"So what happened here? Why is the situation so tense?" Shang Xia wasn't surprised that the Star Origin Lord was being targeted by the joint forces of other Sages, but what intrigued him was why so many Sages had gathered. Kou Chongxue’s clone replied in a low voice, "The Star Fields beyond the Chaotic Star of Sea are now known to more and more people. All Sages present here are well aware of what the spectacle occurring in this region of the void signifies. No one wants to miss a potential opportunity. Having reached this point on the martial path, for people like us, there is only one option. We have to fight for a chance at advancement!” Shang Xia fell silent upon hearing what was said. But seeing Shang Xia unmoved, Kou Chongxue’s clone grew a bit anxious and said, "You must leave this place quickly. Those people are already preparing to join forces to trap you as well!" Shang Xia was startled and immediately tried to withdraw. However, Kou Chongxue’s warning came a little too late. Although his true body’s divine soul was entangled with those of the other Sages, making it impossible for them to hide their actions from him, Shang Xia's status as an uncontrollable factor, unaffiliated with any of the Sages of the Heaven Observation Star Region, naturally made him an object of caution. The best solution, then, was to grab Shang Xia’s divine soul as well, so his every move would be subject to their collective scrutiny, thus eliminating their wariness. Although their joint action against Shang Xia could not escape Kou Chongxue’s detection, by intentionally excluding him at the beginning, they could at least delay his reaction by a brief moment. Before Shang Xia could retreat, someone had already made the first move. A rainbow bridge stretched across the void, instantly freezing the space behind Shang Xia, attempting to cut off his escape route. His expression darkened. With a wave of his sleeve, he helped Kou Chongxue’s clone withdraw from the region. Then, with a flick of his other hand, a beam of starlight pierced the void behind him, shattering the rainbow bridge. "Lord Hong Jing, so it’s you!” Shang Xia sneered coldly, though he felt a faint unease growing in his heart. Although he had easily broken through Hong Jing’s interception, he had still confirmed during that brief exchange that the previously second star Hong Jing had already reached the third star. Clearly, after bringing the Spirit Tinkle World under the Essence Xia Heavenly Field, Sage Hong Jing had risen to a new level, even beginning to touch on the mid-level of the Martial Emptiness Realm. A soft laugh echoed from the depths of the void, yet Lord Hong Jing did not show herself. The intertwining of so many divine souls had begun to hinder their ability to move freely. But although Shang Xia had broken through Hong Jing’s move, it left an opening for others to strike. Suddenly, the scene in the void changed dramatically. A prison of lightning and flames emerged, and Shang Xia’s domain sensed the presence of lightning serpents and poisonous flames. "Hmm?” Shang Xia frowned. It wasn’t only because of the unusual nature of the attack, but also because the aura of the Sage was unfamiliar, yet clearly formidable. His opponent was a mid-level Sage. Shang Xia’s counterattack was straightforward. He snapped his fingers, igniting a flicker of Star Fire that danced at his fingertip. When the spark entered his domain, it lit up his inner qi. A sea of Star Fire swallowed the serpents, expelled the poisonous flames, and burned away everything, revealing the original void. This mysterious Sage not only specialized in lightning and flames, but also had a unique skill in illusions. It was truly an unexpected threat. Kou Chongxue’s voice echoed from deep within the void. "That’s Sage Shi Guan of the Essence Jing Heavenly Field. They are also located in the Heaven Observation Star Region.” "Well met!" A deep and slightly hoarse voice greeted Shang Xia from afar. Though Shang Xia quickly broke Sage Shi Guan’s, it once again delayed his escape, allowing two more streams of light to shoot toward him from both flanks. The next second, Kou Chongxue shouted sternly, "Yu Kun, do you really think I don’t exist?" A sword light from the Hidden Frost Sword flashed deep in the void. The cold, dazzling blade cut through the space and severed the light attack from the left. That was Sage Yu Kun, another familiar figure. He came from the Essence Yuan Heavenly Field, which was also located in the Heaven Observation Star Region at the moment. After absorbing the Spirit Thistle World, he also reached the third star. Compared to Hong Jing, however, Yu Kun’s cultivation was slightly weaker and hadn’t quite reached the level where he could touch on the mid-level of the Martial Emptiness Realm. He was roughly similar in strength to Zhuo Gudao. Though Kou Chongxue remained a second star Sage, his swordsmanship was exceptionally fierce. He was strong enough to stand against an opponent in the third star. Moreover, Shang Xia understood well. With so many divine souls entangled, no one dared risk their life in an all-out attack. They were only testing each other’s strength. Even those targeting Shang Xia sought not to kill but merely to subdue him through overwhelming numbers. Seeing Kou Chongxue lending aid, Shang Xia immediately turned away from the left flank and faced a mass of rolling black smoke approaching from the right. Unexpectedly, dim starlight lit up within the void. Though it did not dispel the black smoke’s power, it clearly illuminated the smoke’s trajectory through the void. "Zhuo Gudao, even a homeless fool like you dares to meddle in my affairs?" A cold shout reverberated through the void, scattering the faint starlight completely. Yet Shang Xia had already tracked the smoke’s path. At some point, the Seven Star Mace appeared in his hand. Shang Xia snorted faintly, "What a coincidence! I just grasped a new technique. Sage Gu Yi, please feel free to give me pointers!" As he spoke, the Seven Star Mace in his hand swung at the void. Before the black smoke could spread, it was forcefully beaten back by his sudden strike. Not only that. Shang Xia’s strike pierced through the smoke and traced its path in reverse, heading straight to the source. "Hah, your technique is nothing special." Gu Yi was shocked by Shang Xia’s growth, but unimpressed by the technique that shattered his assault. In his eyes, Shang Xia could trace the attack only because Zhuo Gudao had aided him. Rather than counterattack, Gu Yi reasserted control over the remnants of the black smoke, gradually dissolving Shang Xia’s attack’s momentum. He believed that before Shang Xia’s strike could reach him, the smoke would already consume the energy it contained. But just as he was about to succeed, the previously extinguished starlight flared up again. It was clearly another trick from Zhuo Gudao! Gu Yi had been too focused on Shang Xia’s counterattack to notice the resurgence of an attack he thought he had already nullified. Did Zhuo Gudao overestimate himself, daring to strike again despite his fragile foundation? Before Gu Yi could process what had happened, the re-lit starlight weakened his offensive, even revealing the void where his true body was hidden. His moment of confusion was witnessed by all the Sages in the surroundings. In truth, Zhuo Gudao’s move lacked destructive power, but its perfect timing and psychological impact were undeniable. A once-proud Sage like Gu Yi was exposed at the worst possible moment, right when everyone was vying for advantage over the imminent celestial phenomenon. Caught off guard, Gu Yi no longer had time to pursue Shang Xia. He had to defend himself lest others exploit his exposed location. Shang Xia seemed, at last, to have shaken off all restraints and could have retreated at any moment. Yet he didn’t move. On the contrary, his expression grew solemn, his feet rooted to the spot. During his exchanges with the other Sages, starlight had silently woven a cage around him. There was only one person present who had the ability to trap him without him noticing. "Star Origin Lord, do you really think this weak starlight you’ve summoned can stop me?” Shang Xia didn’t immediately try to break free. Instead, he sneered. The Star Origin Lord, supposedly besieged by the other Sages, laughed."Congratulations, Sage Shang, on your progress. My little trick surely cannot stop you. Since that’s the case, why not break it and leave?" A profound light flashed in Shang Xia’s eyes. After a moment of silence, he let out a cold laugh. "It seems that you still haven't given up on discovering my Fate Star! In that case, I might as well give you another chance!"