Chapter 1893: Up To His Ears In Work

"The Essence Du Heavenly Field wants to withdraw from the Heaven Observation Star Region?"

𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

When Shang Xia first heard the news, he was surprised. But after some thought, he realized it made perfect sense that Yan Yu and the Essence Du World would come to such a decision.

The Essence Du Heavenly Field had always been on the fringes of the Heaven Observation Star Region, and its overall strength was among the weakest of the major Heavenly Fields. Following the incident with the Spirit Tip World, it practically signed the Essence Luxuriant World as a mortal enemy. Moreover, with the presence of Shang Xia, the imbalance in power was insane.

Since the Essence Du World had finally been accepted into the alliance led by the Essence Ling World, it was only natural that it would be eager to break away from the Heaven Observation Star Region and place itself under the alliance’s protection.

As Shang Xia contemplated the possible shifts in the situation, he suddenly noticed that Song Zhen appeared to be holding something back. Raising an eyebrow, he muttered, "If there’s something else, speak freely. No need to be cautious."

Song Zhen quickly replied, "There’s another rumor from the Essence Du Heavenly Field. Nothing has been verified, but it’s worth noting. It’s said that the Essence Ling World’s alliance may soon gain a new member, which could further destabilize the situation in the Essence Xing World."

"Oh?" Shang Xia raised an eyebrow. "Do we know which world is going to join them?”

Song Zhen shook his head. "No specifics yet. Our intelligence came from a high-level True Immortal who follows Yan Yu. While rotating back to the backlines, he let it slip. However, we don’t have many details. I suspect only a few Sages are privy to the actual developments."

Shang Xia nodded, agreeing with Song Zhen’s assessment. But as for the so-called ‘accidental slip’... He dismissed it with disdain. It was most likely a deliberate leak, orchestrated by the True Immortal with instructions from Yan Yu. It was meant to reinforce the Essence Du World’s commitment to the Essence Ling World’s campaign against the Essence Xing World.

Historically, wars between worlds, when not won through overwhelming power, often dragged on for ten, even dozens of years. And even after victory, completely devouring a world could take just as long.

Dividing up world fragments, pillaging resources, consolidating inheritances, subjugating native cultivators, relocating mortals... The full process could easily span centuries.

Such prolonged campaigns exhausted both sides, not just mentally for the cultivators, but also in terms of foundations.

It was especially true for worlds with weak foundations. The Essence Du World was undeniably one of them.

Although the Essence Du World advanced earlier than the Essence Luxuriant World and might have some sort of accumulations, it established its Heavenly Field a little later. In terms of actual strength, it lagged far behind the Essence Luxuriant World.

The Essence Xing World, for its part, hadn’t even formed a proper Heavenly Field. Yet it followed an unusual path. They carried out unending self-expansion. As a result, a single Essence World housed three Sages!

Though those three weren’t especially powerful by themselves, somewhat mismatched with the vastness and abundance of their world, they were bolstered by the World’s Will, making them far from easy opponents.

The Essence Ling World had led its allies in assaulting the Essence Xing World for several years. Besides the Essence Ling World’s deep reserves, the Essence Chong World and Essence Du World had barely established their Heavenly Fields and likely had already exhausted considerable resources. With no clear progress, internal discontent was probably brewing. The conflict was perhaps even being stoked by hidden instigators, like those gathered in the very secret chamber with Shang Xia.

Nonetheless, the new information was highly relevant to Shang Xia’s interests. Even if the Essence Ling World's alliance was approaching a turning point in the Essence Xing World campaign, the Essence Du World's weakened state from prolonged warfare was beyond dispute.

If Shang Xia could strike at the right moment, he might be able to carve out a significant share of the spoils.

But the real question was... Where should he begin?

After pondering for a moment, Shang Xia suddenly turned to Huang Jinghan and asked, "Senior Huang, I recall you’re acquainted with Palace Master Gong Zhuo of the Essence Xing World’s Wanyun Association?"

Huang Jinghan blinked, then nodded. "When Star Beast Nest No.2 still existed, I spent time stationed there and met Palace Master Gong Zhuo two or three times."

Shang Xia smiled. "There’s something I need done, something that only you can be trusted to handle."

Though Huang Jinghan already suspected what Shang Xia wanted, he made no attempt to reject or find excuses. Instead, he replied seriously, "Whatever Sage Shang commands, I will do to the best of my ability."

Among the Essence Luxuriant World’s high-level True Immortals, Huang Jinghan was known for his integrity. It was a reputation earned over decades.

Had it been anyone else, they might have tried to use the chance to demand greater rewards.

Still, while he accepted without hesitation, Shang Xia wasn’t going to let it go unrewarded.

With a slight wave of his robe, four rank six talismans appeared on the table.

"Two of them are rank six Six Direction Teleportation Talismans. They’ll let you enter and exit the Essence Xing World while avoiding the heavenly screen. They can also be used in emergencies to escape. One of the other is a Golden Phoenix Leaving Flame Talisman. Once activated, even fifth or sixth tier True Immortals wouldn’t dare to take the strike head-on. The final talisman is a rank six Myriad Tinted Cloud Talisman. Based on my experience, even the clone of a Sage wouldn’t be able to destroy its defensive capabilities in one strike.”

