The Stars Beyond

Wang Xuan gracefully stepped back, suppressing the urge to strike, not wanting to alert the ancient fox deep within the barrier. He waved at the horse instead. This steed, now more composed and collected than before, suddenly accelerated upon seeing him. Its hooves glowed brilliantly, like a mini sun bursting forth, its force unexpectedly amplified manifold by some secret technique, aiming to catch him off guard.

The once young colt now indeed possessed significant lethal power, still unaware of its reunion with its former rider.

Wang Xuan, choosing not to stoop to its level, simply turned and walked away, hoping to find a secluded spot to reminisce with the horse about old times. Unexpectedly, after its most ferocious kick missed its mark, the horse turned tail and fled towards the barrier, not even glancing back.

Cunning as ever, it sensed something amiss, given the masked strength of the man who had easily dodged its formidable first strike from the Tianma Nine Kills technique.

It thought it best to flee when unsure, avoiding danger and returning with reinforcements for a more satisfying and secure hunt.

Wang Xuan, tempted to capture it outright yet wary of attracting undue attention from various creatures that might alert others, transmitted his voice directly, "Grandmaster Ma, it's me, come here!"

Instantly, the golden steed halted, its ears pricked up and its tail raised, its eyes wide and teeth bared in shock and surprise.

"Horseman?!" it tentatively called out, though also through a concealed message.

"Your second uncle!" Wang Xuan couldn't help but feel that this horse was asking for a beating, from head to tail, nothing about it sat right with him.

"Is it really you, my dedicated horseman, the caretaker of horses?!" The Grandmaster Ma was astonished, and in a flash, it dashed towards him.

Leading the way, Wang Xuan sprinted a good ninety miles before stopping and revealing his true self, with much to inquire of the steed.

"It's really you!" The Grandmaster Ma sensed the familiar aura, a connection built over a significant period. It leaped towards Wang Xuan in recognition and excitement.

Wang Xuan greeted it with a smile, ready to welcome and stroke its mane. The steed, indeed resembling a divine beast of the celestial realms, promised an aura of immortality to those it bore.

The Grandmaster Ma, in a display of zealous energy that seemed to defy the constraints of space, launched towards Wang Xuan with a vigor that thundered like a storm and flickered like mirages. Its greeting, a flurry of hooves, descended with the ferocity of celestial might, casting afterimages in its wake.

"Have you lost your mind? Now that you recognize me, you choose to spar?" Wang Xuan's expression darkened at the unexpected welcome.

"Stable hand, you once roamed the outskirts of the secret realms, commanding respect. Now, witness my power. I've ascended beyond the ordinary, once standing at the pinnacle of the fifth horse realm," it boasted, despite its fallen state.

Assuming Wang Xuan had also suffered a greater fall in power, especially in this protected enclave safeguarded by ancient treasures, the horse was thrilled. It wanted to demonstrate its superior strength to the one who had once ridden it, a display of might free from malice.

"What realm are you at now?" Wang Xuan dodged its attack, indulging the horse's display of prowess.

"I am now at the third horse realm, renowned in the secret lands as 'Horse Invincible!'" With renewed vigor, its hooves ignited with thunderous power, enhancing its speed and force exponentially.

Wang Xuan, bemused by the colt's childlike braggadocio, countered effortlessly. A single finger halted the Grandmaster Ma's fierce assault, grounding its lightning-charged advance.

"Stable hand, what celestial treasure have you consumed to possess such strength?" The horse was incredulous. It had risen rapidly by consuming spiritual herbs like fodder, nearly reaching the sixth realm at its zenith.

Yet, this familiar figure from a technologically barren world had returned to their homeland only to reveal even greater might.

"Tianma Tread Moon Punch!" The horse retreated before launching a luminous assault, transforming into a radiant moon hurtling towards Wang Xuan.

Unmoved, Wang Xuan's right arm glowed, summoning a hand of energy that gently lifted the Grandmaster Ma into the air, suspending it in a display of his overwhelming power.

"I'm out!" exclaimed Grandmaster Ma, its astonishment palpable as it confronted the reality of Wang Xuan's power. With a low growl of defiance, "You've been duped!" it declared, suddenly enveloped in a maelstrom of lightning, especially concentrated around its horn, directing a massive bolt towards Wang Xuan, transforming itself into a colossal orb of electrical fury.

"Enough, settle down," Wang Xuan commanded, casting it to the ground with a pat that dissipated all the tempestuous energy in an instant. With a graceful leap, he mounted the celestial steed, "Let's go for a ride, have a chat," he proposed.

The transcendent horse was flabbergasted, struggling to grasp the situation. It had soared to formidable heights, becoming a rare contender even among the monstrous denizens of the secret realms, yet it was effortlessly subdued by this humanoid anomaly.

"Is that really you, Wang Xuan? Haven't you been possessed? I can't believe it; I haven't surpassed you yet!" it protested, thrashing wildly in a dazzling display of electrical discharge.

With a swift slap, Wang Xuan quelled its resistance, the force nearly bringing the horse to its knees. "Have you forgotten who I am? Your master, who tamed you with ease. Now you aim for the heavens, contemplating rebellion?"

The proud horse found it hard to accept this humbling truth. It had indulged in a plethora of divine herbs, nearly reaching the sixth horse realm with the legendary flora rooted in the abodes of immortals for centuries. "How am I still not your match?" it lamented, its spirit dampened.

"What did you just call me?" Wang Xuan glared.

"Brother Wang!" the horse corrected itself immediately.

Wang Xuan produced a fragment of the Creation Crystal, dazzling it with the substance's near-reality energy. The horse's eyes widened, sensing an overwhelming allure, its spirit quivering with desire.

"Master, I've missed you terribly. Why did it take you so long? I've been longing for you!" it exclaimed.

