Paragon of Sin

Wei Wuyin removed the spiritual barrier, revealing to the world himself and Tuo Bihan who remained in an odd daze. It felt astonishingly strange as he recalled the conversation, questions, and his final answer. Was this how others felt when they inevitably decided to follow the King of Everlore?

As Wei Wuyin slowly descended towards the gathering of young elites and elders, Tuo Bihan could see the clear outline of his tall, imposing back that seemed capable of holding the world and accomplishing the nigh impossible. Such a youth, not even fifty years old yet, is laying down the foundation for his own era. 

Will he be the first notable figure that ignites the history of Wei Wuyin? 

He glanced at the jade box in his hand that contained the vial of Spirit Cleansing Elixir. "The Dao of Alchemy is limitless." 

The King of Everlore had created numerous recipes of a variety of concoction, and this was further delved into by other Alchemic Emperors. The Spirit Cleansing Elixir was not a product made by the King of Everlore, but an ancient Evil Cultivator and Alchemic Emperor, the Dread-Birth Emperor. It was an eccentric derivative of the Soul Restoration Elixir, a ninth-grade product devised by the King of Everlore.

Tuo Bihan hadn't imagined that Wei Wuyin would or even could concoct this. In truth, he felt his specialty lied in pills, as did the King of Everlore. His other concoctions started being conceived a hundred or so years after his official recognition as a Mortal Sovereign Alchemist. According to the records, this was a period of experimentation for him. 

If he could ascend to the Realmlord level by his own efforts, not igniting his lifeforce and potential, then he felt confident in being able to reign supreme throughout the starfield in this current time. The San Clan's Realmlords were superficial Realmlords, and their foundation was unlikely to be greater than his current one. 

"...Perhaps that's his intentions." His eyes kept themselves focused on that soaring figure brightened. Keeping the box, he slowly followed Wei Wuyin downwards.

Below, during their conversation, the young elites were informed of the changes to the Monarch Spirit Trials, including the addition of participants and the final prize. They didn't inform them of Wei Wuyin's wager with the Alchemist Association; it was an unnecessary detail.

Just this much was sufficient enough to ignite their desire for competition, many revving up and feeling pumped to face against talents beyond their sect. This was an absolute rarity considering the tense relationship the Myriad Monarch Sect had with the other forces. Any sign of fierce competition prior to this would've been considered an act of war. 

Those in the cultivation world did not simply allow their disciples to be injured or killed by foreign forces without swift, ruthless, and full-blown retaliation. If it was against each other, in a proper setting, they wouldn't mind. If it was during a competition for resources or in an area where fighting is allowed, they wouldn't investigate. Even if they did, they wouldn't punish. This was to ensure that each disciple treasured their lives and didn't think they had an umbrella against all harm.

It was this very setting that allowed the Myriad Monarch Sect to dominate even after the King of Everlore's era, establishing an era where they ruled the entire starfield. After all, this starfield was once named the Imperial Heaven Starfield for a reason. 

With this opportunity, many of these geniuses were ready to show off their mettle and grit. They would test themselves to their absolute limits and face cultivators who practiced Cultivation Methods, Arts, and Spells they weren't familiar with. It was quite invigorating to think about.

Qin Rui and Ji Changkong had remained on the platform, and when they saw Tuo Bihan and Wei Wuyin remove their spiritual barrier and descend, they flashed beside them. Wei Wuyin glanced at Qin Rui, his eyes calm but an imperceptible glint flitted within.

This woman was gorgeous to an extreme for a member of the elven race, and she only loses to Qing Qiumu by a few points due to youth and larger...assets. As for her pure yin aura, it was astonishingly alluring for any male and exceeded even Qing Qiumu. If he told others he lacked any desire to court her, it would be a complete and utter lie.

However, in the end, he held himself back. While cultivating with her would improve his cultivation base, and even improve his comprehension of other states due to the immersive properties of Yin and Yang merging, he knew she was an untouched virgin for a reason. He just didn't know what it was.

While they were floating down, he was direct. "Grand Imperial Sage Qin, may I ask you a rather intrusive and likely inappropriate question?" 

Qin Rui was taken aback alongside Ji Changkong, but Tuo Bihan felt as if he could read Wei Wuyin's intention clearly for some reason, and he wearily smiled. 

