The Stars Beyond

Chapter 57: A Dazzling Finale

Chen Kai was in his early fifties and, at a glance, was no ordinary man. Though he tried to maintain the appearance of someone who was unremarkable, there was an unmistakable, almost tangible beam of light that flashed when he blinked.

"Is there no room for negotiation?" Chen Kai inquired.

Old Chen had known him when they were younger. Chen Kai was once a part of their organization. Later, he ventured off to the New Star and vanished for almost three decades. Without a doubt, during those thirty years, he and a group of like-minded individuals delved deep into the mysteries of the New Arts in a faraway land. Now, he stands as a Grandmaster.

"What do you think?" Old Chen retorted, his voice icy.

Chen Kai sighed. They had triggered a major health issue within Old Chen, initially assuming it would quickly end his life. Yet, seeing him now, it was clear Old Chen still had fight left in him.

"Well, then there's nothing left to discuss!" Chen Kai responded bluntly.

Suddenly, Old Chen retreated with blinding speed, leaving behind a mere afterimage. With a resonant boom, the ground where he once stood exploded into a vast crater, with rocks and soil melting away. Old Chen had long cultivated a spiritual realm few had ever achieved, granting him an almost precognitive awareness. This allowed him to evade danger just in the nick of time.

In an instant, silver light trailed behind him, as if a pair of shimmering wings had unfurled. This was a thruster developed by the Wu family, propelling him forward at breakneck speed. His target was a mech, the very one that had just fired an energy cannon at him.

The mech unleashed a barrage of shots, attempting to halt his advance. But it was too late. With a dazzling silver tail light tracing his rapid maneuvers, Old Chen was already up close.

"Crack!"

In his grasp, a 5-foot black sword descended, cleaving the mech with brutal force. Blood oozed from the gash as the shattered mech collapsed. Swiftly changing his stance, Old Chen showed no signs of relenting. He cleaved through another three mechs in succession, with sparks flying and blood spilling.

When Old Chen got close within the ranks of the mechs, his onslaught was unstoppable. Of the four latest model mech that stood in his way, none survived. All were annihilated by Old Chen's blade, both pilots and mechs destroyed utterly.

Without a hint of mercy, he struck the three other mechs down in one fell swoop. They had attempted to lock onto him previously. Their intentions were clear. There was no reason to hold back. The onlookers were astounded. A practitioner of the Old Arts, achieving such prowess, was nearly godlike!

With his black sword in hand, Old Chen steadily made his way back. Though his breath was labored, his presence remained awe-inspiring, causing a palpitation in the hearts of many. Every step he took on the ground resonated unease amongst those in the realm of the New Arts.

Grandmaster Chen Kai sighed softly. Indeed, Chen Yongjie was an enigma. He had always feared that once Old Chen broke through certain barriers and overcome the limits of his flesh, no one could match him. And now, he felt that handling Old Chen was proving to be a formidable challenge.

Old Chen's voice was deep and resonant. "In truth, had you not sought me out, within a few more years, I would've been unable to contain the problems with my internal organs. But you feared my potential breakthrough and wished to eliminate me preemptively. So, I apologize, but today, I will not hold back."

By the end of his statement, Old Chen let out a mighty roar, causing the entire plateau to tremble. Even the nearby mountains echoed back his terrifying scream. Qing Mu's face turned ashen. It was evident that he was deeply concerned about his master's state.

Wang Xuan sighed, "Don't worry, Old Chen is tough."

At this moment, Qingmu wished Wang Xuan's words would ring true, praying for the safety of his master. He desperately hoped his master would remain unharmed and not meet his end in the Congling Mountains.

Boom!

The battle erupted with Chen Kai launching the first strike. A blinding beam of light shot out from his forehead. Around him, space seemed to distort, becoming hazy and blurred.

"Ah..."

Screams of agony echoed nearby. Many clutched their heads, overwhelmed by intense pain, and hastily retreated. Others, with weaker wills, felt a mysterious force assail them, their vision darkening and bodies faltering.

"What kind of sorcery is this?" Many were taken aback, scrambling to retreat.

Wu Yin felt a nagging headache. It was an unsettling sensation. She and Wang Xuan were both quite close to Old Chen, positioned not far from the heart of the looming confrontation. Compared to others, she seemed to fare better, as some nearer the frontlines had already been incapacitated by the pain.

"Fall back!" Qing Mu ordered, rallying those who practiced the Old Arts, hoisting unconscious comrades over their shoulders, and swiftly distancing themselves from the battlefield. Those from the New Arts faction experienced similar distress, with many collapsing.

