The Stars Beyond

Chapter 448: Let’s Go Home

The scene caused many to tense, their eyes narrowing, bodies shivering in shock. A seventh-realm archer, counter-killed, by an "alien" who caught the arrows barehanded and in a flash, sent them back to shatter his body.

"Arrows pierced through him... his flesh exploded..." someone murmured, feeling a chill run down their spine. The grassland afar was stained crimson, scattered with fragments of bone and blood.

Everyone knew this alien was formidable, having displayed ruthless ferocity before. Yet, many doubted his ability to make a significant impact in this complex environment, expecting his realm and spiritual practice to be forcibly diminished.

Now, the hearts of many were shaken, their confidence wavering.

"Good heavens, true to his reputation as a great villain. His greeting is indeed vivid, claiming lives with his actions," exclaimed the little fox fairy aboard the bamboo boat as it entered the city.

"He didn't kill on your first meeting, just took you captive," Wu Yin added, equally astonished but quickly regaining her composure, not allowing fear to overtake her.

"Black Fox Elder, this is excessive. Yun Chuan merely wanted to jest in goodwill, to greet him with arrows as friends, yet he killed on the spot. Such malevolence!" A man in white stood up, anger etched on his face, loudly decrying Wang Xuan and beseeching Black Fox to administer justice for the indiscriminate killing.

"He's always been a butcher, a relentless killer. Near the Earthly Immortal City, he slaughtered sixty to seventy of our peers from the three extraordinary planets."

"There must be a severe punishment!" Voices rose in indignation. Clearly intent on causing trouble at Old Fox's estate, these individuals collectively condemned Wang Xuan, seeking retribution for his actions.

"Elder, Wang Xuan was merely defending himself. It's unfair how these people are distorting the truth," Zhao Qinghan couldn't hold back, worried Wang Xuan would be wronged.

"You people..." Wu Yin also expressed her anger.

Wang Xuan simply shook his hand, signaling to those in the air that there was no need for further words; to him, this was nothing of concern.

Wang Xuan simply looked towards Old Fox, awaiting its stance amidst the escalating tension.

"Attacking someone from the shadows now has justification, does it? Serves him right!" muttered Superb, the horse.

Old Fox surveyed the gathered crowd and declared, "If you wish for a duel, announce it beforehand. Attacking with cold arrows at one's vital points from the get-go is deserving of death!"

It added, "This is my residence, where I host my guests. To draw a bow with intent to harm here, one only invites trouble upon themselves."

Instantly, many from the three extraordinary planets fell silent, their voices stifled by Old Fox's deterrence, none daring to further provoke its ire.

"Thank you, Elder, for upholding justice," Wang Xuan spoke up, his demeanor calm, untroubled, which only served to deepen some onlookers' wariness and indignation.

With a swish, the glowing bamboo boat touched down, and two women alongside a small fox stepped out gracefully, rushing over like immortal beings skimming over water, their otherworldly beauty intact.

Despite originating from a technologically advanced modern world, having spent months in a realm filled with monsters and beasts, their return felt like seeing home after years of absence. The sight of Wang Xuan, a familiar face, brought them immense joy and a surge of emotion.

Seeing them safe and sound, their faces alight with happiness and their extraordinary aura evident, stirred Wang Xuan deeply.

"I've come to take you home!" he announced.

Hearing those words, Zhao Qinghan and Wu Yin were reminded of his promise at their departure. Though they had been stranded here for a long time, he had indeed come for them.

For a while, they had worried they might never return home, especially after hearing from Old Fox about cosmic ships attacking a base on a brown star and retreating, hinting at possible interstellar conflicts disrupting their paths.

Their anxiety over being stranded here, yearning for home and desperate to return, had weighed heavily on them.

Now, seeing Wang Xuan and hearing his words, the emotional Wu Yin couldn't hold back her tears, and even the rational and strong-willed Zhao Qinghan's eyes misted over.

After a long separation, their reunion was filled with excitement and joy. Wang Xuan moved towards them, naturally extending his arms for a modern embrace—completely appropriate given their shared background.

But as they rushed towards him, who to comfort first became the question. Wang Xuan decisively picked up the small fox instead.

"Hey! What are you doing? That's too much! Men and women should not touch; dare you desecrate the world's most beautiful fox fairy? You're asking for a beating!" the little fox fairy shrieked in protest.

As the women approached, they halted abruptly before breaking into smiles. Wang Xuan decisively set the little fox spirit aside for a moment to embrace both women, their reunion marked by joy and laughter.

There, amidst the reunion, a flurry of questions and updates ensued. Zhao Qinghan and Wu Yin were eager for news about their families, friends, and Wang Xuan's adventures, yearning to return to their home planet.

"Such behavior is unbecoming!" An elder monk from Heluo Star, disapproving of their close interaction, huffed in disdain, promptly echoed by others in agreement.

"Silence, all of you," Wang Xuan turned sharply, his gaze alone sending shivers down the spines of many, quelling their murmurs.

Filled with hope at the prospect of finally going home, Zhao Qinghan and Wu Yin looked at Wang Xuan with renewed affection and closeness.

"Ah, seeing you in modern clothes again feels so familiar," Wu Yin chuckled, her laughter lightening the mood.