While taken aback, Qin Rui knew what he wanted to ask instantly. It was the question that Tuo Bihan constantly inquired to her. "If it's regarding my reasons for remaining chaste, not finding a partner despite my time in this world, then I'll answer it if you want." Beneath her concealing mist that hid her face and expression to others, she bitterly smiled.

"It is." 

"The short answer is...I promised myself to a certain someone when I was younger. He died prematurely in the war. Since then, I've remained faithful to my oath to him." Qin Rui answered, her words would likely dissatisfy countless men, and likely curse that man for his idiocy for dying too early.

"A Spirit Oath?" Wei Wuyin further inquired.

Qin Rui shook her head, her mist moving to resemble such actions. "No. I was merely a young woman at that time, barely at the Yin Form Phase. We promised to tie the knot, becoming Dao Companions, when we both ascend to the Astral Core Realm, but alas...fate wasn't kind to us." While others couldn't see her expressions at this moment, Wei Wuyin's Celestial Eyes were clear and unobstructed. She was crying.

Her tears glistened like liquid crystal. It seemed to contain a lifetime of pain, grief, and loneliness. While he didn't ask, he knew they were likely together for a long time after the Oath, merely failing by a small margin. He also understood her a little in terms of waiting, even when one was in love.

Cultivation was difficult, but it was also cruel. Those at the Ninth Stage of the Qi Condensation Realm can survive for five hundred years, but those at the Astral Core Realm can survive for a thousand, all the way to fifteen hundred. And this was merely the average, it went up and down based on one's foundation, race, illness, accidents, and bodily condition. 

If two people weren't of proportionate cultivation, then one would grow old and die while the other was at the prime of their life. There were five million Astral Core Realm experts, but tens of trillions of cultivators in the starfield. This was a horrific ratio. This was why Dao Companions existed.

Despite their pledge, they were still separated. 

How cruel.

Wei Wuyin's thoughts of intruding into this woman's heart with all sorts of plans and schemes had calmed and dissipated into smoke. He would respect her decision. But, "I understand. If you ever decide to allow your heart to be open to another, I hope you'll give me a chance." Was all he needed to say. It was respecting her right to remain chaste, and allowing his original intentions to be made known. It would be her choice to do so.

Qin Rui was startled, but she swiftly regained herself. Wei Wuyin was direct, and she liked that. Despite his potential, current status, and current ability, he didn't flaunt it around to impress or force, and merely made a gentleman's request that if, or when, she decided to live in the present, that she allowed him to court her in an above-board manner.

"I will." Her words were softly spoken, but it caused Ji Changkong's heart to fiercely throb in response. Even Tuo Bihan was shocked by her response. He didn't feel that Wei Wuyin had charisma to attract the birds, bees, gods, and ghosts, but his manner of doing things was very impressive. He nodded, clearly approving of Wei Wuyin's way. 

He recalled when Ji Changkong had first heard this story. He had essentially sworn up and down that he would let her love again, and that he, as a man, would be able to bring her happiness beyond what the dead could. He essentially tugged at her in hopes of obtaining her, trying to even force her with contrast arguments. It did him little, and he became a pest. 

Only after a beating did he slowly and quietly change his approach. Fortunately, he developed his Saber and Sword Intent, becoming sharper and prouder. He hadn't attempted to court Qin Rui for a long time.

This conversation was handled quickly. Wei Wuyin and the others landed, the gazes of everyone turning towards them. The three Grand Imperial Sages, famous figures that represented the peak strength of their sect! Even amongst the entire starfield, they were highly regarded. They also ran the three most active Extreme Mountains, and most of the disciples here belonged to the Extreme Origin Mountain or Extreme War Mountain.

They all had ties with the Extreme Creation Mountain. 

Wei Wuyin stepped forward and swept his silver eyes over the group, noticing Qing Qiumu there. His eyes lingered slightly as he smiled, and she reciprocated with an enchanting smile of her own. It had been over a year since they last saw each other. Since she ascended to the ranks of experts, becoming an Astral Core Realm elite, Qing Qiumu had grown endlessly more beautiful.

When he saw her, while he hadn't revealed it outwardly, in his heart he was startled. His past comparison of Qin Rui and Qing Qiumu was unjust. Qing Qiumu blazed Qin Rui by a thousand miles, and even her aura wasn't that lacking. Her trifecta of innate wood-attributed gifts was truly bearing godly fruit. She had to be insanely popular in the sect, her sect-destroying looks were too intense.

