The Stars Beyond

Chapter 139: Rescue

In the heart of the night, the two Moonlight Bodhisattvas seemed like shooting stars as they streaked across the forest. Both were on a singular mission: to eliminate the young threat before them. They couldn't fathom how someone barely in his twenties could match the might of two Grandmasters.

Fully alert, Wang Xuan tensed his entire frame, his skin shimmering with a subtle golden glow. He pushed his Golden Body technique to its limits, ready to test the true power of these renowned Grandmasters. The alloy blade in his hand gleamed brilliantly, quivering slightly, as if struggling to contain the potent force Wang Xuan was channeling through it.

Sensing that the blade might shatter after a few more uses, Wang Xuan swung it with immense force towards one of the Grandmasters. The resulting blade radiance seemed to meld with the stars above.

With a roar echoing like thunder, the targeted Moonlight Bodhisattva caused many to stumble backward, their faces turning ashen from the sheer force of the sonic wave. As he moved, he mustered all his strength into his fist and, incredibly, shattered Wang Xuan's alloy blade with a single punch. Fragments of the blade scattered in all directions, injuring bystanders and drawing cries of pain.

But the danger was not over for Wang Xuan yet. The other Grandmaster approached, unleashing a dazzling white-lit kick aimed directly at Wang Xuan's back.

Unexpectedly, before Wang Xuan could react, another force intervened. The Grandmaster-tier stallion counterattacked, positioning his hind legs towards the attacking Bodhisattva and delivering a powerful double kick. With a resonant thud, the Bodhisattva collided with the stallion’s counter. He was sent flying backward, and when he landed, he limped noticeably. While his bones weren't crushed, the pain in his foot was evident.

The potency of Grandmaster Ma's hooves was legendary, with the ability to shatter alloys and penetrate steel. Noticing this, one of the Moonlight Bodhisattvas became wary as the horse scraped its hooves against the ground, signaling its readiness to unleash a powerful blow.

Simultaneously, Wang Xuan, having let go of the remnants of his broken blade, squared off against his adversary with unshielded fists. Their collision echoed with a thunderous resonance, creating a maelstrom of displaced vegetation and airborne debris. The atmosphere grew tense with the thickening haze of dust and the chaos of the ensuing battle.

Even though Wang Xuan was technically still at a master's level, he effortlessly matched the Moonlight Bodhisattva's grandmaster strength. The Bodhisattva struggled to reconcile this reality, his hands bleeding from the force of their clash, the red droplets staining the earth beneath.

Nearby, a middle-aged man from the Qin family observed with growing concern. Quickly, he commanded his troops to encircle Wang Xuan, setting the stage for a coordinated assault.

Suddenly, the Moonlight Bodhisattva unleashed a brilliant, blinding ray of light. Having ascended to the grandmaster realm, he now exhibited semi-divine powers. Wang Xuan nimbly sidestepped the attack, which cleaved through an array of ancient trees, leaving devastation in its wake.

The falling trees created a cascade of destruction, snapping branches and showering the area with leaves.

Meeting the Bodhisattva's gaze, Wang Xuan evaluated his opponent's strength. While confident in his own abilities, he saw no advantage in dragging out their duel.

Without hesitation, the two warriors clashed once more in a fierce battle.

While most feared the opponent's unique ability to unleash beams of light reminiscent of sword strikes, Wang Xuan saw it as his only real challenge. A soft luminescence began to radiate from his forehead, signaling his mastery over the spiritual realm, which he unleashed upon the Moonlight Bodhisattva.

Wang Xuan had previously discerned the Achilles heel of such enhanced beings. Despite their physical prowess reaching grandmaster stature, they were spiritually vulnerable. While an ordinary grandmaster might overlook this flaw, against a formidable opponent like Wang Xuan, such weaknesses became glaring.

Gripped by pain, the Moonlight Bodhisattva let out an agonized cry, his hands clawing at his head. It felt as though his very skull had been shattered, his consciousness disintegrating.

Seizing this opportunity, Wang Xuan leaped, readying a deadly strike. However, at the last moment, he shifted his approach. Landing, he firmly pressed his hand onto the Bodhisattva's cranium, causing a visible indentation, heralding imminent demise.

