Chapter 2089: Tell Me Why

The Sages of Heaven Observation Star Region, apart from Shang Xia, dared not tread into the void currents to hunt down the Essence Zhen World. They all understood its ultimate destination, but intercepting it in time was impossible. After a brief discussion, they decided Shang Xia would follow the void currents to track and delay the emergence of the Essence Zhen World, while the other Sages would rush to the Five Essence Heavenly Field together.

Though the void currents heavily suppressed his abilities, Shang Xia still held the Essence Zhen World down, and all their Sages down in one place, buying precious time for Gu Yi, Kou Chongxue, Shi Guan, and the others to arrive.

While Shang Xia tangled with the Star Origin Lord in the void currents, the floating Essence Zhen World, which was just freed, was immediately struck by the combined assault of the Sages of the Heaven Observation Star Region.

Though he did not see Gu Yi or Kou Chongxue, Shang Xia could tell from how quickly the Sages of the Five Essence Heavenly Field left and the sharp weakening of the Star Origin Lord’s might.

He understood that the more he messed with the Star Origin Lord, the greater the chance for the others to mess up the integration of the Essence Zhen World into the Five Essence Heavenly Field.

The only thing was... During their clash, Shang Xia also understood that the Star Origin Lord’s strength had reached a new level. When the Sages of the Heaven Observation Star Region arrived, the Star Origin Lord was greatly weakened, but he soon started to infuse more energy into his exchange with Shang Xia, with his strength rising rapidly. Soon, Shang Xia found himself falling behind.

Soon, the shockwaves of the battle in the Five Essence Heavenly Field could be felt even in the void currents.

As the Star Origin Lord was held back by Shang Xia, the others were no match for the alliance of Gu Yi and the others, even if they had the mid-level Sage of the Essence Zhen World behind them. After all... They didn’t need to withstand the void currents like Shang Xia.

The four first star Sages of the Five Essence Heavenly Field might not be extremely strong outside their Heavenly Field, things were different in their territory. With four super Star Ships, they could put up a fight even against third star Sages.

In such circumstances, the Star Origin Lord should have reserved most of his strength to defend the Essence Zhen World. Yet in reality, he poured ever more into suppressing Shang Xia.

That could only mean the Star Origin Lord’s hidden reserves were immense, and that the clone at the grand completion stage had shown only a fraction of his true power.

Though he was wary, Shang Xia did not retreat. On the contrary, he pressed forward more fiercely, determined to draw out more of the Star Origin Lord’s hidden cards.

But first... he knew one important thing. He had to break free from the void currents so he would be able to wield his full strength.

The Star Origin Lord, who was an experienced old monster, could easily tell Shang Xia’s intentions. He sealed off all paths of escape, forcing Shang Xia back into the void currents.

Both knew well. The outcome of stopping the Essence Zhen World hinged on whether Shang Xia could break through the Star Origin Lord’s blockade.

“Young Friend Shang...” The Star Origin Lord’s voice rang in his ears. “I admit you came close to success. But this time, you don’t stand a chance! You better withdraw now... If the experts of the Illusory Sea of Stars emerge from the Void Mirage, wouldn’t your Heavenly Field be exposed to their assault?”

Shang Xia’s tone was cold as he growled, “So it was you who tampered with the seal!”

The Star Origin Lord chuckled. “Tampered? You underestimate the abilities of those from the Illusory Sea of Stars. That’s a Star Field way stronger than our Chaotic Sea of Stars, with deeper martial legacies. You think a sealing formation cobbled together with such effort could be unbreakable?”

His voice dripped with scorn. “Ridiculous. You’re truly a frog at the bottom of the well...!”

Shang Xia remained calm as he raised an eyebrow. “I never claimed they wouldn’t be able to break the seal. I’m asking whether you tampered with it.”

The Star Origin Lord gave no answer. Instead, the power he projected into the void increased again.

From his lack of response, Shang Xia learned the truth. His silence was admission enough.

Shang Xia pressed on. “I wonder... Why let outsiders from their Star Field into our Chaotic Sea of Stars? What purpose does it serve?”

He was still met with silence.

To that, a faint smile appeared on Shang Xia’s face as he answered his own question. “Heh... As things stand, you did everything for one goal! You wish to ascend to the Martial Eternity Realm! However, the experts of the Illusory Sea of Stars wouldn’t be able to help you... They will only become competition. In that case... Let me make a guess. Could your breakthrough be related to an exchange between those in the Illusory Sea of Stars?”

The Star Origin Lord suddenly snapped coldly, “Enough! Stop wasting your breath trying to bait information out of me!”

Shang Xia ignored him. “What can such an exchange bring? Beyond the inevitable invasion... It has to be the fusion of the origin qi between the different Star Fields!”

“Hmph!” The Star Origin Lord’s snort shook the space. Light and shadow wavered as the void currents themselves seemed to congeal. “To think you could pry secrets of the Martial Eternity Realm with a few words! Are you naive, or do you truly think it’s that simple?”

Under his crushing suppression, the void currents Shang Xia had controlled began to reverse, dragging the whole space backward.

Discovering he couldn’t force Shang Xia to retreat, he decided to push the entire region of space away through the void currents.

Shang Xia remained unruffled as he continued, “We all know you have a Star Core. It’s the key to your breakthrough. However, if it’s just the essence of a star, it might be rare, but it’s not exactly impossible to get another in the boundless void. We might need to use some effort to destroy a star, but it’s doable. The only thing is... Few people have done it. Rather, many experts or even beast emperors remain slumbering in them. In that case, the Star Core you possess shouldn’t be from any ordinary star.”

Shang Xia continued to blabber on as he protected himself. Facing the relentless pressure from the Star Origin Lord, he suddenly turned into a line of questioning. “Your Star Core can’t be from a star in the Star River... Right?”

As soon as the words left his lips, Shang Xia immediately sensed the Star Origin Lord’s reaction. Though only his projected power filled the void, Shang Xia keenly felt the sudden shift in aura.

His guess definitely shook the Star Origin Lord as he chuckled to himself as he verified his guess.