Chapter 1986: Essence Ark, The ‘Luxuriant’

When a Star Ship traversed the void using world origin as guidance, although it allowed for accurate arrival at the targeted world, it would also cause some depletion of world origin from their world.

Though each instance of depletion was relatively minor, over time, the cumulative toll could become distressingly painful. Still, the method was typically reserved as a last resort by some fleets. They weren’t always used, but the method was always kept ready. In moments of disorientation or desperate peril, drawing upon the guidance of their world origin could be their final lifeline.

As for relying on Star Charts... That was the conventional method. Some Star Charts were crafted by Stargazers, especially those passed down from the legacy of the Heaven Observation Sect, while others were compiled through discoveries during voyages through the void.

There was no need to ask. It was evident that those pioneering navigators paid a heavy price through trial and sacrifice.

The more Shang Xia heard from Song Zhen, the more puzzled he became. “Even so, these Star Ships can still traverse the void using those two methods. Why then are they all docked outside the Starsea Market? Wouldn’t that delay their journey?”

Seeing the trace of a helpless smile on Song Zhen’s face, Shang Xia’s thoughts stirred. “It can’t still be because of our Stargazers, can it?”

To his surprise, Song Zhen nodded. “It is indeed because of them!”

This time, without waiting for Shang Xia to ask again, he took the initiative to explain. “You’ve underestimated the influence of our Heavenly Field’s Stargazers and those from the Four Essence Heavenly Field. Ever since our Heaven Observation Field expanded to become the Heaven Observation Star Region, our Stargazers, backed by complete inheritances, have rapidly spread their influence and Star Charts through the Chaotic Sea of Stars.”

“These new Star Charts quickly replaced the rough and imprecise ones of the past.”

“With more accurate Star Charts, Star Ships no longer had to slow down during void navigation despite having maps, and no more hesitation over unknown dangers. They could maximize their speed, dramatically increasing interconnection among factions across the Sea of Stars.”

“In fact, it’s no exaggeration to say that with the widespread adoption of these charts through the Starsea Market, our Chaotic Sea of Stars has become noticeably more prosperous.”

“But now, with the escalating conflict between both sides, many of the charts they crafted have begun to suffer interference. This, coupled with the proximity of the 6th Starsea Market to the Heaven Observation Star Region, has made this area the most affected. Without urgent cause to consume world origin for navigation, these Star Ships naturally choose to remain docked, hence the congregation outside the market.”

“In contrast, at other markets farther from the Heaven Observation Region, where the interference is weaker, many Star Ships still come and go between Heavenly Fields.”

Shang Xia, a dignified Sage, stood dazed after hearing Song Zhen’s explanation. He never imagined that the influence of the institution’s Stargazing Hall extended so far beyond their Heavenly Field.

“But the two sides can’t just keep clashing endlessly!” He muttered softly to himself.

Even he hadn’t expected things to escalate so far. After all, when he had left the Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field, he had merely asked Kou Chongxue to instruct the Stargazing Hall to provide some cover and misdirection.

“The owners of those Star Ships likely think the same.” Song Zhen nodded. “They believe that when necessary, the Sages of both sides will step in to stop the Stargazers. So rather than consume world origin, they chose to wait here.”

Shang Xia nodded, but then noticed the crafty look on Song Zhen’s face. Realizing what was going on, he smiled. “Looks like you already guessed that this was related to my secret departure... With so many ships gathering here... You’re doing pretty well, right?”

Song Zhen’s expression changed slightly, and he immediately said respectfully, “Forgive me, but the 6th Starsea Market is the most crucial port connecting us to the other Heavenly Fields. Now with their clash, we’re the ones bearing the brunt of it!”

Having understood the cause, Shang Xia chuckled, “Don’t worry, this farce won’t last much longer.”

Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly thought of something. He turned back and asked, “Right, what is Gao Qin and Sun Haiwei up to now?”

No one knew the whereabouts of those two prominent female True Immortals from the Essence Luxuriant World better than Song Zhen.

He quickly replied, “They’ve already secured a large Star Ship and taken a dozen elite cultivators from the institution into the void. They entrusted me with secretly recruiting crew members here at the market. By now, they’re likely drifting near the Essence Du Heavenly Field, though I don’t know their exact location.”

Shang Xia grunted once before speaking again, “Carry on with your duties. As for the star pirates you’re recruiting, no matter their character, make sure you have solid control over them.”

Song Zhen quickly responded, “You can rest assured, Sage Shang, I fully understand!”

Without alerting anyone, Shang Xia left the 6th Starsea Market as quietly as he had arrived. Then, after a moment of contemplation, he used the same method those Star Ships did, targeting the void coordinates of the Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field by drawing upon the guidance of the world origin.

He tore through the void and descended directly at the edge of the Heavenly Field.

Given the now highly developed the Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field was, Shang Xia could not simply appear inside without prior permission, even at his level.

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

Even so, his sudden arrival at the edge of the Heavenly Field immediately triggered alarms among the stationed True Immortals, and naturally Kou Chongxue was also alerted.

Fortunately, once Kou Chongxue transmitted a message, the other True Immortals quickly stood down, and the Heavenly Field opened a gateway for Shang Xia’s entry.

“The Heavenly Field has been further enhanced. It’s looking more refined than ever.” Shang Xia smiled as soon as he saw Kou Chongxue.

But Kou Chongxue replied, “You withdrew your soul from the World Origin Source and severed your karmic bond to our world. You’re even trying to erase your influence in the Heavenly Field. Now you don’t even want a ‘backdoor’ left in our Heavenly Field. Every time you return, you must return from outside. Over time, our Heavenly Field will become increasingly unfamiliar to you!”

Shang Xia simply smiled. “You know as well as I do, I have my own path to follow. Severing my connection to the Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field is a necessary cost on that path.”

