Shang Xia dared to engage in consecutive battles against powerful enemies even before fully stabilizing his cultivation, largely because he held two jade pendants formed entirely from solidified origin qi. On them, he had personally engraved the Reignition Talisman! The rank seven talisman, which Shang Xia had acquired from Su Chi, was originally part of the talisman inheritance of the Heart Lamp Sect from the Essence Wilderness World. One of its most important uses was to rapidly restore a portion of a Sage’s strength within a short period of time. It was precisely through the timely replenishment of his dantian by those talismans that Shang Xia managed to stabilize his newly advanced cultivation realm during intense battles against the rank seven spiritual beast, Yuan Ling, and Yan Yu. Though Shang Xia was afforded some time to consolidate his cultivation realm on the journey back to the Heaven Observation Star Region from the Essence Chong Heavenly Field, the extremely fast speed of the fleet meant that the window was short, far from sufficient to truly solidify his advancement. That was why Gao Qin had tried to persuade Shang Xia to proceed with caution, though, in truth, it was only persuasion. If Shang Xia wished to leave, no one could stop him. As she watched Shang Xia's figure vanish, Gao Qin could only sigh and prepare to return to the command cabin in the ship. Now that Shang Xia had departed, Gao Qin needed to assume control over the rest of the journey. Thankfully, they had already entered the Heaven Observation Star Region, and few would dare make a move against the Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field’s vessels. But before she could step into the main cabin, she ran into Xin Lu, who had arrived in haste. "You went to see Sage Shang?" Xin Lu asked. While she sometimes acted casually before Shang Xia, in front of others, she always displayed the utmost respect for him. Seeing Xin Lu’s anxious look, Gao Qin easily guessed she had also intended to see Shang Xia. She nodded. "There’s no need to go. He’s already left." "He left again?!" The exasperation in Xin Lu’s tone was obvious. Clearly, it wasn't the first time such a thing had happened. "Did he go to the Void Mirage?" Xin Lu asked. Indeed, there weren't many other destinations possible for him at this point. Gao Qin nodded, then glanced at the Star Compass in her hands before asking again, “Are you looking for him because of that?" Xin Lu nodded at first, then, with a meaningful glance, slowly replied, "The constellations in that region have shifted dramatically. I can no longer locate the stars he previously claimed." Gao Qin frowned. "Why concern yourself with that? Those stars may be tied to Sage Shang’s personal cultivation secrets. Wouldn’t prying into them be improper?" Xin Lu shook her head. "Since he began selecting stars to break through to the Seven Star Realm, he’s never been especially secretive about them. In fact, the process and positioning of those stars aren’t a secret among the Stargazers of the institution or the higher-ups." Seeing Gao Qin’s stunned look, Xin Lu chuckled. "See? Even you know which region those stars reside in!" Gao Qin blinked, then suddenly seemed to release a long-held burden, laughing along with her. Shang Xia, of course, had no idea what had transpired on the You Continent during his absence. As they were speaking to each other on the You Continent, Shang Xia had already approached the space where the Void Mirage was located. Once the site of the Heaven Observation Dao Field, the area had been integrated into the Four Essence Heavenly Field. As Shang Xia approached the area, he made no attempt to conceal his aura or movement. As a result, when he was still hundreds of thousands of miles away, his arrival had already been detected by the Star Origin Lord. The other Sages gathered there quickly became aware as well. But even more shocking than Shang Xia’s sudden approach was the fact that he did not hide his aura. Everyone could tell he was a high-level Sage! Shang Xia of the Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field was a high-level Sage! He stood at the same level as the Star Origin Lord! In that instant, everyone present realized the balance of power in the Heaven Observation Star Region was about to shift. Not a single person could remain composed at the moment. How in the world did he cultivate so quickly?! One had to know that the Essence Luxuriant World barely had more than 20 continents. They just established their Heavenly Field not long ago, and even if their foundations were extraordinary, they shouldn’t be able to support a high-level Sage! What was more... The Essence Luxuriant Heavenly Field also housed Kou Chongxue, who had recently advanced to the third star. If anything, Kou Chongxue’s cultivation speed aligned better with the expected pace of their Heavenly Field’s