Chapter 2100: Entering the Towering Star Region

Shang Xia’s journey to the Floating Star Region was not without purpose.

Before setting out, he had already learned from the survivors of the Essence Zhen World about their former location in the void, especially the spot where their Heavenly Field collapsed and the main world was swept into the void currents.

Although the void currents might have changed its course after swallowing the Essence Zhen World, some knowledge about its original location was still far better than wandering blindly through their Star Region in search of its traces.

Moreover, Shang Xia hoped to move as secretly as possible, not wishing anyone to notice his arrival.

Yet after entering, he realized remaining hidden would not be easy.

Compared to his experiences in the Floating Star Region and the Heaven Observation Star Region, the unity of the Heavenly Fields in the Towering Star Region far exceeded his expectations.

Under the leadership of several high-level Sages, the various Heavenly Fields, independent realms, and Dao Fields had woven themselves into a giant net across the entire region, one that sensed everything.

Still, finding a way to slip in was not difficult for Shang Xia. The problem was that once his identity was exposed, he would be instantly trapped in that net.

Suppressing his aura to the third tier of the Six Direction Realm and slightly altering his features, he disguised himself as a wandering cultivator traveling the Chaotic Sea of Stars in search of a breakthrough to a high-level True Immortal. Blending into a merchant fleet bound for the Towering Star Region, he took up the post of a guard in the fleet, even earning wages for his services!

Not long after they entered, the stern atmosphere of several inspection checkpoints unsettled the merchant fleet.

Upon reaching Essence Sen Heavenly Field, the first Heavenly Field that acted as the entryway to their Star Region, an informed steward of the merchant fleet quickly gathered news, which turned out to have ties to Shang Xia.

“Some of you may have already heard about the void currents sweeping away the Essence Zhen Heavenly Field.”

Some of the nearby experts nodded, others frowned in puzzlement, while a few listened silently. The steward continued, “But what you may not know is that, according to Sage Shan Lao of the Essence Shen Heavenly Field, Sage Qian Hu of the Essence Hua Heavenly Field, and Sage Rong Ding of the Essence Yi Heavenly Field, their investigation revealed the collapse of the Essence Zhen Heavenly Field was not caused by the void currents alone. A grandmaster capable of manipulating the void currents colluded with forces from beyond the Chaotic Sea of Stars, fanning the disaster.”

Shang Xia, though only a temporary member of the fleet, caught every word of their private discussion with his keen divine soul.

By now, among the upper ranks of cultivators, the existence of foreign Star Fields beyond the Chaotic Sea of Stars, and their invasions through the forbidden regions, was no longer a secret.

Merchant fleets traveling between Star Regions and trade hubs were even better informed.

The three Sages that were mentioned were none other than the Towering Star Region’s high-level Sages.

But the revelation that the Essence Zhen fall involved collusion with outsiders surprised even Shang Xia.

He had known the Star Origin Lord was the chief culprit, but had not expected foreign Star Field powers behind it. From the steward’s tone, it was clear the Star Origin Lord was cooperating with those on the other side of the forbidden region in the Towering Star Region.

The fact that Shang Xia should hear such startling news almost immediately after entering was unexpected indeed. And since the steward had easily obtained this information in the Essence Sen Heavenly Field, it likely meant that it was no secret among the Sages there.

At that moment, another steward spoke up. “If this is true, then doesn’t it mean foreign powers have already infiltrated the Star Region, and yet the Sages here have not rooted them out?”

A second added, “And who was it that colluded with them? To use the void currents against the Essence Zhen Heavenly Field must have required a Sage at least, one of the strongest ones out there. How many such figures exist?!”

“Watch your tongue!” his companions warned in alarm.

But the steward who had brought the news frowned. “Old Ma’s suspicion isn’t unreasonable. But who says the traitor must be the Sages of the Towering Star Region?”

True Immortal Ma immediately asked, “So you mean the Sages here already have suspects in mind?”

The well-informed steward shook his head. “That... Only the Sages themselves would know.”

The conversation soon shifted to mundane matters related to trade, supplies, and future routes. Shang Xia quickly lost interest. His plan was to leave and head to the former location of the Essence Zhen Heavenly Field.

Since the merchant fleet would linger in the Essence Sen Heavenly Field, Shang Xia excused himself, claiming the heavy defenses in the Star Region made travel safe.

The stewards saw no reason to stop him, and let him go after a casual attempt to persuade him otherwise.

Leaving the fleet, Shang Xia quickly boarded another Star Ship bound for the Essence Mu World.

The Essence Mu World was one of the three independent Essence Worlds, never having built a complete Heavenly Field.

According to the Star Charts, it had once been the closest world to the Essence Zhen Heavenly Field’s position in the void.

If Shang Xia wished to trace the void currents near the ruins, the Essence Mu World was the best choice.

But just as their Star Ship closed in on the Essence Mu World, a sudden battle erupted in the nearby void. The shockwaves overturned the vessel, flinging its passengers into chaos.

Taking advantage of the confusion as many high-leveled cultivators were tossed out, Shang Xia slipped away unseen, heading toward the battlefield.

Soon, however, he halted, having recognized an aura among the clashing forces.

“Lady Grace? It’s her!” Shang Xia muttered to himself, surprised at her identity. “So she came from the Towering Star Region after all! She should be the Sage in charge of the Essence Mu World!”