The Stars Beyond

Chapter 272: A Real Appearance

In the dimly lit bar, with its soothing music and familiar faces gathered around, the sound of clinking glasses filled the air. The glittering liquid in their cups swayed, and the fragrance of alcohol was pervasive, evoking a sense of time fleeting.

Wang Xuan didn't know how much he had drunk. Looking at the familiar classmates across and beside him, he felt a sense of displacement in time and space.

Just a few days ago, he had confronted the Celestials, and for many days, he had been immersed in studying the essence of the vanishing myths and exploring the secrets behind the decline of the transcendent.

Now, sitting in the bar, toasting with acquaintances amidst the hazy lights, he felt a sense of calm and tranquility of the mortal world. This felt more real to him, as if everything he had pursued before was too elusive.

"Wang Xuan, don't space out. Have another one," someone called, and their glasses clinked again with a light 'ding'.

Since returning from the Hidden Land over three months ago, knowing he was on New Star, some university classmates had enthusiastically invited him to get together. But with various troubles at the time, he could only decline, delaying it until now.

Having unsuccessfully pursued the traces of Celestials, Wang Xuan returned to Su City, leading to this gathering. Those familiar, youthful faces hadn't changed much.

After dinner, Qin Cheng, being somewhat of a local authority in Su City, led everyone to this bar for drinks.

"Can I interview you, Wang Xuan? What does it feel like to become a Sword Immortal?" Su Chan asked with a smile. She was always vivacious and playful, now full of curiosity.

"It feels unreal, like a dream. Maybe one day I'll suddenly wake up," Wang Xuan replied. He could clearly feel the increasing ebb of transcendence.

Soon, everything would reset to the beginning. The accidental myth would permanently dissipate, leaving the world undisturbed, ordinary the norm.

Is this the near future? Wang Xuan pondered, somewhat lost in thought.

"I never imagined you'd come this far on the path of the ancient arts. It's only been a few months, and you're already battling mythical beings," Su Chan remarked, feeling even more incredulous than Wang Xuan. These events seemed like unbelievable stories passed down through generations.

"Hey, Wang Xuan, do you think I can become a Sword Immortal?" Zhou Kun asked, his eyebrows delicate and his usual melancholic demeanor replaced by a more carefree attitude after a few drinks.

Qin Cheng had often gotten valuable information from him back in the day. Of course, Zhou Kun was willing to share, sometimes pretending to be drunk to leak information to Qin Cheng and Wang Xuan.

"You should just practice casually for physical fitness. The overall environment has changed," Wang Xuan advised.

"I really didn't expect you to be able to fight with the Celestials from the legends. What happened in the end at the Golden Summit Battle?" Kong Yi inquired.

During their university days, he didn't interact much with Wang Xuan due to pursuing Ling Wei. However, they cleared the air over drinks at graduation.

"Immortals and mortals, separated by the curtain of the Celestials... What else could happen? From now on, we live our separate lives," Wang Xuan shook his head.

The future of the Celestials was uncertain. Some would perish with the curtain, while others who emerged might trigger the final upheaval of the immortals.

"Are you guys still practicing the New Art?" Wang Xuan asked.

"I've been on and off with it, not very consistent," Zhou Kun admitted, though many of their classmates were still pursuing that path. Some had even ventured into deep space to continue their journey.

"Five of our classmates have passed away," Su Chan sighed softly, her youthful and vibrant face shadowed with sadness in the dim light of the bar.

She, Zhou Kun, Kong Yi, Li Qingzhu, Xu Wenbo, and others were the kind who would practice when they could, but would return to take over their family businesses if it didn't work out, coming from mid-sized financial families.

"I've been feeling motivated again lately and want to become a transcendent," Li Qingzhu spoke up, breaking the brief melancholy. She exuded an air of quiet intellect and calm.

"Just let it be. Even the Celestials are anxious now," Wang Xuan commented. He thought of advising them against the New Art, considering its unreliability, but then realized the transcendent world itself was collapsing, and the New Art would dissipate with it, so he refrained.

