Chapter 1869: Escaping

Without mentioning how Shang Xia absorbed the remnant world origin or severed the connection between the remnant World’s Will and Sage Jin, leading to the dramatic fallout deep within the Nebula Forbidden Region...

Shang Xia flew in another direction with Su Chi. Before long, they saw two large Star Ships and several smaller ones surrounding a Spirit Ark, forming a massive coordinated formation as they slowly advanced through the Nebula Forbidden Region.

Skirting the outer edge of the fleet, Shang Xia’s previously separated clone persistently harassed the formation and delayed its retreat.

Shang Xia’s clone acted with remarkable insight.

Though the elite cultivators from the Essence Frontier Heavenly Field had been routed and forced to flee by Shang Xia, their combined fleet still posed a considerable threat. For an ordinary Sage, breaking such a formation would be extremely difficult. And Shang Xia’s clone clearly lacked the strength to do so.

However, the fact that he could spot the fleet in time and stall it was invaluable in buying time for Shang Xia’s true body to arrive.

This formation could withstand attacks from Shang Xia’s clone and ordinary Sages, but their defenses were practically paper before Shang Xia’s true body.

Crucially, the fleet’s attention had already been diverted by his clone’s harassment, so when Shang Xia suddenly appeared at their rear and struck, nearly half the formation failed to respond in time.

Shang Xia’s Seven Star Mace whipped through the air, unleashing the second form of his Seven Stars Mace Technique, Falling Dipper. The void was instantly flooded with radiant starlight as meteor-like projectiles slammed into the fleet. Three small Star Ships were obliterated instantly, two medium ones shattered, and one had its stern destroyed. Another large Star Ship had its hull breached and the structures on its deck decimated by a third.

In the process, over a hundred Martial Extermination Realm or higher cultivators from the Essence Frontier Heavenly Field were killed or wounded. The formation quickly descended into panic.

However... Shang Xia wouldn’t stop there. He unleashed the third form of his Seven Star Mace Technique, Guided Dipper, the next second.

His inner qi that had infiltrated their defensive formation started to boil and with the Seven Star Mace swinging rapidly, even the large Star Ships were thrown into chaos. More than half their formation was destroyed.

Shang Xia’s clone that had been poking them from the side instantly charged into the fleet through the opening. With a single strike, he brought down a medium Star Ship.

However, one of the large Star Ships quickly counterattacked. Three high-level True Immortals joined forces with the formation and landed a devastating blow on Shang Xia’s clone. His clone flickered unsteadily, and it looked like it was about to collapse.

It was also then that Shang Xia’s true body forced his way into the fleet.

Holding the Seven Star Mace with a reverse grip, he drove it into the void with a thunderous motion. The front half of the mace seemed to turn ethereal.

That was the fourth move of his Six Harmony Rod Technique, Void Seal!

Boundless starlight filled the void with Shang Xia in its center. Of the 20 or so remaining ships, all of them froze in the void.

Most of the flying structures were frozen, but Shang Xia could clearly see that even though Void Seal had stopped most of them, the large Star Ships and True Immortals were able to shield themselves from the full effects of Void Seal with their defensive formations or domains.

Despite their resistance, none attempted to flee. Instead, everyone focused their efforts on helping the ships beneath their feet break free of the constraints.

Naturally... Shang Xia and his clone were no fools. Beating their opponents when they were down was a rule that had been carved into their bones at that point.

Shang Xia’s clone was the first to act. Slamming straight into the large Star Ship that attacked him earlier, he sent it careening sideways and exposing the Spirit Ark it had been protecting.

Given their overwhelming advantage and the absence of the ability to hold out against truly high-level experts, Shang Xia and his clone chose to adhere to the unspoken rule in the sea of stars now that their enemies had lost the ability to resist. They didn’t massacre cultivators of lower ranks.

After pushing the large Star Ships away, Shang Xia’s clone pretty much used up all his energy. He quickly merged back into his true body.

Shang Xia then charged directly toward the Spirit Ark nestled at the center of the fleet that contained the final remnants of the Essence Wilderness World and a portion of Sage Jin’s soul.

The experts of the Essence Frontier Heavenly Field would never willingly give up the prize they obtained after scheming for centuries. They launched counterattacks from all directions, and the Spirit Ark itself began using its trump cards. When they finally broke free from Shang Xia’s Void Seal, the Spirit Ark attempted to hide behind yet another large Star Ship, stalling for Qin Ming’s return.

It was a shame... From the very beginning, the cultivators of the Essence Frontier Heavenly Field had underestimated Shang Xia’s strength, will, and speed. They also greatly overestimated how quickly Qin Ming could return from the depths of the Nebula Forbidden Region.

In truth, Qin Ming had been delayed by an unexpected change in situation. He was stopped by Sage Jin and Zhuo Gudao, who had joined forces deep in the Nebula Forbidden Region.

Without anyone of comparable strength to stop him, Shang Xia bulldozed his way through the combined attacks of over 20 True Immortals. Before the Spirit Ark could hide behind another Star Ship, a giant hand condensed from Seven Star Qi slammed straight down from above, pinning it in place.