"It's a form of psychic assault, accompanied by hallucinations. Keep your distance, and you'll be fine!" Wang Xuan diagnosed the situation, guiding Wu Yin away from the heart of the conflict. Old Wu shot a glare at Wang Xuan, who coolly returned it with a brief glance, guiding Wu Yin's arm as they retreated to a safer distance.

"Is Old Chen going to be alright?" Many of them stared at the fight, their faces pale, their heads spinning.

Even Old Wu could not spare a moment to glare at Wang Xuan any longer, his gaze was fixed on the battlefield. The area felt ominously sinister, as if it possessed the capability to kill using a psychic force field alone. If Chen Kai got any closer with such a technique, he could instantly take many lives.

Many were uneasy, their concerns mounting for Old Chen. Because there he stood, holding his black sword, motionless, neither stepping forward nor swinging his weapon.

Only Wang Xuan remained unfazed. He felt utterly at ease. To challenge Old Chen in a battle of mental prowess? It’s a death wish.

Just who does he think Old Chen is?

Despite his age, the man was a formidable figure with a powerful mental fortitude. He once clashed with a monk from the Buddhist sect, a man renowned for his ethereal abilities. The monk tried to assault Old Chen psychically all night, yet by morning, Old Chen was unscathed and even sought out Wang Xuan to settle scores. Qing Mu too was composed, fully aware that his master had developed a spiritual domain many years ago.

Indeed, as those who followed the Old Arts path worried, and as those who championed the New Arts were both shocked and elated, the tides turned. Grandmaster Chen Kai screamed in agony, his psyche seeming to be in disarray. He violently shook his head and then charged at Old Chen in a maddened rampage.

In the psychic realm, the confrontation between Chen Kai and Old Chen was overwhelmingly one-sided. In a mere instant, Old Chen's psychic domain tore through the white glow emanating from Chen Kai's forehead, leaving him critically wounded.

Lifting his sword, behind his cold silver mask, Old Chen's eyes were ruthless and emotionless. With a swift, sharp sound, the dark, ominous gleam of the blade danced, followed by a surge of fresh blood.

Chen Kai had once been revered as a master of the Old Arts, but when stacked against Old Chen, he was clearly outmatched. Now, with his psyche in tatters, the gap between them seemed insurmountable. The blade, dark as the night, flashed with deadly precision. A hairline crack appeared at Chen Kai's forehead, quickly widening and traveling downward until, shockingly, he was split in half.

Blood splattered as onlookers stared, mouths agape. A Grandmaster had just been effortlessly sliced in two before their very eyes.

Amidst the shocked whispers, Old Chen stood tall and solitary, his black sword dripping blood. Beneath him lay the split corpse of the Grandmaster. With a cold, unyielding stare, he resembled a god of war, silencing the entire field. The magnitude of what had just occurred left everyone reeling. The speed and precision with which Old Chen had dispatched the Grandmaster were unparalleled.

Even aboard the super battleship, Zhong Yong, a key figure among the financial elites, found his hands shaking, dropping the valuable beast-hide he was holding.

"It's more brutal than I'd imagined," he muttered. "I had hoped their contrasting paths would make them natural adversaries, acting as checks and balances against each other. But now, three Grandmasters have fallen, and even Chen Kai lies defeated by his feet. We should send some reparation to Chen Kai's faction, as a gesture of respect."

Zhong Yong took a deep sigh and added, "Little Chen, Chen Yongjie, their losses are deeply felt. If what Chen Kai hinted at is true – that Little Chen's internal injuries are terminal – then his days are numbered. Later, let's send him a wreath. I’ll personally pen a few words of condolence."

......

Clearly, Old Chen's remarkable performance had left many in awe.

Key institutions, organizations, and influential families found themselves reevaluating their positions, leading to several significant decisions.

"With the recent advancements in the new technique realm, we thought about intervening. But after witnessing what happened, maybe it's best to hold off. They've suffered enough for now," one of them commented.

"Regarding the Old Arts, we should channel more resources their way. They still warrant our support."

...

"Old Chen's power is truly something else," Wang Xuan marveled, noting the ease with which he defeated a Grandmaster. It was an achievement that would certainly be remembered.

Wu Yin mused, "This striking victory of Grandmaster Chen will likely serve as a turning point for those committed to the Old Arts. The major families and organizations might shift some resources back to them."

"What resources are you referring to?" Wang Xuan asked, puzzled.

Wu Yin elaborated, "There had been a plan in place, starting with a few Old Arts experimental classes, to try and expand support for these methods. Additionally, there was a batch of powerful elixirs set aside for the students of these classes. However, just as this was about to proceed, news arrived from the new technique domain about a significant breakthrough, a method to extend life. So at the last moment, the elixirs were reallocated to them."

