Splitting the Heavens

Shang Xia stored the jade slip containing the way to build a Dao Field contentedly. He then lifted the Spirit Ark's grand formation and invited them for tea and to discuss the dao.

Although the two had successfully traded for the world fragment nurturing the remnant World's Origin, they lacked a Spirit Ark of their own. Thus, they still needed Shang Xia's help to transport the fragment on their return journey. They accepted his invitation without protest.

Of course, the tea and journey weren't free. Both Sage Jin and Zhuo Gudao were expected to offer something of substance in return.

For several days, all three Sages spent most of their time aboard the Spirit Ark alternating between meditation and exchanging their insights.

Among the three, Shang Xia clearly held the highest cultivation level. His martial path formed a unique system of its own, and his insights into many cultivation problems were often fresh.

Although Sage Jin had nearly fallen from the third to the second star of the Martial Emptiness Realm, he had once stood as a mighty fifth star Sage in the Essence Wilderness World. He was only one step away from a high-level Sage. Being the oldest of the three, his cultivation experience and knowledge were unmatched. During their exchanges, he contributed the most.

What was more, once aboard the Spirit Ark, Shang Xia ceased suppressing the remnant will of the world fragment. Upon coming into contact with it, Sage Jin stabilized his cultivation at the third star, no longer on the verge of regressing.

As for Zhuo Gudao... While his cultivation fell short of Shang Xia's and his experience didn't rival Sage Jin's, he had managed the Star Origin Dao Field for years after the disappearance of the Star Origin Lord. His extensive exposure to the Heaven Observation Sect's legacy granted him unique insight.

Even though few of those legacies touched upon the core teachings, they were once the dominant force in the Chaotic Sea of Stars. Even random techniques were enough to pique the interest of both Shang Xia and Sage Jin.

In addition, Sage Jin and Zhuo Gudao shared their experiences in the depths of the Nebula Forbidden Realm, especially Zhuo Gudao's account of being possessed by a foreign consciousness. The information about things outside the Star Field and information on the Martial Eternity Realm deeply surprised Shang Xia.

Though he had suspected something before, hearing the truth from them added to his curiosity. Yet it also burdened him with a sense of dread and pressure from the Star Fields beyond.

Their willingness to disclose such sensitive matters suggested they too had sensed the looming threat and wished to spread the word.

Of course, they didn't reveal everything. For example, Sage Jin likely knew more about the origins of the Nebula Forbidden Region and other Star Fields than he admitted, and whether the foreign consciousness within Zhuo Gudao had truly been eradicated remained uncertain.

In the void, where there was no day or night, their sense of time remained undistorted, unlike within the Nebula Forbidden Region. All three Sages could still track how long they had been traveling.

Originally, the Spirit Ark had been headed toward the 6th Starsea Market as per Sage Jin's request.

But when Shang Xia estimated that they still had two days to go, Sage Jin suddenly declared that they had arrived.

Puzzled, Shang Xia stopped the Spirit Ark in the void. Half a day later, another Spirit Ark appeared in the distance and slowly approached.

Transferring a world fragment from one Spirit Ark to another was no simple task.

Even with three Sages working together, along with a bunch of helpers Sage Jin called over, the operation took several days. Only then did they part ways.

After Zhuo Gudao left with Sage Jin, Shang Xia stood in the void in silence, watching their massive Spirit Ark disappear into the void.

Behind him, Su Chi, who could not stray far from the ark, stood near the edge and asked, "Sage Shang, the World Origin Source in the world fragment had already been filtered by your secret art and experienced some strange transformation. Do you think Sage Jin can notice anything unusual with it?"

Previously, Shang Xia had filtered the World Origin Source with the Crimson Soul Tablet to eradicate the remnants of Sage Jin's soul. During the process, he had even extracted part of the world origin and stored it in the tablet.

However, such filtration had inevitably infused the World Origin Source with traces of energy resembling that of worlds... Likely even higher ranked than the Essence Wilderness World itself, which might raise Sage Jin's suspicions.

That was what Su Chi sought to warn him about. Even as a True Immortal, he could sense the change. Sage Jin certainly would too.

But Shang Xia remained unconcerned. He smiled and said, "He might have doubts, but the world fragment came from the Nebula Forbidden Region. Picking up some strange aura is perfectly normal. Do you really think they'd turn back and ask Qin Ming for confirmation?"

Su Chi smiled before following up, "Just now, you were watching Sage Jin and Sage Zhuo leave. Did you notice something wrong?"

Shang Xia was quiet for a moment, then said slowly, "This journey into the Nebula Forbidden Region was full of twists and turns. Five Sages had been entangled in a web of shifting alliances... After today... I fear we may not meet again as friends."

Su Chi knew what had happened during the fight between Shang Xia, Qin Ming, and Sage Jin, but before that, Shang Xia had cut off his perception.

Ever since the battle, he had personally witnessed the schemes and rivalries among Sages. Hearing Shang Xia's sigh, he could only nod in agreement.

However, when it came to the future dynamics among such powerful figures, Su Chi wisely kept silent.

Some time later, seeing Shang Xia return to the Spirit Ark, Su Chi stepped forward and asked, "Sage Shang, where shall we head next? Shall we return to the Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field? Back then, when the Essence Wilderness World collapsed, the Heavenly Observation Field was still just a legend to us."

