Chapter 2052: Crossing the Floating Star Region

The void beyond the Chaotic Sea of Stars was disordered, twisted, and messy. When the Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field’s Spirit Ark and the Blizzard Pirates’ fleet ventured deeper into the boundless void, even though they had marked the route along the way, on their return, they inevitably deviated from the original path to avoid more dangerous regions and to hasten their way back.

When they finally returned, the Stargazers located their position and discovered they had arrived near the Floating Star Region.

From the fleets they encountered, they learned that the Desolate Forbidden Region of Feichen had been breached, and high-level spiritual beasts and Star Beasts from other Star Fields were rampaging about.

"Have those beasts shown signs of spreading beyond the Floating Star Region?"

That was clearly the matter Shang Xia was most concerned about.

"So far, there are no signs of large-scale spread beyond the Floating Star Region." Chu Jia explained. "Otherwise, those merchant fleets would not still risk traveling between the various Heavenly Fields. Of course, small-scale spread is inevitable. But Sages of the Floating Star Region who approached the Desolate Forbidden Region reported that the Beast Tide pouring out from within is already weakening. That is likely the fundamental reason it has not spread further. The Heavenly Fields are preparing to mount another large-scale counterattack, hoping to annihilate or at least severely cripple the Beast Tide. Because of that, they are paying high prices to stockpile resources, which is also why merchant fleets are still maintaining routes there."

After Chu Jia finished reporting on the situation, Shang Xia asked, "What about our Heaven Observation Star Region? Has the Void Mirage’s seal been broken? Any news from our world?"

Chu Jia shook her head. "There is no news from our Star Region yet. Of the eight Star Regions of the Chaotic Sea of Stars, three forbidden regions have already been breached by other Star Fields. The Floating Star Region, Crowned Star Region, and the Towering Star Region. The situation here in the Floating Star Region is nearly out of control, with each Heavenly Field fending for itself. In the Crowned Star Region, the ruins of the Essence World where the breach is have been invaded. However, their Sages have managed to contain the enemy there for now. As for the Towering Star Region... It’s somewhat unusual there. The rampaging void current flowing through destroys everything in its path, but the damage is limited to the areas it passes. For now, their losses are not severe."

Shang Xia urgently wanted to know about the Heaven Observation Heavenly Field and their world, but Chu Jia first described the general state of other Star Regions. Though he frowned, he still waited patiently.

When he heard that three regions had been breached, Shang Xia asked in surprise, "And what of the Original Star Corner? What of the great Spatial Vortex? Did the invasion actually begin?”

Chu Jia shook her head. "That is what we find strange. It was the earliest place to show signs of invasion, drawing many experts over to investigate. Perhaps because of that, the forces from the other Star Field on the other side have become exceedingly cautious. They have not taken a single step into the Chaotic Sea of Stars. However, the spatial gate is said to be growing larger, and the center of the vortex more perilous. No Sage dares enter it now. If they ever emerge... It will be a bloodbath.”

Shang Xia sighed lightly. "So the Void Mirage’s seal in our Star Region has not been broken yet?"

This time, Chu Jia nodded. "At least from what news we can obtain, our Heaven Observation Star Region remains calm. But the invasions elsewhere have caused such chaos that information is unreliable, and communication channels are blocked. We still have no definite news."

Shang Xia nodded again before asking, "Now that we’ve returned to the Chaotic Sea of Stars, what of the next stage of the journey? Has Yuan Qiuyuan charted a new course? And has his sight recovered?"

Chu Jia frowned. "That is another matter I came to tell you. His eyes have mostly healed, and he even seems to have gained a new vision technique. As for the course back... There are two options. One is to skirt the edges of the Floating Star Region like the merchant fleets do. That route is long but safe. The other is to cut straight through, saving much time, but with a high risk of encountering the Beast Tide."

Shang Xia waved his hand, cutting her off. "Pass down the order, we cut through the Floating Star Region. We must return as quickly as possible."

