Chapter 1866: Revenge. Destruction of the Essence Wilderness World’s Will

Qin Ming and Sage Jin had never expected Shang Xia to actually find the correct path back to the ruins of the Essence Wilderness World.

After all, Shang Xia had been trapped in the depths of the Nebula Forbidden Region for several months. If he truly had a means of escape, he wouldn’t have waited for so long to use it.

Neither of them could have imagined that Shang Xia’s way out would be to follow the lingering traces of the remnants of the Essence Wilderness World’s Will, and that those traces were only discovered because Sage Jin had actively drawn it for himself.

Of course, there was another unexpected factor. True Immortal Su Chi.

The Essence Wilderness World had fallen into the Nebula Forbidden Region for nearly three centuries. Neither Qin Ming nor Sage Jin could have guessed that any native cultivator from the Essence Wilderness World could have survived to the present day.

Had they known, they wouldn’t have remained so relaxed. They’d have rushed back to the ruins of the Essence Wilderness World in haste.

While Qin Ming and Sage Jin were busy trying to extract secrets of Star Fields beyond the Chaotic Sea of Stars and the Martial Eternity Realm from the foreign consciousness inhabiting Zhuo Gudao, Shang Xia was already nearing the ruins of the Essence Wilderness World under Su Chi’s guidance.

"I can’t believe I actually drifted so far through the Nebula Forbidden Region..." Shang Xia muttered softly to himself.

Although he had been lost for months, he’d always assumed he was still hovering not too far from the ruins. He hadn’t thought he’d drifted such a vast distance.

Before entering the Nebula Forbidden Region, he had circled most of its perimeter under Sage Jin’s lead with Zhuo Gudao and Yuan Ping. He thought that he had gained a rough understanding of the Nebula Forbidden Region’s overall size.

But clearly, the Nebula Forbidden Region was far more mysterious than it appeared from the outside.

"Sage Shang..." Su Chi’s voice echoed softly beside his ear.

Through their interactions, Su Chi had gained a clearer understanding of Shang Xia. Though he no longer addressed him as ‘Senior’, his tone was all the more respectful.

It was obvious that Shang Xia hadn’t completely isolated Su Chi’s senses during his confrontation with Qin Ming and Sage Jin.

Both of those figures, one who had once ruled his world and the other who had destroyed the Essence Wilderness Heavenly Field, were unforgettable to Su Chi.

The fact that Shang Xia could face the two of them in battle, and even retreat unscathed, had left Su Chi in awe.

Given that, his shift in tone and loyalty was perfectly natural.

Shang Xia could sense a ripple of intent from within the Cloud Rune Stone Mysterious World and replied flatly, "Speak your mind."

Su Chi hesitated before asking, "Sage Shang, after you escape the Nebula Forbidden Region... How do you plan to deal with me?"

Shang Xia picked up on the hesitation, and his tone grew cold. "Why are you asking me that now?"

They were already very close to the ruins, and Shang Xia could faintly sense a shift in the atmosphere distinct from the depths of the Nebula Forbidden Region.

Su Chi’s question at that very moment risked being taken as a veiled threat or an attempt to negotiate.

Was he implying that if Shang Xia didn’t promise him something satisfactory, he might not continue cooperating?

Although displeased, Shang Xia didn’t lash out, choosing instead to give Su Chi another chance.

Su Chi quickly realized his misstep and said urgently, "Please don’t misunderstand, Sage Shang. I didn’t mean it that way. I merely hope you could grant me a chance to live again."

Shang Xia raised an eyebrow. "What, do you also know how to hijack a cultivator’s soul and body like those foreign consciousnesses?"

Su Chi hurriedly denied. "No, no, I wouldn’t dare! I only wish that once the Essence Wilderness World’s Will is extinguished, you can spare me a portion of the world origin so I might forge a True Immortal clone...”

Shang Xia chuckled. "Just a clone? At best, that’s the equivalent of a newly advanced True Immortal that can barely be sustained if you can’t cultivate. Ah... I see. You want to use the Origin Holy Artifact that is carrying your soul lamp to prolong its lifespan?”