The others fell silent, slightly amused and awed. It's not every day someone casually mentions Celestials, but considering Wang Xuan had been battling legendary beings from beyond the curtain just days ago, they could only be lost in thought and aspiration.

"I might be out of a job as a transcendent soon and might need to rely on you guys for support," Wang Xuan joked.

"Then go to Zhao Goddess or Ling Wei, let them take care of you!" Su Chan quipped, unafraid to speak her mind.

Zhou Kun, more serious, asked, "In three years, will those mythical beings, the ancient immortals, really appear and become mortals?"

Wang Xuan was surprised that even they knew about this. Initially, only a few people and the top echelons of the major financial families were informed through dreams about these secrets. Now, it seemed the news was spreading quickly, even reaching classmates with some background.

Kong Yi, usually aloof and once a romantic rival, had improved his relationship with Wang Xuan. He asked in a low voice, "Will the immortals really become mortals? Will the celestial maidens from ancient myths have to marry in modern society?"

Wang Xuan was speechless at his high-cold friend's question.

Kong Yi quickly explained, "Don't get me wrong. I'm just worried that those beautiful beings from myths, once fallen to the mortal world, might have tragic fates, leading to regret and sorrow."

Wang Xuan patted his shoulder, saying, "Those who have survived till now are not simple at all. They're stronger than us. Those with poor adaptability have long perished in ancient times."

"It's not impossible to marry a female immortal. Give it a year or so, and the timing might just be right," a man passing by with a drink in his hand stopped to add, smiling warmly at them. He appeared to be in his late twenties, exuding an elegant and radiant charm, and raised his glass in a gesture to the group.

Kong Yi, Su Chan, Li Qingzhu, and the others were taken aback by the man's aura, finding his presence striking and somewhat ethereal.

Wang Xuan sat in tense anticipation, ready to confront whatever might come his way. The man sitting next to him was no stranger; he was the same enigmatic figure Wang Xuan had once released from the Inner Landscape in the Old World.

Their last encounter had been quite surreal. As the mystical realm opened, the man greeted Wang Xuan and Old Chen with a radiant smile and a toast before drifting away into the unknown. Now, here he was again, unexpectedly reappearing in the New World.

The man took a seat beside Wang Xuan, nodding in acknowledgment. Their glasses clinked in a silent toast, each aware of the unspoken words hanging in the air. The transcendent world was collapsing, and it seemed even those who had lurked in its depths were now emerging into the open.

Wang Xuan maintained his composure. He suspected the man's visit wasn't just a social call. Perhaps he was seeking Wang Xuan's assistance to return to his true form. As he weighed their potential confrontation, Wang Xuan surprisingly found himself feeling calm, a stark contrast to his usual wariness around ancient beings.

Their eyes met and they both smiled, though the meanings behind their smiles were worlds apart.

Su Chan, ever the lively and inquisitive one, chimed in, "You have a kind of celestial vibe about you, almost like Wang Xuan. Who are you, exactly?"

The man's response came with a charming, disarming smile. "I ascended to immortality during the Eastern Han Dynasty." His words drew curious glances from the nearby tables, especially from the women.

Wang Xuan stayed quiet, considering the man's claim likely true. Times were changing, with immortals now walking among the ordinary, seemingly becoming a new norm.

Su Chan, not quite buying it, rolled her eyes at the tall tale.

Qin Cheng, sensing Wang Xuan's silent acknowledgment, eagerly asked, "Great immortal, do you think I have a chance of marrying a celestial maiden?"

The man let out a light chuckle and shook his head. "It's a long shot for you," he said, then turned to Wang Xuan. "But this guy here, he’s definitely got a shot. He doesn’t need my help; celestial maidens would willingly marry him."

"Careful with your words, immortal," Wang Xuan interjected with a slight smile. His mind was already racing with plans. Perhaps it was time to hunt for those metamorphic artifacts and reopen the Inner Landscape.

