Splitting the Heavens

Chapter 1573: The Full Strength of the Spirit Mammoth World

Upon hearing Zuo Li's explanation, Shang Xia instinctively glanced at Kou Chongxue who nodded slowly.

From Zuo Li's introduction, it seemed that the clones the Star Origin Lord had separated not only possessed combat power comparable to the Martial Emptiness Realm but could also think for themselves. That sounded like his External Avatar, which was something Kou Chongxue agreed with.

Perhaps the only difference from Shang Xia's External Avatars was that the clones created by the Star Origin Lord could only maintain combat strength at the initial Martial Emptiness Realm.

"Is there a limit to the number of clones the Star Origin Lord can create?" Shang Xia asked suddenly.

This question left the 7 True Immortals of the 3 World Alliance momentarily unable to respond.

After thinking for a moment, Shang Xia continued, "Have there been instances where the experts of the Spirit Mammoth World, Spirit Abundance World, you guys, and the Star Origin Dao Field had been simultaneously intercepted by the Star Origin Lord's clones at the heavenly screen?”

Zuo Li responded immediately, "It happened once. All 4 factions joined forces to breach the heavenly screen and were intercepted by 4 clones created by the Star Origin Lord.”

Kou Chongxue continued, "In that battle, the experts of the Star Origin Lord Manor destroyed the first clone, but the Star Origin Lord immediately created a second clone. The experts of the Star Origin Lord Manor might be able to fight, but they didn’t wish to continue and withdrew.”

Zuo Li nodded and added, "Once they left, we were outnumbered. As such, all of us withdrew at once.”

Shang Xia nodded thoughtfully. "Although it was after one of the clones was destroyed that the next was formed, to be cautious, we should assume the Star Origin Lord can separate at least 5 clones that possess combat strength in the Martial Emptiness Realm.”

Qu Guan frowned. "That’s too much..."

He shook his head, unable to accept the thought. Even though his reasoning told him that Shang Xia wasn’t too far off the truth, he didn’t wish to believe it! The thought of the opponent being able to summon more than 5 Martial Emptiness Realm clones was overwhelming and even brought a sense of despair.

Who in the world were they fighting?!

They were just fighting his clones for the time being, not considering if his true body exists... Of course, that was still a matter of debate.

Shang Xia understood the shock and doubt in the minds of Qu Guan and the others but still looked at the patriarch of his institution to ask, "Patriarch Kou, on the basis of not harming your cultivation, how many clones can you create at most?”

Kou Chongxue seemed to understand Shang Xia's intention. Although the question might reveal a portion of his strength, he still answered with a smile, “Separating clones actually weakens one’s combat power to some extent. This will also affect the soul. If I don’t harm my cultivation, I will be able to split off 3 clones at the first tier of the Martial Void Realm with no problems.”

Zuo Li's eyes sparkled, and he wanted to turn to look at Kou Chongxue. However, he stopped himself at the last second and maintained a calm expression.

However, Qu Guan wasn’t able to control himself as well. He sighed with admiration, “I can only separate 2 first tier True Immortal clones... Any more and my cultivation level will drop back to the third tier..."

True Immortal Shao added, "I can barely create 2 as well. However, I might not be able to fight after doing so as it would be difficult to maintain the combat strength of a high-level True Immortal otherwise."

True Immortal Shao entered the fourth tier later than the rest and he was clearly weaker than Qu Guan who was also a fourth tier True Immortal.

Turning to Shang Xia suddenly, Qu Guan asked, “True Immortal Shang, you should be able to create more clones, right?”

Shang Xia chuckled softly, "Yeah. I can create 4 or 5 of them."

After saying this, he disregarded the stunned crowd and continued, "Since we can separate multiple clones, it shouldn't be surprising that the Star Origin Lord can also separate multiple Martial Emptiness Realm clones."

Shang Xia has always the low-level technique of creating weak clones. Even if he could split off 4 or 5 first tier True Immortal clones, what good could it do?

Would they be able to match up to a high-level True Immortal External Avatar he could create?

Obviously not!

At this point, Zuo Li slowly said, "If True Immortal Shang can separate 4 or 5 clones, and the Star Origin Lord can also split off so many Martial Emptiness Realm clones, does that mean that the Star Origin Lord reached the peak of the Martial Emptiness Realm?”

Zuo Li's speculation was a blow to everyone's confidence, causing those whose cultivation had not yet reached the fourth tier to show signs of doubt.

Shang Xia smiled, but his next words seemed to hit even harder, "It's probably more than that. Don’t forget about the Essence Ping World! Even if the Star Origin Lord only controls half of it, it’s still a major part of an Essence World. He’s not lacking in world origin. As long as his soul can hold out, there isn’t a need to mention 5 clones. 7 or 8 clones shouldn’t be a problem.”

The third tier True Immortals were visibly startled and they nearly broke out into commotion. Even True Immortal Shao and Qu Guan couldn’t sit still.

Kou Chongxue chuckled at the sight and sighed, “Yeah... But first, his soul must be able to hold on.”

Zuo Li's expression brightened suddenly. "Exactly! Don't forget, the Star Origin Lord's soul must still contend against the Essence Ping World’s Will. He might not be lacking in energy, but his soul can’t withstand such frequent splitting. Otherwise, the Essence Ping World’s Will might be able to devour him... Huh?”

Zuo Li seemed to suddenly understand what Shang Xia was driving at. “True Immortal Shang, is that what you mean?”

A soft smile appeared on Shang Xia’s face. "Fighting the Star Origin Lord’s clones outside the heavenly screen isn’t just to obtain world origin. More importantly, we need to weaken the Star Origin Lord’s soul so that he can’t take over the World’s Will so easily!”

Qu Guan couldn’t help but interject, "But if the Spirit Abundance World triggers the Frost Wave again, wouldn’t that further weaken the World’s Will, bringing us back to square one?"

Shang Xia nodded. "That’s indeed a problem. It looks like we'll have to wait for the Star Origin Dao Field and Zhuo Gudao to enter the fray for things to take a turn. For now, let’s see what the Spirit Mammoth World’s stance is.”

As soon as Shang Xia spoke, a streak of light came from the depths of the void and landed in Zuo Li’s hand. It was a response to the transmission talisman he sent out earlier.

"What did the Spirit Mammoth World say?"

Noticing Zuo Li’s frown that was getting deeper by the second, Qu Guan felt a sense of foreboding.

Zuo Li handed the transmission talisman to Kou Chongxue and sighed, "They refuse to work with us any longer. Essentially, all of us will be relying on ourselves to deal with the Essence Ping World from now on.”

True Immortal Shao asked in a strange voice, "How can the Spirit Mammoth World compete with the Spirit Abundance World then? The Spirit Abundance World is right beside the Essence Ping World and they can absorb world origin from the massive hole in the Essence Ping World’s heavenly screen...”

Zuo Li didn’t respond, but his expression grew darker.

Kou Chongxue withdrew his divine soul from the transmission talisman, looked up at Shang Xia before sighing softly, “The Spirit Mammoth World called for external help.”

"External help?!" True Immortal Shao couldn’t help but yell.

Kou Chongxue remained emotionless as he stated flatly, "They’ve formed a joint battle formation consisting of all their high-level True Immortals.”