The Stars Beyond

Chapter 75: Little Wang Showing His Might

Wang Xuan found himself nodding along with Old Chen's insights. Time in the Inner Landscape seemed to align with the real world, suggesting their minds were operating at an extraordinary pace. It was entirely possible that they were experiencing everything more intensely, their very cells were going through a process of ultra rapid regeneration.

Stepping out of the Inner Landscape, Wang Xuan felt more alive than ever. There was no trace of weariness or the weight of added years. Instead, his mind was sharp, and he was at peace. Even if this newfound vitality was due to the mysterious energy, and even if he had truly aged decades, there would still be some signs of mental fatigue.

The sprawling suburban estate was peaceful. Walking under the moonlit sky, Wang Xuan admired the pond filled with reeds, its surface mirroring the stars and moon. Further in the distance, the city lights painted a vivid picture. Everything felt incredibly real, grounding him and reminding him of the importance of living in the moment. Whether it was the captivating woman in red with unmatched powers or the otherworldly swordswoman radiating pride, both seemed to be striving for a connection with the present. Wang Xuan felt an inkling of their desires; if these ageless beings yearned for the present, then he, being in this reality, should cherish every moment. His path was clear: to dive deep into the ancient arts here and now.

Back in his room, Wang Xuan quickly fell into a restorative sleep. Yet, for many others, sleep was hard to come by that night. They whispered amongst themselves, fearing Old Chen might not make it through the night based on how things were unfolding. By morning, people were up and about. In a seemingly coordinated fashion, everyone wore somber black outfits, their faces etched with concern and reflection.

Many people believed that given Old Chen's deteriorating health, it was only a matter of time before they would be reading his obituary. Wang Xuan, however, seemed to be the only one with an appetite, heading to the restaurant for a buffet breakfast. He indulged in every bite, in stark contrast to the others, who appeared lost in their thoughts and whispered conversations.

Throughout the morning, everyone Wang Xuan encountered had solemn expressions, as if they were mentally preparing for a funeral service. Among the crowd, he noticed Da Wu, dressed entirely in black. The dark attire accentuated her pale complexion, and in spite of the somber mood, her figure was undeniably alluring.

Old Wu was also around, frequently sighing. He approached Qing Mu when the man appeared, and placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. Thankfully, he held back from offering premature condolences.

Qing Mu appeared forlorn and seemed at a loss for words. To onlookers, he was clearly weighed down by sorrow. In a hushed voice, Old Wu remarked, "I've reached out to the monks from the ancient temple outside Ancheng. They'll be arriving soon and will be ready outside the estate when needed."

He wanted to do his part, and had even arranged for the monks to conduct the necessary rites for Old Chen when the time came. Overhearing this, Qing Mu suddenly choked on his drink, coughing so hard tears formed in his eyes. Without knowing what else to do, he took another sip, trying to compose himself.

By mid-morning, panicked shouts emanated from Old Chen's room. His condition had taken a turn for the worse. His weakening pulse sent the medical team into a frantic rush. Discreet messages were dispatched. They bore news of the grim state of affairs.

The estate was soon buzzing with activity as representatives from various factions hurried over. Cars filled the driveway, and several small aircraft touched down on the landing pad. Prominent figures from different walks of life were in attendance. A high-ranking official from a key department personally came over, accompanied by several esteemed elders who wasted no time in entering Old Chen's room.

Outside, a sea of mournful faces in dark attire stood in silent anticipation, young and old alike. Some captured this somber moment on camera for the news broadcasts. Wang Xuan smirked to himself. Old Chen had quite the flair for the dramatic. Ever since Old Chen found out about the premature memorial preparations in his honor, he seemed to be silently tallying every single person involved.

True to form, Old Chen had the gathering wait all morning, while he himself was comfortably asleep. Several of the older dignitaries, having stood and waited all morning, started feeling their age. One by one, they left the room, backs aching and fatigue evident on their faces. The crowd outside grew increasingly restless. Didn’t the doctor announce in the morning that Old Chen was in critical condition? How had the morning gone by without any significant updates?

By noon, the crowd began to slowly dissipate, their expressions unreadable. Around 9pm, after a day-long slumber, Old Chen began to show signs of distress. At one point, he stopped breathing for a full five minutes. Despite being resuscitated, his breaths were weak and irregular, and his skin took on a pale, waxy hue. The medical staff quickly alerted everyone, feeling that this might truly be the end. They urged anyone wanting to say their final goodbyes to come quickly. People hurried back, only to leave quietly by 1am, their faces a mix of sadness and frustration.

The next morning, before the crack of dawn, the medical team noticed another alarming episode with Old Chen. But this time, they held off on any immediate notifications. After another failed attempt to revive him and confirming he hadn't breathed for nearly half an hour, they finally sent out the message. Strangely, there was a palpable sense of relief among the medical staff. They had always tried their best to bring patients back, but this time, the mounting pressure was simply too much. They hoped Old Chen would find peace.

