The Stars Beyond

Chapter 351: Killed For One Thousand Three Hundred And Twenty Seven Times

Wherever the master miner Wang Xuan’s spiritual eyesight reached, the lingering image of the purple palace quickly vanished, along with the pleasant laughter of the woman, which disappeared in an instant. He wore a grave expression. So fast? Something seemed off!

The cave fell into silence, as if the majestic palace and the laughter of the woman had never appeared. Here, it was simply a passage through the meteorite. He proceeded forward. The purple mist flowed like a river and crashed against him. Yet, he remained resolute, as he searched along the ancient and untraveled paths of the old mine. The walls showed no signs of human excavation, the patterns appeared entirely natural.

Suddenly, he sensed a strong vitality ahead. He noticed something white moving, like a beautiful serpent slithering. Then, he heard laughter again. However, when he tried to capture it with his spiritual eyes, there was no one to be seen, and the sound quickly faded away. Wang Xuan walked over, his eyes widening as he saw what lay before him. On the ground lay pure white roots that were sparkling like jade. The roots were ethereal and pristine, and it exuded a sense of sanctity and purity even beyond that of immortals.

Although it was clearly the roots of some plants, yet they gave off such an impression, as if they were the true immortals. It was even purer than the so-called demons and immortals that were tainted by worldly desires. Wang Xuan was astonished. Could this be the root of the Immortal Flower that never withers in the meteorite path? He became excited, leaving behind a fleeting image as he stood near the roots. It was moving at a slow pace, but it seemed to want to leave this place.

"Is this cave close to that Immortal Flower?" Wang Xuan stared intently, for nothing could escape his spiritual eyes.

There was no malevolence, no unsettling power. On the contrary, these roots that were so close to the truth, emitted an aura that calmed and focused the mind.

"Could it be that the Immortal Flower has a spiritual connection, and it transformed into that woman?" Wang Xuan said with a look of doubt. Otherwise, why did she vanish with a swoosh every time he used his spiritual eyes?

Wang Xuan looked at the snow-white roots that were as thick as water buckets. This should only be a small segment; how thick would the main root be? From afar, the Immortal Flower didn't seem impressive, but the underground roots were astonishing.

"I’m unable to taste the Immortal Flower for now, but the effect should be comparable if I consume the roots, right?" said Want Xuan. Then, he saw flashes of white light and various showers of light, while voices reappeared in the distance.

Wang Xuan spoke, "It's indeed you. Rest assured, I won't harm your main body. Hmm, in order to find new divine powers, I only need a bit of the Immortal Juice to advance."

The snow-white roots that were like giant snakes fled swiftly. Wang Xuan immediately pursued it. His spiritual state was shrinking space, and he caught up to it in no time. Ultimately, the snow-white root captured by him was just a herb that had no great magical power.

"I'll just take a few bites, I won’t indulge too much!" Wang Xuan reassured himself. This might be something even more astonishing than the Heavenly Herbs. It might possibly be a true elixir, or even a Taoist elixir.

"The Immortal Flower that never withers......I actually...... came into contact with it like this." Without delay, Wang Xuan quickly took a bite to avoid any mishaps.

A rich fragrance spread throughout the cave the moment the snow-white root broke. This aroma was too enticing, making one salivate. With a gulp, Wang Xuan swallowed a mouthful. Light showers radiated all over his body. His spirit floated off the ground, it gave him the illusion of ascending to immortality! After three gulps of the Immortal Juice, he surprisingly felt satiated.

Was this feeling of fullness?

As soon as he loosened his grip, the snow-white root vanished with a swoosh. He calmly followed behind, with his mind captivated by the pure white flower. Besides, if he could sneak into the Realm of Truth from here, that would be truly wonderful. The voice of a woman resounded once again and celestial music echoed ahead. Magnificent palaces and pavilions emerged from the white mist. They stood tall amidst the rain of purple light. It was ethereal and dreamlike, as if entering the heavenly realm. There were graceful dancers and enchanting figures swaying to the music, dancing and singing there. He quickened his pace.