Even the hardened mercenaries of the Qin family, typically unbridled by morals, were left stunned. Here was a grandmaster, effortlessly subdued by a young man not even in his prime. The spectacle was chilling.

Not far off, the second Moonlight Bodhisattva, who had been engaged with Grandmaster Ma, was in disbelief. Witnessing the swift defeat of his comrade, he became a blur of white light, choosing retreat over confrontation. His escape wasn't about pride but survival. In the face of such an adversary, valor had its limits. Without hesitation, he sped away, leaving even the Qin family's middle-aged man in his wake.

Wang Xuan had vowed to eradicate this group of ruthless assassins, ensuring none would escape his wrath, not even a grandmaster. He gave chase, his spiritual domain erupting with intensity, casting a radiant light across the shadowed woods.

The fleeing Moonlight Bodhisattva soon grasped the terrifying ordeal his comrade had faced. Overwhelmed by Wang Xuan's spiritual onslaught, his mental defenses shattered, leaving him screaming in torment. Disoriented, he almost stumbled and fell.

Catching up swiftly, Wang Xuan delivered a powerful slap, sinking the man's head partially into his chest. There was no hope of survival after such a blow. Wang Xuan had restrained himself just enough to avoid a gruesome mess.

"Grandmaster Ma," Wang Xuan called out, "the seven on that side are yours to handle, while I'll take care of the fourteen here. Let none escape!" He gestured for the young horse, Grandmaster Ma, to join the pursuit.

Wang Xuan was on a relentless mission. Any survivor could inform the Qin family, forcing him into hiding and preventing his return to the New Star. As for the middle-aged man from the Qin family, Wang Xuan had already incapacitated him, breaking his legs to ensure he remained for questioning.

During the chase, Wang Xuan picked up a blade from the ground. Initially using it for decapitation, he swiftly dispatched seven or eight men. Then, snapping the blade into segments, he hurled the shards, piercing and eliminating the rest.

It was clear that Wang Xuan's speed was unmatched. While the furthest runners managed barely a hundred meters, the closest barely took a few steps before meeting their end.

If the assailants had managed to scatter into the forest, even Wang Xuan might have struggled to hunt each one down. But the real surprise came from Grandmaster Ma, the horse, which displayed a seemingly telepathic understanding. When Wang Xuan communicated using his spiritual realm, the horse seemed to grasp most of the intent. It charged with fury, trampling seven individuals to death, while the eighth was spared by Wang Xuan.

Apart from the middle-aged man from the Qin family, only this one brute survived.

Wang Xuan proceeded to interrogate them separately. The Qin representative, once cold and detached, was shaken to the core after witnessing Wang Xuan's overwhelming power. His complexion turned pale as the horror of it all hit him, and he readily spilled every detail. The Qin family had maintained a secret base in the area for many years. It housed elite warriors, remnants of various expeditions who weren't allowed to return to the New Star.

"I see something in your eyes. What else are you hiding?" Wang Xuan intently asked, employing his spiritual realm, which almost made the man unravel in fear. And just like that, another secret was unveiled.

This base was also a laboratory. Earlier versions of the Moonlight Bodhisattva underwent genetic modifications, benefiting from the flesh and blood of ancient, genuine Bodhisattvas. Later, they were nourished by an unearthly material known as the 'supermatter'. Discovered in a mystical realm by the scholars of the New Art domain, it was often termed the "God Factor" and was coveted by major research institutions. However, upon its arrival at this concealed location, the supermatter became corrupted by an entity referred to as X-substance.

Over the years, they were developing new Moonlight Bodhisattvas, rooted in the X-substance, believing this to be the righteous path. More so, they were even cultivating a higher echelon called the Sunlight Bodhisattva in the same locale.

"In truth," the man divulged, "the base lacks sophisticated equipment. Devices brought here are eroded by mysterious energies. This location mainly serves to supply the natural existence of the X-substance to the test subjects."

Upon hearing this, Wang Xuan's initial urge was to storm the base and destroy it. However, he soon received a piece of crucial information that would change his course.

The information was chilling. The so-called mad elder from the Qin family hadn't ventured deep into the hidden lands but was hiding in their base, surrounded by a group of elite warriors lying in ambush.