Chu Jia hesitated, but Shang Xia continued, "I have a bad premonition. The later the forces from other Star Fields invade, the worse it may be. Moreover, we have not been away for just over a year, but nearly three. We know nothing of what has happened during that time. We must hurry back."

Chu Jia’s expression shifted, but in the end, she nodded and left.

When Shang Xia arrived at the bridge, those waiting there had already learned from Chu Jia that the fleet would cut through the Floating Star Region. Their flagship was already adjusting its heading toward the core of the Star Region and slowly increasing speed.

Shang Xia turned to the Giant Ape King and asked with a smile, "You came out of seclusion as well?"

The Giant Ape King answered in a deep voice, "I have preliminarily refined the blood essence and bloodline of the rank seven bird emperor, but true fusion must wait until we return to the Spirit Frost World. Entering seclusion now has little meaning. Since risks lie ahead, I cannot continue cultivating and ignoring everything out here."

Shang Xia nodded. He could indeed sense the vast power lying dormant within the Giant Ape King. Though it was not yet at its disposal, the Giant Ape King’s aura had been greatly enhanced. Clearly, even though it was still at the grand completion stage, it was still far stronger than before.

Before long, Chu Jia returned holding a Star Chart.

Shang Xia raised an eyebrow. "Did Little Yuan chart it?”

Chu Jia shook her head. Setting it on the table before them, she injected a strand of her inner qi into it. A three-dimensional projection rose into the air. "I traded a high-grade essence crystal taken from the Star Beast Nest for this Star Chart of the Floating Star Region. It records routes between the Heavenly Fields, their general positions in the void, and the exact location of the Desolate Forbidden Region."

She pointed to a vast floating continent, nearly the size of an Essence World, far larger than the Land of Star Origin of before.

Even though it had existed for countless ages, no Heavenly Field had ever tried to claim it, because it had always served as the bulwark against an invasion from other Star Fields.

Moreover, the Desolate Forbidden Region was filled with countless restrictions laid down by experts of the Floating Star Region, other Star Fields, and other powers. Over time, rather than weakening, the restrictions had merged into a tangled mess. Any disturbance might set them all off. Even Sages rarely dared to venture too deep.

With the forces from a foreign Star Field emerging from the Desolate Forbidden Region, they carved out new safe passages, allowing them to ravage the Floating Star Region.

Shang Xia studied the projection of the Star Chart intently and soon fell into thought.

Beside him, someone asked quietly, "Is something wrong?"

Shang Xia said, "You mentioned the Heavenly Fields of the Floating Star Region were preparing a joint counterattack. Surely it is aimed at the Desolate Forbidden Region? They want to sever the new paths and cut off the Beast Tide’s support, right?”

Chu Jia, Tian Mengzi, the Giant Ape King, and the others examined the map and nodded.

𝘧𝑟𝑒𝑒𝘸𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝓁.𝘤𝘰𝓂

“Yeah, probably.”

But Shang Xia shook his head. "I fear not only that. Think about it. Do you really think the Beast Tide is the only thing that emerged from the Desolate Forbidden Region?”

The True Immortals present glanced at each other, too stunned to speak. In the end, Tian Mengzi asked, "Do you mean the Beast Tide is being controlled by someone?"

Chu Jia added, "If that’s true, then the force behind it must be unimaginably strong. The joint effort of the Heavenly Fields in the Floating Star Region could not even stop the beasts! How can they resist the powers controlling them?"

The Giant Ape King shook his head. "The Beast Tide need not be controlled entirely. They only need to bait the beasts to rush forward, or simply capture the leader of a beast clan.”

Tian Mengzi agreed. "In that case, the Floating Star Region’s unity makes sense. They want to sever not only the beasts’ support, but also their link to the powers behind them."

Shang Xia chuckled. "Whatever the truth, we will soon find out."

He pointed at a line marked on the star map. "Little Yuan has already plotted the route. Along the way, we will pass the Desolate Forbidden Region.”