The Stars Beyond

The New World underwent a relatively rational planning process during its development, and natural resources were not destroyed. There were all kinds of magnificent landscapes such as pristine forests, large lakes and swamps, Danxia landforms, majestic mountains, and desert sunsets.　　

However, for the human habitats, each city appeared modern and futuristic, filled with a sense of technology. Many skyscrapers seemed to pierce the clouds.　　

The cities were all large, with wetlands, large lakes, and so on in it. Various small spaceships flowed endlessly, flying through the high skies, while hovercars traveled along their designated routes in midair.　　

When Wang Xuan and Celestial Sword Maiden arrived and vaguely sensed the aura of the Banner of Severance, they set off immediately and headed eastward towards the coastal city.　　

Along the way, when passing by Pingyuan City, he was slightly distracted. The Qin Family, one of the five super-rich families in the New World, was located here. They possessed a mothership that was excavated from the moon and black technology that surpassed this era was stored inside it.　　

"The Qin Family has completely evacuated," said Wang Xuan. 　　

Initially, this conglomerate was very powerful. They had once bombarded the transcendents in the Great Barrier with a super battleship, causing a great uproar.　　

"Qin Hong, initially disdainful of martial artists, became cautious later on and stopped mentioning the transcendents. He is indeed lucky for being alive and escaped sucessfully," he murmured. Wang Xuan didn't linger and quickly left.　　

Jiang Qingyao, on the other hand, glanced around a bit more. Because there were quite a few transcendents in the city who had integrated well into modern life.　　

It wasn't until they passed by Kangning City that Wang Xuan stopped. Too many things had happened here. The Sun Family's headquarters were here, and Wang Xuan had engaged in serious conflicts with them, fighting to the death.　　

They surrounded him with robots, bombarded him with battleships, and sent experts wielding exotic treasures to hunt him down repeatedly. It was indeed very dangerous for Wang Xuan, who had just entered the Transcendent Realm to experience numerous life-threatening situations.　　

During this journey, he also gained a lot. The golden gourd, ancient lamp, Soul-Binding Bell, Godslaying Banner, and Golden Bamboo Slip were all obtained from the Sun Family.　　

"Those who were alive have fled without a trace," muttered Wang Xuan. He hadn't shown any mercy to the Sun Family, killing a large number of people, including many high-ranking members.　　

But he was ultimately a modern man and couldn't let himself slaughter an entire city. Since he hadn't stirred up any trouble with the unrelated people of the Sun Family after the incident, he didn't pursue the matter further.　　

He didn't leave immediately. Instead, he gazed at the secret base of the Sun Family dozens of miles away. The mothership was gone, and the Number Five robot had also disappeared long ago.　　

"There's a residue aura of the evil spirits!" Jiang Qingyao spoke up. She possessed a semi-mature Spiritual Eye, far surpassing the means of the immortals, and was the first to detect the clues.　　

"Yes, there was once a nest of evil spirits there. Since they're gone, there's no need to bother about it anymore," said Wang Xuan. Then, the two of them hurried to the eastern coast.　　

The aura of the Banner of Severance had flashed and disappeared here before. Wang Xuan felt that someone had obtained it and had hidden it away, after realizing it resonated with the distant Godslaying Banner.　　

He once again activated the Godslaying Banner, but this time, he only sensed a faint response in the sea, as if it had been cut off.　　

"Not bad," said the Celestial Sword Maiden, commenting on the way the other person hid their aura. In this special era, being able to conceal one's aura meant either possessing considerable strength or having special tools such as inner landscape artifacts.　　

"Could it be that the person is fishing?" Wang Xuan pondered.　　

There was no way around it, this had become a common occurrence. From the initial Chen Yongjie to the Departed Land Moon, where he blatantly cast his fishing line, he encountered a group of old fishermen on the path of cultivation, leaving him with plenty to think about.　　

He was a little suspicious. Could it be the work of the Evil Dragon? Until now, Qi Tian had surprisingly remained silent, keeping Wang Xuan on guard all this time.　　

Fortunately, it could be confirmed that Qi Tian, who had the Ascension Banner, was still in the Land of the Undying and had not gone far.　　

Silently, he and Celestial Sword Maiden entered Tai City on the coast. This was the Zhou Family's headquarters, where Zhou Yun, Ling Wei's cousin, resided.　　

"Zhou Yun, how have you been lately? Are you at home?" Wang Xuan borrowed a passerby's phone and dialed the long-lost number while on the way.　　

"Who's this? Hey, wait, is it Little Wang!" At first, Zhou Yun was puzzled when he saw the unfamiliar number, but he quickly recognized the voice.　　

In the New World, he and Zhong Qing and Zhong Cheng, along with Wang Xuan, had a close relationship. They had ventured into the Secret Land together and had gone through many hardships together.　　

