The Stars Beyond

Chapter 104: Mystery Encounter

For days on end, the gentle rain persisted. But finally, by afternoon, the looming clouds cleared, revealing a vibrant rainbow stretching across the sky. Many stopped to gaze upwards, capturing its beauty with their cameras.

Upon returning to his rental place, Wang Xuan settled down at his desk. Slowly, he began to unseal the envelope, ready to confront the information it contained.

"The Mysterious Encounter", a story that had been buried for thirty years.

Right from the start, Old Chen shared specific time frames, leading Wang Xuan to instantly think of Old Chen's master, who had inexplicably vanished three decades ago.

"Recently, figures from the New Arts realm have taken an interest in the Mysterious Encounter. During the last great battle at the Pamir Plateau, Mo Hai, a Grandmaster from this realm, had personally boarded a super warship of the Old World."

To emphasize the gravity of the situation, Old Chen made direct mention of their adversaries.

This wasn't mere hearsay. Mo Hai had indeed met with a deputy from the relevant department, openly discussing and expressing his desire to obtain specific details about the past Mysterious Encounter. However, upon disembarking the warship, he met his demise at the hands of Old Chen. In his letter, Old Chen conveyed to Wang Xuan that both his own master and the aforementioned deputy's master had been ensnared by this event, disappearing without a trace for thirty years.

"The old man's final gaze was one of sheer despair. His form began to fade right before my eyes, not far from where I stood. As he took his last glance at me, he attempted to mouth something, but no sound came out..."

Between the lines, Wang Xuan could palpably feel Old Chen's deep sorrow and lingering melancholy.

Back then, it wasn't just the two elder individuals with unparalleled strength who vanished. A host of skilled practitioners from that era, adept in the ancient arts, also found themselves ensnared by the same event. They disappeared without a trace, leaving behind no sign of their existence.

"At the time, a particular region in the Old World exhibited abnormalities. For several consecutive days, it was enshrouded by a hazy light—a light that devoured people!" Old Chen didn't conceal his lingering anguish.

On that fateful day, they had little understanding of the dangers that lurked there. They cautiously approached the luminous area. In a sudden whim, Old Chen's master hurled him away. Tragically, the elder and the rest were wholly consumed by the mysterious radiance. This incident became a lasting emotional scar for Old Chen, one he couldn't overcome even after three decades. The ethereal glow covered the mountains, resting on the flora, exuding an aura of sanctity and tranquility. But, to everyone's horror, any who dared approach it would vanish without warning.

Moreover, the Zhong family, known for its prominence, was also deeply involved. They were at the heart of the Mysterious Encounter episode. As a result, two of their super warships were swallowed whole, leaving not even a ripple behind. Upon reading this, Wang Xuan was profoundly shocked. The situation seemed deeply mystical.

"Old Zhong Yong was scared out of his wits back then. He fled to the New World overnight and for many years, never dared to return to the Old World."

The mysterious glow vanished after a few days, but in its place, a set of enigmatic symbols were left behind. For thirty years, numerous renowned scholars and experts had been called upon, but no one had deciphered its meaning.

"These symbols bear a striking resemblance to the text found on the silver animal-skin manuscript unearthed from the Qingcheng Mountain tomb."

Wang Xuan's heart raced as he read this. A manuscript, which a feathered ascetic studied until his death, surely held monumental significance!

"After the mysterious light dissipated, aside from the enigmatic symbols, an ancient black sword was found embedded in the ground."

Old Chen hid nothing in his letter. That very sword was the black sword that was in his possession. Wang Xuan was astounded. Old Chen's weapon had such a profound history!

Beside the black sword lay a decayed skeleton, long rotted away.

"The black sword and the skeleton might not necessarily have been left behind by that hazy light. I witnessed it firsthand. I observed closely and felt as though they had been there for a very long time. Only the mysterious symbols seemed recently etched."

This was the mysterious encounter from thirty years ago, which ensnared a group of ancient art masters. Even the formidable super warships couldn't withstand its power and were swallowed whole, two in total.

"After three decades, a message has emerged from deep space!"

