Chapter 2014: Extending Life and Zhuo Gudao’s Warning

The longevity secret art performed on Zhuo Gudao was solemn and veiled. The entire process was known only to a few upper echelons of the Tongyou Institution and the two Stargazers involved, Yuan Qiuyuan and Zhang Yusheng.

When it was performed, the Star Observatory was completely sealed off. Dozens of disciples, Astrologers, and others prepared nearby to assist. On the platform, Shang Xia, Zhuo Gudao, Yuan Qiuyuan, and Zhang Yisheng stood. Kou Chongxue simply watched from the side.

On the surface, under Yuan Qiuyuan’s lead, seven Starlight Lanterns fueled entirely by condensed Starlight Essence were arranged in the shape of the Big Dipper atop the observatory. The flames of the lamps released a dense power of the stars.

If not for the small size of the flame, one might have mistaken them for seven stars.

As Yuan Qiuyuan pretended to unleash his art of stargazing, the starlight in the depths of the void was drawn forth.

At that very moment, Shang Xia made his move. On the surface, it appeared as though his soul was stretched outward, as if searching for something amidst the falling starlight. The process lasted about the time it took to brew a pot of tea. Just as Yuan Qiuyuan was about to exhaust himself, Shang Xia seemed to find what he sought.

With Yuan Qiuyuan exhaling in relief, several brilliant strands of starlight descended from the void, merging under Shang Xia’s guidance into a single dazzling column that fell upon the Star Observatory and enveloped Zhuo Gudao completely.

From afar, Zhuo Gudao looked as though he were bathed in the column of light.

His body suddenly trembled as he truly felt a massive surge of vitality flooding into him, his body greedily absorbing and replenishing its life force.

The process lasted about an hour. Though Shang Xia had extended Zhuo Gudao’s lifespan by only 20 years, Zhuo Gudao’s entire demeanor seemed rejuvenated. Even his formerly snow-white hair had turned gray.

When the column of light finally faded after an hour, Zhuo Gudao who was seated cross-legged on the Star Observatory, still bore a look of deep satisfaction. "I can feel it clearly. My vitality has greatly increased. It should allow me to endure another 20 years! This is truly divine!"

Though there remained a lingering wistfulness on his face, he did not forget to express gratitude to Shang Xia and the others on the Star Observatory.

Shang Xia smiled and said, "Sage Zhuo, you need not leave in haste. Though most of the vitality has fused into your body, a small portion may still dissipate. The power of the stars is rich here ,and if you remain a little longer, you will be able to maximize the effect of my secret art."

Concerned about his lifespan, Zhuo Gudao did not dare neglect such advice. He readily agreed with a smile. "Then I must trouble you for a few more days!"

"Not a problem!"

After leaving the Star Observatory, Shang Xia and Kou Chongxue returned to Shang Xia’s residence on the nearby floating island.

"How is it?" Once they fully activated the formations around his residence, Kou Chongxue immediately asked Shang Xia.

Shang Xia said gravely, "The vitality within him originates from my Big Dipper Star Origin. So long as I will it, I can draw it back at any time. Moreover, because it comes from me, I can always sense his presence whenever he is within a certain range."

Kou Chongxue nodded calmly and asked, "And you told Zhuo Gudao all this?"

𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

Shang Xia shook his head. "Of course not. I only told him that, because the life force came from me, I would naturally be aware of him within a certain distance."

Kou Chongxue nodded. “That is good. If he knew the lifespan you granted him could be taken back at any time, his life and death lying entirely in your hands, he might have refused. Even if fear of death forced him to accept, he would turn against you later, or at least constantly guard against you."

Three days later, Zhuo Gudao, having largely stabilized his condition, took his leave.

Shang Xia and Kou Chongxue personally escorted him. After leaving the Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field, Zhuo Gudao said thoughtfully, "You both must already know that the Star Origin Lord possesses a Star Core, and it is definitely a rank eight treasure. That is the key to his advancement to the Martial Eternity Realm."

Though Shang Xia and Kou Chongxue did not know why Zhuo Gudao brought up the old matter, they still listened attentively.

"But perhaps you did not know that this Star Core was not originally his. It was seized by him, or rather, by the Heaven Observation Sect in those days, from the hands of the invaders of the Chaotic Sea of Stars!"

Shang Xia and Kou Chongxue exchanged a glance.

The revelation did not surprise them too much.

"In those years, the Heaven Observation Sect’s leaders were extremely arrogant. They thought: since every millennium the Chaotic Sea of Stars was invaded and harvested by the experts of foreign Star Fields seeking to breakthrough to the Martial Eternity Realm, why should cultivators of the Chaotic Sea of Stars not retaliate and invade them in turn?"

"The Star Core was the fruit of that idea put into practice. Because of it, the entire Heaven Observation Sect became the target of every faction invading the Chaotic Sea of Stars. They sought not only to reclaim the Star Core critical to advancing into the Martial Eternity Realm, but also to make an example. After all, the Chaotic Sea of Stars had always been the prey, never the hunter. How could they tolerate such rebellion, let alone one that had seemingly succeeded?"

Shang Xia frowned. "And then?"

"Then?" Zhuo Gudao was briefly stunned, then continued, "Soon after, the millennium cycle came to an end. The foreign Star Fields that had drifted near the Chaotic Sea of Stars began to withdraw. The invading forces were forced to leave, which allowed the Star Origin Lord to survive."

Kou Chongxue raised an eyebrow. "How long do these invasions usually last?"

Zhuo Gudao answered calmly, "No more than three to five years. Otherwise, with several Star Fields invading, they could easily annihilate the entire Chaotic Sea of Stars if given more time."

"Three to five years?" Shang Xia’s expression grew thoughtful.

Zhuo Gudao added, "Do not think three to five years too short. Tell me, can you guess from which Star Field the Star Core was taken?"

Kou Chongxue froze at the tone of his words and said, "It can’t be such a coincidence... Was it the Illusory Sea of Stars?"

Zhuo Gudao said, "Of course it was them. Why else would they leave the invasion passage coordinates precisely in the void where the Void Mirage lies?"

He looked deeply at the Sages of the Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field and said, "I tell you this because the Illusory Sea of Stars is determined to seize the Star Core from the Star Origin Lord. Before they breach our Chaotic Sea of Stars, we are right to resist them together. But once they succeed in opening the invasion, you must not allow yourselves to be used by the Star Origin Lord as pawns in his defense of the Star Core. Until the Star Core is recovered, the Illusory Sea of Stars may not even target us directly."