As morning broke, those who had been kept awake by the previous night's events once again made their way back to the estate.

......

By nine in the morning, several small aircrafts started to depart from the estate, carrying away some of the elder dignitaries. They were drained. The constant back and forth, combined with a restless night and an early morning dash to Old Chen's side, only to find he was still alive and kicking, was an extremely tiring ordeal.

"Qing Mu, keep me posted if anything comes up. I need to get back and rest up," one elderly figure said, leaning on his aides as he boarded a departing ship.

Despite the odds, Old Chen clung to life, wearing out some of the elder attendees to the point of exhaustion. Everyone was at a loss for words. Several decided to pack up, preparing to leave the estate, tired of the relentless waiting.

"Old Chen sure is a fighter," someone remarked. "That old horse has been battling death around the clock, and was able to pull through time and again!"

There were murmurs about some considering withdrawing their condolence wreaths. However, not everyone left. Throughout the day, practitioners of ancient arts held discussions and friendly challenges. Their mutual exchanges and learnings drew quite the crowd. Many felt this gathering of Old Arts enthusiasts was a unique way of paying tribute to Old Chen.

"There seems to be some mischief brewing," Old Chen deduced from his bed upon catching snippets of conversation. He was unperturbed. With his grandmaster status, he felt untouchable. Even if the top figure from the modern arts tried something, he was ready, even somewhat eager.

He had intended to be bedridden for several months, to observe the drama and test loyalties. But his main hope was to meet the leading figure in the modern arts realm. Should they show up with ill intentions, Old Chen was ready to take them on. Yet, he didn't expect the signs of imminent trouble to surface so soon.

"Little Wang, if things go sideways, I'm counting on you to handle it. You've become quite the force," Old Chen commented. After mastering the third technique from the Five-Page Golden Scripture, Wang's capabilities were undeniably impressive.

Wang Xuan preferred to stay out of the spotlight, so he was hesitant to intervene in these issues. Getting involved seemed like a lot of hassle that might stir up more trouble.

Despite some leaving, many representatives from different groups had stayed behind, believing that Old Chen's end was imminent.

For instance, Old Wu had already preordered a funeral wreath and even arranged for monks in anticipation. Yet, all these preparations proved premature, and Da Wu gave him several disdainful glances as a result.

Old Chen suggested, "You're planning your deep-space exploration, right? Why not give this your best shot before leaving? And speaking of being under the radar, maybe it's time to put the Wang Xiao identity on hold. Before everything comes to a head, you can let loose. Test your strength, and when the time comes that they discover who you truly are, I'm guessing you'll be far advanced and unfazed by these old records. And remember, I've always got your back."

Wang Xuan replied with a smirk, "By the time my identity gets unveiled, or the next time we meet, I might just be the one watching over you."

Old Chen laughed, "Got quite the confidence, huh? Maybe I should bring you back down to earth while I still can."

Lost in thought, Wang Xuan considered the consequences of venturing into deep space. If his true identity was revealed, Da Wu would certainly be the first to react, and not positively. He sighed, feeling the weight of the challenges ahead. Those who wanted to keep him in the old world, away from the new realms, might intensify their tactics.

And the shadowy figure who wanted him dead, there was no guarantee that they would not employ even more drastic measures to get to him. Ultimately, Wang Xuan decided to decline Old Chen's offer, thinking it wiser to remain discreet.

Old Chen responded confidently, "I'll take care of everything. Trust me." His growth in mastery had bolstered his confidence like never before.

"I'll be having closed-door discussions with the relevant authorities soon. The issues you're concerned about? They won't be problems at all," Old Chen said with a grin. "And about those ancient levels of mastery you've been curious about? Once this is over, I'll fill you in. I'm close to mastering the art of sending dreams."

Wang Xuan's eyes widened in surprise. "Old Chen, we've just taken down a massive White Tiger demon, and now you're dabbling in this spectral realm?"

Old Chen waved off his concerns. "Don't let your imagination run wild. It's just a minor technique from the ancient arts. I'm trying to perfect it."

Soon after, Qing Mu entered, looking ashen-faced, his chest heaving. Old Chen swiftly stood up and placed a gentle palm on his chest, causing Qing Mu to spit out a mouthful of blood.

"What happened?" Old Chen demanded in a deep voice.

Wang Xuan also approached, inspecting Qing Mu's injuries. Considering Qing Mu's current strength, it was surprising to see him so gravely hurt.

"My long-time expedition partners, Black Tiger and Kite, were injured during a spar. When I went to intervene, I was ambushed..." Qing Mu recounted.

It seemed like a harmless sparring match on the surface, but once he returned, Qing Mu felt something was amiss. He had encountered a master of the old arts, whose seemingly simple strikes concealed insidious intent.

