The Stars Beyond

Chapter 131: Miracle In The Night

The looming beast's eyes burned with fury. From a distance, it had already discerned the damage to its partner's claws. It let out a roar that echoed ominously through the still night. In response, the creature carrying Wang Xuan and Zhao Qinghan issued a throaty growl, hinting at some untold conversation between the two.

"You think you're intimidating? I'll face you head-on!" Wang Xuan declared, defiance clear in his tone.

Zhao Qinghan clung tighter to him, a wave of dread washing over her. She drew a deep breath, bracing herself against the grim reality: two grandmaster-level monsters against them seemed like insurmountable odds. In her heart, she began to reconcile with the possibility of an impending end.

"Always believe in the unexpected," Wang Xuan voiced calmly, his grip firm on his short sword, ready for whatever might come their way. He feigned nonchalance, hoping to lift their spirits.

"This might not be our downfall, but a serendipity—a chance to harvest rare herbs from their nest. Stay close to me and try to savor this moonlit voyage through the enigmatic expanse. If it becomes overwhelming, just shut your eyes," he suggested gently.

His words, and the unwavering confidence with which he spoke, left Zhao Qinghan in quiet admiration. Could he possibly possess the prowess of a Grandmaster? She quickly dismissed the thought—it was unlikely he could progress from mere Qi cultivation to Grandmaster level in such a short span.

Yet, before she could ponder any further, the second beast's roar pierced the air as it dived menacingly toward them.

"A moment of wonder is upon us!" Wang Xuan declared, his eyes radiating a powerful brilliance. From them emanated beams of tangible light. Determined to give his all, he prepared to tackle one of the monstrous creatures with all the force of a raging storm.

Zhao Qinghan felt a sudden surge of emotion. Observing Wang Xuan's intense gaze, she couldn't help but wonder: had he truly achieved the rank of a Grandmaster?

Suddenly, a resplendent golden beam shot out, and blood splattered everywhere. Droplets descended as the air itself seemed to shiver from the aftermath of a colossal blast.

Wang Xuan, with his short sword in hand, looked slightly taken aback. He hadn't acted yet. Where had the creature gone?

A startling vision came into focus. At the pivotal moment, a swift golden bird had darted across the sky with an unbelievable velocity, resembling a bright lightning strike slicing through the obsidian night, before swiftly fading away.

It was clear that the creature's speed surpassed that of sound. The ear-splitting sonic boom arrived only after it had passed, echoing ominously, with mist swirling in its wake.

As the golden creature retreated, its trailing light dimmed until it was lost to the vast expanse. The speed was breathtaking. Such mysteries and dangers were synonymous with this land. What caliber of creature was this? The beast that had them in its clutches emitted a low, ominous growl, its entire form quivering. Overwhelmed with fear, it began a rapid descent, eager to find refuge on solid ground.

The creature was drenched in the blood of its fallen mate, its fear reaching unparalleled heights.

"Was that entity... the 'miracle' you mentioned?" Zhao Qinghan asked, her voice quivering.

She hadn't anticipated the actualization of the miracle Wang Xuan had prophesied.

"It appears... the miracle has manifested." Wang Xuan uttered, his throat parched. He had been ready to display his Master prowess when this enigmatic being unexpectedly stole the spotlight.

A shiver of reverence ran through him. The golden bird was immensely formidable. It consumed the beast with ease, much like a swallow catching a night insect.

"We're nearing the ground. Focus on our escape," Zhao Qinghan urged.

As their beastly mount descended, it began to slow down, preparing for a gentle landing.

"The miracle... it's approaching again!" Zhao Qinghan announced, her voice laced with alarm.

A gleaming gold streak shot across the horizon at a blinding pace. The silent luminescence pierced the night, reminiscent of a radiant sword slashing the moonlit expanse.

"Land! Now!" Wang Xuan commanded. This golden creature was transcendental, hunting without restraint and viewing even Grandmaster-level beasts as trivial prey.

Their carrier beast, gripped by sheer terror, was even more eager to find refuge, plunging desperately towards the shelter of the thick forest below.

"We won't make it in time!" Zhao Qinghan's complexion turned ghostly pale. The golden avian was almost upon them, its velocity unmatched.

As Wang Xuan watched the creature's gleaming beak widen in anticipation, dread settled in his chest. The impending threat of them being engulfed loomed large.

Then, an abrupt sound: Thud!

In a pivotal moment, Wang Xuan deftly slashed with his sword, severing the creature's hind leg. The beast, eyes aflame in a deep red, let out a heart-wrenching howl.

The agony triggered its raw, primal instincts. Its wings beat wildly, an uncontrollable response to the searing pain.

This gave Wang Xuan and Zhao Qinghan a brief respite. Taking advantage of the creature's momentary imbalance, the two made a daring plunge towards the dense canopy below.

"Brace yourself! Protect your eyes from the branches!" Wang Xuan shouted in warning.

The beast's disarray, induced by its pain, was fleeting. Regaining composure, it charged headlong into the forest depths. Yet, despite its efforts, the golden avian pursuer seemed relentless and inescapable. The beast's frantic movements merely gave Wang Xuan and Zhao Qinghan a fleeting window for escape. A resonating crash marked the creature's sudden disappearance, leaving behind a mist of blood cascading onto the verdant forest below.

A radiant golden streak surged through the woods, obliterating ancient tree canopies in its wake and unleashing explosive impacts. Nothing in its path stood a chance. Subsequently, a sonic echo reverberated from the direction the creature had fled, sending the region's wildlife scattering in terror.

Wang Xuan stowed his blade and reached for the robust tree branches beneath them. His mastery of the Golden Body Technique now shone through, allowing him to handle impacts with ease.

Ensuring Zhao Qinghan was safe from the gnarled branches during their descent, Wang Xuan snapped multiple limbs and even used his back to break some tree trunks, effectively slowing their fall. Ultimately, the duo stabilized themselves, gripping a sturdy branch.

With a sharp crack, the branch gave way, sending Wang Xuan plummeting to the ground.

He crashed with a resounding thud, shattering a stone beneath him, his descent cushioned in part by a steel plate strapped to his back.

Despite Wang Xuan's best efforts to shield her, Zhao Qinghan was left dazed from the impact.

Could they really have survived this ordeal? To Zhao Qinghan, the entire night felt like an ongoing miracle.

From afar, the howls of creatures—driven away by the golden predator—echoed. An unexpected tranquility settled over the nearby woods.

"Will it continue hunting? Could we become its next prey?" Wang Xuan asked, his expression grave. There was indeed a chance; the golden avian predator seemed to have a penchant for circling back on its targets.

No sooner had he spoken than a golden streak flashed across the sky, accompanied by an explosive sound.

Both were taken aback. The predator might still be nearby, potentially considering them as its next meal.

For a moment, they lay still, side by side on the ground, waiting with bated breath. After several tense minutes, they relaxed; the golden bird did not return.

"It's no miracle. Something must have happened to you before," Zhao Qinghan said, her eyes bright in the moonlight, as she turned to face Wang Xuan.