development. Everyone could sense he was hiding immense secrets, secrets any Sage would wage war over, but what of it? Shang Xia had already reached a level equal to the Star Origin Lord. He stood at the peak of the power pyramid, a level others could only look up to. Still, it was clear to all. Shang Xia didn’t come in peace. Even when only 10,000 miles remained between him and the Void Mirage, no one said anything. Shang Xia was silent. So was Kou Chongxue. And the Star Origin Lord offered no greeting. None of the other Sages dared speak either. The atmosphere in the void grew increasingly suffocating. Despite the presence of many Sages, none felt at ease. In fact, quite a few of them silently hoped that the Void Mirage would erupt just then, anything to break the unbearable tension in the air. And perhaps sensing this pressure, or driven by other motives, the Star Origin Lord finally chose to speak. "Sage Shang, seems like you have broken through to the sixth star! This is a joyous occasion indeed!" His words shattered the silence. Several Sages breathed a quiet sigh of relief. But Shang Xia’s response sent hearts racing once more. "Oh, Star Origin Lord, you sound disappointed. Do you regret that your Starlight Clone created from the corpse of the former Star Origin Guards Commander, Zhuge Xiang, failed to stop me?” None of the Sages knew who Zhuge Xiang was, nor did they care. But all understood one thing. Obstructing someone’s path to advancement was an unforgivable offense, especially when it failed. Clearly, the matter would not be resolved peacefully. Two high-level Sages facing off was bound to affect everyone present. At that moment, streaks of light, some bright, some dim, began fleeing the area. All of them were trying to escape the impending battle zone. Those weren’t Sages, but the disciples and retainers of the Heavenly Fields. The Sages of the various Heavenly Fields were mostly tied to the region as they had to suppress the Void Mirage, but they still had their entourages nearby. When the weaker cultivators were escaping, the Star Origin Lord’s voice rang in the ears of the Sages once again. “Sage Shang, what’s with the accusation? My clone was merely traveling the stars and happened to find an isolated world. What does that have to do with obstructing your advancement? If I truly meant to stop you, I’d have intervened personally. Why send a clone?" "Now, my clone was destroyed and the Essence Chong Heavenly Field was crushed by you. Shouldn’t you offer an explanation?" Shang Xia chuckled. "You suspected I advanced by inheriting your Heaven Observation Sect’s legacy. Your clone lingered near the Essence Chong Heavenly Field, hoping to uncover my Fate Star, right? So... Did you find it?” His words silenced the void again, making the atmosphere even more grim. The Star Origin Lord didn’t bother hiding his goal. "I located it. But some time ago, it seems you concealed it once again. Still, since you exposed their trail, I doubt it will remain hidden for long. Oh? So you came here today because of this?” He sounded as though he understood everything, convinced that Shang Xia had come because he feared his Fate Star would be exposed again. Shang Xia did not deny it, though it seemed more like he was letting others believe so. In the end, a snort left Shang Xia’s lips. "Enough talk. We’ve crossed paths many times, but it’s always been through our clones. Our battle was never satisfying enough. Today, in front of the Sages in our Heaven Observation Star Region, allow me to witness firsthand the might of the Star Origin Lord of the Heaven Observation Sect, once renowned across the Chaotic Sea of Stars!" "So be it. Let today unfold as you wish!” The Star Origin Lord knew further conversation was pointless. From the moment Shang Xia arrived, the battle had been inevitable. As soon as they spoke, both released their aura. Before their domains could crash into each other, the sheer pressure caused the surrounding void to tremble and collapse. On the other side, as the confrontation erupted, the other Sages who were restraining the Void Mirage could no longer sit still. If the two fought, the shockwaves would be massive. At best, the suppression of the Void Mirage would fail. In the worst case scenario, they too, would be pulled into a catastrophic battle that affected the Heaven Observation Star Region. But before anyone could intervene, the Star Origin Lord unexpectedly broke free from the restraining formation of the void. He did it so effortlessly, contrary to what they had anticipated. In the very instant Shang Xia and the Star Origin Lord clashed, the void shattered. Both high-level Sages vanished into the collapsing space, leaving behind a group of stunned Sages, exchanging glances while completely dumbfounded. All of them were still restrained by their tangled divine souls, but it failed to affect either of those monsters.