The Stars Beyond

Chapter 120: An Indigenous Person Of The New World

The revelation that the New World had native inhabitants took Wang Xuan aback. He had never encountered such information back in the Old World. Was it intentionally hidden?

He sighed softly, pondering the tales that might have unfolded during the New World's colonization. As newcomers, did they inadvertently harm the original dwellers? His hope was for a kinder narrative, one that would not echo the tragic colonization of the Americas back on the Old World. But any retrospective now felt moot; over a century had elapsed, and the events of the past were irreversible.

"Regardless of the past century or the present, the East has always been formidable. I can only hope we weren't as callous as those blond-haired conquerors," he mused with empathy.

His gaze softened considerably when he looked at the young girl, reflecting on the dwindling number of such indigenous residents.

"Are you certain you're alright?" Wang Xuan's concern was palpable. The pain was clear on the child's pallid face covered in cold sweat, yet she endured without a tear or cry.

He reached for his phone, preparing to call for emergency help. He was reluctant to rely solely on the child's reassurances; the stakes were too high.

"Uncle, I'm okay. A little rest will do," the young girl assured, her features exuding an unexpected resilience, especially for someone so young.

"Meow, meow, meow!" The petite snowy white cat, seemingly intuitive, flapped its furry wings, pacing restlessly around the girl.

"Lele!" A striking woman, appearing to be in her late twenties, emerged. With porcelain skin and shoulder-length hair shimmering with hints of purple, her nearly black pupils contrasted her overall appearance.

She quickly approached, cradling the young girl tenderly, murmuring comforting words and patting her soothingly. Her expression danced between concern and a radiant maternal warmth.

The sight of the little girl writhing in pain brought tears to the woman's eyes. Every ounce of her being yearned to shoulder the child's suffering. Whispers floated from the crowd nearby, hinting at a terminal illness. Wang Xuan's sharp senses caught the cruel speculation: the young girl might not survive past her fifth birthday. The weight of this reality stunned and saddened him.

As bystanders approached, suggesting a hospital visit, the mother gently declined, her tears breaking through her fragile facade.

"Mom, please don't cry. I'll be better soon," the little girl said, her maturity shining through her years, as she reached out to dry her mother's tears.

The emotional depth of the scene tugged at Wang Xuan's heartstrings. He let out a soft sigh, invoking the ancient Early Qin techniques, attempting to harness an esoteric energy from within. Unseen to the onlookers, but visible within Wang Xuan's spiritual realm, were delicate snowflake-like particles. He directed them cautiously towards the child.

However, inside the girl, something seemingly insurmountable dissolved his mysterious essence. This outcome was unprecedented for Wang Xuan. His esoteric force, revered for its restorative properties, should not have dissipated this easily. He recalled his past experiences practicing Taoist techniques where minor damages to his organs were rapidly healed by this essence. The little girl's condition, the "Celestial Decay," might be far more intricate and formidable than he had initially assessed.

He tried once more, pouring more of his essence into her. There was a minor alleviation in her discomfort, but the overall healing was minimal. After some time, the girl's distress subsided. She nestled quietly against her mother for a long stretch before whispering, "Mom, could you give me a little brother? If I'm not around, he could keep you company."

Overwhelmed by her daughter's words, the mother's tears flowed uncontrollably. She tightly embraced her child, hurrying home, her heart heavy with unspoken agony.

"Meow!" The petite snowy-white cat, no larger than a hand's span, trailed behind, chasing after the mother and daughter.

Sighs rippled through the nearby onlookers, many of whom resided in the same neighborhood. Their familiarity with the girl's predicament was evident.

Despite the advanced technology of the New World, her ailment remained incurable; no solutions existed. Hushed conversations and murmurs of sympathy filled the air.

"That's a hereditary condition," one person whispered. "The girl's father passed away two months ago. She still doesn't know, thinking he's simply away on a business trip."

Another added, "It must be genetic. The family is incredibly intelligent. Both parents work at top research institutes. Despite being just four, the girl learns faster than most seven or eight-year-olds. But fate has been so cruel to them..."

...... Wang Xuan's apartment was located on the 25th floor of a 30-story building, boasting exceptional natural lighting.

