The Stars Beyond

Chapter 81: A Binding Contract

"Is she your sister, or... are you two the same?!" Wang Xuan glanced at the Sword Immortal beside him, his heart fluttering with unease, witnessing another entity from the hidden realm.

This time was different. The figure bore an uncanny resemblance to the Sword Immortal next to him, right down to their clothing. Beyond the veil, the woman gracefully strode forward. Her pristine white robe remained untainted by the world's grit. She carried a celestial sword on her back, her flowing hair wafting behind her. With every step she took over the debris, she moved closer to the Inner Landscape's forefront.

The Sword Immortal stepped forward, placing her hand on the shimmering veil. Both their palms, identical in every detail, touched from either side of the curtain. The two Sword Immortals gazed at each other in a prolonged silence. A soft sigh resonated, clear as day right beside Wang Xuan. He instantly became alert, his mind racing.

Previously, the only being capable of producing sound within the Inner Landscape was the powerful red shirt demoness holding an oil-paper umbrella. She had nearly broken through the veil, a truly daunting sight.

Is the familiar immortal beside me about to cause chaos now?

"We are one and the same!" The ethereal Sword Immortal beyond the veil declared. Her words were concise, revealing the truth: both sides of the veil depicted the same being.

Her voice was soft and melodic, hinting at her youth. Even with her distant and cool demeanor, she seemed to be holding back her true emotions, just like the feisty Sword Immortal on this side. They were, unmistakably, the same person.

"Are you trying to come over?" Wang Xuan asked with caution.

The ethereal Sword Immortal on the other side quickly nodded, reminiscent of a chick pecking at feed. Her celestial presence momentarily faded, making her seem unexpectedly endearing, almost like she was filled with anticipation.

But her enthusiasm faded just as quickly, and she whispered, "I can't get through."

Looking defeated, she kicked at the gravel beneath her feet. Witnessing this side of the usually composed and capricious Sword Immortal was unexpected. Wang Xuan felt, for the first time, that she was not as fierce as she appeared. She might even be... kind of cute?

It was obvious that the Sword Immortal beside him noticed his change in expression. She quickly tapped the veil and raised her chin, signaling her counterpart to stay poised.

"She will sleep for three years," said the other Sword Immortal.

Wang Xuan was taken aback. The Sword Immortal wanted him to take her post-ascendent remains to the barren hill. Was that her resting place?

She added, "Avoid places like this in the future."

This advice was enough to show her genuine concern. She was warning Wang Xuan about the lurking dangers of such realms and the profound mysteries they contained.

As her words faded, a sudden flash of lightning streaked across the distant sky, punctuating the stillness with a thunderous roar. Wang Xuan, with a mix of concern and curiosity, asked, "Are the Immortals still among us? What's truly transpiring? And Sword Immortal, what is your current state? Where does your true essence reside?"

Beyond the shimmering veil, the Sword Immortal raised her gaze. With a deep intensity in her voice, she whispered, "The age-old covenant... sealed... sacred words."

Without warning, a torrent of fierce lightning bolts erupted from the skies of her world. Their power was so immense that the crystalline barrier dividing their realms began to tremble and fracture. With unwavering resolve, the Sword Immortal drew her blade, releasing a radiant beam of pure energy. It slashed through the onslaught of lightning, shattering the thunderous barrage and illuminating the entire expanse. She was besieged by a relentless storm of thunderbolts, each one aimed directly at her heart.

Using all her might, she held her sword firm, cutting through the tempest until calmness was restored. But the ordeal took its toll, compelling her to step away from the veil's edge. From afar, she gave a gentle wave, then hoisted her sword onto her back. With grace, she traversed the vast landscape, journeying alone into the horizon.

The vision of the Sword Immortal receded.

Her counterpart remained still, watching intently until the distant silhouette vanished into the ethereal mist.

Wang Xuan understood. The Sword Immortal had brought him here to offer a deeper insight into the complexities and dangers of the situation. He had long suspected that the ancients had laid traps, setting a series of events into motion. Now it seemed the situation was even more intricate and perilous than he'd imagined.

What is this "ancient covenant"?

He could not help but feel that the problems left by the ancients were ensnaring. Perhaps they were waiting for future generations to set them off. While there might be opportunities hidden within, the dangers were palpable. Given his unique ability to access the Inner Landscape, something incredibly rare even in ancient times, it was no surprise that the Sword Immortal had sought him out.

Wang Xuan was not filled with pride or honor. On the contrary, he felt a sense of urgency. Somehow, he had been thrust into this intricate and perilous game. He really had no desire to become entangled in the affairs of the ancients, but escape now seemed unlikely. A sense of foreboding gripped him. The future would surely be fraught with mystique and danger, a continuation of terrifying events from the past.

"No Immortal is simple. To reach that pinnacle, each must have possessed extraordinary qualities, having once overseen an entire era."

He speculated that in addition to laying traps for future generations, the ancients might also have been warring among themselves. If that was the case, the future looked even grimmer. In a modern era armed with state-of-the-art warships, any disruption could lead to conflicts between the past and present, old rivalries resurfacing, and a world shrouded in danger and mystery.

"A person like Master Wang should have lived a brilliant life. How did he end up navigating through traps, mysteries, and enigmatic events?" Wang Xuan lamented.

