Chapter 2073: There’s No Discussion

In the depths of the void where the Cai siblings and the others could not perceive it, a contest that drew no attention from cultivators below the Martial Emptiness Realm was taking place in utter silence.

The writhing void raised layer after layer of barriers, trying to veil everything within the stretch of space.

Very soon, however, the void was suddenly compressed and creased, causing everything to shift.

Before the twisted void could expand further, it was shattered in the next instant by a majestic and unstoppable force. With that, the shattered void that contained the crushed remnants of the power of one party turned into a torrent that swept outwards.

Yet the raging turbulence still failed to spread. It was swallowed by powerful vortexes that appeared from thin air.

However fierce the battle became, its aftershocks were always confined within a defined boundary and never crossed the line!

And that boundary was not something the combatants intentionally controlled. Rather, someone had forcibly constrained everyone’s contest within that range.

More than one person had tried more than once to break out of the region during the process, but thus far, no one had succeeded.

As for what, exactly, the restriction was? Around the edges of their battlefield, which had been pounded to pulp and rolling about with chaotic space, threads of starlight fell from the depths of the void. That illusory stellar radiance stood like walls that could not be breached, binding all forces that reached them fast and tight.

No one knew how much time had passed when a voice, tinged with helplessness, sounded in the void. "Fellow cultivators, let’s stop here! What meaning is there in continuing like this? Judging by what we’ve seen, even if two or three of us joined hands, we still might not break the starlight curtain Sage Shang laid down!"

Hot on its heels came another voice, full of doubt. "So this is the true strength of a high-level Sage...”

A third voice followed with a mocking chuckle, "Sage Shang’s cultivation is likely not at an ordinary high-level Sage’s level. Otherwise, Sage Lu of the Floating Star Region would not have suffered such a massive setback in his hands!"

As soon as those words fell, a fourth Sage’s voice arrived. "I wonder if Sage Shang’s cultivation is truly at the seventh star... Or has he already grasped his martial intent...?”

In the next moment, Shang Xia’s clear voice carried across the void. "Looks like aside from the four of you, no other Sages intended to take a slice of my pie?"

𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

The one who had first called a halt spoke again. His tone was still one of helplessness. "In truth, we all knew the current situation. The Star Regions and Heavenly Fields were each overwhelmed with their own troubles, and there were not many peers who could spare the time. To be honest, I am already surprised that three of you could join hands with this old man today. However, I have a question I really wish to gain an answer to... Are your Star Regions not under any threat?”

The voice that had sounded doubtful earlier rang out again. "We merely sent aid from far away. It was not as if our true bodies personally set out. This was just a portion of the leftover inheritance of a fallen Heavenly Field, hardly worth falling out over. We struck only to scratch an itch and spar a little. As for Sage Shang’s fleet... Let us follow the old customs of the Chaotic Sea of Stars and leave it to the juniors to play with each other freely."

The third, roguish-sounding voice laughed as well, "Don’t expose your own bottom line so easily! Don’t forget that Sage Shang’s Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field is a new power who just risen recently. They might not be familiar with the Chaotic Sea of Stars’ conventions. If Sage Shang can’t take it any more and makes a move, which of us will be able to stop him? Given how strong he is... Can we even stop him?”

The fourth Sage was the last to speak. "Sage Shang, and fellow cultivators, let the juniors handle what comes next. As for the five of us, it was rare to have a chance to gather. Though our true bodies are not present, why not exchange a few views on the current state of the Chaotic Sea of Stars?"

Aboard the Spirit Ark, Shang Xia’s gaze swept the surrounding void through the hull. After a brief contemplation, he sent forth a voice that pierced hundreds of thousands of miles of space, sounding in that special stretch of void and reaching the ears of the other four Sages. “Very well!"

Shang Xia first accepted the proposal of the other four, but he smiled and continued, "Since you already recognized me, it seemed a bit unfair that I know nothing about you."

No sooner had Shang Xia spoken than the first Sage who had opened his mouth laughed out loud. "Originally, there was no problem with us announcing our names. After all, once several super Star Pirate Groups take action, Sage Shang will soon learn which forces stood behind them. But those Star Pirates should not be making their backers when they plunder. Thus, not naming ourselves was also a custom. It’s a tacit rule of the Chaotic Sea of Stars, please do not feel offended."

The second Sage spoke in a muffled voice, "It’s merely a game between those beneath us. Sage Shang need not take it too seriously. Since you personally took charge of the fleet, and since we could not gain the upper hand in our earlier bout with you, those below would show restraint. Half of your fleet will not be touched, and those Star Pirate Groups won’t dare to go too far... However, everything else will be left to their abilities.”

Shang Xia grunted once thoughtfully before asking with a smile, "Was that also a customary rule? What if I wasn’t able to trap all four of you?”

The third Sage’s cheerful voice drifted over, "We, who guard our own Heavenly Field, have our dignity. Even if we got the upper hand, we wouldn’t plunder everything. We’ll allow you to keep 30 percent of your spoils, but 70 percent will be left up to whoever has the ability to keep them.”

Shang Xia chuckled, "I can’t help but feel like I was taking a loss for nothing."

The fourth Sage interjected, "That was only because Sage Shang is too strong and suppressed all four of us! However, perhaps you did not know, but just over a year ago, a newly risen super Star Pirate Group, the Invincible Pirates, also took part in a void raid. In that case, the Sage behind the Invincible Pirates sent his energy through the void to fight against the Sage backing their raided party. His mighty sword qi cut through the void, stunning more than a few of us. Afterward, the Invincible Pirates attacked the victims and defeated their experts, but in the end, they still released 30 to 40 percent of the fleet.”

Since the Sages recognized Shang Xia, they naturally knew about the Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field, Kou Chongxue, and the Invincible Pirates’ connection to him.

They pretended not to know the relationships yet specifically cited the Invincible Pirates as an example. It was clearly a warning for Shang Xia to abide by the Chaotic Sea of Stars’ convention.

Of course, it was also true that each of the four harbored fears of Shang Xia’s extraordinary strength.

Shang Xia understood they would not lie to him about it, and he had no intention of breaking the convention and making himself the target of all.

There was another reason. The fleet he currently commanded was hardly weak and was not without the strength to fight the other Star Pirates. What was more, the Invincible Pirates were already rushing to the rescue.

At that moment, however, Shang Xia’s attention had been caught by what that Sage had just said.

"Right, since you brought it up, shall we discuss the matter of the Invincible Pirates in detail?" Shang Xia asked.