"Six months ago, the hazy light astonishingly reappeared. This time, it manifested on the New World and left behind another set of mysterious symbols, known only to a select few."

Further in the letter, Old Chen mentioned updates about this incident, his tone heavy with concern. In the New World, after the hazy light disappeared, an ancient knife was found embedded in the spot. However, after thorough inspection, some believe that the knife had been there for ages.

Moreover, just two months later, the light appeared again on another part of the New World. Once more, it left behind mysterious symbols, accompanied this time by an ancient spear.

"I believe its manifestations are becoming more frequent. Sooner or later, it will settle and consistently emerge in one place. When you head to the New World, you must remain vigilant and cautious!"

...... Wang Xuan set the letter down, lost in thought. Naturally, his mind began weaving a tapestry of possibilities.

The black sword might be a weapon of the celestial beings. After all, its owner was the sworn enemy of the Sword Immortal. Shockingly, it reappeared after the mysterious encounter. Three weapons - the ancient sword, dagger, and spear – were they dropped from the light or had they been embedded in the ground all along, activated by some ritual? Did this event relate to the ancients? Did it intersect with the celestial beings?

"If I had the power of the red shirt demoness, I'd smack that light straight through!" Wang Xuan mused, shaking his head.

The possibilities he conjured were endless, each more terrifying and thrilling than the last. He wasn't keen to delve too deep. After all, even if he figured it out, what could he change with his current abilities? Clearly, Chen Mingtu had hopes for him, believing he had an unusual potential to venture into the inner realms.

"Old Chen, I'm sorry, but I really can't help with this. Thanks for sharing, and I promise to avoid that light in the future."

In the afternoon, the weather was splendid - the rain had stopped, a rainbow hung high, and the air was fresh. Decisively, Wang Xuan went out shopping, preparing gifts for his parents and friends for his visit tomorrow. In just ten days, he would leave this old land, feeling somewhat reluctant. Before leaving, he wrapped a bandage around his left hand due to a "car accident." Thankfully, it wasn't his real body that got hit; otherwise, the car might have crumpled upon impact, startling passersby.

Wang Xuan was a man of action. In just over an hour, he completed his shopping and returned home, impressively efficient.

During his outing, he noticed the whispers and murmurs about him.

"Did you see that? That young man is so efficient. He grabbed a bunch of items in just ten minutes and is heading to check out now," remarked a man, cautiously nudging his female companion. "Look at us, we've been wandering for ages and still haven't picked anything. Should we speed things up?"

His companion replied nonchalantly, "Well, that's because he's shopping solo, while you have the pleasure of my company."

"That's true!" the man agreed with a nod.

Wang Xuan was almost tempted to approach them and set things straight. It was one thing to flaunt their relationship, but why take an unsolicited jab at him? But just as he turned to give them a piece of his mind, the woman added with a softer tone, "He is quite handsome though."

Deciding to be magnanimous, Wang Xuan took the compliment in stride and left without causing a scene. However, he couldn't help but reflect – it seemed as if the female sword immortal had rubbed off some peculiar habits onto him.

After dinner, Wang Xuan took a stroll around Yun Lake, the most renowned attraction in An City. He planned to return home the next morning and, in ten days, head into deep space. He realized he might not have the chance to appreciate An City's beauty for several years. Thus, under the lingering glow of the setting sun, he peacefully admired the serene reflections on the lake. Now, without the notable status of a master, and blending back into the life of an ordinary person, he could stand amidst the bustling crowd without drawing attention.

He relished this tranquility: basking in the evening glow, watching birds glide gracefully across the sky, occasionally spotting a fish leaping, disrupting the shimmering golden surface of the lake. His heart felt a sense of peace he hadn't experienced in a long while.

The representatives of the financial magnates and major organizations had all departed, with the super battleships vanishing into the depths of the starry sky. The individuals from the new arts realm had also left, bringing calm to the once bustling An City. All the opulence and splendor had faded, leaving only tranquility in its wake. Wang Xuan felt a profound sense of clarity, almost as if he had achieved some sort of enlightenment.

