The Stars Beyond

Chapter 208: Unprecedented Progress

Wang Xuan pondered how long it had been since their last contact. Ling Wei had given him this number during their sophomore year, insisting he memorize it. But by the end of their junior year, their communication had almost ceased entirely.

He knew that coming to New World would likely lead to intersections and reunions, as many familiar classmates were there, making casual gatherings inevitable. However, he hadn't expected Ling Wei to take the initiative to call this time.

Wang Xuan was slightly dazed, staring at his phone. It rang three times before he could react, and then it suddenly disconnected.

"Professor Lin, Old Wang, dinner's ready! Two ingredients, six ways to cook them, you're about to taste the craft of a culinary genius!" Qin Cheng called out eagerly.

Wang Xuan glanced at his phone, put it away, and quickly joined the others.

Qin Cheng, rubbing his hands together in anticipation, had eagerly prepared the meal. Professor Lin, who didn't drink alcohol, had gone to fetch some for them.

The ingredients were few, but Qin Cheng had prepared a full table of dishes, looking quite lavish.

"Black chicken and golden mushroom soup, come and smell this aroma; it's so rich it could probably reach the New Moon. I bet even my master can smell the savory scent. But he'll just have to enjoy the aroma, considering monks don't eat meat!" Qin Cheng said jokingly.

The black chicken was merely a garnish. Opening the clay pot lid revealed golden mushroom slices bursting forth with splendid halos and a spiritual mist. The aroma was so enticing that one couldn't help but want to immediately dive into a bowl of it.

Professor Lin, setting down a bottle of coarse grain-brewed Goutai wine, couldn't hide his amazement. The ingredients were glowing, and the fragrance was so strong that just looking at them made one's mouth water. This would have been considered a banquet of spiritual medicines in ancient times!

"Swan stewed with golden mushrooms, featuring the finest six-year-old mother goose, cooked with the Qin family's secret imperial kitchen techniques passed down for 300 years. It's a two-hour simmer that captures both earthly delights and the essence of three centuries of traditional culture. This dish is a unique masterpiece, a fragrant heirloom of culinary art."

Qin Cheng brought out a large porcelain basin, smiling broadly... and exaggerating. The swan meat was already deboned, and the golden mushrooms bubbled enticingly in the steaming pot, covered in a hazy golden glow. The fragrance was already wafting in the air.

"I'll tell you, this swan is absolutely fresh. I personally fished it out of the lake at Kaiyuan University when I passed by," he said.

Professor Lin and Wang Xuan's faces changed immediately. Was this young man poaching swans from a university lake?

"It's a joke! Do you think I'd dare do such a thing at Kaiyuan University? I'd be chased down by a mob of students! I bought the old goose at the supermarket," Qin Cheng laughed, then turned to Wang Xuan, "But we've done similar things, haven't we? Remember in our second year, how we caught a seven-pound soft-shelled turtle in the school lake? We cleaned and cooked it in the woods; it was incredibly satisfying and delicious!"

Professor Lin was speechless.

"Shut up!" Wang Xuan quickly stopped him, not wanting these embarrassing tales to come out. With Qin Cheng, one never knew what he might say next.

Next, the peacock meat stir-fried with golden mushrooms was brought out. Qin Cheng couldn't help himself; he grabbed a glowing mushroom piece and stuffed it into his mouth, only to grimace as it was too hot, spewing golden light from his mouth.

Shocked by the spectacle, he exclaimed, "This is like a banquet for immortals, a dining style of ancient monks. Today we are also fortunate to enjoy it! Let's start eating!"

At the dinner table, the rich aroma had already filled the room, tempting everyone with its golden light and jade-like radiance.

Wang Xuan spoke up, "Actually, the most valuable dish here is the mountain snails. In ancient times, these were enjoyed as appetizers by Earth Immortals. Just one meal can extend a person's life by ten years."

The garlic mountain snails radiated a hazy glow and exuded a fragrant aroma, clearly a transcendent spiritual item.

"Ingredients... enjoyed by Earth Immortals?!" Qin Cheng was stunned. He hastily swallowed the golden mushroom without even savoring the taste and then grabbed a fist-sized mountain snail, sniffing it deeply. He inhaled a luminous mist, feeling every pore on his skin opening up in relaxation.

