Splitting the Heavens

The battle formation they had deployed was a clear indication of the depths of the power that was backing them. With the ability to threaten Sages, they more than demonstrated their impressive combat capabilities. When Xin Lu used her high-level stargazing techniques, it further deterred other potential threats.

However, the appearance of such a high-level Grand Stargazer would inevitably attract scrutiny from those with ulterior motives. These observers would certainly remain hidden, not exposing their means or intentions lightly.

More importantly, it had been far too long since a high-level Grand Stargazer had appeared in the Chaotic Sea of Stars. Many in the surrounding voids were unable to accurately assess the level of the mysterious Stargazer protected by the three large Star Ships.

Yet as time dragged on, if Xin Lu could not quickly locate Shang Xia and the Jiao Continent, those hidden observers in the void would surely not be able to resist making a move.

At the moment, Xin Lu was channeling all her energy into casting her techniques toward the chaotic spatial vortex as three high-level True Immortals of the Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field had gathered together.

There was Song Zhen, the guardian of the 6th Starsea Market, Xiao Yugang, a fourth tier True Immortal from the Spirit Qing World, and, surprisingly, Shang Xia's External Avatar.

"Up to this point, I've already detected at least three Sages circling around us, probing in subtly. Their target is clearly Stargazer Xin." The person who spoke was Shang Xia's External Avatar, the strongest among the three, both in cultivation and combat strength.

Xiao Yugang said with concern, "So far, they're only probing us. But if we can't establish contact with Sage Shang soon and assist the Jiao Continent in escaping the vortex, someone is bound to make a move."

Song Zhen nodded in agreement. "Our identities won't remain hidden for long. After Stargazer Xin made her move, they probably figured out we're from the Heaven Observation Star Region. Right now, most of their suspicions fall on the Four Essence Heavenly Field. We're operating under the guise of the Star Origin Lord's influence, but that cover won't last forever."

Xiao Yugang gritted his teeth. "So what? We're not without the ability to strike back!"

Song Zhen simply shook his head in silence.

After all, Xiao Yugang had stayed too long in the Heaven Observation Star Region and lacked a proper understanding of the true nature of the Chaotic Sea of Stars. It wasn't a matter of personal wisdom.

Shang Xia's External Avatar pondered for a moment before saying solemnly, "If things turn for the worse, you two should leave."

When Song Zhen saw that Shang Xia's External Avatar had made a decision, he felt a bit relieved, but quickly thought of something else and asked, "What about you? Are you not retreating with us?"

Shang Xia's External Avatar shook his head and replied, "I must remain here. Despite the vortex's interference, as long as I stay, my true body can still sense my existence. He may use a secret art to locate my position and escape the vortex."

Xiao Yugang frowned. "But you are not the true Sage Shang. Even though you are strong, you might not be able to escape the Sages hiding in the dark."

Shang Xia's External Avatar only shook his head again, clearly having made up his mind.

Song Zhen and Xiao Yugang both felt their hearts sinking at how resolute Shang Xia's External Avatar was.

Just then, Song Zhen received a new transmission. Another Sage had been spotted breaking free from the vortex, but in a different direction.

This individual was seen alone, separated from their Star Ship, escaping the vortex in a rather pitiful state.

Though the Sage immediately concealed his traces upon escape, someone had already identified him as Xi Shanhai, a mid-level Sage from the Essence Lun World of the Crowned Star Region.

Even though Xi Shanhai was recognized and looked utterly wretched, no one dared to stop him or ask what had happened inside the vortex, or why he was in such a state.

Soon, Xi Shanhai concealed his tracks and disappeared into the void.

As for the large Star Ship from the Essence Lun World, and those on board... It was obvious they were unlikely to have survived.

"It seems escaping the vortex intact requires not only great strength, but also a fair amount of luck. Xi Shanhai's luck clearly ran short." Shang Xia's External Avatar's tone remained light.

Although highly independent, his External Avatar was ultimately born from Shang Xia's true body. If something had happened to his true body, he would have vanished too.

Conversely, the fact that he still existed suggested Shang Xia's true body, though trapped in the vortex, had not encountered mortal danger, at least not personally.

