin was struck by a peculiar ripple originating from Wang Xuan, where the cicada in harmony with the Dao manifested, causing her body to quiver and her mind and body to feel warmly enveloped by a surging energy, bringing her on the brink of transcendence.

"Incredible, truly a miraculous technique!" Chen Yongjie exclaimed in astonishment, benefiting greatly himself. Instead of a direct baptism, he chose to meditate on his technique, making significant progress on his own path.

Zhao Qinghan, serene as a jade sculpture, her beautiful face adorned with flowing auroras, carried a celestial charm, transcending the mundane, as if about to ascend amidst the rosy clouds. She, too, resonated with Wang Xuan's cicada, her brow aglow with fairy light, rhythmically aligned, reaping immense benefits.

Given such experiences among them, one could only imagine what Wang Xuan himself underwent. He felt as if he had reached the edge of the universe, where all things, including the stars, had withered away, leaving only himself, transformed into a cicada, crying out to revive the cosmos and bring vitality back to heaven and earth. Yet, he couldn't awaken the vast universe, only transcending himself, merging with the Dao as the cicada. His back cracked open, birthing a new self, leaving behind his cicada shell, seeking transcendence.

"Just one step away, trapped within the golden cicada shell. Is the fissure on my back not wide enough? Is the harmony with the Dao too vague, its sound too indistinct for me to truly hear, leaving me only to reminisce about its essence?"

Wang Xuan introspected. Even so, he felt a vibrant vitality within, imbued with the power of rebirth, his physical body strengthening from within. His soul mirrored this, its core mark glowing anew. In the deepest part of his spirit, as if a seed were planted, resembling a tiny cicada that eventually transformed back into himself, waiting for the moment to break free from all barriers, destined to emerge one day. With every chirp of the cicada, his physical and spiritual beings were caressed by an unusual light, both form and spirit sublimely elevated together.

"My strength is increasing," Wang Xuan marveled, yet he was aware that this was certainly not the realm of the thirteenth rank. It wasn't so easy to directly step into.

He could only marvel at the miraculous nature of the technique, which had a significant effect on him, though it also presented a problem—his soul remained trapped within the golden cicada shell, unable to fully transform. His physical body had transformed from within, but the external changes were not as apparent.

Eventually, he paused this technique, not forcing progress, and began practicing "The Butterfly Transformation," "Ascension Transmutation Reversion Scripture," and others, making astonishing progress. In the Inner Scenery, without the passage of time, only the spirit and perception were elevated. Yet, this experience felt exceptionally lengthy.

Wang Xuan methodically practiced these renowned miraculous techniques, allocating "time" wisely, reaping substantial benefits. During this period, Wu Yin, Qing Mu, and Zhao Qinghan stepped out briefly to calm their minds, feeling as if they were about to forget the real world. Their spiritual perception had increased manifold, initially offering an optimal experience, but surpassing the limit became somewhat overwhelming.

This was the first time Qing Mu felt the passage of time in the Inner Scenery to be too lengthy, despite having entered it multiple times before, marking this occasion as particularly unique. However, just a few minutes outside could equate to "decades" passing in the Inner Scenery, rapidly "stealing time." When they re-entered, Wang Xuan had progressed to "The Ant Gazing at the Dragon," observing the Dao evolving into a terrifying dragon in the void.

"From the perspective of an ant, observing the Dao Dragon, then surpassing it, is that the ant's pursuit and its highest achievement?"

The intention behind this scripture was profound, and without reaching the highest realm, he had no intention of altering it. The symbolism of the Dao was already powerful enough. Only when truly standing above the clouds, having subdued the Dao Dragon, would he consider exploring new ideas. Finally, Wang Xuan opened his eyes, concluding his cultivation. As he rose, the sounds of cicadas and the dragon's roar, from an ant transforming into a dragon, filled the air.

His mastery of several wondrous techniques had reached their latter stages, just shy of perfection and the ultimate leap forward. This time, there was no opportunity for that final breakthrough. Wang Xuan’s physical and spiritual strength had intensified beyond his previous state, as if purified, his very essence of life elevated, enriching his existence.

"Is this what the complete realm of the twelfth rank feels like?" Every movement he made seemed imbued with an ethereal grace, causing Zhao Qinghan to gaze at him repeatedly, unable to divert her eyes.

Wu Yin, more direct, walked over and couldn't resist touching his muscles and pinching his somewhat transcendent face, commenting, "You're different from before."

She audaciously verified by touch, saying, "Previously, your actions conveyed a fierce and direct perception, like a raptor spreading its wings or a roaring dragon. Now…"

"Now you seem untouched by the mortal coil," Zhao Qinghan added.

"Wu One, Zhao Three, Fox Four, Ma Three, Qing Mortal, oh, and Bear Three!" The little fox fairy categorized everyone's realms, noting that everyone had advanced by at least one level.

Chen Yongjie, back at the peak of the ninth rank, reached the pinnacle of his life once more, pondering deeply, continuously seeking ways to break his limits. Liu Huai'an was also at the limit of the ninth rank. In fact, if not for the ongoing tremors in the outside world, they might have ascended even higher, given the "prolonged" nature of their time theft.

Outside, chaos reigned, with some losing half a rank. As long as the supreme treasures remained unsettled, the great barrier's highest rules would continue to fluctuate, prolonging this state of affairs.

"The situation within the great barrier is decided. The Divine Palace and the Immortal Umbrella have changed hands, the gods have suffered a great defeat, and the events there are likely coming to an end."

"Not necessarily, there's still the Pool of Life. I reckon that too will change owners!"

