Paragon of Sin

Chapter 1664 Chapter 1657: Discussion Within the Sun (2)

Cao Cuifen's eyes glittered with curiosity after Sage Khonshu's facial expression fell faster than nightfall. An air of gloom and grimness suffused his eyes, and his emotional state was prodded by something discomforting to remember. However, when he saw Cao Cuifen's bright, lime-green eyes focused entirely on him, he hurriedly coughed and changed his expression to one of stately demeanor with a hint of barely concealed awkwardness.

Seeing this only intensified Cao Cuifen's wandering curiosity. She recalled Young Master Shang's earlier explanation of the No-Name Galaxy, which was covered by second-hand accounts and theories of Teng Jiangwen. Strange rumors were floating about that the eight Sages that ruled the eight Major Regions of the No-Name Galaxy and divided the culture of an entire galaxy.

According to Young Master Shang, Teng Jiangwen had theorized that the eight Sages were originally a single entity that cultivated a profound soul-dividing method to produce eight different existences that could cultivate independently for one reason or another while the various galaxies in the region, the high-level powerhouse-possessing forces with Supreme Sages, were respecting a previously established agreement, which was why an excessively resource-rich galaxy like the No-Name Galaxy remained independent and without a Supreme Sage.

There was also the theory that each of the eight Sages came from the same womb and were brothers and sisters-fraternal octuplets. A total of four and four. This was immediately confusing to her because she knew that the ratio for the eight Major Regions was five females and three males.

These weren't the only rumors that existed of their legacy, yet none of the information she was given by the two guides that Wei Wuyin enlisted or Young Master Shang told of a unique art. It just goes to show that rumors, even propagated by a Sage, weren't too reliable. That said, she briefly grew contemplative at the strangeness of Teng Jiangwen's incorrectness given his strength.

Was there more to it? Or did he just sense that the eight Sages cultivated a similar or even the same technique and came to that conclusion by putting together fragmented pieces of information? She couldn't help but feel like there was more to it.

Sage Khonshu finally dissipated the tiniest trace of awkwardness in his normally impeccable demeanor and responded calmly,

"Lady Cao, you're not wrong. There is indeed someone overseeing the situation of our galaxy, including its safety and continued independence, but there are specific conditions that need to be met for them to take action."

His explanation came as a shock to Cao Cuifen. While she had asked, she never expected an actual answer, especially not after his initial reaction. Moreover, his explanation was rather detailed, lightly confirming the rumors that were circulating.

"...I see," Cao Cuifen felt further intrigued. Yet there was something that she couldn't quite pinpoint-why was he telling her this?

Sage Khonshu could sense her curiosity, and as if reading her surface thoughts, he continued:

"Lady Cao, you're the beloved of the Neo-Dawn Alchemic Saint, so these middling secrets aren't worth much if it comes with having an above-board and honest relationship."

"Oh," Cao Cuifen instantly understood. Sage Khonshu wasn't telling her, he was telling Wei Wuyin! Her husband!

"It seems my husband's status as an alchemist on the verge of a Heavenly Saint Alchemist is quite moving, even to a preeminent Sage such as yourself." Her words flowed with a sly smile.

However, those words caused Sage Khonshu to nearly jump with a start.

On the verge of a Heavenly Saint Alchemist?! What did she mean by that?

Almost instinctively, he turned to the Mystic Overlord, the elite expert of the Mystic Ascendant Realm, turned maidservant who was as obedient as a mortal servant. Grey Rose's expression was utterly calm, and there wasn't the faintest change in her expression as if she had already known of this for a long, long time.

Cao Cuifen could still recall Wei Wuyin's previous declaration of having touched the edge of the stage that sat the grand title of Heavenly Saint Alchemist to the Abyssal Overlords, causing each of them to wildly change their expressions. This largely contributed to Grey Rose's decision to submit herself as a mere maidservant, devoting herself loyally to Cao Cuifen. She was her golden thigh!

This detail caused a Sage to experience pounding palpitations of their heart out of sheer agitation while his pupils constricted. When he recalled Sage Amunet's divinations of his Alchemical Lineage, which included a Mystic-World grade product, everything was like a swirling mass of realization, illuminating his mind to a normally absurd possibility.

A Heavenly Saint Alchemist!