Even Zhao Qinghan, typically composed, expressed excitement over returning to modern conveniences like shopping for clothes, lipstick, high heels, and longing for a lavish dressing room to indulge in her vanity.

"You don’t need makeup; back on the new star, you’ll turn heads effortlessly, natural goddesses both of you," Wang Xuan quipped with a smile.

He then began distributing gifts he had brought from the realms of fortune: clothing, delicacies, and jewelry, instantly fulfilling their cravings for the modern world.

"Did you really bring all these?" For the women, it was a delightful surprise.

"I’m outraged! After I took such good care of Zhao Zhao and Wu, and my grandfather painstakingly taught them cultivation techniques, helping them remove the root of the Celestial Five Decays to prevent your descendants from inheriting it, and I get nothing in return, hmph!" The little fox, its indignation palpable, turned away, tail swishing in a huff, refusing to engage with Wang Xuan any longer.

Wang Xuan grinned and said, "Here, I've prepared some children's clothes for you, er, fairy dresses, along with various snacks. If you don't want them, I'll give them to someone else."

In an instant, the various gifts he held disappeared, all scooped up and clutched in front of the little fox fairy.

"Wang brother, Master, what about mine!?" Ma Chaofan darted forward with a hopeful expression plastered across his horse-like face.

"Of course, there's a gift for you too. The best saddles and stirrups, all top-brand," Wang Xuan assured him.

"I...!" Ma Chaofan's smile froze, and his face almost fell.

"Have you all caught up enough?" A middle-aged man from Oula star stood up, releasing an undisguised aura of hostility. "Wang Xuan, I'll cut to the chase. A life for a life, a debt for a debt, it's only natural!"

He turned to the old fox and said, "Elder, though it may be presumptuous, I can't hold back any longer. I'd like to use your esteemed place to duel with this alien."

As expected, with high-ranking experts from three transcendent planets present today, they wouldn't miss the chance for revenge.

Zhao Qinghan and Wu Yin immediately dropped their smiles and communicated with Wang Xuan through their spiritual realm, informing him of the situation and expressing concern for his wellbeing.

Wang Xuan responded with calm and assurance, his words strong and comforting, "You don't need to worry about me. Feel free to change into your new clothes and enjoy some snacks on the side. Nothing will happen here!"

However, how could they possibly leave? In the end, the little fox fairy pulled them to her grandfather's side. With the old fox present, no one from the three transcendent planets dared to cause trouble.

The Black Fox spoke, "This was meant to be a peaceful gathering; there's no need for bloodshed." He did not wish for the guests from the transcendent planets to create a disturbance.

Feeling the old fox’s goodwill, Wang Xuan stepped forward and addressed the crowd, "I originally didn't want to get too involved with you, but if you insist on provocation, I'm ready to accompany you and settle this once and for all."

"See, Elder, he himself is willing to resolve our dispute. Please do not interfere," the middle-aged man said, looking towards the old fox.

"Suit yourselves," the old fox sighed, sitting back down.

With a whoosh, a large crowd stood up, these were the transcendent beings eager to charge forward and tear Wang Xuan apart.

Wang Xuan’s expression turned icy as he announced, “Those who wish to spar, move to the left; those who seek a fight to the death, stand on the right.”

Beside the lotus pond, the sacred trees swayed, and snow-white blossoms bloomed in abundance, their fragrance overwhelming. Petals fluttered down, glinting with crystalline light, like a gentle shower of luminescence.

However, the atmosphere on the ground turned deadly serious, some petals even bursting midair.

The crowd moved to the right, signaling their intent for a deadly confrontation. No one was interested in mere sparring; they were after Wang Xuan’s life!

“I’ll go first,” the middle-aged man spoke up, choosing to keep the initial challenge one-on-one.

“Actually, I think you all could come at once,” Wang Xuan suggested.

The area fell silent for a moment before erupting into an uproar. Many transcendent beings felt this was unbearable; the alien was too arrogant and presumptuous.

Even Wu Yin was taken aback, not having seen Wang Xuan for a long time... He was so confident. There were ninth-level masters here, possibly even early-stage roamers of the free realms. Could he really withstand them?

Zhao Qinghan, who knew Wang Xuan better, was struck by a thought. What had he experienced? In just half a year, he had reached such heights; his cultivation speed was astounding.

With a clang, three resplendent flying swords, brilliant and dazzling, tore through the void. They gleamed with blinding light, like comets from beyond the heavens, enveloping destructive power as they slashed towards Wang Xuan.

A ninth-level master had made his move. The attack was formidable to the onlookers, but Wang Xuan stood his ground, not dodging but merely extending a hand and casually flicking his fingers at the dazzling swords.

Crack!

In midair, it was like magnificent fireworks exploding, a brilliant meteor shower descending. The three flying swords were instantly shattered by his flick, with shards scattering in a spray of light.

Simultaneously, Wang Xuan’s right hand slashed through the air like a blade, slicing powerfully down towards the man. It was like a swath of the Milky Way had descended; with a swoosh, he split the man’s physical body and spirit essence in two.

The venue fell deathly silent.

“Anyone else?” Wang Xuan’s calm words resounded like thunder, startling all the transcendent beings, sending tremors through their hearts and souls.