Chapter 2062: Desolate Forbidden Region Pt.5

The fourth star Sage of the Floating Star Region had truly enraged Shang Xia when he attempted to strike at the fleet.

Whether he was planning to feign an attack to distract Shang Xia or not, it was unacceptable.

Once Shifting Dipper was unleashed and the fourth star Sage appeared nearby, Shang Xia struck without hesitation. He was intent on killing the fourth star Sage to sever all future troubles.

Still dazed, the fourth star Sage had not even registered what had happened. When Shang Xia’s mace fell with lethal intent, giving him no room to escape.

Everything unfolded in a flash.

Even Lu Xin and the fifth star Sage had no time to save him. In their haste, they could only strike at Shang Xia, hoping to force him to defend himself and spare their comrade.

But Shang Xia merely took a few steps back, carrying the fourth star Sage through the void with him. Those steps contained the essence of his self-created Big Dipper Star Shift Steps, allowing him to sidestep both attacks completely.

Most importantly, the fourth star Sage remained firmly within his grasp.

"Spare him!" Just as the doomed man shut his eyes in despair, a voice rang from the direction of the Desolate Forbidden Region. It was urgent, and strangely familiar to Shang Xia.

His heart stirred, and his Seven Star Mace shifted at the last instant, smashing down only on the man’s shoulder.

With the sound of bone shattering, half his body was corroded by Shang Xia’s inner qi. Though alive, he no longer had a future and was crippled unless someone could somehow purge the power of the stars that had invaded his body.

With a deft flick, Shang Xia hurled the crippled fourth star Sage through the void, sending him flying toward Lu Xin.

Lu Xin caught him with a sweep of his qi, assessed the wound, and glared at Shang Xia with rage. However, he didn’t dare to lash out further.

At the same time, the fifth star Sage arrived beside them and checked on their fellow comrade, though his eyes never left Shang Xia. A look of deep rooted fear could be seen in them.

Shang Xia ignored them both, turning instead toward the source of the familiar voice. A faint smile appeared on his lips.

Moments later, a figure emerged at the edge of the battle-scarred void. From afar, he clasped his hands. "Seven Star Sage... Is that you?”

He was still a thousand miles off when he bowed, but with each word he drew closer, and by the time he finished, he was already near.

Though also from the Floating Star Region, he stopped at a careful distance from Lu Xin and the others, smiling only at Shang Xia as if awaiting his reply.

Shang Xia laughed. "Sage Loudmouth! Since the incident in the great Spatial Vortex, it has been many years. I hope you’ve been well...”

"Ha! It really is you, Seven Star Sage!" Hu beamed with joy, then sighed. "That venture was too dangerous. I barely crawled out, and never again met the others. It’s truly a lifelong regret!"

Shang Xia chuckled. "Yet you turned misfortune to fortune. Your cultivation has advanced."

"Hardly compared to you!" Sage Loudmouth waved quickly, then added, "Ah, forgive me. That day, we spoke only in titles. In truth, I am Chen Hu of the Essence Xi Heavenly Field."

"And I am Shang Xia of the Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field in the Heaven Observation Star Region."

Chen Hu’s eyes lit up. "So it is Shang Sage! It’s an honor indeed!" He glanced between Shang Xia and Lu Xin’s group before speaking with slight hesitation, "Might this be a misunderstanding? We are too near the Desolate Forbidden Region. With such mighty power, even stray ripples could rouse the tangled formation that covers it. The danger here is immense."

At his words, Shang Xia only stood there with a casual smile on his face. Lu Xin and his allies, however, looked so grim their faces could drip ink.

Chen Hu hurriedly continued, "Perhaps you are not aware of each other’s identities. This is Shang Xia. That is Lu Xin of the Essence Hu Heavenly Field, one of our high-level Sages in the Floating Star Region. He is truly extraordinary and possesses peerless strength! This is Sage Zhu Ran of Essence Wu Domain. And this..." He glanced at the limp figure in Lu Xin’s arms. "... This is Sage Lu Feiyuan of the Essence You Heavenly Field. Feiyuan... Are you alright?”

His tone carried genuine shock.

Lu Xin snorted. "Peerless strength? The three of us can’t even fight him and Feiyuan was gravely wounded. Chen Hu, do you mock us?"

"Ah?! This..." Chen Hu’s astonishment was real. He had only come after sensing a great clash near the Desolate Forbidden Region, fearing the tangled mess of restrictions would be disturbed. He had not recognized Shang Xia at first.

By the time he arrived, the battle had paused.

Then, he saw Shang Xia whom they once called the Seven Star Sage.

𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

He assumed Shang Xia had struck down Lu Feiyuan and provoked Lu Xin and Zhu Ran into retaliation, only for him to arrive in time to halt it.

Never had he imagined Shang Xia had faced all three at once, and still crippled Lu Feiyuan!

Seeing Shang Xia smiling to himself while not refuting the claims, he knew it was real. He couldn’t help but gulp in fright. He had long known that Shang Xia was strong from their joint venture into the great Spatial Vortex.

But... Fighting all three of them and crippling one of them was beyond belief.

He knew that Lu Xin was a sixth star Sage! He was one of only two high-level Sages in the Floating Star Region. Zhu Ran was a fifth star Sage, and Lu Feiyuan was a fourth star Sage. Together, they embodied the might of three Heavenly Fields and formed the strongest alliance in the Floating Star Region.

Yet against Shang Xia, they had lost horribly!

How... How strong had he become?!

Chen Hu felt a chill running through his body when he tried to feel Shang Xia’s aura again, only to realize he seemed to be sensing an abyss.

"T-this... What is this quarrel over?" His voice cracked.

Lu Xin refused to answer, his face black with shame. Zhu Ran, however, growled, "This so-called Shang Sage seeks to kidnap the experts of the Essence Yue Heavenly Field! He is no better than a Star Pirate! Does he think that our Floating Star Region is so weak he can trample on us as he pleases?"

He tried to paint Shang Xia as the enemy of the Floating Star Region.

But Shang Xia only smiled, calm and unbothered.

Chen Hu, unwilling to be manipulated, forced a laugh. "Friends, with the Desolate Forbidden Region’s threat looming upon us, let us not stir needless strife now."