Splitting the Heavens

"Expeditions to hunt down worlds are going to begin?" Shang Xia repeated the phrase under his breath.

He was naturally no stranger to the term. After all, their Essence Luxuriant World had initiated or participated in several expeditions to conquer worlds on its path from an Azure World all the way to an Essence World.

Originally, the term to hunt worlds referred to collective plundering campaigns launched by Star Pirate fleets in the Chaotic Sea of Stars.

Later, the phrase gradually became a common descriptor for all forms of raiding, invading, or occupying worlds. The initiators were no longer limited to Star Pirates.

"Exactly!" Song Zhen quickly added. "Among the super Star Pirate fleets of the Chaotic Sea of Stars, this is no longer a secret. The only thing stopping them from launching an all-out invasion is the uncertainty around Sage Yuan Ping's fate."

Shang Xia calmly stated, "Yuan Ping is dead."

"WHAT?!" Song Zhen blurted out in shock, but he quickly composed himself and apologized, "My apologies. The news was just... Too shocking."

Shang Xia waved his hand, signaling that it was fine.

Song Zhen hesitated for a moment, refraining from questioning the truth of the matter or how Yuan Ping had died... Or how Shang Xia knew she was dead in the first place. Instead, he asked, "Since it's confirmed that Sage Yuan Ping has fallen, should we consider participating in the invasion? None of the super Star Pirate fleets have made a move yet. We could strike first..."

Before he could finish, Shang Xia cut him off. "We will not get involved in the affairs of the Essence Hong Heavenly Field."

Song Zhen was momentarily stunned, but he didn't ask why. He simply bowed and said, "Understood."

A short silence fell between them as Shang Xia seemed to be deep in thought.

After a while, Shang Xia asked, "Before I left the 6th Starsea Market, the Essence Ling Heavenly Field and the Essence Xing World were making quite a stir. What's happening with them now?"

Song Zhen immediately replied, "They have remained focal points for us. Their conflict continues with no end in sight, but the Essence Ling Heavenly Field holds the advantage, especially with aid from the Essence Du World and the Essence Chong Heavenly Field. Overall, the situation is unfavorable for the Essence Xing World ."

Shang Xia nodded thoughtfully.

Indeed, the prolonged stalemate was what wars between Heavenly Fields typically looked like. Alliances, attrition, and tug-of-war lasting decades, even centuries.

By contrast, the Essence Luxuriant World's meteoric rise had been abnormal. Most of their expeditions or invasions were resolved in months. They rarely lasted more than a year. They were basically facing Star Pirate raids rather than a conventional war.

Noticing Shang Xia's silence again, Song Zhen couldn't help but ask, "Sage Shang... Is the Essence Xing World going to be your next target?"

Shang Xia glanced at him and replied noncommittally, "Keep close watch on them for now. As for the Essence Hong Heavenly Field, just monitor the situation. Also, begin gathering intelligence on the major Heavenly Fields in each region of the Chaotic Sea of Stars, especially strange places like the Nebula Forbidden Zone of the Original Star Corner or the giant spatial vortex beside it."

"Yes!"

From Shang Xia's tone, Song Zhen could hear the weight behind the words and responded swiftly. Yet he added, somewhat in embarrassment, "But Sage Shang, our presence only recently began to expand outward from the 6th Starsea Market. It hasn't even been long..."

"I know." Shang Xia nodded and stood up. "Once I return to our world, I'll suggest reinforcing your forces. But you must be cautious. Only send trustworthy personnel. More importantly, make sure they know how to protect themselves."

He sighed, "After all, our world is still too young. We haven't had enough time to raise strong successors. We simply don't have enough cultivators in the Martial Dipper Realm or higher who can move freely throughout the Chaotic Sea of Stars, much less enough leaders."

Realizing the meeting was ending, Song Zhen also rose to his feet. "Patriarch Kou is in his prime, and you, Sage Shang, are exceptionally accomplished at such a young age. Our Heavenly Field is still in its growth phase. Time is on our side."

He paused, then said, "If there's nothing else, I'll take my leave."

Shang Xia thought for a moment and added, "Reduce the export of raw spiritual materials. Focus on processed treasures like talismans, weapons, advancement medicine, portable formations, Star Ships, spatial artifacts, and star charts. Expand trade channels and their scale."

Song Zhen was briefly stunned and stuttered, "Umm... Other than talismans, some spatial artifacts, and star charts made by our Stargazers, our products don't dominate the market. Even those items face competition. Only the star charts are in really strong demand."

Shang Xia smiled. "I know it's difficult. But compared to before the Heaven Observation Field was exposed, we're in a much better position now. Things will improve."