Upon hearing this, Wang Xuan's eyes turned icy cold. So the cunning elder was hiding in the rear, using the younger generation as bait, anticipating them to pave the way, hoping to reap benefits without much effort. However, reality had dealt them a bloody lesson.

"And what about Wu Yin, Zheng Rui, and Zhong Qing? Were they captured by you and taken to your base or killed on the spot?" Wang Xuan demanded to know.

"They were driven into the great rift valley ahead," the middle-aged man from the Qin family revealed.

The Qin's ruthless nature became evident. They viewed human lives with sheer disdain. Whenever they believed they could get away with no loose ends, they would not hesitate in their heinous acts. Recently, they had noticed injured transcendent beings escaping from the depths and entering this grand canyon. While seeking refuge, these beings clashed with a nearly horned ancient serpent residing there, their battle raging for half a day before it went silent. The Qin family had been eyeing the remains of these beings, but they didn't dare approach. So, they deliberately drove the remaining explorers into the canyon to gauge the situation.

"You are truly malicious!" With a swift slap, Wang Xuan dislocated the man's shoulder. Despite his current fearful demeanor, this man had been particularly treacherous when in power, orchestrating all manner of deceit. Before their true intentions had been revealed, he had lured the young explorers under the pretense of cooperative efforts to gather the Black Gold Dates. In reality, he'd cunningly smeared mantis hatchling blood on some explorers, leading to them being chased by the mantis beasts. After their cover was blown, the survivors were driven into the canyon to scout the way.

"On my journey, I encountered a young man from the Qin family accompanied by a Moonlight Bodhisattva. He mentioned his brother being nearby. Why haven't I seen him?" Wang Xuan inquired.

"It was me," the middle-aged man replied bitterly.

Wang Xuan swiftly ended his life with a single slap.

The testimony of another captured brute corroborated with the Qin family member's account, with one exception: they had initially wanted to capture Wu Yin and Zhong Qing alive. However, the two had escaped into the rift valley on their own. Following this, the brutes forced the remaining explorers in the same direction.

Wang Xuan ensured the brute faced his fate, leaving no survivors behind.

Wang Xuan left the corpses untouched, knowing that by nightfall, the scent of blood would attract various beasts and monsters. They would feast on the bodies of the fallen. No trace of them would be left behind. This was a fate they deserved.

Soon enough, the glint of predatory eyes began to shimmer in the dark, casting their gaze in his direction. The rift valley's expanse, which stretched for dozens of miles, served as the only exit from this region. If any transcendent creatures stirred within this chasm, the distance would provide ample time for a safe retreat from this vantage point.

With a heavy sigh, Wang Xuan resolved to search the peripheries of the great rift. He dared not venture too deep, acutely aware of the vast disparity in strength between himself and the transcendent beings. Challenging such creatures would undoubtedly lead to his demise.

"I can only risk going so far. It's not a matter of unwillingness but capability," he mused, realizing that one swipe from those creatures could mean instant death.

Traversing through stone forests and passing by lakes, he soon reached a vast marshland. Upon entering, Ma, his esteemed companion, exhibited signs of unease, his nostrils radiating a white glow. After journeying another ten miles, Wang Xuan unexpectedly discovered surviving members of the expedition, submerged in the marsh, their mud-caked faces barely emerging for air.

Had it not been for Wang Xuan's keen senses, he might have missed them entirely in the shadow of the night. "Come out. The Qin family's goons have left," he called out.

Zheng Rui, one of the trapped explorers, almost cried out in shock upon recognizing Wang Xuan. Having witnessed Wang Xuan being abducted by a creature earlier, he was astounded to see him now. "Did we both die and meet in the afterlife?" he pondered in bewilderment.

"Get out quickly! If the Qin return, escape will be impossible," Wang Xuan urged.

"I can't. If no one came for me soon, I'd have been suffocated under the mud," Zheng Rui replied with a strained voice.

Using a sturdy tree branch, Wang Xuan managed to pull him out of the mire. Covered in mud from head to toe, Zheng Rui presented a pitiful sight. Nearby, another expert, Yang Lin, was also found hiding within the sludgy waters.

