Chapter 1255: Please Stop

Shang Xia thought that there were some unspeakable reasons behind their rush, but he didn’t expect for it to be because the higher ups of their world wanted to nurture Free True Immortals of their own.

After thinking for a moment, Shang Xia gasped, “Wait… That’s not right. Is the Spirit Thistle World planning to let us do as we please?”

Kou Chongxue forced a chuckle. “The Spirit Thistle World also wishes to produce more True Immortals…”

Shang Xia was struck speechless. As it turned out, they had the same intentions!

Looking deeper into it, it was understandable. With the Spirit Luxuriant World as an example, they might have 10 True Immortals, but a good half of them were Elysium True Immortals. Kou Chongxue and Shang Xia also far surpassed the others in terms of cultivation and combat strength…

As the World’s Will would bless those who benefited from it, and both of them were usually the greatest contributors, they only grew stronger at a rapid pace. Not only did their speed of growth not stagnate in recent years, but they pulled ahead even further.

It was especially so for Shang Xia who was the first to break through to the fourth tier of the Martial Void Realm to become a high-level True Immortal.

Under such circumstances, it would be impossible for the other great powers to not feel any pressure.

That was why they wished to use the opportunity to join hands with the Spirit Thistle World to devour other worlds.

Kou Chongxue even suspected that there were experts of Holy Lands who were pushing for it to happen.

The great powers of the Spirit Luxuriant World were clearly unwilling to watch the Tongyou Institution dominate over everyone, but in a similar sense, the Holy Lands were probably unwilling to watch on as the 6 great powers were the only ones to call the shots in the Spirit Luxuriant World.

𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

What was more… A world could hold 24 Free True Immortals and 9 Elysium True Immortals. There were limits to the number of True Immortals who could be produced. Any cultivator who wasn’t actually useless would definitely be unwilling to watch their path ahead be severed. No matter what, they would fight for a chance to grow stronger!

One had to know that before the Spirit Luxuriant World ascended, any power with a Holy Land could be considered blessed land for cultivation!

However… After the ascension, other than the great powers that possessed an Elysium, there was no other faction that dared to call themselves a blessed land for cultivation!

As such… The alliance with the Spirit Thistle World wasn’t just pushed forth by the great powers. The various smaller factions also agreed.

Under such circumstances, it didn’t matter if Kou Chongxue tried to veto the decision. Even if Shang Xia, the only high-level True Immortal of the Spirit Luxuriant World, decided to try, he might not be able to succeed in stopping the cooperation!

Of course… They didn’t know that Kou Chongxue had already reached the peak of the third tier of the Martial Void Realm and was a step away from becoming a high-level True Immortal. Otherwise… Their desire to push for the expedition to other Azure Worlds would probably be even stronger!

That was also why Kou Chongxue didn’t plan to expose his cultivation level. He planned to let them do as they wished for the time being. Moreover, he could take the chance to break through to the fourth tier after they succeeded.

He might have already been plotting to obtain the ruined world around the Spirit Faith World, but if he could save a bunch of resources he was planning to use up to lay down the Essence Refining Void Returning Formation, he might be able to save them for other experts of the Tongyou Institution! He was more than happy to do so!

“So… Are you not planning to do anything to the ruined world?” Shang Xia asked with a strange expression.

“The Spirit Faith World and the other worlds there already submitted to the Essence MIng World, and it’s best for me to stay low-key for now. Also, the other True Immortals aren’t fools. If I enter Star Beast Nest No.1 frequently, they will probably be able to guess my intentions eventually.” Kou Chongxue sighed.

Shang Xia thought for a second before he replied, “I guess this works too. Anyway, Chu Jia should have crossed the standard to become a rank six Formation Grandmaster. Actually, from what the Essence Xing World calls it, she should be considered a Formation Sage after reaching that level. With her to deploy the Essence Refining Void Returning Formation in the future, things will be a lot easier.”

Kou Chongxue hesitated for a second before he asked, “Are you planning to take part in the expedition now that you’re back? Is your clone going to be enough deterrence in Star Beast Nest No.2?”

Shang Xia fell silent for a long while before eventually shaking his head. “Forget it. It’s just an Azure World. It won’t benefit us much even if we manage to bring a portion of it back. What’s more, the Spirit Thistle World is a lot stronger than us. They’re definitely going to take the lion’s share after the expedition… Anyway, I was planning to take a look at the Essence Xing World…”

Kou Chongxue’s expression turned serious and he muttered, “It’s fine if you don’t take part in the invasion of an Essence World, but I’m afraid we will need you to come and provide protection when the expedition is over.”

“Are you afraid accidents might occur?” Shang Xia raised an eyebrow curiously.

“Probably. We might be making a move after the alliance of the other Spirit Worlds, but don’t you think they will be prepared to deploy a portion of their strength to mess with us? After all, they’re so much more powerful than us!” Kou Chongxue explained.

A frown found its way onto Shang Xia’s face but he eventually mumbled in a low voice, “Alright, that makes sense!”

He knew that he would have to delay his plans for the Essence Xing World with the request. After all, he was the only high-level True Immortal of the Spirit Luxuriant World and he couldn’t sit by and do nothing during the expedition.