"Have I entered the Realm of Truth?" Wang Xuan was stunned. After stepping out of this cave, the path ahead suddenly cleared up. It revealed a vast, azure lake that was pure and sacred. Celestial substances evaporated everywhere.

Various celestial palaces were on the opposite shore of the lake. Clusters of temples glowed in the twilight, while celestial maidens danced alongside the celestial flowers and jade trees that were scattered throughout the pure land. A golden ship crafted from divine bamboo was docked on the shore of the celestial lake. It was incredible as the divine bamboo required over twenty people to carry. But now, it had been hollowed out to form a large ship.

On the opposite side of the lake, clusters of divine bamboo flourished near those celestial palaces. These plants were once nearly extinct after The Great Veil. They had almost completely vanished, but now they turned into a scenic landscape in this place.

"The Realm of Truth?!" exclaimed Wang Xuan. In front of the lake, there stood a stone stele inscribed with unreadable characters. It resonated with the spirit, conveying its meaning clearly to the observer.

"I've really reached my destination?!" Wang Xuan could hardly believe his eyes. It was truly beyond his expectations. Today was indeed his lucky day.

Although he felt somewhat elated and light-headed, he hadn't completely lost his senses. He used his spiritual eye to capture the situation across the way. Suddenly, his eyes were filled with intense pain. Tears streamed down like blood, causing him to stagger and feel as if the world was spinning. He almost fell to the ground.

"Trespassing into the Realm of Truth and spying on the supreme pure land. You deserve to be punished!" a voice echoed.

Then, he felt the edge of a cold sword pressed against his forehead. It was a celestial sword that shimmered brightly that was unmatched in its sharpness.

"Pierce your heart and forehead with your own blade and spare yourself from death. Or else, we will destroy your spirit and you’ll be condemned for eternity!"

The majestic voice echoed in his ears like thunder, shaking him to the core. It made him unable to stand steadily.

What kind of authority was this?

Were these creatures of the Realm of Truth?

Invisible beings that commanded him. Threatened to punish him, if he didn't obey. They even threatened to destroy his spirit! Wang Xuan shook his head vigorously, and tightened his grip on the Godslaying Banner. He felt a surge of anger rising within him. If the sword pierced his own forehead and heart it would likely cripple his spirit. He was somewhat indignant, thinking that the other party was too harsh on him. Even if he had made mistakes, they didn't have to be so merciless towards him. Moreover, what was wrong with him searching for the truth, wanting to extend his life beyond the ordinary, and finding a new mythical world? The people here were just too heartless.

He suddenly raised the Godslaying Banner.

Destroy myself?

That was impossible. He would rather get killed while resisting than become a submissive weakling and cripple himself. However, deep in his heart, a strong sense of unease surged. The Godslaying Banner roared and shook constantly, trying to escape his grasp.

"This flag is somewhat intriguing. Bring it over and let me have a look to see what era it's from. It looks vaguely familiar." A person spoke coldly, but Wang Xuan couldn't see him.

But Wang Xuan could never hand over the banner willingly. He clenched it tightly, and stood in a defensive stance. He was intending to strike back at the other party. However, he felt a chilling sensation once again.

"This isn't right. What's going on? Why do I feel like doing this will kill me?" He shook his head forcefully while exerting all his strength. He angrily opened his spiritual eye.

At that moment, blood-red patterns intertwined in the depths of his eyes, as if a drop of blood had dripped outward. It started to spread with a thunderous sound, it was as if something had been shattered. Subconsciously, he used that newly acquired ability, locking onto a small space, and then attacking it ferociously!

Then, Wang Xuan saw the truth as his groggy mind started to clear up. He was actually holding the Godslaying Banner and aiming it at his own head. He was about to strike himself!

"I......" He was shocked.

Why would I want to commit suicide?

Just moments ago, he was clearly attacking an enemy.

How did I end up in this state?