The other large Star Ship finally broke free of Shang Xia’s Void Seal and sailed at him to relieve the pressure on the Spirit Ark, but how could Shang Xia allow such a thing to happen?

However... Before he could deal with the large Star Ship, he had to handle the onslaught of nearly 100 cultivators in the Martial Dipper Realm and Martial Extermination Realm.

Despite his overwhelming strength that could suppress everyone present, the sheer numbers and the formations they drew upon made Shang Xia’s scalp numb. Even his domain was starting to falter under their combined offensive now that they broke free of the constraints of Void Seal.

Pulling his Seven Star Mace out from the void, he struck the air with his palm at the same time. Countless bolts of reddish-gold lightning exploded outward, webbing across the void.

Caught in the net of lightning, the enemy ships could no longer focus on attacking Shang Xia and scrambled to defend themselves.

This brief reprieve allowed Shang Xia to restore his weakened domain. However, the large Star Ship managed to arrive beside the Spirit Ark and sever the giant palm, locking it in place.

When Shang Xia pulled his Seven Star Mace out earlier, he expected as much.

Throwing his Seven Star Mace into the distance, the already weakened void collapsed inward, forming a massive region of separate space that was supported by it. The large Star Ship fell straight into it, exposing the Spirit Ark once again.

Without the Seven Star Mace, Shang Xia quickly formed several hand seals as his Seven Star Qi emerged from his body to transform into streams of five colored qi. Soon, the Five Element Annihilation Yin Yang Rings wrapped around the Spirit Ark’s bow and stern.

The cultivators of the Essence Frontier Heavenly Field aboard clearly recognized the threat. As the rings ground against the protection barrier of the Spirit Ark, a surge of overwhelming energy burst from within. A triple bladed phantom emerged, accompanied by the tune of a zither.

The first two broke the Five Element Annihilation Yin Yang Rings as the last flew at Shang Xia.

A rank seven talisman!

Shang Xia was first startled, then delighted. With a flick of his finger, a streak of starlight met the blade mid air, breaking it into a cascade of shooting stars.

With a single step, he arrived above the Spirit Ark. Flicking his finger, a speck of Star Fire landed on the weakened protection barrier. It quickly burned a hole through the weak defenses.

“Leave the Ark behind and you can live.” Shang Xia announced coldly, his voice resonating through the Spirit Ark, shaking the souls of every cultivator on board.

His voice was laced with his third martial intent, the Divine Killing Spear!

He had modified his martial intent such that it no longer required a physical spear. Even so, it still dealt tremendous damage to one’s soul.

With the barrier broken and his declaration made, dozens of beams of light fled the Spirit Ark. Since they chose to surrender, Shang Xia kept his promise and allowed them to leave.

Even so... His expression sank as he entered the Ark.

Moments later, an angry shout rang out from within, followed by tremors that shook the Spirit Ark to its core, nearly tearing it apart.

Shang Xia’s Seven Star Mace reappeared and flew into the Spirit Ark. In an instant, the turbulence ceased.

Those who survived quickly started to steer their Star Ships away after the Spirit Ark fell into Shang Xia’s hands. Regretful yet fearful, they fled in all directions, wary of provoking Shang Xia’s wrath.

Luckily for them, Shang Xia had no time to take revenge on those who had messed around in the Spirit Ark, nearly causing it to crumble. He had to secure full control of the Spirit Ark and flee the Nebula Forbidden Region immediately.

Though he had caught Qin Ming and Sage Jin off guard, both could return at any moment. Shang Xia also assumed the cultivators of the Essence Frontier Heavenly Field had the means to alert them, and Sage Jin would surely sense the severance of the connection with the Essence Wilderness World’s Will.

Shang Xia immediately asked Su Chi, “Do you know how to pilot this Spirit Ark?”

He could control it alone, but that would be too slow. Every second was precious. Su Chi was his only option.

“Of course,” Su Chi replied after a brief hesitation, “but in my current condition, I fear I won’t be of much help.”

Shang Xia chuckled and casually retrieved the Origin Holy Artifact holding Su Chi’s sliver of soul, tossing it into the space contained in the Spirit Ark.

“Ah, this...!” Su Chi let out a startled cry that quickly changed into one of joy.

Shang Xia paid no further attention. While steering the ark, he split off two more clones in the Seven Star Realm. The Spirit Ark’s speed nearly doubled.

After a time taken to brew a pot of tea, a scholarly-like figure emerged from the space contained in the Spirit Ark. He looked like he had weathered many storms, but there was an unmistakable expression of joy on his face. His body quickly solidified.

“Many thanks, Sage Shang,” said the man, respectfully bowing to Shang Xia. From his voice, Shang Xia could tell it was Su Chi who had obtained a new body.

“No time for thanks,” Shang Xia said. “Quick, man the core formation of the Spirit Ark. You’ve likely sensed it already, it’s powered by a secret art related to your Heart Lamp Sect.”

In a heated tone, Su Chi replied, “No! Sage Shang, you are mistaken here. This Spirit Ark belongs to my Heart Lamp Sect!”