The Stars Beyond

Chapter 342: Conflict

Standing on the ancient streets amidst a city where only he and the round-faced girl remained alive, Wang Xuan found himself surrounded by the lifeless bodies of demons and descendants of immortals, all hanging from buildings with their eyes wide open and tongues sticking out—a truly undignified end. He chose not to venture out immediately, aware of the numerous foes lurking nearby, some seated atop hills, others standing in dense forests, all quietly awaiting his emergence.

Clearly, his identity had been betrayed by his protection under the God-Slaying Banner at the plaza's fire pit.

"Daoist Wang Xuan, I feel a deep connection with you upon our first meeting. Please, come out for a talk," Qi Liandao called out again, his tone gentle.

"And you are?" Wang Xuan inquired, eyeing him suspiciously. Could this person possess some strange artifact? He speculated, especially since the God-Slaying Banner had reacted so peculiarly just moments ago.

"My name is Qi Liandao. Our meeting is fated, destined to be immortalized in the annals of cultivation history," the demon sovereign's son replied with a smile, his identity among the most sensational present. His lineage was astonishing; his father stood alongside figures like Zhang Daoling and the Ascetic Monk, a primeval titan of the demon race, revered and formidable in the backdrop of their world.

"Oh, it's you. I understand now, great-nephew," Wang Xuan nodded, his expression composed, having pieced together the puzzle.

He recalled Zhang Daoling mentioning an encounter with Qi Liandao on the journey to the Old World aboard a spaceship. Initially, the deranged Qi Liandao had even considered devouring Zhang whole.

But who was Zhang Daoling? With a single grasp, he had forced Qi Liandao to respectfully address him as "Uncle Zhang."

Wang Xuan, enjoying a cordial relationship with Zhang, though not quite brothers, felt their interactions were akin to peers. Thus, he elevated his own status, viewing the mad prince of the demon race as naturally his own great-nephew.

The onlookers were dumbstruck, then their eyes widened in disbelief, their faces twitching with peculiar expressions, trying hard to contain themselves.

Qi Liandao nearly thought he had misheard, incredulous at his ears. His amiable and smiling approach was usually met with respect—how could it be otherwise?

In reality, as a direct descendant of the Demon Sovereign, Qi Liandao seldom needed to resort to violence. His presence alone demanded reverence and submission from all quarters, instilling fear and respect wherever he went.

However, now he faced an insolent prey from the Old World, brazen enough to address him as a "great-nephew."

"You're courting death!" Qi Liandao's voice turned frigid, his earlier feigned smile vanishing as his eyes glinted with a crazed intent to kill, revealing his true nature.

"Aren't you the son of the Demon Sovereign? I just met with him recently to sign the preliminary version of the new covenant. I'm on par with your father. Calling you a great-nephew, do you have a problem with that?" Wang Xuan inquired nonchalantly.

He had no intention of appeasing Qi Liandao, regardless of his royal demon lineage. Forewarned by Zhang Daoling, Wang Xuan knew this demon prince sought his life and coveted his divine artifact, the God-Slaying Banner. Why would he then mince words?

Scoffing, Wang Xuan faced the threat head-on. Despite the disparity in their realms, he stood his ground, refusing to be cowed by the demon prince's status.

"Damn it!" Qi Liandao seethed, eager to grasp Wang Xuan and snap his spine. A mere mortal dared to defy him? He'd soon see him dead.

"I'll break every bone in your body, not sparing a single one for you, and feed them to the dogs!" Qi Liandao declared coldly, embodying a manifestation of madness, a mind born from the wildest aspects of the Demon Sovereign, nurtured with the blood of celestial demons to form an indestructible body.

"Where is the White Tiger Celestial? Seize him for me!" Wang Xuan commanded.

The crowd looked on, bewildered by his audacity. Was he really marshalling forces here? And from where would a true celestial emerge?

To their amazement, a small white tiger bounded forward, transforming into a round-faced girl in a flash of light.

"Is that you, Bai Yu Xian?!" Qi Liandao gasped in recognition. Was this indeed that white tiger?

The others were equally stunned. Bai Yu Xian, a renowned figure, known for her formidable strength and status as a trusted companion of the Demon Sovereign, now stood by Wang Xuan's side.

Many faces turned pale, their expressions filled with shock upon realizing Wang Xuan's close connections with such influential figures, including Bai Yu Xian herself.

Wang Xuan was taken aback. Was the White Tiger Celestial really that formidable? Judging by the crowd's reaction, the round-faced girl seemed more than just the dimwitted cutie she appeared to be, possibly a real force to be reckoned with.

"Qi Liandao, you really are mentally disturbed," declared the White Tiger Celestial, her face twisting in disdain as she casually labeled the Demon Sovereign's son as deranged.

Wang Xuan found the situation ironic, considering how she had recently been lost in the ramblings of a severely mentally ill author's text. Yet here she was, mocking someone else's sanity.

Clearly, both Qi Liandao and Bai Yu Xian were well-acquainted with each other's backgrounds, aware of the discord between the Demon Sovereign and the Demon Lord, with the latter aiming to usurp control.

"Do you seek enmity with me, Bai Yu Xian?" Qi Liandao's voice was icy cold.

"If I feel like beating you, I'll just do it. Got a problem with that?" the round-faced girl retorted, chin up as she began to walk away, signaling Wang Xuan to ensure she was escorted out safely.

Wang Xuan realized he had underestimated this 'big cat.' It seemed she might indeed make a significant impact in this exotic realm once away from the ancient city's fire pit.