Even the usually steady Huang Jinghan showed visible surprise. After hearing the descriptions, he understood those weren’t just any rank six talismans. They were top-tier even in the sixth rank.

Though Shang Xia’s fame as Talisman Grandmaster had long echoed through the Essence Luxuriant World, seeing such powerful talismans up close still felt unreal.

Especially since Huang Jinghan knew that those were merely a small sample of Shang Xia’s capabilities to craft as a rank seven Talisman Grandmaster.

It was no wonder he looked momentarily stunned.

To Shang Xia, such talismans were nothing. Even to someone like Song Zhen, a high-level True Immortal of the Tongyou Institution, rank six talismans were common tools.

But for someone from the Yuanchen Sect like Huang Jinghan, they were rare treasures! They were used only in emergencies and locked away otherwise. Now, he had four to use freely.

Seeing his hesitation, Shang Xia and Song Zhen exchanged a glance, then Song Zhen said, "Brother Huang, please accept them. The alliance’s blockade of the Essence Xing World makes your mission risky. These talismans will ensure your safety."

Huang Jinghan took a deep breath and accepted the talismans, then said solemnly, "Rest assured, I will not fail you."

Shang Xia nodded. Then he pulled out a jade slip, whispered a few words into it, and handed it over. "If you meet Palace Master Gong Zhuo, deliver two messages. First... I’ve long had ties with the Wanyun Association. Any past misunderstandings are trivial. Now that the Essence Xing World faces peril, the Essence Luxuriant World Realm is willing to support the Wanyun Association and their continent."

He paused briefly, then added, "Second... Please pass this jade slip to Emperor Chen of the Chen Dynasty. Everything I want to say to him is inside."

Huang Jinghan didn’t ask what was in the slip. He simply accepted it and asked, "When should I depart?"

"The sooner, the better.”

"Then I’ll leave at once!" Huang Jinghan declared.

"Wait!" Song Zhen interjected. "Going in like this is too risky. Why not wait two more days?"

Seeing both men turn to him, Song Zhen explained, "While the many worlds are jointly blocking the Essence Xing World, even the cunning rabbit has three burrows, let alone an ancient Essence Worlds. Many factions in the Chaotic Sea of Stars are secretly delivering supplies to the Essence Xing World in exchange for profit. I’ve secured two ways to contact people inside. If we spend some resources, we can safely send Brother Huang into the space around the Essence Xing World. It’s far safer than sneaking in blindly."

"Oh? Truly?" Shang Xia’s eyes lit up. He glanced between the two, then smiled. "Looks like our Guardian of the Starsea Market is quite capable. With both sides desperately needing supplies, this situation could become our opportunity."

Song Zhen nodded eagerly. "Exactly! We’ve already disguised our merchant fleets and begun trading with the Essence Ling World’s alliance, quietly acquiring many needed resources at bargain prices. Connecting with the Essence Xing World has been harder, but this mission might be our breakthrough!"

Shang Xia chuckled.

Even Huang Jinghan joined in the jest. "Brother Song, you’ve even schemed against me!"

Song Zhen smiled. "You flatter me. I’m just riding on Sage Shang’s abilities."

Soon after, they consulted Shang Xia on various martial cultivation questions. Once satisfied, they left the outpost together and headed to the 6th Starsea Market.

Once they were gone, Shang Xia remained alone in the chamber, deep in thought.

The Chaotic Sea of Stars was becoming ever more volatile, and Shang Xia, now deeply entwined in it, fully realized how short he was on capable, independent operatives.

The Essence Luxuriant World Realm now had a considerable number of True Immortals, but most were below the third tier. Even those were rare, and high-level True Immortals were even harder to come by.

In their Heavenly Field, they were good enough, but compared to other Heavenly Fields, they were far from adequate.

Shang Xia didn’t expect to control the Chaotic Sea of Stars, but even just gathering intel required more than Song Zhen alone.

Despite Song Zhen’s growing network and early results, the work wasn’t something they could achieve overnight.

With Huang Jinghan heading to the Essence Xing World, the only two independent high-level True Immortals were both occupied. Shang Xia had much more to handle himself.

He wanted to visit the Spirit Ruling World and Spirit Frost World personally, and also observe changes in the great spatial vortex.

He hoped to monitor the Original Stars Corner, especially the Nebula Forbidden Region and Essence Frontier Heavenly Field.

The Essence Chong Heavenly Field had always been under his radar, but Essence Du World’s intent to exit the Star Region made him wonder if the Essence Chong Heavenly Field was planning to move as well?

Then there was the Star Origin Lord. Though he’d misjudged Shang Xia’s ‘Fate Star’, his technique had targeted the general area of the seven suns. His calculations weren’t entirely baseless. Shang Xia needed to head over to see what the damage was.

All of those tasks required someone powerful, trustworthy, and had the ability to work independently.

After prioritizing everything, Shang Xia reached into the void and grabbed an External Avatar with the strength of a True Immortal.

He created the External Avatar from rare treasures after his return to the Essence Luxuriant World. An External Avatar like that had independent will, even while carrying his soul.

He planned to send it to monitor the Essence Chong Heavenly Field from the shadows while drawing on the power of the seven suns.

As for himself... He would first head to the great spatial vortex. Sadly, without his Origin Star Avatar, he could no longer split himself across three fronts...