"Professor Lin, let's dig in," Wang Xuan urged.

Professor Lin was equally astonished. The golden mushrooms had already impressed him, but these snails were something from myths – a delicacy for Earth Immortals. It was truly astonishing.

He felt as if he was in a dream. How had Wang Xuan come across such items? To what realm had he ascended?

Professor Lin had seen much of the world, having consulted for old wealthy families on longevity. He knew of their pursuit for extended life, even immortality, and their hunting of exotic ingredients from deep space. But compared to what Wang Xuan brought back, those rare delicacies seemed almost modest.

He recalled hearing about a head of a wealthy family who cherished a small snail, about the size of a lychee, as a sacred nourishing treasure, consumed only once every half a month – a supposed celestial delicacy.

At that time, Professor Lin was shocked by the capabilities of the wealthy family, being able to enjoy such divine ingredients. But now, looking at the table full of glowing mountain snails, he realized just how sparingly the wealthy ate.

Before him was a feast fit for Earth Immortals – appetizers that filled the table, barely leaving room for anything else.

"Let's eat!" Professor Lin also became bold, casting aside his usual refined demeanor. He rolled up his sleeves, and began to eat heartily, his mouth glowing with radiance, emitting a continuous stream of light.

Professor Lin, who normally never took photos of his food, couldn't resist snapping a few pictures this time. However, he quickly and decisively deleted them, aware of the potential risks of keeping such images, even on his phone. He thought it best to keep one or two snail shells as mementos.

"I feel like my tongue is melting away; this is simply divine. We're not just savoring flavors, but time itself. I feel as if I've wrestled a decade from the heavens!" Qin Cheng exclaimed with a large cup of Goutai wine in hand, continuing to feast enthusiastically. Gradually, even his nose began to emit a radiant glow.

Wang Xuan remarked, "Don't consider these dishes too miraculous. They're just Earth Immortal appetizers, not a true Immortal feast. Maybe someday, we'll have the chance to gather ingredients worthy of the true Immortal banquet."

"I think the garlic style doesn't match up to the steamed variety, which retains the original fresh and fragrant flavor," Professor Lin commented, feeling a heat within his body, a sign that his old ailments were being healed.

Having consumed a substantial amount of Earth Immortal Spring and the snails, Professor Lin's vitality surged. He sweated profusely as he ate, his body expelling various impurities and toxins.

"For a fresh, sweet taste, try slicing them and dipping in sauce," Wang Xuan suggested.

After sharing a few drinks with Qin Cheng, Wang Xuan set the alcohol aside, replacing it with Earth Immortal Spring.

"What kind of drink is this? It has a light fragrance and a hint of royal jelly, but it's not as good as wine," Qin Cheng complained.

"Drink up. In three years, this might no longer exist in the world. Just one liter can extend your life by decades!" Wang Xuan said earnestly.

He trusted the two before him and had nothing to hide, explaining that these ingredients truly had the power to change one's fate, offering prolonged life.

"I don't want to drink alcohol ever again in this life. This elixir... it's truly delicious. I want to drink my fill!" exclaimed Professor Lin. After consuming the Earth Immortal Spring, snails, and golden mushrooms, his complexion visibly brightened, his vitality soared, and even his previously cloudy eyes started to sparkle!

Once a renowned expert in his youth, Professor Lin was now regaining some of his strength as his old injuries healed.

Wang Xuan noted, "There's no rush. It's a process. I estimate that in a month or two, Professor Lin will regain his status as an old art master."

Professor Lin grew warmer as he ate, sweating profusely. His body was ridding itself of toxins and impurities.

"Why do I smell worse the more I eat?" Qin Cheng noticed the same phenomenon.

"It's your body improving, detoxifying, and eliminating impurities. It's coming out with your sweat," Wang Xuan explained. The Earth Immortal Spring, royal jelly, and snails were enhancing their vitality and potential, while the golden mushrooms acted as a spiritual medicine, aiding in breaking through barriers and enhancing strength.

"I feel stronger, like there's a secret power flowing inside me. Am I about to become a great master?" Qin Cheng was moved and somewhat uncertain, yet also astounded.

