Splitting the Heavens

"What on earth is that?" Zhang Yusheng couldn't help but exclaim when he saw the form emerging from the chaotic void.

Gao Qin and Huang Jinghan's expressions also changed slightly. They stepped forward at once to shield Zhang Yusheng.

"This is the body of the high-level Sage that descended through the spatial gate, a puppet refined by that expert... It's actually made of Hollow Heaven Stones..." Huang Jinghan gasped in astonishment upon seeing the entity's form.

Compared to him, Gao Qin clearly knew more. She was aware of Shang Xia's previous encounter in the Nebula Forbidden Region and had access to parts of the truth revealed by the institution's higher-ups. She understood that the abundance of Hollow Heaven Stone in the Nebula Forbidden Region was likely linked to the infiltration of a force from beyond the Star Field hidden deep within.

Zhang Yusheng, however, remarked skeptically, "This is what high-level Sage-strength looks like? Why does it seem like it's struggling, completely suppressed by Sage Shang?"

In fact, the puppet of the expert beyond the Star Field was performing even worse than Zhang Yusheng suggested. It was thoroughly outmatched.

Huang Jinghan thought for a moment. "That's not quite fair. The puppet just survived a powerful blast. The fact that it's even functioning is remarkable. Of course, it's not fighting at full strength."

Gao Qin added, "That chaos may have destabilized the spatial gate entirely, affecting the connection between the puppet and its true body. Its source of inner qi is likely cut off, like water without a source or a tree without roots. Every bit it uses is lost, with no way to recover. Meanwhile, Sage Shang still draws support from our Star Ship and formations. Under such conditions, it's only natural that he holds the upper hand."

Zhang Yusheng nodded respectfully, though inwardly, he remained unconvinced. Even as a Martial Dipper Realm cultivator who couldn't fully grasp a clash between two Sages, he instinctively felt that Shang Xia's dominance came not from external support, but from his own genuine ability to suppress a high-level Sage.

Just then, a shout rang out from the depths of the void. Shang Xia's mace struck the puppet's head, a blow brimming with immense power. Yet, bizarrely, the puppet appeared completely unharmed. Its stony head showed no damage whatsoever.

And yet, the strangest part was what followed. The puppet stood motionless, dazed, forehead resting against Shang Xia's Seven Star Mace as if its spirit had been shattered.

On the other side, Shang Xia let out a weary sigh. He had taken extreme precision to destroy the divine soul of the foreign Sage without damaging the puppet's physical body. He would rather have fought two or three more such high-level Sage puppets than attempt such a delicate feat again.

As for why Shang Xia had gone to such lengths to preserve the puppet... It was because the construct could wield true high-level Sage power.

Also... It was because the puppet was made entirely from high-grade Hollow Heaven Stone.

Moments later, Shang Xia returned to the Jiao Continent, dragging the puppet's body in one hand.

"All of it's Hollow Heaven Stone?" Gao Qin gasped after looking at it. "Is that why they could send the puppet through the spatial gate?"

Shang Xia tossed the puppet's body onto the deck with a heavy thud.

Despite its large size, the puppet seemed strangely light. Yet the moment it left Shang Xia's hand, all three people nearby, two high-level True Immortals and a Stargazer, felt the surrounding space shift unnaturally, as if reality itself was warping.

Huang Jinghan and Gao Qin reacted immediately. They channeled the ship's formation and locked down the space around the puppet, suppressing the strange aura it was emanating that twisted the space around it.

Shang Xia nodded in approval and turned to Zhang Yusheng, who was still somewhat dazed. Smiling, he said, "Now we'll see what Stargazer Zhang can do."

Zhang Yusheng snapped out of his thoughts and gasped before seeing the strange smile on Shang Xia's face. He quickly replied, "Rest assured, Sage Shang. I'll give it my all!"

Shang Xia asked with amusement, "What were you thinking about just now? You looked completely entranced."

Zhang Yusheng replied sheepishly, "I was wondering... How did Sage Shang destroy the divine soul without damaging the puppet with your final strike?"

"Stargazer Zhang!" Gao Qin scolded sharply before he could say more. "That's not something you should be asking!"

Zhang Yusheng immediately realized his misstep and began to explain, but Shang Xia raised a hand to stop him. "No need for that. I don't keep many secrets." Shang Xia chuckled. "Truth is, it wasn't a mace strike at all. It was a spear art."

"Spear art?" Zhang Yusheng looked shocked, and Gao Qin showed a flicker of surprise. Only Huang Jinghan appeared to understand.

Shang Xia explained further, "Indeed. As you all know, I come from the Shang Clan of Tongyou City, which has a complete spear inheritance. That final move was one of the techniques I comprehended, the Divine Killing Spear. It targets the soul. That was how I destroyed the divine soul of the expert from the other Star Field."

"But that's just a rank three martial intent, isn't it? Even with some sort of enhancement, could it really kill a Sage?" Zhang Yusheng asked reflexively, oblivious to the warning looks the high-level True Immortals were shooting him.

Shang Xia remained unbothered and explained patiently, "Martial arts from lower levels may lose impact as one's cultivation rises, but martial intents can grow with the cultivator."

"However, this only happens if the cultivator deeply understands the essence of their martial intent, especially if they're the creator of that technique, which gives them a unique advantage."

"For most cultivators, martial arts are just tools for combat or defense. Few truly invest their time in mastering their techniques. Even those who comprehend their martial intent often use it just to break through to the next level."

Zhang Yusheng seemed half-confused, half-enlightened. He sensed that the insight would be invaluable for his future path, and he drifted into deep thought.

Huang Jinghan and Gao Qin, however, had fully grasped the core of what Shang Xia was saying. Sadly, their cultivation paths were already deeply established, and it was too late to rework their foundations.

Still, both bowed deeply and said, "Many thanks, Sage Shang, for the enlightenment!"

Zhang Yusheng snapped out of his reverie and quickly followed suit, mimicking them in salute.

Shang Xia waved his hand and smiled. "No need to be so formal. It was just casual conversation. Right now, what matters is using this rare opportunity to complete our original plan."

Huang Jinghan and Gao Qin took the cue and excused themselves. Soon after, the Star Ship began advancing again. When it collided with the oncoming tide of origin qi, its formation instantly reversed flow and began absorbing the pure origin qi contained within.

This energy wasn't as pure as that from the origin qi fragments, and after being impacted by the star fragment's redirected blast, it was further diluted. But to the Jiao Continent, and especially its elite crew, it was still a treasure trove. For cultivators not yet at the top, less refined origin qi could even be more beneficial.

But Shang Xia's focus wasn't on the burst of energy. His mind was entirely on Zhang Yusheng's calculations.

"Well? Have you pinpointed the exact location?" Seeing Zhang Yusheng emerge from his focused trance on the high platform, Shang Xia quickly asked, voice tinged with urgency.

Zhang Yusheng nodded solemnly. "Sage Shang, we've confirmed the Origin Pillar's position, but we may not have much time!"

Shang Xia's heart sank as he felt a strange sense of foreboding. "What happened?"

Zhang Yusheng answered gravely, "It's the spatial vortex! The upheaval caused by the star fragment's explosion severely damaged the vortex's core. It's become unstable. If we don't get out soon, we may be consumed by its complete collapse."