The Sword Immortal cast a sidelong glance at him, finding his self-pity almost amusing. Was he really voicing such thoughts? She, bathed in a cascade of radiant light, soared towards the exit of the Inner Landscape.

Wang Xuan felt a fading sensation, as though he was being drawn out of this place.

During this transition, he did not question the Sword Immortal further about the ancient covenant. After all, her words from within the barrier had already hinted at the risks associated with the phrase "The Ancient Covenant Seals the Truth".

Wang Xuan awoke, realizing that he had not been asleep for long. To his surprise, Old Chen was entering the room, holding the fishing rod Wang Xuan had carelessly tossed into the reed pond.

"Given to you by an old flame?" Wang Xuan, still groggy, blurted out.

Upon hearing this, Old Chen's grip on the rod tightened noticeably. He could no longer contain himself and exclaimed, "Master Wang, how about a little sparring session?"

Wang Xuan, fully alert now, sensed Old Chen's antagonistic intentions. It was clear he was in for a beating!

With firm resolve, he declined, "No way!"

"Yes way!" Old Chen insisted, advancing menacingly.

Wang Xuan looked earnestly at Old Chen and said, "The Sword Immortal has a message for you. She said you need to focus on your cultivation. Your strength is too insignificant. In three years, terrible events will likely unfold in this world. Old Chen, you must prepare!"

Old Chen gave him a skeptical glance, clearly doubting his words.

Wang Xuan continued, "Old Chen, I advise you to do good. And by the way, you should send the Holy Monk to the New Star as soon as possible. I suspect he's preparing to hibernate. If you do not do it soon, you'll surely get a beating again!"

"Master Wang, are you threatening me with someone else's power?" Old Chen moved closer, but his expression quickly changed. He began to yawn uncontrollably, sensing what was about to happen.

Qing Mu glanced at Wang Xuan's lips. Were they really that prophetic? His words were coming true immediately!

"Let's talk this out!" Old Chen tried to resist, keeping his eyes wide open against the overwhelming drowsiness. But he could not hold back and soon lay down on the bed, closing his eyes in peace.

It was not long before he woke up, looking at Wang Xuan as if he had seen a ghost. Wang Xuan's prediction had been spot on; the old monk was urging Old Chen to set off. Fortunately, this time Old Chen was not beaten up. The benevolent monk kindly demonstrated once again the secrets of the Buddhist martial art— the Bodhisattva Fist.

Old Chen pondered for a moment and decided to be kind to Master Wang. He was somewhat fearful of Wang's ability to attract spirits. He hoped Wang would not summon any more ancient figures to him.Previously, in his ignorance, Old Chen was curious and even excited about the idea of possessing the ancient immortals to learn their mystic arts. Now, having seen a glimpse of their intentions, he realized these ancient beings were full of cunning and hidden motives. If they got involved, it would undoubtedly lead to significant trouble in the future.

Wang Xuan fixed Old Chen with a serious gaze. "The Sword Immortal sent a message for you. She urges you to concentrate on your training. Your current power is inadequate. In three years, there might be tumultuous events in the world. You need to be ready, Old Chen."

Now, Old Chen actually felt a twinge of sympathy for Wang Xuan. It was clear he was being targeted, and just witnessing it gave Old Chen the chills.

"How do you see the future unfolding?" Old Chen inquired, probing for insights.

Wang Xuan waved his hand dismissively. "It's not the end of the world. We still have time, right? Just focus on your training. As long as we're strong enough, everything else is trivial. Any supreme seductress in red who dares to bother me in the future will regret it. As for those monstrous demons, if they do not comply, I swear I'll beat them into submission! If not, I'll suppress them to the point where they're mere beasts of burden!"

Qing Mu was speechless. Wang's confidence seemed to be soaring through the stratosphere!

After his bold declaration, Wang Xuan grew pensive. He drummed his fingers on the table, lost in thought for a while, and finally sighed, "The situation is intricate; the future is uncertain."

He looked at Old Chen, "Help me find some records about the ancient ascended beings. See if there's any mention of the 'Old Covenant Seal of Truth'."

Wang Xuan was transparent, recounting his recent experiences within the Inner Landscape.

Old Chen's face turned grave, sensing the gravity of the situation. He realized that they needed to delve deep into research about these matters.

Wang Xuan said, "Old Chen, please book me a ship ticket. I believe it's best for me to embark on a journey soon. And tell me about the ancient practices and the issues surrounding them. I estimate I won't be back for at least a year or two."

Old Chen looked taken aback. After all Wang Xuan's bold declarations, he still planned to flee? Was all that bravado just a front?

He sighed, then nodded. "I've been reluctant to discuss the ancient spiritual hierarchies with you, not wanting to pigeonhole your journey. Those old practices are intricate and fraught with issues. From the age of Early Qin mystics to early Taoism, spiritual methods underwent significant changes. Furthermore, there was another shift in the later stages of Taoism. I suspect there are some ominous truths hidden within these transitions. And certain illustrious individuals from those eras might have met with unsavory ends."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xuan's eyes sharpened. "Old Chen, during your studies, did you stumble upon any anomalies concerning the ascended beings? Could the dangers and elaborate schemes set by the ancients be tied to these practices? I need to know more!"

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