Wang Xuan, now disarmed by the horse's sudden change of heart, put away the crystal. This shameless creature had shifted its stance too swiftly, boasting just moments ago and now lavishing in affection.

"What's your name now?" Wang Xuan asked.

"Ma Yixuan!" the creature replied.

Wang Xuan slapped it on the head and demanded, "Say it again!"

"Ah, I misspoke. My name is now Grandmaster Ma. I share the years and eternal brilliance with Wang Xuan!" it declared earnestly, pledging its loyalty.

"How are Qinghan and Wu Yin doing now? Are they still in the barrier?" Wang Xuan inquired, clearly concerned.

"Yes, they have both become extraordinary beings now. The celestial medicines in the Cave of Immortals are plentiful and very suitable for them. Even their chronic ailments are nearly gone."

Wang Xuan breathed a sigh of relief. There was no better news than this; as long as they were well, he cared little about their power levels, especially since the era of myths was drawing to a close.

"Their ailments..."

"Ah, the Five Decays of Heaven and Man," Grandmaster Ma quickly explained. "It’s latent, but it might be hereditary for future generations. They're undergoing final treatment now, just missing one or two key ingredients, but we have leads on those."

Wang Xuan nodded. If there was a chance for a cure, that was indeed good news. He then asked, "How’s the old fox doing?"

"My grandfather is doing very well," Grandmaster Ma blurted out without hesitation.

Wang Xuan paused, "..."

The black fox was his grandfather now? He said it so smoothly and naturally, as if he'd reached the realm of self-forgetfulness in flattery, not even realizing anything was amiss.

"If you called him 'master' or 'great master,' I might understand," Wang Xuan remarked.

"Well... it just slipped out, heh heh!" Grandmaster Ma didn’t seem embarrassed at all.

"How are Qinghan and Wu Yin doing here? No accidents or anything?" Wang Xuan continued to probe for more details about the two women.

At the same time, he was curious about the old fox’s background, wondering if there were any issues.

"They're doing well. My grandfather has been very attentive to them; he's even been arranging to find them husbands," Grandmaster Ma revealed.

"Goddamn it!" Wang Xuan nearly exploded on the spot. What is the Black Fox up to? Has it lost its mind?

"Wang brother, no, Master, why are you getting worked up? First, give me a crystal; I feel it could make me stronger," Grandmaster Ma implored.

Wang Xuan smacked him on the head, hard enough to make his eyes see stars, just shy of splitting his skull. Angrily, he said, "Are you heartless, or has that old fox brainwashed you? He's busy matchmaking for Zhao Qinghan and Wu Yin, and you don't seem to care, haven't tried to stop him, and you mention it so casually."

Grandmaster Ma looked frightened and somewhat wronged as he responded, "I'm not yet of age, I don't really understand marriage. Shouldn't it be alright if the sisters themselves like the idea? I don’t have much of an opinion."

"Do they like the idea themselves?" Wang Xuan pressed.

"I don't know, they haven't chosen yet," Grandmaster Ma admitted, his understanding clearly that of a young colt in this matter, still a blank slate despite his ability to communicate through the spiritual realm.

He added, "However, my grandfather mentioned that the man from the depths of the universe has exceptional talent, suspected to be a once-exiled extraordinary figure reborn, a worthy match. Also, there’s another who resonated with chants while still in the womb, which seems quite incredible. My grandfather said that during the height of ancient mythology, such individuals would be snatched up by sect leaders to be raised as their own sons. It's surprising that such exceptional individuals have appeared here; perhaps it's fate. Grandfather thinks that with a bit of their true blood, it might be possible to cleanse the last traces of the Heavenly Man’s Five Decays without further medication."

"Lead the way!" Wang Xuan decided it was necessary to see the Black Fox. The old fox had always seemed stable; why would it suddenly start creating chaos? He couldn't figure it out.

Grandmaster Ma, carrying Wang Xuan, sped along, and soon they were outside the barrier.

Wang Xuan frowned, wondering if this was all a ruse by the old fox, knowing he would come and using Grandmaster Ma to relay messages to draw him out.

After a moment's thought, he decided it didn't matter. Now at the eleventh level and standing at the forefront of the mythic frontier, he feared no extraordinary beings. Even if the old fox was scheming, Wang Xuan was ready to face whatever came his way. If there were any traps or unbearable provocations, despite the array and preparations in place, he was not afraid to respond, ready to use his treasures to strike back if necessary.

Wang Xuan rode Grandmaster Ma directly into the barrier!

Along the way, numerous auspicious beasts and formidable monsters revealed their surprise, marveling at the sight of the Thunder Horned Sky Horse so compliant, allowing a rider on its back. They speculated about Wang Xuan's origins.

The territory within the barrier was indeed vast, and soon, a small city appeared in the distance.

As they approached, Wang Xuan noticed some humans whose attire and ornaments seemed vaguely familiar.

"These people come from the transcendent planets Yu Hua, Oula, and Heluo. There's a wormhole connected to their regions here in the secret land," Master Ma informed him, noting that some young elites from these places had also been invited by the old fox.

"That person looks familiar!" someone in the distance noticed Wang Xuan.

"It's the alien who killed many of our transcendent beings outside the City of Earth Immortals!" another person whispered, recognizing him.

Upon arriving, Wang Xuan made no effort to conceal his presence. Using his spiritual heavenly eye, he scanned the area and soon spotted a familiar figure. Ignoring distance, his gaze reached a beautiful woman practicing sword flying on a distant, picturesque mountain. She wore an ancient long dress, her presence ethereal and transcendent, floating gracefully as if an exiled immortal had descended to earth.

His emotions stirred with the long-awaited reunion. On that distant mountain, the woman seemed to sense his gaze and paused, turning to look in his direction.

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