The Stars Beyond

Chapter 484: Master Of The Treasure

In the cosmic void, the steel fortress floated, projecting a scene so vivid it seemed as if the celestial realm had descended, displaying the disintegration of the Superlative Palace's founder and the blood-stained Ascension Banner flying away.

Across various spaceships, cultivators from different Transcendent planets were shocked and terrified by this news. Even beings beyond this world had shed blood.

The gods were solemn, the immortals and deities who had come to the real world fell silent, uneasy at the expeditionary force's defeat and the loss of the treasures they had almost secured.

Aboard the spaceship, the few individuals Wang Xuan had captured were pale, their confidence shattered by the recent calamity. They had believed that their transcendent ancestors would soon return triumphant with the treasures, only to face disaster.

Transcendent Ma taunted them, "Where's your arrogance now? Both your revered ancestors have been gravely injured. Can they even return? And, do you still want us to hand over the Book of Ages and the semi-matured treasure?"

These disciples of the transcendent forces, once of high status, now tasted the bitterness of defeat. Their most revered ancestors' fates were uncertain, and they themselves had become prisoners.

Then, the great Daoist Xu Fu arrived, entering the spaceship with a straightforward approach, saying, "I've come to take the blame. Why haven't these few been dealt with yet?"

His directness and "honesty" left everyone aboard the spaceship in awe. Comrade Xu's willingness to shoulder the responsibility made even Wang Xuan feel somewhat embarrassed.

"Alright, I'll handle it." Xu Fu took the prisoners away and, with a swing of the Space-Time Mace, struck them down, turning them into ash that dissipated cleanly.

"What are your plans? Will you return to the old lands with us?" Wang Xuan asked, eager to leave this place sooner rather than later.

With even beings beyond this world falling victim to sneak attacks, who could predict what might happen next? As the great war drew to a close, it could become even more brutal.

Considering the Land of Immortality, the Land of Immortals, Land of the Divine, a terrifying free-for-all over the ownership of the treasures might soon erupt.

With rumors persistently swirling about someone's intention to collect all the supreme treasures, Xu Fu's caution was understandable. "I'll seek Fang Yuzhu and the Demoness. With the supreme treasures in their possession, they can assist me in refining the Space-Time Mace. I'm somewhat uneasy holding it alone, fearing being targeted and meeting an obscure end in the real world."

Xu Fu planned to head to the battlefield within the great barrier.

Wang Xuan nodded in agreement, "Alright, then we'll be leaving first. Staying here doesn't help much, and entering the great barrier would only turn us into cannon fodder."

"Be careful on your way. Don't let yourself be killed. The people from the land of immortality are quite unruly," Xu Fu warned seriously.

Not just Wang Xuan and his group wanted to depart; others from various Transcendent planets were also intimidated. With gods descending and chaos escalating in this region, plus the conclusion of the cross-realm great war in the real world, there was no reason to linger.

The battle of legends within the great barrier, where supreme treasures clashed, was undoubtedly spectacular. Even the potential for "beyond-worldly" confrontations to occur later didn't entice anyone to stay.

Everyone embarked on their return journey, forming a steel jungle of warships that then dispersed, grandly departing towards various wormholes.

In the celestial domain, deep within the great barrier, the founder of the Superlative Palace—Zhen Chao, with his dark hair stained with blood, appeared to be in his thirties. His golden pupils were icy, his face marked with anger.

Covered in wounds and wearing the once renowned first armor of the divine land, now shattered by his assailant, his aura mingled with mists, healing his injuries.

It was clear how formidable the assailant was, capable of breaking the supreme armor with bare hands, a strength that resonated through the ages. Even Zhen Chao, the foremost powerhouse of the divine land, was injured and lost the supreme treasure.

Zhen Chao, nearing four thousand years old and of immense strength and profound heritage, was a rare match for anyone. He recuperated, consuming several divine medicinal leaves, gradually recovering.

Yet, his expression was grim. The silence of the other mighty beings nearby added to the oppressive atmosphere, the loss and recovery of the treasure souring everyone's mood.

"Are you certain it was the second person ever to open a special Inner Landscape?" the founder of the Imperial Palace of Gouchen—Gou Dun, asked.

He looked even younger, like a man in his mid-twenties, with silver pupils and a face sharp and sculpted, his gray hair flowing freely. He led some of the top Undying with him, vigilantly scanning their surroundings, his hand clutching a palm-sized boat, shimmering with chaotic light.

The Roaming Ark rested in the hands of Gou Dun, the founder of the Imperial Palace of Gouchen, who regretted the loss of their double treasures due to an unforeseen attack.

Zhen Chao nodded solemnly, "It's him. Over three thousand years ago, when I was incognito traveling through the celestial realm, I saw him from a distance. The essence of one's life mark, no matter how it transforms, remains unchanged."

The "Evil Dragon" was a figure from three thousand five hundred years ago, a notorious entity predating the likes of Fang Yuzhu and the Ming Blood Patriarch by five hundred years.

Gou Dun commented, "Those with special Inner Landscapes are truly fearsome. They were thought to be dead, yet they live again. Without a doubt, he is beyond this world, especially adept at concealing his presence, blending into the void. That he managed to ambush you is testament to his prowess."

Blood mist steamed around Zhen Chao, signaling his recovery. He said gravely, "It wasn't just him; those who acted with him are equally formidable. The one with the golden soul, whose celestial radiance blinds even the top immortals, possesses astonishing strength. And the man in the silver robe, emanating a scent of decay yet also vibrant with the aura of rebirth, seems to have mastered the highest realms of the Demonic Embryo Technique. Such individuals, moving together, are indeed terrifying."

The Evil Dragon wasn't acting alone. After the ambush, he had accomplices who helped pursue the Ascension Banner.

