The Stars Beyond

Chapter 189: Am I Beautiful?

Wu Yin shook her head, "I'm just speaking my mind, showing my true feelings. During this journey in the Hidden Land, there were moments I thought I was done for."

Then, turning to Zhao Qinghan, she inquired, "Zhao Zhao, do you see yourself as more emotional or rational? Can you maintain your composure even in life-or-death situations and crucial decisions?"

The little black fox spirit, tilting its head curiously, suddenly interjected, "Emotional? Don't you mean sexy? You're both saying it wrong." It then began to sing teasingly, "Look at the beauty of Wu, with her slim waist and long legs!"

Wu Yin felt exasperated. The fox always seemed to provide the most unhelpful commentary at critical moments. She tapped it lightly on the head, no longer afraid of it like before, now seeing it not as a man-eating monster but as a vain little fox spirit.

Zhao Qinghan couldn't help but laugh and asked, "Wu Yin, have you ever sung like that before?"

"Yes," nodded the fox spirit while swaying its waist and showing off its legs, strutting a few steps with a coquettish air.

"That fox is always talking nonsense!" Wu Yin glared at it, wishing she could swat it away, if only she could best it in a fight.

Wang Xuan listened quietly, feeling it wasn't his place to join the conversation.

Changing the subject, Wu Yin asked Zhao Qinghan, "When personal choices conflict with family interests, can you remain objective?"

Zhao Qinghan looked at her with a clear, thoughtful gaze, "In this world, nothing is perfect. To gain something, we often have to let something go. A sacrifice now could mean a win in the future. Or, by seizing the moment, we can wait for a turn of fate."

"What are you all talking about? It's so mysterious," complained the little fox spirit, transforming into an enigmatic gossiping fox. "Zhao Zhao, I heard that you weren't always so aloof and elegant. Rather, you were rebellious and passionate!"

"Yes," Wu Yin added, "The rebellious Zhao Zhao who once defied her family and dared to run away from home is so different from the composed Goddess Zhao of now."

"Who said that?" Zhao Qinghan's expression turned stern, her eyes flashing like lightning as she glanced at the little fox spirit and then at Wu Yin.

"It was Little Zhong," the black little fox spirit promptly betrayed Zhong Qing, feeling no guilt since Zhong wasn't there.

At this point, both Zhao Qinghan and Wu Yin lost interest in engaging with it.

The little fox spirit, seemingly dissatisfied, continued, "Men are all stinky, none as good-looking as me! Such a big man, can't he clean his own blood or straighten his clothes? Utterly lazy, a sloth!"

Wang Xuan looked at the fox, who was now critiquing him. He glared back, his gaze filled with threatening and intimidating intent, urging it to behave.

The little black fox spirit, fearless as ever, retorted, "I warn you, stop scaring me and don't lay a hand on me. Or else, after I cultivate for five hundred years and become an immortal, I will seek revenge!"

With their departure imminent, Wang Xuan didn't want to offend the creature further. Instead, he paid it a couple of insincere compliments, asking it to take good care of Zhao Qinghan and Wu Yin.

Zhao Qinghan, looking at Wang Xuan, adjusted his collar and advised him to be cautious, especially around the perilous vicinity of the Immortal City.

Wu Yin even suggested, "Why don't you come with us to the Immortal's Cave guarded by the Black Fox Clan?"

She felt the area had become a veritable inferno, especially after Old Zhong's ruthless tactics had turned the inhabitants of the three Transcendent planets against outsiders.

Wang Xuan, however, shook his head. The battle of the Transcendents was not something he could miss. He had already gained fortune in the outer areas and was more eager for the opportunities deep within the Hidden Land.

Zhao Qinghan nodded at Wang Xuan, ready to set off with the little black fox spirit.

In a surprising move, Wu Yin embraced Wang Xuan, saying, "Take care, Xiao Wang."

Zhao Qinghan watched her, her hair fluttering in the breeze, her gaze clear and tranquil, radiating a natural, cool elegance.

Wu Yin, with grace and openness, stepped closer to Zhao Qinghan and gently hugged her, whispering in her ear, "Zhao Zhao, are you and he just classmates?"

......

"What do you think?" Zhao Qinghan countered Wu Yin's question with one of her own.

"I wanted to see if there was any murderous intent or cold electricity in your eyes, but I haven't seen any," Wu Yin whispered back.

Zhao Qinghan let Wu Yin embrace her, whispering in response, "Wu Yin, your emotions are tumultuous right now. What exactly are you thinking about?"

"You're speaking so cheekily, Zhao Zhao!" Wu Yin lightly tapped her, continuing, "Now, I think I can sense a bit of that cold edge. But once we're back on the New World, will you still have this aura? You'll probably return to your usual cool demeanor."