Continuing his search across the marsh, Wang Xuan rescued six more 'mud men.' To his surprise, the seventh individual he found was Zhong Qing. Her once-beautiful hair was now coated in mud, and she was almost completely submerged. Given more time, she would have been completely buried. Snakes swam nearby, and Zhong Qing, with an innate fear of such creatures, was paralyzed with terror.

Rescuing her proved challenging as her strength had waned considerably. But with effort, Wang Xuan managed to pull her to safety, her limbs limp from exhaustion.

Looking at Zhong Qing's mud-drenched form, which resembled a muddy monkey, Wang Xuan felt a pang of distaste. Not wishing to carry her himself, he nonchalantly placed her on Grandmaster Ma, the esteemed horse Grandmaster. However, in a swift act of rebellion, Grandmaster Ma bucked, flinging Zhong Qing back into the mud with a splat.

Zhong Qing was on the verge of tears, both shocked and hurt. Throughout her life, she had never felt so rejected. It was one thing for Wang Xuan to act this way, but now even a horse deemed her unworthy?

After pulling her out of the mud once more, Wang Xuan tried to hold his breath against the pungent smell of muck and attempted to carry her. But no sooner had he touched her than he recoiled, tossing her aside again. "What on earth do you have on you? It's not just hard but prickly too!" he exclaimed. He had mastered the art of the impenetrable golden body, so he wasn't genuinely hurt – he merely feigned it for effect.

Zhong Qing, usually so eloquent, was rendered speechless in her embarrassment. It dawned on her what was causing the discomfort. She sheepishly removed two spiky steel plates hidden within her clothing – one from her chest and another from her back.

Wang Xuan was taken aback. He'd only ever used thick steel plates for protection, yet here was Zhong Qing with spiky ones! Everyone else, too, stared in disbelief.

Reflecting on their past, Wang Xuan recalled a time when, in the Old World, he had unintentionally struck Zhong Qing. The impact had almost knocked her out then. Had she equipped these steel plates as an extreme self-defense measure since that incident?

This time, when Wang Xuan placed her on Grandmaster Ma's back, the horse, though still visibly irritated, refrained from throwing her off.

The mood turned somber as Wang Xuan proceeded to discover several other expedition members in the vicinity. Tragically, they were lifeless, succumbing to grievous wounds.

"Where is Wu Yin?" Wang Xuan inquired.

"She probably fled further in," Yang Lin, a Master of the New Arts, suggested.

Ahead, the landscape was no longer marshy. Instead, it was riddled with fissures, craters, and a plethora of rocky caves.

Shortly after their search commenced, Wang Xuan pulled a pale-faced female explorer from one of the crevices. She was known to be a companion of Wu Yin's.

"Where is Wu Yin?" Wang Xuan pressed.

Tears streamed down her face as she uttered, "Wu Yin... she was taken by a monster!"

"What did you just say?!" Wang Xuan stared at her in disbelief.

Zhong Qing, having gathered some of her strength, was equally shocked by the revelation. "That's impossible!"

The woman sobbed, "A creature, radiating a dark light, grabbed her and soared into the sky. Blood rained down... I was paralyzed with fear."

Indeed, there were traces of blood on the ground, as well as splatters on the woman's clothes.

Wang Xuan sighed deeply, rendered momentarily speechless. He spent considerable time searching the area but came up empty-handed. The group remained silent; the weight of the losses they had suffered that day bore down on them heavily.

"Did Wu Yin leave any last words?" Zhong Qing asked. Even though she and Wu Yin had been rivals, the probable news of Wu Yin's demise was heart-wrenching.

"We hid separately in different crevices," the female explorer replied, her voice choked with emotion. "Wu Yin mentioned that if Qin's people found us, she'd end her life. I never imagined a monster would..." She trailed off, holding back tears. "She carved something where she was hiding. It looked like a last message."

Wang Xuan entered the said crevice and indeed found inscriptions. Zhong Qing leaned in, confirming, "These are Wu Yin's handwriting."

The majority of Wu Yin's message conveyed her deep longing and concern for her family, fearing she might never see them again. Yet, one final line stood out, initially scratched out but later rewritten: "Deliver the scripture I found to Xiao Wang of the Old World. His name is Wang Xiao."

Upon reading this, a deep pang of emotion welled up in Wang Xuan. Wu Yin's last thoughts had included him, and now she was gone forever.