"He even marked the Ascension Banner with his blood during the ambush. I fear he might find that treasure before us, making it impossible to retrieve."

"Let's continue the chase!" Seeing Zhen Chao had recovered, Gou Dun immediately activated the Roaming Ark, and everyone boarded to pursue further.

However, the Ascension Banner had vanished through the void, leaving no trace.

"There's movement in the west. It... has appeared again!" Possessing the Roaming Ark, they had the upper hand in speed, arriving first at the scene.

The Evil Dragon, the being with the golden soul, and the founder of the Demonic Embryo Technique, cloaked in a silver cape, along with their followers, also arrived almost simultaneously. They were nearby.

"You dare to come here, seeking death!" The two founders, filled with murderous intent, propelled the Wandering Boat forward, aiming to seize the Ascension Banner and eliminate their adversaries.

However, against all expectations, the Ascension Banner lightly floated and, after a slight resistance, landed in the hands of Qi Tian, the Evil Dragon.

"Qi Tian!" Zhen Chao of the Superlative Palace was both shocked and furious. The treasure he had lost and regained was now willingly falling into the hands of Qi Tian, the Evil Dragon?

"Qi Tian, is that the person from over three thousand years ago?" From afar, a group from the celestial realm also pursued, and upon hearing that name, a wave of astonishment rippled through them.

The Evil Dragon, whose real name was Qi Tian, possessed a unique Inner Landscape and was renowned for illuminating the last centuries of antiquity, a true prodigy.

"Resurrected from the dead?" Many in the celestial realm were stunned.

"You should stop competing with me. Since my true self revived in the celestial realm, I've had my eyes on the Ascension Banner. For it, I practiced all the remaining scriptures of that super civilization it belonged to. Each time it appeared, I made efforts to be close, feeding it my blood seven times over the years, gradually earning its recognition. Opportunities are reserved for those who are prepared. What do you have to compete with me?"

Qi Tian, the Evil Dragon, made such a statement, revealing his long-term connection with the Ascension Banner. He hadn't forcibly seized it but resonated with it through the scriptures and secrets of its era, feeding it with blood containing these scriptures and the essence of the Dao, gradually gaining its recognition.

"Unconvinced? Then let's battle. I'm also interested in acquiring more than just the Roaming Ark!" Qi Tian initiated the attack, leading his people into the fray.

"We... must go!" Zhen Chao and Gou Dun made the difficult decision to flee aboard the Roaming Ark at high speed. It wasn’t a matter of cowardice but the fear of being ambushed.

The presence of the Evil Dragon and his companions was already formidable enough, and if the ancient madman wielding the Mortal Sword also arrived, they would surely perish here, especially since this was the celestial realm, the territory of others, where numerous masters resided.

"Leave the treasures behind!" Indeed, along the way, many attempted to halt their escape, tearing through the sky to intercept them.

Most terrifyingly, at the edge of the celestial realm, the darkness of the adjacent void suddenly opened an eye as large as the moon, a colossal claw descending.

"The creature from the Departed Lands!" Gou Dun exclaimed in shock as the massive claw, covered in scales, overshadowed the world, daring to directly smash the treasures.

Had Wang Xuan and the Ferryman been present, they would have been startled to see that the eye opening resembled the moon within the realm of demise.

"This is a creature-type supreme treasure crafted by a previous mythological civilization, but it was a failure, becoming a semi-matured biological treasure. It's surprising to see it appear here!" Zhen Chao revealed its origins.

In the past, dissatisfied with the limited number of treasures capable of reaching the Sovereign Dao Realm, some sought to elevate themselves to that domain.

Despite pooling the essence of a super civilization, they only managed to marginally enhance the physical body of that era's strongest creature to near the Sovereign Dao level. However, the creature's spirit shattered during the process, ruining it.

"Avoid it; there's no need for a direct confrontation!"

The Roaming Ark, unparalleled in speed among all treasures, blurred through time and space. They piloted the boat, vanishing abruptly and escaping through the celestial realm.

Elsewhere, a silver giant wolf leaped out of the void, launching a surprise attack on Qi Tian, the Evil Dragon, attempting to snatch the Ascension Banner.

Additionally, some individuals in white lab coats, resembling researchers, employed various strange weapons to fiercely attack Qi Tian, trying to seize the supreme treasure.

"The creature from the realm of demise has also jumped out? Oh, you are the Demon Emperor Bai Ye, who was killed by Fang Yuzhu. Your corpse was taken by the people of the realm of demise and revived."

Qi Tian, unfazed, blended into the void. With a puff, he sent a group of enemies flying, some directly disintegrating. The Ascension Banner glowed, sweeping across.

The ancient Demon Emperor Bai Ye desperately dodged but still had one of his hind leg and his tail severed, wailing in agony. Crushing an ancient celestial talisman, he vanished, escaping the scene.

"The Evil Dragon has obtained the Ascension Banner?" On their way back, hearing this news weighed heavily on Wang Xuan's heart, boding ill omens.

Once this man wields a supreme treasure, who among the vast expanses of the four major star realms—technology beings, immortals, deities, and celestial practitioners—could possibly check his power? He stands almost peerless!

"I'll send you all back, but I cannot descend on both the New and Old Worlds myself." Wang Xuan realized the extreme peril he was in. Among those he knew, only Fang Yuzhu and the shadowy couple could contend with a transcendent being like Qi Tian.

"I must cultivate further; I need to ascend to even greater heights!" He decided to venture into the realm of the void. Now, not a moment could be spared; he had to break through yet again.

Now capable of wielding the complete supreme treasure—the Life Preserving Furnace—he planned to take it to the realm of the ethereal. With the aid of this treasure, he might be able to directly traverse the meteor channel, to ascend and see for himself what this so-called true source was all about.