"Qi Liandao, how about a spar?" Demon Four, the fourth-generation core figure of the demon cultivators, suddenly interjected. Beneath his pure smile lay an iron will and extraordinary confidence.

His challenge to the Demon Sovereign's son was unexpected. Though a prominent figure among the demon cultivators of his generation, Demon Four was still considered a newcomer compared to Qi Liandao, who had centuries of existence.

The crowd was visibly shocked, including Wang Xuan, who wondered why Demon Four would intervene on his behalf.

Demon Four glanced over, nodding slightly at Wang Xuan before turning back to Qi Liandao with a rising aura of immense power, ready for confrontation.

As Mo Si advanced like an unparalleled true demon, his oppressive presence made many extraordinary beings instinctively retreat, suffocating under his might. The crowd was baffled, questioning the necessity of his confrontation with Qi Liandao.

Wang Xuan, with his profound gaze, noticed faint traces of Mo Si's scrutiny. Mo Si had been staring intently at his brow, using a special demonic vision to probe into the depths of his soul, his eyes shimmering with an indescribable brilliance, his smile laden with profound meaning.

This was beyond the perception of others, but Wang Xuan's spiritual eye caught it all!

A thought struck him, hinting at a realization. Mo Si might have mistakenly believed that the soul of an ancient demon cultivator was slumbering within Wang Xuan, especially since Wang Xuan had donned heavy armor, adopting the guise of an ancient general, and concealed his own essence using the soul techniques from the golden bamboo scroll, in addition to drawing upon the supreme doctrine of demon cultivation—the Soul Coffin Method.

Indeed, Wang Xuan's guess was spot-on. Upon arriving in this realm, Mo Si felt a stir, suspecting that a venerable ancestor from their lineage was dormant within the consciousness of someone with inherently strong mental power.

Mo Si speculated that a demon emperor from their lineage, who had vanished long ago, might have returned to the human realm, lying in wait.

Upon encountering Wang Xuan, dressed as an ancient general at the entrance to this space and sensing the aura of supreme demon cultivation techniques within his soul, Mo Si jumped to conclusions.

Having observed Wang Xuan's anomalies closely—possessing a unique Inner Landscape, capable of cultivating in this depleted old world with astonishing speed—everything seemed to click for Mo Si.

Mo Si, who did not acknowledge the Demon Ancestor, believed his lineage to be the true orthodoxy.

Now, he was determined to protect Wang Xuan, ensuring that no harm came to the venerable predecessor slumbering deep within Wang Xuan's consciousness.

"A mere boy, seeking fame, dares to challenge me?" Qi Liandao's expression darkened with displeasure.

Mo Si simply smiled, responding not with words but with action. He stepped forward and launched an attack. With a thunderous explosion, the atmosphere was filled with shock. His power was immense, matching Qi Liandao's formidable punch without faltering, his white palm steady against the onslaught.

As Qi Liandao and Mo Si clashed fiercely, their battle shook the very earth, splitting mountains and upheaving the land with their overwhelming might. Observing from a distance, Wang Xuan couldn't help but feel the perilous power of beings from the Transcendent Realm; their strength was truly formidable and posed a great danger.

He sighed inwardly, acknowledging his recent advancement hadn't shaken the foundations of these formidable beings. It seemed Chen Yongjie had overthought the matter, attributing too much to Wang Xuan's breakthrough. The idea that his cultivation progress could destabilize others' realms was a misconception, not influenced by his actions in the void.

"Perhaps, my breakthrough wasn't within the void. I should attempt it again in that realm," Wang Xuan pondered, planning his next steps.

Turning to the round-faced girl beside him, he extended his hand, indicating it was time to leave. "Hand over the crystal now," he demanded, ready to depart this ancient city. His tone left no room for negotiation; the crystal was non-negotiable.

Reluctantly, the little white tiger acquiesced, her eyes wide with unease, silently apologizing to her master in her heart for the unintended betrayal.

In a swift motion, Wang Xuan secured the crystal, then, alongside Bai Yu Xian, left the city steeped in antiquity.

As they made their way out, Qi Chengdao approached, his immaculate white battle attire radiating a formidable aura mixed with a hint of regret. "Brother Wang, I bear no ill will towards you. On the contrary, I hold you in high esteem. However, the matter of the Slaying God Banner is crucial to my path of cultivation. This isn't about personal grievances; it's a contention for the way forward," he explained, his voice carrying a weight of inevitability.

The little white tiger, now revealed as Bai Yu Xian, whispered, "I'll handle him. Hand me the crystal."

Wang Xuan nodded, agreeing to transmit the latter half of the scripture to her. "Alright," he said, seeing this as a worthwhile exchange. For Bai Yu Xian, returning with a complete supreme scripture would surely mitigate any repercussions from her master, and personally, she too would delight in its profound insights.

Bai Yu Xian charged forward, clashing with Qi Chengdao in a burst of divine light that shattered the nearby cliffs. Despite her original realm surpassing Qi Chengdao's, the constraints of the old world's ceiling meant her transmitted soul and celestial essence faced harsh restrictions, making their confrontation evenly matched.

Meanwhile, Ming Xi, whose ethereal beauty seemed untouched by worldly concerns, approached Wang Xuan with a gentle smile. "Brother Wang, I apologize. My intervention isn't personal; it's simply that Chengdao's ascension necessitates the Slaying God Banner. Please forgive us," she said, her voice soft yet firm, indicating the inevitable clash of destinies intertwined with the pursuit of the Dao.

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