The Stars Beyond

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Zhao Qinghan stood there in silence. Her tall and slender figure was covered by a white dress that reached just above her knees. It highlighted her curves and long legs, showcasing her beauty for all to see.

The night breeze caressed her smooth, black hair. She was, as many would say, the perfect beauty. A smile hung on her delicate face.

But it was frozen the moment those words left Wang Xuan’s mouth.

Someone of her stature had most definitely experienced her fair share of awkward situations. One would even say that she was a person of high emotional intelligence. But there Zhao Qinghan stood in total silence, clad in her white dress, stupefied by what she heard.

Wang Xuan turned around to find her standing right behind him.

Behind her, the fiery red of the maple trees formed a beautiful scenery with the shimmering city lights. It was the perfect backdrop for the tranquil beauty of that moment.

The appearance of Zhao Qinghan was unexpected. But the main culprit that led to the situation was still Qin Cheng’s untimely interjection.

“You’re late. Have a drink. It’s your penalty.” Wang Xuan broke the silence. There was no hesitation in his action when he raised his glass and toasted Zhao Qinghan. Everyone was shocked by his ability to keep his composure. He was even smiling in acknowledgement at Zhao Qinghan.

Despite the natural confidence and composure she attained from the numerous events and grand occasions she frequented, Zhao Qinghan was tense. She was in a daze.

She began raising her glass as a response, but a smile quickly reappeared on her face. Her smile was radiant, but she remained silent. The slight moment of hesitation in her action was enough to afford her the time to regain her composure.

The hand that was rising stopped. She projected her intention to not accept his toast. She wanted to know how well Wang Xuan could react to the sudden change.

But Qin Cheng’s untimely interjection came again much to her disappointment, “Qing han, Old Wang is a good lad. I’m the one at fault here.”

Wang Xuan, who remained unperturbed up until now, nearly lost his composure. But he was still able to maintain his poker face. Come on man! Just shut up already! You’re making it worse.

He understood that the best way to resolve the situation was to pretend that nothing had happened. There was no need for explanations. Both parties could very well simply move on from the “unfortunate” accident.

With her clever ploy ruined, Zhao Qinghan had no reason to stay. She bumped her glass slightly against Wang Xuan’s, took a sip, and walked away elegantly.

“Did I say something wrong?” Qin Cheng asked, finally realizing that he was only making matters worse.

Wang Xuan gave his friend's shoulder an encouraging pat. "You're not off the mark, my friend. In fact, you've managed to clear the air quite well. Just like that, she gracefully exited the scene. She was even kind enough to bring the awkwardness with her.”

Qin Cheng exhaled, his breath carrying a hint of alcohol. "That’s not my intention. I swear. I simply wanted to have a quick one-on-one with her, a quiet chat over a drink, you know? But I’ve ruined it haven’t I? She’s gone now. What am I supposed to do?"

“Just approach her directly.” Kong Yi advised, “She’s still around.”

He tugged Wang Xuan along, leading him to the edge of the hilltop. They leaned against the railing, gazing out over the expanse of city lights sprawling out before them in the distance.

"Someone was speaking out for you. They really want you in the New World," Kong Yi disclosed, his hands resting on the railing.

Wang Xuan knew that Professor Lin had been approaching the investors behind the Old Arts Research Department. He knew how hard the man fought for his spot on the starship to Terra Nova.

He shot Kong Yi a sidelong glance, sensing that there was more to the story.

"The person in charge of the Old Arts research was genuinely impressed by your contributions. He was even willing to actually give you a shot. Your performance in this field has been nothing but remarkable. They were actually going to make an exception for you even though you did not fit the selection criteria.”

I knew it. Something is off about the whole thing. It was clear that there was something Kong Yi wanted to tell him.

"Ling Wei's family intervened. They wanted to stop you from ever reaching the New World," these words exploded in Wang Xuan's ears like a sudden thunderclap. He was immediately made sober.

“What did you just say?” Wang Xuan looked at Kong Yi with a piercing gaze.

Kong Yi turned to face him and matched him with his own unyielding gaze, "If you think I’m lying, you find out yourself. There’s bound to be traces left behind. Besides, if I'm aware of this, surely others are too."

“Why are you telling me this?”

“I’m worried that you’ll put the blame on me when you find out about it. This is one blame that I do not wish to be burdened with.”

"Ling Wei's family has far more power and influence than you might imagine." he left Wang Xuan with the words in a hushed tone before turning around to leave.

Wang Xuan remained rooted in place as he disappeared into the villa. There he stared out into the night, his gaze fixated on the glittering city light below.

“Have I been too soft?” he mused quietly. He had suspicions of his own back then, that the family of his ex-girlfriend was the one pulling the strings behind the scene to keep him in the Old World. But he quickly dismissed such an idea.

And this was because he had met Ling Wei’s father before. Or more accurately, it was the middle-aged man who had sought him out.

Ling Qiming was a stern man. But Wang Xuan saw another side of him as well: a concerned and caring father worried for his daughter. He was a man who was afraid that his daughter might have made the wrong choice.

He was drilled and interviewed by Ling Qiming relentlessly back then. But he understood the intentions of the father. He would have done the same in Ling Qiming’s shoes. If he had a daughter, and that daughter had fallen in love with a man on a distant star, he himself would be concerned.

Like Ling Qiming, he would travel across the sea of stars as well to meet with the man.

However, it soon became too overbearing for Wang Xuan. After numerous warnings from the man to stay away from his daughter, he eventually folded. That spelled the end of his relationship with Ling Wei.

But Ling Qiming had never once utilized his connections to take action against Wang Xuan. This left a less negative impression of him with Wang Xuan. He was a person who would often place himself in the shoes of others to consider things from their perspective. He could see the father’s intention to protect his daughter. While it might be too much, it was born out of good intention.

