Chapter 1972: Meeting Gong Zhuo Again Pt.2

Shang Xia did not enter the void around the Essence Xing World.

As for Gong Zhuo, he truly did manage to evade the joint blockade of Yuan Ling and the experts of the Essence Du Heavenly Field, successfully exiting the void to meet Shang Xia.

However, upon meeting Gong Zhuo, one thing did catch Shang Xia off guard.

"The person who secretly covered your retreat was the Chen Dynasty Emperor?!”

Shang Xia was somewhat surprised that Emperor Chen, who had once been at odds with him and had only just stepped into the Martial Emptiness Realm, would end up interacting with him again under such circumstances.

Gong Zhuo stood respectfully before Shang Xia. Eventually, he bowed. "Sage Shang, I wouldn’t dare hide the truth from you. It is indeed so. The Chen Dynasty Emperor indeed helped me to leave.”

Still, Shang Xia’s surprise only lasted a moment. The gap between their identities had long grown vast, and the circumstances they now faced were worlds apart. Yet out of basic respect for another Sage, he asked, "So then, this visit of yours was at the Chen Dynasty Emperor’s request?"

Gong Zhuo could not discern Shang Xia’s thoughts from his tone. His expression turned somewhat nervous as he forcibly suppressed his agitation and he confessed, "My main purpose in coming was, of course, to seek a path of retreat for my Wanyun association. As for the Chen Dynasty Emperor's request... I acted out of necessity. However, he personally said that the message he asked me to deliver would undoubtedly prove its worth."

Yet Shang Xia did not ask directly about the Chen Dynasty Emperor's message. Instead, he asked, "What is it that the Chen Dynasty Emperor wants in exchange?”

Gong Zhuo was momentarily stunned. He thought for some time before speaking again, "He wishes to ask Sage Shang to intercept Yuan Ling in due time, buying enough time for himself and some elite cultivators of the Chen Dynasty to escape from the Essence Xing World."

Shang Xia raised an eyebrow. "What? Has the Chen Dynasty already decided to abandon the Essence Xing World? If he is fleeing, then what about Sage Chen Ji? What’s his plan?"

Gong Zhuo was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "Sage Shang, you should be aware that neither Sage Chen Ji, nor Sage Yu Tang... Not even the late Qi Dynasty Emperor, who perished in the Qi Dynasty Dao Field, can leave the Essence Xing World.”

Shang Xia nodded slightly before asking again, "Now I’m genuinely curious, what kind of bargaining chip does the Chen Dynasty Emperor think he has, to believe he can make me willingly intercept a high-level Sage for him?"

Gong Zhuo made no reply, remaining completely silent.

Staring at Gong Zhuo, Shang Xia eventually chucked, "Very well. Yuan Ling and I already have a few old grudges. If I get a chance to ruin his plans at a critical moment, I wouldn’t mind doing it."

At that, Gong Zhuo heaved a sigh of relief and immediately said, "The Chen Dynasty Emperor instructed me to inform Sage Shang that Yan Yu of the Essence Du Heavenly Field has already made a secret agreement with the Star Origin Lord of the Four Essence Heavenly Field. Once the Essence Xing World collapses, he will lead the migrating Essence Du Heavenly Field to the Four Essence Heavenly Field. The Star Origin Lord has promised protection until the Essence Du Heavenly Field fully integrates with the Four Essence Heavenly Field, at which point the Four Essence Heavenly Field will become the Five Essence Heavenly Field!"

"In return, the Star Origin Lord will help Yan Yu seize as many spoils as possible from the Essence Xing World, accelerating its growth and aiding his advancement."

When Shang Xia heard him, his first instinct was to frown in disbelief. He felt that the Chen Dynasty Emperor was messing with him.

But just as he was about to voice his rebuke, Shang Xia paused, looked at Gong Zhuo, and asked, "Let’s put aside the question of whether it’s true. Just the fact that this matter is so secret... How could the Chen Dynasty Emperor, who is an enemy of the Essence Du Heavenly Field, come to know such a thing?"

Gong Zhuo shook his head. "I dare not hide it. I do not know. I doubt the Chen Dynasty Emperor would reveal such crucial details to me either."

Shang Xia nodded slightly, a look of amusement appearing on his face.

Seeing Shang Xia stay quiet, Gong Zhuo spoke cautiously, “Sage Shang...”

Snapping back to reality, Shang Xia turned to look at Gong Zhuo and smiled. “Palace Master Gong, there is no need to worry. Your Wanyun Association and my Essence Luxuriant World go way back. Naturally, we won’t stand by while your sect perishes under their conquest. When the time comes, I will personally intervene. But... What do you plan to do next?”

Gong Zhuo bowed low. "I humbly ask that Sage Shang grant us refuge. Just a place to live is enough."

Shang Xia roared with laughter. "Alright, my Essence Luxuriant World has a few newly established continents. As it turns out, there’s one spot left to establish an Elysium.”

...

Gong Zhuo’s return to the Essence Xing World was far smoother than his departure, because Shang Xia personally sent him back after bringing him close to his world, directly delivering him to the Wanyun Continent, where his sect was by opening a spatial tunnel.

Even after sending him off, Shang Xia did not move right away. Instead, he stood still, gazing off into the void, seemingly lost in thought.

A short while later, as if sensing something, two figures stepped out of the void behind him. Huang Jinghan and Sun Haiwei, both True Immortals native to the Essence Luxuriant World.

"Did something go wrong?" Compared to Huang Jinghan, Sun Haiwei was clearly much more at ease in Shang Xia’s presence.

Shang Xia waved his hand and gave the two of them a rough account of his conversation with Gong Zhuo. Both frowned upon hearing it.

"Can his words be trusted? I mean the Chen Dynasty Emperor... How can he possibly know that the Essence Du Heavenly Field plans to join the Star Origin Lord? That’s news even we hadn’t heard about. The Essence Xing World has been suppressed by Yuan Ling for years, barely able to survive. They managed to uncover such intelligence?" Sun Haiwei made no effort to conceal her doubts. She clearly didn’t trust the Chen Dynasty Emperor.

Huang Jinghan then added, "What puzzles me more is... Even if you, Sage Shang, step up to obstruct Yuan Ling, how does the Chen Dynasty Emperor plan to escape?”

Shang Xia waved it off. "Let’s not talk about that. All will be revealed in time. Our main task is to peel away the Wanyun Association and the Wanyun Continent from the Essence Xing World and integrate them into our world as our 32nd continent.” [1]

Huang Jinghan hesitated briefly before asking in confusion, "Sage Shang, I have a question..."

Shang Xia smiled. "Speak freely."

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Huang Jinghan then continued, "The Wanyun Association and their continent are important, of course, but I can’t help feeling you invested too much effort into this one sect. And the terms we’re offering them to join our world seem a bit too generous."

1. 27th was established when the Heart Lamp Sect came, +4 from the Essence Chong World. ☜