In his recent encounter, he had managed to vanquish Huang Kun and extinguish the divine essence within his true bone. This gave Wang Xuan a newfound confidence in his ability to gauge the strength of these otherworldly beings.

He thought about the ancient temples and Taoist ancestral grounds, resting places for the true bones of past sages and patriarchs. He had no intention of disturbing them, wary of the potential karmic backlash.

He couldn't help but worry that if he did, he might soon find himself at the center of an all-out offensive by the immortals.

Wang Xuan weighed the possibility of tracking down and confronting the true bones of his adversaries. If successful, it might give him a chance to forcibly open the Inner Landscape.

“I'm not joking; this is the real deal. Would you like me to show you?” the enigmatic man offered with a smile, then turned serious. “When will you help me pass over?”

“I’m barely managing myself. I only have one life to live and can't help an immortal cross over,” Wang Xuan replied, shaking his head.

The man pressed on, “It won’t harm your cultivation. I’ll offer you ample compensation. There’s a divine herb nurtured in the Taoist ancestral grounds. It’s likely still there, at least in part, or maybe its seeds. How about I give it to you? Even if your foundation is damaged, this can restore it.”

Wang Xuan was visibly moved. Who was this person, able to offer such an extraordinary item?

Qin Cheng, Kong Yi, and Su Chan were dumbfounded. The more they heard, the more incredulous it all seemed. Was this man truly an immortal from the myths, now sitting among them?

“Great immortal, do you take disciples? What do you think of my potential to join the ranks of the immortals?” Qin Cheng, the boldest of the group, leaned in with a glass of the most expensive liquor.

“Your talent is somewhat lacking,” the man replied with a laugh, not bothering to sugarcoat his words. “In this era, you’d be better off turning to your friend here. His potential even astonishes me.”

He was referring to Wang Xuan, aware of his unique achievement in opening the Inner Landscape as a mere mortal. Such individuals were exceedingly rare throughout history, and perhaps he was the only one left alive.

Those who possessed this unique trait had long been the target of many, leading to their untimely deaths.

Listening to him, everyone sensed the immense significance of this man.

Su Chan, Kong Yi, and Li Qingzhu looked at him intently, and Zhou Kun directly asked, “Great immortal, what do you think of me?”

The man shook his head, “The path you’re on is flawed. It’s better not to pursue it. The original experimenters tried hard for a long time and only came up with so little. It’s quite disappointing.”

The man chuckled softly, an air of divinity surrounding him. “We're in the twilight of mythology's demise. Clinging to these pursuits is now meaningless. Even I am considering a change of path.”

His voice carried a hint of melancholy as he added, “In a year, perhaps just a few months, all the gods and true immortals of the world will vanish into thin air. What we, and you, are earnestly seeking, will all turn to nothingness.”

“Handsome guy, who are you?” Su Chan couldn't help but ask. Despite knowing he might be a significant figure from history, her modern sensibilities didn't let her feel much fear.

“Yes, great immortal, who exactly are you from history?” Li Qingzhu chimed in with curiosity.

Not just them, even Wang Xuan was eager to know his identity.

“I am surnamed Zhang,” the young man replied with a smile.

While the others didn't react much, Wang Xuan was visibly shocked, finding it almost unbelievable as he gazed at the man's refined and radiant face.

Wang Xuan exclaimed, “I often mention 'Old Zhang'. It can't be that I accidentally summoned you, right?”

The man just smiled, neither confirming nor denying it, and then turned to Wang Xuan, “What do you think of my proposal? I can compensate you with the seed of the divine herb from the Taoist ancestral grounds.”

Suddenly, his body tensed, his hair standing on end in apparent shock. He quickly pulled out a bronze mirror and held it in his hand.

Wang Xuan too was startled. “What’s going on? What could make 'Old Zhang' this nervous?” he wondered.

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