After Song Zhen departed the Spirit Ark, he mulled over Shang Xia's words. Something about them conveyed a sense of urgency. It was as if Shang Xia were being driven by anxiety, constantly warned not to rest, for danger would arrive the moment he stopped improving.

As for Shang Xia... Once Song Zhen left, he immediately entered seclusion.

He had sustained injuries while breaking through Qin Ming's blockade in the Essence Frontier Heavenly Field. Then he encountered Sage Jin and Zhuo Gudao, and while their journey together yielded great insights, it had delayed his recovery.

At last, he could fully focus on healing.

Two to three months passed. During that time, a fleet from the Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field entered the 6th Starsea Market with vast amounts of goods and a new batch of personnel.

By then, Shang Xia's injuries had mostly healed.

That day, Song Zhen brought several True Immortals over from the fleet to Shang Xia's Spirit Ark.

At a glance, Shang Xia understood Song Zhen's intentions and immediately selected three of them to remain and assist in gathering intelligence on the surrounding Heavenly Fields and strange regions.

Besides the people who came to take over those originally stationed there, two-thirds of the fleet's crew remained. Shang Xia also assigned Song Zhen a large Star Ship, an Azure Ark, two medium Star Ships, and five small Star Ships.

Adding those to the ones Song Zhen already had under his command, which consisted of one medium Star Ship and three small ones, he held enough power to rival a large Star Pirate group like his former Cloud Piercing Bandits.

Moreover, most of the vessels were newly built. They were equipped with the Essence Luxuriant World's finest formations, the latest star charts, and a full staff of an Astrologer and several disciples. Each large Star Ship also had a rank four Formation Grandmaster and several rank three Formation Masters.

Any Star Pirate group would think twice before tangling with such a fleet.

Of course, Song Zhen would never dare betray the Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field.

After bolstering Song Zhen's strength, Shang Xia took two first tier True Immortals and the Spirit Ark, two medium Star Ships and four small Star Ships along with the rest of the personnel not left to Song Zhen and began the return journey.

Although their fleet was many times smaller than when they arrived, no one was concerned. Some even secretly hoped a foolish Star Pirate group would come looking for trouble, just so they could witness a Sage in action.

Alas, despite detecting a few distant surveillance attempts along the way, no one made a move. Whether due to the fear of the Essence Luxuriant World's Sages or perhaps the Essence Hong Heavenly Field had drawn too much attention, the journey remained undisturbed.

Eventually, Shang Xia sensed his connection to the soul strand he anchored in the Essence Luxuriant World and his Origin Star Avatar. He emerged from seclusion and arrived on the deck of the Spirit Ark.

Even though the Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field was visible, Shang Xia frowned while looking at it.

Sensing his presence, Su Chi emerged as well and followed his gaze. Smiling with anticipation, he asked, "Sage Shang, are we almost there? I must admit, I'm quite eager to see it."

Shang Xia didn't respond. Instead, he beckoned toward a medium Star Ship.

Jian Mao, a new first tier True Immortal from the Spirit Qing World, quickly arrived beside Shang Xia. he asked nervously, "Sage Shang, is something the matter?"

Shang Xia nodded. "The coordinates of the Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field seem to have shifted. Do you know why?"

Jian Mao looked shocked. "The coordinates changed? I... I wasn't aware!"

Shang Xia let it go and waved him off. He didn't try to make things difficult for a True Immortal.

But Jian Mao added, "I've only been in the Martial Void Realm for less than two years and was in seclusion most of the time. But I do recall that seven or eight months ago, True Immortal Xiao received an urgent summons from the Essence Luxuriant World and rushed to the Essence Luxuriant Palace. Soon after, I sensed a great shift in the world origin. I was once told during my advancement that it was a sign that the power of the Heavenly Field was being used. I tried to help by regulating the world origin in my world, but True Immortal Xiao never explained much. Could it be related?"

Shang Xia estimated the timeline. Seven or eight months ago was exactly when Sage Yuan Ping detonated her dantian. He and Zhuo Gudao had been driven into the depths of the Nebula Forbidden Region.

It also coincided with the Spirit Mammoth World's ascension and its merger into the newly formed Four Essence Heavenly Field.

To think these were mere coincidences... Shang Xia didn't believe it for a second.

"Make your preparations. In about two hours, the fleet will reach the borders of our Heavenly Field."

He dismissed Jian Mao before attempting to communicate with his Origin Star Avatar.

Half an hour later, Shang Xia suddenly sent a voice transmission to Su Chi. The next moment, he vanished from the Spirit Ark.