"Don't worry, you'll definitely break through," Wang Xuan assured confidently. Given the plethora of spiritual medicines he brought back, it would be absurd if Qin Cheng couldn't make a breakthrough.

"Qin Cheng will become very strong. Wang Xuan, are you perhaps as powerful as I can't even dare to imagine?" Professor Lin asked hesitantly.

Noticing Professor Lin's concerned expression, Wang Xuan inquired about his worries.

Professor Lin shared that his old adversary, who was involved in the incident that injured him, had threateningly targeted his students. This adversary, with a few associates, was teaching at another university.

"Is it the same opponent who punched a hole in your chest?" Qin Cheng asked, referring to the incident that crippled Professor Lin.

"Yes," confirmed Professor Lin.

"I'll handle them for you," Wang Xuan offered confidently.

Professor Lin shook his head, refusing Wang Xuan's offer to intervene, stating, "No, don't. The laws on New World are strict. Causing trouble could lead to serious consequences. Besides, I've moved on from the past battles."

Wang Xuan suggested to Qin Cheng, "Why don't you enroll as a graduate student under Professor Lin? It's the perfect time for you to come down from New Moon and study at Kaiyuan University."

Qin Cheng looked puzzled, seemingly overwhelmed by the twists and turns of life, but the idea of returning to school and pursuing further studies appealed to him.

"Those people are highly skilled," warned Professor Lin, aware that Wang Xuan's suggestion was aimed at having Qin Cheng confront the rival's disciples.

"Don't worry, Qin Cheng, eat up and then take a bath. I'll help you metabolize the medicinal properties," urged Wang Xuan, keen to rid Qin Cheng of his sweaty odor.

Soon after, Wang Xuan used transcendent methods to assist Qin Cheng in activating the medicinal effects, using secret forces to resonate with his flesh and blood. The moment was astounding as Qin Cheng's body glowed, harnessing the medicine's power for a breakthrough.

Initially, Wang Xuan intended for Qin Cheng to gradually improve as the medicine took effect over time. However, he now felt it was right to accelerate the process, teaching him some boxing techniques and scriptures to stand up for Professor Lin.

"I've made a breakthrough, I've become stronger... am I a super-strong practitioner now?" Qin Cheng trembled with excitement, his flesh glowing with a crystalline sheen.

"You still have a long way to go. Let's stop here for today," Wang Xuan advised, tempering his expectations.

"What's the background of these rivals?" Wang Xuan inquired.

"Since modern times, they've prided themselves as the orthodox lineage of the old arts," Professor Lin shared. Their ancestors included true immortals, with at least three renowned practitioners in ancient times. Even in the decline of old arts, their family remained active and continued the lineage, claiming themselves as the true custodians of the old ways. Indeed, no other family in modern times could rival their legacy, and their clan had even produced grandmasters despite the old arts' waning influence.

"The four elders of the old arts and Chen Yongjie's master represent the rise of independent practitioners. Although individually powerful, they can't compare to this family in terms of heritage and influence over generations," Wang Xuan contemplated.

He then remembered something, "Oh, there was a tale about an old grandmaster on New World who, in an attempt to prolong his life, practiced a secret method to activate his internal organs but ended up training himself to death. He was from this family, right?"

Professor Lin nodded, "That elder was incredibly strong, almost at the level of a great grandmaster. Unfortunately, he pushed his organs to the point of decay and death."

Wang Xuan was amazed, "Reaching near the great grandmaster level in this era is indeed remarkable."

Despite this family's fearsome heritage and possession of ancient immortals' secrets, Wang Xuan remained unfazed. Times had changed, and even the most glorious families had to face the end of their era, especially in the face of transcendent beings.

"This family had more than one true immortal in ancient times. Their scriptures must be extraordinary," Wang Xuan mused, acknowledging the family's remarkable past. However, with the changing times, it was uncertain if they would retain their status.

"Let me help you with the medicinal effects again, Qin Cheng," Wang Xuan offered, thinking it best to strengthen him further for any future confrontations with the family's disciples.

Qin Cheng groaned in pain as Wang Xuan's assistance was not as pleasant as before. His bones resonated and trembled under the impact, but with a transcendent being overseeing the process, he was safe from any fatal harm.