Unexpectedly, Shang Xia shook his head. "No rush. Since we're close to the 6th Starsea Market, let's stop there. We maintain an outpost there, and we can also check on the recent developments."

Two days later, the Spirit Ark approached the 6th Starsea Market.

Shang Xia had already sent a secret transmission in advance. Led by Song Zhen, the members of the Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field had arrived early at the rendezvous point aboard a medium Star Ship.

"Sage Shang!"

Upon seeing Shang Xia, Song Zhen seemed a little emotional, though he quickly composed himself and assumed the demeanor of a guardian.

After his formal greeting, Song Zhen's eyes swept over the ark before finally resting on the smiling Su Chi standing by the rail.

This unfamiliar high-level True Immortal gave off an odd feeling, but Song Zhen had no time to ask questions.

"Looks like you've adapted well to life at the 6th Starsea Market," Shang Xia said with a pleased nod.

"I merely relied on your reputation..." Song Zhen said humbly. "If not for the support of our Sages, I wouldn't have found my footing."

He understood his place and clearly knew the origins of his strength.

Shang Xia smiled and pointed to Su Chi. "This is Su Chi, a Su Chi, a high-level True Immortal of the Essence Wilderness World. He now works for us. You two should get acquainted."

Song Zhen immediately greeted Su Chi, then said with a grin, "To think that in the year since you left, you actually returned with another Spirit Ark... It must've been a fruitful journey?"

"It wasn't a windfall, but certainly worthwhile." Shang Xia replied. "By the way, have there been any updates from the patriarch? How is our Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field? What's the situation across the Chaotic Sea of Stars?"

As they spoke, they entered a sealed cabin.

The experts of the Essence Luxuriant World who came with Song Zhen started to familiarize themselves with the Spirit Ark under Su Chi's guidance.

Inside the chamber, Song Zhen reported on recent developments in the Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field.

Thanks to Kou Chongxue's personal oversight, the region remained stable. The lingering effects of their world's ascension and the establishment of the Heavenly Field spurred rapid cultivation growth. No one dared stir trouble during such a critical period.

However, Shang Xia was slightly disappointed to learn that, though the 11th year of the Essence Luxuriant Calendar had rolled about, there were no new high-level True Immortals born. Only a few new True Immortals had appeared.

"The beast-culling campaign you proposed before your departure has concluded. The initial outbreak has been suppressed. Various sects used the opportunity to train their disciples. Even though everyone suffered some losses, the gains were substantial. Spiritual treasures obtained from the corpses of beasts remain in high demand in the Starsea Markets, and we've held back from trading them. Ironically, the treasures we imported from the Spirit Frost World have drawn envy. If not for spreading word that we had two Sages backing us and gaining support from other guardians, Star Pirate groups might've struck by now."

Song Zhen added, "Right. My grand welcome for your return was also meant to deter troublemakers."

Shang Xia nodded. "Have any of our ships to the Spirit Frost World been tracked?"

Song Zhen quickly replied, "The two large Star Ships we were building before you left have already become operational. Now, we have four of them. One runs a fixed route between the Spirit Frost World and the Spirit Ruling World, with a high-level True Immortal stationed aboard. Unless a Sage intervenes, even pirate fleets can't pose a threat. So far, our presence in those worlds remains hidden."

Shang Xia nodded, pleased. "Since the large Star Ships are done, how's the construction of arks progressing?"

Song Zhen hesitated for some time before he mumbled, "Progress has been slow. While we've figured out how to build Azure Arks, completing one will take time."

He paused, then added, "It's mainly due to the scarcity of Hollow Heaven Stone. Without enough, we're hesitant to experiment."

Shang Xia nodded. "Once I return, that issue will be resolved. Now, let's hear news from beyond our Heavenly Field."

Song Zhen's expression turned grave. "Something odd happened recently. The Spirit Mammoth World, which had submitted to the Essence Hong Heavenly Field, suddenly completed its ascension to an Essence World. It then broke away from the Essence Hong World's control and merged into the Three Essence Heavenly Field under the guidance of the Star Origin Lord. Now... That region of space is called the Four Essence Heavenly Field."

Shang Xia's expression was unreadable as he fell deep in thought.

Seeing his trance-like gaze, Song Zhen called softly, "Sage Shang?"

Shang Xia snapped back to reality. "The Spirit Mammoth... Or rather, the Essence Mammoth World... Who broke through to the Martial Emptiness Realm?"

"True Immortal Yuan Chen. Well, he's Sage Yuan Chan now." Song Zhen confirmed.

Just as expected.

Shang Xia thought for a second before asking, "How did the Essence Hong World respond?"

"That's the strange part. The ascension came suddenly and was completed quickly. Sage Yuan Ping never showed up. Later, it was revealed she was out on an expedition and wasn't around to stop them."

"Other True Immortals tried to mobilize a defense, but were repelled. Many experts from the Three Essence Heavenly Field had infiltrated beforehand to assist the Spirit Mammoth World. The Essence Hong World could only watch as it ascended and broke away."

Shang Xia then asked, "What's the situation in the Essence Hong Heavenly Field now?"

A grave expression appeared on Song Zhen's face as he replied, "It's not good. It won't be an exaggeration to say they're on the brink of collapse. There are even rumors that Sage Yuan Ping had died during her adventures. Now... Many Star Pirate fleets have already set their sights on the Essence Hong Heavenly Field. In fact, a massive conquest to hunt down the worlds in the Essence Hong Heavenly Field may start soon."