At that moment, Wang Xuan seemed lost in thought, piecing together various implications. A surge of anger welled up within him. Had the proponents of the new technique essentially... undercut him? And they had done so without his knowledge.

Wu Yin elaborated, revealing a closely guarded secret.

Major families, research institutes, and other organizations had once collaborated to unlock an ancient relic site underground. From it, they extracted several seeds which still held vitality. They attempted to cultivate these seeds, and to their surprise, each one sprouted. The records within the relic site indicated that these herbs were once treasured by major sects in ancient times. They were intended specifically for the cultivation of young disciples, known to considerably enhance one's constitution and drastically reduce the time needed for training.

Upon successful cultivation and subsequent testing, the organizations were convinced they had acquired potent elixirs, too intense for ordinary people. Yet, for those practicing the traditional techniques, these elixirs were immeasurably valuable, offering incredible benefits.

"It's clear. The proponents of the new technique deliberately leaked information at a critical juncture to snatch this opportunity away!" Wang Xuan concluded, convinced of this narrative.

The battle was nearing its end.

Old Chen, with his dark blade in hand, advanced toward Mo Hai and Xia Qing.

The two Grandmasters of the New Arts realm stood up, left with no choice but to desperately attempt a breakout. They felt an ominous aura around Old Chen. They were fully aware that they could not possibly match his power at the moment.

Boom!

A blinding burst of white light erupted as Mo Hai struck first, launching a beam of energy at Old Chen, using the distraction to make a swift escape.Xia Qing seized the opportunity to flee as well. Pride mattered little at this point; survival was paramount. Falling here would be the ultimate loss.

Swinging his mysterious black blade, Old Chen dissipated the blinding beam and pursued Mo Hai. Along the way, he dealt a crushing blow to Xia Qing.

Xia Qing's arms broke upon impact. She tried to lift them in defense but was overwhelmingly outmatched. Her arm exploded in the clash, and previous injuries were exacerbated. Wounds tore open, revealing ghastly holes that oozed blood. Yet, even in this dire state, she managed to evade death, being hurled away and scrambling to safety.

Nearby, Mo Hai was cornered. Letting out a resigned sigh, he turned to face his adversary, fighting back with all he had. But his efforts were in vain. Old Chen delivered a decisive blow, severing Mo Hai's head from his shoulders. The head rolled several meters away, marking a grim end for the Grandmaster.

Old Chen turned, attempting to pursue Xia Qing once more. However, his body suddenly wavered. A searing pain surged from his chest, making him gasp for breath. Unable to maintain his pace, he clutched at his heart, halting his chase.

Wang Xuan, noticing this, was the first to rush towards him, deeply concerned for his elder's well-being.

"Master!" Qing Mu shouted in distress.

Soon, a group of followers were sprinting towards the scene. As Wang Xuan raced forward, his path inevitably crossed with the fleeing Grandmaster Xia Qing.

Xia Qing's eyes were cold and filled with disdain. It seemed she had misunderstood Wang Xuan's intentions. "A mere youngster dares to stand in my way?" she thought, anger evident in her gaze.

With one of her arms already lost, with her remaining arm broken and hanging limply by her side, Xia Qing gathered strength from her legs. She pushed off the ground, aiming a fierce kick in Wang Xuan's direction.

Wang Xuan's pupils shrunk, the very idea of facing off against a Grandmaster made every hair on his body stand on end. He felt trapped. There was no way to evade her attack. But if fate had thrown this challenge his way, then there was only one choice: fight with every ounce of strength he possessed.

Without hesitation, he activated the martial art technique left behind by Zhang Daoling, the initial move recorded on the Golden Book. Worried of being instantly slain by the Grandmaster, Wang Xuan's heart raced, and his strength surged to its utmost limit. He leapt into the air and launched a powerful kick, deciding offense was the best defense.

However, Xia Qing's injuries were too severe. As she pushed off the ground, the gaping wound on her chest tore even wider due to the force of her movement. She grunted in pain, an agony incomprehensible to most, especially since part of her heart had been shattered by Old Chen's earlier attack. Rather than successfully leaping, she stumbled, nearly collapsing onto the ground.

Seizing this opportunity, Wang Xuan's eyes blazed with determination. He landed a solid kick near the gory hole in her chest. The impact of that kick exploded within her, its potency drawn from the martial technique left by Zhang Daoling. Even though it was just the initial move, its power was astoundingly fearsome.

Xia Qing screamed as her internal organs ruptured. The force sent her flying backward, crashing heavily onto the ground. She rolled violently for a moment and then lay motionless.

This marked the death of yet another Grandmaster.

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