"I feel stronger already! Professor Lin, I'll stand up for you when the time comes. I can take on ten of their disciples! And if you recover, you can seek your revenge too. If not, Wang Xuan's got our back!" Qin Cheng declared confidently.

Despite not disclosing his current level, Professor Lin and Qin Cheng recognized that Wang Xuan was exceptionally strong, exceeding their initial expectations.

Wang Xuan courteously declined Professor Lin's offer to stay over, choosing instead to return with Qin Cheng and planning to have Old Chen teach him some suitable martial arts forms and scriptures.

"I might be staying in Suzhou City for a while, so we'll likely see each other more often," Wang Xuan mentioned before departing.

Upon leaving the complex, they immediately noticed people practicing martial arts in the forest near Kaiyuan University.

"Hey, Wang, check out that beauty!" Qin Cheng exclaimed.

"No thanks!" Wang Xuan turned away, recognizing the female student.

"These folks seem quite skilled," Qin Cheng commented, feeling his perception had greatly improved after his recent breakthrough.

"Their boxing style isn't bad," Qin Cheng noted.

Hearing this, Zhou Jia turned around, startled, but quickly regained her composure and suggested, "How about a little spar?"

"Sure!" Qin Cheng agreed.

"This guy's friend claims to be unbeatable, so be careful and give them a tough lesson!" Zhou Jia warned her companions.

"Bang!"

The match started with Qin Cheng receiving a harsh kick that sobered him up immediately. Despite his recent advancement, the kick to his chest was painful.

Taking a deep breath, he said, "I need to get serious now!"

"Bang, bang, bang!"

Eventually, Qin Cheng overpowered his opponent, moving from the forest to the grass and finally kicking him into a nearby lake.

"Anyone else?" Qin Cheng called out.

"I'll take you on!" Another challenger approached.

"Splash!"

......

In the end, Qin Cheng kicked four people into the lake. He grinned at Zhou Jia, offering to spar with her, but she turned and ran off quickly, vanishing into Kaiyuan University, even losing one of her shoes in her haste to escape a possible kick into the lake from Qin Cheng.

"Thought you could take advantage of me being tipsy and push me into the lake, huh? Now it's your turn to race the turtles in there," Qin Cheng gloated, standing by the lake and kicking back anyone trying to climb ashore. Laughing heartily, he and Wang Xuan departed.

Later that evening, Wang Xuan brought Qin Cheng to a hotel to meet Old Chen. Wang Xuan was curious about his rapid progress in cultivation and wanted Old Chen's opinion.

Old Chen, feeling a bit provoked, responded irritably to Wang Xuan's inquiry about his swift cultivation progress. He reassured Wang Xuan that rapid development was normal under certain circumstances, referencing the ancient concept of 'hundred-day foundation building.'

Qin Cheng, bewildered by their conversation, wondered just how strong Wang Xuan had become. Meanwhile, Old Chen, somewhat disconcerted, found it hard to believe the extent of Wang Xuan's progress.

Old Chen then mentioned an upcoming dinner hosted by some influential figures from the financial world, suggesting that Wang Xuan and Qin Cheng should attend to get acquainted with them.

Certainly, here's the translation of the passage while maintaining its original structure and details:

"At the top floor of the Yuanchu Building, the atmosphere was resplendent, with exotic crystals crafted into chandeliers, casting dreamlike, shimmering lights. The hall was adorned with several spirit medicine trees, their buds bursting with fragrance, emanating a seductive, tranquil aroma that made every guest feel a sense of serene calm.

The gathering was bustling, filled with not just scions of financial dynasties but also renowned adventurers. Among the crowd, Wang Xuan recognized some familiar faces. He could see Zhou Yun from a distance, easily identifiable by his distinctive babbling, and also noticed Xiao Zhong, gracefully attired in an elegant evening gown.

Suddenly, a familiar figure walked past Wang Xuan, causing a moment of surprise. Recognizing the individual, Wang Xuan greeted warmly, 'Old Ling!'

Upon hearing his name, Ling Qiming's face instantly turned dark. His eyes quickly darted towards a remote corner of the grand hall. Wang Xuan followed his gaze and saw Ling Wei standing aloofly in a secluded part of the room.

The voice echoed again, 'Old Ling!' This time, it was Old Chen who approached, casually patting Ling Qiming on the shoulder in a friendly manner."

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