Zhao Qinghan smiled faintly, "Wu Yin, why do I feel like you're harboring dangerous thoughts, wanting something to happen with my classmate? It seems like you're trying to embolden yourself by talking to me. What are you afraid of? Is it facing your friend Ling Wei?"

"Wu Zhao, what nonsense are you talking about? It's so indecent. Who would want to get involved with him in that way? I see now, you're doing this deliberately, trying to corner me, aren't you?"

...

Wang Xuan didn't intend to eavesdrop, but his enhanced psychic abilities allowed him to catch every word clearly.

He glanced at Old Chen, who was amusing himself with Grandmaster Ma while sneakily listening in, thoroughly enjoying the conversation.

Grandmaster Ma, showing some semblance of conscience, trotted over to Wang Xuan, bobbing its head in farewell. However, it couldn't help but complain about not receiving any demonic fruits.

"Your fruits were eaten by him," Wang Xuan pointed at Old Chen and then added, "Go to the Immortal's Cave. What fruits can't you find there? Hurry along."

Grandmaster Ma glared at Old Chen, who had been flattering it just moments before, not expecting this old man to have stolen its fruits!

As Wang Xuan watched the two women, the fox, and the horse depart, he couldn't help but ask Old Chen, "What's the story with your lady friend? And why haven't you settled down?"

Old Chen snickered, "What would a kid like you understand? Without experience, everything is just an illusion, a mere fantasy. Back in my day, I..."

He didn't finish his sentence and instead, with hands clasped behind his back, walked off towards the nearby area to collect jade amulets.

"In your day, you were the mighty Chen Batian!" Wang Xuan retorted, summarizing Old Chen's unfinished thought with a hint of dissatisfaction.

In the forest, Wang Xuan and Old Chen scoured the area, gathering their spoils of battle, which were plentiful. The melodious sound of a flute echoed through the woods, as figures emerged from the depths, all Transcendent beings. Leading the group were a young man and woman.

The man, in his mid-twenties, donned a silver robe. His features were striking with sword-like brows and bright eyes, and a distinctive crimson lotus mark adorned his forehead, making him memorable at first glance. He was the one playing the flute, his steps light on the grass, his demeanor calm, the music emanating a tranquil, non-aggressive aura.

The woman at his side was equally striking in her silver battle attire, which remained immaculately clean. Her long hair fluttered in the breeze, her skin as white as snow, and her features beautifully delicate. Even her boots were spotless, as if they had never touched the earth. Her ethereal presence added to her already extraordinary beauty.

"They're trouble," Old Chen warned Wang Xuan about the pair's identity.

Hailing from Yuhua Star, the man was known as Jiang Xuan, and the woman as Mu Xue. They both had entered the Hidden Land in the later stages of the Mist realm and had broken through to the Radiant Lamp realm the next day, with their strengths continuing to grow rapidly. Clearly, they had been suppressing their true capabilities, waiting to unleash them upon entering the Hidden Land. By doing so, they aimed to accumulate more points by hunting down stronger opponents.

"Let's withdraw," Old Chen suggested, not keen on clashing with these two, especially given the presence of several higher-level Transcendents, possibly in the Herb Picking realm, accompanying them.

Wang Xuan understood instantly. These young Transcendents from Yuhua Star must hold exceptional status back home, to have such protection accompanying them to the Hidden Land, ensuring their safety amidst the fierce competition.

“Gentlemen, please don’t hurry away. We have no intention of hunting you down. We only wish for a friendly exchange, a mere sparring of sorts. I swear, no one accompanying us will intervene,” Jiang Xuan called out.

Wang Xuan and Old Chen, skeptical of his words, continued to retreat swiftly in a chosen direction.

“Is the old fox around?” Jiang Xuan quietly sent a psychic message to the woman beside him, using a subtle spiritual technique that ensured their conversation remained private.

“The Celestial Fox Mirror shows fluctuations, indicating a strong presence of demonic energy ahead. The old fox is indeed in that direction,” Mu Xue confirmed with a nod.

Jiang Xuan murmured, “It seems the old fox indeed holds this young man from another star in high regard. Could it be that he genuinely intends to recruit him as the guardian of the Immortal’s Cave?”

Frowning, Jiang Xuan shared his dual motives: seeking the fortunes of the Hidden Land and the desire to become the guardian of the Immortal’s Cave, a position that promised access to its profound legacies and teachings.

“We mustn’t attack them now. Only by defeating these two in front of the old fox can we hope to become the guardians of the Immortal lineage,” he reasoned, gesturing to his followers to halt their pursuit, leaving only him and Mu Xue to advance and call out to Old Chen and Wang Xuan once more.

