Chapter 2099: Heading To The Towering Star Region

Shang Xia had clashed with people of the Illusory Sea of Stars more than once, but it was the first time he had seen them in person.

The expert who ambushed the Azure Ark earlier and lured Shang Xia away was at the fifth star of the Martial Emptiness Realm. The one who later attempted to ambush Chu Jia but was slain by Shang Xia, though also at the fourth star, was clearly weaker in actual combat.

Shang Xia suspected the latter had only recently advanced, and his strength couldn’t match his cultivation.

Still, the fall of a mid-level Sage was more than enough to intimidate the Illusory Sea of Stars’ experts lurking on the other side of the seal.

“I still don’t understand. Two mid-level Sages working together should have been enough to break the seal, right?” With Shang Xia’s help, Chu Jia continued repairing and perfecting the formation while speaking to him.

Shang Xia chuckled, “Breaking a formation takes time, especially one personally arranged by you. It wouldn’t be easy for them to destroy it before we arrived.”

Chu Jia wanted to ask further, but Shang Xia waved her off and sighed, “I can’t answer every question. The best way would be to capture one alive and beat it out of them.”

By then, Shang Xia had already sent word through transmission talismans to every Sage in the Heaven Observation Star Region, warning them to beware of the Illusory Sea of Stars.

Not long after, spatial ripples spread across the void, and Gu Yi was the first to arrive.

Sweeping his divine soul across the void, Gu Yi immediately understood the general situation.

“Two mid-level Sages targeting you? Should I say they’re arrogant, or simply stupid?”

Shang Xia pointed toward Chu Jia and smiled. “They came for her. Even I nearly got lured away... Or rather, I already fell for their ploy. They simply underestimated our Formation Grandmaster.”

Gu Yi looked from Shang Xia to Chu Jia, then nodded. “Mm. If they couldn’t handle the grand formation, they’d naturally go after the one who set it up. The Illusory Sea of Stars aren’t brainless.”

Shang Xia was about to speak when his gaze shifted toward the void, where Shi Guan stepped out of the darkness.

“I came as soon as I received your transmission. Seems like things are still under control.”

The normally quiet Shi Guan seemed extraordinarily serious this time.

Shang Xia gave them both a quick account of what had happened. During that time, Zhuo Gudao and Hong Jing sent back replies, though they did not come in person.

When they learned that the Illusory Sea of Stars could send origin qi through the formation’s cracks, then use it to open a spatial gate, both Zhuo Gudao and Shi Guan wore grave expressions. Yet unlike Chu Jia, they did not ask why the experts on the other side hadn’t destroyed the formation.

“Without doubt, the Illusory Sea of Stars must be colluding with the Star Origin Lord. However, those people are really scheming... They aren’t under his control, or at least, they don’t want to be.” Gu Yi exhaled heavily and drew his conclusion.

“What is he really planning?” Shi Guan sighed. Of course, he was speaking of the Star Master. “Even if Master Chu strengthens the sealing formation, if the Star Master insists on destroying it, what could we do?”

Shang Xia smiled. “I don’t think he will.”

Gu Yi and Shi Guan both started slightly at this, surprised.

Shang Xia ignored their doubts and continued, “But from now on, the formation still needs your watchful eyes. And you must also beware their ability to hide their auras. They may use it to launch ambushes against you.”

Gu Yi and Shi Guan exchanged glances, then nodded solemnly. “Naturally.”

Since the Azure Ark carrying their equipment had lost its ability to travel through the void, Chu Jia and Shang Xia had to wait until Kou Chongxue dispatched another ship to retrieve them, and to tow back the battered Ark.

Shang Xia had originally planned to head straight for the Towering Star Region after Chu Jia finished her work.

But after the attempt on her life, he decided to shadow her in secret until she returned safely to the Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field before leaving.

He really wanted to see if the expert who escaped earlier would make another attempt on Chu Jia’s life. Though unlikely, it was worth testing.

But clearly, that survivor was no fool, or perhaps he had been completely frightened by Shang Xia’s overwhelming strength. On the way back, Shang Xia never once sensed his aura.

Perhaps it was Chu Jia’s words at the Void Mirage that had struck a chord, or perhaps he had intended to travel alone from the start. In any case, Shang Xia set out for the Towering Star Region entirely by himself, piloting only a personal Star Ship through the void.

With a route privately charted by the Stargazing Hall, he avoided all Heavenly Fields, Starsea Markets, floating continents, asteroid belts, and even Star Pirate Dens, slipping quietly into the Towering Star Region without being noticed.

Because of his earlier pursuit of the void currents, Shang Xia had gathered much information about their Star Region beforehand. He had some understanding of the situation there.

𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

Unlike the young Heaven Observation Star Region, the Towering Star Region was ancient and well-rooted. They were one of the most established among the eight Star Regions of the Chaotic Sea of Stars. Even the Crowned Star Region and Floating Star Region, both places Shang Xia had visited, were inferior to it. As for the Distant Star Region... Even though it was slightly older than the Heaven Observation Star Region, it was not worth mentioning.

According to the data he had gathered, the Towering Star Region boasted 12 Heavenly Fields, and that wasn’t counting the Essence Zhen World and their Heavenly Field that had been swept away by the void currents.

Beyond those, there were three independent Essence Worlds, each guarded by a Sage. They reminded Shang Xia of the late Essence Xing World.

In addition, there were four independent Dao Fields, each housing its own Sage, forming unique sect lineages.

All told, the Floating Star Region had more than 20 Sages. At least three were high-level Sages, and there were at least 10 mid-level Sages.

In terms of high-level combat strength, the Towering Star Region utterly outclassed the Heaven Observation Star Region by several leagues.