Wang Xuan and the others discussed, feeling it was about time to leave. The unparalleled battle was drawing to a close, with little left to see.

"Old Master Xu Fu is truly formidable, having slain two more of the mightiest avatars?"

In outer space, various altars, bronze steles, and banners lay shattered, a scene of devastation accompanied by startling divine blood. In reality, not much time had passed, as the "lengthy" perception of time within the Inner Scenery translated to just brief moments in the real world.

"Hmm, someone's come to negotiate, not to confront. They're speaking with Elder Xu Fu. If the hard approach didn't work, are they trying a softer one?"

More so, others were approaching the spaceship, nearing Wang Xuan and his group. Xu Fu allowed this, overly confident, knowing Wang Xuan hadn't failed his tribulation, possibly even stronger than him! At most, should an unexpected conflict arise, he would board the spaceship and willingly take the blame. The newcomers appeared composed, not dismayed by their loss in the great barrier, instead displaying a cold and serene demeanor.

"I come from the Imperial Palace of Gouchen within the great barrier!"

"I am from the Superlative Palace within the great barrier!"

The individuals introduced themselves straightforwardly, their origins from these two great legacies naturally being astonishing, with both founders being beyond this world, leading the celestial realm in pursuit of the supreme treasures.

One of them spoke, "Our visit here is not intended to bully anyone, nor is it to start a war."

Transcendent Ma immediately took issue with this, saying, "You speak as if you could match us. Haven't you seen the Godslayer here? Even the four mightiest deities of the past, full of bluster, were all slaughtered by Wang Xuan. And who are you, exactly?"

"We are disciples of the two transcendent ancestors. Though we may not be as accomplished, we are only a step away from being among the mightiest."

"So, you're relying on two old immortals!" the little fox fairy muttered under her breath.

"Do not speak disrespectfully, nor act rashly! Otherwise, bear the consequences yourselves." One of them waved an immortal talisman in his hand, where the light of immortality steamed, saying, "This is equivalent to a strike from a transcendent avatar in the real world!"

This statement darkened the expressions of everyone aboard the spaceship. Was this a threat?

"We do not wish for war but simply to peacefully convey some information. The Space-Time Mace and the Book of Ages are both seriously flawed. Using them against enemies could lead to their backlash at critical moments, and without a supreme treasure to suppress and subdue them, the bearer will eventually meet a tragic end."

"What exactly are you trying to say?" Zhao Qinghan asked.

"The two ancestors, leading the mightiest into the celestial realm, are destined to acquire the Ascension Banner and the Roaming Ark, outcomes no less significant than those of Fang Yuzhu and others. Our visit is to forge a good karma. Whether it's the Book of Ages or a semi-matured treasure, keeping them will be of no use to you, becoming instead a major threat, ultimately leading to deadly peril. If offered to the Gouchen Emperor Palace and the Superlative Palace, possessing the supreme treasures, you will receive generous rewards."

The idea that the Ascension Banner and the Roaming Ark were destined for the people of the lands of immortality and divinity surprised Wang Xuan and the others.

Chen Yongjie said, "You've come here to seek alms, trying to get something for nothing, and even resorting to threats?"

"Leave now!" Wang Xuan was even more straightforward, asking them to leave immediately.

Liu Huai'an, always prudent, calmly informed them that the Book of Ages, being a prize, had not yet been handed out by the organizers.

"You will regret this!" The visitors were brisk in their departure, with one of them coldly laughing, "It's a long journey back, be careful you make it."

"You dare threaten us?" Wang Xuan spoke up.

"No, we were merely offering you a chance to achieve greatness. Choosing to ignore it and ultimately suffering harm due to the treasures is not as pleasant," the man said calmly before turning to leave, their confidence buoyed by possessing an immortal talisman of a being beyond this world, leaving with a cold laugh.

"I really don’t buy into that curse!" Wang Xuan declared. Disciples of the transcendent beings indeed held high status, but their brazen threats and warnings about their return journey left no room for negotiation.

He reached out swiftly, intending to detain them, "You’re going to attack us?!" Reacting quickly, they brandished the immortal talisman, decisively launching it into action.

To their horror, a treasure furnace appeared in front of Wang Xuan, instantly swallowing the immortal talisman. The supposed strike from a transcendent being's avatar did not manifest.

Shocked and disbelieving, Wang Xuan then grasped them as if they were mere chicks, holding them by their necks before tossing them aside like rag dolls into a corner of the spaceship, leaving them for Xu Fu to deal with.

Meanwhile, in the celestial realm, the founders of the Superlative Palace and the Gouchen Emperor Palace did indeed succeed, thanks to a shortcut available to them.

The Roaming Ark, carrying the various true blood imprints of a super civilization, had flown into the depths of the universe, shedding numerous blood droplets, some of which were collected by later generations.

Though these blood samples could not revive the once mighty beings or even dried up, they could still summon the Roaming Ark, being recognized as its former owners.

Similarly, the Ascension Banner, when it ventured into the depths of the universe in search of the true source, left behind traces of its passage.

Thus, after paying a heavy price, the two founders led many strong beings to success on this day.

However, bad news soon followed; one of the founders was severely injured in a surprise attack led by the Evil Dragon and a group of assailants, causing the Superlative Palace's founder to disintegrate once, resulting in the Ascension Banner being lost.

This news quickly spread to the land of the immortals.

"The Ascension Banner truly is an ominous relic; misfortune befalls whoever possesses it!" some lamented, citing the incidents with Heng Jun and now the founder of the Superlative Palace.

Wang Xuan was particularly concerned about whether the Evil Dragon had succeeded in obtaining the Ascension Banner.