Chapter 2219: Run Run Run

When Shang Xia entered the Six Essence Heavenly Field, he was effectively challenging the Star Origin Lord, who commanded six entire Essence Worlds, alone.

By every measure, terrain, foundation, or number, Shang Xia was at a disadvantage. At least, that was how it appeared on the surface.

Yet even under such unfavorable conditions, he managed, through sheer strength, to devastate the Essence Mammoth World, destroying one-quarter of its land and over one-third of its world origin. The world itself was on the verge of collapsing from an Essence World into a Spirit World.

Of course, it wasn’t as though the Star Origin Lord could use his full strength against Shang Xia at that very moment.

Shang Xia had chosen that moment precisely because he knew the Star Origin Lord’s focus would be divided, much of his attention consumed by the construction of a seventh Essence World. That was the only reason Shang Xia dared to strike so deep into the Six Essence Heavenly Field.

Even so, he remained clear-headed. After his surprise assault gravely wounded the Essence Mammoth World, he immediately decided to retreat. He knew full well that, though his attack had forced the Star Origin Lord to a state of slight disadvantage, the Six Essence Heavenly Field was still where his opponent’s strength was greatest.

Moreover, because the lands he had severed were fragmented and their world origin was leaking at an alarming rate, it would take the Star Origin Lord considerable time to repair the damage. Coupled with the ongoing fusion of the seventh Essence World, a large portion of his power would remain tied up.

It was certain that the Star Origin Lord’s timeline for completing the merging of all eight Star Fields into the Chaotic Sea of Stars, and thereby finding his chance to ascend to the Eighth Order, had now been delayed.

With that goal achieved, Shang Xia chose to withdraw while he held the advantage.

But the Star Origin Lord, enraged beyond measure, would never let him leave so easily.

For the moment, the Star Origin Lord even halted the integration of the seventh Essence World, redirecting that portion of his soul to mobilize the combined might of six Essence Worlds. The Heavenly Field’s power surged like a cosmic tide, rushing toward Shang Xia in full force.

Just as Shang Xia reached the edge of the Heavenly Field’s turbulent void currents, he sensed the surrounding space growing thicker, and the pressure grew rapidly.

Even at the periphery, the weight of the Heavenly Field pressed down upon him, making every step forward a struggle.

To make matters worse, the void currents ahead suddenly roared like a tidal wave, an oceanic surge of space itself, trying to block his escape.

Shang Xia snorted coldly in response. "Heh!"

As if expecting as much, he reached forward, gathering the scattered starlight from the surrounding void into his palm until it condensed into a gleaming spear of pure starlight.

Feeling the Star Origin Lord’s soul growing heavier with each heartbeat, Shang Xia suddenly closed his eyes and hurled the spear forward with all his strength.

That was his third martial intent, the Divine Killing Spear!

It was a technique he had not used in ages, one he had mastered long ago when his cultivation had only reached the Triple Command Realm. But now, at the grand completion stage of the Seven Star Realm, and after all his preparations for the next breakthrough, every martial intent he had once comprehended had evolved far beyond its original limits, matching his current strength.

Thus, when the spear of condensed starlight flew forth, a muffled grunt echoed through the void. Everywhere the spear passed, the Star Origin Lord’s pervasive will dissolved into nothing under the radiance of scattered starlight.

Hovering at the edge of the Six Essence Heavenly Field, Shang Xia felt the crushing pressure ease. The binding grip of the void loosened. Even the raging spatial currents before him grew noticeably gentler.

He let out a low chuckle and stepped forward, vanishing into the turbulent void.

Not long after he left, a faint, illusory figure appeared from afar, walking steadily through the swirling chaos. With each step, the form grew clearer, until an elderly man with white hair, a youthful face, and three long strands of beard stood tall in the void.

Behind him, six figures emerged one after another. They were the Star Origin Lord’s Essence World Clones. They approached slowly, but in contrast to when the old man had appeared, their once-solid bodies began to fade into translucence. Each clone had originally been a native Sage of their world, and even as clones, their features and temperaments remained distinct.

But as they drew closer, their bodies became ethereal, and upon reaching the elder, each stepped forward and merged into him.

One... two... three... until the sixth clone disappeared into the old man’s body.

The elder let out a soft sigh, "Still short by one to reach perfection... but this will suffice."

With that, he took a single step into the void currents. Instantly, the raging turbulence stilled along the path he walked. The chaotic tides parted, forming a smooth, stable channel through the void.

When the old man emerged on the other side, outside the Six Essence Heavenly Field, he stopped in mild surprise, staring at the Eternal Golden Boat anchored not far away.

His sharp gaze swept the surrounding void before he said coldly, "Why didn’t you stop him?"

The prow of the vessel gleamed brightly, though to his eyes, the faint traces of repair were clear. Still, the vessel’s overall integrity seemed unaffected.

From within came the calm, amused voice of Dong Jin. "Surely you jest, Star Origin Lord. I’d rather not see my newly repaired Eternal Golden Boat smashed apart again. After all, the Chaotic Sea of Stars’ ascension is near, and I’d like my ship to last until then."

He paused briefly, then added, "Besides, the spare materials I had for repairs are nearly exhausted."

The old man’s face darkened. His voice turned cold. "Do you even know what that boy did within my Heavenly Field earlier?"

From his tone, it was clear the person who just spoke was the Star Origin Lord.

Whether his form was truly his reborn body or merely another manifestation of his will, none could say, not even Dong Jin.

The reply came with a light chuckle from within the Eternal Golden Boat. "Come now. You speak as if I’m unaware. I’ve drifted through the Star River for millennia and still managed to prepare enough immortal materials to keep this Eternal Golden Boat afloat. Surely one such as you would not lack the same resources?"