No wonder the Godslaying Banner was shaking violently. It was because he had partially refined it. It was warning him just now as it didn't want to kill him!

Although he was in a spiritual state, Wang Xuan felt cold sweat breaking out. The experience just now was too sinister!

Then, he looked ahead. There were no magnificent palaces,or any kind of temples there, let alone a deep blue fairy lake. As for the golden ship that was made from the divine bamboo, there was no need to even think about it—it simply didn't exist.

"My spiritual eye was just blinded. I couldn't open it, and everything I saw was an illusion?" Wang Xuan said with surprise.

In fact, Wang Xuan doubted heavily whether he had actually used his spiritual eye earlier or if it was just his imagination. Perhaps he had been deceived long ago.

"What state am I in now? Am I still in the illusion?" He shuddered.

In an instant, he once again activated that newly acquired ability. Runes intertwined in the depths of his eyes, and then mysterious patterns expanded, locking onto the void ahead. It attacked relentlessly.

He used this to wake himself up and to gain true spiritual perception. Then, he wielded the Godslaying Banner, sweeping away the illusions in this place.

During this process, his spirit replayed old memories, searching for flaws. He was trying to figure out if he had been ensnared long ago.

Sure enough, everything from opening his spiritual eye to seeing the roots of the Immortal Flower was false. He had fallen into confusion long ago, wavering between truth and falsehood.

Wang Xuan hoped to understand the situation. His spiritual eye merged with that newfound ability. With that, he dispelled all illusions and slashed through the mist, not allowing the inexplicable illusion to affect him. He wanted to inspect everything carefully.

Soon, he discovered clues. While there was indeed a cave here, it wasn't entirely natural. He saw decaying roots that had almost turned to soil.

The cave had been drilled by a once massive root. There was a plant rooted in the meteorite!

"I understand now. Even the Immortal Flower needs to undergo metamorphosis. These are its remnants. It was capable of inducing hallucinations and it had affected me." said Wang Xuan.

Wang Xuan was startled, then angered. He took out a Silver Beast Skin Scroll, then he activated its supernatural properties. He enlarged it to wrap around himself for protection.

Next, he held the enlarged Godslaying Banner in his hands and swung it down at where he stood. Amidst a deafening roar, he destroyed the decaying roots that were almost petrified.

"What a useless flower that harms people! What use are you!"

The decaying root exploded, it was shattered by the impact. Then tragedy struck Wang Xuan again. He felt like he had been ensnared once more.

But he knew deep down that everything was an illusion. With his strongest will, he kept himself alert, not moving recklessly. He lay flat on the ground, wrapping the Godslaying Banner around himself for protection.

In the ensuing time, he suffered immensely. Sometimes, he was crushed by a golden furred mammoth that plummeted from the sky. Other times, he was struck down by a deity with a single punch.

The sensation felt too real. It was impossible to distinguish between illusion and reality. It didn't seem like a hallucination at all. He felt like he was truly experiencing death. Any other person would have broken down long ago.

His body was torn apart in an instant. He was reduced to a bloody mess under the mammoth's feet. Just as he recovered, he was struck again by someone's terrifying fist. His skull shattered, spewing his brain matter everywhere.

Wang Xuan couldn't bear it anymore. Why did the illusion make his suffering so vivid? He couldn't even lie down and view it as someone else's life experience. All the pain was inflicted upon him.

And this was just the beginning. In half a day's time, he experienced three hundred and sixty-two kinds of deaths. All of it was brutal and torturous, with real sensations of pain.

It made him wish he could truly end his life.

"What is the Immortal Flower? This...... is the Eternal Poppy Devil Flower!" exclaimed Wang Xuan. This was his most heart-wrenching realization. Wang Xuan was certain that the flower was far from as pure and flawless as it appeared on the surface. It was too terrifying.

"It's just an illusion, right? Although it's lifelike, it's ultimately false, and it can't kill me. Come on, bring it on!" said Wang Xuan as he lay on the ground, gritting his teeth.