Addressing the distant old fox, they projected their intentions clearly, “Elder Black Fox, we aspire to become guardians of the Immortal lineage, to protect the descendants of the Immortals in the long years to come!”

Zhao Qinghan and Wu Yin, who had just set off, heard this psychic transmission and looked puzzled.

Finally, the old fox made an appearance, descending from the sky. “You may come closer,” he allowed the two distinguished young individuals from Yuhua Star to approach.

Turning his attention to Wang Xuan and Old Chen, the old fox sent out a psychic invitation, “Would you like to join as well?”

Wang Xuan and Old Chen exchanged glances, unsure about the appeal of being the guardians of the Immortal lineage. In their eyes, the secrets of Old Zhong’s study held more allure than the duties of guarding the Immortal’s Cave.

The old fox then revealed, “Becoming the guardian of the Immortal lineage grants access to a portion of the legacies within the Immortal’s Cave. Additionally, if the descendants of the Immortals choose life partners, they often select from amongst the guardians.”

Wang Xuan, upon hearing this, felt an urge to set things right. The so-called geniuses of Yuhua Star harbored unrealistic aspirations that deserved correction and guidance.

“Old Chen, this is unbearable. We must go there!” he declared, gripping his spear and moving forward.

Old Chen, surprised, replied, “I think I can bear it.”

“I can’t!” Wang Xuan insisted, marching ahead. “Are you going to stand by and watch two independent-minded and radiant young women fall into the hands of those unenlightened natives?”

Old Chen corrected him, “How are they unenlightened natives? Their Transcendent civilization is highly advanced, and their technological prowess seems formidable as well.”

“Whose side are you on?” Wang Xuan questioned.

Old Chen nodded, conceding, “Alright, alright. Chen, the Ancestor, will accompany you. But make sure the old fox isn’t leading us into a trap.”

Wang Xuan gave him a look, noting Old Chen's newfound confidence. He had gone from identifying as Chen of the Radiant Lamp or Chen of the Herb Picking stages to Chen, the Ancestor.

“Old Fox’s strength is unfathomable,” Wang Xuan agreed. “If he had any malicious intent, no one around the Immortal City would leave alive.”

Behind the old fox, Zhao Qinghan and Wu Yin flatly refused to proceed to the Immortal’s Cave. The old fox's recent statements had alarmed them. As modern women from a highly advanced technological civilization, they wouldn’t consent to such a hasty selection of life partners.

The old fox clarified, “Rest assured, everything is based on your own will. I only said the descendants of the Immortals are likely to choose their partners from the guardians because of similar temperaments and shared immortal essence. It's just a trend, not a rule. You are free to leave or stay, and no one will force or interfere with your choice.”

The little fox spirit whispered, “Is it really about similar temperaments, or is it because their unique cultivation methods attract each other?”

“Shut up!” the old fox glared at the little fox. He had long wanted to discipline his mischievous granddaughter, who couldn’t help but add chaos to every situation.

As Wang Xuan and Old Chen arrived, the young man and woman from Yuhua Star were already introducing themselves. “The Jiang and Mu families from Yuhua Star, renowned cultivator clans, enduring for generations with Life Nourishing Realm masters as protectors,” the old fox remarked with a hint of awe.

This revelation weighed heavily on Wang Xuan and Old Chen. The Life Nourishing Realm represented the third grand realm of existence. Were such beings still present in the world?

Mu Xue, her demeanor serene and ethereal, clad in snow-white attire, spoke up. “Times have changed. In the past six hundred years, Yuhua Star hasn’t seen the rise of a Life Nourishing master, nor has there been an Immortal in the Wanderer's Realm. It’s been three hundred years since the last attainment of Immortal Fruit.”

The old fox sighed, a tinge of sadness in his voice.

“Fellow cultivators, from which life-bearing planet do you hail?” Jiang Xuan asked, his demeanor congenial, the crimson lotus mark on his forehead glistening ethereally. He turned his gaze towards Zhao Qinghan and Wu Yin, offering a nod in greeting.

“Eura,” Wang Xuan replied.

Following Wang Xuan's declaration, another call echoed, “Eura!”

Two figures emerged from the woods—a man with a bright smile and a striking posture, and a woman with silver cascading hair, a slender waist, and an ice-cold expression on her beautiful face. Both exuded an extraordinary aura, enshrouded in a faint mist, resembling transcendent beings of the immortal path. They wore the battle attire of Eura, their eyes fixed on Wang Xuan with an unfriendly demeanor.

Clearly, the main parties had arrived.

“The descendants of Yuhua Star's distinguished families, people from Eura’s premier cultivator family?” The old fox studied the emblems on their uniforms, speaking softly. Then he inquired, “Does your family still possess a Life Nourishing master of unparalleled stature?”

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