Chapter 2142: Fate Stars, Exposed!

Just as the Stargazers of Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field were assisting Shang Xia in channeling the essence of the stars in the Dipper Star Formation and their efforts came under interference, the origin qi of the experts from the Illusory Sea of Stars began seeping during the process.

The power wielded by those Illusory Sea of Stars experts was not limited to the creation of illusions. They could even simulate the art of stargazing itself with their origin qi, to the point that the Grand Stargazers of Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field were nearly deceived.

Fortunately, at the critical moment, Kou Chongxue, who had been prepared, reacted swiftly. The invisible sword qi he had hidden earlier shattered the Illusory Sea of Stars expert’s illusion, ripping apart the false starry canopy. As the illusory heavens were torn open, the section of the void where the Dipper Star Formation resided was once again exposed above the observatory.

“Not good, we’ve been fooled again! Their real goal was to make us expose the exact coordinates of the Dipper Star Formation!” Yuan Qiuyuan shouted sharply and stretched out his hand, drawing another layer of void above the observatory, intending to conceal the exposed region of space once more.

However, when the new canopy overlapped with the region of void that contained the Dipper Star Formation, Yuan Qiuyuan sensed no trace of energy within it.

“Could the disturbance I just felt have been an illusion?”

That doubt wavered in his heart, and his movements slowed.

Then, he noticed something strange behind the canopy he had just drawn over.

He wanted to remove it to investigate, but when he reached out his hand, he hesitated again, fearing it might be another trick.

The next second, Shang Xia’s calm voice came from behind. “Enough. There is no need to conceal it any longer. The region of void where the Dipper Star Formation is has already been exposed. This time, the person making a move isn’t the Grand Stargazer of the Six Essence Heavenly Field. It’s the Star Origin Lord.”

Yuan Qiuyuan trembled slightly at his revelation, but under Shang Xia’s signal, he dispelled his trick. Once again, the section of the void containing the Dipper Star Formation appeared above the observatory.

At that moment, the countless stars scattered across the depths of the void seemed to be stirred by an invisible giant hand. They began to move, slowly yet unstoppable, forming along the outline of that unseen palm into a colossal constellation of starlight, which reached toward the Dipper Star Formation.

Yuan Qiuyuan was so shocked that he almost lost control of his actions. He turned instinctively to look at Shang Xia.

He saw Shang Xia standing with a solemn expression, gazing at the void. Noticing Yuan Qiuyuan’s glance, Shang Xia said evenly, “Focus your attention. Leave the Star Origin Lord to us. Now it’s your turn to guide the essence of the stars in the Dipper Star Formation and continue tempering the Star Devouring Silk.”

Yuan Qiuyuan’s back stiffened as shame flashed briefly across his face before he forced himself to cast away all distractions. Together with the rest, he started to push the Star Observatory to its limits. Channeling the combined strength of everyone on it, he traced the spatial trajectories Shang Xia had left behind to continue drawing the essence of the stars in the Dipper Star Formation.

Yet, compared to Shang Xia himself, who had full control over his Fate Stars, even with permission granted to them by Shang Xia, they could only draw the essence of the stars at a far slower pace.

Worse still, the Stargazers of the Six Essence Heavenly Field made their move again, disrupting the flow once again. They began seizing portions of the descending essence, greatly slowing the process of refining the Star Devouring Silk.

With so many factors at play, Yuan Qiuyuan and the Stargazers had to devote all their focus to maintaining their art of stargazing, both drawing the essence and fending off the enemy Stargazers, leaving them no way to oversee the refinement itself.

In the end, the lower-ranked disciples of the Stargazing hall who had been on rotation took over the task of using the gathered essence to temper the Star Devouring Silk.

𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Meanwhile, outside the Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field, in the surrounding void, Kou Chongxue had already appeared. His Hidden Frost Sword which had undergone years of nourishment and refinement from his inner qi had long surpassed any divine weapon. Combined with his self-created sword arts, his combat strength had risen to a level that even high-level Sages had to be wary of.

Earlier, after his hidden sword qi had shattered the illusion created by the Illusory Sea of Stars’ expert, Kou Chongxue had followed the trail of the opponent’s origin qi across the void.

Since the first signs of the Illusory Sea of Stars’ incursion had been discovered, Kou Chongxue had only crossed paths with them a handful of times. Yet he knew that one either avoided them entirely or eliminated them completely, because if they survived, their unique origin qi would bring endless retaliation.

The Illusion of the Illusory Sea of Stars was no mere trick, no simple disguise. It was real. It was a mimicry so perfect that it could replace reality itself. That was what made them truly terrifying.

However, when Kou Chongxue pursued his foe beyond the borders of the Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field, he found that the enemy did not flee. Instead, he advanced to meet him head-on.

Facing Kou Chongxue’s invisible sword qi, the expert from the Illusory Sea of Stars simulated an identical blade of energy and struck back. In the silent rupture of the void, their clash was evenly matched.

This time, however, it was not Kou Chongxue who was surprised, but the expert from the Illusory Sea of Stars, who was a high-level Sage.

Naturally, Kou Chongxue gave him no chance to recover. After that first exchange, he erupted in a fierce and relentless storm of attacks.

The reason was simple. Though his sword qi might force the opponent to take him seriously, Kou Chongxue’s cultivation was still below his enemy. If the fight dragged on, the advantage would slip away.

So he fought with speed and ferocity, using his strengths to offset his weaknesses.

But the Star Origin Lord’s assault on Shang Xia’s Fate Star had been planned long in advance, and it was clear he had more than one ally.

While Kou Chongxue was locked in combat, another expert from the Illusory Sea of Stars suddenly struck from the side.

Kou Chongxue quickly received a warning and immediately withdrew, retreating toward the Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field.

The experts of the Illusory Sea of Stars naturally would not let him go so easily. If they allowed him to return, he would be able to draw on the power of the Heavenly Field and command a portion of its will. Even two high-level Sage wouldn’t be able to do shit against him.

Yet just as they moved to block his retreat, a massive figure burst from the chaotic streams surrounding the Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field. With both arms raised, it slammed its fists into the back of the expert from the Illusory Sea of Stars who stood in Kou Chongxue’s path.

That newly arrived expert from the Illusory Sea of Stars was a mid-level Sage, while the Giant Ape Emperor, who just burst out from the chaotic streams, was merely at the first star. However, the sudden ambush still startled the expert from the Illusory Sea of Stars so much he jumped.