At that moment, he found himself realizing that he might have painted some people and situations in overly rosy hues.

He shook his head, and exhaled deeply. He headed back to the villa. There was no point in lingering upon events that were in the past any further. He had long made peace with himself. He knew he had to move on.

"Wang Xuan, over here!" Zhou Kun called out, beckoning him to join for a drink.

Wang Xuan looked incredulously at Zhou Kun. He knew his classmate well. The man was a different person when drunk and knew no restraint. He was a chatterbox under the influence of alcohol.

"Didn't I tell you that we're going to have a good drink and a proper chat tonight?" but Zhou Kun did not seem to mind.

Not far away, the likes of Su Chan, Xu Wenbo, and the rest of the transfer students raised their eyebrows collectively. Zhou Kun was setting himself up. No secrets were safe with him when he was drunk.

"Is he doing it on purpose?" Li Qingzhu whispered. freew ebnove l.com

Su Chan shrugged, "Let him be. The New Arts aren't exactly a secret anymore. News about it is bound to reach the Old World in due time."

Wang Xuan understood that Zhou Kun was deliberately sharing some information with him under the pretense of being drunk.

But Qin Cheng arrived just in time to ruin the moment, “I’ve talked to my goddess. She promised to find the time to visit me on Luna Nova in the future. By the way, she also asked about Old Wang's progress in the Old Arts. I told her that if we are to use you as a unit of measurement, then his strength would be equivalent to roughly 9.8 Kong Yis, 12.5 Zhou Kuns, and 11.6 Xu Wenbos."

Zhou Kun, who was ready to play along with the drunken act, immediately snapped out of it. "Qin Cheng, did you seriously just compare us like that?"

A displeased Kong Yi walked over to them "Can't you choose your words better?!"

He even succeeded in provoking the anger of Xu Wenbo. The corners of his mouth were twitching when he protested "Qin Cheng, are you an idiot? Why am I being used as a unit of measurement?"

"Come on, what’s with the overreaction? Aren’t small jests like this common when we're drinking? What's with all the bruised egos?" Qin Cheng quickly grabbed Zhou Kun's arm. "You know I love drinking with you the most. Let's have a toast!"

Zhou Kun cast a sidelong glance at him. He knew very well that Qin Cheng was aiming to get him drunk. The guy wanted him to spill some secrets while being completely unaware that he was ready to do so of his own accord.

"Take it easy on the drinks." Wang Xuan swiftly intervened much to Qin Cheng’s confusion. He was afraid that his best friend might actually get Zhou Kun drunk.

Zhou Kun seemed to loosen up after sipping half a glass of wine.

"I've got something to share with you guys. There’s a new form of technique and it’s making waves in the New World—they're calling it the Transhuman Arts, or as some dub it, the Divine Arts..."

"Zhou Kun, you've got guts. Some of those things are still considered secrets by the elders. Are you sure you want to be caught saying that in public? I'm not sure if this is the smartest move." A sudden interruption came, and brisk footsteps approached.

A young man sporting short hair and a sturdy build, towering at an impressive 185 centimeters appeared. His eyes gleamed with an intensity enough to bore through Zhou Kun’s very being.

“Yun, I got a bit tipsy. I'll be more careful next time," Zhou Kun immediately sobered up. It was clear from his calm demeanor that he knew the newcomer.

The newcomer, older by a few years than Zhou Kun, Xu Wenbo, and the others, had a tanned complexion with a healthy glow. He exuded authority, his words direct and unwavering. He fixed both Wang Xuan and Qin Cheng a hard gaze, "And you. I don’t know if you’re brave or just plain stupid. Did you think you can get away with trying to get Zhou Kun drunk to pry some information from him?"

Zhou Kun immediately stepped in, "Yun, this is a get-together among us classmates. If you want to drink, we can get a room ready for you!"

Kong Yi, Xu Wenbo, and the rest of the transfer students put themselves between Yun and the two as well.

"Who do you think you are?" Qin Cheng confronted the man.

Yun smirked when he noticed Su Chan and Li Qingzhu approaching as well, "Why so tense? I’m not an unreasonable man."

Zhao Qinghan stepped forward. "Yun, I know why you're here. Please, can you do it some other day?"

Yun chuckled. "I did not come here looking for trouble. It’s just that, you know... I heard someone here's quite skilled in the Old Arts and I thought we could exchange some pointers, you know?"

"Wang Xuan, aren’t you curious about the New Arts? Well, come on, let's spar. I'll show you!" The person known only as Yun offered him a challenge.

Both the students from the Old World and the New World were stunned. He had actually... mastered the New Arts?!

Wang Xuan remained composed. He had already noticed the person arriving on a small flying craft, parked not far from the small opening near the two spacecraft. He headed straight for them when he landed.

Wang Xuan could tell then that person was heading for him. He could feel his gaze on him. The man had been sizing him up. With this young man addressing him directly by name, it was made clear now.

"Care to have a spar? Let’s put the Old Arts up against the New Arts, do you have confidence in your techniques?" the young man known as Yun asked again.

Wang Xuan gazed at the challenger, deep in thought. If it was any other day, he might have ignored the challenge. However, the young man had piqued his curiosity. He had already mastered the so-called New Arts. Wang Xuan thought. He was genuinely intrigued to see just how potent that technique was.

"The Arts, also known as the Transhuman Arts. Some would even go as far as calling it the Divine Arts."

The cocky challenger continued, "The Old Arts are nearly completely phased out in the New World. Some are even beginning to dub them as the 'Crude Arts.'"

He beckoned to Wang Xuan. "Aren’t you curious? Don’t you want to see if the Old Arts can hold its brilliance against this new path?"