Prompted by his recent encounter, he delved into researching the indigenous inhabitants of the New World on his phone. The vulnerability he witnessed earlier struck a chord within him, eliciting deep empathy. He couldn't simply turn a blind eye and felt compelled to help if possible.

Many older articles he attempted to access returned "404" errors, suggesting they had been removed or were unavailable. However, he did find some articles, albeit with potentially sensitive details redacted.

An article detailed the discovery of indigenous inhabitants during early expeditions to the New World. While initial encounters were marked by conflicts, both groups eventually coexisted peacefully and integrated. A notable topic in the comments section was a hereditary disease prevalent among the indigenous population. A standout comment labeled it as the mythical "Tianren Wushuai Disease." But, further insights on this were limited.

After much digging, Wang Xuan unearthed a comprehensive article. It confirmed the existence of the indigenous people, albeit in limited numbers. Their notably low fertility rate seemed to be the primary reason for their declining population, indicating a bleak future.

Distinctively characterized by purple hair and eyes, the indigenous people were not only aesthetically pleasing but also exhibited remarkable cognitive abilities. Their rudimentary dwellings in wooden houses within dense forests were a stark contrast that caught the settlers from the Old World off guard. Recognizing the potential value of their superior genetics, these settlers believed in the importance of a swift integration.

Back in the day, the indigenous people claimed to be descendants of genuine immortals, which led the settlers from the Old Earth to ponder deeply about the truth behind such statements.

The article mentioned that notable magnates from yesteryears once intermarried with these purple-haired and purple-eyed indigenous inhabitants. However, this practice ceased due to the discovery of a severe hereditary disease prevalent among the indigenous people. This disease, having no known cure even with the advancements of modern medicine, manifested in some at a very young age while others exhibited symptoms only in adulthood. Strikingly, once the symptoms appeared, the afflicted had only a few years left. The ailment was localized within the internal organs, the "five viscera". Even when technological advancements allowed for organ transplants, it proved ineffective. The description of their death, accompanied by a foul stench, eerily matched the tales of "Immortal Decay Disease."

Wang Xuan was deeply lost in thought as he read. It was distressing to realize that even modern medicine was powerless against this disease. He sighed, lamenting his inability to help.

After settling in, Wang Xuan spent the next two days acquainting himself with everything about the New World, and subsequently delved deep into studying maps, preparing to explore the mysterious regions. His old friend, Chen Mingtu, had told him about the enigmatic area believed to be located in the Misty Plateau - an expansive, uninhabited region that seemed the likeliest place to hide any secrets.

Wang Xuan chose to reside in Yuan City primarily because of its proximity to the Misty Plateau, providing easy access to this uncharted territory.

In this New World, the influence of Eastern civilization was dominant. Most of them resided in the largest continent named "Middle State," a name that distinctly echoed Eastern culture. It was named so by the settlers from the Old Earth over a century ago. Naturally, there were other Eastern settlers in different continents too.

To the west of the Middle State lay the Misty Plateau, elevated over two thousand meters above sea level. Majestic mountains pierced the skies, their peaks shrouded in perpetual snow. Mist enveloped their mid-sections, while lush greenery flourished at their bases, radiating life and vitality.

It could be said that some of these towering mountains displayed the characteristics of all four seasons throughout the year.

Covering over nine million square kilometers, the Misty Plateau remained undeveloped and desolate. Its vast expanse, however, was fraught with dangers. Every time Old Chen visited the New World, he would venture into this plateau with his black sword in tow, driven by his relentless quest to locate the ancient blessed lands and the later-discovered hidden regions. According to him, besides these two locations, several other mysterious areas existed within. He was steadfast in his belief, convinced that they were discoverable. He had even marked specific regions for Wang Xuan, narrowing down the areas of interest.

“Old Chen, can I really trust your guidance? Don't set me up for aimless wanderings in this deserted area!” Wang Xuan resolved to embark on his journey in a day.

Over the past two days, Wang Xuan had frequently crossed paths with the little girl, Lele. She was a picture of innocence and beauty, wise beyond her years. Each time, she held her snow-white kitten close, affectionately addressing him as "uncle."

Wang Xuan couldn't help but sigh. It was heartbreaking to think of the girl’s ailment; sources indicated she had little over half a year to live.