Kou Chongxue sighed, “I’ve already told the Stargazers of the Stargazing Hall. The clash should settle down soon.”

Shang Xia exclaimed in surprise, “Even I didn’t think they’d be able to take it this far!”

Kou Chongxue was clearly aware of the commotion stirred up by the Stargazing Hall’s contest with the Four Essence Heavenly Field, but he added, “It wasn’t all their doing. Without help from the Heavenly Star Palace, they’d have fallen behind.”

Shang Xia wasn’t disappointed. He simply said, “How long has it been since we nurtured our Stargazers? The Four Essence Heavenly Field received the inheritance of the Heaven Observation Sect. To achieve what we have is already impressive.”

Kou Chongxue didn’t argue. Instead, he changed the subject. “You’ve come back at the right time. Our Essence Ark is almost complete!”

Shang Xia’s eyes lit up. “Really? That’s excellent news!”

Kou Chongxue added, “But the final spatial stabilization inside the vessel may still need your presence.”

Shang Xia was a little taken aback. “What happened?”

Kou Chongxue revealed a bitter smile. “We were ambitious and made it too big. Now the Formation Hall and Artifact Hall can’t keep it stable. They need your help to reinforce the space it contains.”

Shang Xia understood but commented, “Since this is our first Essence Ark, we could have started small...”

This time, Kou Chongxue just smiled without replying.

The two of them arrived at an originally empty region of the void outside the Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field, which had been transformed into a massive construction site.

There, the finest Talisman Masters, Master Blacksmiths, Formation Masters, and even two Stargazers of the Heavenly Field had been stationed.

Around the shipyard drifted numerous high-tier material storage depots, specially built for that purpose.

But anyone arriving would have their attention immediately stolen by the colossal Ark at the heart of the dock.

It was a giant vessel, easily comparable in size to a giant Star Ship. Unlike the latter’s long and narrow body, the Ark looked bulky and overbuilt.

It was none other than their nearly complete Essence Ark, which was named ‘Luxuriant’!

“You really didn’t need to call him here!” Chu Jia instantly grumbled to Kou Chongxue when she saw Shang Xia. She didn’t sound the least bit courteous when speaking to the patriarch.

Shang Xia could only offer an awkward smile.

Kou Chongxue glanced at him, then replied to Chu Jia with a smile, “It’s the culmination of nearly 20 years of work. It’s better to be careful.”

Chu Jia snorted and turned to leave without once looking Shang Xia in the eye.

Kou Chongxue turned to him and teased, “Aren’t you going to go say a few words to her?”

Shang Xia shot him a wry smile. “Come on... You’re still a senior at the very least...”

Though the Essence Ark was close to completion, it still took nearly 20 more days for the final work to be wrapped up.

During that time, Shang Xia personally oversaw the stabilization of its internal space.

Thankfully, with the combined talents of the best artisans of the Heavenly Field, the construction proceeded without incident. The Ark’s spatial framework remained exceptionally stable.

At last, the Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field had their very own Essence Ark.

And from its inception, Luxuriant was designed to hold an immense space.

According to Chu Jia’s calculations, it could accommodate an entire 30,000 miles wide continent that had been fully developed.

For context, the Essence Ling Heavenly Field’s Essence Ark had carried two continents out of the Essence Xing World, but they were merely 10,000 miles wide each. They had already been ravaged, losing more than 60 to 70 percent of their world origin.

Combined, those two didn’t even match a full Wanyun Continent.

By comparison, Luxuriant was clearly superior.

As Shang Xia admired the massive vessel, he heard Kou Chongxue call out from afar, “Good thing it’s done in time, we’re going to need it!”

Startled, Shang Xia turned and asked, “There’s news from the Essence Du Heavenly Field?”

Kou Chongxue said grimly, “Yuan Ling has fallen out with Yan Yu. Our sources in the Essence Du Heavenly Field reports that both the Essence Du World and Spirit Light World are mobilizing. They fully activated the defenses, and Yan Yu has even spread word that his Essence Du Heavenly Field is preparing to merge with the Four Essence Heavenly Field.”

Shang Xia let out a breath and whispered, “It’s finally beginning.”

Kou Chongxue asked, “Were you the one who told Yuan Ling about the Essence Du World’s merger?”

Shang Xia chuckled, “Thinking back, I doubt I was the only one the Chen Dynasty Emperor told when he fled.”

Kou Chongxue frowned. “How would the Chen Dynasty Emperor know?”

Shang Xia replied coolly, “What if he, too, wanted to pledge allegiance to the Star Origin Lord?”

Kou Chongxue paused, then nodded. “Seems like the Essence Du Heavenly Field won’t escape unscathed.”

Shang Xia’s smile carried a trace of anticipation. “Maybe this time we’ll finally force the Star Origin Lord to reveal his full strength.”

Kou Chongxue’s brows furrowed. “You plan to ally with Yuan Ling? After the incidents in the Essence Chong Heavenly Field and Essence Xing World, he’s suffered at your hands twice. Can you trust him?”

Shang Xia grinned. “Don’t forget, no one wants the Star Origin Lord’s Four Essence Heavenly Field turning into a Five Essence Heavenly Field, or even a Six Essence Heavenly Field. That crafty old bastard once stood at the edge of the Eighth Order. Everyone knows he abandoned that path because it led nowhere, but what if this time it works? With a second chance, he may be closer than anyone else at entering the Eighth Order!”

“And if he succeeds, we’ll all be at his mercy.” Shang Xia concluded in a serious voice.

Kou Chongxue said seriously, “So this time, you’ll work with Yuan Ling to stop the Star Origin Lord?”

The smile on Shang Xia’s face widened. “Not just him.”