Earlier on, Wang Xuan had beaten Zhou Yun twice back in the Old World. Of course, one of those times was during the fight for the Five Golden Pages under Qingcheng Mountain, where Zhou Yun was unaware that Wang Xuan had changed his identity.　　

Zhou Yun still grumbled to this day, saying that there was a mixed-blood kid with blue eyes in the Old World who was his enemy. Wang Xuan used too much power on him, his first broken bone was caused by Wang Xuan.　　

"Long time no see, Little Wang. I'm so bored now. All my former friends, familiar faces, I can't see any of them anymore. Either they've run off into the unknown of outer space, or they're stuck at home like me, just being honest and staying put. When will this end?" said Zhou Yun.　　

Zhou Yun entertained Wang Xuan and Celestial Sword Maiden in the mansion outside the city. Looking at Jiang Qingyao, he couldn't help but wonder if she was really a Celestial Maiden?　　

He used to boast that when the transcendents returned, he would try to marry a Celestial Maiden. As a result, his grandfather beat him with a cane for two days straight, nearly breaking his leg, and wouldn't let him out of the house.　　

"I suddenly feel that life is colorless even though I have three girlfriends. Compared to you, it's like living in a black and white world," he sighed.　　

Recently, he had been cooped up here, and hearing about some of Wang Xuan's experiences made him envious yet helpless. They were too thrilling.　　

As for the Land of the Undying, the depths of the universe, within the Great Veil of the Immortal Realm, and the Peerless Transcendents Battle, he could only sigh. Those were other people's stories, and he could only listen to them. He couldn't bear that kind of excitement if he were to experience it himself.　　

"Have there been any abnormal situations in the sea to the east recently?" Wang Xuan asked him. The Zhou Family was a local bigwig here, and one of the rare conglomerates that hadn't left, so their information should be sensitive.　　

"There haven't been any major incidents in the sea, just occasional storms. It's probably the returning transcendent beings sparring. It hasn't affected the lives of ordinary people," said Zhou Yun, reporting to Wang Xuan.　　

Soon, he used his family's connections to gather more information. The Zhou Family's detectors were spread throughout this area.　　

"In the sea, not far away, there's a deserted island. It's said that it has emitted light several times at night," said Zhou Yun.　　

"Ah, I see." Wang Xuan felt that he couldn't glean too much from him. The returning immortals, the real powerhouses, had incredibly strong anti-surveillance abilities after integrating into modern society.　　

"Here, have some special delicacies." Wang Xuan took out many rare ingredients and fruits from the Immortal Realm.　　

"Wow, are these delicacies only found at immortal banquets? Little Wang, brother Wang, you're so classy!" exclaimed Zhou Yun. He was ecstatic, especially when he heard those mythical names like Roc Meat and Sea God Clam. He could hardly believe it.　　

"If you can't finish them, give them to acquaintances. Hmm, I'll send some to the people I used to know," said Wang Xuan.　　

Back in the Old World, he had distributed some, and when he sent Chen Yongjie and Zhao Qinghan to the isolated planet, he left a lot behind. But there were still plenty left in the gourd.　　

He believed that after the end of the transcendental era, this gourd might not be able to open anymore. As for the spatial containers like the fragments of the Blessed Land, it was even more unthinkable. They would either be shattered or turned into ordinary items.　　

"Don't tell anyone that you've seen me. Keep a low profile in this recent time," said Wang Xuan, instructing him. He absolutely should not show off. After the limelight passed, it wouldn't be too late to send these things to old friends.　　

"Don't worry, I won't go anywhere, let alone show off. By the way, how is Huang Ming and Kong Yun's Immortal Tea House doing in the Old World? Are they doing well? I'm one of the investors." Zhou Yun said.　　

Wang Xuan was speechless. He had known that he and the weasel had stirred up trouble in the New World before, but he didn't expect him to be an angel investor.　　

Wang Xuan didn't stay long and quickly left with Jiang Qingyao.　　

There were not many familiar faces left as most of them chose to leave.　　

"Professor Lin, Le Le, let's visit them again later," Wang Xuan and Celestial Sword Maiden cautiously ventured into the sea, each holding their own supreme treasures.　　

"It's actually a hidden secret realm, a celestial realm in the sea!" Even Celestial Sword Maiden was astonished.　　

This was a place higher than the Blessed Land, belonging to a hidden paradise. The concentration of transcendent material was almost approaching that of the Immortal Realm, but of course, the area wasn't as vast.　　

"It's a pity. Without intertwined rules, it's destined to decay," Wang Xuan lamented.　　

The Celestial Sea Realm, adjacent to an island in the sea, led to a mysterious underwater world. After passing through a layer of light gate, they saw picturesque peaks, divine birds soaring, immortal apes leaping, and divine wolves howling at the moon.　　

Some ancient trees had been growing for thousands of years, bearing fruits of various colors, all of which were spiritual treasures.　　