Xiao Yugang mused, "Initially, eight Sages and eight Star Ships plunged into the vortex. As of now, Sage Lei Zhongru from the Essence Lei Heavenly Field, Sage Mu Ya from the Essence Mu Heavenly Field, and Sage Mao from the Essence Zhong Heavenly Field escaped with their ships. Chen Yuandi of the Essence Fu Heavenly Field escaped with a ship reduced to only its keel. And Xi Shanhai made it out alone. That leaves only two unaccounted for, besides Sage Shang."

"The first is Sage Loudmouth, a fifth star Sage with a super Star Ship. The other is Vortex Observer, a third star Sage."

Before leaving, Shang Xia had shared partial information about the other seven experts with his External Avatar, so Song Zhen and Xiao Yugang were familiar with their code names.

Though unspoken, both Song Zhen and Shang Xia's External Avatar understood the implication in Xiao Yugang's words.

Turning to the side, Shang Xia's External Avatar said suddenly, "Prepare to retreat. True Immortal Xiao, I'm temporarily entrusting the Hidden Frost Sword to you!"

Xiao Yugang was stunned, and he straightened his back instinctively. "How can I accept that? After all, I..."

Shang Xia's External Avatar waved his hand and interrupted, "You were the one who brought the Hidden Frost Sword, and Patriarch Kou clearly trusts you. This sword contains a portion of his inner qi. In an emergency, control it."

Xiao Yugang quickly asked, "But what about you?"

Shang Xia smiled. "The patriarch even lent his divine weapon. Who's to say my true body didn't leave another card up his sleeve before entering the spatial vortex?"

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yugang finally understood. He cupped his hands and left to prepare the retreat.

But as Song Zhen was stepping out of the cabin, a startled cry suddenly rang out from the platform of the Star Ship.

Shang Xia's External Avatar and Song Zhen exchanged a glance, and in the next moment, both appeared atop the wooden platform reserved for Stargazers.

"What happened?"

"Did you see something?"

They asked Xin Lu in unison.

Xin Lu stood at the center of the platform, staring toward the distant vortex, her expression tinged with confusion.

The two followed her gaze but saw nothing unusual.

"You two aren't Stargazers, what do you expect to see?" She teased, clearly having shaken off her earlier daze.

Song Zhen gave a sheepish grin as Shang Xia's External Avatar asked again, "Did you discover something?"

Xin Lu nodded, her humor vanishing as she grew serious. "Only for an instant, I thought I sensed a trace of someone executing the art of stargazing deep within the vortex. But it was too brief, and the location was far beyond my usual reach. I'm not sure if it was real or just my imagination."

The two exchanged glances again, both equally confused, having limited knowledge of the art of stargazing.

"Did you reach a sudden state of enlightenment? Or maybe the vortex shifted briefly, and you happened to be able to reach deep into it?" came a voice from behind. It was Xiao Yugang, who had returned after hearing the news.

Xin Lu shook her head. She couldn't explain it clearly, but knew that even after trying again, she could no longer sense that faint trace.

Xiao Yugang thought for a moment before he spoke again. "Then shouldn't you continue targeting that region? What if what you saw was real?"

Xin Lu sighed, "I already tried. I simply can't cast anything that far. My art of stargazing hasn't improved. I probably just imagined it..."

However, Xiao Yugang frowned and wondered out loud, "Your technique may not have advanced, but what about others? If I recall, the Jiao Continent is carrying a Stargazer. Could they have improved along the way, and your techniques resonated, allowing you to feel their presence?"

Xin Lu was stunned, then hesitantly replied, "That seems... Unlikely. He only recently became a Stargazer."

Despite her doubts, Xin Lu instinctively accepted Xiao Yugang's logic. She immediately started executing her techniques again.

Meanwhile, Shang Xia's External Avatar, Xiao Yugang, and Song Zhen exchanged looks and quietly stepped down from the platform.

Shang Xia's External Avatar whispered, "Be ready. If Xin Lu truly finds them, once we move, those lurking in the shadows will strike. Their target will definitely be her, our rank six Grand Stargazer!"

Xiao Yugang and Song Zhen nodded in silence and returned to their respective ships.

Just then, Xin Lu's voice rang out joyfully from the platform. "I found him! True Immortal Xiao was right, Zhang Yusheng has become a Grand Stargazer!"