Old Chen's voice was icy as he identified the technique. "The Phantom Palm. When mastered, it releases a corrosive force. On the outside, nothing seems amiss, but inside, it causes decay. If not treated promptly, it can rot the internal organs."

His voice grew colder, "They're really getting impatient. Targeting my disciple even before I'm gone. While Qing Mu, with his status, will receive treatment and survive in the short term, this is a lingering injury. It will severely affect his health in the long run."

"Such audacity! If I had died, that'd be one thing. But I'm still here, and I've even advanced further!" Old Chen declared, his aura emanating fury.

He knew that since someone had made their move, injuring Qing Mu was just the beginning. More tactics were sure to follow.

Wang Xuan remarked, "Attacking Qing Mu in this manner could mean multiple things; it's hard to pin down."

The current scenario was indeed intricate. It could be a clash of interests or a personal vendetta. Perhaps it was an old rival seizing the opportunity, thinking that Chen's faction was weakened. Or, it might be power struggles within the exploration organization. Additionally, it could be a feeler to gauge reactions. Shaking his head, Wang Xuan said, "It's genuinely hard to guess. There are so many possibilities. It could even be that the top figure from the modern arts realm suspects you're still in good shape, Old Chen. By attacking Qing Mu, they're testing to see if you'd react."

Old Chen's face darkened. He too had thought of these possibilities. His mood darkened the more he pondered, growing more irate. If he hadn't made it this time, wouldn't someone casually dispose of Qing Mu, even causing his internal organs to rot?

"Wang, I can't venture out right now and need to rest for a while longer. You'll have to step in. Don't hold back. Whoever it is, give it your all, don't hesitate. If things go south, I've got your back, even if the sky falls," Old Chen said, his voice frosty, indicating his heightened anger.

Sighing, Wang Xuan responded, "With Qing Mu in this state and you still bedridden, it looks like it's up to me."

Having identified Qing Mu's condition, Old Chen naturally wouldn't let him suffer further. He massaged Qing Mu and delivered a series of palm strikes, significantly alleviating the damage. A move by someone who has surpassed the grandmaster level was unquestionably effective.

Old Chen asserted, "I can't move about for a while, but we still need someone to establish our dominance in the ancient arts. We must show them that our path consistently produces prodigies and powerhouses. Nobody can halt our progress. Wang, make our power known today!"

Wang Xuan and Qing Mu made their way to the reed pond behind the estate. A vast grassy expanse stretched nearby, where a crowd had gathered, all keen to watch practitioners from the ancient martial arts spar.

"Qing Mu, back for another round?" A middle-aged man greeted them with a smirk.

The two had briefly engaged before, but nothing had been concluded.

"I'll sit this one out. Not feeling my best," Qing Mu responded with composure. "But maybe you'd like to try it with Little Wang."

Upon Wang Xuan's entrance, many eyes shifted to him, curiosity evident in their glances.

An idea suddenly occurred to Wang Xuan. He had pondered many scenarios but hadn't taken his own role into account. Was the opponent's real motive to draw him out all along?

Regardless, since he was here, and considering he was planning to put the "Wang Xiao" identity on hold, there wasn't much to lose. Wang Xuan stepped forward, offered a brief nod, and squared off against the man.

"Dark Abyss Palm!" Wang Xuan announced as he recognized the man's technique, eliciting surprised murmurs from the onlookers. This technique was notoriously deceitful and dangerous within the ancient martial arts. The crowd's perception of the middle-aged man shifted.

After several exchanges, Wang Xuan mentally acknowledged the man's skill. The power behind the "Dark Abyss Palm" was truly remarkable.

"Wang Xuan's up! Let's check it out!" Da Wu said as he stood by the reed pond, watching the sparring with Lao Wu. The Wu family was eager to find skilled practitioners from the ancient martial arts to help with something, so they wouldn't miss this chance.

After a few exchanges with the middle-aged man, Wang Xuan hesitated no further. With no intention to hold back, he sent a swift, airborne kick that shot out like a lightning bolt, sending the man flying six or seven meters away. Several of the man's ribs were broken!

From afar, Zhong Qing, with her delicate and exquisite features, looked on in astonishment. She turned to an elderly man beside her, seeking confirmation with her gaze.

"That's from the Serpent-Crane Eight Style Technique, the 'Dragon-Snake Tail Whip'. He's just gotten his hands on the manual and he's already mastered it? His talent is... terrifying, even surpassing the young Old Chen!" the elder whispered.

He recognized the power behind that kick, capable of shattering massive rocks weighing tons. Wang Xuan had perfectly controlled his strength, channeling it through flesh, bones, and vital organs, creating a lethal impact. The precision was impeccable.

"He's already mastered a move this quickly?" Zhong Qing asked, taken aback once she received confirmation. She then gracefully approached the scene.

Wang Xuan narrowed his eyes. He sensed a hostile presence drawing near. It seemed he would indeed have to display his full prowess today.

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