Su Chi gave a bitter laugh. "You see through everything, Sage Shang. It’s not just about clinging to life, I want to preserve the Heart Lamp Sect’s legacy. If I can live for even 100 more years, the sect may yet have a sliver of hope. I beg you to allow it."

Shang Xia mumbled softly, "That’s actually not a bad idea."

Su Chi was overjoyed, and the lamp within the Mysterious World even brightened slightly. "Thank you, Sage Shang!"

But Shang Xia added, "Don’t thank me yet. A clone is too limited. I actually know a secret technique for creating an External Avatar that can maintain the cultivation of a high-level True Immortal. It’s much more viable than a basic clone. Once this matter is over, I’ll pass the technique to you and even help gather the materials to make one."

Su Chi was elated. "Is there really such a miraculous technique? That’s incredible! If you truly help me forge an External Avatar, I will serve you loyally without question."

Shang Xia smiled faintly. "No need to thank me yet. There’s one thing you should know, the avatar has to be compatible with your cultivation path. So..."

Su Chi understood the meaning behind Shang Xia’s words. "If you hadn’t rescued me and brought me out from the Nebula Forbidden Region, I likely wouldn’t have lasted even a few decades. My last wisp of soul would have perished, and the Heart Lamp Sect would’ve vanished forever. I know what to do."

With the matter settled, Su Chi refocused and led the way. Before long, a vast void filled with shattered continents came into view.

Shang Xia had finally returned to the ruins of the Essence Wilderness World!

"Can you now pinpoint the exact location of the remnant World’s Will?" Shang Xia asked.

Though he could faintly sense repulsion from the remaining World’s Will, he couldn’t pinpoint its exact location.

Sage Jin had clearly hidden it after regaining its support.

Unfortunately for Sage Jin... Su Chi was Shang Xia’s hidden trump card!

Though his cultivation was far beneath Sage Jin’s, no one had expected him to still be alive. When Sage Jin concealed the will, he likely hadn’t considered shielding it from a native cultivator like Su Chi.

While Shang Xia struggled to locate the origin of the World’s Will, Su Chi had no trouble doing it.

Under his guidance, Shang Xia roamed the ruins of the Essence World.

Though much safer than the Nebula Forbidden Region’s depths, there was still some parts which were pretty dangerous.

Luckily, Shang Xia had survived worse, and what he was facing posed little threat.

Still, he began to conceal his presence and erase his trail.

That was because the closer he got to the resting place of the World’s Will, the more high-level experts from the Essence Frontier Heavenly Field would appear.

Most would be in the Martial Dipper Realm or Martial Void Realm, and they would be no match for him, but the moment he was exposed, news would swiftly reach Qin Ming or Sage Jin, who might still be in the Nebula Forbidden Region.

"How is it?" Shang Xia asked in a low voice from behind the floating islands.

Su Chi replied via voice transmission, "It’s definitely just ahead, but it seems to be concealed by a bunch of formations. I can sense it, but..."

"That’s enough." Shang Xia cut him off, then no longer bothered to conceal himself. He released his aura, pushing everything to the side.

A mighty wave swept out, creating a path for himself as the floating islands were forced away.

That wasn’t all. As he gathered more strength, brilliant starlight pierced even the veil of the Nebula Forbidden Region. A rip in the space before him revealed a floating landmass formed by over 30 shattered islands that was almost the size of a Spirit World.

Within that stronghold were at least dozens of experts in the Martial Dipper Realm and Martial Void Realm. Like hornets roused from a nest, they flew to defensive positions the moment Shang Xia tore open their protection.

The protective formation over the floating landmass strengthened, and the cultivators of the Essence Frontier Heavenly Field became a lot calmer than before.

At the same time, news of an attack from a Sage spread swiftly. All they needed to do was hold out until Qin Ming and Sage Jin returned.

Too bad for them, their sliver of calm lasted only a few breaths. An incoming beam of starlight turned it to dread and despair.