In truth, Qing Qiumu had just come out of seclusion, so she hadn't had enough time to cause a commotion with the pressing event of the Monarch Spirit Trials, but there were already Sky Nobles and Heavenly Kings eyeing her. In the future, a storm of trouble would definitely follow beside her steps.

Beauty was a very powerful incendiary to the hearts of proud geniuses.

His eyes soon met Long Chen's for a moment and were met with a calm, cool, and sharp gaze in reply. It wasn't filled with provocation, but one couldn't help but feel as if it contained a thousand words while simultaneously looking down on you. If it was anyone else, they might find Long Chen's gaze annoying. And wished to snuff it. But Wei Wuyin had long since found Long Chen's entire existence annoying, so he remained unaffected.

Normally, these elites might be exchanging words or comments amongst each other, but with the Grand Imperial Sages present, they were silent as ghosts in the morning.

"My name's Wei Wuyin. I'm a Heavenly King of the Extreme Creation Mountain and founder of the faction Ascendants." Wei Wuyin introduced himself, which brought all these young elites to a focus. Quite a few of them have had disconnected contact with Wei Wuyin, this revered and exceptional Prince of Everlore, so they were familiar with him.

A few had merely heard of his name and his looks. They knew he was a talent and in five years of studying at the sect, he concocted an eighth-grade pill that they were supposed to fight for today. While he hadn't received an official rank, everyone knew he was the youngest Alchemic King in recorded history. If it wasn't for the King of Everlore's curious past, which had not been well-documented, this might not be the case.

Furthermore, he was regarded as the Prince of Everlore without an Alchemic Astral Soul. This meant he had combat prowess. According to rumors, he could already rival Soul Idols at the First Stage of the Astral Core Realm. Now, he had reached the Second Stage and he wasn't even fifty years old.

While he's not the youngest recorded Sky Ruler, he was fairly close. His talent, looks, and abilities were peak-tier for any era.

Wei Wuyin realized no one was confused or shocked, so he continued. "Many of you are Mortal Commons, Earthly Elites, and some are Sky Nobles and even Heavenly Kings, like me. You either belong to a faction or have established one for yourself. I know each one of you is proud, as you should be, and exceptionally powerful to have the confidence to participate. So I'll be direct.

"My faction, Ascendants, is open recruiting. Regardless if you don't belong to a faction, you do, or you are its leader, I'm willing to accept you," Wei Wuyin spoke with a calm yet powerful voice. A clamor immediately started as the expressions of various individuals changed, a hint of uncertainty and confusion within.

Tuo Bihan finally recalled Wei Wuyin's words. He would use this as a platform to grow his own faction!

"If you are a leader of your own faction, I will not only accept you but any member beneath you that's willing to join." Wei Wuyin elaborated.

"You're asking us to disband our factions and follow yours?" A Sky Noble asked, his voice contained clear dissatisfaction. To these young geniuses that worked their asses off to establish themselves, using years to handpick and recruit talented individuals, fighting for resources on continents and planets, it was unrealistic to think they wouldn't see this as outrageous.

"Yes, I am." Wei Wuyin answered.

"Why would we do anything like that?!" A Heavenly King, a beautiful elven woman of Qin Rui's family line, asked with a hint of arrogance. To her, she had the overall backing of a Grand Imperial Sage. Furthermore, she fully intended to reach that level herself. While Wei Wuyin might be called the 'Prince of Everlore' he wasn't actually the King of Everlore's descendant.

He only concocted an eighth-grade pill using the planet's energies to supplement himself! 

Her words were echoed in the words and eyes of the others. Before they were silent, but now they were active.

However, Wei Wuyin didn't explain. He didn't need to give them a speech or lure them with promises and bribes. Instead, he merely said: "You don't have to. It's entirely your choice. But there won't be another open recruitment like this. Your 'decline' today will forever remain the same."

Long Chen was in the back watching, and when he heard Wei Wuyin essentially say that the others would have to live with their choices, regret and all, he sneered in his heart. How could these proud geniuses with endless ambition surrender their factions to you?

As he expected, many felt this was outrageous and ridiculous. While they wouldn't openly ridicule Wei Wuyin, they wouldn't cater to his every whim either.

"I, and my faction, accept!" A delicate yet sharp voice resounded! Someone had spoken!