“Uncle, are you planning to watch the starry fish tonight?” Lele, with her head tilted upward, inquired one day.

“What starry fish?” Wang Xuan responded with a smile.

Being a newcomer, Wang Xuan's primary focus had been on daily life and preparations for his upcoming exploration. He hadn't had the chance to familiarize himself with other aspects of the New World yet, making him seemingly less informed than even the young girl.

“It's a breathtaking species, also known as the lantern fish. Currently, it's their migration and spawning season. They journey from downstream, heading westwards until they approach the Misty Plateau. The spectacle is both grand and mesmerizing. Now, they've reached the vicinity of Yuan City. Would you like to join the throngs of spectators lining the riverbanks tonight?” Lele explained, her voice full of enthusiasm.

Whenever she wasn’t under the weight of her illness, Lele was bubbly and articulate, narrating tales with the grace of someone far older. She further informed Wang Xuan of the strategic location of the river stretch just outside Yuan City, attracting countless tourists annually, all eager to witness the mesmerizing migration of the starry fish.

"When I was one, two, and three years old, my parents always took me to see this spectacle. Unfortunately, this year, my dad is on a business trip, and I'm not sure when he'll be back. This year, only my mom will accompany me."

There was a hint of sadness in her voice, but her childlike optimism quickly took over, making her look forward to the stunning view at night. She was oblivious to the fact that her father had passed away two months prior.

Wang Xuan, being familiar only with her, had met Lele's mother just once, so to avoid any misunderstandings, he didn't plan on joining them for the event.

However, he did venture out of the city that evening. As expected, there were throngs of spectators. From a distance, he could make out the silhouettes of many people lining the banks.

The Zhou River, ranked as the fifth longest river in the Middle State, appeared especially majestic outside Yuan City.

Soon, Wang Xuan was left in awe. The entire sky seemed to be dotted with "stars," with their brilliance stretching from the river's surface to the high skies.

These fish, upon leaping out of the water, would quickly inflate and glow, resembling beautiful floating lanterns above the river. Some of the smaller "lanterns," after being bumped by their peers, would soar even higher, filling the sky with dazzling luminosity.

From a distance, the entire stretch of Zhou River was illuminated with this starry brilliance.

"I've overlooked so many of life's beautiful moments. Since arriving on this new planet, I've been so focused on exploring its mysteries. This view is truly worth witnessing," he mused.

Wang Xuan meandered along the extensive riverbank for over an hour. Suddenly, he spun around, spotting familiar faces.

Lele was right; every year during this season, many tourists would visit to admire the spectacle.

He saw three women walking together, chatting and laughing. How did those three end up together? They seemed to get along quite well.

All of them had previously approached him for partnerships, eagerly trying to convince him to join their individual exploration groups. Yet here they were, unexpectedly, all in one place.

Choosing discretion, he evaded them, focusing on his silent mission into uncharted realms.

Not long after, he caught sight of Lele and her mother, Jiang Xue.

"Mom, why the tears?" Lele inquired, gazing up at Jiang Xue.

That evening, Lele looked ethereal, reminiscent of a storybook fairy. Dressed in a lilac dress, her soft lavender hair fluttered with the breeze, and her luminous eyes sparkled with innocence.

Jiang Xue swiftly brushed her tears away, pulling her daughter into a comforting embrace.

"Mom, are you missing dad? I do too, but let's not shed tears," Lele said, showcasing a maturity well beyond her years.

There was a pause before the little girl, with a hint of melancholy, whispered, "Mom, do you fear I won't be with you for much longer? If I leave, I'll become one of these stars, watching over you every year. Promise me you'll come here annually to remember me. Perhaps, in time, you'll have a younger brother for me, a companion for you both. He'll surely be delightful. And one day, introduce him to this place so I can see him from above."

Jiang Xue clutched her tighter, shielding her face so that her daughter couldn't see the tears that continued to fall as she looked out over the expansive Zhou River.

Wang Xuan averted his gaze, the scene too poignant to endure. He sighed deeply. Moments ago, he had been ruminating over missed opportunities to appreciate life's beauty. Now, amidst the majestic Zhou River and the infinite stars, he realized that the brilliance of the universe often concealed the quiet tears of its inhabitants.