He seemed to grasp a strand of the mindset of Old Zhang when he chose to seclude himself in the Crane's Cry Mountain — after experiencing all the glitz of the world, one might long for a simple, genuine life amidst nature.

The "Snake-Crane Eight Style Technique" martial technique matured within him. Furthermore, the first three diagrams from the golden book he had practiced also took on a new meaning. There was a distinct, otherworldly aura about him. However, he soon returned to reality and shook his head, "There's no true distinction between being worldly and unworldly. It's all just different perspectives at different moments. This vibrant world, with all its allure, I won't leave."

As he strolled around the lake, he felt a completion in his master consciousness. Both his Eight Scatter Hands technique and the three diagrams had evolved, further enhancing his strength.

"Xiao Zhong, we're heading back tomorrow. I really don't want to travel with you. Did you choose Flight A or C? Honestly, I think something between A and C suits you best. Let's try to avoid each other," a voice said playfully.

"Wu Yin, you've been so aggressive lately! But I won't stoop to your level. Let's just enjoy the view. By the way, wasn't it right here where someone kicked you in the rear, and you fell into the lake?" another voice teased.

Hearing such a conversation and recognizing the figures ahead, Wang Xuan turned, intending to leave.

However, he was quickly spotted. Wu Yin, with her long strides, dashed over, scrutinizing him with a puzzled expression. Soon after, her gaze turned icy, and she let out a disdainful huff.

Wang Xuan observed that Wu Yin really held a grudge. A single kick from him, and she still looked like she wanted to devour him whole.

He mused about how meeting the same person at different times and places could yield varying outcomes. Wu Yin was so friendly towards his alternate persona, Xiao Wang, always greeting him with a smile. Yet when faced with his true self, she seemed to harbor a desire to punch him on sight.

Ultimately, Wu Yin's anger subsided. Her gaze fixated on his left hand, wrapped in bandages, then shifted to his right hand, nestled in his loose pocket.

A pang of apprehension hit Wang Xuan. Could she be that intuitive? Was she suspecting something? When he transformed into his Master Wang persona, his appearance, hairstyle, and even build were distinctively different, with added shoulder pads for a more muscular silhouette. How could she possibly discern any resemblance?

Even Old Chen, Qingmu, and Guan Lin, upon examining him in his true form, couldn't find any similarities between the two personas. Yet Wu Yin seemed suspicious?

Zhong Qing approached, her youthful beauty evident. She inquired if he was a friend of Wu Yin's and extended her hand for a shake, her smile bright. Was she too trying to ascertain if there were any injuries on his hand? After all, everyone knew about the grievous injuries he had sustained, with his fingers blown off during a battle on a rainy night.

Maintaining his composure, he stretched out his right hand, grasping Zhong Qing's soft and delicate fingers.

Relief was evident on Wu Yin's face, but Zhong Qing's expression remained inscrutable.

"Dude, you can let go now. That's my sister," Zhong Cheng interjected, walking over.

Wang Xuan felt relieved. If everyone he encountered began to harbor suspicions, that would spell trouble! He deduced that his silhouette, as he turned in the evening glow, likely bore a resemblance to Master Wang. Additionally, the bandaged left hand probably gave the two women a strong initial impression, leading to their doubts. But now that his right hand was on display, with its smooth, slender fingers and pristine nails, whatever inklings or suspicions the two women may have had would need to be quelled within them. With the evening glow surrounding him, Wang Xuan waved and walked away, leaving only his retreating figure for them to watch.

The next day, he returned home and informed his parents about his upcoming journey to the New World. To his surprise, they were thrilled and showed no signs of sorrow. Instead, they began planning their own travels around the Old World.

Wang Xuan couldn't help but wonder, "Are they truly my parents? They seem completely unfazed by my departure, as if they're more excited about their upcoming trips."

He caught up with a couple of childhood friends and met a few others, distributing a myriad of gifts. The following days were filled with feasting and celebrations. During this period, Qingmu discreetly reached out, informing him that all loose ends were tied up. He even sent a package containing an antique sword certification and a bunch of other items. Ten days later, Wang Xuan bypassed An City and headed straight to the outer city spaceport, ready to depart from the Old World!