While Cao Cuifen had implied that he had only touched upon the Heavenly Saint Alchemist level, given what they knew of his lineage and the astonishing effects of his products, including that Exceed-tier Neo-Dawn Heavenly-Origin Paste product, it all seemed increasingly likely!

Cao Cuifen decided to strike while Sage Khonshu's brain was still swirling with all of its processing power,

"You said there were specific conditions for this person to take action. I wonder, what might that be?"

Sage Khonshu was startled out of his thoughts as he turned his gaze toward Cao Cuifen, seeing her demeanor, and shockingly, while she didn't look as shockingly sensual as Yue Songli or as gorgeous as Qing Qiumu, she had a unique charm to her that magnified her image as a strong, cunning, and confident woman.

"Conditions?" He said a little absentmindedly, but then his expression became a little solemn as he furrowed his brows.

"If it's a great secret of your galaxy, there's no need to say. I wouldn't want to cause any disharmony between you and the others."

Cao Cuifen took a step back, yet this was a calculated step that had much-implied meaning.

Sage Khonshu's eyes brightened with emotion. Right now, he was presented with an opportunity. Sage Imentet was likely already fastening herself to Alchemic Saint Luo, this Neo-Dawn Ascendant Emperor's Assistant, but if he could establish a relationship with Cao Cuifen, this would grant him an even greater connection. While it might not manifest with immediate benefits, a woman could easily sway her man's heart, and this woman had taken the title of wife from a great man, so she was bound to be unordinary.

Yet he didn't immediately run across this ladder carelessly, spewing out secrets that could be used against future enemies or lead to devastating effects by a foreign power.

He cleared his throat and straightened his spine, a friendly smile hung on his lips as he said,

"It is indeed a secret of our galaxy, but not by much, and given the future relationship between the Neo-Dawn Empire and my Descending-Lunar Wandering Galaxy, how could I deprive you of such information? I would be failing in my duties as a host."

While speaking those words, Cao Cuifen noticed mystic runes emitting lunar radiance enveloping them into a small barrier, blocking all sound and spiritual fluctuations.

She immediately saw a thin layer of lunar light form around them, and this thin layer was rippling incessantly as if something was trying to invade from multiple different angles at varying intensities and splashing the thin layer with colorful hues of different colors, including a familiar primal yellow. Both her and Grey Rose's eyes widened at the sight of the visual confirmation of a spiritual sense being present. They were being observed! By multiple individuals! Multiple Sages!

The ripples were intense, but before Sage Khonshu's mystic power, they were all halted without being able to breach. He maintained his smile and continued,

"The Guardian Deity of the Land of Manu prevents Supreme Sages from entering the galaxy, and will take action if Supreme Sages not native to the galaxy descend in any form."

"Guardian Deity?"

Cao Cuifen and Grey Rose were stunned. Deities?

Cao Cuifen instinctively followed along,

"This Guardian Deity is a Supreme Sage?"

Sage Khonshu nodded firmly, but then paused halfway through, and then frowned.

"You can say that. Our galaxy is protected and overseen by the Guardian Deity of the Endless Sky."

"Where is it? In the Land of Manu?"

Cao Cuifen asked.

Sage Khonshu nodded again. Then, with his right index finger, he pointed toward the mystical door that contained the Ascension Art that can supplement any Cultivation Method, explaining:

"The Guardian Deity is slumbering in hibernation within the core of this very palace. While I can't be certain, I do know that the Guardian Deity was the trusted right-hand of the creator of the Land of Manu, this great, ancient palace that predates my lifetime."

"..."

Cao Cuifen was shocked by this information. However, it seemed the rumors were not all lies. While she thought this, she didn't take everything Sage Khonshu said at face value, and there were likely other conditions that could trigger the awakening of this so-called Guardian Deity.

"Few know of this great secret, and now you're included among that select few."

Cao Cuifen nodded her head with a smile of thanks,

"I'm honored. But I do have another question."

"Ask away,"

Sage Khonshu didn't mind.

"You're all Sages, but none of you are Enlightened Sages; if the Guardian Deity of yours only protects your galaxy against Supreme Sages, what about them? Why hasn't any Enlightened Sage arrived and tried to dominate this galaxy now or during its early stages, or perhaps they are enough to awaken the Guardian Deity?"

This question also coursed through Grey Rose's mind as well.

