Splitting the Heavens-Chapter 1824: Manager Hu?

Outside the Essence Luxuriant World's warehouse in the Starsea Market,

Shang Xia swept his soul across the surroundings and quickly took in the entire situation.

To resolve the trouble around the warehouse was, of course, easy for him. If he released just a sliver of his aura at the Seven Star Realm, it would surely scatter the surrounding crowd like startled birds.

However, revealing himself was not a wise move. It would only alarm his enemies and disrupt the situation.

That said, the Starsea Market operated with its own order. Though each market did not have a resident Sage, they were usually overseen by high-level True Immortals who maintained order and deterred petty criminals.

As for who truly stood behind those high-level True Immortals... Even Shang Xia couldn’t say for sure.

Because of the visible authority, even though many ill-intentioned experts were lurking around the warehouse, they didn’t dare to act openly before any news of the Essence Luxuriant World merchant fleet’s destruction reached their ears.

Once such news spread, however, those people would likely barge in under the pretense of representing the Piercing Cloud Bandits or the Three Fleet Star Pirate Alliance.

The Three Fleet Star Pirate Alliance was a coalition formed by the former super Star Pirate groups made up of the star pirate groups, Noon Yang Pirates, Star Capturing Pirates, and the Piercing Cloud Bandits. They were subdued by Sage Yuan Ling and merged into a super Star Pirate faction.

While mingling among the crowd, Shang Xia glanced at the warehouse. He noticed its protective formation was still running normally and no signs of tampering was shown.

He also saw special marks left on the formation by Song Zhen and his group before departing. Those were covert signals used exclusively among the elites of the Tongyou Institution. That meant that there were still several experts of the institution hiding in the market.

Without revealing anything, Shang Xia followed the signal’s guidance to a tavern in the marketplace. He sat by the window and casually left a hidden mark inside the bamboo chopstick holder on the table.

Sensing something, the shopkeeper behind the counter, who had been tallying accounts, glanced in Shang Xia’s direction. Naturally, his actions couldn’t escape the perceptions of a Sage.

A waiter trotted over eagerly and asked, "Honored guest, what would you like to eat?"

Shang Xia smiled. "Food can wait. Bring me a jar of your finest wine first."

The waiter was about to respond when the shopkeeper interrupted from behind the counter, "Our house wine is rather costly. If you wish to enjoy it, please move to a private room."

Shang Xia chuckled, "That’s fine. A quiet room is perfect for savoring good wine."

Hearing their conversation, the waiter immediately prepared to lead them to the private room. However, the shopkeeper stepped out from behind the counter and spoke. "I’ll attend to this esteemed guest myself. You stay here and mind the front."

The waiter didn’t question the order and stepped aside.

It didn’t take long before Shang Xia entered a private room with the shopkeeper.

As soon as the door shut, the shopkeeper straightened his back and fixed his sharp gaze on Shang Xia. "Who are you, and where are you from?"

Shang Xia smiled. "Is the wine you serve here Monkey Wine from the Battlefield Between the Two Worlds or the rank four spirit brew from the Taihang Mountains?”

With the mention of such specific wine from the Essence Luxuriant World, the shopkeeper visibly relaxed. His tension faded as he cupped his hands and smiled. "Please forgive me, senior. I’m Hu Qi, a disciple from the institution from the 8th year of Spirit Luxuriant Calendar. May I ask your name and when you joined the institution?"

"8th year of the Spirit Luxuriant Calendar?” Shang Xia didn’t answer right away. Instead, he nodded. "To have reached the Martial Dipper Realm in just 40 years... It seems you’ve done quite well."

Hu Qi trembled and extended his divine soul toward Shang Xia. However, it vanished instantly into what felt like an endless sea. Though he could see Shang Xia’s face, he couldn’t recall it clearly. His expression shifted, though he forced himself to remain composed. "Senior, how may I address you?"

After some thought, Shang Xia no longer concealed his appearance.

He had rarely appeared in public over the years, but as one of the Tongyou Institution’s Sages, both he and Kou Chongxue were well known figures.

It was especially so to Hu Qi, who wasn’t just at the Martial Dipper Realm but also managed an intelligence station in the Chaotic Sea of Stars. There was no way he wouldn’t recognize one of the two Sages in the institution.

"Sage... Sage Shang?!”

Hu Qi quickly realized who Shang Xia was, and he tried to suppress the joy in his voice.

Waving his hands, Shang Xia muttered, "No need to be nervous. I’ve sealed the space around us. No one will hear our conversation."

Hu Qi nodded rapidly, though excitement still shimmered in his eyes. "Did you... Did you come because you knew what happened?"

Shang Xia shook his head. "It was by pure coincidence. I only heard about the warehouse closure and the fleet being pursued by the Piercing Cloud Bandits after arriving today. I don’t know the full details. Please explain it to me."

Reassured by Shang Xia’s presence, Hu Qi calmed himself and recounted everything he knew in detail.

After hearing it, Shang Xia thought out loud, "So, Song Zhen’s identity was exposed purely by accident?"

Hu Qi nodded. "Exactly. True Immortal Song is a high-level True Immortal and his appearance and demeanor have changed a lot over the years. Who would have thought that one of the chiefs of the Three Fleet Star Pirate Alliance would come to the market one day. Moreover, he was the second in command of the Piercing Cloud Bandits and was familiar with True Immortal Song. True Immortal Song’s identity was exposed instantly.”

Shang Xia couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow. "Did Song Zhen reveal his current affiliation?"

Hu Qi shook his head and sighed, "True Immortal Song said that the Three Fleet Star Pirate Alliance was backed by Sage Yuan Ling. Since you had past conflicts with him, it might not just stop at the Piercing Cloud Bandits. If he brought up your name or the Essence Luxuriant World, Sage Yuan Ling could very well come himself.”

He glanced at Shang Xia cautiously as he spoke.

After all, Hu Qi had once overheard that when Shang Xia first clashed with Sage Yuan Ling, he hadn’t even stepped into the Martial Emptiness Realm! As a True Immortal, he managed to escape the pursuit of a Sage alive!

Shang Xia thought for a moment before responding. "Do you know where Song Zhen planned to go after leaving?"

Hu Qi answered immediately. "He sent me a secret transmission that he would first attempt to return to the Essence Luxuriant World. However, if intercepted, he would change course toward the great spatial vortex to use it to shake off pursuit."

Shang Xia nodded. That made sense.

Seeing Hu Qi still standing respectfully, Shang Xia asked, "What’s the general attitude in the market toward this? With so many people circling the warehouse, will the high-level True Immortals in charge of this place intend to just let it happen?"

Hu Qi revealed a bitter smile. "Sage Shang, this is the Starsea Market. After that, True Immortal Song’s identity was revealed, and the chief of the Three Fleet Star Pirate Alliance immediately announced that he would take revenge. Not long after he left, a high-level True Immortal came by to say fighting wasn’t allowed inside the market, but they couldn’t afford to offend the Three Fleet Star Pirate Alliance or Sage Yuan Ling. No matter how it sounded, he wanted to warn us to leave.”

"Hmph. What great services in the Starsea Market..." Shang Xia sneered as a cold light flashed in his eyes.

Though Hu Qi was startled by the sudden killing intent, he still asked cautiously, "Sage Shang... What should we do now?”

Shang Xia rose abruptly and strode toward the door, leaving behind his chilly declaration, “Don’t worry. Those scheming bastards won’t get the chance to lay a finger on my warehouse!”

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