Chapter 1720: Formless Exchange

Beneath the cascading starlight, the void froze, and two massive Star Ships, which were in mid-flight, halted abruptly.

Along with the giant ships, the cultivators of the Glimmer Sect of the Spirit Tip World who hadn’t retreated were also immobilized.

Behind Shang Xia's Origin Star Avatar, Chu Jia and Hai Yuanyuan stared dumbfounded at the astonishing scene before them. They stared at each other in shock, seeing a look of disbelief flash in each other’s eyes.

Shang Xia's Origin Star Avatar stepped forward, walking past the Tongyou Institution’s ship and heading straight towards the Star Ship from the Liuzhang Sect.

Behind him, Chu Jia and Hai Yuanyuan regrouped with members of the institution. Moments later, Song Zhen, Youshang, Zhu Nang, and others, who were also previously immobilized, regained their freedom. Slowly, all of them regained their ability to move.

By then, everyone no longer needed to panic over the Liuzhang Sect's pursuit. The appearance of Shang Xia's Origin Star Avatar reassured the experts of the institution, many of whom rushed out onto the deck to gaze at the figure radiating starlight.

Meanwhile, Shang Xia's Origin Star Avatar reached the Liuzhang Sect’s Star Ship. Stopping in front of it, his gaze was fixed on a figure at the bow surrounded by several experts.

This figure radiated the energy of a fifth tier True Immortal. He was flanked by 2 True Immortals of the fourth and fifth tier respectively. There were 4 other True Immortals in the second or third tier behind them.

There was no doubt about it. Shang Xia was probably looking at Yan Xintao, the leader of the Liuzhang Sect's expedition into the ruins. He was also most likely directly related to Yan Yu.

The True Immortals of the Tongyou Institution were freed, but the 7 True Immortals of the Liuzhang Sect were still stuck in place. However, unlike the other True Immortals who showed signs of shock and fear, Yan Xintao looked directly at Shang Xia’s Origin Star Avatar without the slightest trace of fluster.

A smile appeared on Shang Xia's Origin Star Avatar’s face. "Sage Yan, we can be considered acquaintances at this point. What’s the point of resorting to such tricks?”

The initially immobilized Yan Xintao's eyes twinkled with amusement. Star dust fell around his body and his restrained form regained the ability to move.

Yan Xintao's appearance didn’t change, but his demeanor shifted dramatically. He even took a few steps forward, facing Shang Xia's Origin Star Avatar. "Sage Shang of the Heaven Observation Field... You are truly a remarkable talent!”

Shang Xia's Origin Star Avatar chuckled to himself. Yan Yu truly had a way to project his strength into the ruins of the Spirit Lyric World. The presence of his soul in his direct descendant’s body was clearly intended to launch a surprise attack on Shang Xia’s Origin Star Avatar.

However, having detected something amiss with Yan Xintao earlier, Shang Xia's Origin Star Avatar stopped and called out Sage Yan Yu’s ploy, forcing him to reveal himself.

"Sage Yan, have you come just to abduct our Stargazer?" Shang Xia's Origin Star Avatar asked bluntly.

Yan Yu, speaking through Yan Xintao, chuckled lightly, "This junior has acted on his own, but I don’t see anything wrong with it, especially since we heard that a rank five Grand Stargazer has come from your Heaven Observation Field. As the last bastion of the Heaven Observation Sect from a millennium ago, the Heaven Observation Field truly lives up to its reputation for preserving the stargazing heritage!"

"However, Sage Shang, you are mistaken on one point. My junior does not intend to abduct anyone; rather, he extends an invitation! How could I not extend an invitation to a rank five Grand Stargazer?”

Shang Xia's Origin Star Avatar responded casually, "Sage Yan is thoughtful indeed! However, Stargazer Xin probably has no time to visit your Essence Du World. With my presence, I’m afraid you’re bound to be disappointed.”

Yan Yu roared with laughter, "Sage Shang, you seem quite confident! Although you infiltrated our world before you ascended to the Martial Emptiness Realm, and I allowed you to flee because of a slight mistake, I’ve clashed with you twice through the projection of my power. Now... I truly look forward to a proper exchange!”

Shang Xia's Origin Star Avatar sneered as he glanced at the True Immortal who was hosting Yan Yu’s soul. "I am more than willing to receive Sage Yan’s pointers. But... Are you prepared to sacrifice your bloodline descendant’s future?"

As soon as Shang Xia's Origin Star Avatar spoke, he noticed a brief discord of souls within the body temporarily used by Yan Yu.

While Yan Yu's soul dominated this body for now, Yan Xintao's soul was not dormant. Shang Xia's Origin Star Avatar’s words clearly struck a nerve with him, the body's rightful owner.

However, the moment of discord quickly vanished. Yan Yu’s laugh came again. "Sage Shang, you seem confident, but how can you be so certain of your clone’s capabilities, especially when the Star Curtain stands between you and your clone?"

While they spoke, Song Zhen and the rest were already piloting the Star Ship away.

Some of the Martial Dipper Realm cultivators of the institution were confused and they hurriedly asked why they were not staying to watch what could be a once-in-a-lifetime battle between Sages.

However, they were quickly rebuked by Hai Yuanyuan with a slap each. "Is this spectacle something you are qualified to witness? Why don't you go to the other end of the ship and look at the surrounding ruins instead?"

Puzzled, they turned their gaze to the surrounding ruins and discovered nothing.

They only discovered something was wrong when Chu Jia gasped, "Why have all the formations in the ruins disappeared?"

While the members of the institution were not as sensitive to formations as Chu Jia, a Formation Grandmaster, they soon discovered what she had pointed out.

"These ruins..." Standing at the edge of the ship, a Martial Dipper Realm cultivator casually struck a floating pile of rocks nearby with his palm. The next second, it crumbled to dust.

"Those two have been subtly competing from the moment they met. The surrounding ruins have long since been reduced to dust by their formless exchange. You’re only unharmed because of our Sage’s protection and our defensive formations. Once they fight without restraint... How long do you think this Star Ship will last?” Youshang snorted, leaving a trace of lingering fear in the hearts of the Martial Dipper Realm cultivators.

Just then, the Star Ship beneath their feet suddenly lurched violently upwards before slamming down again as if it was caught in turbulent waves.

Song Zheng struggled to control the starship to prevent it from flipping and yelled, “Grandmaster Chu, strengthen the formation! Activate your Five Element Ring!”

Sensing the sudden change, Hai Yuanyuan and Youshang both turned their heads to look at Shang Xia’s Origin Star Avatar. However, the spot he once stood had already turned into chaos. Looks of concern and worry appeared on their faces at the same time.