Since they didn’t know the exact date they were going to attack, Shang Xia could only wait.

Seemingly having thought of something, Shang Xia asked suddenly, “What is the situation like in the Star Origin Dao Field? Did we receive any news from the Star Origin Guards?”

No one knew why, but Kou Chongxue’s expression twisted but it quickly disappeared from his face. Regaining his composure, he spoke casually, “They greatly restrained their actions and we haven’t been able to gain any useful information for the time being. Also…”

Shang Xia found it a little weird. After all, the Tongyou Institution’s super spy was in the Star Origin Guards. He couldn’t help but look at Kou Chongxue with a look of confusion. “And?”

“Feng Ziying sent news that he would enter seclusion for some time…” Kou Chongxue sighed helplessly.

“Seclusion?” Shang Xia raised an eyebrow and hesitated before asking, “How far has he reached in terms of cultivation?”

Kou Chongxue paused for a moment before he replied, “He should have reached the fifth element of the Martial Dipper Realm. When he sent the latest report, he said that he had some idea of how to comprehend his martial intent. He might have already reached the grand completion stage of the Martial Dipper Realm by now.”

“So…” Shang Xia wondered out loud.

Nodding, Kou Chongxue could already guess what Shang Xia was about to ask and he answered without waiting for Shang Xia to finish the question. “He should have already become a key candidate for the Star Origin Guards to nurture. He hadn’t sent any information back the whole time, and he should be located in some secret region that is closely monitored.”

Shang Xia nodded instinctively and continued, “I have always suspected that the Star Origin Guards had some way to leave their soul imprint when advancing to the Martial Void Realm.”

“When I first discovered the Essence Ping World, I thought that they were using it to produce their True Immortals. However, that doesn’t seem like the case now. Only the Star Origin Lord knows about it. Hmm…” Shang Xia’s eyes widened in shock.

“Did you think of something?” Kou Chongxue asked.

Raising his head to look at Kou Chongxue, Shang Xia gasped, “Could it be? The Star Origin Lord Manor?!”

Both of them sank into silence for some time and Kou Chongxue eventually sighed, “Let’s hope that everything goes well…”

Shang Xia could only nod in acknowledgment.

If Feng Ziying could break through to the Martial Void Realm, his position in the Star Origin Guards would rise greatly and he would come into contact with a lot of their secrets.

Even so… Shang Xia wore a worried expression and he asked Kou Chongxue after hesitating for some time, “Entering the Martial Void Realm is something completely different. Hmm… I mean, if Senior Feng really becomes a True Immortal, will he choose a different path?”

As the Tongyou Institution’s super spy, Feng Ziying had taken on many different identities. He poured his heart and soul out for the institution, and someone like him shouldn’t be suspected.

However, once he becomes a True Immortal, he would be able to control his fate. Would someone like him be willing to continue serving the Tongyou Institution?

Shang Xia didn’t notice the weird look on Kou Chongxue’s face after asking the question, and he only heard the reply that came next. “There’s no need to worry about him. There is no way he changes his allegiance…”

Shang Xia couldn’t help but heave a sigh of relief. After all, suspecting Feng Ziying already brought Shang Xia endless guilt. He felt ashamed that he would even question the loyalty of someone like Feng Ziying, and with Kou Chongxue’s affirmation, Shang Xia no longer had any doubts.

He wondered why Kou Chongxue was so sure about it, but since the patriarch no longer elaborated, he didn’t continue asking.

Learning everything he came for, Shang Xia no longer remained in the You Continent. He quickly returned to Star Beast Nest No.2.

His desire to infiltrate the Essence Xing World was suppressed and he decided to think about it after some time.

… He barely warmed his buttocks in his seat in Star Beast Nest No.2 when he was summoned urgently by an emergency transmission.

Shang Xia left his clone and the Star Origin Lord Robe behind and stuck an Illusion Talisman on his clone before informing Chu Jia to prepare to bring everyone away in case anything happened before rushing back to the You Continent.

…

“What?! What happened?!” Shang Xia gasped the moment he returned. However, after his clone fused back into him, he understood what had happened.

Kou Chongxue’s clone also arrived as he explained, “We received news from the Spirit Thistle World that the alliance of the Spirit Mammoth World, Spirit Abundance World, and Spirit Tinkle World launched their expedition to the Azure Abyss World yesterday!”

“Yesterday?!” Shang Xia frowned.

“The Spirit Worlds sealed off the news to the outside world and we needed time to get the information out. The Spirit Thistle World has a much stronger intelligence network than us, but we managed to confirm the validity of the expedition.” Kou Chongxue’s clone continued.

Shang Xia nodded and asked, “Where’s the patriarch now?!”

Before Kou Chongxue’s clone could reply, Shang Xia gestured for him to stop and he raised his head to look in the direction of the heavenly screen.

“Stay here and protect the institution.” Shang Xia said before disappearing from his position.

In the depths of space outside the Spirit Luxuriant World, a blurry figure eventually took shape.

“Who are you?” Shang Xia stood opposite the figure who appeared hundreds of miles away from him and asked.