Chapter 1835: Returning to the Chaotic Sea of Stars

In the chaotic streams outside the Spirit Ruling World, the Tongyou Institution’s large Star Ship, the ‘You Continent’, remained docked for over two months.

During that time, True Immortals and beast kings from both the Spirit Ruling World and Spirit Frost World had come to inquire about Shang Xia’s whereabouts. But each time, Song Zhen deflected them with the same response.

“Sage Shang is still in seclusion.”

In truth, even Song Zhen himself no longer knew exactly what Shang Xia’s situation was.

“True Immortals Song,” said Zhang Yusheng, “It’s been nearly half a year since we helped the Spirit Ruling World and Spirit Frost World recover from the damage caused by the planar shift. Based on our Essence Luxuriant Calendar, it’s almost the 9th year. Has there truly been no word from Sage Shang?”

Since being promoted to a Stargazer and earning Shang Xia’s praise, Zhang Yusheng’s status aboard the You Continent had risen sharply. He ranked just beneath Song Zhen in authority.

Song Zhen glanced at him without immediately answering. Instead, he asked a seemingly unrelated question. “How’s the situation on the ship?”

Zhang Yusheng was briefly stunned but quickly replied, “Everything is fine. Everyone understands that Sage Shang’s presence is the best guarantee for our safety.”

Only then did Song Zhen nod. “Tell the crew not to be anxious and definitely not to panic. Sage Shang is preparing for a breakthrough. Once he ascends further, we’ll return to the Chaotic Sea of Stars. We will return with greater assurance.”

After a pause, he added, “Also, tell everyone not to hoard their essence crystals. Purchase as many mid to high-grade spiritual treasures from the beast kings as possible. Those treasures are extremely rare in the Starsea Market. There are very few worlds in the Chaotic Sea of Stars dominated purely by spiritual beasts. Even those that exist are mostly the tamed creatures kept by ancient Essence Worlds. Either that or they are merely Azure Worlds. Nowhere else produces naturally born treasures of this quality like the Spirit Frost World.”

Zhang Yusheng nodded. “That’s true. But some of our guys worry that aggressively acquiring spiritual treasures from the Spirit Frost World may anger the beast kings. After all, those parts come from dead beasts, and our actions could be seen as inciting internal conflict within the Spirit Frost World.”

Song Zhen scoffed. “Nonsense! You think the spiritual beasts of the Spirit Frost World wouldn’t slaughter each other without us? It’s in their nature. Fighting is how they grow stronger and spread their bloodlines.”

After a moment, he added seriously, “Don’t apply human logic to beasts. Compared to the veiled cruelty among men, beasts are far more honest in their brutality.”

With the business settled, Zhang Yusheng tried to ask a few questions about cultivation. But just then, a flicker of starlight emerged from the depths of the void, immediately catching Song Zhen’s attention.

After all, they were still located somewhere around the great spatial vortex.

Though less chaotic, the void currents around them still distorted space and usually obscured all light.

However, the flicker of starlight did not fade. Instead, it continued to swell, unaffected by the flow, exuding a sense of timeless permanence. It was like a star suspended deep in the void.

“It’s Sage Shang!”

To Song Zhen’s surprise, Zhang Yusheng spoke first, excitement flashing across his face. His expression was genuine and it was as though he could truly see through the distortion.

Though Song Zhen had already guessed that only someone like Shang Xia, who was in the midst of becoming a mid-level Sage, could cause such a phenomenon, he still asked curiously, “How do you know?”

Zhang Yusheng answered enthusiastically, “I’ve seen Sage Shang’s Origin Star Robe up close and studied the Origin Star Avatar he projected. I recognize the Power of the Stars he commands. This flicker is a manifestation of his deeper manipulation of its power.”

Song Zhen shot him a surprised look. It was now clear why the institution had promoted him. He truly had a gift.

The anomaly in the void continued to grow. Soon, high-level cultivators and the Beast Kings from both worlds took notice.

The Ying Brothers and the Giant Ape King emerged from their worlds.

This time, they did not return but gathered aboard the You Continent ship, waiting to congratulate Shang Xia.

The phenomenon lasted for another 20 days. Then, the starlight, unobscured even by the chaotic streams, suddenly vanished. Moments later, the once-stable current surged violently. A vast ripple disturbed the calm. The next second, in a way none could comprehend, a figure abruptly appeared aboard the Star Ship.

“Congratulations!”

To everyone’s surprise, it was the Giant Ape King of the Spirit Frost World who reacted first.

The Giant Ape King, who was close to the peak of the sixth rank, clearly possessed far sharper senses than anyone else present.

Shang Xia, now standing on the deck, could tell that the Giant Ape King’s inner qi was saturated. It was just a step away from a qualitative transformation.

But he also knew that for the Giant Ape King, that one step would be almost impossible to take.

Unless it could break free from the shackles of the Spirit Frost World, or bring the world to ascension with it.

No matter what, either path would require outside intervention.

Following the Giant Ape King’s congratulations, the Ying Brothers, Song Zhen, and the rest rushed forward with enthusiasm even though they could not sense any change in Shang Xia’s cultivation.

Shang Xia responded with a calm smile. “We’ve stayed here long enough. It’s time to leave.”

The high-level leaders of the Spirit Ruling World and Spirit Frost World made verbal attempts to persuade him to stay, but secretly, they all heaved a collective sigh of relief.

Having a Sage lingering near their worlds for nearly a year had kept everyone on edge.

Especially given how Song Zhen and the others from the Essence Luxuriant World had frequently made subtle remarks... How could they not understand the underlying meaning behind those from the Essence Luxuriant World?

Now that Shang Xia had chosen to depart of his own accord, it was the best possible outcome.

As they resumed their journey, with Shang Xia at the helm and Zhang Yusheng charting the route as a newly promoted Stargazer, their return to the Chaotic Sea of Stars went smoothly.

In truth, Shang Xia had originally intended to return to the spatial vortex once more. Both he and the Crimson Soul Tablet still longed for the energy contained in the formless column at its core.

But after weighing the risks, he decided not to take the gamble for now. He resolved to return to the Starsea Market first.

As for the Spirit Frost World and Spirit Ruling World, Song Zhen and the others felt it was a shame to leave things unresolved. However, Shang Xia believed that haste made waste. He knew the matter was far from over.

Only when they were truly pushed to the brink of death would they cast aside all delusions and sincerely seek his protection... Or rather... Seek the protection from the Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field.