"How common do you think Enlightened Sages are? Furthermore, Enlightened Sages are just Sages who've gained full awareness of their True Souls. They aren't much stronger than us in many cases. You can even say that, while they have stronger perceptions and are capable of bringing forth greater power of the Laws, there's not much else that divides us."

"But-"

Cao Cuifen was about to object to such reasoning when Sage Khonshu interrupted her with a knowing smile,

"Your thoughts aren't entirely wrong. There is a difference, but it really isn't much. We can hold our own in our territory against an Enlightened Sage. For example, the majority of Resonant Soul Realm experts have never entered the True Soul Phase. It's much like the bridging cultivation stage of the Astral Core Realm and Mystic Ascendant Realm-the Mystic Star Phase. This is a fact that's rather commonly known among greater circles.

"In fact, pursuing that phase can exhaust one's potential and lead one down to wasting years and extraordinary amounts of effort, in much the same way as many geniuses have been ruined by their attempt to cultivate their foundation further in the Mystic Star Phase. The vast majority of those ambitious geniuses ascend with great momentum, but the Mystic Ascendant Realm is a realm of comprehension to begin with, and each stage is far greater than the next. Who cares if you're invincible in the Mystic Star Phase if you can't enter the Earthly Saint Phase in your lifetime? Moreover, you're risking failing to even enter the Soul of Mysticism Phase after exhausting your lifeforce.

"While you might think the Mystic Star Phase and True Soul Phases, the two bridges of two different realms, are important stages of cultivation, the risks of entering or attaining them are far greater than you'd imagine."

Sage Khonshu paused for a bit before emotionally sighing,

"I've had descendants who've devoted themselves to pursuing an exceptional path of cultivation, their talents were astounding and their future as bright as a dawning star. They decided that after forming their Astral Idol, they would enter the Mystic Star Phase and build their foundation once again. Not just one or two, but forty-three young men and beautiful women in my lifetime. Not a single one succeeded, even with my wholehearted support on many occasions.

"What few realize is that when you take that path, unless you can establish your Mystic Physique, elevate your Mystic Core, and reinforce your Sea of Consciousness to a specific minimum based on your original foundation, challenging the next stage, the Soul of Mysticism Phase, becomes outright impossible. If performed unprepared, you'd die.

"It's hard to translate the immense difference in cultivation resources in availability and most importantly-refinement speed. I can easily provide ninth-grade products for them, but when they require Mystic-Earth grade products for cultivation...I don't even have enough for myself, and they take...sometimes...decades to centuries to concoct anything at the low-quality or higher."

Grey Rose felt that in her soul! The White Abyssal Galaxy was a prosperous galaxy, without a doubt, yet the Alchemical Lineage and Alchemic Saints were severely disappointing. She would spend years to decades in secluded cultivation refining a single Mystic-World grade resource for her cultivation or to replenish her energies after training her ascension arts. She even desperately cultivated using impure-quality products. If not for her ambition schemes, she would never have become a Mystic Overlord.

While the Mystic Ascension Realm was a realm of comprehension, that was strictly for the cultivation path itself, as separate Cultivation Methods existed that needed additional supplements, such as Wu Yu's Blood Origin Method, a Low-World rank Cultivation Method suitable for the Lower-Stages of the Mystic Ascendant Realm that expanded his energy reserves and produced a second Internal World!

These types of Cultivation Methods heavily determined a cultivator's strength, and without strength, they were only fat lambs to the slaughter for others. If not for Wei Wuyin's nurturing, Wu Yu could not have completed the Blood Origin Method in under a decade! Even with Wei Wuyin's full support, it still took so long!

Sage Khonshu's eyes flashed with a despondent light of remembrance,

"Despite me telling them repeatedly that one's bodily talent doesn't change much despite their advancement unless they have special physiques, they never take my words seriously despite their respectful responses. It just doesn't change."

How many youths had he seen destroyed trying to take that path?

"Cultivation is difficult."

Sage Khonshu, Grey Rose, and Cao Cuifen all said the same thing inexplicably, in perfect harmony. It was eerie yet they weren't shocked by their resonating words at all!

While Cao Cuifen was mostly unaware of the intricacies of the True Sage Phase, True Soul Phase, and Resonant Soul Realm, she was completely aware of the struggle to cultivate and the feeling of exceedingly long concoction and mind-numbing, lonely periods of refinements.

"..."