Then he saw Qi Lian Dao, the offspring of the Demon Ancestor, approaching step by step. He wielded a massive broadsword that was like a door panel, ready to..... chop him up!

"I......" Wang Xuan was infuriated amidst the intense pain.

This damned illusion, could it really project figures from my mind?

He'd rather be slaughtered by unfamiliar deities and monsters than be butchered by his adversaries.

However, he did not dare to simply use the Godslaying Banner to clear the scene. He feared another mishap that might lead to his inexplicable suicide.

Then, the Blood God Ape appeared with a grinning expression. He tore him in half, which made blood splatter everywhere in a gruesome spectacle.

Shortly after, the Celestial Sword Maiden also arrived. With a swift motion, she beheaded him with a single stroke!

Next, Old Zhang appeared, grinning wickedly. Then, a mirror smashed down on him. It smashed his head into a pulp that was like a rotten watermelon.

Then, the Red-Clothed Demoness danced the Extraordinary Immortal Dance. She was mesmerizing and her eyes were like clear water. Suddenly, she slapped his head off with a swift motion.

......

In this unfortunate tragedy, Wang Xuan was killed a total of one thousand three hundred and twenty-seven times by various characters. Everything was too real, the pain was so intense that he felt like he was going to explode right there and then.

When he finally calmed down completely, he repeatedly confirmed that it was not an illusion. He turned around and left, quickly departing from this pit. It was too dangerous, almost fatal.

"Well, after experiencing this, no torture will work on me anymore." said Wang Xuan as he moved away from the meteorite cave. He continued, "Just you wait, next time I'll transplant a true Heavenly Herb to occupy the meteorite, and leave you with no place to survive. You, Devil Flower, I will uproot you sooner or later!"

Leaving the meteorite cave and arriving outside, he carefully examined himself. Although the process was extremely painful, his spirit became stronger and more confident after being washed in blood thousands of times and constantly honed by death.

At this point, he had reached the complete mastery of the eighth-stage, but he didn't want to linger here any longer. The roots in the meteorite were too abnormal, it was impossible to guard against.

He had to think of a reliable solution before he returned here.

Standing from a distance, he looked at the pure-white plant in the meteorite passage with a complex expression. He had overthought.

How could this be the Immortal Flower? It was clearly a Devil Flower that connected reality and illusion!

He couldn't help but sigh. Even its decaying roots were so terrifying.

What would happen once I got close to its living body?

"Time to go back!" Before leaving, Wang Xuan used the Godslaying Banner to smash the meteorite fiercely, but the Devil Flower remained unmoved.

In an instant, he turned into a stream of light, merging with the Godslaying Banner. He disappeared into the Solidarity Void, embarking on his journey home.

"I wonder how Qi Lian Dao, the Blood God Ape, Qi Cheng Dao, and the others are doing. Are they still thinking about killing me? If you turn against each other, then you're all in danger." pondered Wang Xuan.

Outside, various parties were restless. Even Old Zhang was taken aback. He was taken to the hospital by someone, and just as he was about to leave, the tremor occurred a few more times. He was too relaxed, and the mirror on his face almost fell to the ground.

"This time, I have to investigate thoroughly. Why do several treasures occasionally act up? Could it be that someone is deliberately tempting them to shake?" said Old Zhang.

Then his face became extremely colorful. He was carried from the regular ward to the psychiatric ward, where an old doctor looked at him with care and kindness.

In outer space, near the blood pool, everyone was restless. Today, there were too many tremors, it made many people want to vent their anger at the heavens.

As Wang Xuan journeyed through the Ethereal Realm, he approached the boundary between reality and illusion. Wang Xuan looked at the Silver Beast Skin Scroll, which had unexpectedly changed. Not only were there ghostly symbols on it, but also images of mountains and rivers!

"What's going on? Approaching the boundary between reality and illusion, the decaying roots of that Devil Flower had impacted me with illusions, causing the Beastskin Scroll to change?" Wang Xuan was shocked. He pondered:

Could it be the clash between reality and illusion?

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