Chapter 2063: Desolate Forbidden Region Pt.6

Chen Hu clearly wished to gloss over the matter, but Lu Xin and Zhu Ran were unwilling to let it pass so easily.

"Sage Fu Jing, do not forget, you are a Sage of our Floating Star Region. If one day such a thing befell your Essence Xi Heavenly Field, what would you think then?"

Rather than pulling him over to his side, Zhu Ran’s plan backfired awkwardly.

Hearing the title of ‘Sage Fu Jing’ once again, Shang Xia recalled he had once heard it in the great Spatial Vortex.

Chen Hu was his personal name, while ‘Fu Jing’ was his formal title in the Essence Xi Heavenly Field, by which he was more widely known.

Chen Hu snorted coldly, "That is no concern of yours, Sage Zhu. My Essence Xi Heavenly Field is as secure as bedrock. Even if your Essence Wu Heavenly Field were to fall, we would still stand firm."

"You...!" Though Zhu Ran realized his slip, Chen Hu’s curt reply left him humiliated, ready to erupt.

Lu Xin quickly restrained him, turning instead toward Shang Xia and Chen Hu. In a low voice, he growled, “Sage Fu Jing was right earlier. This was nothing but a misunderstanding. What say you, Sage Shang?"

The merger of the Essence Yue World’s strongest sects was a windfall for Lu Xin and his Essence Hu Heavenly Field. The loss of the Southern Yue Sect’s legacy was regrettable, but that only meant that Lu Xin would have missed a bigger profit. He didn’t suffer a loss anywhere.

Shang Xia smiled faintly. "Since it was a misunderstanding, shouldn’t my fleet be allowed to pass?"

Since the fleet had been exposed, even if the other Sages of the Floating Star Region didn’t make a move, other fleets might come to find trouble. Shang Xia had no wish to waste energy on trivial conflicts. He felt it was better to force a clear statement immediately.

Chen Hu was the first to laugh. "Of course! Your Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field is only providing shelter for the survivors of the Essence Yue Heavenly Field!”

Lu Xin exchanged a glance with Zhu Ran, then nodded. "Our Heavenly Fields will set no more blockades."

Shang Xia nodded with a smile. "In that case..."

"Sage Shang." Chen Hu suddenly cut in, "Do you have an interest in the Desolate Forbidden Region?"

Shang Xia looked at him with some surprise.

Chen Hu continued, "The Beast Tides from foreign Star Fields entered our Star Region through the forbidden region. If it cannot be contained, it will swell and one day break free completely, ravaging the Chaotic Sea of Stars. Our Star Region is exhausted after facing the rampaging Beast Tides once and we have few forces to spare. If you could lend a hand, we would be deeply grateful."

At his words, Lu Xin and Zhu Ran exchanged a look, then Lu Xin added, "Indeed, we hope Sage Shang can aid us!"

A strange light flickered on Shang Xia’s face before he said slowly, "Since you are sincerely requesting my help, I have to confess... I am getting more interested in the Desolate Forbidden Region now.”

Originally, his plan was to bring the fleet and hide near the Desolate Forbidden Region before sneaking in with Wanggui. However, there were so many Sages watching and slipping in unnoticed was no longer possible. Chen Hu’s invitation, however, gave him the perfect excuse.

Still, their sudden change in tone told him the condition there had to be dire. He would need to tread with extreme caution and find a way to bring Wanggui over without arousing suspicion.

Chen Hu went on, "The Beast Tide should never have erupted so soon." He cast a startled glance at the shadowy figure following Shang Xia, then quickly masked his thoughts and continued, "It was our own doing. Someone deliberately breached the restrictions of the Desolate Forbidden Region, forcing the Beast Tides to erupt early."

His frankness contrasted with Lu Xin and Zhu Ran’s unease. They hesitated slightly as revealing such secrets to an outsider was dangerous. Their unease also stemmed from the veiled, star-lit figure behind Shang Xia, whose aura was completely hidden, yet had strength on par with theirs.

They recalled how all three of them couldn’t even fight Shang Xia. Without Chen Hu’s arrival, Zhu Ran might already be dead. If the mysterious ally had joined the battle, even Lu Xin might not have escaped.

As they wrestled with these thoughts, Shang Xia spoke, his voice calm but pointed. "So you don’t even know who did it, yet you won’t pursue the matter? So... This premature tide is no misfortune?"

"Yes."

Chen Hu sighed, "The eruption ruined the Taming Star Field’s plot to keep growing beasts within the Desolate Forbidden Region. Their influence here is now cut to a minimum. But the devastation to the Floating Star Region’s worlds is plain to see, the Essence Yue Heavenly Field was simply the unluckiest as they were the closest to the Desolate Forbidden Region. They were besieged by two mid-level rank seven beast emperors, so it was as if two tides merged into one."

Shang Xia nodded before speaking again. "That would mean that the Beast Tides split up quickly after emerging... You guys used the various Heavenly Fields to draw the attention of the different tides before gathering here together... Do you plan to destroy the Taming Star Field’s passage over with the tangled restrictions of the Desolate Forbidden Region?”

Lu Xin interjected, "To sever it entirely is impossible. Our aim is to weaken them further by using the Desolate Forbidden Region’s formation to suppress them. We want to cut the tide off from those hidden experts manipulating it from the shadows."

Shang Xia murmured thoughtfully, "And some of the beast emperors in the tides must be cooperating with you... At least a few who wish to escape those controlling them."

His gaze sharpened instantly. "Otherwise, with each tide led by a beast emperor, how could you so blithely ignore such threats?"

The Sages of the Floating Star Region fell silent.

After a pause, Chen Hu coughed lightly. "Sage Shang, the Desolate Forbidden Region’s core is close. Would you care to meet the other Sages gathered there?"