But the entire small world was declining and decaying, with the concentration of transcendent material decreasing daily. Some divine trees had even begun to wither.　　

"This place is really nice. If it could remain stable, it would be suitable for seclusion and for the lives of returning immortals. But it's unsustainable. When the myth fades, this place will collapse instantly," said Jiang Qingyao, feeling regret for the demise of this pure land.　　

"The Banner of Severance is indeed here," Wang Xuan said, sensing it again.　　

Just before entering, he had specifically contacted Demon Lord and Old Zhang in the depths of the universe to investigate and confirm that Qi Tian was still in the Land of the Undying and hadn't returned. So, Wang Xuan came in calmly, not too concerned even if there were fishers here.　　

"There are some problems," Jiang Qingyao said with her sword in hand. She was walking on the pure land, looking at the lush green grass and lakes when she sensed the killing intent.　　

"The Five Elements Killing Formation, no, there's also the Reverse Five Elements Killing Formation. It's marvelously bizarre," said Jiang Qingyao. She became serious. Such formations were renowned in the Immortal Realm and could even threaten top-notch experts.　　

Wang Xuan's Spiritual Eye was sharp. Through the void, he saw the truth amidst the dense fog and said, "Interesting. There's still some residual power of rule here. It's a bit outrageous that while the Mortal Realm is withering away, and only residues of order remain, this place can still do so much. It is indeed beyond expectations."　　

"There's even the Yin-Yang Inversion Array. Was it this that hid this secret realm?" said Celestial Sword Maiden. She discovered another extraordinary formation. A hidden paradise was actually harboring various astonishing formations, and the hunters were well-prepared.　　

At this moment, the Godslaying Banner in Wang Xuan's hand grew hot, emitting heat and automatically reviving. There were interweaving golden threads that expanded forward. He found the target, saw the Banner of Severance planted on a low mountain in the pure land. It was a small silver-colored banner, about the size of a palm, identical in shape to the Godslaying Banner.　　

With one golden and one silver flag resonating, their golden and silver threads intertwined and interacted. Wang Xuan confirmed that it was indeed the Banner of Severance!　　

"You finally came. If you hadn't shown up, I would have spread the news myself to lure you here." A figure in a black robe appeared, its head and face obscured. The area around its face was like a dark void, enveloped in a silent mist of deathly stillness.　　

"Who are you? You feel somewhat… familiar? Are you waiting here to ambush me?" asked Wang Xuan, staring at him. There was no physical body within the black robe, only fluctuating spiritual energy.　　

He spoke calmly, "I am someone whose physical body was destroyed by the Banner of Severance five thousand years ago. It was a pity that my extraordinary body that was painstakingly cultivated in the mortal realm and had endured for so long in this world, was unexpectedly destroyed. I had to enter the Immortal Realm with my spirit, rebuild my body, and devour the flesh and blood of others to strengthen and restore myself."　　

"The creator of the Demonic Embryo Technique?!" Wang Xuan realized his identity and was truly surprised.　　

Unfazed, he asked, "Do you want to capture me and take the Godslaying Banner?"　　

The man in the black robe spoke plainly, "And your physical body. It's perfect for residing in this world. I need a body like yours, with a special inner landscape."　　

"I consider myself quite peaceful. I haven't actively provoked you, but I've always been targeted. Then I have no choice but to kill, to send you monsters off one by one!" Wang Xuan declared.　　

"Can the Godslaying Banner and the Banner of Severance truly merge?" Celestial Sword Maiden asked.　　

"It's possible," the man in the black robe smiled and said, "I'm also looking forward to it. Today, we can try to merge the two banners into one."　　

"I'm looking forward to it even more!" Wang Xuan said and smiled too.　　

"Hmm? This place…" Celestial Sword Maiden's expression suddenly changed. She scanned around. She had studied formations extensively, all in order to survive better in the Immortal Realm.　　

"The Number One Killing Formation of the Immortal Realm?!" She shouted and couldn't stay calm.　　

The man in the black robe nodded and said, "Exactly. The Dao Harnessing Formation, or to be precise, the remains of the Dao Harnessing Formation. Without supreme treasures as the foundation, it can only be considered a flawed formation. But it's enough to kill one or two of the top experts in the mortal realm."　　

There was only one Tao Shielding level formation in ancient times, it was the result of multiple civilizations' efforts. But it was said to have been lost long ago. Celestial Sword Maiden didn't expect to encounter it here.　　

Such a high-level formation required supreme treasures as banners. Once fully activated, it would demonstrate its power to kill gods and Buddhas alike, it could even extinguish the peerless transcendents with ease!　　

"The name of this killing formation is quite apt, isn't it? Is it destiny?" Wang Xuan spoke.　　

The man in the black robe nodded and said, "Yes, it's destiny. With your physical body, if we can merge the two banners and recreate the Dao Harnessing Banner, we can perfectly complement this killing formation in the future. Who can resist then? It's destiny!"